Possession by faith

"Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling". (Jude 24). 

"When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes possession of the new heart. A change is wrought which man can never accomplish for himself. It is a supernatural work, bringing a supernatural element into human nature. The soul that is yielded to Christ becomes His own fortress, which He holds in a revolted world, and He intends that no authority shall be known in it but His own. A soul thus kept in possession by the heavenly agencies is impregnable to the assaults of Satan." Desire of ages, p. 324.

Possession by heavenly agencies is a powerful thought. We know that there is possession by satanic agencies. Scripture clearly shows us possession by demonic influences.

"Every soul that refuses to give himself to God is under the control of another power. He is not his own. He may talk of freedom, but he is in the most abject slavery. He is not allowed to see the beauty of truth, for his mind is under the control of Satan. While he flatters himself that he is following the dictates of his own judgment, he obeys the will of the prince of darkness. Christ came to break the shackles of sin-slavery from the soul. 'If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.' 'The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus' sets us 'free from the law of sin and death.' (Rom. 8:2)." Desire of Ages, p. 466.

But doesn't the Bible show us possession by faith in Jesus, possession by His influence? Isn't possession by faith the way to righteousness by faith? Therefore, we must conclude that righteousness comes by possession by Jesus. Righteousness by another possession. As it is written, "He led captivity captive." (Eph. 4:8).

This concept is nothing more than a development of the embrace of God. It's the bosom of God! It's love, infinite, eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, divine love. It's ownership by God. Are you afraid of a love that means ownership? Not owned by God, as in an inanimate object, a pet, or chattel. But as a prized soul captivated by a love that is stronger than death. Are you afraid of such a love if it has built in restrictions and requirements and commitments? But, what if, in all love's restrictions and requirements and commitments, it offers the highest sense of freedom? What if, as He promised, Jesus' burden really is light because of love? Doesn't love make us levitate and float? Union with our Redeemer is the only safe trip.

"In the work of redemption there is no compulsion. No external force is employed. Under the influence of the Spirit of God, man is left free to choose whom he will serve. In the change that takes place when the soul surrenders to Christ, there is the highest sense of freedom. The expulsion of sin is the act of the soul itself. True, we have no power to free ourselves from Satan's control; but when we desire to be set free from sin, and in our great need cry out for a power out of and above ourselves, the powers of the soul are imbued with the divine energy of the Holy Spirit, and they obey the dictates of the will in fulfilling the will of God." Desire of Ages, p. 466.

So, are we willing to surrender to Christ and come under His omnipotent control of omnipotent love? Will we come into the union within "the Beloved". In the Beloved-- i.e. adopted, accepted, brought into the union between the Father and the Son. "At that day (the day of Pentecost) ye shall know that I am in My Father, and ye in Me, and I in you." (John 14:20). Oh, blessed thought.

"Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:5,6)-- i.e. the Commonwealth, the counsel of peace between Them both.

But wait! First we must do the first work. Let's not forget the Schoolmaster! We must come under the Law, God's Law, "the curse of the Law" (Gal. 3:13). Once we have received the accusation from the great Schoolmaster (per Galatians 3:24, Romans 3:19, and Early Writings, p. 270.2,3), and deep submission has brought our case before His throne for judgment, then He brings us to Christ to be justified by the faith that we gained while we were learning to submit to God's will. "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." (Heb. 10:10). In justification we have the highest sense of freedom.

"The only condition upon which the freedom of man is possible is that of becoming one with Christ. 'The truth shall make you free;' and Christ is the truth. Sin can triumph only by enfeebling the mind, and destroying the liberty of the soul. Subjection to God is restoration to one's self,—to the true glory and dignity of man. The divine law, to which we are brought into subjection, is 'the law of liberty.' (Jas. 2:12)." Desire of Ages, p. 466.

If we go to the only qualified interpreter of God's Law, the only modern prophet, Ellen White, then we can learn what God sees regarding our condition.

Otherwise, we say in our heart, "We will not have this Man to reign over us." (Luke 19:14). But if we obey the gospel Galatians 3:24, two-step science of salvation, then we receive the promised "Spirit of His Son" (Gal. 4:6) who is "the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father" (Rom. 8:15). The Law has been written in our hearts, and God's new covenant with us is written in stone. In Christ all His promises are, "Yea, Yea". 

The promise is ours:

"Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The Lord of hosts is His name: If those ordinances depart from before Me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before Me for ever." (Jer. 31:35,36).

"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Gal. 3:29).