Satan Responsible for Conception of a Harsh, Stern God—Satan led men to conceive of God as a being whose chief attribute is stern justice—one who is a severe judge, a harsh, exacting creditor. He pictured the Creator as a being who is watching with jealous eye to discern the errors and mistakes of men that He may visit judgments upon them. It was to remove this dark shadow, by revealing to the world the infinite love of God, that Jesus came to live among men.—Steps to Christ, 11 (1892). {1MCP 250.1}

Gud kunne have sendt sin søn til verden for at fordømme verden. Men hvilken forbavsende nåde! Kristus kom for at frelse, ikke for at udslette. Apostlene har aldrig berørt dette tema uden at deres hjerter gløder af Frelserens uforlignelige kærligheds inspiration. Apostlen Johannes kan ikke finde ord at udtrykke sine følelser med. Han udbryder: " Se, hvor stor en kærlighed Faderen har vist (250) os, at vi må kaldes Guds børn; og vi er det. Derfor kender verden ikke os, fordi den ikke har kendt ham." (1 Joh. 3,1). Hvor meget Faderen har elsket os, kan vi aldrig regne ud. Der er ingen standard vi kan sammenligne det med. - Brev 27, 1901.