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Kept From Falling

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. Jude 24

In order to understand this text fully I searched the Spirit of Prophecy to see how it was applied. This is my compilation of the thoughts gleaned from my study. All emphases are mine. All my comments and emphases will be bulleted and italic text. Let’s see how God uses these phrases, and what context he puts them in by reading the words of his messenger.

The indulgence of spiritual pride, of unholy desires, of evil thoughts, of anything that separates us from an intimate and sacred association with Jesus, imperils our souls. . . . We must "fight the good fight of faith," if we would "lay hold on eternal life" (1 Tim. 6:12). We are "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation" (1 Peter 1:5). If the thought of apostasy is grievous to you, . . . then "abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good" ( Rom. 12:9); and believe in Him who is "able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy." {AG 333.5}

We have no reason to fear while looking to Jesus, no reason to doubt but that He is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto Him; but we may constantly fear lest our old nature will again obtain the supremacy, that the enemy shall devise some snare whereby we shall again become his captives. We are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God that worketh in you to will and to do of His good pleasure. With our limited powers we are to be as holy in our sphere as God is holy in His sphere. To the extent of our ability, we are to make manifest the truth and love and excellence of the divine character. As wax takes the impression of the seal, so the soul is to take the impression of the Spirit of God and retain the image of Christ. {Mar 227.2}

There must be a steadfast resistance of temptation to sin in thought or act. The soul must be kept from every stain, through faith in Him who is able to keep you from falling. We should meditate upon the Scriptures, thinking soberly and candidly upon the things that pertain to our eternal salvation. The infinite mercy and love of Jesus, the sacrifice made in our behalf, call for most serious and solemn reflection. We should dwell upon the character of our dear Redeemer and Intercessor. We should seek to comprehend the meaning of the plan of salvation. We should meditate upon the mission of Him who came to save His people from their sins. By constantly contemplating heavenly themes, our faith and love will grow stronger. Our prayers will be more and more acceptable to God, because they will be more and more mixed with faith and love. They will be more intelligent and fervent. When the mind is thus filled . . . the believer in Christ will be able to bring forth good things from the treasure of the heart. {SD 109. 110}

If they will keep Bible precepts ever as their textbook, they will have greater influence over the youth; for the teachers will be learners, having a living touch with God. All the time they are inculcating ideas and principles that will lead to a greater knowledge of God, and earnest, growing faith in their behalf in the blood of Jesus, and the power and efficiency of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to keep them from falling; because they are constantly seeking the strongholds of a healthful and well-balanced Christian experience, carrying with them qualifications for future usefulness, and intelligence, and piety. Granville, N.S.W., June 12, 1895. {SpTEd 238}

Do not think you must indulge in this pleasure and in that. Determine that you will be on the Lord's side. If you will stand under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel, faithfully doing his service, you need never yield to temptation; for One stands by your side who is able to keep you from falling… Christ is the greatest Teacher the world has ever known. He must dwell in the heart by living faith. Then his Spirit will be through you a vitalizing power. {YI, August 3, 1899 par. 4}

In the results of His work Christ will behold its recompense. In that great multitude which no man could number, presented "faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy," He whose blood has redeemed and whose life has taught us "shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied."--Ed 309 (1903). {LDE 281.3}

"My brother, whom the Lord has honored by giving a message of truth for the world, in God alone can you maintain your integrity. 'But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on the most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment spotted of the flesh.' While this hatred for the sin that spots and stains the soul is expressed, we are, with one hand, to lay hold of the sinner with the firm grasp of faith, while with the other we grasp the hand of Christ. 'Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God {KC 36}

§ In the next quote, please note that it is not our works or performance that enables us to be presented faultless, but Christ’s works. Only through his life, his grace can we be considered faultless. He alone is faultless, except by faith in his merits. Through faith alone, sinners cover every defect and receive his faultless character. Steps to Christ page 62

With what care, then, should we examine our hearts in the light of the divine law, and compare ourselves with the one faultless Pattern, that no defect may be found upon us in the day of God. We cannot afford to make a mistake in a matter in which eternal interests are involved.

{ST, March 9, 1882 par. 9}

Make Christ your dependence. Thus you may every day be increasingly enriched by His love. But without Him you are helpless, utterly unable to subdue one sin, or to overcome the smallest temptation. May God help you to understand the words, "As the branch can not bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in Me." Connection with Christ is a positive necessity, if the fruit we bear is to be acceptable to God. Connection with Him results in purity of heart, in a faultless life. {PUR, January 19, 1905 par. 7}

What is the fruit for which God calls? "Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." May God help us to bear this fruit, is my prayer. May He help us to put our capabilities and powers to a right use. Then we shall see things in their true bearing.

Ellen G. White.

{PUR, January 19, 1905 par. 8}

Now is fulfilled the Savior’s prayer for His disciples, "I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am" (John 17:24). "Faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 24), Christ presents to the Father the purchase of His blood. . . . Oh, the wonders of redeeming love! The rapture of that hour when the infinite Father, looking upon the ransomed, shall behold His image. . . ! {AG 357.6}

§ In the next quote, please note that it is not our works or performance that enables us to be presented faultless, but Christ’s redemption. Because we are redeemed, we are presented with a victory gained by Christ, gained in our behalf. By faith His victory is our victory.

