APRIL-JUNE/1978 No, but it would go a long way in that direction. Put it together with this quarter's Sabbath School lessons and you'll have the basis for righteousness by faith. It is no secret among our friends, or among our critics either, that the subject of righteous- ness by faith is at pres- ent enjoying a deep and fervent considera- tion in the ranks of thoughtful Christians everywhere. The greatest aids to the explanation of such terms as justifica- tion and sanctification are found in a close study of the simple ob- ject lessons used by our Lord, and this is where Gordon Hyde has contributed his best thoughts through the pages of this book. It is when the profound is placed in a simple setting that the un- learned and the scholar both stand in amazement. This very readable and interesting treatise is designed to introduce every reader to an expe- riential knowledge of the grace of Christ. RAGS TO RIGHTEOUSNESS by Gordon Hyde. Available now for $3.50 at your Adventist Book Center. Brought to you by Pacific Press Publishing Association. GENERAL CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS .7 40-4444liaitivt P.O. BOX H.G. 100. HIGHLANDS. SALISBURY. RHODESIA. AFRICA RI L. MILLS. PRESIDENT R. E. CLIFFORD. SECRETARY N. S. MUSGRAYE. TREASURER A. N. AUSTEN., FIELD SECRETARY Dear Fellow Sabbath School Members around the World: The Trans-Africa Division wishes to thank all the members of the world Sabbath School for their generous support of the Thirteenth Sabbath Special Project Offering, taken on March 27, 1976. As a result we have upgraded the physical plant and expanded the academic program of our secondary school at Inyazura, Rhodesia. This is one of our feeder schools for Solusi College. The offering also made it possible to plan definitely for the erection of new church buildings in the capital cities of the developing homelands in the Southern Union. This tangible evidence of your concern fdr, and interest in these specific projects has brought great rejoicing to the hearts of both laity and workers. Now we are eagerly anticipating your support in the Thirteenth Sabbath Special Project Offering which has been designated for our Division and which will be received on June 24 of this quarter. Judging from your past loyalty and generous gifts we feel confident that this will be another major boost, giving impetus to the Lord's work in this part of Africa. We plan to use the funds to construct an evangelistic center in Kinshasa, the capital of the French-speaking country of Zaire. This is the second largest French-speaking city in the world, and one of the largest cities in Africa. Yet, despite the fact our work has been estab- lished for 50 years in Zaire, we have only one small congregation in Kinshasa, meeting in a church building which is poorly located in a market area. To build this evangelistic complex will be costly, for both land and building materials are excessively high. Nevertheless, it is imperative that we meet this challenge if the millions of inhab- itants of this metropolis are to be reached with the message of the great Advent. It is our hope to establish this building as near to the heart of the city as possible. • We are also planning to develop a field headquarters in connection with this complex as well as a dental and medical clinic. However, this will depend upon the size of the offering received on June 24. We shall be indebted to you for your prayers and support in helping us achieve this objective. With Christian greetings from Trans-Africa, I remain, Your brother in Christ, d=171'(4 4 Z /*C9" 1 Merle L. Mills, President 1-ASSL 2-78 How well do you know your Bible? Do you have to ask your pastor or Bible instructor to answer those difficult Bible questions your associates are asking? It is just a matter of time before what you have in your head is all you will be able to depend on. If your B Q is down, daily lesson study will help you to get prepared for the soon-coming conflict. DAYBREAK SERIES Adult Sabbath School Lessons / No. 332, April-June, 1978 Confor 1. We Need Him 2. We Are Drawn by Him 3. We Are Sorry 4. We Wronged Him 5. We Trust Him 6. We Yield to Him 7. We Are Forgiven Through Him 8. We Are Born Again 9. We Are at Peace 10. We Consecrate Ourselves 11. We Bear Fruit 12. We Have Great Promises 13. We Are Righteous by Faith The Adult Sabbath School Lessons are prepared by the Sabbath School Department of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The preparation of the lessons is directed by a worldwide Sabbath School Lesson Committee, the members of which serve as consulting editors. Editorial Office: 6840 Eastern Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20012 Lesson Author: Gordon M. Hyde Editor: W. Richard Lesher Editorial Secretary: Florence L. Wetmore Circulation Manager: Arthur R. Mazat Art and Design: Pacific Press Illustration for Lesson 9 by Dale Rusch, Persuasive Productions Scripture references other than from the King James Version quoted by permission in this quarterly are as follows: NEB. From The New English Bible, copyright © by the Delegates of the Oxford University Press and the Syndics of the Cambridge University Press 1961 and 1970. Reprinted by permission of Cambridge University Press, New York City. Phillips. From The New Testament in Modern English, revised edition, copyright © 1958, 1959, 1960, 1972, by J. B. Phillips. Used by permission of The Macmillan Company and Collins Publishers. RSV. From the Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1946 (renewed ©1973),1952 and 1971, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and used by permission. Braille lessons available. See page 112. Adult Sabbath School Lessons (standard edition). Published quarterly by Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1350 Villa Street, Mountain View, California 94042, U.S.A. One year subscription in U.S.A., $1.80; single copy, 45 cents. One year subscription to countries outside U.S.A., $2.40; single copy, 60 cents. All prices at U.S.A. exchange. Second-class postage paid at Mountain View, California 94042, U.S.A. When a change of address is desired, please send both old and new addresses. Copyright 1978 by Pacific Press Publishing Association Just what your While children are still young and impressionabi parents have the preschooler needs- opportunity to lead then in developing Christian characters. The Ladder Q Life booklets are a help. Each principle listed in Peter's ladder is featured in a separate booklet. Stories emphasize faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. All eight booklets are illustrated with "color rr drawings reflecting no ethnic slant. A parents' guide of page-by-page suggestions, projects, visual aids, and songs comes with the set. Amy enjoys the Ladder Life set and understands easily. Your children toc can get hours of Christi guidance and entertainment from then books, a real bargain at $11.95 for the complete set. Order from your local Adventist Book Center or ABC Mailing Service, P.O. Box 37485, Omaha Nebraska 68137. In Canada, Box 398, Oshawa, Ontario LIFI 7L5. Please include State sales tax whe necessary, and add 7 percent or a minimum charge of 50 cents for mailing. Prices slightly higher in Canada. THE PATH OF FAITH Introduction To hear some presentations of the gospel of Jesus Christ is to gain the impression that only a special group—a handpicked few—have, or can have what is required to become righteous, and thus to be fitted for heaven. Some fear to attend meetings or read publications that deal with righteousness by faith because they are sure beforehand that it is beyond all but those with a built-in capacity to reach heaven and gain eternal life. It is the object of this series of Sabbath School lessons to clear away any basis for such fears or hesitations. Dear Sabbath School member, heaven is for you! And you too can understand the way to get there! In fact, "As through Jesus we enter into rest, heaven begins here.... Heaven is a ceaseless approaching to God through Christ.... All that human nature can bear, we may receive here. But what is this compared with the hereafter?"—The Desire of Ages, pp. 331, 332. We want to study together this quarter some of the first major steps which we must take on the path of faith in Jesus. We shall look at our need of Jesus, the way His love draws us to Him, how we come to be sorry for our sins, and what we can do with them. We shall try to understand better how simple faith is, and how to use it in surrender of ourselves to His control. We shall reassure ourselves of His willingness to forgive us and to make us new creations in Himself. We shall feel the depth of the peace He offers and the joy of giving ourselves fully to Him. We shall marvel anew at the almost unbelievable promises He makes, sense the joy of bearing His fruit in our lives as we accept Him and become righteous by faith. We have decided to concentrate our study on the writings'of the apostle John—his Gospel, his Epistles, and the Revelation. But we draw occasionally on other inspired witnesses to fill out some of the picture. We gratefully draw on the special counsel to this remnant people by the spirit of prophecy. It is possible that many will feel that some important principle or emphasis has been overlooked in this series of lessons. And that should not be cause for surprise. We will readily recognize that there are other steps on the path of faith besides those covered this quarter. Although we deal with fruit bearing in the Christian life, there is more to be said about the full process of growing up into Christ, about conquering doubt, about the Christian's work and witness, about the life of prayer and the evidences which confirm our conversion. Much more can be said about the ties between these steps to Christ and His work in the heavenly sanctuary and the closing of that work. Righteousness by faith as a special emphasis in our history is a most profitable study. But, again, let us remember that we do not have to resolve the issues raised during our history before we can personally enter into the peaceful and joyous experience of righteousness by faith. The first and essential steps are covered in the lessons we are about to study together this quarter. Oh that we each might believe Him and thus know His presence before this quarter closes! Let us study, pray, and witness with and for each other. 7 LESSON 1 March 26 to April 1 "In him was life; and the life was the greatest reality alone, and so often light of men" (John 1:4). without hope. How much we need Him who has It has so often been said that the life in Himself—He who is able and greatest certainty in life is death. And it willing to give that divine life to meil,m. is equally true that death plays no favorites. The man who plants seed, DAILY HIGHLIGHTS the woman who drives a city bus, 1. Healer people bordering on the edge of (John 5:6) starvation, and those who are 2. "A Spring of Water" overfed—all of these alike face the (John 4:14) inevitable grave. 3. "The Light of the World" In this respect the believer in Jesus (John 8:12) Christ is not different from the 4. "The Bread of Life" unbeliever. It is only when we talk of (John 6:35) life beyond death—eternal life, life 5. "The Good Shepherd" without end—that there is a difference (John 10:11) between the one who believes, and 6. "The Way" the one who believes not. (John 14:6) In spite of every effort of medical science there appears to be no way to stretch generally useful and happy human life much beyond fourscore years. Occasionally reports claim life-spans of 130 or even 150 years. At least some age-claims come from places where there is no reliable or official record of birth dates. So when a person dies it becomes not a little difficult to decide how long he has lived! Though we may accept these reports at face value, still even the sesquicentenarian will soon die. But more than all of this, most people live in heavy darkness. Not physical perhaps, but mental, moral and social darkness—not to mention darkness of the spirit, of the soul. Some keep "happy" by a full life of busyness, others by perpetual self-indul&ence. But there comes a day or reckoning, a day of facing life's We Need Him LESSON 1 ❑ Sunday March 26 Part 1 What do you think was the purpose of Jesus' question? HEALER "When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, 'Do you want to be healed?' " (John 5:6, RSV). Can we by imagination put ourselves in the place of this sufferer by the sheep pool in Jerusalem? Think of being help- less for some 38 years from a crippling disease. Then think of having your hopes raised periodically by the expectation created from a long-standing tradition that the one who could show the greatest selfishness by making himself first to enter the pool at a certain season by a certain sign would be healed. Can you imagine the jealousy and enmity that would develop among these poor sufferers by the pool as each was forced to regard every other person there as his potential enemy, virtually his destroyer? Some would have helpers to assist them in gain- ing an advantage over those having no help. Some would edge their way to the pool periodically, to the very brink, so that they might be the happy first person to jump or fall or roll into the water. To one such a sufferer, who had borne 38 years of misery and undoubted self-condemnation, Jesus said with sympathy and concern, "Do you want to be healed?" THINK IT THROUGH How does this healing of the cripple illustrate our need of Christ? Do you find yourself contending with the selfish, scrambling crowd? Do you find others stronger than yourself taking advan- tage of your weakness? Do you feel alone and friendless, shut out from God's mercy? Have you been striving repeatedly to meet a lifelong objective, only to be disappointed again and again until your strength and hope are about to give out? How we need today to hear that voice of tenderness and see that countenance of compassion offering to us the help which Christ alone can bring! Do you want to be healed? "He bids you arise in health and peace. Do not wait to feel that you are made whole. Believe His word, and it will be fulfilled. Put your will on the side of Christ. Will to serve Him, and in acting upon His word you will receive strength. Whatever may be the evil practice, the master passion which through long in- dulgence binds both soul and body, Christ is able and longs to deliver. He will impart life to the soul that is 'dead in trespasses.' Eph. 2:1. He will set free the captive that is held by weakness and misfortune and the chains of sin."—The Desire of Ages, p. 203. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 201-203. 10 We Need Him LESSON 1 ❑ Monday March 27 Part 2 What does it mean that the water Jesus gives will become a "A SPRING spring? OF WATER" "Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:14, RSV). (See John 7:37-39.) Some who study this lesson today will know from cruel ex- perience what it means to be really thirsty. And those who know this by experience have a gratitude for a supply of water which is unknown to those who have always turned on the faucet and received all the water they could use. The Bible land in which Jesus grew up and ministered was one that treasured its supplies of water. Large pools were cut from the rock to provide storage for water when it came in the rainy seasons so that there would be a supply during the rain- less summer. Wells were also dug to assure a water supply. An adequate water supply was essential for establishment of a village or town. He who had an unfailing well on his property was wealthy indeed. More often than not the well was shared by all in the community and even by strangers and travelers. Think, then, of the Samaritan woman, coming alone and in the heat of the day to draw water at Sychar. Generally the women of a village came to the well at the same time, morning and evening. They enjoyed it as a social occasion, a time of chatter and laughter. Did she come alone because her sinful life made her an outcast? How easily Jesus knocked at the door of her heart by talking to her about water—His physical need and her spiritual one. THINK IT THROUGH Are there hidden veins of sin in your life which have drained off and dried up the wells of salvation? "He who tastes of the love of Christ will continually long for more; but he seeks for nothing else. The riches, honors, and pleasures of the world do not attract him. The constant cry of his heart is, More of Thee. And He who reveals to the soul its necessity is waiting to satisfy its hunger and thirst. Every human resource and dependence will fail. The cisterns will be emptied, the pools become dry; but our Redeemer is an inexhaustible fountain. We may drink, and drink again, and ever find a fresh supply. He in whom Christ dwells has within himself the foun- tain of blessing,—'a well of water springing up into everlasting life.' From this source he may draw strength and grace suffi- cient for all his needs."—The Desire of Ages, p. 187. Do you need a spring of water welling up to eternal life within your soul? Then you need Him. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 183-188. 11 2-ASSL 2-78 We Need Him LESSON 1 ❑ Tuesday March 28 Part 3 How did Jesus symbolize Himself at the Feast of Taberna- "THE LIGHT OF cles? Why is this symbol appropriate? THE WORLD" "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12). We have seen Jesus portrayed as the Healer of disease, physi- cal and spiritual. We have seen Him as the Source of springs of living water welling up unto eternal life. Now we see Him por- trayed as the Light of the world. Our modern electrically illuminated world is not too well able to appreciate the preciousness of light. Some can recall the days when oil lamps and candles were the main means of dispelling the darkness. But when Jesus announced Himself as the Light of the world, it was on the occasion of the Feast of Tabernacles, when two great lamps cast their glow over the city of Jerusalem and the temple courts. This was to be a reminder of the pillar of light that guided Israel in the desert, and it also was regarded as pointing to the coming of the Messiah. Were the feast lamps adequate to represent the Light of the world? "As the radiant lamps of the temple lighted up all about them, so Christ, the source of spiritual light, illumines the darkness of the world. Yet the symbol was imperfect. That great light which His own hand had set in the heavens was a truer representation of the glory of His mission."—The Desire of Ages, p. 463. Light is vital to sustaining life. Even the faint light of the winter's sun makes a difference to the growth of plants and grasses. Light is the only answer to darkness, and it is appro- priate that the apostle Peter, recalling the symbol which Christ had used of Himself, assured, us, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts" (2 Peter 1:19). THINK IT THROUGH In what areas of life has the light of heaven not shone into my heart and upon the road before me? Christ "was the spiritual light that in symbol and type and prophecy had shone upon Israel. But not to the Jewish nation alone was the light given. As the sunbeams penetrate to the . remotest corners of the earth, so does the light of the Sun of Righteousness shine upon every soul."—The Desire of Ages, p. 464. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 463-465. 12 We Need Him LESSON 1 ❑ Wednesday March 29 Part 4 "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that "THE BREAD cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me OF LIFE" shall never thirst" (John 6:35). In what way do you understand Jesus to be the "bread of life"? In addition to water and light there is the necessity for nourishment of the body. Without food a person will starve and die. But here again Jesus is not only the giver of the bread that sustains physical life; but, as our text clearly indicates, He is speaking of a soul hunger which He alone can satisfy. - The Jewish people reminded Christ that in the wilderness Moses had given them bread from heaven, the manna (verses 31-33). Correcting their memory of who was the true giver— God, not Moses—Jesus took the symbol of bread from heaven to illustrate His own coming dawn from heaven to give spiritual life. The manna in the wilderness had sustained only physical life. The sustenance of thousands of people in their travels through an unproductive desert was clearly a miracle of God's grace and power. It is just as miraculous to obtain eternal life. It is not the result of man's searching after God, but the result of man's partaking of heavenly bread—Jesus who came from God to man. Just as Jesus had offered the woman at the well a spring of water that would be to her eternal life, He now offers Himself as the bread which alone can sustain eternal life. THINK IT THROUGH How would you compare the bread of life which Jesus offers with the tree of life that was available to Adam and Eve in the garden? When Adam and Eve were cut off from access to the tree of life, God made known the provision of the "seed of the woman," who would come to intervene in the battle between man and Satan. This was a wonderful manifestation of God's love, as well as a clear indication of the human need for Christ. The tree of life could have sustained the lives of Adam and Eve forever. After sin only belief in Jesus brought eternal life. Will it not be through Him that we shall regain access to the tree of life? And with the sin question forever settled, this mortal shall put on immortality. How beautifully complete and perfect is God's plan to meet our desperate need! FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 386-391. 13 We Need Him LESSON 1 ❑ Thursday March 30 Part 5 "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life "THE GOOD for the sheep" (John 10:11). SHEPHERD" In what ways is Jesus like a "good shepherd"? While water and bread were vital to the simple life of the dwellers in Bible lands in Christ's day, another common sight in the land, which Christ took to represent Himself and our need of Him, was that of a shepherd leading his flock. We perhaps see Him best illustrated in the shepherd who owned the sheep he cared for. Not in a wealthy man who owned sheep and hired others to care for his flocks. Nor in the one hired shepherd. The owner-shepherd's very life was the life of his sheep. The true shepherd endured storm and pestilence, hunger and drought and thirst with his sheep. He found for them streams of clear water and green pastures where they could feed and rest. He wandered about the land according to the need of his sheep. He knew each of them by name, and each responded to his voice. By night he was their protector from thieves and from wild beasts. When they were near a sheepfold where he could place them for the night, he was himself the living door to the fold. It was difficult for any enemy to enter the fold without the shepherd's knowledge. The good shepherd risked his life for the sheep. All of this was in contrast to the hireling. We recall the experiences of the young shepherd David, car- ing for his father's flocks, and how he had to meet a lion and a bear to preserve his entrusted treasure. In the Bible sheep are regarded as helpless, defenseless, and stupid. (See SDA Bible Dictionary, p. 995.) It is not without reason that they have been known for centuries as "silly" sheep. They manifest nothing like the intelligence or understanding of a horse or a dog. Christ chose the sheep to represent us, and the good shepherd to represent Himself. We, the "silly" sheep, have perhaps not been sufficiently aware of our need of the Good Shepherd. THINK IT THROUGH Does the sheep know when it is lost? Can the sheep find its way home when lost? "Jesus knows us individually, and is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. He knows us all by name. He knows the very house in which we live, the name of each occupant. He has at times given directions to His servants to go to a certain street in a certain city, to such a house, to find one of His sheep. "Every soul is as fully known to Jesus as if he were the only one for whom the Saviour died."—The Desire of Ages, pp. 479, 480. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 476-484. 14 We Need Him LESSON 1 ❑ Friday March 31 Part 6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: "THE WAY" no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). It is interesting to note that by the time Saul of Tarsus became burdened to persecute members of the church of Jesus Christ, they had become known as those who were "of this way" (Acts 9:2). Could • it be that the believers's acceptance of Christ's declaration of Himself as the way led to this synonym for Chris- tianity? We have so many scriptural references to the "way," whether it is "the way of salvation" (Acts 16:17) or "the way of the Lord" (Acts 18:25), or simply "way" (Acts 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:22). We yearn to be restored to harmony with God. Christ is the way. We yearn for victory over the plague spots of character, the weaknesses that beset us, whether inherited or cultivated. Christ is the way. We feel lost and bewildered so that we wander in every direction hoping to find the way. Christ is the way. Are we consumed with the search for truth? Christ is not only the way, he is also the truth. How are life and truth related in Jesus? He who finds Christ, or rather, he who is willing to be found by Christ finds not only the way but also the truth. Are we exhaust- ing our resources in the search for the prolonging of life? As we come to Christ we find "the way, the truth, and the life." How more perfectly could Christ represent to us our need and His complete ability to supply all our human needs? THINK IT THROUGH What way have I been following today? Have I been walking in the sparks of my own kindling? Have I felt perfectly adequate and capable of making my own way? "By His humanity, Christ touched humanity; by His divinity, He lays hold upon the throne of God. As the Son of man, He gave us an example of obedience; as the Son of God, He gives us power to obey.... So when He [Christ] came 'in the likeness of man,' He declared Himself the I AM. The Child of Bethlehem, the meek and lowly Saviour, is God 'manifest in the flesh.' 1 Tim. 3:16. And to us He says, 'I AM the Good Shepherd.' I AM the living Bread.' I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life.' All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.' John 10:11; 6:51; 14:6; Matt. 28:18. I AM the assurance of every promise. I AM; be not afraid. 'God with us' is the surety of our deliverance from sin, the assurance of our power to obey the law of heaven."—The Desire of Ages, pp. 24, 25. What perfect provision Jesus Christ has made for our eternal salvation! How completely we need Him! FURTHER STUDY The Desire of . Ages, pp. 292, 293; Steps to Christ, "The Sin- ner's Need of Christ," pp. 17-22. 15 "And I, when I am lifted u from the earth, will draw all men to myself" (John 12:32, RSV). LESSON 2 April 2-8 Commonly we think that we that we not only need Him but that He become Christians when we go in is doing everything that heaven can do search of Christ. It seems hard for us to to draw us to Him. Christ is the great recognize that any time that we go to lodestone, the heavenly magnet, that Christ, He first has come to us and is tugs at human hearts, drawing them to continually drawing us to Himself. Himself. Notice the setting in which the When Jesus explained to the crowd words of our key text above are that when He should be lifted up He spoken. Jesus had recently made His would draw all men to Himself, He was triumphal entry into the city of predicting the method by which He Jerusalem, riding as kings of Israel would die, in which He would become did—on a colt. His disciples and the that "grain of wheat" that would fall responsive crowd had shouted into the earth and die in order that it hosannas in His name. Among the should not remain alone but rather crowds that came up to worship at the that it should bear much fruit. By His feast were some Greeks. It was they death on the cross Christ would reveal who made the moving request to to everyone the love of God in a way Philip, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." that would draw individuals to Him. In response to the request of the "If we do not resist this drawing, we Greeks Jesus began to speak of His shall be led to the foot of the cross in impending death. He had come to be repentance for the sins that have not Saviour of the Jews only, but also crucified the Saviour. Then the Spirit Saviour of the world. This price He of God through faith produces a new must pay to make it possible for life in the soul. The thoughts and people of any nation to be saved from desires are brought into obedience to sin through Him. And as the details of the will of Christ. The heart, the mind, death by crucifixion came to mind He are created anew in the image of Him asked His Father to save Him from that who works in us to subdue all things to hour. But His conviction that it was for Himself. Then the law of God is this purpose that He had come into the written in the mind and heart, and we world tempered this request. can say with Christ,'l delight to do Thy In faith He invited His Father to will, 0 my God.' Ps. 40: 8."—The glorify His own name. Immediately Desire of Ages, p. 176. came the response from heaven, "I How is it, dear friend, with you? have glorified it, and I will glorify it Have you been resisting thetugging at again" (verse 28). The wondering your heartstrings of the love of God in crowd heard only what sounded to Christ Jesus? them like thunder. Some more This week let us study together how discerning ones suggested that an much He loves us, and let us ask angel had spoken to Him. Jesus ourselves how we can possibly resist insisted that the voice had come not the tug of His love. for His sake but for theirs. And looking DAILY HIGHLIGHTS to His crucifixion, almost in tones of 1. Light for All triumph He declared, "Now is the (John 1:9) judgment of this world, now shall the 2. "Lamb of God" ruler of this world be cast out; and I, (John 1:29) when I am lifted up from the earth, will 3. "Come and See" draw all men to myself" (John 12: 31, (John 1:48) 32, RSV). 