Christian Life

Divine Help – Needed and Promised

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The account of Peter’s denial of Christ is one of the few that is recorded in all four gospels. Each record adds a few details that, taken together, give the full story. Clearly, divinity foresaw that pride and self-reliance, such as were manifested by Peter, would be a problem for mankind in his natural post-fall condition.

Matthew’s record of the incident includes Christ’s quote of the Old Testament prophecy about the apostles’ desertion of their Master as well as a warning to Peter regarding his denial of Christ.

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: “I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.’ Peter answered and said to Him, ‘Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’ Peter said to Him, ‘Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!’ And so said all the disciples.” Matthew 26:31–35

Peter’s denial, indeed, his failure to recognize his need of a Saviour, is stated more forcefully in Luke.

“And the Lord said, ‘Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.’ But he said to Him, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.’ Then He said, ‘I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.’ ” Luke 22:31–34

Clearly, the Holy Spirit recognized mankind’s need of divine help, so much so that the inspired pen added additional details to clarify the principle illustrated by the incident.

“The evil that led to Peter’s fall … is proving the ruin of thousands today. There is nothing so offensive to God or so dangerous to the human soul as pride and self-sufficiency. Of all sins it is the most hopeless, the most incurable.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 154

“It was necessary for Peter to learn his own defects of character, and his need of the power and grace of Christ. The Lord could not save him from trial, but He could have saved him from defeat. Had Peter been willing to receive Christ’s warning, he would have been watching unto prayer. He would have walked with fear and trembling lest his feet should stumble. And he would have received divine help so that Satan could not have gained the victory.” Ibid., 155

The promise of divine help may well be one of the most common promises in the Bible. Scripture tells us of the divine help given to God’s people in the past, divine help that is available to us now, and divine help that will be provided in the future, troublous times.

Past

Think of the children of Israel during their wilderness wanderings. Divinity constantly came to their aid. The grand overview of that aid is summarized in Exodus 13:21: “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night.”

The pillars of cloud and of fire are just one of the many instances when divine help was provided. Think of their crossing of the Red Sea, the continual supply of manna, the miraculous pouring forth of water from the rock, the protection from and the victories over their enemies. If we reflected on just these occurrences when we are in doubt, our faith would be strengthened and, indeed, unshakable.

Scripture notes a second miracle in the record of the crossing of the Red Sea that is often overlooked. It is mentioned four times in Exodus 14 (verses 16, 21, 22, and 29) and is of such significance that it also is noted by both David and Isaiah in Psalm 66:6 and Isaiah 51:10.

Not only did the Lord part the waters to allow His children to escape the pursuit of the Egyptians, but equally miraculously, He dried up the seabed. If you have ever observed the condition of the ground after waters have receded, you know how muddy it is. That the Lord enabled the children to pass over the seabed on dry ground is indeed a miracle of miracles.

However, we don’t need to go back thousands of years in the past to find examples of divine help. Undoubtedly every reader of this magazine can think of at least once in their life when they were recipients of divine help—an answer to prayer, divine intervention at a time of particular need or peril—and likely more than once.

Peter clearly learned his lesson and was well aware of the divine help that has been provided to us when he wrote in the past tense in his second epistle, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:2–4

Present

What about divine help in the present? Psalm 46 makes a familiar promise: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

David notes this present help provided by God and then, in the subsequent verses, he looks to the future: “Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.” Verses 2, 3. These troublous times will indeed come—and sooner than we believe.

The entirety of Psalm 91 also contains promise after promise of this divine help that is available to all who walk by faith and not by sight.

Paul writes one of the most reassuring promises: “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

A particularly encouraging promise of present help can be found in Steps to Christ, 100:

“Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before God. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. He who numbers the hairs of your head is not indifferent to the wants of His children. ‘The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.’ James 5:11. His heart of love is touched by our sorrows and even by our utterances of them. Take to Him everything that perplexes the mind. Nothing is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds, He rules over all the affairs of the universe. Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice. There is no chapter in our experience too dark for Him to read; there is no perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel. No calamity can befall the least of His children, no anxiety harass the soul, no joy cheer, no sincere prayer escape the lips, of which our heavenly Father is unobservant, or in which He takes no immediate interest. ‘He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.’ Psalm 147:3. The relations between God and each soul are as distinct and full as though there were not another soul upon the earth to share His watchcare, not another soul for whom He gave His beloved Son.”

