If we have the reality, is the symbol still necessary?
Was Jesus teaching that the symbol is absolutely required for salvation?

Ephesians 5:26-27 ... with the washing of water by the word ...

M: Having sinful, selfish tendencies is not the same as acting them out. In Christ, believers are empowered to subdue their unholy tendencies. While abiding in Jesus, they do not act them out. No sin, no foul.

J: In what way are you empowered?

M: Having sinful, selfish tendencies is not the same as acting them out. In Christ, believers are empowered to subdue their unholy tendencies. While abiding in Jesus, they do not act them out. No sin, no foul.

A: We have reached our point of divergence again, but much faster this time. You believe sin is a matter of action, while I believe it is a matter of thoughts and feelings.

APL,
Did Christ take our sinful tendencies?

He had not taken on Him even the nature of the angels, but humanity, perfectly identical with our own nature, except without the taint of sin. {16MR 181.4}

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." Jesus mentioned no exceptions. Where do we get the authority to add exceptions to Christ's requirements? And while we're at it, can we also add an exception for some who are not born of the Spirit? Or perhaps our evangelists have misinterpreted this verse, teaching it to refer to baptism by water immersion, while it actually refers to something much more important.

To those who claimed that He came to set aside the law, He said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." Matthew 5:17. To fulfill means to keep, or perform. (James 2:8.) So when He came to be baptized by John the Baptist, He said, "Thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." Matthew 3:15. To fulfill the law is to obey it perfectly. God's law can never be changed; for Christ said, "Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Matthew 5:18. {SJ 71}

"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." In "fulfilling" all righteousness, Christ did not bring all righteousness to an end. He fulfilled all the requirements of God in repentance, faith, and baptism, the steps of grace in genuine conversion. He did this as an example, that we should follow in his steps. In his humanity, Christ filled up the measure of the law's requirements. And this he did as an example to us. He was the head of humanity, its substitute and surety. Human beings, by uniting their weakness to the strength of his divine nature, may become partakers of his character. {RH, November 15, 1898 par. 8}

When Christ came to John for baptism, John refused to baptize Him, saying, "I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?" "Suffer it to be so now," Christ said, "for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." (See Matthew 3:14, 15). Provision has been made that when man repents and takes the steps requisite in conversion, he shall be forgiven. When he is baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, these three great powers are pledged to work in his behalf. And man on his part, as he goes down into the water, to be buried in the likeness of Christ's death and raised in the likeness of His resurrection, pledges himself to worship the true and living God, to come out from the world and be separate, to keep the law of Jehovah. {1SAT 321.1}

A: We have reached our point of divergence again, but much faster this time. You believe sin is a matter of action, while I believe it is a matter of thoughts and feelings.

R: Yes. That's why MM thinks Jesus had sinful, selfish tendencies. But selfishness is sin, whether acted out or not.

You must experience a death to self, and must live unto God. "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God." Self is not to be consulted. Pride, self-love, selfishness, avarice, covetousness, love of the world, hatred, suspicion, jealousy, evil surmisings, must all be subdued and sacrificed forever. When Christ shall appear, it will not be to correct these evils and then give a moral fitness for His coming. This preparation must all be made before He comes. It should be a subject of thought, of study, and earnest inquiry, What shall we do to be saved? What shall be our conduct that we may show ourselves approved of God? {Mar 58.2}

The only safeguard against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. It is because selfishness exists in our hearts that temptation has power over us. But when we behold the great love of God, selfishness appears to us in its hideous and repulsive character, and we desire to have it expelled from the soul. As the Holy Spirit glorifies Christ, our hearts are softened and subdued, the temptation loses its power, and the grace of Christ transforms the character. {Pr 301.2}

God proves his people in this world. This is the fitting up place to appear in his presence. Here, in this world, in these last days, individuals will show what power affects their hearts and controls their actions. If it is the power of divine truth, it will lead to good works. It will elevate the receiver, and make him noble-hearted and generous, like his divine Lord. But if the evil angels control the heart, it will be seen in various ways. The fruit will be selfishness, covetousness, pride and evil passions. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. Professors of religion are not willing to closely examine themselves to see whether they are in the faith, and it is a fearful fact that many are leaning on a false hope. Some lean upon an old experience they had years ago; but when brought down to this heart-searching time, when all should have a daily experience, they have nothing to relate. They seem to think a profession of the truth will save them. When those sins which God hates are subdued, Jesus will come in and sup with you and you with him. You will then draw divine strength from Jesus, and you will grow up in him, and be able with holy triumph to say, Blessed be God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. It would be more pleasing to the Lord if lukewarm professors of religion had never named his name. They are a continual weight to those who would be faithful followers of Jesus. They are a stumbling-block to unbelievers, and evil angels exult over them, and taunt the angels of God with their crooked course. Such are a curse to the cause at home or abroad. They draw nigh to God with their lips, while their heart is far from him. {2SG 226.1}

The Lord requires us to be submissive to His will, subdued by His Spirit, and sanctified to His service. Selfishness must be put away, and we must overcome every defect in our characters as Christ overcame. In order to accomplish this work, we must die daily to self. Said Paul: "I die daily." He had a new conversion every day, took an advance step toward heaven. To gain daily victories in the divine life is the only course that God approves. The Lord is gracious, of tender pity, and plenteous in mercy. He knows our needs and weaknesses, and He will help our infirmities if we only trust in Him and believe that He will bless us and do great things for us. {4T 66.4}

Christ can put his mold upon you, if you will empty your heart of its selfishness. {RH, June 11, 1889 par. 7}

The grace of Christ expels the selfishness that has hitherto ruled the life. The affections turn to God. The character is transformed. The man is filled with an intense desire to serve him who has done so much for him. {RH, January 26, 1911 par. 15}

I detect an unwarranted attachment to forms and symbols.

Please post inspired statements to support your view of selfishness and selfish tendencies. Please.

As you know, the quotes posted earlier on this thread make it crystal clear true, genuine conversion eradicates all selfishness from the soul. In its place, Jesus implants a new nature, a new mind, a new heart, new tastes, new motives, new desires, new traits of character, and new tendencies. All of which enables the indwelling Holy Spirit to empower them to use their newly sanctified faculties of mind and body to subdue their cultivated and inherited sinful traits and tendencies and, more importantly, to grow in grace and to mature daily in the fruits of the Spirit "more and more unto the perfect day".