4. "Born of the Spirit" In last week's lesson we studied a (John 3:8) number of illustrations given in the 5. "Given . . . of My Father" Gospel of John portraying the fact that (John 6:65) we as sinners are in needof Christ. In 6. No Orphans Here this week's lesson we find assurance (John 14:18) We Are Drawn by Him LESSON 2 ❑ Sunday April 2 Part 1 "That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that LIGHT cometh into the world" (John 1:9). FOR ALL What are some ways Jesus "lighteth every man"? There is in these words a rather clear indication that every man that comes into the world receives some degree of light from Jesus Christ, "the true Light." As we saw in last week's lesson, Jesus declares Himself to be the light of the world. The setting for these words was the contrast drawn between John the Baptist and Jesus Christ by the apostle John in this first chapter of his Gospel. John the Baptist was a witness; he came to bear witness to Him who was the light. The Scripture is clear that John himself was not the light; but, as John was engaged in his ministry, He who was indeed the true light was coming to the forefront. As The New English Bible gives it, "The real light which enlightens every man was even then coming into the world." This understanding of John 1:9 harmonizes with the key text of the week to the effect that all men will be drawn to Christ through the sacrifice which He made on Calvary's cross. (See John 12:32.) Such a concept of God as one whose love is given impartially to all men, granting to each the opportunity to be enlightened concerning the love of God in Christ Jesus, agrees with what we would expect of a God of love. THINK IT THROUGH What examples can you think of which illustrate the fact that "the true Light" had universal appeal even while He was here as a man among men? (See John 12:20-23 and Luke 7:1-10.) Note the inspired comment on the latter: "To Jesus this [the faith of the centurion] was an earnest of the work which the gospel was to accomplish among the Gen- tiles. With joy He looked forward to the gathering of souls from all nations to His kingdom. With deep sadness He pictured to the Jews the result of their rejection of His grace: 'I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast -out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' Alas, how many are still preparing for the same fatal disappointment! While souls in heathen darkness accept His grace, how many there are in Christian lands upon whom the light shines only to be disregarded."—The Desire of Ages, pp. 317, 318. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 464, 465. 18 We Are Drawn by Him LESSON 2 ❑ Monday April 3 Part 2 —The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, "LAMB OF Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the GOD" world." (John 1:29). The Saviour who draws all men unto Himself through His cross and who is the light to lighten every man in the world is also declared byJohn the Baptist to be "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." There is no favoritism here, no exclusiveness, no partiality. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary was sufficient to cover, to cleanse, and to remove the sins of the world. And what a wealth of significance is called up by that very expression "the Lamb of God"! What connection do you see between Jesus and the Old Testament system of sacrifices? The whole sacrificial system from the time of the cherubim- guarded entrance to the Garden of Eden down to the very days of Jesus Christ Himself could be summed up in the expression "the Lamb of God." How much did Abraham understand of the expression, "the Lamb of God"? (See Gen. 22:1-18; Heb. 11:17-19.) Abraham had been permitted to spare the life of his son Isaac, and the ram caught in the thicket out on the mountaintop provided the substitute for Isaac. So that place was named thereafter "The Lord will provide" (RSV). But who would substi- tute for the Son of God? Who would spare the heavenly Father the agony of separation from His Son as He became the Sin Bearer, the Lamb of God, the sacrifice and substitute for the sins of the whole world? There would be no substitute for Him. Wonder 0 heavens and be astonished 0 earth! Is it any mystery that Jesus had the power to draw men unto Himself? THINK IT THROUGH To what extent have I accepted Jesus as "the Lamb of God" for me? "There are not many ways to heaven. Each one may not choose his own way. Christ says, 'I am the way: . . . no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.' Since the first gospel sermon was preached, when in Eden it was declared that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head, Christ had been uplifted as the way, the truth, and the life. He was the way when Adam lived, when Abel presented to God the blood of the slain lamb, representing the blood of the Redeemer. Christ was the way by which patriarchs and prophets were saved. He is the way by which alone we can have access to God."—The Desire of Ages, p. 663. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 132-137. 19 We Are Drawn by Him LESSON 2 ❑ Tuesday April 4 Part 3 "Nathanael said to him, 'How do you know me?' Jesus "COME AND SEE" answered him, 'Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you' " (John 1:48, RSV). It had been when John the Baptist pointed out "the Lamb of God" that the first men who became Christ's apostles left John the Baptist to follow Jesus. They were Andrew, the brother of Peter, and John the evangelist. "Moved by an irresistible im- pUlse, they followed Jesus,—anxious to speak with Him, yet awed and silent, lost in the overwhelming significance of the thought, 'Is this the Messiah?' "—The Desire of Ages, p. 138. What lesson can we learn from the experience of Christ's first disciples? Verses 40-45. But no sooner had Andrew and John come to know Jesus even a little than there was born in their hearts a desire to call others. So Andrew went in search of his brother Simon. And now we find Jesus calling Philip and saying to him, "Follow Me." Philip obeyed this summons and himself became an extension of the voice and call of Jesus Christ. Philip went in search of his friend, Nathanael. Since his own knowledge of Jesus was still limited, he was having a little difficulty in per- suading Nathanael that he had indeed found the Messiah. But finally he simply said, "Come and see." When Nathanael came, Jesus gave such evidence of knowing him and his longing for the Messiah that Nathanael declared in growing faith, "Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel" (verse 49). THINK IT THROUGH Does my life so reflect the likeness of Jesus today that it says to those who do not know Christ, Come and see? (Com- pare Rev. 22:17; 2 Cor. 3:2.) "The teaching of Christ was the expression of an inwrought conviction and experience, and those who learn of Him become teachers after the divine order. The word of God, spoken by one who is himself sanctified through it, has a life-giving power that makes it attractive to the hearers, and convicts them that it is a living reality. When one has received the truth in the love of it, he will make this manifest in the persuasion of his manner and the tones of his voice. He makes known that which he himself has heard, seen, and handled of the word of life, that others may have fellowship with him through the knowledge of Christ. His testimony, from lips touched with a live coal from off the altar, is truth to the receptive heart, and works sanctification upon the character."—The Desire of Ages, p. 142. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 138-143. 20 We Are Drawn by Him LESSON 2 ❑ Wednesday April 5 Part 4 "The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, "BORN OF but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is THE SPIRIT" with every one who is born of the Spirit" (John 3:8, RSV). Did you ever think in childhood that you might stop the wind from blowing? As impossible a dream as that of the foolish king who thought that he could hold back the waves of the ocean. Whether it be the gentle refreshing summer breeze that breaks up the heat of the day or the awesome hurricane, tornado, or monsoon, there is nothing that man can do to control the will of the wind. The love of God is like the wind in that He who draWs us to Himself draws universally. Man can build no barriers that can keep out the first approach of God through the Holy Spirit. This is not to suggest for a moment that the Lord forces His love upon any; but there is a light which lights every man that comes into the world. God's love is universal, Jesus shed His blood for the sins of the whole world. God sees and knows equally every individual, no matter where he is found in the world, and no man can stay God's love except by his persistent rejection of it. Must I be able to explain the love of God in order to receive it? "It is impossible for finite minds to comprehend the work of redemption. Its mystery exceeds human knowledge; yet he who passes from death to life realizes that it is a divine reality. The beginning of redemption we may know here through a personal experience. Its results reach through the eternal ages."—The Desire of Ages, p. 173. THINK IT THROUGH Why should I or should I not be troubled because I cannot tell the exact time and place and circumstance under which I gave my heart in response to the movings of God's Spirit? "A person may not be able to tell the exact time or place, or to trace all the circumstances in the jirocess of conversion; but this does not prove him to be unconverted. By an agency as 'unseen as the wind, Christ is constantly working upon the heart. Little by little, perhaps unconsciously to the receiver, impres- sions are made that tend to draw the soul to Christ. These may be received through meditating upon Him, through reading the Scriptures, or through hearing the word from the living preacher. Suddenly, as the Spirit comes with more direct ap- peal, the soul gladly surrenders itself to Jesus."—The Desire of Ages, p. 172. You can reject the Holy Spirit, but you cannot stop His woo- ing. If we do not resist Him, we shall be led to the foot of the cross in repentance for sin. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 172-174. 21 We Are Drawn by Him LESSON 2 ❑ Thursday April 6 Part 5 Why is any person attracted to Jesus as Saviour? "GIVEN . . . OF MY FATHER" "And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father" (John 6:65). The experience of coming to Jesus Christ is completely real. It is as real as the fact that God the Father reigns on the throne of the universe and that all things are sustained by His might. It is not by accident, not by good fortune, but entirely by the power of the Spirit that any individual comes to Christ and finds eternal life in Him. How completely is the heavenly Father willing that all should find eternal life in His Son? John 6:39, 40. Did association with Christ while He was on earth have a saving power greater than He can provide now? We may think that if we had lived on earth when Jesus was here we would have been with John, Andrew, Nathanael, Philip, Mary Magdalene, and the woman at the well in giving our hearts to Him; that we would have been among the first to support Him and to let Him know of our love. We may sometimes think that anyone who saw and heard Jesus in person would have been compelled to receive Him. But think of Judas Iscariot, who had the closest association with Jesus, who was treated as the rest of the disciples were treated for some three years, but who never committed himself to Jesus. By his own choice Judas deprived the heavenly Father of the privilege of bringing him into a saving relationship with the Son, Jesus Christ. THINK IT THROUGH What does it really mean to believe on the Son of God? "There is a great work to be done for your own soul's salva- tion, and to qualify you to win others from unbelief to a life sustained by faith in Christ Jesus. 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me [with a casual faith?—No, with an abiding faith that works by love and purifies the soul] hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life.... I am the living bread which came down from heaven. . . . But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray Him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.' (John 6:47, 48, 51, 53, 54, 63-65)."---Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 137, 138. FURTHER STUDY Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 391-394. 22 We Are Drawn by Him LESSON 2 ❑ Friday April 7 Part 6 "I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you" (John NO ORPHANS 14:18, RSV). HERE In the original language of the New Testament, Jesus was saying, "I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you" (NASB). How more beautifully could He have expressed it! He was about to return to heaven following His unexpected death on the cross—unexpected to His dearest disciples. Their utter desolation begins to be seen on the night of the betrayal and continues for some of them through most of the day of His resurrection. Absolutely orphaned! But no. The very event which made them such desolate or- phans from their beloved Master was the means by which He would ensure their being with Him for all eternity. And in the interim, throughout the remainder of their lives, He would be with them by His Holy Spirit. Is Christ's love, offered to those original followers, offered equally to us? Have you been drawn so close to Jesus Christ that even in the deepest depths of your loneliness, you know He has not left you an orphan? (See John 16:33.) "The life of Christ's disciples is to be like His, a series of uninterrupted victories, not seen to be such here, but recog- nized as such in the great hereafter. "Those who labor for the good of others are working in union with the heavenly angels. They have their constant companion- ship, their unceasing ministry. Angels of light and power are ever near to protect, to comfort, to heal, to instruct, to inspire. The highest education, the truest culture, and the most exalted service possible to human beings in this world are theirs."— Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 307, 308. THINK IT THROUGH Why is it some people resist the pleadings of God for their salvation? "The only way in which we can gain a more perfect apprehen- sion of truth is by keeping the heart tender and subdued by the Spirit of Christ. The soul must be cleansed from vanity and pride, and vacated of all that has held it in possession, and Christ must be enthroned within. Human science is too limited to comprehend the atonement. The plan of redemption is so far-reaching that philosophy cannot explain it. It will ever re- main a mystery that the most profound reasoning cannot fathom. The science of salvation cannot be explained; but it can be known by experience. Only he who sees his own sinfulness can discern the preciousness of the Saviour."—The Desire of Ages, pp. 494, 495. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, p. 669. 23 "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death" (2 Cor. 7:10, RSV). LESSON 3 April 9-15 Already this quarter we have studied Repentance would result in a change. together about our need of Jesus In fact, the original words which are Christ and how He draws us to translated "repentance" in the texts Himself. Now we need to consider which we will use this week carry this what happens in the human heart if it clear idea of a change of mind. Later in does not resist. our lessons of this quarter we are In the key text above, the apostle going to study conversion, and we Paul is speaking to the church at perhaps can see already that there may Corinth to which he had written some be a very close link between very straight counsel. The Corinthians repentance and conversion. We have had been deeply upset over his letter, all heard the child's definition of and, while the apostle indicates that it repentance as being "sorry enough to did not make him happy to have them quit," or "sorry enough to stop, ' or grieved, it made him happy to know "sorry enough to change." These are that their grief from his rebuke led good definitions. How can we be them to repentance. He describes "sorry" about our condition if the such grief as "godly." He defines this so-called sorrow fails to produce godly grief as that which "produces a changes in our life-style? It is not repentance that leads to salvation and enough to profess repentance. The brings no regret," while mere worldly words and actions and life will give grief by contrast may be destructive, evidence of repentance in reality. even producing death. Peter, in his sermon on the day of The Gospel of John contains a Pentecost, referred to his hearers as classic example of true repentance those who had put the Redeemer to and a classic example of false death. Under conviction they asked, repentance, a repentance unto death. "What shall we do?" Note the first We refer to the contrasting word of Peter's answer, "Repent." On experiences of Peter and Judas. a later occasion he said, "Repent ... Peter's willingness to have his heart and be converted, that your sins may broken unto repentance was the only be blotted out" (Acts 2:37, 38; 3:19). thing that saved him from the des- This is beautifully summed up in a perateness of Judas, who went out short paragraph in Steps to Christ: and hanged himself. We shall look at "Repentance includes sorrow for sin these two contrasting characters and and a turning away from it. We shall their experiences as we study together not renounce sin unless we see its this week. sinfulness; until we turn away from it But first let us ask ourselves the key in heart, there will be no real change in question: What is repentance? the life."—Page 23. We remember that the call to repent With this definition in mind, let us was the key message of John the proceed to our study of this lesson. Baptist, and his call was not in vague generalities. He pointed out the DAILY HIGHLIGHTS specific sins of different classes of men 1. Why Repent? who came out into the wilderness to (Rom. 2:4) hear him. He even courageously 2. Repentant Peter pointed out individual sins and did so (John 21:17) ultimately at the cost of his life. What 3. Unrepentant Judas did he want men to do in repenting? (John 13:30) What would show that they were 4. Repent or Perish! repentant? (Rev. 2:5) With his calls for repentance John 5. Oh, Sinner Man! gave specific instructions as to various (Luke 5:32) actions that would demonstrate that 6. All Should Repent there was true repentance of heart. (2 Peter 3:9) We Are Sorry LESSON 3 ❑ Sunday April 9 Part 1 "Do you not know that God's kindness is meant to lead you WHY REPENT? to repentance?" (Rom. 2:4, RSV). We may at first think that we see a contradiction in the calls for men to repent (as in the preaching of John the Baptist and of Peter at Pentecost) and the suggestion that it does not lie within man's unaided power to bring himself to repentance. What did Peter say is the source of repentance? Acts 5:31. Is God asking or commanding us to repent and yet withhold- ing the means by which alone we can be brought to repent- ance? Does He require us to have something for our salvation which can only be obtained as a gift from Him, and then with- hold the gift? No. As our text indicates, God's kindness is meant to lead us to repentance. If we will open our eyes to see God's kindness, His love, His long-suffering, His tender mercies toward us, these will lead us to repentance. Do you not recall from your childhood occasions when discipline tended to harden your will against the will of parent or teacher, but when that same parent or teacher made some personal sacrifice in order to meet some particular need or wish of yours, you were all broken up inside? When you knew that your mother or father was going without something for herself or himself in order to give you something that you needed or thought you wanted, could you withstand that love? Could you persist in having your own way? THINK IT THROUGH What has Jesus done for me that would lead me to be genuinely sorry for my sins and willfulness? " 'Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.' John 1:29. The light shining from the cross reveals the love of God. His love is drawing us to Himself. If we do not resist this drawing, we shall be led to the foot of the cross in repent- ance for the sins that have crucified the Saviour."—The Desire of Ages, pp. 175, 176. What is the relationship between repentance and forgive- ness? "It is true that repentance does precede the forgiveness of sins; for it is only the broken and contrite heart that will feel the need of a Saviour." But "the Bible does not teach that the sinner must repent before he can heed the invitation of Christ, 'Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28. It is the virtue that goes forth from Christ, that leads to genuine repentance."—Steps to Christ, p. 26. FURTHER STUDY Steps to Christ, "Repentance," pp. 23-26. 26 We Are Sorry LESSON 3 ❑ Monday April 10 Part 2 "He said to him the third time, 'Simon, son of John, do you REPENTANT love me?' Peter was grieved because he said to him the third PETER time, 'Do you love me?' And he said to him, 'Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep' " (John 21:17, RSV). Why do you think Jesus asked Peter three times for assur- ance of his love for Him? Our text is drawn from conversation of Jesus with Peter after the resurrection. Three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. If Peter was sincere, wasn't once enough? Peter had three times denied his Lord, not many days before this—he who had boasted that though everybody else should forsake the Saviour, he would never leave Him. And Peter had been something of a leader among the disciples. Yet in the hour of trial he had failed so miserably—almost as miserably as Judas. For as Judas betrayed the lovelessness of his own heart by selling his Saviour for 30 pieces of silver, Peter showed the weakness of his love for his Lord by denying that he knew Him, and accompanying his denial with the kind of low-down cursing that he may have picked up among the fishermen of Galilee. Now if Peter is to be restored to the confidence of his brethren and is to resume leadership, it must be evident to all that the proud braggart has become humble and teachable. Notice that Peter does not now boast. When pressed regarding his sincerity he merely casts himself upon Christ's knowledge of the hearts of all men: "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you" (Verse 17). THINK IT THROUGH What broke the heart of proud Peter and led him to genuine repentance, genuine change of mind? "While the degrading oaths were fresh upon Peter's lips, and the shrill crowing of the cock was still ringing in his ears, the Saviour turned from the frowning judges [in the court of Caiaphas], and looked full upon His poor disciple. At the same time Peter's eyes were drawn to his Master. In that gentle countenance he read deep pity and sorrow, but there was no anger there. "The sight of that pale, suffering face, those quivering lips, that look of compassion and forgiveness, pierced his heart like an arrow. . . . "A tide of memories rushed over him. . . . Unable longer to endure the scene, he rushed, heartbroken, from the hall."—The Desire of Ages, pp. 712, 713. Here is genuine repentance recounted vividly as though enacted before our eyes. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 710-713. 27 3-ASSL 2-78 We Are Sorry LESSON 3 ❑ Tuesday April 11 Part 3 "As soon as Judas had received the bread he went out. It UNREPENTANT was night" (John 13:30, NEB). JUDAS In so many ways it was night for Judas. Judas's action would bring night to the disciples and even to the Lord Himself. The same kind of sympathy and love and yearning tenderness which broke the independent heart of Peter was resisted by the hardened, self-deceived heart of Judas. By comparison with Judas, Peter was crude and uneducated, but he was utterly whatever he was. Judas was a deceiver. He apparently deceived all the disciples and even thought he had deceived the Lord. Thereby he revealed how sadly he was himself deceived. Judas had already arranged to betray his Lord for the price of a slave-30 pieces of silver—before the Lord stooped to take the place of a slave and bathed the feet of Judas in the upper room. And although, as on several previous occasions, an inner urge swept over him to confess all and bare his heart before the Redeemer, he repeatedly accepted the tempter's rationale for his actions. He even convinced himself that the betrayal was a kindness to the Lord because it would force the reticent Saviour into revealing Himself before His enemies as the undeniable Messiah—if Messiah He really was. THINK IT THROUGH Have I been resisting the promptings of God's love to con- fess my sins in genuine sorrow for them? "At the Passover supper Jesus proved His divinity by reveal- ing the traitor's purpose. He tenderly included Judas in the ministry to the disciples. But the last appeal of love was un- heeded. Then the case of Judas was decided, and the feet that Jesus had washed went forth to the betrayer's work."—The Desire of Ages, p. 720. Do not the words of Scripture imply repentance by Judas: "I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood" (Matt. 27:4)? "The Saviour did not reproach His betrayer. He knew that Judas did not repent; his confession was forced from his guilty soul by an awful sense of condemnation and a looking for of judgment, but he felt no deep, heartbreaking grief that he had betrayed the spotless Son of God, and denied the Holy One of Israel. . . "Judas saw that his entreaties were in vain, and he rushed from the hall exclaiming, It is too late! It is too late! He felt that he could not live to see Jesus crucified, and in despair went out and hanged himself."—The Desire of Ages, p. 722. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 716-722. 28 We Are Sorry LESSON 3 ❑ Wednesday April 12 Part 4 "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and re- REPENT OR pent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee PERISH! quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, ex- cept thou repent" (Rev. 2:5). In the letters from Jesus to the seven churches there are five calls to repentance. Failure to heed the call of the Lord would be followed by dire consequences. And these are messages of love from Jesus to His professed followers. This fact is particularly indicated in the message to Laodicea, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent" (Rev. 3:19). Were these appeals to the churches general calls for re- pentance, or were they associated with specific needs, prob- lems, or sins of the respective churches? (See Rev. 2:4, 5, 14-16, 20, 21; 3:2, 3, 15-19.) It is important to recognize that the Lord was pointing out specific sins in each church. The call to repentance was closely associated with words of specific reproof, specific appeal, de- signed to have specific results in the church. So we may imply that individual repentance must relate to particular sins and weaknesses. Let each pray the prayer of the psalmist, "Search me, 0 God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 'and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Ps. 139:23, 24). "Although as sinners we are under the condemnation of the law, yet Christ by His obedience rendered to the law, claims for the repentant soul the merit of His own righteousness. In order to obtain the righteousness of Christ, it is necessary for the sinner to know what that repentance is which works a radical change of mind and spirit and action. The work of transforma- tion must begin in the heart, and manifest its power through every faculty of the being; but man is not capable of originating such a repentance as this, and can experience it alone through Christ, who ascended up on high, led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men."—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 393. THINK IT THROUGH How serious is the loss of our first love for Christ and His church? "The losing of the first love is specified as a moral fall. The loss of this love is represented as something that will affect the entire religious life. Of those who have lost this love, God says that unless they repent, He will come to them, and remove their candlestick out of its place."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 957. FURTHER STUDY Steps to Christ, "Consecration," pp. 44-46. 29 We Are Sorry LESSON 3 ❑ Thursday April 13 Part 5 "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" OH, SINNER (Luke 5:32). MAN! He who responds to the call of Christ's love will be led to repent. All of us who feel our own sinfulness and helplessness may be assured that Jesus did not come to call the righteous ones. Rather, He came to call and to save sinners—those who, when confronted with the love of God as seen in Calvary's cross, would cry out, God be merciful to me a sinner! Is there any one sinner beyond the reach of the love of God? Matt. 12:31, 32. The Scripture teaches that God will forgive the sins we con- fess. (See 1 John 1:9.) Any unconfessed sin is unpardonable so long as it remains unconfessed. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts us of our need for confession. To refuse the Spirit's conviction places the sinner where he cannot confess so that his sin might be forgiven. "The sinner may resist this love, may refuse to be drawn to Christ; but if he does not resist he will be drawn to Jesus; a knowledge of the plan of salvation will lead him to the foot of the cross in repentance for his sins, which have caused the suffer- ings of God's dear Son."—Steps to Christ, p. 27. THINK IT THROUGH What shall I do if I have in my heart a longing for something better than this world can give? I can do a number of things: (1) I can ask God to give me repentance, to reveal Christ in His infinite love and His perfect purity. (2) I can come to Christ just as I am. (3) I can refuse to excuse myself by comparing myself with others and their de- fects. (4) I can refuse to delay the work of forsaking my sins and seeking purity of heart through Jesus. (5) I can refuse to con- sider any sin as too trivial to call for genuine repentance. (6) I can remember that one wrong trait of character cherished can neutralize the power of the gospel. (7) I can invite Christ to search my heart and to reveal its wicked ways. (8) I can be in dead earnest as I would be if I believed my life was at stake. (9) I can study God's Word prayerfully. (10) I can refuse to give up to despair. All God's promises and His warnings are manifesta- tions of His love. