In studying Biblical anthropology (the study of human nature), we must consider that Genesis 1:27 states that man was created in the “image of God.”  And although he fell, this did not totally destroy that image (Gen. 9:6; 1Co. 11:7; Jam. 3:9).  Because of the Holy Spirit, “a perception of right, a desire for goodness, exists in every heart.  But against these principles there is struggling an antagonistic power.  The result of the eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil is manifest in every man’s experience.  There is in his nature a bent to evil, a force which, unaided, he cannot resist.”  ED:29.

 

“When man fell, God commenced to work to defeat the plans of Satan.  God works in man.  ‘Ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building’ (1Co. 3:9).  In the beginning the Lord enjoined upon man the cultivation of the earth.  This work was made much harder because of the transgression of the Law of God.  By transgressing, man worked against his own present and eternal good.  The earth was cursed because through disobedience man gave Satan opportunity to sow in the human heart the seeds of evil.  The ground that in the beginning produced only good, began to produce tares, and their growth called for continual warfare.  The cultivation of the soil is a school in which man may learn spiritual lessons.  As he cultivates the soil, man is to see reflected as in a mirror the work of God upon the human soul.  Divine culture brings perfection.  If in connection with God the work is carried forward, the human agent, through Christ, will day by day gain victory and honor in the battle.  Through the grace given, he will overcome, and will be placed on vantage ground.”  Letter 5, Jan. 4, 1900, to Brother Colcord; TDG:12.

 

“God created man perfect and holy.  Man fell from his holy estate, because he transgressed God’s law.  Since the fall, there has been a rapid increase of disease, suffering, and death.  Notwithstanding man has insulted his Creator, yet God’s Love is still extended to the race.  And He permits light to shine, that man may see that, in order to live a perfect life, he must live in harmony with those natural laws which govern his being.  Therefore, it is of the greatest importance that he have a knowledge of how to live, that his powers of body and mind may be exercised to the glory of God.  It is impossible for man to present his body a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, while he is indulging in habits that are lessening physical, mental, and moral vigor, because it is customary for the world to do thus.  The apostle adds:  ‘And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.’ ”  HR, October 1, 1872.

 

However, once a man accepts Christ into his life, he no longer has an excuse for sinning, “because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.”  1Jo. 4:4.

 

“By disobeying the commands of God, man fell under the condemnation of His law.  This fall called for the grace of God to appear in behalf of sinners.  We should never have learned the meaning of this word ‘grace’ had we not fallen.  God loves the sinless angels, who do His service, and are obedient to all His commands; but He does not give them grace.  These heavenly beings know naught of grace; they have never needed it; for they have never sinned.  Grace is an attribute of God shown to undeserving human beings.  We did not seek after it, but it was sent in search of us.  God rejoices to bestow this grace upon every one who hungers for it.  To every one He presents terms of mercy, not because we are worthy, but because we are so utterly unworthy.  Our need is the qualification which gives us the assurance that we shall receive this gift.”  RH, September 15, 1896; AG:10.

 

“In Eden, man fell from his high estate and through transgression became subject to death.  It was seen in heaven that human beings were perishing, and the compassion of God was stirred.  At infinite cost He devised a means of relief.  He ‘so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’  John 3:16.  There was no hope for the transgressor except through Christ.  God saw that ‘there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor:  therefore His arm brought salvation unto Him; and His righteousness, it sustained Him.’  Isaiah 59:16.”  RH, November 12, 1903; SW, May 15, 1906; 8T:25.

 

“But when man fell, the law of self was set up.  This law harmonizes with the will of sinful humanity.  There is no strife between them.  But when the Word of God speaks to the conscience, telling of a higher than human will, even the will of God, man’s will desires to go its own way, irrespective of consequences.  The charm of obedience was broken by Adam’s disobedience.  A sense of the importance of obedience as an absolute necessity, ceased to exist in the mind.  And now man thinks, If I choose, I can obey God; and if I choose, I can disobey Him.

 

“Christ came to this earth to show the human race how to obey God.  He might have remained in heaven, and from there given exact rules for man’s guidance.  But he did not do this.  In order that we might make no mistake, He took our nature, and in it lived a life of perfect obedience.  He obeyed in humanity, ennobling and elevating humanity by obedience.  He lived in obedience to God, that not only by word of mouth, but by His every action, He might honor the Law.  By so doing, He not only declared that we ought to obey, but showed us how to obey.

 

“Our only safety is in dying to self, and depending wholly on Christ.  We need to keep ever before us the reality of Christ’s humanity.  When He became our Substitute and Surety, it was as a human being.  He came as a man, to render obedience to the only true God.  He came not to reveal God as wanting in power, but God in all His fullness.  He came to show what God is willing to do and what He has done that we might be made partakers of the divine nature.  While enduring the contradiction of sinners against Himself, our Saviour lived a perfect human life.  This He did that we also might be perfect.  He is everything to us, and He bids us look to Him, for ‘without Me,’ He says, ‘ye can do nothing.’

 

“The obedience that Christ rendered is exactly the obedience that God requires from human beings today.  It was the obedience of a son.  He served His Father in willingness and freedom, and with love, because it was the right thing for Him to do.  ‘I delight to do Thy will, O My God,’ He declared; ‘yea, Thy law is within My heart.’  Thus we are to serve God.  Our obedience must be heart-service.  It was always this with Christ.  If we love Him, we shall not find it a hard task to obey.   We shall obey as members of the royal family.  We may not be able to see the path before us, but we shall go forward in obedience, knowing that all issues and results are to be left with God.”  ST, January 25, 1899.

 

“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.  When man fell by transgression the law was not changed, but a remedial system was established to bring him back to obedience.  The promise of a Saviour was given; and sacrificial offerings pointing forward to the death of Christ as the great sin-offering were established.”  ST, February 1, 1910; PP:363.

 

“Man fell through disobedience, severing his life from the life of God.  Christ stooped to take humanity, that through Him man might gain eternal life.  In the guise of humanity, Christ defeated the purpose of the enemy.  But Satan has interposed between the sinful human being and the living source of power, so that it is impossible for man, of himself, to appropriate the circulating element of the divine nature.  Unless man has a vital connection with God, he will pervert every blessing he receives, and employ every gracious gift as a weapon against the bountiful bestower.  It is only as human beings receive Christ, that God can bless them.  Thus only can they be elevated and placed on vantage-ground.”  YI, July 13, 1899.