There can be no doubt that the divine help necessary to overcome the sinful tendencies of the natural heart is only a prayer away.

Future

At this time in earth’s history, perhaps the most reassuring promises are those that pledge divine help in the future. Inspiration notes one of those promises in Christ’s Object Lessons, 172:

“The Lord says, ‘Call upon Me in the day of trouble.’ Psalm 50:15. He invites us to present to Him our perplexities and necessities, and our need of divine help. He bids us be instant in prayer. As soon as difficulties arise, we are to offer to Him our sincere, earnest petitions. By our importunate prayers we give evidence of our strong confidence in God. The sense of our need leads us to pray earnestly, and our heavenly Father is moved by our supplications.”

Are there conditions to these promises of divine help? Certainly God’s love is unconditional, but His promises almost always are conditional. Even with divine help promised, we must do our part—today and in the future. We have a role to play in becoming fit to accept the free gift of salvation. Not only must we manifest contrition and repentance, we must also be on our guard against the incessant assaults of the enemy, who well knows the tendencies of the natural heart and tempts us with unceasing appeals to those tendencies.

“Every Christian must stand on guard continually, watching every avenue of the soul where Satan might find access. He must pray for divine help and at the same time resolutely resist every inclination to sin. By courage, by faith, by persevering toil, he can conquer. But let him remember that to gain the victory Christ must abide in him and he in Christ.

“Everything that can be done should be done to place ourselves and our children where we shall not see the iniquity that is practiced in the world. We should carefully guard the sight of our eyes and the hearing of our ears so that these awful things shall not enter our minds.

“Do not see how close you can walk upon the brink of a precipice and be safe. Avoid the first approach to danger. … [O]ne act of familiarity, one indiscretion, may jeopardize the soul in opening the door to temptation, and the power of resistance becomes weakened.” The Adventist Home, 404

Even when we are trusting in the promises of divine help and simultaneously doing our part by guarding the avenues of the soul, moments of discouragement will inevitably occur, but for these moments there also is a promise of divine help.

“To all who are reaching out to feel the guiding hand of God, the moment of greatest discouragement is the time when divine help is nearest. They will look back with thankfulness upon the darkest part of their way. ‘The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly.’ 2 Peter 2:9. From every temptation and every trial He will bring them forth with firmer faith and a richer experience.” The Desire of Ages, 528

These temptations and trials, when successfully endured, can provide increased faith only when viewed in the light shed from God’s word and understood as simply chapters in the great controversy.

“It is the first and highest duty of every rational being to learn from the Scriptures what is truth, and then to walk in the light and encourage others to follow his example. We should day by day study the Bible diligently, weighing every thought and comparing scripture with scripture. With divine help we are to form our opinions for ourselves as we are to answer for ourselves before God.” The Great Controversy, 598

And that is what we must ultimately remember: Each of us is to answer for ourselves before God. To be able to stand in that great day before the throne of ultimate power, we must have lived in the shelter of the divine help we are promised, remaining resolutely under the shadow of the wings of our mighty God. With that divine help, we are assured of overcoming the tendencies of the natural heart. Inspiration provides warning after warning about yielding to those tendencies.

“Although there is a natural tendency to pursue a downward course, there is a power that will be brought to combine with man’s earnest effort. His willpower will have a counteracting tendency. If he will combine [earnest effort] with this divine help, he may resist the voice of the tempter. But Satan’s temptations harmonize with his defective, sinful tendencies, and urge him to sin. All he has to do is to follow the leader Jesus Christ who will tell him just what to do. God beckons to you from His throne in heaven, presenting to you a crown of immortal glory, and bids you to fight the good fight of faith and run the race with patience. Trust in God every moment. He is faithful that leadeth forward.” Mind, Character, and Personality, Vol. 1, 105

The natural tendencies of the descendants of Adam to pursue a “downward course” are spoken of repeatedly in the Bible.

