Rustin Sweeney

"when we love the world as He has loved it, then for us His mission is accomplished. We are fitted for heaven; for we have heaven in our hearts."

[Rustin Sweeney @rustinsweeney]

And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom, which will never be destroyed: and this kingdom will not be left to other people, but it will break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it will stand forever

My kingdom is not of this world -Jesus

[Rustin Sweeney @rustinsweeney]

"The whole Bible is a revelation of the glory of God in Christ. Received, believed, obeyed, it is the great instrumentality in the transformation of character. And it is the only sure means of intellectual culture."

[Rustin Sweeney @rustinsweeney]

I'm currently reading Ellen White. It's some of the most God honoring and Christ centered writing I've read. She clearly understood the powerlessness of self and sin and the inability of mankind to save themselves. Her message of Christ and His righteousness and how He fulfills the law of love in us is truly hopeful. He truly is Sabbath rest and I don't mind honoring a day He blessed, sanctified, and gave to mankind to commemorate the work which only Christ can accomplish in and through us.

Her understanding of loving God and neighbor is comprehensive. Her teaching on health in order to not impede the work of the Holy Spirit and to better enable believers to further the healing work of Christ for humanity is a message much needed. One of the most influential Christians I know died years before his time and ended what would have been a powerful ministry due mainly to not taking care of his temple.

I've looked at their doctrines. The Adventist perspective is not heretical, or even radical, but it is different in certain aspects. Not in an outside the scope of Christianity way but in a way that is a comprehensive and logical understanding of the character of God. Thus vindication of His character is an overarching theme. It helps explain what Christ is doing now, why we are still here, and how the righteousness of Christ is a powerful tribute to the love of God for humanity.

There is an understanding of Scripture, especially of Daniel and Revelation and the role of Rome in history past and present that strictly conform to historical Protestantism. Their understanding of any type of christian Nationalism seems apropos for our times and they are a strict regarder of religious liberty. What many people seem to think judgy in their demeanor seems rather more about concern and care.

I believe that God's truth is ever looking to expand our perspective and deepen our understanding of His work in this world. That never destroys but only leads to deeper knowledge, and even more than knowledge, a deeper relationship with our Creator.

Here is a quote from Mrs. White that I find especially telling concerning her beliefs, "The sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin is the great truth around which all other truths cluster. In order to be rightly understood and appreciated, every truth in the word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, must be studied in the light that streams from the cross of Calvary. I present before you the great, grand monument of mercy and regeneration, salvation and redemption,—the Son of God uplifted on the cross. This is to be the foundation of every discourse given by our ministers....All truths, rightly understood, derive their value and importance from their connection with this truth."

So the Sabbath only finds meaning in the light from Calvary. I find strong support for this particular doctrine in Scripture.

As to the people I have encountered they seem to love the Lord yet have many of the same issues as other denominations. It seems we all struggle with self righteousness, legalism, and truly following Christ wherever He leads. I think I will allow them the freedom of religion to continue to seek God as their conscience so dictates.

Blessings!

[Rustin Sweeney @rustinsweeney]

"The sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin is the great truth around which all other truths cluster. In order to be rightly understood and appreciated, every truth in the word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, must be studied in the light that streams from the cross of Calvary. I present before you the great, grand monument of mercy and regeneration, salvation and redemption,—the Son of God uplifted on the cross. This is to be the foundation..."

[Rustin Sweeney @rustinsweeney]

3/3 “He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21)."

[Rustin Sweeney @rustinsweeney]

1/3 "The great work that is wrought for the sinner who is spotted and stained by evil is the work of justification. By Him who speaketh truth he is declared righteous.

[Rustin Sweeney @rustinsweeney]

2/3 The Lord imputes unto the believer the righteousness of Christ and pronounces him righteous before the universe. He transfers his sins to Jesus, the sinner’s representative, substitute, and surety. Upon Christ He lays the iniquity of every soul that believeth.

[Rustin Sweeney @rustinsweeney]

#1 He who is truly penitent does not forget his past sins, and grow careless about them as soon as he has obtained forgiveness. On the contrary, the clearer the evidence he has of divine favor, the more he sees to regret in his past life of sin...

#2 He loathes, abhors, and condemns himself, and is more and more astonished that he should have continued in rebellion so long. He renews his repentance toward God, while he grasps more decidedly the hand of Jesus Christ,

#3 and finds that repentance is a daily, continued exercise, lasting until mortality is swallowed up of life. He who thus repents, appreciates the righteousness of Christ as above silver and gold, above every earthly tie and affection.

[Rustin Sweeney @rustinsweeney]

"It is impossible for man to save himself. He may deceive himself in regard to this matter, but he cannot save himself. Christ’s righteousness alone can avail for his salvation, and this is the gift of God."

