Mike, this is exactly what I and Tom are trying to show you. Ellen White is not speaking about “defective traits of character.” She is saying that the “Spirit of God revealed to him the defects in his character.” I don’t think what you are saying corresponds to what she said.

??? A trait we have is having two arms. That's not defective, is it?



Which is my point. The SOP spoke of Peter's "defect of character," which, according to what you're saying here, is not something he inherited, with which I agree. However, you have also treated Peter's "defect of character" as something inherited, which is inconsistent with your point here.



You didn't address my question. You wrote:



in regards to EGW speaking of Peter's "defect of character." I pointed out to you that this can't be right, because a "defect of character" cannot be referring to something inherited, which your statement above seems to agree with in saying, "we do not inherit character."

Anyway, my question to you, which I think I've asked twice now, is if Christ could be said to have a "defect of character." If a "defect of character" is referring to something one inherits, then why wouldn't that apply to Christ?



I already addressed this MM. I explained that "prejudice" is



whereas "racism" is



"Prejudice" is a broader term and less pejorative than "racism." "Racism" is certainly "prejudice," but "prejudice" is not necessarily prejudice.

I explained all this.

Back to the point. "Racial prejudice," to use your term, is a "defect of character" that EGW spoke of Peter as having, a defect which is not an inherited trait.



I didn't characterize it as "modern day." These are your words. Why don't you simply quote what I write? Please?

Again, you seem to be assuming "defects in his character" means he was guilty of sinning. The point is - he was not guilty of sinning.

UL 231
There is no such thing as an instantaneous sanctification. It is an every-day work. Says Paul, "I die daily" (1 Cor. 15:31). He received a conversion daily to God. As the truth and Spirit of God revealed to him the defects in his character, he put away his wrong, died to self, and cleansed himself "from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Cor. 7:1) {UL 231.3}

How do you know? And what does she mean when she says that he "put away his wrong" and "cleansed himself"?

I know because she didn't say so. When God shows us something "wrong" about our character it may or may not involve sins of ignorance. It certainly cannot, especially in the case of Paul, involve known sins. We can discover things about our character that are wrong but does not necessarily mean we are sinning. Future circumstances may lead us into sinning if the wrongs are not addressed and corrected. Just because we have weaknesses and defects that may surface in the future it does not mean we are sinning now.

Don't you say that character is just what you develop? And doesn't developing involve practice?

Yes, but born again believers experience a radical transformation, right? So, certain aspects of character may or may not pose a problem depending on the circumstances. There are weaknesses and defects that God waits to reveal until the time and circumstances require it. They are not guilty of sinning in the meantime. These aspects of character do not surface because the circumstances do not exist that make them obvious. Here is how she explains it:

It is by close, testing trials that God disciplines His servants. He sees that some have powers which may be used in the advancement of His work, and He puts these persons upon trial; in His providence He brings them into positions that test their character and reveal defects and weaknesses that have been hidden from their own knowledge. He gives them opportunity to correct these defects and to fit themselves for His service. He shows them their own weakness, and teaches them to lean upon Him; for He is their only help and safeguard. Thus His object is attained. They are educated, trained, and disciplined, prepared to fulfill the grand purpose for which their powers were given them. (CC 46)

In the providence of God we are placed in different positions to call into exercise qualities of mind calculated to develop character under a variety of circumstances. Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. Professed Christians may live unexceptionable lives so far as outward appearance is concerned; but when a change of circumstances throws them into entirely different positions, strong traits of character are discovered, which would have remained hidden had their surroundings continued the same. (4T 55)

It is in mercy that the Lord reveals to men their hidden defects. He would have them critically examine the complicated emotions and motives of their own hearts, and detect that which is wrong, and modify their dispositions, and refine their manners. God would have his servants become acquainted with their own hearts. In order to bring to them a true knowledge of their condition, he permits the fire of affliction to assail them, so that they may be purified. The trials of life are God’s workmen to remove the impurities, infirmities, and roughness from our characters, and fit them for the society of pure, heavenly angels in glory. Then as we pass through trial, as the fire of affliction kindles upon us, shall we not keep our eyes fixed upon the things that are unseen, on the eternal inheritance, the immortal life, the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory? And while we do this, the fire will not consume us, but only remove the dross, and we shall come forth seven times purified, bearing the impress of the Divine. (RH 4-10-1894)

The nearer the Christian lives to God, the more he advances in divine illumination of mind. He has more distinct sense of his own littleness, discerns his defects of character, and sees his duty in the light in which God presents it. The more closely he draws to Jesus, the more he has a near and clear sense of his own defects which had before escaped his notice, and he sees the necessity of humbling himself under the mighty hand of God. If lifted up it will not be because he lifts and exalts himself, but because the Lord exalts him. Having his eye fixed upon the purity and perfection of Christ Jesus, and acknowledging and obeying God in all his ways, he is not blinded to his own failures and imperfections. When his deportment in the eyes of men is unblamable and irreprovable, God reads the intents and purposes of the heart. (TDG 16)

OK. Let me ask you something. I know a girl who seems to be a very sincere Christian but uses a little makeup. How would you classify her sin?

Is it a sin to use a little makeup? Why does she use it? Are her motives sinful?

They are prepared to be used in every emergency, to fill important positions of trust, and to accomplish the grand purposes for which their powers were given them. God takes men upon trial; He proves them on the right hand and on the left, and thus they are educated, trained, disciplined. Jesus, our Redeemer, man’s representative and head, endured this testing process. (4T 86)

The fact Jesus Himself endured the process described in the quotes I posted here and above is evidence that she isn't talking about sinning. Do you agree?