Page 8 - Our God of Love, Mercy, and Justice
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could have been no development of character. Such a course would have been
contrary to God's plan in dealing with the inhabitants of other worlds. It would have
been unworthy of man as an intelligent being, and would have sustained Satan's
charge of God's arbitrary rule. PP 48, 49.
Adam and Eve, at their creation, had a knowledge of the law of God; they were
acquainted with its claims upon them; its precepts were written upon their hearts.
PP 363
The law of God is as sacred as God Himself. It is a revelation of His will, a
transcript of His character, the expression of divine love and wisdom. The
harmony of creation depends upon the perfect conformity of all beings, of everything,
animate and inanimate, to the law of the Creator. God has ordained laws for the
government, not only of living beings, but of all the operations of nature. Everything
is under fixed laws, which cannot be disregarded. But while everything in nature is
governed by natural laws, man alone, of all that inhabits the earth, is amenable to
moral law. To man, the crowning work of creation, God has given power to
understand His requirements, to comprehend the justice and beneficence of His law,
and its sacred claims upon him; and of man unswerving obedience is required. . . .
The angels warned them to be on their guard against the devices of Satan, for his
efforts to ensnare them would be unwearied. While they were obedient to God the
evil one could not harm them; for, if need be, every angel in heaven would be sent to
their help. If they steadfastly repelled his first insinuations, they would be as secure as
the heavenly messengers. But should they once yield to temptation, their nature would
become so depraved that in themselves they would have no power and no disposition
to resist Satan. . . .
In order to accomplish his work unperceived, Satan chose to employ as his
medium the serpent--a disguise well adapted for his purpose of deception. . . . Resting
in the rich-laden branches of the forbidden tree and regaling itself with the delicious
fruit, it was an object to arrest the attention and delight the eye of the beholder. Thus
in the garden of peace lurked the destroyer, watching for his prey. PP 52, 53.
He addressed himself to Eve: “Hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the
garden?" Genesis 3:1. Had Eve refrained from entering into argument with the
tempter, she would have been safe; but she ventured to parley with him and fell a
victim to his wiles. . . .
"The woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the
garden: but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said,
Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto
the woman, Ye shall not surely die: for God doth know that in the day ye eat
thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good
and evil." Verses 2-5. He declared that they would become like God, possessing
greater wisdom than before and being capable of a higher state of existence. GC 531.
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