The word of life is that by which the Christian is to live. From this word we are to receive a continually increasing knowledge of truth. From it we are to gain light, purity, goodness, and a faith which works by love and purifies the soul. It is given us that we may be redeemed and presented faultless before the throne of divine glory. Wondrous victory, gained by Christ in man's behalf!--Letter 60, April 21, 1900, to a young man seeking Ellen White's counsel. {TDG 120.4}

§ In the next quote, please note the question Ellen White asks, and the obvious answer, NO! We are continually dependent on God’s compassionate, loving grace. We are held accountable for every neglect, every failure to show the love of God to others.

Can you stand before God and plead a faultless character, a blameless life? Often you have needed the forgiveness of Jesus. You are continually dependent on His compassion and love. Yet have you not failed of manifesting toward others the love Christ has manifested toward you? Have you felt a burden for the one you saw venturing into forbidden paths? Have you kindly admonished him? Have you wept for him and prayed with him and for him? Have you, by tender words and kindly acts, shown him that you love him? As you have associated with those who were faltering and staggering under the load of infirmities of disposition and faulty habits, have you left them to fight the battle alone? Have you passed these sorely tempted ones by on the other side, while the world has stood ready to give them sympathy and to allure them into Satan's snare? Have you said, like Cain, "Am I my brother's keeper?" How must the great Head of the church regard the great work of your life? To Him every soul is precious. How, then, must He look upon your indifference with regard to those who stray from right paths? Be sure that He who is the true Watchman of the Lord's house marks every neglect. {PUR, April 10, 1902 par. 10}

In the next quote, please note that it is not our works or performance that enables us to be presented faultless, but Christ’s works that save us. Note the way God looks at those who stand with the devil, and constantly point out the faults of God’s workers and his people:

“Let no one be sharp and dictatorial in his dealing with God's workers. Let those who are inclined to censure remember that they have made mistakes as grievous as the mistakes which they condemn in others. Let them bow in contrition before God, asking his pardon for the sharp speeches that they have made, and the unchristlike spirit they have revealed. Let them remember that God hears every word they speak, and that as they judge, so they will be judged. Christ is pleading the case of every tempted soul, but while he is doing this, many of his people are grieving him by taking their stand with Satan to accuse their brethren, pointing to their polluted garments”.

{RH, March 17, 1903 par. 13}

While some in the church are constantly pointing to the sinful clothing of their fellow members, always trying to take our eyes off Jesus, and get them to focus on themselves and their sinfulness, Christ does not share their evil view. Don’t let them get to you. Don’t listen to them. They are just doing Satan’s work. She asks of them, “Is your life faultless?” The obvious answer is NO! She knew that “No one is perfect but Jesus”. (That I May Know Him p. 136)

It’s troubling how the very ones always talking about perfectionism are often the most critical, unkind, and unloving in their attitude. Perfectionism is a false religion, based on a self-centered legalism.

“None of the prophets or apostles made proud boasts of holiness. The nearer they came to perfection of character, the less worthy and righteous they viewed themselves. But those who have the least sense of the perfection of Jesus, those whose eyes are least directed to Him, are the ones who make the strongest claim to perfection.” {FW 54.1}

It is the devil’s way of turning your eyes from Jesus, and tricking you into focusing on your own faults or the faults of others. Don’t fall for it! Don’t be misled! Keep your eyes on Jesus. He looks at you in an entirely different way than they do. In the next quote, you will see how Jesus looks at you while they are being so critical:

Let not the criticized ones become discouraged; for while their brethren are condemning them, Christ is saying of them, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands. By creation and by redemption thou art mine. God's word is, "Honor all men. Love the brotherhood." Show all men respect, even though they do not reach the standard you have set for them. They may have made mistakes, but is your life faultless? Have you censured your own errors as severely as you have censured the errors of others?

{RH, March 17, 1903 par. 13}

"The truth of Jesus Christ does not tend to gloom and sadness...We must look away from the disagreeable to Jesus. We must love him more, obtain more of His attractive beauty and grace of character, and cease the contemplation of others' mistakes and errors. We should remember that our own ways are not faultless. We make mistakes again and again... No one is perfect but Jesus. Think of Him and be charmed away from yourself, and every disagreeable thing, for by beholding our defects faith is weakened... I point you to Christ, the Rock of Ages." TIMKH p. 136

“…but passing through the corrupt channels of humanity, they are so defiled that unless purified by blood, they can never be of value with God. They ascend (to the heavenly sanctuary) not in spotless purity, and unless the Intercessor, who is at God's right hand, presents and purifies all by His righteousness, it is not acceptable to God. . . . Oh, that all may see that everything in obedience, in penitence, in praise and thanksgiving, must he placed upon the glowing fire of the righteousness of Christ”

(Selected Messages, 1:344, 345).

“Lord, help us to trust solely in the merits of Jesus for our salvation. Help us to love those who disagree with us, and to remember that we ourselves were once lost, confused, and in darkness. Thank you for accepting us just as we are, and changing us into your blessed image day by day as we imitate the wonderful pattern of love that you sent us in your Son Jesus. Amen”.

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