Our Saviour "condemned sin in the flesh," conquering the problem for the human race. He forever outlawed sin in the vast universe of God by defeating it in its last lair-our fallen, sinful human flesh. Because of Him, there is now no reason for any human being to go on living under the frightful "dominion" of sin. Sinful addictions lose their grip if one has "the faith of Jesus."
The Bible Teaching
(a) The purpose of Christ's coming was to "destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8).(b) He succeeded (Hebrews 2:14, 15)!
(c) The victory was won by meeting all the temptation that Satan can present to sinful human "flesh" or nature, and by conquering sin there (Romans 8:3).
(d) The result: those who have faith in Him demonstrate in their lives "the righteousness of the law" (verse 4).
(e) God's people will "overcome even as [He] overcame" (Revelation 3:20).
(f) One who has such faith cannot continue under the "dominion" of sin (Romans 6:14).
(g) The result of the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary will be the preparation of a people for translation, who will by faith in Christ become "mature" or "perfect" in character (Hebrews 6:1; 7:25; 10:1; 11:39, 40; 13:20, 21).
(h) This demonstration will honor Christ as a Bridegroom (Revelation 14:1-5; 19:7, 8).
The message of Jones and Waggoner
"'Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.' To do this as the Bible enjoins, to consider Christ continually and intelligently, just as He is, will transform one into a perfect Christian" (Waggoner, Christ and His Righteousness, p. 5)."[Christ] has made and consecrated a way by which, in Him, every believer can in this world, and for a whole lifetime, live a life holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and as a consequence be made with Him higher that the heavens. … Perfection, perfection of character, is the Christian goal-perfection attained in [not of!] human flesh in this world. Christ attained it in human flesh in this world, and thus made and consecrated a way by which, in Him, every believer can attain it. He, having attained it, has become our great High Priest, by His priestly ministry in the true sanctuary to enable us to attain it" (Jones, The Consecrated Way, pp. 83, 84).
Ellen White Agrees
"God was manifested in the flesh to condemn sin in the flesh, by manifesting perfect obedience to all the law of God. Christ did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth. He corrupted not human nature, and, though in the flesh, He transgressed not the law of God in any particular. More that this, He removed every excuse from fallen man that he could urge for a reason for not keeping the law of God. … This testimony concerning Christ plainly shows that He condemned sin in the flesh. No man can say that he is hopelessly subject to the bondage of sin and Satan. Christ has assumed the responsibilities of the human race. … He testifies that through his imputed righteousness the believing soul shall obey the commandments of God" (Signs of the Times, January 16, 1896)."[Christ] made an offering so complete that through His grace every one may reach the standard of perfection. Of those who receive His grace and follow His example it will be written in the book of life, 'Complete in Him,-without a spot or stain.' … He can bring us to complete restoration" (Review and Herald, May 30, 1907).
"Those who are living upon the earth when the intercession of Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above are to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator. Their robes must be spotless, their characters must be purified from sin by the blood of sprinkling. Through the grace of God and their own diligent effort they must be conquerors in the battle with evil" (The Great Controversy, p. 425).