[Rustin Sweeney @rustinsweeney]

"every sinner may come to Christ. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.” Titus 3:5. When Satan tells you that you are a sinner, and cannot hope to receive blessing from God, tell him that Christ came into the world to save sinners. We have nothing to recommend us to God; but the plea that we may urge now and ever is our utterly helpless condition that makes His redeeming power a necessity. Renouncing all self-dependence, we may look to the cross of Calvary and say,—
“In my hand no price I bring;Simply to Thy cross I cling.”

[Rustin Sweeney @rustinsweeney]

What is that "light of the world"? It is the character of Jesus. The other centered caring for others that eventually ends with Him on the cross. Physically demonstrating the lengths He will go to for freedom of conscience.

If your allegiance to any organization, person, doctrine, or country which misrepresents the character of Christ there should be beacons of warning.

Must be in alignment with Christ and His principles. God's Son must act in God's way. God's church must act as God's Son. If ever an organization chooses force over dying for those it disagrees with then be warned.

Christ pleased not Himself, but took upon Him the form of a servant.

[Rustin Sweeney @rustinsweeney]

Prince of peace.” “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." " I came not to send peace, but a sword."

There seems to be a contradiction between these words of Christ but understood correctly the two are in perfect harmony.“ The gospel is a message of peace. Christianity is a system, which, received and obeyed, will spread peace, harmony, and happiness throughout the earth. The religion of Christ will unite in close brotherhood all who accept its teachings. It was the mission of Jesus to reconcile men to God, and thus to one another. But the world at large are under the control of Satan, Christ’s greatest and bitterest foe. The gospel presents principles of life which are wholly at conflict with their habits and desires, and they rise in rebellion against it. They hate the purity which reveals and condemns their sins, and they persecute and destroy those who would urge upon them its just and holy claims. It is in this sense—because the exalted truths it brings, occasion hatred and strife—that the gospel is called a sword.

Make no mistake, What made Christ extraordinary was his character. Not his outward appearance or the appearance of His body of believers. Not His clothing or outward appearance. Not great cathedrals or castles. He had a simplicity of love that outshines the greatest cathedral. What will make his followers beautiful is that same extraordinary character. Christ will give us and live in us His character. Not later, not in heaven, not after a waiting place of purification or meditative nirvana. He desires to cultivate His character in us now and until we die. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Without this character there is no Christianity, which is simply short for Christlikeness.

And this character is one that never, in any way shape or form, loses it's love for humanity, especially the enemies of Christ or the perceived enemies of His followers or church. Every enemy is simply holding place for an eventual child of God- with absolute freedom to be loved into following Jesus or not. In God's government force negates the principles of love. It is the love of God that transforms us. Embracing enemy love and allowing people the dignity of their own decisions, for or against Christ, is bedrock to the character of Jesus. Christ allowed people to walk away. He didn't excommunicate them, try them for treason, throw them in fire, or end their life.

[Rustin Sweeney @rustinsweeney]

Satan’s deception needs to be broken. But it cannot be done by force. The exercise of force is contrary to the principles of God’s government. God desires only the service of love. Love cannot be commanded. Cannot be won by force or authority. Only by love is love awakened. To know God is to love Him; His character must be manifested in contrast to the character of all false religion. His example, His character, His life rebukes the use of force.

Luk 9: 51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

[Rustin Sweeney @rustinsweeney]

The real question, in my mind, is do we really believe God had no written word for His people to turn to? Immediately disciples were communicating the Gospel, written and spoken, the story of this materialized Messiah and His fulfillment of Scripture. At no time did God leave his ancient Gospel without witnesses. Even as those who confessed Christ as Messiah yielded to error, darkness, or even cut off by violence, another arose in some other land. There was no age in which, in some country or other of Christendom, public testimony was not born against the errors.

In Great Britain, primitive Christianity had very early taken root. The gospel received by the Britons in the first centuries, was then uncorrupted.

Scotland, a century later, shone out with a brightness that extended to far-distant lands. From Ireland came Columba and his colaborers, who, gathering about them the scattered believers on the lonely island of Iona, made this the center of their missionary labors. A school was established at Iona, from which missionaries went out, not only to Scotland and England, but to Germany, Switzerland, and even Italy.

In lands beyond the jurisdiction of Rome, there existed for many centuries bodies of Christians who remained almost wholly free from corruption. They continued to regard the Bible as the only rule of faith, and adhered to many of its truths. Churches that held to this faith and practice, existed in Central Africa and among the Armenians of Asia.

For centuries the churches of Piedmont maintained their independence uncorrupted.

The Waldenses stood foremost in resisting the encroachments of corruption.

They all had scriptures despite Satan doing all in his power to destroy there existence.