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, p. 275. 30 We Are Sorry LESSON 3 ❑ Friday April 14 Part 6 What does Peter teach about God's desire for everyone? ALL SHOULD REPENT "The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (2 Peter 3:9, RSV). What a tragedy that many earnest Christians have thought that some are predestined to be saved and some predestined to be lost! These inspired words, so clear and forthright, declare that God does not wish that any should perish but thata// should reach or come to repentance. This text confirms what we have learned earlier—that God is drawing all men to Himself, that there is a light which lights every man that comes into the world, that Jesus has paid the price for the salvation of the whole world and not for a selected few. How is it then, that in comparison with the billions of the world's population, so few even profess the name of Christ and still fewer actively call upon His name? Think of the grief which must come to the heart of God, not only because of sin, but because of our often persistent refusal to respond to the only means of bringing them eternal deliver- ance from sins and their consequences. THINK IT THROUGH What was the setting in which Peter gave us this assur- ance of God's wish that all should come to repentance? (See 2 Peter 3:3-8). Peter gave this assurance after his warning to those who think that everything that is happening in the world has always hap- pened, that everything is going along in the same old way and always will. But Peter reminds these scoffers of the Flood which came and disrupted a world which had come to believe that things would never change. Looking at the passage of the centuries from the time of the Flood, he reminds that with the Lord time is not a problem, that a thousand years are only as a day to Him. What counts is the promises of God which may look slow of fulfillment as men count slowness. But what men fail to recognize is that it is the forbearance of God that leads Him to delay His coming. But don't let that delay deceive you, Peter reasons, because the day of the Lord will come, and when it does come, it will be for many like a thief unexpected, catching them unprepared and unpro- tected. Then things will happen which men have decided would never happen. It is because the Lord wants all to be led to repentance, says Peter, that time goes on as long as it does. FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 467, 468. 31 LESSON 4 April 16-22 The apostle John does not speak cover his sins and to hide them from extensively on the subject of the knowledge of God and man. confession of sin. He does, however, If we suggested earlier that there is give us in the last text that we shall use all too little genuine repentance this week, the most precious and among Christians these days, we reassuring promise of all concerning certainly would go the next step and God's response to man's confession say that there is all too little confession of sin. In fact, the Scriptures as a whole and forsaking of sin among professed do not speak at great length nor with Christians. great frequency on this subject, and Why do not husband and wife, many of the texts which in our English brother and sister, mother and child, translations contain the word kiss and make up. Why is it not enough confession or to confess are not if the husband who left the home in speaking of confession of sin, but anger in the morning returns in the rather of a confession of faith in a evening and simply settles into the name—the name of Jesus above all. peaceful routine of homelife again And so we have the expression in without reference to the morning's Christian theology of "confession of problem? Is he not in his own way faith," not only in theology but also in saying that he is sorry for what he said Christian worship. But as we proceed or did earlier, and wishes to be with our study of the steps that the forgiven? Some devoted wives insist sinner is invited to take in coming to that it would be out of place for a Jesus, we are concerned about the husband to do more than this. They subject of confession of sin. say he should not put in words to the Our key text above, taken from the one offended an acknowledgment of wise man and expressed in the typical the wrong which he has said or done. parallel phraseology of many of the Some wives would even imply that it proverbs, puts these two thoughts would be unmanly for a husband to against each other: make such a confession. Would it be (1) He who conceals his unmanly? Let us think about it as we transgressions will not prosper; study this week. Is it perhaps all right (2) But he who confesses and for a woman or a child to confess forsakes them will obtain mercy. specifically, orally, or in writing, his or We take it, then that to confess is the her wrong, but not for a man? opposite of trying to cover up one's Why this modern male reticence to sins or transgressions and that a confess specific sins and wrongdoing, parallel act with confession of sin is the whether to God or to man or both? forsaking of sin. This reminds us of a child's definition of repentance— DAILY HIGHLIGHTS being "sorry enough to quit." 1. Confession and Baptism Likewise genuine confession involves (Matt. 3:5, 6) a willingness to forsake the sin 2.- Chief of Sinners confessed. Nowhere in the Scripture (1 Tim. 1:15) is there a call for a man to keep on 3. "My Sin and the Sin of My repeating his sins in the blissful People" (Dan. 9:20, 21) assurance that upon further 4. Confess to One Another confession he can receive forgiveness (James 5:16) and continue to sin with impunity. 5. Specific Confession Rather, we would gather from our key (1 Sam. 12:19) text that he who confesses his sins 6. "Faithful and Just" without the intent of forsaking them is (1 John 1:9) virtually as guilty as he who attempts to "He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy" (Prov. 28:13, RSV). We Wronged Him LESSON 4 ❑ Sunday April 16 Part 1 What were key results of the preaching of John the Baptist CONFESSION in the wilderness and of his message, "Repent ye"? AND BAPTISM "Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jor- dan, confessing their sins" (Matt. 3:5, 6). In the ministry of John the Baptist repentance and confession went hand in hand. He called to the people of Israel to recognize that the kingdom of heaven was about to come upon them and that in order to be ready for it they must repent. The people who heard him confessed their sins and accepted baptism at his hand, signifying the washing away of their sins. It is significant that even the Roman soldiers who came out to hear John were instructed to modify their life-style so as to cease sinning against their fellowmen. Confession of sin was to accompany forsaking of sin. There is a marked danger today that, in bringing new converts to Jesus Christ and to church fellowship, we fail to give them time to recognize their responsibility in repentance, confession, and restitution. A number of years ago there was a baptismal candidate who heard God speaking to him through the preach- ing of the judgment hour message, and when he heard of con- fession and restitution, he sought out the minister in alarm. He began to tell the things of which he had been guilty in his youth, and even since becoming a married man and a father. He had been something of a terror to the secluded rural community where he had lived. He had borrowed without intention of re- turning, and he had borrowed and had simply forgotten to return. Now the thought of confession and restitution filled his heart with fear. But the Spirit of the Lord brought conviction, and this brother, with tracts in his pocket rather than a gun on his hip, set out among his neighbors to confess and restore. They were amazed that he came to see them; still more amazed at what he had to tell them. They gladly forgave him and some grabbed out of his pocket the Christian magazines he had brought. "If these did you that much good," said one, "maybe they can help me." THINK IT THROUGH What neglected work of confession and restitution do I have? "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."—Steps to Christ, p. 37. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 103-108. 34 We Wronged Him LESSON 4 ❑ Monday April 17 Part 2 Even after years of apostleship, how did Paul see himself in CHIEF OF the sight of God? SINNERS "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" (1 Tim. 1:15). Was it inappropriate for a great apostle such as Paul to admit to a young beginning preacher like Timothy that he regarded himself the chief of sinners? Was there danger that Timothy would despise the apostle for so classifying himself? He might assume that Paul was using a figure of speech, that he was not genuine in so describing himself—chief of sinners. Why did Paul see himself so much a sinner? One has only to look briefly at the acts of the apostles as Luke portrayed them to see that, to the very end of his ministry, the great apostle Paul never forgot that he persecuted the saints of Jesus Christ—His ,church. It seemed ever to weigh upon his soul. Not that he w as-unforgiven! But when writing to Timothy about it, he related it to the mercy he had received from. God. He had no salvation in himself; it came to him from Jesus Christ. (See verse 16.) The apostle had evidently taught his converts a similar measure of earnestness in rejecting the past and accept- ing God's mercy. With what intensity did the Corinthian believers engage in afflicting their ,souls for sin? 2 Cor. 7:10, 11. This scripture (2 Cor. 7:10, 11) rings with earnestness. Here is true confession of sin. "Christ looks at the spirit, and when He sees us carrying our burden with faith, His perfect holiness atones for our shortcom- ings. When we do our best, He becomes our righteousness. It takes every ray of light that God sends to us to make us the light of the world."—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 368. THINK IT THROUGH What hidden chapters in my life have never been included in my experience of repentance. and confession? "Those who have not humbled their souls before God , in acknowledging their guilt, have not yet fulfilled the first condi- tion of acceptance. If we have not experienced that repentance which is not to be repented of, and have not with true humilia- tion of soul and brokenness of spirit confessed our sins, abhor- ring our iniquity, we have never truly sought for the forgiveness of sin; and if we have never sought, we have never found the peace of God."—Steps to Christ, pp. 37, 38. FURTHER STUDY Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, "The Lord's Prayer," (Luke 11:4), pp. 113-116. 35 We Wronged Him LESSON 4 ❑ Tuesday April 18 Part 3 Is it ever appropriate for one person to confess the sins of "MY SIN AND another person? THE SIN OF MY PEOPLE" "While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people. Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy hill of my God; while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice" (Dan. 9:20, 21, RSV). Here we have the prophet Daniel, in exile with many of his people, seeking a very special relationship with the Lord whereby to know and understand the Lord's purposes in deal- ing with Judah. Some of the things which had been revealed to Daniel placed him in great perplexity, since he could not see how what he had been shown could fit into what the Lord had earlier predicted for Judah. The prophet therefore gives himself to a special time of afflicting his soul for his own sin and the sin of his people Israel, which has placed them in captivity. He places himself in the role of an intercessor between God's people and God Himself. In this respect he is acting as a true servant of the Lord. What does the prophet Joel say the leaders of God's people are to do? Joel 2:17. THINK IT THROUGH How could the church today practice the example of Daniel and the teaching of Joel noted in this lesson? "We are now living in the great day of atonement. In the typical service, while the high priest was making the atonement for Israel, all were required to afflict their souls by repentance of sin and humiliation before the Lord, lest they be cut off from among the people. In like manner, all who would have their names retained in the book of life should now, in the few remain- ing days of their probation, afflict their souls before God by sorrow for sin and true repentance. There must be deep, faithful searching of heart. The light, frivolous spirit indulged by so many professed Christians must be put away. There is earnest warfare before all who would subdue the evil tendencies that strive for the mastery. The work of preparation is an individual work. We are not saved in groups. The purity and devotion of one will not offset the want of these qualities in another."—The Great Controversy, pp. 489, 490. (Emphasis supplied.) This does not mean that we cannot meet together in prayer and confession of our failures as a people. Neither can such group activity substitute for the individual repentance of the individual soul. FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 486-491. 36 We Wronged Him LESSON 4 ❑ Wednesday April 19 Part 4 To whom beside God is confession to be made? CONFESS TO ONE ANOTHER "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" (James 5:16). "Confess.Textual evidence favors ... beginning v.16 with the word "therefore." The prime requirement for sincere faith in prayer is a clear conscience. Wrong deeds secretly done are to be confessed also to those who have suffered injury. A guilty conscience erects a barrier to unreserved reliance upon God and will defeat prayer."—SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 541. What is the connection between confession of sin and for- giveness? James 5:16. In commenting upon this text Ellen White interprets it as follows: "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 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 ... is able to cleanse from every stain of iniquity. Hebrews 4:15."—Steps to Christ, p. 37. "We are to surrender our hearts to God, that He may renew and sanctify us, and fit us for His heavenly court. We are not to wait for some special time, but today we are to give ourselves to Him, refusing to be the servants of sin. Do you imagine you can leave off sin a little at a time? Oh, leave the accursed thing at once! Hate the things that Christ hates, love the things that Christ loves. Has He not by His death and suffering made provi- sion for your cleansing from sin?"—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 327. THINK IT THROUGH What is the substance of confession? Will a gift suffice? "True confession is always of a specific character, and ac- knowledges particular sins. They may be of such a nature as to be brought before God only; they may be wrongs that should be confessed to individuals who have suffered injury through them; or they may be of a public character, and should then be as publicly confessed. But all confession should be definite and to the point, acknowledging the very sins of which you are guilty."—Steps to Christ, p. 38. FURTHER STUDY Christ's Object Lessons, "Asking to Give," p. 144; Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, "The Spirituality of the Law," p. 59. 37 We Wronged Him LESSON 4 ❑ Thursday April 20 Part 5 What clear example does the Old Testament present of a SPECIFIC specific acknowledgment of sin by the people of God? CONFESSION "And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the Lord thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king" (1 Sam. 12:19). God's people Israel, desiring to be like the nations roun about them, demanded of the Lord a king. They had been led for many years by judges called by God, the last of whom w a s Samuel the prophet. They were not satisfied and desired to a king over them. They had been duly warned of the sad c quences that would follow, but their desire to be like the na'. round about them overwhelmed their loyalty to God and t( chosen servants. So the Lord permitted judgments to fall u, Israel, and they seemed quickly to become aware of the rear for these judgments. It is noteworthy that in their confessio. their wrongdoing they were explicit regarding the particular sin THINK IT THROUGH Can I expect the Lord to grant a blanket forgiveness for a generalized confession of sinfulness or selfishness? "In the days of Samuel the Israelites wandered from God They were suffering the consequences of sin; for they had lost their faith in God, lost their discernment of His power and wisdom to rule the nation, lost their confidence in His ability to defend and vindicate His cause. They turned from the great Ruler of the universe and desired to be governed as were the nations around them. Before they found peace they made this definite confession: 'We have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.' 1 Samuel 12:19. The very sin of which they were convicted had to be confessed. Their ingratitude oppressed their souls and severed them from God."—Steps to Christ, pp. 38, 39. What parallel is seen in the experience of the apostle Paul in his attitude toward his sin?Acts 26:9-11. "Paul did not seek to shield himself; he paints his sin in its darkest hue, not attempting to lessen his guilt. He says: 'Many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being ex- ceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.' He does not hesitate to declare that 'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.' "— Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 641. FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 605, 611, 615. 38 We Wronged Him LESSON 4 ❑ Friday April 21 Part 6 No matter how great the evil done, what blessed assurance "FAITHFUL is given to all who truly confess and forsake their sins? AND JUST" "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). There probably is no more precious promise in all Sacred Scripture than this unequivocal, unlimited assurance of for- giveness and cleansing if we confess. This overwhelming promise of God's mercy is surrounded by warnings against our suggesting that we have no sins. The path of hiding sins is a path that leads to destruction. Those who follow such a course are deceiving themselves and show that they do not have the truth in them; they are attempting to make God untrue to Himself, and they thus show that His Word is not in them. The glorious promise of separation from sin is for whoever is willing to "confess" his sins. It is interesting to notice the intent of the word "confess" in this text—"to speak the same thing." We may see here a link with the comment at the beginning of our lesson that confes- sion is not always of sin, but may be a confession of faith in Christ or a confessing of His name. Either way the confession implies a speaking. What attitude lends itself to genuine confession of sin? Ps. 34:18. THINK IT THROUGH Why does the spirit of self-justification not fit in with the spirit of true confession? "The spirit of self-justification originated in the father of lies and has been exhibited by all the sons and daughters of Adam. Confessions of this order are not inspired by the divine Spirit and will not be acceptable to God. True repentance will lead a man to bear his guilt himself and acknowledge it without decep- tion or hypocrisy. Like the poor publican, not lifting up so much as his eyes unto heaven, he will cry, 'God be merciful to me a sinner,' and those who do acknowledge their guilt will be jus- tified, for Jesus will plead His blood in behalf of the repentant soul."—Steps to Christ, pp. 40, 41. No human therapy can bathe the soul with the healing power that comes from the assurance of acceptance with God on the part of him who truly is penitent and brings his sins humbly and with a broken heart to the cross of Calvary. Quickness to ac- knowledge one's own faults and sins and slowness to accuse another, are the results of the Spirit's work on the human heart. FURTHER STUDY Christ's Object Lessons, "The Sower Went Forth to Sow," ("Preparation of the Soil"; "In Good Ground"), pp. 56-59. 39 "Then said Jesus unto him, Except believe." There probably has never e see signs and wonders, ye will not been' a me. in human history when elieye" (John 4:48). this demand wasnriore widely made, or when men and;women claim that Did:you, ever try to wrestle with the, they can provide the signs and question of the exact order.in which a Wonders essential to faith, if indeed new believer takes the various steps to • they are essential. The era of the —Eh rist?-No•matter-how we•try7We find —charismatic is certainlyone.that laces_ there is no one way by,which men and top priority on signs and wonders. women afe led to:befieye the`Lord . But you will recall. that the man to Jesus Christ. So white .we have whom.Jesus spoke these words stressed our reed. of Him, and how He eventually, put,his trust in the Lord draws us to Him, ancrhow we must without' any evidence of sign or come with, repentance and a wonder. That is, no sign or wond willingness lo corife'ss our sins and to had.been performed for him, th forsake them, there is no required unquestionably he had heard of w order in whi-Ch these various steps are the. Lord had done for others. to be taken. If there is one thing which So who is going to have a spiri all human beings have in common, it is repentance in, his heart or be willin . how different we are from one confess and forsake his sins, if he d another—even identical twins. So let not believe, if he does not trust in us' acknowledge that the sequence we and in Hi's precious promises? have gi‘ien to these lessons is oing to believe on the Lord Jes somewhat arbitrary; and since it is, let Christ unto salvation if he does n us pause this week to examine from a trust implicitly His every word? So w little—different angle some of the steps have a vital lesson before us this week we have considered thus far. "Not because we see or feel that It is not at all out of place today for us God hears us are We to believe. We are- to consider-our key text: "Except ye to trust in His promises. When we see signs and wonders, ye will not come to Him in faith, every petition enters the heart of. God."—The Desire of Ages, p. 200. DAILY HIGHLIGHTS 1. "The Man Believed" (John 4:50) • 2. The Woman Believed (John 4:28, 29) 3. Man From Galilee? (John 7:41) 4. Man From Above (John 3:31) 5. You May Believe (John 20:30, 31) 6. When You Pray (Mark 11:24) We Trust Him LESSON 5 ❑ Sunday April 23 Part 1 What made the faith of the Jewish nobleman so outstanding "THE MAN as to receive a place in the inspired record of the Gospels? BELIEVED" "Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way" (John 4:50). In many repspects the Jewish nobleman had characteristics which most of us can acknowledge that we share. He was influenced by status, prestige, outward appearance, material influence, possessions, and authority. The nobleman's son was at the point of death, and the urgency of the situation led this man of authority to undertake the search for Jesus. He would entrust this responsibility to n one else. Finding Jesus, he was greatly disappointed by what saw—none of the human trappings of influence, authority, power. Doubt jabbed at his heart, but in his desperation made known his request to the Saviour, making the answer his need the evidence upon which he would or would not b lieve on Christ as the Messiah. It was then that the words of our key text for the week were spoken by the Lord: '`Except ye see, signs and wonders, ye will not believe" (John 4:48). Suddenly the Jewish nobleman was confronted with the fact that his own unbelief and his entirely selfish motives could cost the life of his son. Realizing now that he was in the presence of Him who read his innermost thoughts, he cast himself upon the Saviour's mercy: "Sir, come down ere my child die." The re- sponse of the Saviour came immediately, "Go thy way, thy son liveth." Though he has no tangible evidence, no telecommuni- cation from his home, the nobleman is satisfied that his son is well. So much so that he does not even rush home. He now trusts the Saviour implicitly. THINK IT THROUGH When have I exercised as trusting a faith as that of the Jewish nobleman? "The Saviour longs to give us a greater blessing than we ask; and He delays the answer to our request that He may show us the evil of our own hearts, and our deep need of His grace. He desires us to renounce the selfishness that leads us to seek Him Confessing our helplessness and bitter need, we are to trust ourselves wholly to His love."—The Desire of Ages, p. 200. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 196-200. 42 We Trust Him LESSON 5 ❑ Monday April 24 Part 2 What made a believer out of the Samaritan woman at the THE WOMAN well? BELIEVED "The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?" (John 4:28, 29). "Left her waterpot. She was on the point of leaving, her waterpot filled (DA 183), when the disciples returned from the village with food for Jesus. She was eager to reach the village and tell others of her great discovery, and did not care to be slowed by the heavy waterpot. She had experienced desire, conviction, and decision . . . , and the next logical step was action-she went to tell others of her great discovery. This tes- tified to the reality of her decision. The waiting waterpot was mute evidence of her intention to return without delay."—SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 941. Doubtless a number of factors led the woman of Samaria to put her trust in Jesus as the Messiah. It is evident that He won her attention, aroused her interest, awakened her desire, and led her to perceive who it was that spoke to her. He, a Jew, had taken the unthinkable initiative to speak to a Samaritan woman. But having led her to request of Him that living water springing up into everlasting life, she suddenly had the veil of anonymity swept away from her soul and became exposed to the blazing light of the Saviour's purity. While she attempted to parry the, exposure by theological argument and racial prejudice, it occurred to her sin-darkened mind that this Man acted as she would expect the Messiah to act. When she gave tentative expression to such a possibility, she received the glorious revelation, "I that speak unto thee am he" (verse 26). THINK IT THROUGH Could it be that the path of having our sins exposed between ourselves and the Lord would be the path of genuine faith? How can this happen? "As the woman talked with Jesus, she was impressed with His words.... As the past of her life had been spread out before her, she had been made sensible of her great want.... Nothing that had hitherto come in contact with her had so awakened her to a higher need. Jesus had convinced her that He read the secrets of her life; yet she felt that He was her friend, pitying and loving her. While the very purity of His presence condemned her sin, He had spoken no word of denunciation, but had told her of His grace, that could renew the soul."—The Desire of Ages, pp. 189, 190. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 190-195. 43 4-ASSL 2-78 We Trust Him LESSON 5 ❑ Tuesday April 25 Part 3 What prejudice discouraged many from believing on Jesus MAN FROM Christ? GALILEE? "Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?" (John 7:41). It perhaps should not surprise us if today national and racial and social prejudices throw up barriers between men. Such barriers are undoubtedly as old as sin itself. A long-standing prejudice existed in Jerusalem against the more open, liberty-loving, uninhibited people of Galilee. Jewish tradition had determined that since Christ was of the seed of David and Bethlehem was David's town, then Christ must come out of Bethlehem and not out of Galilee. While He was to be born in Bethlehem, when He should make His debut no one would know from whence He had come. This idea is reflected in the words, "Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is" (John 7:27). So the enemy of God and man contrives to place stumbling blocks in the path of faith. And human pride accepts these devious prejudices rather than the simple, straightforward statements of the Word of God. THINK IT THROUGH Is there any assurance whereby one can know what indeed is the truth of God? "The preaching and teaching of His word is one of the means that God has ordained for diffusing light; but we must bring every man's teaching to the test of Scripture. Whoever will prayerfully study the Bible, desiring to know the truth, that he may obey it, will receive divine enlightenment. He will under- stand the Scriptures. 'If any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the teaching.' John 7:17, R.V."—The Desire of Ages, p. 459. There is a sobering thought in the realization that the Jews of Christ's day were the chosen people of God, yet in large mea- sure they failed to recognize the identity of the true Messiah when He came to them. Thus it behooves every one of us to ask earnestly, Am I absorbing the prejudices of others? Am I permit- ting others to determine what I shall believe? Am I permitting others to dictate to me what is truth? Am I permitting others to share with me their pride and their prejudice while the Saviour stands waiting at the heart's door, knocking, waiting, and knocking. If we keep Him outside the heart's door, can He bring repentance and confession to us as means of receiving His forgiveness and cleansing from sin? FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 455-460. 44 We Trust Him LESSON 5 ❑ Wednesday April 26 Part 4 What is Christ's origin and position? MAN FROM ABOVE "He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all" (John 3:31). These noble words spoken by the forerunner of Christ, John the Baptist, are a measure of the faith of John in Christ's divine origin. It was a measure also of John's complete self- abnegation—his willingness to direct attention and honor to another. The multitudes had flocked out to the wilderness to hear him; now John directed them to One whose sandal he felt unworthy to loose. What characteristics of John the Baptist enabled him to recognize Christ as the Messiah? (See John 3:25-30.) "Looking in faith to the Redeemer, John had risen to the height of self-abnegation. He sought not to attract men to him- self, but to lift their thoughts higher and still higher, until they should rest upon the Lamb of God. He himself had been only a voice, a cry in the wilderness. Now with joy he accepted silence and obscurity, that the eyes of all might be turned to the Light of I ife."—Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 333. "We can receive of heaven's light only as we are willing to be emptied of self. We cannot discern the character of God, or accept Christ by faith, unless we consent to the bringing into captivity of every thought to the obedience of Christ. To all who do this the Holy Spirit is given without measure. In Christ 'dwell- eth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and in Him ye are made full.' Col. 2:9, 10, R.V."—The Desire of Ages, p. 181. THINK IT THROUGH What lessons can I learn from the attitudes of John the Baptist? "John had by nature the faults and weaknesses common to humanity, but the touch of divine love had transformed him. He dwelt in an atmosphere uncontaminated with selfishness and ambition, and far above the miasma of jealousy. He manifested no sympathy with the dissatisfaction of his disciples, but showed how clearly he understood his relation to the Messiah, and how gladly he welcomed the One for whom he had pre- pared the way."—The Desire of Ages, p. 179. The penitent believer's trust in Jesus thrives on humility and self-abnegation—the spirit of Him who said, "lam among you as he that serveth" (Luke 22:27). FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 178-182. 45 We Trust Him LESSON 5 ❑ Thursday April 27 Part 5 What is the essential basis upon which all faith in Jesus YOU MAY Christ depends? BELIEVE "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name" (John 20:30, 31). We may wish to assert it again and again in our studies this quarter. Our faith in Jesus Christ is anchored in the inspired Word of God, and most specifically in the records of the Gospels which tell us who He was, what He was, and how and why He was our Redeemer. Some critics accuse Christians of bibliolatry, as opposed to idolatry. They say that, while we renounce idol worship in all forms, we actually worship the Bible, that we idolize this book, that we give it a reverence and a deference and a confidence which no book merits. On the other hand, about 300 years ago rationalistic scholars, in the period known as the enlighten- ment, determined that the Bible was only a piece of literature like any other book and should be tested and evaluated and criticized on the same basis as any other ancient book. But neither viewpoint is that of the apostle John. He wrote to provide a basis for our faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. Those who approach the study of John's Gospel and the other inspired books with this expectation find food for their soul and the ground for their faith. Tasting and seeing, they find that the Lord indeed is good, and that He fulfills all His promises. What parallel is there between Christ's miracles of physical healing and His work of healing sin-sick souls? In the healing of the man sick with palsy, Jesus plainly stated, "That ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house" (Matt. 9:6). "From the simple Bible account of how Jesus healed the sick, we may learn something about how to believe in Him for the forgiveness of sins."—Steps to Christ, p. 50. It is our privilege similarly to receive spiritual cleansing. If we will believe Christ's promise, confess our sins, give ourselves to God, place our will on His side, then God can do for us what He has promised. He will forgive and He will cleanse. "Do not wait to feel that you are made whole, but say, 'I believe it; it is so, not because I feel it, but because God has promised.' "—Steps to Christ, p. 51. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, p. 126. 46 We Trust Him LESSON 5 ❑ Friday April 28 Part 6 When I pray for cleansing, grace, and power, how may I be WHEN YOU assured that I have received them? PRAY "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them" (Mark 11:24). Some turn away from taking this precious promise at its face value because they say all God's promises are conditioned by His will. In other words, if I should happen to not pray according to God's will, then I cannot claim His promises, I cannot believe in them implicitly or make them my own. This type of precaution may be very much in order when we are praying for blessings on the value of which we are not entirely clear—such things as health, wealth, and long life. But the things of which we are speaking in this lesson and throughout the lessons of this quar- ter are unquestionably in harmony with His will. "It is the will of God to cleanse us from sin, to make us His children, and to enable us to live a holy life. So we may ask for these blessings, and believe that we receive them, and thank God that we have received them. It is our privilege to go to Jesus and be cleansed, and to stand before the law without shame or remorse. 'There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.' Romans 8:1."—Steps to Christ, p. 51. THINK IT THROUGH Why am I so prone to forget what once I knew and believed regarding the promises of God? It is human nature to forget. It is interesting to see from a Bible concordance how often the word "remember" appears, and the word "forget." We need a continuing growth in grace that parallels our first experience in Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul counsels "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him" (Col. 2:6). "Now that you have given yourself to Jesus, do not draw back, do not take yourself away from Him, but day by day say, 'I am Christ's; I have given myself to Him;' and ask Him to give you His Spirit and keep you by His grace. As it is by giving yourself to God, and believing Him, that you become His child, so you are to live in Him. . . . "Some seem to feel that they must be on probation, and must prove to the. Lord that they'are reformed, before they can claim His blessing. But they may claim the blessing of God even now. They must have His grace, the Spirit of Christ, to help their infirmities, or they cannot resist evil. Jesus loves to have us come to Him just as we are,. sinful, helpless, dependent."— Steps to Christ, p. 52. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 426-431. 47 LESSON 6 April 30 to May 6 "Submit yourselves therefore to Pharisees and Sadducees, while God. Resist the devil, and he will flee others were simply ignorant of who from you" (James 4:7). Christ claimed to be and what He had come to do. In a number of instances No one in the New Testament these humble, less informed people speaks about belief or believing more came to believe, submitted, and frequently than the apostle John. The counted themselves followers of Jesus expression is almost the key word of Christ despite bitter opposition, his Gospel. Why should that be? John ridicule, and threats of is endeavoring to establish a basis excommunication. upon which his readers can accept Jesus Christ was concerned that Christ as divine. In our lesson last men should believe Him to be who He week we stressed the element of trust claimed to be. Unless they did so, He in our faith. In this week's lesson we could not do anything to save them. would stress submission, The success of the gospel depends on commitment, adherence, and our acceptance of it. We quote John steadfastness as additional elements 3:16 freely, but we tend to forget verse of this experience of faith. Indeed 18: "He that believeth not is there is no one word, either in the condemned already, because he hath original language or in our modern not believed in the name of the only languages, that covers all the shades of begotten Son of God." So this is a significance of this vital matter of life-and-death matter—eternal life and belief or faith. eternal death indeed. James in his epistle tells us that the The opposite of sLibmission and devils believe, but their belief does commitment is independence and a not bring them joy, peace, or wait-and-see attitude. So the words of satisfaction. When they think about James are appropriate: "Submit what they know and believe about yourselves therefore to God. Resist God, the devils shudder and tremble. the devil, and he will flee from you. (See James 2:19.) Yet within two or Draw nigh to God, and he will draw three verses, James is holding up nigh to you" (James 4:7, a. Too many Abraham as an example of one who submit the control of their lives to the believed God—the same expression devil and to themselves and thus resist as he used of the devils. But surely God. Let us give earnest thought, as there must haVe been some difference we study together this week, to what it in the kind of believing done by the really means to us to submit to Him devils and the believing done by who is "the way, the truth, and the Abraham, because, while the devils life." tremble, they are devils still. But DAILY HIGHLIGHTS Abraham is counted as righteous and is called "the friend of God" (James 1. Servants of Sin (John 8:34) 2:23). Since the same root word is used for 2. "Ye Shall Die" "faith" and "belief" throughout the (John 8:24) New Testament, we must of necessity 3. "He Shall Know" derive any shades of difference from (John 7:17) 4. "They Did Not Confess" the setting in which the term is used. This week we are going to draw upon a (John 12:42, 43) number of occasions when people 5. "He Worshipped Him" were in conflict about Jesus Christ—in (John 9:35-38) conflict over His claims to be the Son 6. "Many Believed on Hi of God, to be the Sent of Heaven. (John 10:41, 42) Some were persistent enemies like the We Yield to Him LESSON 6 ❑ Sunday April 30 Part 1 Does a sinner control his own life? SERVANTS OF SIN "Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin" (John 8:34). The setting in which Jesus spoke these words was a conver- sation with some Jews who had come to believe on Him. He indicated that if they would continue in His word, then they would be His disciples and they would come to know the truth and the truth would make them free. This tended to rouse their national and racial feelings. They insisted that, as the descend- ants of Abraham, they were never in bondage to anybody. How could He say to them, You will be made free? Jesus' answer was our text for today. It implied that, regardless of ancestry or family tree, if a man sins, he is the slave, the servant of sin, and is not free. How can a man who is in slavery to sin become free? Verse 36. Perhaps the freest man in all the New Testament, other than Christ, was the man who repeatedly presented himself as the bond-servant or slave of Jesus Christ—the apostle Paul. It was he who understood so clearly the nature of freedom and bond- age. THINK IT THROUGH Whose servant or slave am I? "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" "For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness." "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life" (Rom. 6:16, 20, 22). "If we indulge anger, lust, covetousness, hatred, selfishness, or any other sin, we become servants of sin. 'No man can serve two masters.' If we serve sin, we cannot serve Christ. The Chris- tian will feel the promptings of sin, for the flesh lusteth against the Spirit; but the Spirit striveth against the flesh, keeping up a constant warfare. Here is where Christ's help is needed. Human weakness becomes united to divine strength, and faith exclaims, 'Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!' "—Messages to Young People, p. 114. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, p. 466. 50 We Yield to Him LESSON 6 ❑ Monday May 1 Part 2 . How vital an issue is it whether or not we believe on the Lord "YE SHALL Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the world? DIE" "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins" (John 8:24). It would be difficult to find any time or place in human history when Christ was more forthright, more specific, and more ob- jective with men than on this occasion. As we have said before, this matter of believing that Christ was who He claimed to be, was and is a matter of life and death. This is a reiteration of the truth spoken earlier in John 3:16-18, to the effect that whoever believes not is already condemned. This results from not believ- ing on Him who alone can deliver from the sentence which Heaven pronounces against sin and sinners. THINK IT THROUGH What is the only effective means of deliverance from bondage and from the death which is the wages of sin? "In the work of redemption there is no compulsion. No exter- nal force is employed. Under the influence of the Spirit of God, man is left free to choose whom he will serve. In the change that takes place when the soul surrenders to Christ, there is the highest sense of freedom. The expulsion of sin is the act of the soul itself. True, we have no power to free ourselves from Sa- tan's control; but when we desire to be set free from sin, and in our great need cry out for a power out of and above ourselves, the powers of the soul are imbued with the divine energy of the Holy Spirit, and they obey the dictates of the will in fulfilling the will of God. "The only condition upon which the freedom of man is possi- ble is that of becoming one with Christ. 'The truth shall make you free;' and Christ is the truth. Sin can triumph only by en- feebling the mind, and destroying the liberty of the soul. Subjec- tion to God is restoration to one's self,—to the true glory and dignity of man. The divine law, to which we are brought into subjection, is 'the law of liberty.' James 2:12."—The Desire of Ages, p. 466. It is difficult for students in many parts of the world today to imagine what it meant to be an open follower of Jesus Christ when He was here. Those who have been disowned, consigned to a mental home, or divorced because they have accepted Christ can have some idea. Yet Jesus placed a terrible dilemma before men when He plainly stated that rejection of Him was the same as choosing to die in one's sins. It may not be long before belief is going to involve deep commitment everywhere. FURTHER STUDY Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, "The Spirituality of the Law," (Matt. 5:30), pp. 60-63. 51 We Yield to Him LESSON 6 ❑ Tuesday May 2 Part 3 What connection is there between a man's willingness to "HE SHALL obey God and his capacity for knowing truth? KNOW" "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself" (John 7:17). This text is very much in the center of our subject and concern because understanding of truth comes to those willing to sub- mit to Him who is the truth. Jesus actually indicated that those who were willing to do His will and His 'Father's will would know whether His teaching was of God or merely from a man. This clearly suggests that there would be a harmony between the individual soul and Heaven, and that there would be an en- lightening of the mind and the development of a blessed assur- ance as to what is truth. "In order to do the will of God, we must search His word, that we may know His doctrine, and put to the task all our entrusted ability. We must be diligent in prayer, and fervent in simple, wholehearted service to God. Those who are engaged as teachers in the Sabbath school should hunger and thirst for divine truth, that they may impart this Spirit to those under their care, and lead their pupils to seek for truth as for hidden treasure."—Counsels on Sabbath School Work, p. 73. THINK IT THROUGH How can I distinguish between those who speak for God and those who speak from their own human wisdom only? "Man's advantages for obtaining a knowledge of the truth, however great these may be, will prove of no benefit to him unless the heart is open to receive the truth, and there is a conscientious surrender of every habit and practice that is op- posed to its principles. To those who thus yield themselves to God, having an honest desire to know and to do His will, the truth is revealed as the power of God for their salvation. These will be able to distinguish between him who speaks for God, and him who speaks merely from himself."—The Desire of Ages, pp. 455, 456. It would seem self evident that there would be a very close relationship between knowing that Christ was speaking from God and for God and believing in Him. It would seem illogical and unnatural to make a commitment of one's self to a person in whom he did not believe, in whom he could not have confi- dence, in whose word he could not trust. It seems therefore that there is indeed a very close correlation between this text in John 7:17 and the primary concern of this lesson—namely, that we submit to, commit to, wish to remain steadfast to, and have confidence in, Him who we believe speaks for God. And this belief, indeed this knowledge, this assurance, will come "if any man will do his will." FURTHER STUDY Steps to Christ, "What to Do With Doubt," pp. 109-113. 52 We Yield to Him LESSON 6 111 Wednesday May 3 Part 4 We have already seen that there are different qualities to "THEY DID "believing." We have been reminded that the devils believe and NOT CONFESS" tremble. In the text before us today we have a most interesting situation in which men believe in Christ at the same time that they are unwilling to "confess Him." What kind of belief is it that will not permit the believer to confess what is believed? "Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God" (John 12:42, 43). Here is a clear contextual evidence that the word "belief" can have various shades of meaning. Perhaps we would not be ready to put these "chief rulers" in the same category with the devils who believe and tremble, but can we put them in the category of true believers? Did they really believe that, Jesus. Christ was who He claimed to be? What price were these men willing to pay for their belief that He was the true Messiah? What degree of commitment of themselves were they ready to make to Him? How far would they let Him redirect their lives, trans- form their entire life-style, reshape their interests and priorities? These are pertinent questions, not merely for the men of whom we have just read, but they are pertinent questions for us today. What quality of faith or belief in Christ do we have? It is not without reason that we hear that the measure of a man's faith is the price he is willing to pay to be true to his faith, or, conversely, the price at which he will sell out his faith. THINK IT THROUGH Could I possibly have an intellectual belief in Christ which would not support a willingness to submit and commit all of my wayslo His direction and will? What will be the results of a correct faith in Jesus? "To save themselves from reproach and shame, they [the chief rulers] denied Christ, and rejected the offer of eternal life. And how many through all the centuries since have been doing the same thing! To them all the Saviour's warning words apply: 'He that loveth his life shall lose it.' He that rejecteth Me,' said Jesus, 'and receiveth not My words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.' John 12:48."—The Desire of Ages, p. 626. FURTHER STUDY Christ's Object Lessons, "Hidden Treasure," pp. 104-106. 53 We Yield to Him LESSON 6 ❑ Thursday May 4 Part 5 The entire ninth chapter of John's Gospel is taken up with the "HE WORSHIPPED inspired account of the healing of the man born blind. It would HIM" be well to read the account again in order to sense the signifi- cance of the text upon which we shall concentrate today. You will recall that Jesus restored sight to this man on the Sabbath day, and this gave the Pharisees the occasion to chal- lenge the authenticity of the miracle and the claims of Christ as to who He was. In the process, they tried to draw the parents of the man born blind into the contest in the hopes of countering and even denying the miracle of healing which had taken place. In a remarkable way the healed man outshone his parents, whose fears silenced any convictions they might have had re- garding the fact of the miracle or who performed it. The man himself courageously and effectively met the reasoning of his accusers and confronted them with some Spirit-directed argu- ments which they could not adequately answer. At least they would not. In stubborn unbelief the Pharisees and rulers cast this man out of the synagogue. How did Christ provide the healed man an opportunity to reveal the quality of his faith? "Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him" (John 9:35-38). Here is a man whose faith involved commitment and a sub- mission of his own will.to the will of God, even if it cost him his place in the synagogue. (Remember that being cast out of the synagogue was equivalent to excommunication with dread consequences for the individual and his family.) "Already, at great cost to himself, he had acknowledged Him as a delegate of divine power; now a higher revelation was granted him."—The Desire of Ages, p. 474. When Christ revealed Himself to the blind man as the One Sent by God, the man whose natural sight had been restored had also the eyes of his understanding open and he received Christ. THINK IT THROUGH What price have I paid for my belief in Christ? In his full recognition of the identity of Jesus Christ, the healed blind man worshiped Him. There may very well be an illustration here of the close correlation between worship, faith, commitment, submission, and obedience. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 471-475. 54 We Yield to Him LESSON 6 ❑ Friday May 5 Part 6 What contrast does the Gospel of John provide between the "MANY convincing power of miracles and the convincing power of BELIEVED fulfilled prophecy? ON HIM" "And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no mira- cle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. And many believed on him there" (John 10:41, 42). These words are the witness borne to John the Baptist after his death by those who had heard what he had to say about Jesus. They noted that while John did no miracle unlike Elijah or Moses before him, all that he said about Christ had proved true, with the result that many at this time and place believed on Christ. In this time of interest in charismatics, when so many are pointing to apparent miracles as proof of truth, it is well to remember this testimony concerning John the Baptist. If our faith in Jesus Christ is dependent upon miracles, we may find miracles coming from strange sources that will lead us to be- lieve that which is contrary to the Inspired Word of God. It should not be the miracles that lead to the acceptance of the Word, but the acceptance of the Word should bethe test of what is and what is not truly a miracle. THINK IT THROUGH Upon what is my confidence in the Lord based? Is it some- thing which could be readily counterfeited? (Read 2 Peter 1:19.) We recall the setting for this statement of the apostle Peter. He has been describing the experience shared with Christ on the mount of transfiguration when he saw a miniature of the coming kingdom of glory. There was no question in Peter's mind as to the reality of his experience, the voice which he heard, the light which shone round about them, the illumination of the Saviour. But certain as Peter was of this reality—a miraculous experience indeed—he pointed to the prophetic word as something more sure, more certain, more reliable, even than the phenomenal experience on the transfiguration moun- taintop. This is perhaps one of the most significant commentaries upon the quality of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In the days when spiritism under many guises will perform undoubted miracles, in what shall we put our trust? Whose testimony shall we receive? To avoid deception we need the qualities of faith about which we have been studying in this week's lesson— submission, commitment, willingness to do God's will, willing- ness to make our commitment known, and a leaning upon the Word of inspiration as opposed to the performance of miracles. With such a faith, many others will come to receive our tes- timony. FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 312, 349, 459. 55 LESSON 7 May 7-13 "Wherefore I say unto thee, Her that believeth in Christ Jesus? He can sins, which are many, are forgiven; for do it because He has paid the penalty she loved much: but to whom little is for our sins in His Son Jesus Christ who forgiven, the same loveth little. And he became our Sin Bearer. Though He said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. knew no sin, He became sin for us. He And they that sat at meat with him was treated as sinners deserve to be began to say within themselves, Who treated and will be if they believe not is this that forgiveth sins also? And he on the Lord Jesus Christ. Because He said to the woman, Thy faith hath was treated as we deserve to be saved thee; go in peace" (Luke treated, God is going to treat us as 7:47-50). Jesus deserved to be treated, since He was without sin. Jesus was counted a We have taken Luke's account of sinner that we might be counted Christ's forgiveness of the sins of the righteous. We cannot be counted woman who came and anointed His righteous while clinging to known sin. feet with costly spikenard. Only Luke So forgiveness of known sins is associates Mary's act with Christ's essential to being counted righteous statement of His forgiveness. It caused or justified. no little stir among the guests of the Let us believe, as we study this feast at Simon's house that Christ week, that God wants to forgive us would speak as though He could personally and individually, and that forgive sins. That is the blessed good when He forgives us, He counts us as news of this lesson. He forgave that though we had never sinned. This is woman. Her sin was such as might lead the almost unbelievable glory of the many of us to say, "I thank God that I love and mercy of God in Christ Jesus. am not like that woman." Jesus did not hide her sins or rationalize them away. DAILY HIGHLIGHTS He acknowledged that her sins were 1. "Without Shedding of Blood" many, and He could have said that (Heb. 9:22) they were grievous. But He did say that 2. "As We Forgive" they were forgiven. Because her sins (Matt. 6:12) were so many, and their result so 3. "Power . . . to Forgive Sins" devastating, her love for Him was (Matt. 9:6) greater than that shown by many 4. "Peace With God" others whom He had forgiven. The (Rom. 5:1) Lord does not mean that we should 5. "Neither Do I' Condemn Thee" wish that we had sinned more so that (John 8:11) we could love more, having more 6. The Kiss of Peace forgiveness. What we ought to ask (Ps. 85:10) ourselves is why we do not love Him more, considering our sins that He has forgiven. On what grounds can God forgive our sins, provided that we have met the conditions? On what grounds can He be just and yet the justifier of him We Are Forgiven Through Him LESSON 7 ❑Sunday May 7 Part 1 What truth about forgiveness is taught by the ceremonial "WITHOUT law? SHEDDING OF BLOOD" "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission" (Heb. 9:22). There is a principle recalled by every sacrifice from the very gates of the Garden of Eden until the moment when Christ became the Lamb of God slain for the sins of the world. That principle is that forgiveness of sins requires death. We add "of sins" because that is the entire function of the sacrificial sys- tem. Forgiveness and remission are virtually identical in the original. The antitype of the sacrifices is the ground or basis for our forgiveness..Jesus Christ on Calvary's cross shed His blood in the act of becoming our. Sin Bearer. Where was the decision for our redemption sealed? Luke 22:41, 42. "Christ [in Gethsemane] was now standing in a different at- titude from that in which He had ever stood before. His suffering can best be described in the words of the prophet, 'Awake, 0 sword, against My shepherd, and against the man that is My fellow, saith the Lord of hosts.' Zech. 13:7. As the substitute and surety for sinful man, Christ was suffering under divine justice. He saw what justice meant. Hitherto He had been as an interces- sor for others; now He longed to have an intercessor for Himself."—The Desire of Ages, p. 686. This is the struggle that brought the blood sweat and broke the heart of the Saviour. This was the price paid for our forgive- ness. How can we question His love or His willingness to forgive when He paid such a price to make it possible? THINK IT THROUGH Have I accepted Gethsemane and Calvary as mine? "Jesus loves to have us come to Him just as we are, sinful, helpless, dependent. We may come with all our weakness, our folly, our sinfulness, and fall at His feet in penitence. It is His glory to encircle us in the arms of His love and to bind up our wounds, to cleanse us from all impurity. • "Here is where thousands fail; they do not believe that Jesus pardons them personally, individually. They do not take God at His word. It is the privilege of all who comply with the conditions to know for themselves that pardon is freely extended for every sin. Put away the suspicion that God's promises are not meant for you. They are for every repentant transgressor. Strength and grace have been provided through Christ to be brought by ministering angels to every believing soul."—Steps to Christ, pp. 52, 53. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 685-693. 58 We Are Forgiven Through Him LESSON 7 ❑ Monday May 8 ' Part 2 ' Since Christ has shed His blood for the forgiveness of our "AS WE sins, is there anything we need to do about it? FORGIVE" "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" (Matt. 6:12). From childhood most of us have prayed the Lord's Prayer, including this particular petition. Have we really thought about its significance? If God truly forgives us only to the degree that we forgive others their trespasses against us, how is it with us? As we come to offer our gifts of penitence and prayer, asking forgiveness, do we need to go and be reconciled to a brother somewhere before we can come and offer our gifts? After He had given what we speak of as the Lord's Prayer, Jesus went on to repeat, "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your tres- passes" (verses 14, 15). It may lead us to wonder whether Jesus felt that this was the most difficult part of the Lord's Prayer for us to enter into—the conditions on which forgiveness would be granted to us. THINK IT THROUGH What other conditions are there to receiving God's forgive- ness of our sins, apart from a willingness to forgive others? (See 1 Tim. 5:24, 25; Rev. 20:12, 13.) "Some men's sins are open beforehand, confessed in peni- tence, and forsaken, and they go beforehand to judgment. Par- don is written over against the names of theie men. But other men's sins follow after, and they are not put away by repentance and confession, and these sins will stand registered against them in the books of heaven."