“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14

“But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.” Jude 17–19

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.” James 3:13–15

It is interesting to note that the words natural in 1 Corinthians 2:14 and sensual in Jude 19 and James 3:15 are from the same Greek word, which should give us a clearer understanding of man’s inherited character.

The obstacles God’s people face—and that were indeed faced by Christ’s first disciples—are addressed in this passage from The Acts of the Apostles 90, 91:

“Only as they were united with Christ could the disciples hope to have the accompanying power of the Holy Spirit and the cooperation of angels of heaven. With the help of these divine agencies they would present before the world a united front and would be victorious in the conflict they were compelled to wage unceasingly against the powers of darkness.”

We have those same powers of darkness to resist, and I would suggest that the challenge is greater for us for several reasons:

We do not have the same in-person nurturing by Christ that the disciples had.

“Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” Revelation 12:12

Satan has tormented mankind for thousands of years, and during that time, he has diligently studied man’s character and knows well how best to cause his downfall.

Heaven rejoices because Satan was cast out from that sinless habitat (Revelation 12:7–9). Woeful is the situation of the inhabitants of the earth because Satan now directs his wrath at them, taking every advantage of man’s natural disposition to affect his downfall. Thankfully, the situation is not hopeless.

“The refining influence of the grace of God changes the natural [carnal] disposition of man. … The propensities that control the natural heart must be subdued by the grace of Christ before fallen man is fitted to enter heaven and enjoy the society of the pure, holy angels.” The Acts of the Apostles, 273

“He [Paul] knew that at every step in the Christian pathway they [Corinthian Christians] would be opposed by the synagogue of Satan and that they would have to engage in conflicts daily. They would have to guard against the stealthy approach of the enemy, forcing back old habits and natural inclinations, and ever watching unto prayer. Paul knew that the higher Christian attainments can be reached only through much prayer and constant watchfulness, and this he tried to instill into their minds. But he knew also that in Christ crucified they were offered power sufficient to convert the soul and divinely adapted to enable them to resist all temptations to evil. With faith in God as their armor, and with His word as their weapon of warfare, they would be supplied with an inner power that would enable them to turn aside the attacks of the enemy.” Ibid., 307

Was this true only of the believers in Corinth? “The garden of the heart must be cultivated. The soil must be broken up by deep repentance for sin. Poisonous, satanic plants must be uprooted. The soil once overgrown by thorns can be reclaimed only by diligent labor. So the evil tendencies of the natural heart can be overcome only by earnest effort in the name and strength of Jesus. The Lord bids us by His prophet, ‘Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.’ ‘Sow to yourselves in righteousness; reap in mercy.’ Jeremiah 4:3; Hosea 10:12. This work He desires to accomplish for us, and He asks us to cooperate with Him.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 56

“The servants of Christ are not to act out the dictates of the natural heart. They need to have close communion with God, lest, under provocation, self rise up, and they pour forth a torrent of words that are unbefitting, that are not as dew or the still showers that refresh the withering plants. This is what Satan wants them to do; for these are his methods. It is the dragon that is wroth; it is the spirit of Satan that is revealed in anger and accusing. But God’s servants are to be representatives of Him. He desires them to deal only in the currency of heaven, the truth that bears His own image and superscription. The power by which they are to overcome evil is the power of Christ. The glory of Christ is their strength. They are to fix their eyes upon His loveliness. Then they can present the gospel with divine tact and gentleness. And the spirit that is kept gentle under provocation will speak more effectively in favor of the truth than will any argument, however forcible.” The Desire of Ages, 353

Paul provides an uplifting bit of hope that every follower of Christ should hold dear:

“As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.” 1 Corinthians 15:48, 49

Through the endless supply of grace heaven provides, we are assured that we shall “bear the image of the heavenly Man”—a promise of divine help that will enable us to overcome the tendencies of the natural heart and perfectly reflect the image of our Saviour.

[Emphasis supplied.]

