Question: I see myself with so many faults, but I read in the Bible that I must be without spot and blameless (II Peter 3:14). How is this possible?
Answer:
It is not by anything man can do by his own merit to complete the good work in you that was initiated by the Holy Spirit. He will complete what He started (Philippians 1:6).
“By partaking of the Spirit of God, conforming to the law of God, man becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ brings His disciples into a living union with Himself and with the Father. Through the working of the Holy Spirit upon the human mind, man is made complete in Christ Jesus. Unity with Christ establishes a bond of unity with one another. This unity is the most convincing proof to the world of the majesty and virtue of Christ, and of His power to take away sin.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, 1148.
“The influence of the Holy Spirit is the life of Christ in the soul. We do not see Christ and speak to Him, but His Holy Spirit is just as near us in one place as in another. It works in and through every one who receives Christ. Those who know the indwelling of the Spirit reveal the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.” Ibid., vol. 6, 1112.
“The words spoken to the disciples are spoken also to us. The Comforter is ours as well as theirs. The Spirit furnishes the strength that sustains striving, wrestling souls in every emergency, amidst the hatred of the world, and the realization of their own failures and mistakes. In sorrow and affliction, when the outlook seems dark and the future perplexing, and we feel helpless and alone—these are the times when, in answer to the prayer of faith, the Holy Spirit brings comfort to the heart.” The Acts of the Apostles, 51.
Since this is the means by which we are to receive power,
- Why do we not hunger and thirst for the gift of the Spirit?
- Why do we not talk of it,
- pray for it,
- and preach concerning it?
“The Lord is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who serve Him than parents are to give good gifts to their children.” Ibid., 50.
“Of the Spirit Jesus said, ‘He shall glorify Me’ (John 16:14). The Saviour came to glorify the Father by the demonstration of His love; so the Spirit was to glorify Christ by revealing His grace to the world. The very image of God is to be reproduced in humanity. The honor of God, the honor of Christ, is involved in the perfection of the character of His people.” The Desire of Ages, 671.
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6.