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 916. Is there a limit to the frequency with which forgiveness should be granted? Matt. 18:21, 22. (See Luke 17:3, 4.) "He who harbors within himself the idea that at some future time he will not forgive, is far from extending true forgiveness even though he may go through the form of forgiving. If the spirit of forgiveness actuates the heart, a person will be as ready to forgive a repentant soul the eighth time as thefirst time, or the 491st time as the eighth. True forgiveness is not limited by numbers; furthermore, it is not the act that counts, but the spirit that prompts the act. 'Nothing can justify an unforgiving spirit' (COL 251)."—SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 449. FURTHER STUDY Christ's Object Lessons, "The Measure of Forgiveness," pp. 247-251. 59 We Are Forgiven Through Him LESSON 7 ❑ Tuesday May 9 Part 3 What vivid example does the New Testament offer us of "POWER . . . Christ's clear recognition of His own right to forgive sins? TO FORGIVE SINS" "But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house" (Matt. 9:6). The Desire of Ages gives us a number of significant points on this healing of the paralytic. (1) His disease was the result of a life of sin. (2) Remorse had embittered his sufferings. (3) He had been renounced by Pharisees and doctors. (4) He had fallen into utter despair until he heard of the works of Jesus. (5) The reports of the healings of others as sinful as himself encouraged his faith. (6) He feared the purity of the Christ-physician. (7) He yearned for relief from the burden of sin even more than for physical restoration. (8) His condition was critical and there was no time to lose. (9) It was the paralytic's own suggestion that they enter Peter's crowded house through the flat roof. (10) Christ had convicted the conscience of the paralytic while he was yet at home. (11) Christ had watched the man's faith grow as he conquered each obstacle to come to the Lord. This background explains Christ's immediate word, "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee" (Matt. 9:2). Note that the paralytic makes no further request. Christ reads the hearts of the Pharisees present as He challenges which would be greater, to forgive sins or to cause the man to walk. Without awaiting their decision, He gives the command to the paralytic after a clear indication that He will now demonstrate "that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins." To the paralytic He says, "Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house." The Gospels record the glorious results. THINK IT THROUGH Can you turn away from such a Saviour? "Oh, wondrous love of Christ, stooping to heal the guilty and the afflicted! Divinity sorrowing over and soothing the ills of suffering humanity! Oh, marvelous power thus displayed to the children of men! Who can doubt the message of salvation? Who can slight the mercies of a compassionate Redeemer?"—The Desire of Ages, p. 269. How did the healing of the paralytic demonstrate Christ's right and power to forgive sins? "He who at the creation 'spake, and it was,' who 'com- manded, and it stood fast,' (Ps. 33:9), had spoken life to the soul dead in trespasses and sins. The healing of the body was an evidence of the power that had renewed the heart."—The De- sire of Ages, p. 270. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 267-271. 60 We Are Forgiven Through Him LESSON 7 ❑ Wednesday May 10 Part 4 What is the basis for a man's peace with God? "PEACE WITH GOD" "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1). We may question in our minds what connection justification may have with forgiveness. We may agree that being justified by faith produces peace with God but may claim that we do not see the relationship to forgiveness, which is the topic for this week's lesson. But if we will look back into the closing verses of Ro- mans 4, we will see the very close relationship. Speaking of Abraham's faith and how it was counted to him for righteous- ness, the apostle continues, "Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him: but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification" (Rom. 4:23-25). Clearly it is for our sins or offenses that Christ was delivered to the death of the cross, as we studied earlier in this week's lesson, and it was the acceptance by the Father of Christ's perfect sacrifice for our offenses that entitled Jesus to exercise His own power in rising from the dead so that He might count to us His righteousness and impart to us His life-giving power. And it is the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord that affords us peace with God through our justification. We have peace with God because we are counted righteous in Jesus Christ and, being counted righteous, we are treated by the Father as if we had never sinned. (See Steps to Christ, "The Test of Disciple- ship," p. 62.) THINK IT THROUGH How closely are pardon and justification identified one with the other? "Pardon and justification are one and the same thing. Through faith, the believer passes from the position of a rebel, a child of sin and Satan, to the position of a loyal subject of Christ Jesus, not because of an inherent goodness, but because Christ receives him as His child by adoption. The sinner receives the forgiveness of his sins, because these sins are borne by his Substitute and Surety. The Lord speaks to His heavenly Father, saying: 'This is My child. I reprieve him from the condemnation of death, giving him My life insurance policy—eternal life— because I have taken his place and have suffered for his sins. He is even My beloved son.' Thus man, pardoned, and clothed with the beautiful garments of Christ's righteousness, stands fault- less before God."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Com- mentary, vol. 6, p. 1070. FURTHER STUDY SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, pp. 1070-1073. 61 We Are Forgiven Through Him LESSON 7 ❑ Thursday May 11 Part 5 With a seemingly foolproof case of a punishable sin before "NEITHER DO Him, how does Christ reveal the character of God? I CONDEMN THEE" "And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more" (John 8:11). We may hardly need to sketch the experience which gave rise to these words. Let us, however, just remind ourselves of a woman supposedly taken in the act of adultery and being brought before Christ for His judgment. In the process, Christ is reminded of what Moses said should happen to such a woman; therefore He is seemingly placed in the dilemma either of agree- ing with Moses and seeing this woman stoned or of openly rebelling against the teachings of the Old Testament. There was the additional problem that if He declared the woman worthy of death, he could be accused to the Romans as one who was assuming their prerogatives. We remember what Jesus did in writing in the dust the sins of the accusers of the woman, those who themselves had led the woman into sin. They see their own guilty secrets traced in the dust, and they slink away one by one. Finally left with the woman, her accusers gone, Christ asked her, "Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more" (John 8:10, 11). This is God speaking to a pathetic and pitiful sinner. "Jesus knows the circumstances of every soul. The greater the sinner's guilt, the more he needs the Saviour. His heart of divine love and sympathy is drawn out most of all for the one who is the most hopelessly entangled in the snares of the enemy. With His own blood He has signed the emancipation papers of the race."—The Ministry of Healing, pp. 89, 90. THINK IT THROUGH What is the attitude of God toward the guilty secrets of our own hearts? "Men hate the sinner, while they love the sin. Christ hates the sin, but loves the sinner. This will be the spirit of all who follow Him. Christian love is slow to censure, quick to discern peni- tence, ready to forgive, to encourage, to set the wanderer in the path of holiness, and to stay his feet therein."—The Desire of Ages, p. 462. FURTHER STUDY Steps to Christ, "Faith and Acceptance," pp. 54, 55; The Desire of Ages, pp. 460-462. 62 We Are Forgiven Through Him LESSON 7 ❑ Friday May 12 Part 6 In the plan and character of God, what is the relationship THE KISS between righteousness and peace? OF PEACE "Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other" Psalm 85:10, RSV. In the character, government, and plan of salvation of our Lord, righteousness and peace are in perfect harmony. To put the matter less poetically than does the psalmist: There is no conflict between law and grace, between obedience and love, between repentance and faith. The peace which passeth all understanding comes because God has made provision for Christ's righteousness to stand in place of our sinfulness, and indeed, in place of our righteous- ness. THINK IT THROUGH Why does Christ say to forgiven sinners, Go and sin no more? The plan of salvation is not a device for excusing sin that we may continue therein. The plan of salvation is God's plan for destroying sin, ultimately forever. "The law requires righteousness,—a righteous life, a perfect character; and this man has not to give. He cannot meet the claims of God's holy law. But Christ, coming tothe earth as man, lived a holy life, and developed a perfect character. These He offers as a free gift to all who will receive them. His life stands for the life of men. Thus they have remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. More than this Christ embues men with the attributes of God. He builds up the human charac- ter after the similitude of the divine character, a goodly fabric of spiritual strength and beauty. Thus the very righteousness of the law is fulfilled in the believer in Christ. God can 'be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.' Rom. 3:26."—The Desire of Ages, p. 762. What has been Satan's plan from the beginning? "God's love has been expressed in His justice no less than in His mercy. Justice is the foundation of His throne, and the fruit of His love. It had been Satan's purpose to divorce mercy from - truth and justice. He sought to prove that the righteousness of God's law is an enemy to peace. But Christ shows that in God's plan they are indissolubly joined together; the one cannot exist without the other. 'Mercy and truth are met together; righteous- ness and peace have kissed each other.' Ps. 85:10."—The De- sire of Ages, p. 762. FURTHER STUDY Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 371, 372. 63 "Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?" (John 3:4). in these words Nicodemus the "why" of it. So it is today. attempted to change the subject When the Spirit of God presses of his interview with Jesus. He conviction home to the con- was ready to debate on the science, an enlightened reason "how" of the new birth, when says it is time to surrender; but Christ wanted to speak about pride says, How can LESSON 8 May 14-20 these things possibly be? setting he was told, "It is not essentia And how it would please the evil one for you to know and tell others all the to see us in contention over the whys and wherefores as to what manner in which our Saviour saves us, constitutes the new heart, or as to the to see us in argument and debate over position they can and must reach so as how these things can be! We may not never to sin. You have no such work tc know exactly how these things can be. do."—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. We may not need to know exactly how 177. these things can be. There is no The reason given that this brother legitimate reason for strife and debate should not attempt to explain all the over the manner in which the Lord whys and wherefores, even of the nevl would redeem His children. The vital birth or of the new heart, was the fact question is, Are we ready to be that "all are not constituted alike. redeemed? Are we willing to be born Conversions are not all alike." again? Are we prepared to be placed Different individuals have different entirely under new management? Are experiences in conversion, but no one we prepared to surrender the reins is to judge the conversion of another that govern the direction of our not genuine because the experience is thoughts and affections? If not, our not exactly like his own. So even in our independence may cost us eternal life. study of this week's lesson, we may Shortly after the 1888 General not all see it just exactly alike. But what Conference session in Minneapolis, we all do need to do is to see Christ there was a minister among us who lifted up. "With outstretched arms He was very certain that his ideas on is ready to receive and welcome not things were the correct ideas, and that only the sinner but the prodigal. His only those who saw things as he saw dying love, manifested on Calvary, is them were walking in the light. The the sinner's assurance of acceptance, rest he believed were walking in peace, and love. Teach these things in darkness, and especially the ministers. the simplest form, that the He wanted to stand out, to be sin-darkened soul may see the light different. In his egotism he insisted shining from the cross of that others should see things as he did Ca Iva ry."—,Selected Messages, bk. 1, or they could not be saved. pp. 178, 179. With that caution and The servant of the Lord wrote a with that appeal, let us proceed to lengthy letter to this brother and study this vital subject; for without the repeatedlypointed out to him his new-birth experience no man shall see danger in dwelling upon certain the Lord. subjects, certain ideas, in which he felt he was far out in front of almost DAILY HIGHLIGHTS everybody else. The Lord's messenger 1. "Except" went so far as to indicate that at times (John 3:3) this man's mind was "unbalanced 2. "Of Water and of the Spirit" from trying very hard to study into and (John 3:5) explain the mystery of godliness, 3. Listen to the Wind! which isjlust as great a mystery after (John 3:8) your study and explanations as it was 4. Look and Live before." He was further counseled (John 3:14, 15) that he was not leaving the Lord 5. Believing and Deliverance enough room to work upon people's (John 3:18, 19) minds and to speak to their souls and 6. Believing and the Spirit to impress their understanding. In this (John 7:37-39) We Are Born Again LESSON 8 ❑ Sunday May 14 Part 1 Just how essential is it to salvation that a person be born "EXCEPT" again? "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Nicodemus was not accustomed to having his needs pointed out by anyone. But there was reason for him to be shocked out of his complacency and self-righteousness by this bold and deeply personal assertion: You, Nicodemus, you must be born again. What symbol did the Lord use in Old Testament times to communicate the idea of a person's changing from a life of sin to one of righteousness? Eze. 36:25, 26. Note that it is the work of God to give a heart of flesh; and that the direction of the new birth is from above. It is in no way an improving of or modifying of the old life to make it better. It is to be "born over again" (NEB). THINK IT THROUGH What does it really mean to be born again? "Satan leads people to think that because they have felt a rapture of feeling, they are converted. But their experience does not change. Their actions are the same as before. Their lives show no good fruit. They pray often and long, and are con- stantly referring to the feelings they had at such and such a time. But they do not live the new life. They are deceived. Their experience goes no deeper than feeling. They build upon the sand, and when adverse winds come, their house is swept away."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 1164. Perhaps someone is objecting that we have switched from the topic of the new birth to that of conversion. It is not a switch in topics, because the inspired counsel uses "new birth" and "conversion" to refer to the same experience. "The youth especially stumble over the phrase, 'a new heart.' They do not know what it means. They look for a special change to take place in their feelings. This they term conversion. Over this error thousands have stumbled to ruin, not understanding the expression, 'Ye must be born again.' . . . "When Jesus speaks of the new heart, he means the mind, the life, the whole being. To have a change of heart is to withdraw the affections from the world, and fasten them upon Christ. To have a new heart is to have a new mind, new purposes, new motives. What is the sign of a new heart?—a changed life. There is a daily, hourly dying to selfishness and pride."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 4, pp. 1164, 1165. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 167-171. 66 We Are Born Again LESSON 8 ❑ Monday May 15 Part 2 As Nicodemus attempts to parry Christ's insistence upon "OF WATER the new birth by debating the literal meaning of Christ's AND OF THE words, what response does he receive? SPIRIT" "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5). "Nicodemus knew that Christ here referred to water baptism and the renewing of the heart by the Spirit of God. He was convinced that he was in the presence of the One whom John the Baptist had foretold."—The Desire of Ages, p. 172. Nicodemus was acquainted with the preaching of John the Baptist on the subjects of repentance and baptism. He had heard the prediction of One who should come to baptize with the Holy Spirit. He had felt that there was a great spiritual need among his own people, but he had not yet come to see that he, a leader in Israel, could have any such spiritual need. "Nicodemus anticipated admission into the kingdom of God as a natural-born, devout Jew, but Jesus declared that anything less than a complete transformation of the life by the power of the Holy Spirit was inadequate.. . "To be 'born of water and of the Spirit' is equivalent to being 'born again,' that is, 'from above.' ... Those who are born from above have God as their Father and resemble Him in character (see 1 John 3:1-3; cf. John 8:39, 44). Henceforth, they aspire, by the grace of Christ, to live above sin (Rom. 6:12-16) and do not yield their wills to commit sin (1 John 3:9; 5:18)."—SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 928. THINK IT THROUGH Could I be hiding behind a doctrinal debate my inner convic- tion of my own soul's great need of Christ? (See 2 Peter 1:3,4.) "The old nature, born of blood and the will of the flesh, cannot inherit the kingdom of God. The old ways, the hereditary tend- encies, the former habits, must be given up; for grace is not in- herited. The new birth consists in having new motives, new tastes new tendencies. Those who are begotten unto a new life by the Holy Spirit, have become partakers of the divine nature, and in all their habits and practices they will give evidence of their rela- tionship to Christ. When men who claim to be Christians retain all their natural defects of character and disposition, in what does their position differ from that of the worldling? They do not appre- ciate the truth as a sancitifier, a refiner. They have not been born again"—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p.1101. FURTHER STUDY Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 366-368. 67 We Are Born Again LESSON 8 ❑ Tuesday May 16 Part 3 When Nicodemus continued to have difficulty accepting the LISTEN TO remedy which Christ offered for his sinful soul, what illustra- THE WIND! tion did Christ use to help him? "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit" (John 3:8). Even with our modern, sophisticated methods of meteorolog- ical investigation, we cannot control the wind. We cannot see the wind, but we can see the effects of its work. And in Christ's day, even more than in our own, the point of origin and the point of destination of the wind were beyond human comprehension, let alone control. "So is every one that is born of the Spirit." When the wind blows, there is evidence of its action. We may not be able to see it, measure it, or control it. The evidence is there. The trees bend, the dust flies, the giant windmill turns, creating power. The calm lake is whipped into a frothy fury. There are results. There are changes. These are perceptible. "So is every one that is born of the Spirit." So the little song is true, "Things are different now, something's happened to me since I gave my heart to Jesus." THINK IT THROUGH How does the figure of the wind illustrate the work of the Holy Spirit? "The wind is heard among the branches of the trees, rustling the leaves and flowers; yet it is invisible, and no man knows whence it comes or whither it goes. So with the work of the Holy Spirit upon the heart. It can no more be explained than can the movements of the wind.... "While the wind itself is invisible, it produces effects that are seen and felt. So the work of the Spirit upon the soul will reveal itself in every act of him who has felt its saving power. When the Spirit of God takes possession of the heart, it transforms the life. ... The blessing comes when by faith the soul surrenders itself to God. Then that power which no human eye can see creates a new being in the image of God. "It is impossible for finite minds to comprehend the work of redemption. Its mystery exceeds human knowledge; yet He who passes from death to life realizes that it is a divine reality. The beginning of redemption we may know here through a personal experience. Its results reach through the eternal ages."—The Desire of Ages, pp. 172, 173. FURTHER STUDY Steps to Christ, "The Test of Discipleship," pp. 57-59. 68 We Are Born Again LESSON 8 ❑ Wednesday May 17 Part 4 After giving Nicodemus some gentle reproof for his ignor- LOOK AND ance of basic truths, what more familiar illustration did Christ LIVE use to help Nicodemus to understand the plan of salvation? "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:14,15). Nicodemus had been drawn by what he had seen and heard of Christ before he obtained this personal interview with Him. Jesus pierced through his defensiveness and had been very forthright and deeply personal with him. But Nicodemus sensed such love in the Saviour that he took no offense. Christ had even pointed out how little he knew of the things that really mattered for one who held such a position of leadership in Israel. There was a growing longing in the heart of Nicodemus for the experience which Christ was presenting as a new birth. The Lord gave him an illustration that he would readily grasp. "Here was ground with which Nicodemus was familiar. The symbol of the uplifted serpent made plain to him the Saviour's mission. When the people of Israel were dying from the sting of the fiery serpents, God directed Moses to make a serpent of brass, and place it on high in the midst of the congregation. Then the word was sounded throughout the encampment that all who would look upon the serpent should live. The people well knew that in itself the serpent had no power to help them. It was a symbol of Christ. . . . Whether for the healing of their wounds or the pardon of their sins, they could do nothing for themselves but show their faith in the Gift of God. They were to look and live."—The Desire of Ages, pp. 174, 175. THINK IT THROUGH Are pride, independence, or demand for scientific or histor- ical justification of Christ's claim depriving me of the look that gives life? "Not through controversy and discussion is the soul en- lightened. We must look and live."—The Desire of Ages, p. 175. As stressed in the introduction to this lesson, not all experi- ences are alike, because not all individuals are alike. But all true conversions have this in common: They result from our faith in what Christ has done for us, and not from one shred of confi- dence in anything that we have done or can do for ourselves. It was unscientific to expect the brass serpent to heal the people. There was no historical precedent for believing in such a thing. But God had made the provision, and God had made the prom- ise; and the only requirement of the dying victims in Israel was that they look and live. FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 430-432. 69 We Are Born Again LESSON 8 Thursday May 18 Part 5 What evidence is there in Scripture to show that either BELIEVING choice of wrong or rejection of right leads to eternal loss? AND DELIVERANCE "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (John 3:18, 19). It is a solemn thought that we are in the land of the enemy, that we come into the world with inherited propensities to evil. But. God has given us hope through the death of Jesus for our redemption. Condemnation in .the day of judgment will arise from an unwillingness to accept the means which God has provided. The lost thus show the same type of independenth and determination to go their own way and have their own will as brought sin into the world in the very beginning. Just as those who refused .tolook upon the brass serpent died, so those who refuse to look in faith to Christ will perish. "While the sinner cannot save himself, he still has something to do to secure salvation. 'Him that cometh to Me,' says Christ, 'I will in no wise cast out.' John 6:37. But we must come to Him; and when we repent of our sins, we must believe that He accepts and pardons us. Faith is the gift of God, but the power to exercise it is ours. Faith is the hand by which the soul takes hold upon the divine offers of grace and mercy."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 431. THINK IT THROUGH What is the origin of my faith, my believing, that brings me deliverance from the sting of the serpent? Inadvertently, it is possible that many are making faith their savior, or the name of Jesus their savior. And some quote Acts 4:12 in support of their position: "There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." -But does that mean that our salvation has been obtained by a name? Has our salvation been obtained by our faith? "Through faith we receive the grace of God; but faith is not our Saviour. It earns nothing. It is the hand by which we lay hold upon Christ, and appropriate His merits, the remedy for sin."— The Desire of Ages, p. 175. It was not a name that came and died on. Calvary. It was Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of the living God. FURTHER STUDY Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 367-370. 70 We Are Born Again LESSON 8 ❑ Friday May 19 Part 6 Believing brings deliverance from condemnation of sin. BELIEVING How does believing Telate to the work of the Holy Spirit in AND THE human hearts? SPIRIT "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus-stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)" (John 7:37-39). It is important to remember -that in His conversation. with Nicodemus Jesus indicated that the new•birth is the work of the Holy Spirit. While Christ has purchased the means of redemp- tion, the application in the individual heart and life of that redemption and redeeming grace is brought by the Holy Spirit. (See John 3:8.) What is the way that old things pass away and all things become new, when a man becomes anew creature in Christ? 2 Cor. 5:17-19. "Like the wind, which is invisible, yet the effects of which are plainly seen and felt, is the Spirit of God in its work upon the human heart. That regenerating power, which no human eye can see, begets a new life in the soul; it creates a new being in the image of God."—Steps to Christ, p. 57. THINK IT THROUGH Do I have to go in search of the Holy Spirit to receive the presence and power of Jesus Christ? Have I received the Holy Spirit? How can I know? Note the words of our text of the day particularly: "But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive." The Holy Spirit is•engaged in drawing us to Christ in the first place. When.we respond in faith and acceptance, when we trust Christ and surrender to Him, the Holy Spirit comes to bring the presence and power of Christ into the heart. Then, as it were, "out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." The power of the Spirit for overcoming sin, and the power of the Spirit for effectual witness, come to the believer as a conse- quence of his faith in Jesus Christ. By what four questions did Jesus teach us of His Father's willingness to give us the Holy Spirit? Luke 11:11-13. FURTHER STUDY Steps to Christ, "The Test of Discipleship," pp. 60-65. 71 LESSON 9 May 21-27 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect appointed to rule and to lead in the peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: affairs of men and nations. because he trusteth in thee" (Isa. Sometimes those who have 16:3). attempted to send relief to countries devastated by natural disasters have Recently an aged apartment dweller been appalled to find fellow spoke of a contact with a Jewish countrymen of the suffering neighbor. They became good friends multitudes attempting to take by force and spoke together of things spiritual. from the rescue workers food and On one occasion the Christian brother clothing being brought in by the relief greeted his Jewish friend thus: agencies. These men would then sell "Shalom, shalom." "Oh," said the the supplies on the "black market" for Jewish friend, "do you really mean exorbitant personal profit, while their that?" "Yes," said the Christian, own perishing fellow countrymen "Shalom, shalom." died of starvation and exposure. These are the words in our text as we •But heartrending as these begin this lesson study. Thou wilt keep happenings are that shatter our peace him in shalom, shalom—in peace, and drive sleep from ou rpillows, they peace. To the Hebrew the repetition of are not quite the equal of the nagging a term gave to it a depth of meaning, a condemnation and inner restlessness measure of appeal which is difficult for of spirit which are the consequence of the Western mind to comprehend one's personal guilt. So often those perhaps. We have picked up in whose minds are breaking down modern parlance this term and use it under modern stress and tension are rather freely as a greeting, "Shalom, losing their equanimity because of the shalom." But God will keep him in deep depressions and peace, peace, shalom, shalom, whose self-condemnation that come with mind is stayed on the Lord, because he awareness of guilt. Men may escape trusts in Him. And there is good the law and pay no penalty imposed by reason to expect to find this peace in society upon their deeds. But they Him, for the messenger goes on to have to live with themselves, and often instruct us, "Trust ye in the Lord for it seems more than they can do. ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is As we have studied thus far this everlasting strength" (verse 4). quarter the means by which we can be Has there ever been a time in human reconciled to God, we have been history when men were more fearful confronted with the opportunity of of what the future holds? Where is taking those steps to Christ which security? Where is peace to be found? would make us at peace with God and Those with little or nothing are fearful bring into our lives shalom, shalom. about how they will survive, as their little has less and less power to supply their needs. Those who have much are DAILY HIGHLIGHTS fearful of how much they will lose 1. "My Peace" when their much comes to naught. (John 14:27) There is less and less confidence to 2. "He Reconciled" be had in those things in which men (Col. 1:21) have always thought that they could 3. "He Is Our Peace" have confidence. Distrust is in the very (E h. 2:14) air we breathe. It is no longer distrust 4. "God . . . in Christ Reconciling" of thieves and murderers and (2 Cor. 5:19) extortioners only that men endure. 5. "Merciful . . . High Priest" They no longer are sure that they can (Heb. 2:17) trust those who are the appointed 6. "In Me . . . Peace" peace-keepers, those who have been (John 16:33) We Are At Peace LESSON 9 ❑ Sunday May 21 Part 1 Just before He went to the cross, what marvelous assur- "MY PEACE" ance did Christ share with His band of disciples? "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27). These were among the many precious words which Jesus spoke to His disciples in the last few hours before He went to Gethsemane and the cruel mockery of trials leading to Calvary. It was the time when He promised that He would not leave them orphans, that He would send the Comforter to them, the Paraclete—the One who would be alongside them in the place of Jesus. And with all that He knew was just hours away from Him and them, He could offer them peace—not just the world's peace, but His peace. What is wrong with the world's peace? It is so uncertain, so unpredictable. But Jesus Christ offers peace like a river to my soul—not a shallow, bubbling brook, but a deep-flowing crystal-pure river of the water of life. We know what kind of peace Christ offered to His disciples because He exhibited that peace in His own person. In the midst of the caviling scribes and Pharisees, under false condemna- tion of hired false witnesses, under the threats, epithets, and curses of the mob, He was at peace. The only disturbance of Jesus' peace that we see was when in Gethsemane He became our Sin Bearer. This is why His body swayed as though beaten by a tempest. This is why He clung to the ground as though to hold Himself back from the abyss into which our sins were pressing Him. This is why He sweat as it were great drops of blood. This is why He cried out in anguish for the Father to take away the cup if possible. He made the renewal of the commit- ment and agreement which He and the Father had made before the foundations of the world were laid. He determined to go through with the contract, to complete the mission. An angel sent from heaven strengthened Him, and He came forth from the agony of Gethsemane with peace in His heart and peace in His countenance. THINK IT THROUGH What easily troubles my heart? What makes me afraid? Could it be that I have not yet accepted the peace which Christ left for me? "This peace is not the peace that comes through conformity to the world. Christ never purchased peace by compromise with evil. The peace that Christ left His disciples is internal rather than external and was ever to remain with His witnesses through strife and contention."—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 84. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, p. 672. 74 We Are At Peace LESSON 9 ❑ Monday May 22 Part 2 When we by nature are enemies of God, how can we be at "HE RECONCILED" peace with Him? "And you, that were some time alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled" (Col. 1:21). We stressed in the introduction of the lesson that guilt is the greatest destroyer of our inner peace, and that Christ has made provision for us to receive His peace. This the apostle Paul well understood and explained to the church at Colossae. Yet he pointed them to the cross and the blood of the cross by which peace has been made between God and sinful man, because through the blood of the cross it is possible for all things to be reconciled to God through Christ. And we who by nature were alienated and enemies of God by our wicked works and our inherited propensities toward evil—even we can be reconciled "in the body of his flesh through death" so that we might be presented "holy and unblamable and unreprovable in his sight" (verse 22). That term "reconciled" does not appear a great many times in the Scriptures. In the Old Testament it is mostly used in connec- tion with the sanctuary services whereby the shed blood pro- vides an atonement or a cover (kaphar) so that sinful man can be at peace with a holy and righteous God. In the New Testament it carries most frequently the thought of being - thoroughly changed, and how beautiful a thought that is. Christ has made provision for us to be thoroughly changed so that, whereas we were at enmity with God through sin, we now can be at peace with God and be the friends of God through righteousness—not our own righteousness, but through the righteousness of Jesus Christ in whom we believe. And, strangely and beautifully, the more we contemplate our dependence upon His righteousness, then the more we recognize that we can make no contribution to improve upon that righteousness of His; with the result that our will is surrendered more completely to the indwelling of His Spirit, who creates within us a new man after the likeness of Jesus our Saviour and Redeemer. THINK IT THROUGH What grounds do I have for claiming or expecting reconcilia- tion with God? "We have nothing in ourselves of which to boast. We have no ground for self-exaltation. Our only ground of hope is in the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and in that wrought by His Spirit working in and through us."—Steps to Christ, p. 63. FURTHER STUDY Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 395, 396. 75 We Are At Peace LESSON 9 ❑ Tuesday May 23 Part 3 What blessed assurance does the apostle Paul offer Gentile "HE IS OUR believers to share with Christ's followers in Israel? PEACE". "For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us" (Eph. 2:14). "He is our peace. The 'he' is emphatic in the Greek. Christ is not only the peacemaker; He Himself is peace, the bond of union and of peace. In Him all the divisions of mankind are to be abolished. . . . "Middle wall of partition. Literally, 'partition wall of the fence,' meaning, 'the partition wall which is the fence.' The imagery may have been derived from the barrier in the Temple separating the court of the Gentiles from the court of the Jews. . . . Beyond this wall no Gentile dared go."—SDA Bible Com- mentary, vol. 6, p. 1009. Paul had been addressing himself to the Christians at Ephesus, many of whom, if not most, would be of Gentile background. He reminded them that at one time they were "without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world" (verse 12). But now he assures them that in Christ Jesus they who "sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ" (verse 13). And, really, that had been God's intention all through the Old Testament era, that those not of Israel should know from Israel and through Israel that the blood of Messiah would be shed for them as well as for Israel. THINK IT THROUGH What change in relationship between Jew and Gentile was effected by Christ's death upon the cross? "Through Christ the hidden glory of the holy of holies was to stand revealed. He had suffered death for every man, and by this offering the sons of men were to become the sons of God.... The mercy seat, upon which the, glory of God rested in the holiest of all, is opened to all who accept Christ as the propitia- tion for sin, and through its medium, they are brought into fellowship with God. The veil is rent, the partition walls broken down, the handwriting of ordinances canceled. By virtue of His blood the enmity is abolished. Through faith in Christ Jew and Gentile may partake of the living bread."—Ellen G. White Com- ments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1109. "Christ recognized no distinction of nationality or rank or creed.... Christ came to break down every wall of partition. He came to show that His gift of mercy and love is as unconfined as the air, the light, or the showers of rain that refresh the earth."—Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 190. FURTHER STUDY Prophets and Kings, pp. 369-372. 76 We Are At Peace LESSON 9 ❑ Wednesday May 24 Part 4 Who takes the initiative in creating peace between man and "GOD . . . IN God? CHRIST RECONCILING" "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation" (2 Cor. 5:19). One thing for sure is implied by these inspired words of the text today: There is need for a reconciliation. Some have the idea that Christ is shielding us from a God who is angry with His creatures—that Christ has to reconcile His Father to us. In order to know that an enmity had arisen, we have only to go back to the Garden of Eden to see our first parents hiding in the recesses of the Garden from the God who had given them life. Man had sold out his first options to Satan. He was utterly helpless to buy them back. God gave him the first promise that there would come a Man who would be at enmity with the serpent and not in league with him. This Man would conquer the serpent and offer all the sons of men the opportunity to be reconciled to God. THINK IT THROUGH Do the words of Second Corinthians 5:20 contradict those of verse 19? No, the expression "be ye reconciled to God" is still an appeal from God to man, and the apostle Paul indicates that he and his fellow laborers are apostles, or ambassadors, who speak for Christ, urging sinners to be reconciled to God. The initiative is with God, the provision is made by God. Let us never forget that it is God in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself. The very next verse—verse 21—gives us the ground for this work and act of reconciliation. It provides the justification, the legal rationale, for this to be done. The Revised Standard Ver- sion reads, "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." Here in these few words we have the ground upon which it is possible for sinful man to be again at peace with the holy and righteous God. It is a glorious exchange that is offered for which there is no basis other than the eternal love of God. What spirit of prophecy statement closely parallels the pro- found thought of Second Corinthians 5:21? "Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death which was ours, that we might receive the life which was His. 'With His stripes we are healed.' "—The Desire of Ages, p. 25. FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 64. 77 We Are At Peace LESSON 9 ❑ Thursday May 25 Part 5 What sanctuary office again portrays Christ's key role in "MERCIFUL bringing us to be at peace with God? . . . HIGH PRIEST" "Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people" (Heb. 2:17, RSV). Think for a moment of the work and service of the high priest in the earthly sanctuary. Think particularly of the fact that his major work in the whole series of sanctuary services fell on the annual Day of Atonement. On that day in a particularly specific and awesome manner he became the direct mediator between the people of Israel and Yahweh. It was his solemn task, after due preparation of himself and his family, to go in before the manifestation of God's glory—the shekinah. There, veiled only by the rising incense from the censer in his hand, he made an atonement, a covering, an expiation, a reconciliation of and for the people and their sins before God. How prayerfully, how earnestly, how penitentially the believ- ing Israelites gathered about the sanctuary. There they awaited the return of the high priest in order to know that the offering had been accepted. Only then would they know that the recon- ciliation of the sins sent in penitence to the sanctuary had been effectual, and that the waiting worshipers were reconciled anew to God. Their sins would then be removed from their place of record before God and His commandments. So Christ, after He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin (Heb. 4:15), after He was tested and tried and afflicted as no other man ever can be, became our High Priest and also our Sacrifice—the Lamb of God—and through His own sacrifice He has made provision to remove from us our sins; and, if the whole world were willing, the sins of the whole world. THINK IT THROUGH Do I truly believe and count as mine personally the assur- ance that I am at peace with God? "When we become absorbed in worldly things so that we have no thought for Him in whom our hope of eternal life is centered, we separate ourselves from Jesus and from the heavenly angels. These holy beings cannot remain where the Saviour's presence is not desired, and His absence is not marked. This is why discouragement so often exists among the professed fol- lowers of Christ. . . . "It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ."—The Desire of Ages, p. 83. FURTHER STUDY Early Writings, pp. 254-256. 78 We Are At Peace LESSON 9 ❑ Friday May 26 Part 6 Is the peace which Jesus offers one that is free from trou- "IN ME ble? . . . PEACE" "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). It should be noted that the promises which Jesus offers in this verse today were made to His disciples just before He would be taken by the mob and led from trial to trial. The Lord predicted that every one of His seemingly faithful followers would forsake Him, and He would be left alone. "And yet," said Jesus, "I am not alone, because the Father is with me" (verse 32). No, the peace which Jesus offers is not peace which guaran- tees immunity from trouble. But His peace is one which endures in spite of trouble. In His own trials and agonies He had about Him a peace which impressed the beholders that they were looking upon the Majesty of heaven. THINK IT THROUGH Could the peace just described above be the peace of which Paul was speaking in Philippians 4:7? It is interesting again to note that this promise of "the peace of God which passeth all understanding" is assured to those who are anxious for nothing but who "in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving" make known their requests unto God (verse 6). And these words were spoken by a man who had been through every type of trial and persecution short of the Gethsemane agony of the Lord Jesus Himself. "Christ did not fail, neither was He discouraged; and His followers are to manifest a faith of the same enduring nature. They are to live as He lived, and work as He worked, because they depend on Him as the great Master-worker."—Gospel Workers, p. 39. "In order to be candidates for heaven we must meet the requirement of the law: 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself' (Luke 10:27). We can do this only as we grasp by faith the righteousness of Christ. By beholding Jesus we receive a living, expanding principle in the heart, and the Holy Spirit carries on the work, and the believer advances from grace to grace, from strength to strength, from character to character. He conforms to the image of Christ, until in spiritual growth he attains unto the measure of the full stature in Christ Jesus. Thus Christ makes an end of the curse of sin, and sets the believing soul free from its action and effect."—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 395. Shalom, shalom. 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AMT.,' fi EtiPollw 4 ltirti4 lap (44-.143.,w 1.) :r.;•a0 (ow fk`..*:4:1t47 Wfiffifit breCAV Cimv? 704•{1(FiNnfi N, 4•1[46-.) 0:41•XotIn Keep Ziam 116175 Rev. "He ('0 a o n Do Hi n ments Rev. We Consecrate Ourselves LESSON 10 ❑ Sunday May 28 Part 1 In the preparation of the materials for the building of the "WHO . . . IS temple of the Lord, what appeal did David make to the congre- WILLING?" gation of Israel? "And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?" (1 Chron. 29:5). We remember well the desire of King David to build a temple unto the Lord, but he was not permitted this privilege primarily because he had been a man of war. We recall, however, that he desired to do everything possible short of building the temple, and so he gave generously of the riches that were his at the peak of the power of the kingdom of Israel. He accumulated gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, precious stones of varying kinds and colors, and marble in abundance. In the light of his consecration to God's service, David ap- pealed to the princes and to the congregation of Israel also to make a consecration to the Lord. There was great rejoicing as the people brought in their gifts. "Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, be- cause with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy" (1 Chron. 29:9). The dedication of the people and of their gifts was made with the whole heart. They were not holding back. Their dedication was complete, finished, and whole—a genuine consecreation. THINK IT THROUGH Is my personal brand of Christianity the dedication of my whole heart? Ellen G. White wrote of the rich young ruler that he "must accept the conditions of discipleship. He must give himself unreservedly to God. At the Saviour's call, John, Peter, Matthew, and their companions 'left all, rose up, and followed Him.' Luke 5:28. The same consecration was required of the young ruler. And in this Christ did not ask a greater sacrifice than He Himself had made. 'He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.' 2 Cor. 8:9. The young man had only to follow where Christ led the way."—Christ's Object Lessons, p. 393. "To the rich no less than to the poor are the words of the Holy Spirit spoken, 'Ye are not your own; for ye are bought with a price.' 1 Cor. 6:19, 20. When men believe this, their possessions will be held as a trust, to be used as God shall direct, for the saving of the lost, and the comfort of the suffering and the poor. With man this is impossible, for the heart clings to its earthly treasure.... But with God all things are possible. By beholding the matchless love of Christ, the selfish heart will be melted and subdued."—Christ's Object Lessons, p. 394. FURTHER STUDY Matthew 19:16-30; 20:1-16. 82 We Consecrate Ourselves LESSON 10 ❑ Monday May 29 Part 2 How would Christ's message to the Laodicean church relate WHO OPENS to the question of consecration? THE DOOR? "Here I stand knocking at the door; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and sit down to supper with him and he with me" (Rev. 3:20, NEB). Let us never overlook the fact that Christ is standing at the heart door of the people of this church, and He is knocking for admission. In one sense this is not an experience unique to any single individual, or to any particular period of the church's history, or to any one segment of human history. With every believer in Christ there has been the experience of His knocking at the heart's door. At no time has He forced an entrance. At all times He has been the pursuer of the lost rather than the reverse. The Laodicean church in a unique way has this problem of the human heart. Whereas others have kept Christ at the door because of covetousness, riches, lust, or false doc- trine, the Laodiceans keep Him at the door because they do not feel their need of Him. Spiritually speaking they feel rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing. This condition blinds them to their true spiritual state, so that when the heavenly Merchantman offers them the riches of eternity. the spiritual equipment to be ready for His swiftly coming kingdom and the hour of judgment, they feel no need. THINK IT THROUGH Can a person maintain his Laodicean condition of heart and still consecrate himself to the Lord? He who persists in maintaining his Laodicean condition will keep the Lord standing at the door of his heart. Do we perhaps weary of hearing the Laodicean message? "Some may say, Why is this message sounded so constantly in our ears? It is because you do not thoroughly repent. You do not live in Christ and have Christ abiding in you. When one idol is expelled from the soul, Satan has another prepared to supply its place. Unless you make an entire consecration to Christ and live in communion with Him, unless you make Him your Coun- selor, you will find that your heart, open to evil thoughts, is easily diverted from the sevice of God to the service of self."— Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 107, 108. FURTHER STUDY Christ's Object Lessons, "Go Into the Highways and Hedges," pp. 235-237. 83 We Consecrate Ourselves LESSON 10 ❑ Tuesday May 30 Part 3 Can one be truly consecrated to God if his love is any less KEEP YOUR than once it was? FIRST LOVE "I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first" (Rev. 2:4, RSV). The following verse clearly answers the question by indicat- ing that those who have abandoned their first love "have fallen" and need to "repent and do the works . . . [they] did at first" (verse 5). It is impossible to have true consecration when there has been a lessening of the love that once we had for our Saviour. This manifested itself in that faith which works by love. How is it in human relationships? Do you love your wife or husband as once you did? Do you love your son or daughter as once you did? Do you love father or mother or brother or sister as once you did? True, there may be a modification of the love, the maturing of it. It may have elements of greater peace and quiet confidence in it than originally. But is it less intense, less wholehearted? Is it subtle to the point of being deceptive? Is it clever? THINK IT THROUGH What test might I apply to know whether or not I have lost any measure of my first love for Christ? "The atmosphere of the church is so frigid, its spirit is of such an order, that men and women cannot sustain or endure the example of primitive and heaven-born piety. The warmth of their first love is frozen up, and unless they are watered over by the baptism of the Holy Spirit, their candlestick will be removed out of its place, except they repent and do their first works. The first works of the church were seen when the believers sought out friends, relatives, and acquaintances, and with hearts overflow- ing with love told the story of what Jesus was to them and what they were to Jesus."—Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 167, 168. In what way is Solomon's experience an illustration of a loss of first love? "Did Solomon know God when he was doing according to the ways of idolaters?—No; he had forgotten the rich experience of his youth and the prayers he had made in the temple. [Rev. 2:4, 5 quoted.] "The candlestick was removed out of its place when Solomon forgot God. He lost the light of God, he lost the wisdom of God, he confounded idolatry with religion."—Ellen G. White Com- ments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 2, p. 1032. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 279, 280. 84 We Consecrate Ourselves LESSON 10 ❑ Wednesday May 31 Part 4 What characteristic does John see belonging to those who "HE . . . DOES will stand for eternity? GOD'S WILL" "And that world is passing away with all its allurements, but he who does God's will stands for evermore" (1 John 2:17, NEB). John has just been urging us not to set our hearts upon the godless world. He has pointed out that anyone who loves the world is a stranger to the Father's love. Everything the world affords—all that panders to the appetites or entices the eyes, all the glamour of its life—springs from the godless world. And that world is passing away. (See verses 15 and 16.) We can only believe that under inspiration and in the experi- ence of revelation, John has foreseen the disintegration of this world and all that belongs to it as the godless world. By contrast he sees those who do God's will standing eternally. We cannot rejoice with the thought that the people of the godless world will be destroyed with it, but we can rejoice that those who do God's will will stand forever. THINK IT THROUGH Is there generally a relationship between consecration and obedience? "Moses defines genuine consecration as obedience to God, to stand in vindication of the right and to show a readiness to carry out the purpose of God in the most unpleasant duties, showing that the claims of God are higher than the claims of friends or the lives of the nearest relatives. The sons of Levi consecrated themselves to God to execute His justice against crime and sin."—Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 301. We may wonder what was the setting for this definition of consecration as obedience to God. It is an inspired commentary upon the occasion when Israel, with Aaron's cooperation, made a golden calf such as they had seen worshiped in Egypt and caused the people to bow down to it and to inflame their senses with rioting and drunkenness. It was on this occasion, as Moses returned from the presence of the Lord, that he took a strong and awful stand in the face of apostasy. (See Exodus 32.) This is a side to consecration that we hear or see little of today. We may console ourselves that we are not living under a theocracy and therefore such stern steps as these cannot be taken. Certainly the fact that the church today is living under many different jurisdictions, different governments, different philosophies of government, differing laws, has a bearing. But it is a solemn question whether the church of Jesus Christ today, through its leadership and ministry, through its institutional directors, is prepared to equate obedience and consecration as was done when Moses came down from the mount. FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 3, pp. 300-304. 85 We Consecrate Ourselves LESSON 10 ❑ Thursday June 1 Part 5 According to the apostle John, what is the relationship of a NOT A consecrated man to the practice of sin? SINNER "We know that no child of God is a sinner; it is the Son of God who keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot touch him" (1 John 5:18, NEB). Almost any translation of this text carries the same message. "The true child of God does not sin, he is in the charge of God's own Son and the evil one cannot touch him" (Phillips). There can be no compromise with sin on the part of him who is consecrated to God. Sin and he are in opposite camps. Sin belongs to the camp of the evil one, and righteousness belongs to the camp of Jesus Christ. A man cannot be serving in both camps. This is not to say that he will never falter, never fail, never stumble; but it is clear whose side he is on, which direction he is traveling, and for which cause he is fighting. When he falls, he acknowledges it; he grieves that he has fallen; he confesses his error, and he seeks restoration in the Lord; and he listens even more carefully to his Commander. Sinning is the contradiction of consecration. "No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him" (1 John 3:6, RSV). "It is through faith in Jesus Christ that the truth is accepted in the heart and the human agent is purified and cleansed. Jesus was 'wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.' Is it possible to be healed, while knowingly committing sin?—No; it is genuine faith that says, I know that I have committed sin, but that Jesus has pardoned my sin; and hereafter I will resist temptation in and through His might."—Sons and Daughters of God, p. 297. THINK IT THROUGH Do the thoughts just presented mean that we have moved back to righteousness by works? "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. [1 John 3:5, 6 quoted.] Here is the true test. If we abide in Christ, if the love of God dwells in us, our feelings, our thoughts, our purposes, our actions, will be in harmony with the will of God as expressed in the precepts of His holy law. . . . "That so-called faith in Christ which professes to release men from the obligation of obedience to God, is not faith, but presumption."—Steps to Christ, p. 61. Sinning is not the climate for consecration. The climate for consecration is joyous, willing obedience to God's will. FURTHER STUDY Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 352, 353. 86 We Consecrate Ourselves LESSON 10 ❑ Friday June 2 Part 6 What is to be the privilege of those who obey God? "DO HIS COMMANDMENTS" "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city" (Rev. 22:14). Some of the ancient authorities read this text as "Blessed are those who wash their robes." If one's robes are washed in the blood of the Lamb, will not such a person keep the command- ments? Or can a person truly keep the commandments apart from the cleansing blood of Jesus? "Obedience to all the commandments of God was the condi- tion of eating of, the tree of life. Adam fell by disobedience, forfeiting by sin all right to use either the life-giving fruit of the tree in the midst of the Garden, or its leaves, which are for the healing of the nations. "Obedience through Jesus Christ gives to man perfection of character and a right to that tree of life."