When Satan comes to tell you that you are a 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 …
"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief."
Ellen White directly references 1 Timothy 1:15 in this passage.
"Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged."
Ellen White directly references Luke 7:43 in this passage.
"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."
Ellen White directly references Proverbs 28:13 in this passage.
"The conditions of obtaining mercy of God are simple and just and reasonable. The Lord does not require us to do some grievous thing in order that we may have the forgiveness of sin. We need not make long and wearisome pilgrimages, or perform painful penances, to commend our souls to the God of heaven or to expiate our transgression; but he that confesseth and forsaketh his sin shall have mercy. SC 37.2"
"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."
The EGW passage directly quotes and expands upon the principle in Proverbs 28:13.
"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"
Both passages address what God requires. Micah 6:8 speaks of justice, mercy, and humility, while the EGW passage speaks of confession and forsaking sin as conditions for mercy, implying a just and reasonable requirement. The connection is thematic.
"The apostle says, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.” James 5:16 . Confess your sins to God, who only can forgive them, and your faults to one another. If you have given offense to your friend or neighbor, you are to acknowledge your wrong, and it is his duty freely to forgive you. Then you are to seek the forgiveness of God, because the brother you have wounded is the property of God, and in injuring him you sinned against his Creator and Redeemer. The case is brought before the only true Mediator, our great High Priest, who “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin,” and who is “touched with the feeling of our infirmities,” and is able to cleanse from every stain of iniquity. Hebrews 4:15 . SC 37.3"
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Ellen White directly references James 5:16 in this passage.
"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."
Ellen White directly references Hebrews 4:15 in this passage.
"urged from the sinner. It is not to be made in a flippant and careless way, or forced from those who have no realizing sense of the abhorrent character of sin. The confession that is the outpouring of the inmost soul finds its way to the God of infinite pity. The psalmist says, “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” Psalm 34:18 . SC 37.4"
"The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."
Ellen White directly references Psalms 34:18 in this passage.