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Jesus Christ is the all-pervading theme of all the writings of Ellen White. She wrote four specific books on the life and teachings of Christ, and her book on the life of Christ, The Desire of Ages, has been hailed the best devotional book ever written on the life and ministry of Christ.
Her writings draw readers to Christ and produce a longing to commune with Him, as we see in the book The Youth’s Instructor:
Jesus Christ, the Majesty of Heaven, was not discerned in the disguise of humanity. He was the divine teacher sent from God, the glorious treasure given to humanity. He was fairer than the sons of men, but his matchless glory was hidden under a cover of poverty and suffering. He veiled his glory in order that divinity might touch humanity, and the treasure of immense value was not discerned by the human race, "but as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." The man who finds Christ, the man who beholds the treasure of salvation, has found the field and the hidden treasure. "The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth...And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace." The treasure indeed is hidden under the garb of humanity. Christ is the unsearchable riches, and he who finds Christ, finds heaven. The human agent who looks upon Jesus, who dwells by faith on his matchless charms, finds the eternal treasure. In the parable, he who finds the treasure is represented as so well satisfied with his discovery that he sells all that he has to purchase that field.
In a further statement, Ellen White explains the development of the relationship with Christ and how through His grace we can once more become children of God and laborers with God:
All spiritual life is derived from Jesus Christ. ‘As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God.’ John 1:12 But what is the sure result of becoming a child of God? The result is that we become labourers together with God. There is a great work to be done for your own soul’s salvation, and to qualify you to win others from unbelief to a life sustained by faith in Christ Jesus. ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me (with a casual faith?—No, with an abiding faith that works by love and purifies the soul) hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life...I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever, and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world...Except yet eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day (Selected Messages Volume 1, 137).
The writings of Ellen White place our relationship with Christ in the right perspective. There are those who believe that to know Christ is sufficient in itself to be saved. Christ came to save that which was lost, and He came to restore us to the image of God. We cannot claim justification and then refuse sanctification, which are both offered as gifts from God through the merits of Jesus Christ. Ellen White tells us this:
In this age, the word of God is not considered reliable. The word of Christ, that cuts directly across human desires and indulgences, and condemns popular habits and practices,—the Word which was made flesh and dwelt among us,—is ignored and despised. The teachings and example of Christ are not made the criterion for the life of the professed follower of Christ. Many who name the name of Christ are walking in the light of the sparks of their own kindling, rather than following in the footsteps of their professed Master. They do not represent the same character that Christ represented in His pure, sincere love to God, and in His love for fallen man. They do not take God at his word, and identify their interests with Jesus Christ. They do not form the habit of communing with Jesus, of taking him as a guide and counsellor, and thus learn the trade of living a well-defined Christian life. Those who not only hear but do the words of Christ, make manifest in character the operation of the Holy Spirit. The result of the internal operation of the Holy Spirit is demonstrated in the outward conduct. The life of the Christian is hid with Christ in God, and God acknowledges those who are his, declaring, “Ye are my witnesses”. They testify that divine power is influencing their hearts and shaping their conduct. Their works give evidence that the Spirit is moving upon the inward man; those who are associated with them are convinced that they are making Jesus Christ their Pattern (Review and Herald, January 12, 1896).
Throughout her writings, Christ is exalted as our Redeemer, the only One through whom we can be saved:
The world’s Redeemer was treated as we deserve to be treated, in order that we might be treated as He deserved to be treated. He came to our world and took our sins upon His own divine soul, that we might receive His imputed righteousness. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we had no share. The world’s Redeemer gave Himself for us.
Who was He?—The Majesty of heaven, pouring out His blood upon the altar of justice for the sins of guilty man. We should know our relationship to Christ and His relationship to us. We are to trust God fully, and ask Him to supply the least as well as the greatest want. The Lord encourages our confidence; and the great proof of our union with Christ, and the best manifestation of our love to Him, is in yielding obedience to His claims. If you have love to Jesus Christ, which is an expression of the life of Christ in the soul, then you will do what He commands you. This is practical religion. Redeemed by the ransom money paid for your souls, you will go forth and how much you love Jesus by obedience to His commandments. You are to bring forth fruit by doing His commandments, because you are branches of the living Vine. It is His prayer that His joy might remain in you and that your joy might be full (Review and Herald, March 21, 1893).
Truly Ellen White exalted Jesus Christ as the Son of God.
This article is adapted from Truth Matters by Professor Walter J. Veith, an international speaker who has studied Biblical issues in-depth in his quest for truth. His popular series Genesis Conflict brings the debate between Creation and evolution to a new climax as he dissects the arguments with a scientific eye. His highly-acclaimed series Total Onslaught sheds light on the state of the world today as we move to a one-world government and an anticipated apocalypse.
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