—Ellen G. White Com- ments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 1, p. 1086. It is one of the greatest tragedies of our time that some among us are fearful of speaking of obedience anymore, lest the very mention of obedience to the. commandments of God would suggest legalism. How successful the devil has been in confus- ing the signposts on the highway of eternal life! It may help us to keep our thinking straight on this matter if we will remember what the plan of salvation is designed to do. It, is designed to bring the ultimate conquest and destruction of sin. Sin is disobedience to the law of God. It is a placing of one's own will above the will of God. The plan of salvation is designed to restore man to that harmony with the will of God in which he was first created. So who can do anything but rejoice when men choose the commandments of God as the rule of their lives? If they are unhappy in their obedience to God, perhaps they have not washed their robes recently. THINK IT THROUGH By what means may I be numbered with that innumerable company that will stand before the throne and before the Lamb clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands? (See Rev. 7:9, 13, 14.) "All who are found worthy to be counted as the members of the family of God in heaven, will recognize one another as sons and daughters of God. They will realize that they all receive their strength and pardon from the same source, even from Jesus Christ who was crucified for their sins. They know that they are to wash their robes of character in His blood, to find acceptance with the Father in His name, if they would be in the bright assembly of the saints, clothed in the white robes of righteousness."—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 259. FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 9, pp. 285-288. 87 "For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self=control, and self-control with stead- fastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these things are yours and abound, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:5-8, RSV). LESSON 11 June 4-10 Fruit bearing is the key to survival in Fruit bearing is the evidence of the the world of nature. It should not liveliness of the tree. If the tree bears seem strange, therefore, that in no fruit, it is under suspicion, under spiritual matters the Lord would desire investigation, and is perhaps given a His true children to be fruitful. The time limit in which to give evidence of apostle Peter really understood and fruitfulness or perish. If a fruit tree is expressed this in his second letter as healthy and old enough, it will be fruit he lists a group of characteristics or bearing. So we may order from the qualities that remind us strongly of nursery catalog trees of such an age Paul's listing of the fruit of the Spirit in that they are known as fruit-bearing Galatians 5:22, 23. trees. We can expect them within the Peter goes on to indicate that a lack first or second season of placing them of these characteristics or qualities in in our orchard to bear fruit. If they do the believer would indicate that he has not, we can usually make a claim become shortsightedly blind and has against the nurseryman who has sold forgotten that he was cleansed from us the stock. his old sins. He also indicates that What if a home gardener were to those who will have that zeal that hang some borrowed or purchased would be productive of such fruit fruit on his tree and say, Look at that would confirm their call and election. beautiful fruit tree? It would not He points out that if they would require much discernment to see continue in this fruitfulness, they whether or not the fruit was attached would never fall, and an abundant to the tree as a vital and living part of it. entrance would be provided for them The Scriptures even present the into the eternal kingdom. (See 2 Peter Lord as one who is looking for fruit on 1:9-11.) the vines planted in His vineyard, as Sometimes our attention is drawn to though He had a right to expect fruit. a letter like Galatians or Romans, and But the vine does not concern itself, in we are almost given the impression one sense, with fruit bearing. It that the only subject of significance concerns itself with finding adequate presented in that letter is the subject water supply and searching out the of faith or grace. What we often seem nutrients in the soil. It lifts up its to overlook is that in almost every one branches also so that its leaves will of the New Testament epistles, while receive the life-giving rays of the sun. there may be invitations to faith and If it has these necessities, it will bear acceptance of grace in the early part of fruit. the letter, the second major portion of As we study together this week's the letter invariably deals with the kind lesson, may there be an earnest prayer of life that should be the result or and longing in our hearts for fruit fruitage of faith and grace. Sometimes bearing to the glory of God. the inspired writer gets down to some matters which some of us might think DAILY HIGHLIGHTS of today as being highly personal, 1. "If You Have Love" highly regulatory, certainly bordering (John 13:35) on the dangerous edges of legalism. 2. "That the World May Know" But such matters are presented by the (John 17:22, 23) inspired writers without any trace of 3. "I Am the Vine" apology. (John 15:5) We must not fall into the trap of 4. "My Father . . . the Gardener" separating in any way our faith from (John 15:2) our works, any more than we would 5. "Bear Much Fruit" try to hide the fact that grapes grow on (John 15:8) grapevines. Just the opposite is the 6. "Abide in Me" scriptural teaching and experience. (John 15:4, 7) We Bear Fruit LESSON 11 ❑ Sunday June 4 Part 1 What is one of the clearest evidences that we are living "IF YOU followers of the Lord Jesus Christ? HAVE LOVE" "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35 RSV). It may be natural for love to exist within a family, brother for brother, parent for child, husband for wife. It is not natural, however, for the divergent personalities which make up the church to be marked with mutual love and forbearance, each for each and all for all. Individuals with different personalities and backgrounds are drawn together and others are repelled. Two of the clearest evidences to the world that we are Christ's and that we are bearing fruit as a result of our life in Him will be (1) the unity of the church and (2) the mutual love and respect of all the varying members of that church. If we are not convinced about the variables within the mem- bership of the church, why not look at the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ? How natural was it for them to love one another and to give each other the place of honor? Do we recall the very human reaction of the ten when the two asked for the two top places of honor in the kingdom? (See Matt. 20:20-24.) THINK IT THROUGH Can I just decide to make myself love those who are not "my type"? (See "Testimonies," vol. 7, p. 266.) Note that loving one another is the evidence to the world that we are Christ's disciples. We do not make ourselves love one another, and then say, "Please notice us, this makes us disci- ples of Christ." Because we are His disciples, we do love one another, and this fact is an evidence to all men that we are disciples of Christ. "In this last meeting with His disciples, the great desire which Christ expressed for them was that they might love one another as He had loved them. Again and again He spoke of this.... His very first injunction when alone with them in the upper chamber was, 'A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.' To the disciples this commandment was new; for they had not loved one another as Christ had loved them. He saw that new ideas and impulses must control them; that new principles must be practiced by them; through His life and death they were to receive a new conception of love. The command to love one another had a new meaning in the light of His self-sacrifice. The whole work of grace is one continual service of love, of self- denying, self-sacrificing effort."—The Desire of Ages, pp. 677, 678. FURTHER STUDY Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 51; The Ministry of Healing, pp. 161-165; The Sanctified Life, p. 82. 90 We Bear Fruit LESSON 11 ❑ Monday June 5 Part 2 What close parallel to love within the church is evidence to "THAT THE the world of the effectiveness of Christ's mission? WORLD MAY KNOW" "The glory which thou hast given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and thou in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that thou hast sent me and that thou hast loved them even as thou hast loved me" (John 17:22, 23, RSV). Love and unity are almost twin experiences. It would be ex- tremely difficult to think of a situation where love could reign and unity not result: or where unity exists without love being present unless the unity were of the superficial variety for mutual self-interest (like the unity between two former national enemies who become allies in the face of a mutual foe). Let us note that it is no ordinary unity that is here made an evidence to the world of the effectiveness of Christ's mission. The unity is of the caliber and character of the oneness between Christ and His Father. One would hesitate to give expression to such a thought were it not given us in Holy Scripture. But that is indeed Christ's prayer (for this is part of His great intercessory prayer) that His disciples should be one in the same way that Christ and His Father are one—obviously we in our sphere, and the members of the Godhead in their sphere. THINK IT THROUGH Does unity require conformity? If by conformity we have in mind lack of conviction, surrender of conscience, a fawning adulation of those in position, then— No. On the other hand, how can a person who is automatically against what someone else is for think that he is in any way a part of the answer to Christ's prayer for His church? "When men are bound together, not by force or self-interest, but by love, they show the working of an influence that is above every human influence. Where this oneness exists, it is evidence that the image of God is being restored in humanity, that a new principle of life has been implanted. It shows that there is power in the divine nature to withstand the supernatural agencies of evil, and that the grace of God subdues the selfishness inherent in the natural heart."—The Desire of Ages, p. 678. "We must study the truth for ourselves. No living man should be relied upon to think for us. No matter who it is, or in what position he may be placed, we are not to look upon any man as a perfect criterion for us. We are to counsel together, and to be subject to one another; but at the same time we are to exercise the ability God has given us to learn what is truth."—Counsels to Writers and Editors, p. 45. FURTHER STUDY Steps to Christ, "Rejoicing in the Lord," p. 115; Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 375. 91 We Bear Fruit LESSON 11 ❑ Tuesday June 6 Part 3 What is the relationship between the fruitful follower and "I AM THE the Lord Himself? VINE" "I am the vine, you are the branches: He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit: for apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5, RSV). Perhaps in no other place in Scripture is the relationship between Christ and His follower more clearly illustrated and more fully expounded than in His illustration of the vine and the branches. And if there is any one thing more than another that is stressed in this illustration, it is that the branches should be fruitful. It was particularly significant that Christ would give this illus- tration to His disciples on that night on which He was to be betrayed. Within a very few hours He was to be taken from them as they each fled in search of self-preservation. Yet He intended that they were to be as close to Him as branches are to a vine. "The connection of the branch with the vine, He said, repre- sents the relation you are to sustain to Me. The scion is en- grafted into the living vine, and fiber by fiber, vein by vein, it grows into the vine stock. The life of the vine becomes the life of the branch."—The Desire of Ages, p. 675. THINK IT THROUGH What is the major requirement of the branch if it is to be fruitful? "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me" (John 15:4). How does the principle of unity apply in the illustration of the vine and the branches? "The branches of the vine cannot blend into each other; they are individually separate; yet every branch must be in fellowship with every other if they are united in the same parent stock. They all draw nourishment from the same source; they drink in the same life-giving properties. So each branch of the True Vine is separate and distinct, yet all are bound together in the parent stock. There can be no division. They are all linked together by His will to bear fruit wherever they can find place and opportun- ity. But in order to do this, the worker must hide self. He must not give expression to his own mind and will. He is to express the mind and will of Christ."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1143. FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 228-232. 92 We Bear Fruit LESSON 11 ❑ Wednesday June 7 Part 4 What interest does the heavenly Father have in the fruitful- "MY FATHER ness of the branches? THE GARDENER'" "I am the real vine, and my Father is the gardener. Every barren branch of mine he cuts away; and every fruiting branch he cleans, to make It more fruitful still" (John 15:1, 2, NEB). It is significant that the heavenly Father is portrayed as the Husbandman, or the Gardener. The gardener controls the vine. The heavenly Father is concerned about the fruitfulness of the individual branches of the True Vine. He supervises the grafting of the branches into the parent stock. It is He who prunes the branches (purges them) in order that they might become in- creasingly fruitful. Think of it, those of you who tend plants and trees—whether for a livelihood or as a hobby—the heavenly Father watching tenderly over His vine and overthe brancheS! With what care the skillful horticulturist grafts buds into the parent stock! How carefully he binds about the union to exclude undesirable ele- ments (insects, bacteria), to shelter the new part of the plant from undue stress that might destroy the union that is taking place, as fiber by fiber and vein by vein the life of the vine becomes the life of the branch. It is the heavenly Father who takes this kind of care. THINK IT THROUGH What means does the Father use to prune the human branches? "From the chosen twelve who had followed Jesus, one as a withered branch was about to be taken away; the rest were to pass under the pruning knife of bitter trial. Jesus with solemn tenderness explained the purpose of the husbandman. The pruning will cause pain, but it is the Father who applies the knife. He works with no wanton hand or indifferent heart. There are branches trailing upon the ground; these must be cut loose from the earthly supports to which their tendrils are fastening. They are to reach heavenward, and find their support in God."—The Desire of Ages, pp. 676, 677. Compare church membership with fruitfulness. "While the.graft is outwardly united with the vine, there may be no vital connection. Then there will be no growth or fruitful- ness. So there may be an apparent connection with Christ without a real union with Him by faith. A profession of religion places men in the church, but the character and conduct show whether they are in connection with Christ. If they bear no fruit, they are false branches. Their separation from Christ involves a ruin as complete as that represented by the dead branch."—The Desire of Ages, p. 676. FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 284, 285; Steps to Christ, "Grow- ing Up Into Christ," pp. 68-75. 93 We Bear Fruit LESSON 11 ❑ Thursday June 8 Part 5 What is the one purpose of the vine in supporting its "BEAR MUCH branches? FRUIT" "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples" (John 15:8). There is only one purpose in the fiery trial, the numbing disappointment, the almost overwhelming sorrow, that you have just endured. The gardener does not carelessly wield the knife. He does not permit trial and tragedy to come to us indis- criminately. Neither, on the other hand, is there any assurance that we are automatically immune from the common tragedies that may occur at random throughout the human race. Jesus Himself came to this world to do His Father's will, to bear fruits of righteousness in human flesh, to demonstrate the character of God and the possibility of man. It is only natural then that those who would constitute His branches would have the same purpose, the same reason for existence. "God desires to manifest through you the holiness, the be- nevolence, the compassion, of His own character."—The De- sire of Ages, p. 677. THINK IT THROUGH Is fruit bearing the result of our own striving? "The Saviour does not bid the disciples labor to bear fruit. He tells them to abide in Him. 'If ye abide in Me,' He says, 'and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.' It is through the word that Christ abides in His follow- ers. This is the same vital union that is represented by eating His flesh and drinking His blood. The words of Christ are spirit and life. Receiving them, you receive the life of the Vine. You live 'by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.' Matt. 4:4. The life of Christ in you produces the same fruits as in Him. Living in Christ, adhering to Christ, supported by Christ, draw- ing nourishment from Christ, you bear fruit after the similitude of Christ."—The Desire of Ages, p. 677. (Emphasis supplied.) What was Peter's summary of Christ's earthly life? Acts 10:38. "It was not on the cross only that Christ sacrificed Himself for humanity. As He 'went about doing good' (Acts 10:38), every day's experience was an outpouring of His life. In one way only could such a life be sustained. Jesus lived in dependence upon God and communion with Him."—Education, p. 80. FURTHER STUDY Christ's Object Lessons, "The Lord's Vineyard," p. 301; Fun- damentals of Christian Education, p. 118. 94 We Bear Fruit LESSON 11 ❑ Friday June 9 Part 6 How does Jesus abide in the believer? "ABIDE IN ME" "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:4, 7). If by His word Jesus abides in us, then we abide in Him by faith in what He says. Ellen G. White wrote, "This spiritual relation [of abiding in Jesus] can be established only by the exercise of personal faith. This faith must express on our part supreme preference, perfect reliance, entire consecration. Our will must be wholly yielded to the divine will, our feelings, desires, inter- ests, and honor identified with the prosperity of Christ's king- dom and the honor of His cause, we constantly receiving grace from Him, and Christ accepting gratitude from us."— Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 229. Faith determines the whole life! To have faith is to be wholly. for Christ in every possible way. What result does John attribute to faith? 1 John 5:4. This is a faith that works by love and purifies the soul. It is an active faith, a fruit-bearing faith. But it is a dependent faith—as dependent as a branch upon the parent vine. (See The Desire of Ages, p. 314.) THINK IT THROUGH What does it mean to abide in Christ and He in us? "Abiding in Christ means a constant receiving of His Spirit, a life of unreserved surrender to His service. The channel of communication must be open continually between man and his God. As the vine branch constantly draws the sap from the living vine, so are we to cling to Jesus, and receive from Him by faith the strength and perfection of His own character."—The Desire of Ages, p. 676. What are the characteristics of that faith which will give us victory over the world? "It is not enough to believe about Christ; we must believe in Him. The only faith that will benefit us is that which embraces Him as a personal Saviour; which appropriates His merits to ourselves. Many hold faith as an opinion. But saving faith is a transaction, by which those who receive Christ join themselves in covenant relation with God. Genuine faith is life. A living faith means an increase of vigor, a confiding trust, by which the soul becomes a conquering power."—Gospel Workers, p. 261. FURTHER STUDY Counsels to Teachers, p. 182; Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 335, 381. 95 LESSON 12 June 11-17 "According to his promise we wait for with Him, "one day is as a thousand for new heavens and a new earth in years, and a thousand years as one which righteousness dwells" (2 Peter day" (verse 8, RSV). 3:13, RSV). But while we view with regret the seeming delay in Jesus' return, we The fulfillment of this text will bring should remember the seriousness of the final fulfillment of all the promises closing the door of mercy. God finds of the Scriptures that pertain to our no pleasure in the death of the wicked. salvation. When the new heavens and With Him it should be our desire, our the new earth in which righteousness supreme desire, that all come to dwells shall have been established, repentance. the great controversy between Christ Of all people on the face of the and Satan will have come to its earth, Seventh-day Adventists should victorious end. Those who have be living witnesses to their accepted all of the promises of God for expectation of the coming of the Lord. salvation will delight in this new home No other people at any time in earth's where righteousness will dwell. It will history have had more light flooded be "the home of justice" (NEB). Man upon their way. Perhaps that is lost his first home in which because no people have needed more righteousness dwelt because of his in terms of what they have to meet in sin. When the plan of salvation has run the conflict with the enemy of all full circle, man will be restored to a souls. home of justice. Will we be at home in "the home of The apostle Peter has reminded us justice" (2 Peter 3:13, NEB)? That will earlier in his epistle that while men depend upon our relationship to count God's promises as slack or slow justice and righteousness here and of fulfillment, we must not deceive now. But God has given us ourselves into thinking that they will unbelievably great promises that are never meet fulfillment. The sufficient to transform our lives and to antediluvians were confident that the make us righteous by faith in Jesus, so earth would never be destroyed by that in Him we can be and will be at water, but nevertheless the clay came home in a world in which when it happened. Just so certainly, righteousness dwells continually and r says Peter, will the day come when perfectly. "the heavens will pass away with a We have really been studying many loud noise, and the elements will be of the great promises in the lessons dissolved with fire, and the earth and already covered this quarter, but this the works that are upon it will be week let us begin to summarize and in burned up" (verse 10, RSV). Many are a special way appropriate to ourselves troubled by what seems an inordinate the reality of God's promises. delay in the fulfillment of these promises. Perhaps in Peter's day some DAILY HIGHLIGHTS were already becoming weary with 1. "Exceeding Great . . . Promises" awaiting their fulfillment. But Peter (2 Peter 1:3, 4) assures them that the day will come. 2. "No Wise Cast Out" With the Lord time is not a problem, (John 6:37) 3. "Help My Unbelief" (Mark 9:24) 4. "The Father . . . Loves You" (John 16:27) 5. "I Have Overcome" (John 16:33) 6. "We Have an Advocate" (1 John 2:1) We Have Great Promises LESSON 12 ❑ Sunday June 11 Part 1 What is Peter's description of God's promises? "EXCEEDING GREAT . . . "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things PROMISES" that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (2 Peter 1:3, 4). It is as though Peter reached out for words that are not in language in his effort to ascribe sufficient greatness and pre- ciousness to the promises of God. How great is "exceeding great"? And how precious is "exceeding ... precious"? There is no top limit to the measure of these promises. They are available "through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" (verse 1). They are ours only because of "his divine power" (verse 3). Then comes the incredible assurance that through the acceptance, the claiming of these unbelievably great promises, we actually become "partakers of the divine nature." Now we need to remind ourselves constantly that, in the person of His Son Jesus Christ, God came down and took upon Him our human nature with its risks, its weaknesses, its liabilities. And that is incomprehensible enough! But for the Lord to indicate that we poor sinners can, by His grace, receive His great promises and in receiving them become partakers of the divine nature—that is almost too much for our feeble human comprehension and vision to grasp. THINK IT THROUGH What condition must be met by those who would partake of the divine nature in connection with the acceptance of God's great promises? "Let every one who desires to be a partaker of the divine nature appreciate the fact that he must escape the corruption that is in the world through lust. There must be a constant, earnest struggling of the soul against the evil imaginings of the mind. There must be a steadfast resistance of temptation to sin in thought or act.... We should meditate upon the mission of Him who came to save His people from their sins. By constantly contemplating heavenly themes, our faith and love will grow stronger. Our prayers will be more and more acceptable to God, because they will be more and more mixed with faith and love. They will be more intelligent and fervent. There will be mote constant confidence in Jesus, and you will have a daily, living experience in the willingness and power of Christ to save unto the uttermost all that come unto God by Him."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 1145. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 123, 671, 675. 98 We Have Great Promises LESSON 12 ❑ Monday June 12 Part 2 Is there any reason for us to question Christ's willingness to "NO WISE receive us? CAST OUT" "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37). This is a pure and unadorned promise of God. It has no conditions, no qualifications other than an attitude on our part of believing what He says. He invites us to come. We believe that He means what He says. We come. As we come, we are assured that we will not be cast out. He will never turn us away. Does it not remind us of the other illustration where Christ is knocking at the heart's door, and gives assurance that, if any will hear His voice and open the door, He will come in? That is the mirror image of the promise we have before us today. THINK IT THROUGH What inherited and cultivated tendencies toward evil make it seem difficult for me to come to Jesus? Should these pre- vent my acceptance of the "exceeding great and precious promises"? "It is faith that connects us with heaven, and brings us strength for coping with the powers of darkness. In Christ, God has provided means for subduing every sinful trait, and resist- ing every temptation, however strong. But many feel that they lack faith, and therefore they remain away from Christ. Let these souls, in their helpless unworthiness, cast themselves upon the mercy of their compassionate Saviour. Look not to self, but to Christ. He who healed the sick and cast out demons when He walked among men is the same mighty Redeemer today. Faith comes by the word of God. Then grasp His promise, 'Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.' "—The Desire of Ages, p. 429. Should I try to improve before I come fully to the Lord? (See Luke 15:18.) "Do not listen to the enemy's suggestion to stay away from Christ until you have made yourself better; until you are good enough to come to God. If you wait until then, you will never come. When Satan points to your filthy garments, repeat the promise of Jesus, 'Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.' "—Christ's Object Lessons, pp. 205, 206. "Let none look to self, as though they had power to save themselves. Jesus died for us because we were helpless to do this. In Him is our hope, our justification, our righteousness. When we see our sinfulness we should not despond and fear that we have no Saviour, or that He has no thoughts of mercy toward us. At this very time He is inviting us to come to Him in our helplessness and be saved."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p.431. FURTHER STUDY Christ's Object Lessons, "Lost and Is Found," pp. 202-206. 99 We Have Great Promises LESSON 12 ❑ Tuesday June 13 Part 3 "Immediately the father of the child cried out, and said 'I "HELP MY believe; help my unbelief!' " (Mark 9:24, RSV). UNBELIEF" If I tell the Lord my problem with unbelief and solicit His help, will He accept me on such a feeble approach? It may be difficult to see one of God's exceeding great and precious promises in this rather negative declaration of faith, and some who consider themselves strong in faith may be ready to despise this poor father who confessed to the Saviour his terrible weakness of unbelief. We can discover in this father's plea, and in God's response to it, one of the most exceeding great and precious promises of all, especially to those who feel themselves exceedingly weak in faith, those who feel overwhelmed by doubt and unbelief. The Lord Jesus Christ responded to this pitiful heart cry from the father whose son was possessed of a "dumb spirit." (See verse 17.) He rebuked the evil spirit so that it came out of the boy and left him in normal health and strength. THINK IT THROUGH How does the spirit of prophecy turn this declaration of unbelief into an exceeding great and precious promise? "Cast yourself at His feet with the cry, 'Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief.' You can never perish while you do this— never."