Obedience and submission to God’s requirements are the conditions given by the inspired apostle by which we become children of God, members of the royal family. Every child and youth, every man and woman, has Jesus rescued by His own blood from the abyss of ruin to which Satan was compelling them to go. Because sinners will not accept of the salvation freely offered them, are they released from their obligations? Their choosing to remain in sin and bold transgression does not lessen their guilt. Jesus paid a price for them, and they belong to Him. They are His property; and if they will not yield obedience to Him who has given His life for them, but devote their time and strength and talents to the service of Satan, they are earning their wages, which is death. Immortal glory and eternal life is the reward that our Redeemer offers to those who will be obedient to Him. He has made it possible for them to perfect Christian character through His name and to overcome on their own account as He overcame in their behalf. He has given them an example in His own life, showing them how they may overcome. “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” {3T 365.1}

Lydighed og underkastelse under Guds krav er de betingelser, på hvilke vi ifølge dem inspirerede apostel bliver Guds børn, medlemmer af den kongelige familie. Jesus har med sit eget blod reddet hvert barn og enhver ung, hver mand og kvinde fra den ødelæggelsens afgrund, Satan tvang dem ned i. Fritages syndere for deres forpligtelser, fordi de ikke vil modtage den frelse, der uforskyldt tilbydes dem? At de vælger at fortsætte i synd og formastelig overtrædelse, formindsker ikke deres brøde. Jesus købte dem dyrt og de tilhører ham. De er hans ejendom; og hvis de ikke vil vise lydighed mod ham, som har givet sit liv for dem, men helliger deres tid og styrke og talenter til Satans tjeneste, fortjener de deres løn, som er døden. Uforgængelig herlighed og et evigt liv er den belønning, vor Genløser tilbyder dem, der vil lyde ham. Han har gjort det muligt for dem at fuldkomme en kristelig karakter ved hans navn og at sejre for deres eget vedkommende, ligesom han sejrede på deres vegne. I sit eget liv har han givet dem et forbillede og vist dem, hvorledes de kan sejre. »Syndens sold er døden, men Guds nådegave evigt liv i Kristus Jesus, vor herre."