Ellen White does not teach that we are saved, justified, or made right with God through obedience to the law alone. Instead, her writings consistently state that:
- We are justified and made right with God by faith in Christ, and only through His grace can we render obedience to the law.
- Obedience is the fruit and evidence of genuine faith, not the means of salvation.
Here are representative quotes from her writings:
1. “We do not earn salvation by our obedience; for salvation is the free gift of God, to be received by faith. But obedience is the fruit of faith.” (Steps to Christ, p. 61.1)
2. “Man is to be saved by faith, not by works; yet his faith must be shown by his works.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 279.1)
3. “By repentance and faith we are justified before God, and through divine grace enabled to render obedience to His commandments.” (Steps to Christ, p. 80.3)
4. “Only by accepting the virtue and grace of Christ can we keep the law. Belief in the propitiation for sin enables fallen man to love God with his whole heart and his neighbor as himself.” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 378.1)
5. “By repentance and faith they might be freed from the condemnation of sin and through the grace of Christ be enabled henceforth to render obedience to the law of God.” (Acts of the Apostles, p. 393.1)
6. “It was possible for Adam, before the fall, to form a righteous character by obedience to God's law. But he failed to do this, and because of his sin our natures are fallen and we cannot make ourselves righteous. ... If you give yourself to Him, and accept Him as your Saviour, then, sinful as your life may have been, for His sake you are accounted righteous. Christ's character stands in place of your character, and you are accepted before God just as if you had not sinned.” (Steps to Christ, p. 62.2)
In summary, Ellen White teaches that salvation and justification come by faith in Christ, and obedience to the law is the result of that faith, not the cause. There are no statements in her writings that say we are saved, justified, or made right with God through obedience to the law alone.
**References:**
- White, E. G. (1892). Steps to Christ, pp. 61.1, 62.2, 80.3.
- White, E. G. (1890). Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 279.1.
- White, E. G. (1900). Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 378.1.
- White, E. G. (1911). Acts of the Apostles, p. 393.1.