—The Desire of Ages, p. 429. Spend whatever time may be necessary to let feeble faith grasp this glorious assurance. No one need wait for faith. Even asking the Lord to help and relieve our lack of faith will bring a quick connection with Heaven and strength for coping with the powers of darkness. It is our need that argues with Heaven with undeniable eloquence—nothing else. What could have cost the life of the demon-possessed son? Suppose that the father had persisted with the attitude, "If thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us." Would Jesus have healed his son? (See Mark 9:22, 23.) "There is no lack of power on the part of Christ; the healing of the son depends upon the father's faith. With a burst of tears, realizing his own weakness, the father casts himself upon Christ's mercy, with the cry, 'Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief.' "—The Desire of Ages, p. 428. FURTHER STUDY Fundamentals of Christian Education, pp. 341, 342; Prophets and Kings, p. 157. 100 We Have Great Promises LESSON 12 ❑ Wednesday June 14 Part 4 How does the heavenly Father Himself feel about people? "THE FATHER . . . LOVES YOU" "The Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from the Father" (John 16:27, RSV). We have made reference to this point earlier in the quarter. Too many of us still think of the Father as one to be feared and of Christ as one to be loved. Jesus spoke the above text to His disciples in an attempt to comfort them and to prepare them for the tragedies of Gethsemane and Calvary. Do you believe, my brother, my sister, that the Father loves you? that the Father loves you? that the Father loves you? Emphasize the words as we will, this is an assurance to our faith. Some may say that the Father loves only those who love Christ and who believe that He came from God. But that is not the emphasis here. Christ is about to leave His disciples. He is seeking to direct their faith and trust to the Father—through the name of the Son, it is true, but still to the Father. They need to believe and understand before Jesus leaves them that they can approach the Father, for the Father Himself loves them. It is like shalom, shalom. You've got to believe it. It is true that the Father can do for those who respond to the love of His Son, the Sent of God, what He cannot do for those who turn away in unbelief, even though He lovesthem also. He made and sustains us all and causes His sun to shine on the wicked as well as upon the righteous. God has no prejudices and no favorites, but there is no way for Him to take into His kingdom of righteous- ness those who do not trust themselves to Him. THINK IT THROUGH Do we need one more and greater assurance of God's love for us? (See John 3:16.) " 'And the counsel of peace shall be between Them both.' The love of the Father, no less than of the Son, is the fountain of salvation for the lost race. Said Jesus to His disciples before He went away: 'I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: for the Father Himself loveth you.' John 16:26, 27. God was 'in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.' 2 Corinthians 5:19. And in the ministration in the sanctuary above, 'the counsel of peace shall be between Them both.' God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' "—The Great Controversy, pp. 416, 417. FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 178; Steps to Christ, "The Test of Discipleship," p. 64. 101 We Have Great Promises LESSON 12 ❑ Thursday June 15 Part 5 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might "I HAVE have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of OVERCOME" good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). It is beautiful to read this text in various translations, but they all concur in the fact that Christ has overcome or conquered the world. He gives that as the reason why we should be of good cheer, even though we shall have tribulation in the world, and as the reason why in the midst of tribulation we may have His peace—peace in Him. How does this text become one of the exceeding great and precious promises whereby we may partake of the divine nature? To the extent that He is our victory, He is our conquest of evil. He is our Master over temptation. He is our sanctification, our complete holiness. He is our redemption, righteousness, and wisdom. All of these things He is for us; and because He is these for us, they are counted to us; they are ours. What chance have we to be overcomers? In ourselves, none. In and of ourselves we are like those who are without God and without hope in the world. But Christ is our victory. Be of good cheer, He has overcome the world. It is not a question of whether one of us might yet make it. He has made it; He is our victory. Do we remember that: "Wonderful—almost too won- derful for man to comprehend—is the Saviour's sacrifice in our behalf, shadowed forth in all the sacrifices of the past, in all the services of the typical sanctuary. And this sacrifice was called for. When we realize that His suffering was necessary in order to secure our eternal well-being, our hearts are touched and melted. He pledged Himself to accomplish our full salvation in a way satisfactory to the demands of God's justice, and consis- tent with the exalted holiness of His law."—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 309. THINK IT THROUGH Is some nagging weakness still robbing you of His victory? "In our own strength it is impossible for us to deny the clamors of our fallen nature. Through this channel Satan will bring temptation upon us. Christ knew that the enemy would come to every human being, to take advantage of hereditary weakness, and by his false insinuations to ensnare all whose trust is not in God. And by passing over the ground which man must travel, our Lord has prepared the way for usto overcome. It is not Hiswill that we should be placed at a disadvantage in the conflict with Satan. He would not have us intimi- dated and discouraged by the assaults of the serpent. 'Be of good cheer,' He says: 'I have overcome the world.' John 16:33."—The Desire of Ages, pp. 122, 123. FURTHER STUDY Gospel Workers, pp. 38, 39; Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 115. 102 We Have Great Promises LESSON 12 ❑ - Friday • June 16 Part 6 We have been listing this week some of the exceeding great "WE HAVE AN and precious promises. By these we may be partakers of the ADVOCATE" divine nature. There is no reason for us not to have a life of victory over temptation and therefore over sin. But God in His great mercy is fully aware of the weakness of the flesh. He knows of the persistent desire of the old man of sin to rise from the grave and be allowed at least a little more time of existence. Just a little time, and just a feeble existence—anything but permanent death. What merciful provision has God made for those who have set their feet on the path to the kindgom to be overcomers? "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1). This exceeding great and precious promise is not written to unbelievers. It is written to "my little children" or "my children." It is a term of affection' from the aged apostle John to the believers in the early church of Jesus Christ. He, too, has re- corded in this very same letter repeated assurances and evi- dences that God has made provision for us to overcome sin. (See 1 John 1:7, for example.) He has written these things to help them and us to avoid sin. There is no excuse or reason for sin; but if, having said all of that, we fall into sin, the merciful God has provided us an Advocate, "Jesus Christ the righteous." THINK IT THROUGH How complete is the provision that my heavenly Father has delivered me from the power of darkness and accepted me into the kingdom of His dear Son? Jesus, our Advocate, takes our place in every needful way. "The religious services, the prayers, the praise, the penitent confession of sin ascend from true believers as incense to the heavenly sanctuary; but passing through the corrupt channels of humanity, they are so defiled that unless purified by blood, they can never be of value with God. They ascend not in spotless purity, and unless the Intercessor who is at God's right hand presents and purifies all by His righteousness, it is not accepta- ble to God. All incense from earthly tabernacles must be moist with the cleansing drops of the blood of Christ. He holds before the Father the censer of His own merits, in which there is no taint of earthly corruption. He gathers into this censer the prayers, the praise, and the confessions of His people, and with these He puts His own spotless righteousness. Then, perfumed with the merits of Christ's propitiation, the incense comes up before God wholly and entirely acceptable. Then gracious answers are returned."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1078. FURTHER STUDY Prophets and Kings, pp. 586-589. 103 LESSON 13 June 18-24 Here God's plan to save sinful men in human form and flesh, with the is made simple, clear, and appealing to decision announced before He came, our reason. "Lo, I come to do thy will, 0 God" Every one of us knows that he (Heb. 10:9). In this flesh He dwelt as cannot, in, himself, live a life in the God-man, living in perfect harmony with the law of God. What harmony with His Father's will 'in all was originally a law of life to us things. After some 33 years He became, through the disobedience of suffered and died;as the be-arer of the our first parents and our own sins of the whole world. Because He disobedience, the law of sin and bore our sins, He became the first one death. Heaven has made provision in all eternity to partake of that that the law of the Spirit of life in Christ dreadful cup of separation from His Jesus will set us free from the law of sin Father. The burden of that separation and death. Jesus Christ came "in the broke His heart as He gave up. His life likeness of sinful flesh" and on the cross. Divine power was condemned sin in the flesh. He did rightfully His as God, because He had this by living a righteous life through not sinned as man. So death could not constant dependence upon His Father hold Him in its grasp. He arose victor and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. over death and the grave and Now, the righteousness of the law can ascended to His Father to become our be fulfilled in us as it was in Him. Intercessor, our Mediator, our High The requirement on our part is that Priest. When He has ceased His work we walk not after the flesh but after the of mediation and all decisions have Spirit. He continues to show us that it been made for eternal life or for is simply contrary to our nature for us eternal death, He will come for His to be at peace with God or to be in own. They will never be separated harmony with His law. Thus we cannot from Him again, never shut away from please God in our own nature and in communion with Him because of our own strength. But please notice disobedience. that the purpose for which God sent He who accepts this provision which. His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh God has made in Jesus Christ was "that the righteousness of the law recognizes that in this alone is there might be fulfilled in us." (See Romans the possibility of his being counted 8:1-9.) At first glance that may seem righteous and made righteous—here contrary to the title of this lesson, is the means to be righteous by faith. "We Are Righteous by Faith." On the As we have said earlier this quarter, contrary, the title declares the only faith is not our savior. Faith does not possible way by which man can be earn salvation. It is the simple matter righteous. "Because the carnal mind is that if we do not believe we will not be enmity against God: for it is not expecting anything from God and He subject to the law of God, neither will force nothing upon us. indeed can be" (verse 7). It is as plain As we move into our study this and simple as that. We cannot obey week, let us remember the cry of the God's righteous law. We cannot live father of the lad possessed with a righteously. And it is not a question of dumb spirit: "Lord I believe, help thou trying a little harder, praying a little mine unbelief." And let us remember longer, reading the Bible more fre- also the inspired assurance, "You can quently. What, then, is the solution? never perish while you do The only solution is that which this—never."—The Desire of Ages, Heaven has already provided by p. 429. sending Jesus, the eternal Son of God, "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through- the flesh, God sending his wn Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the ghtousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the pirit" (Rom. 8:3, 4). AllY HIGHLIGHTS- Filthy Rags!' ''Citiifrifed Righteous (Gen. 15:6) Righteousness and Law (Ps019:142) ..f'Except Your '. Righteousness", '(Matt. 5:20) f'Righteousn'ess . of (Rom.5:30). Doing Right (1 John 3:7). We Are Righteous by Faith LESSON 13 ❑ Sunday June 18 Part 1 How does the prophet Isaiah classify human righteous- "AS FILTHY RAGS" nesses? "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteous- nesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away" (Isa. 64:6). Isaiah was writing of the sinfulness of Judah. (See verses 9-12.) But the condition of Judah is the condition of all human- ity. In the frankness of the Hebrew approach to life, this is Heaven's estimate of our righteousnesses. "Unclean thing. Heb. tame' , an adjective meaning 'unclean.' Standing by itself, as here, it may refer either to an unclean thing or to an 'unclean person.' Tame' is the word that appears re- peatedly throughout Leviticus describing ceremonial unclean- ness. Left to himself, man cannot wash away the impurity of sin—he remains unclean. "Filthy rags. Literally, 'as a menstruous garment.' Man's best efforts produce, not righteousness, but imperfection."—SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 327. THINK IT THROUGH If this is Heaven's estimate of our righteousnesses, how do our unrighteousnesses look? After quoting Isaiah 64:6, Psalm 51:10, and Ezekiel 36:26, 27, God's servant writes: "Nicodemus had read these scriptures with a clouded mind; but he now [in the presence of Jesus] began to comprehend their meaning. He saw that the most rigid obedience to the mere letter of the law as applied to the outward life could entitle no man to enter the kingdom of heaven. In the estimation of men, his life had been just and honorable; but in the presence of Christ, he felt that his heart was unclean, and his life unholy."—The Desire of Ages, p. 174. "Everything that we of ourselves can do is defiled by sin.. .. When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garments of His righteousness. Then as the Lord looks upon us He sees, not the fig-leaf garment, not the nakedness and deformity of sin, but His own robe of righteousness, which is perfect obedience to the law of Jehovah."—Christ's Object Lessons, pp. 311, 312. What was the reason for the condemnation of the man who entered the feast without a wedding garment? (See Matt. 22:11-14.) FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 2, pp. 177-179. 106 We Are Righteous By Faith LESSON 13 ❑ Monday June 19 Part 2 What is the earliest biblical reference to righteousness by COUNTED faith, or being counted righteous? RIGHTEOUS "And he [Abram] believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness" (Gen. 15:6). Some may be surprised that this text is in the Old Testament. We are aware of the use which the apostle Paul made of it in Romans 4:3 and Galatians 3:6 for example. But we often fail to recognize how much of the New Testament is drawn from and built upon the Old. Notice that our text does not say that Ab- ram's belief in the Lord made him righteous, but his belief in the Lord was counted to him for righteousness. This is the basic biblical concept of justification by faith, the term for having righteousness counted to us—someone else's righteousness. "Abram was a sinner and needed redemption, as does every other human being; but when righteousness was imputed to him, mercy and grace were also extended, effecting the pardon of his sin and bringing the rewards of righteousness. Here for the first time the full importance of faith is brought to view. Here also, for the first time, imputed righteousness is mentioned. From this point onward both fundamental concepts run through the Holy Scriptures, to find exhaustive and masterful treatment by the pen of the apostle Paul (see Rom. 4)."—SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 1, p. 312. THINK IT THROUGH What is the relationship between faith and actions? "Thus they [the Israelites] provoked Him [the Lord] to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them. Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed. And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore" (Ps. 106:29-31). You will recall that on a number of occasions the New Testa- ment points to the actions of Abraham as the evidence of his faith, which faith laid hold of the righteousness of God so that Abraham was counted righteous. It seems important to stress this matter, because some may feel that fo be righteous by faith is unrelated to daily life. On the other hand, the Scriptures on numerous occasions state that action is the evidence of faith, as though it were the basis for the imputed (or counted) righteous- ness. (See Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 453, 456.) The experience from the history of Israel referred to by the apostle Paul "and as recorded in the one hundred fifth and one hundred sixth psalms, contains lessons of warning that the people of God in these last days especially need to study. I urge that these chapters be read at least once every week."— Testimonies to Ministers, pp: 98, 99. FURTHER STUDY Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 98-104. 107 We Are Righteous By Faith LESSON 13 ❑ Tuesday June 20 Part 3 How does law fit in to righteousness by faith? RIGHTEOUSNESS AND LAW Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth" (Ps. 119:142). In a typical Hebrew parallelism righteousness and law are made synonymous. The same truth is repeated using different but similar terms. And when one thinks about it, it is inevitable that righteousness and law would be synonymous, because the law of God defines righteousness. It expresses it. It explains it. It shows the limits and size of it. Until righteousness is described, it is an empty word. When God made it into a law form that governs human relationships with man and with God, it became something tangible, something that touched life and reality. So it is really impossible to have righteousness by faith divorced from law. THINK IT THROUGH How can we relate righteousness, law, and salvation? Salvation is not an abstraction. Salvation is salvation from sin. Sin is without specific definition where there is no law. By the law is the knowledge of sin. Sin is the transgression of the law and the plan of salvation provides the means for victory over sin and its consequences and its power. "The law of God, from its very nature, is unchangeable. It is a revelation of the will and the character of its Author. God is love, and His law is love. Its two great principles are love to God and love to man. 'Love is the fulfilling of the law.' Romans 13:10. The character of God is righteousness and truth; such is the nature of His law. Says the psalmist: 'Thy law is the truth;' all Thy commandments are righteousness.' Psalm 119:142, 172. And the apostle Paul declares: 'The law is holy, and the command- ment holy, and just, and good.' Romans 7:12. Such a law, being an expression of the mind and will of God, must be as enduring as its Author."—The Great Controversy, p. 467. How should we define the righteousness which is accepta- ble with God? "The righteousness which Christ taught is conformity of heart and life to the revealed will of God. Sinful men can become righteous only as they have faith in God and maintain a vital connection with Him. Then true godliness will elevate the thoughts and ennoble the life."—The Desire of Ages, p. 310. FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 468, 469. 108 We Are Righteous By Faith LESSON 13 ❑ Wednesday June 21 Part 4 What false type of righteousness was in evidence in Christ's "EXCEPT YOUR day? RIGHTEOUSNESS" "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:20). This is a serious indictment coming from the Lord of glory. He was speaking about men in His day, religious leaders of the chosen people. Immediately we should ask ourselves: What kind of righteousness had they? "The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees consisted in external adherence to the letter of the law; Christ called for insight into, and cooperation with, the underlying principles of the law.... They taught that a man is to be judged by a majority of his deeds; that is, if his 'good' deeds are in excess of-his evil deeds, God will adjudge him righteous."—SDA Bible Commen- tary, vol. 5, p. 333. THINK IT THROUGH What are the warnings for us in the righteousness claimed by the scribes and Pharisees? "The greatest deception of the humari mind in Christ's day was that a mere assent to the truth constitutes righteousness. . A jealous regard for what is termed theological truth often accompanies a hatred of genuine truth as made manifest in life. The darkest chapters of history are burdened with the record of crimes committed by bigoted religionists. The Pharisees claimed to be children of Abraham, and boasted of their pos- session of the oracles of God: yet these advantages did not preserve them from selfishness, malignity, greed for gain, and the basest hypocrisy. They thought themselves the greatest religionists of the world, but their so-called orthodoxy led them to crucify the Lord of glory. "The same danger still exists. Many take it for granted that they are Christians, simply because they subscribe to certain theological tenets. But they have not brought the truth into practical life. They have not believed and loved it, therefore they have not received the power and grace that come through sanctification of the truth. Men may profess faith in the truth; but if it does not make them sincere, kind, patient, forbearing, heavenly-minded, it is a curse to its possessors, and through their influence it is a curse to the world."—The Desire of Ages, pp. 309, 310. "The only true faith is that which 'worketh by love' (Galatians 5:6) to purify the soul. It is as leaven that transforms the character."—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 53. FURTHER STUDY Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, "The Spirituality of the Law," (Matthew 5:20), pp. 53-55. 109 We Are Righteous By Faith LESSON 13 ❑ Thursday June 22 Part 5 In contrast to Israel as a whole, what had Gentiles found "RIGHTEOUSNESS with respect to salvation? . . OF FAITH" "What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith" (Rom. 9:30). We said at the outset of the lesson for this week that there is no other way for a human being to be righteous than to be righteous by faith. Paul is emphasizing that point here in his epistle to the Romans when he speaks of Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness but failed to attain to that law. He raises the question as to why they failed and gives the answer, "Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law" (verse 32). So Israel's general failure to achieve to the very righteousness which she professed, and which she sought, is due to the fact that she sought it by works, her own works, rather than by faith in Christ Jesus, the only truly and perfectly obedient Man. As we have been studying the simple steps in coming to Christ for salvation this quarter, how shall we assess our own righteousness? Where do we stand with regard to righteous- ness? "By the wedding garment in the parable [see Matt. 22:1-14] is represented the pure, spotless character which Christ's true followers will possess. To the church it is given 'that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white,' not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.' The fine linen, says the Scripture, 'is the righteousness of saints.' Rev. 19:8; Eph. 5:27. It is the righ- teousness of Christ, His own unblemished character, that through faith is imparted to all who receive Him as their per- sonal Saviour."—Christ's Object Lessons, p. 310. THINK IT THROUGH Have you ever earnestly and prayerfully said to yourself, "Christ is my righteousness"? It may take continual repetition of that statement and prayer and study regarding it, before the human heart can find the humility to say "That is true. I know that it is true. Christ is my righteousness." This is the experience to which each must come in order to be counted righteous by faith. God and His Son Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit, have told us that we can only be righteous by faith. Do we believe it? Do we accept it? Do we claim it? "Christ is my righteousness." The sweetest joy ever known will flood the soul that believes and claims this offer of the righteousness of Jesus Christ by faith. FURTHER STUDY Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 350, 351. 110 We Are Righteous By Faith LESSON 13 ❑ Friday June 23 Part 6 According to the apostle John, what is it that shows a man to DOING RIGHT be righteous? "Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righ- teousness is righteous, even as he is righteous" (1 John 3:7). That is what righteousness is. It is right doing. This is not to say we do right in our own strength or by our own unaided will or in our own human nature just as it is. "Many are losing the right way, in consequence of thinking that they must climb to heaven, that they must do something to merit the favor of God. They seek to make themselves better by their own unaided efforts. This they can never accomplish. Christ has made the way by dying our sacrifice, by living our example, by becoming our great high priest. He declares, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life' (John 14:6). If by any effort of our own we could advance one step toward the ladder, the words of Christ would not be true. But when we accept Christ, good works will appear as fruitful evidence that we are in the way of life, that Christ is our way, and that we are treading the true path that leads to heaven."—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 368. May we close this quarter's lessons as we opened them—in gratitude for the simplicity of the instruction which God has given whereby we may know how to come to Christ. While many are asking where Jesus is and how they may find Him, He stands knocking, knocking at the heart's door. Why not let us say with Ellen White as we go to open the door of our heart, "Come in, dear Lord." If she was so thankful for the simplicity of the instruction given as to how to find Him, perhaps we should be simple enough in our faith to find Him on the same terms. Then, when He enters, He comes not to find but to make "this troubled room" a dwelling worthy of Himself. When the branch is grafted into the True Vine, Jesus undertakes to make it fruitful. The divine nature is imparted to us, of which we partake. As the fruit of the Spirit is produced, and the Father does the pruning, we come to reflect the likeness of our dear Saviour more and more perfectly. But all the time, the nearer we come to Him the more faulty we see ourselves to be and the more utterly we trust in His righteousness, which is counted to us for righteousness. So let us look unto Jesus, "the author and finisher of our faith" (Heb. 12:2). 111 • S Sabbath School members who have not received a copy of the Adult Lessons for the third quarter of 1978 will be helped by the following outline in studying the first two. lessons. Title of the series is "Education for Eternity." First Lesson The School in a Garden. Memory text, Gen. 2:8. 1. The Environment (Gen. 2:8) 2. The Teacher (Gen. 2:19; 3:8) 3. The Subject Matter (Gen. 2:19, 20) 4. Social Development (Gen. 2:18-22) 5. Character Development (Gen. 2:9, 16, 17) 6. Productive Activity (Gen. 2:15) Second Lesson The Family—An Educational Center. Memory text, Gen. 18:19. 1. Abraham and Isaac (Gen. 12:8) 2. Jacob and Joseph (Gen. 37:2-4) 3. Jochebed and Moses (Heb. 11:23-27) 4. Hannah and Samuel (1 Sam. 1:27, 28) 5. Daniel's Home (Dan. 1:3, 4, 8) 6. Mary and Elisabeth (Luke 2:39-41, 52) Lessons in 3raille The regular Adult Sabbath School Lessons are available free each month in Braille and 162/3 rpm records to blind and physically handicapped persons who cannot read normal inkprint. This includes individuals who because of arthritis, multiple sclerosis, paralysis, accidents, old age, and so forth, cannot hold or focus on normal inkprint publications. Contact the Christian Record Braille Foundation, Box 6097, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506. Remember V.BS. for months to come. Send a gift subscription, of OUR FRIEND or FRIMAR'Y TREASURE to your graduates. Please place your order with your church lay activities secretary. [1:1 Qp to you by Pacific Press I love the print It Sabbath School Lessons° If you would like the large print, easy-to-read Adult Sabbath School Lessons for your personal use, simply fill out this form and give to your local church lay activities secretary with your remit- tance. Order subscriptions for large print Adult Sabbath School Lessons at $5.00 per year in U.S.A. ($6.00 in countries requiring extra postage). Name Street City State Zip This offer expires December 31, 1978. ©get ha-tiaz 1ENh Five loaves and two fish. Just enough to feed one hungry child. But Jesus asked for it and the little boy gave it gladly. Suddenly he was part of a miracle as thousands marveled at the way the Master multiplied his gift to feed them all. God is still multiplying gifts today. This Sabbath, when the Sabbath School offering is taken, give God something to work with. When your offering is given gladly, you too can become part of a miracle! Open Heart Let God's love show through your giving. • SONGA HOSPITAL LUDUMBASHI UNION OFFICE Church S.& Unions Populstion Churches limb. filemb. Central African 7,560,500 573 106,617 215,072 South African 7,665,653 156 15,614 16,591 South-East Africa 4,916,020 169 37,531 65,297 Southern 19,800,000 182 14,506 55,573 Zaire 23,941,934 244 45,004 98,577 Zambesi 7,044,979 256 44,056 73,615 Zambia 4,000,000 164 27,665 102,751 Division Totals 75,169,286 1,784 291,273 653,476 Figura as 40 Decerntor, 1174