Law and Character

Jesus proceeded to show His hearers what it means to keep the commandments of God--that it is a reproduction in themselves of the character of Christ. For in Him, God was daily made manifest before them. {MB 55.1}

A legal religion is insufficient to bring the soul into harmony with God. . . . The only true faith is that which "worketh by love" (Galatians 5:6) to purify the soul. It is as leaven that transforms the character. . . . Jesus proceeded to show His hearers what it means to keep the commandments of God--that it is a reproduction in themselves of the character of Christ. For in Him, God was daily made manifest before them.--Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, pp. 51-55. {RC 69.8}

Christ came to our world to represent the character of God as it is represented in His holy law; for His law is a transcript of His character. Christ was both the law and the gospel. The angel that proclaims the everlasting gospel proclaims the law of God; for the gospel of salvation brings men to obedience of the law, whereby their characters are formed after the divine similitude. {2SM 106.2}

We need to understand that imperfection of character is sin. All righteous attributes of character dwell in God as a perfect, harmonious whole, and every one who receives Christ as a personal Saviour is privileged to possess these attributes. {COL 330.2}

1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.