MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
October 8, 2025
God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration
THE PURPOSE OF THE PLAN OF SALVATION
“Submit yourselves therefore unto God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh unto you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double-minded. Be afflicted and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.” James 4: 7-11, KJV.
Let’s keep it simple, accurate and pure in “the truth as it is in Jesus.” Note the following quotes from the inspired pen (all emphasis and bracketed words supplied):
“There are many who get above the simplicity of Jesus Christ, supposing that they must do some great thing in order to do the works of God [that He requires and empowers us to do]. . . . [But] our first and highest duty is to know that we are abiding in Christ [see John 15:7]. We must do the work. We are to seek to know ‘What saith the Lord, yielding our lives to His guidance…..
“SALVATION means to us COMPLETE SURRENDER of soul, body, and spirit [mind, character, attitude, personality]. Because of the unruly elements of our [fallen, sinful] nature our passions often gain the mastery. THE ONLY HOPE OF THE SINNER IS TO CEASE FROM SIN. Thus his will, will be in harmony with Christ. His soul will be brought into fellowship with God.” -E. G. White, Manuscript 73, May 11, 1899.
I can never overstate this fundamental truth of the Gospel’s purpose:
“It was to RESTORE this [the image-character of the Creator in the man] that the PLAN OF SALVATION was devised. . . .TO BRING HIM BACK TO THE PERFECTION in which he was first created is the GREAT OBJECT OF LIFE,—the object [aim, purpose, goal] that underlies every other.” -Ibid, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 595.
“He [God in Christ] would give all heaven to WORK OF SALVATION, OF RESTORING THE MORAL IMAGE OF GOD IN MAN.” Ibid, Sons and Daughters (devotional), p. 229.
When any sinner, no matter how deep he has fallen into sin, and has not yet committed the unpardonable sin against the Holy Spirit, and in humble repentance, unconditionally, willingly, and voluntarily yields his will and submits to God in Christ, God will restore in him His own image of moral perfection by the character-perfecting work of sanctification—the impartation of Christ’s perfect righteousness, which is “the fitness for heaven.”
This is accomplished, perfected, and sealed in the redeemed, overcoming sinner while yet on sin-cursed earth in his mortal nature and corruptible flesh subject to death and decomposition. It is not the former but the latter is what is “changed in the blink of an eye at the last trumpet” from “corruptible to incorruptible” glorified flesh nature at Christ’s second advent! This is part of the “many-splendored” parts of the perfect and perfecting plan of salvation! Praise God!
To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.