It was the policy of Rome to obliterate every trace of dissent from her doctrines or decrees. Everything heretical, whether persons or writings, was destroyed. A single expression of doubt, a question as to the authority of papal dogmas, was enough to forfeit the life of rich or poor, high or low. Rome endeavored also to destroy every record of her cruelty toward dissenters. Papal councils decreed that books and writings containing such records should be committed to the flames.

[Rustin Sweeney @rustinsweeney]

And nothing rejects Christ like a church that mimics beastly principles.

Apostolic succession is only seen by the character of Christ placed in his people, by His power, and through His righteousness. Any source that claims apostolic succession, that does not model the character of Christ, is a misrepresentation of all that God stands for.

[Rustin Sweeney @rustinsweeney]

@kwsargent @hdpayens Compulsion refers to coercion or duress—being forced to act against your will by threat, intimidation, or physical force.

[Rustin Sweeney @rustinsweeney]

To my wondering friends who look favorably on papal Rome: if, as its apologists claim, Rome was the compiler, and faithful guardian of the biblical canon—indeed the very reason it has been preserved—then why are her most distinctive doctrines, those most contested by Protestants, not plainly set forth in Scripture? Why are they not written as with a pen of iron?

Rome would never allow scripture to be written as it stands now. In fact apologists answer to the question, "as someone who is trying to understand the intricacy of Catholics, should I keep reading the Bible on my own, knowing that I might interpret it wrongly?" often does what the church has done since Rome's inception, "You’d be better off going to Mass and reading the Catechism."

[Rustin Sweeney @rustinsweeney]

"The Saviour did not come to make men religious, but to make them Christlike. He came to reveal the nature and character of God. Man had distorted ideas of God. He had gods many and lords many. Christ came to represent the Father, to make men pure, holy, undefiled. He came to teach human beings the meaning of true religion.

A religion is tested by what it does for the receiver. However boastful the claims of a religion may be, if it bears not the divine credentials, it is from beneath. No matter how many subscribe to it, or what wealth is lavished upon it, if it bears no fruit to God’s glory, it is spurious, fit only to be consumed by the fire of God’s wrath when He gathers His wheat into His garner."

[Rustin Sweeney @rustinsweeney]

The end result of this teaching? Force.

“The Constitution of the United States guarantees liberty of conscience. Nothing is dearer or more fundamental. Pope Pius IX, in his Encyclical Letter of August 15, 1854, said: `The absurd and erroneous doctrines or ravings in defense of liberty of conscience are a most pestilential error—a pest, of all others, most to be dreaded in a state.’ The same pope, in his Encyclical Letter of December 8, 1864, anathematized `those who assert the liberty of conscience and of religious worship,’ also ‘all such as maintain that the church may not employ force.’

[Rustin Sweeney @rustinsweeney]

“The framers of the Constitution recognized the eternal principle that man’s relation with his God is above human legislation, and his rights of conscience inalienable. Reasoning was not necessary to establish this truth; we are conscious of it in our own bosoms. It is this consciousness which, in defiance of human laws, has sustained so many martyrs in tortures and flames. They felt that their duty to God was superior to human enactments, and that man could exercise no authority over their consciences. It is an inborn principle which nothing can eradicate.”— GC 295.2 - GC 295.3

[Rustin Sweeney @rustinsweeney]

That, in itself, exhibits a spirit wholly different from Christ.

You may denigrate another person's reading of Scripture, dismiss them as deceived, or label them a heretic. Yet history demonstrates that when religious authority joins itself to civil power, such attitudes naturally tend toward coercion rather than persuasion.

The issue is not merely theological disagreement. The issue is principle.

Christ never compelled conscience. He invited, taught, reasoned, rebuked, wept, and loved. He sought willing allegiance, not forced conformity. The gospel appeals to the heart; it does not require external compulsion to sustain itself.

The historical record bears witness that periods of religious persecution, censorship, and coercion have often been justified in the name of preserving this system. They stand in tension with the example of Christ and the freedom He granted to those who rejected Him.

If your allegiance to any organization, person, doctrine, or country which misrepresents the character of Christ is more important than the love of Jesus for humanity than we have none of His Spirit.

Christ's kingdom advances through truth, love, sacrifice, and persuasion—not through force.

His grace personifies His character within us and cannot abide misrepresentation.

Christ is all-sufficient. He ministers for humanity now. He calls men and women to follow Him freely, and He allows them to refuse Him freely.

Right or wrong, I will defend your freedom to choose, worship, speak, and believe according to your conscience. I will not force, coerce, compel, or enforce conformity. God has given each of us the ability to reason, to pray for guidance, to search the Scriptures, and to follow conviction wherever truth leads.

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus."

"A man’s character is in harmony with the knowledge that he has of God. Then how important that we have right ideas of God. "