Yes.

Based on among else the chapter from Steps to Christ which you also quoted from, it is clear that a man who encounters God becomes painfully aware of his own sin. However, it appears equally clear that this is more the result of the contrast between the holiness of God and the, well, unholiness of man, than a result of God writing a list and reading it to man.

Thus, mans encounter with God reveals sinful habbits, though not in the way that you apparently suggest.No. The light of God does not ignore sin, it reveals it. It is as Paul says about the law. Without it we would not know what sin is, but though the law is perfectly capable of doing this, its purpose, it will kill us unless we follow up its revelation with meeting the slain lamb at the altar.

Thus, the light of God reveals sin, and the love of God forgives it at the foot of the cross or at the altar with the slain lamb. (whichever metaphor you prefer) If sin and obedience was a non-issue, the cross would be a mockery. Now the cross was the most real event in history, and that shows the seriousness of sin.

Thomas, I really appreciated what you posted above. It was beautifully worded. Thank you. I am sorry my previous posts did not reflect the same cause and effect relationship between God's light and love and becoming aware of our sinful cultivated habits. I did not mean to imply that God reveals sinful habits in a vacuum devoid of His light and love.

............................

The following insights, taken line by line, in the order in which it appears, from one paragraph in SC 29, demonstrates the beautiful balance you articulated:

[1] One ray of the glory of God,

[2] one gleam of the purity of Christ,

[3] penetrating the soul,

[4] makes every spot of defilement painfully distinct, and

[5] lays bare the deformity and defects of the human character.

[6] It makes apparent the unhallowed desires,

[7] the infidelity of the heart,

[8] the impurity of the lips.

[9] The sinner's acts of disloyalty in making void the law of God,

[10] are exposed to his sight, and

[11] his spirit is stricken and afflicted under the searching influence of the Spirit of God.

[12] He loathes himself as he views the pure, spotless character of Christ.

...........................

In light of all of the above, how do we answer the following questions?

1. Does God wait until after we are born again to reveal to us certain sinful habits?

2. Does God somehow prevent the revelation of His light and love and glory and purity from initially exposing "to his sight" [see number 10 above] certain sinful habits, that is, cultivated defective traits of character which God plans on revealing to him later on when the timing is right?

3. If so, why?

According to what you've written in the past, the answer is yes. You've given smoking and polygamy as examples of this, and probably drinking (was Luther lost?). So the answer is not "if" but what all constitutes exceptions; that is, what things are similar in character so smoking, drinking, and polygamy.

However, the way you are phrasing the question is most unfortunate. It reminds me of the adversaries of Christ who phrased things in a certain way in an attempt to catch them.

As John pointed out, the issue is not God waiting to reveal sinful habits to us, but of God's revealing truth to us.

God reveals truth to us as fast as we are willing and able to receive it. The way you are phrasing things makes it sound as if God is on trial for some fault, rather than bringing out His graciousness and patience in dealing with us according to how we are ready and able to receive light from Him.

Just here is a point on which many may err, and hence they fail of receiving the help that Christ desires to give them. They think that they cannot come to Christ unless they first repent, and that repentance prepares for the forgiveness of their sins. It is true that repentance does precede the forgiveness of sins; for it is only the broken and contrite heart that will feel the need of a Saviour. But must the sinner wait till he has repented before he can come to Jesus? Is repentance to be made an obstacle between the sinner and the Saviour? {SC 26.1}
The Bible does not teach that the sinner must repent before he can heed the invitation of Christ, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28. It is the virtue that goes forth from Christ, that leads to genuine repentance. Peter made the matter clear in his statement to the Israelites when he said, "Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." Acts 5:31. We can no more repent without the Spirit of Christ to awaken the conscience than we can be pardoned without Christ. {SC 26.2} When Satan comes to tell you that you are a
36
great sinner, look up to your Redeemer and talk of His merits. That which will help you is to look to His light. Acknowledge your sin, but tell the enemy that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" and that you may be saved by His matchless love. 1 Timothy 1:15. Jesus asked Simon a question in regard to two debtors. One owed his lord a small sum, and the other owed him a very large sum; but he forgave them both, and Christ asked Simon which debtor would love his lord most. Simon answered, "He to whom he forgave most." Luke 7:43. We have been great sinners, but Christ died that we might be forgiven. The merits of His sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf. Those to whom He has forgiven most will love Him most, and will stand nearest to His throne to praise Him for His great love and infinite sacrifice. It is when we most fully comprehend the love of God that we best realize the sinfulness of sin. When we see the length of the chain that was let down for us, when we understand something of the infinite sacrifice that Christ has made in our behalf, the heart is melted with tenderness and contrition. {SC 35.4}

And we will ever grow in our comprehension of His love for us.

Thomas, the quotes you posted in the response to the following questions imply you believe the Holy Spirit does indeed reveal "every" defective trait of character during the process of conversion before the miracle of rebirth occurs. Or, did I misunderstand you?

1. Does God wait until after we are born again to reveal to us certain sinful habits?

2. Does God somehow prevent the revelation of His light and love and glory and purity from initially exposing "to his sight" [see number 10 above] certain sinful habits, that is, cultivated defective traits of character which God plans on revealing to him later on when the timing is right?

3. If so, why?

Did we read the same text?

Please explain.

SC 26.1 to me means that no, you would not have to have every defective trait revealed before you come to Christ, and SC 35.4 that for us to perfectly see the sinfullness of our sins, we would be required to prefectly see the love of God. And my belief has been that we will ever be seing Gods love more clearly than before.

Your answers, Thomas, do not address my questions. The quote I posted from SC 29 does not teach we must confess every sinful habit before we come to Christ. Instead, it teaches that knowing Jesus helps us understand which habits must be crucified.

She makes it clear that one ray of the glory of God, one gleam of the purity of Christ, penetrating the soul, makes every spot of defilement painfully distinct, and lays bare the deformity and defects of the human character.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but you seem to be arguing that this quote does not teach that the glory of God and the purity of Jesus makes every spot of defilement painfully distinct, that it does not teach that it lays bare the deformity and defects of the human character.

SC 29
One ray of the glory of God, one gleam of the purity of Christ, penetrating the soul, makes every spot of defilement painfully distinct, and lays bare the deformity and defects of the human character. It makes apparent the unhallowed desires, the infidelity of the heart, the impurity of the lips. The sinner's acts of disloyalty in making void the law of God, are exposed to his sight, and his spirit is stricken and afflicted under the searching influence of the Spirit of God. He loathes himself as he views the pure, spotless character of Christ. {SC 29.1}