John R. Pearson is the office manager and a board member of Steps to Life. He may be contacted by email at: johnpearson@stepstolife.org

Christ Our Helper

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Have you ever felt that you are capable of solving whatever problem may come your way? Many people in the world are so self-sufficient they do not believe that they require help. Yet, all human beings, at some point in their life, will face a problem or situation that forces them to realize their need for help. And as we draw nearer to the end of the world, it will become very clear just how much we will need the Lord’s help.

“In the last great conflict of the controversy with Satan those who are loyal to God will see every earthly support cut off.” The Desire of Ages, 121. The truth is, some of the very troubles and trials we will go through will turn out to be the greatest blessings in our lives because they will lead us to seek divine help and thereby draw closer to God. Now is the time to develop the needed connection with the Source of that help so when the time comes when no earthly help can be found, we will be confident in knowing how and where to obtain it.

On April 15, 1912, with 2,224 souls aboard, having disregarded the multiple reports of heavy ice in the North Atlantic Ocean, the unsinkable Titanic struck an iceberg. The resulting gash opened six forward compartments on her starboard side to the incoming sea. If the gash had caused only four of her forward compartments to flood, the Titanic, though crippled, might have managed to make her way to port or to stay afloat at least long enough for help to arrive. But she had sustained too much damage and she sank in two hours and forty-five minutes, taking with her more than 1,500 lives.

During those terrifying, almost three hours, the Titanic repeatedly called for assistance until the encroaching water made it impossible to continue. The RMS Carpathia was the closest ship to the Titanic at the time she hit the iceberg. The Titanic needed help, but even at top speed the Carpathia was unable to arrive until an hour and a half after the ship that could not sink had already upended and slipped beneath the smooth surface of the sea.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1. This is a scripture that God’s children will be quoting repeatedly as we near the end of the world. But many people, while they believe God can help, also feel that He is too far away.

Here, however, is the good news: If you are in trouble, God is not far away. He is very present, very close to give aid. In fact, Acts 17:28 tells us, “In Him we live and move and have our being.” That is the kind of help we need in times of trouble.

“Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” Psalm 46:2. The Bible does not deal in fictional poetry. This is real. It hasn’t happened yet, but it is going to happen. At the time of the seventh plague, Revelation 16:20 says, “Every island was moved out of its place, and the mountains were not found.” And Ellen White said that during the millennium, huge caverns where the mountains had been torn from their foundations would be seen. This is catastrophic destruction.

Mountains, for thousands of years, have been places of refuge where people felt secure during times of persecution. The Waldenses and Huguenots fled to the safety of the mountains. The French king sent armies to destroy them, but they were unable to maneuver their troops through the mountains and therefore could not reach them.

The time is coming when God’s people will be hiding in the mountains, but the Bible says that the mountains will disappear, even the mountains in the midst of the sea. Should God’s people be afraid? God has a way to protect His own. Our security is not in the mountains but in the God who created them. He says to us, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10, first part

Many of the largest cities in the world are seaport cities—cities that Ellen White says are as wicked as Sodom and Gomorrah. Just before Jesus comes, these seaport cities will be swallowed up by the angry waters of the sea. What if one of God’s children is imprisoned in one of these cities? God is in charge of the safety of His children and He has a way already planned to save them.

The three Hebrew worthies went into the fiery furnace, but the fire did not harm them because God was with them. It will be that way for us, too, if we have been faithful to God. No one else can provide this kind of help, but God can and will. With the mountains disappearing into the sea, the waves roaring and being troubled, seaport cities being swallowed up, nations raging and all gathering together for the battle of Armageddon, “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” Psalm 46:7. God will be our refuge and we will have nothing to fear from mountains or seas or fire.

When Moses first went before Pharaoh to request that the children of Israel be set free, Pharaoh’s response was, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go.” Exodus 5:2. Most of the world today says, in their hearts at least, this very thing; many loudly declare it. “Who is God that I should obey Him?” They have no regard for the Bible and ignore it or seek to destroy it all together. The people of God, those who live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God are despised and the gospel they try to preach to the world is rejected.

But what happened after Pharaoh’s arrogant display of contempt toward God and after the ten plagues had fallen on Egypt? Pharaoh called Moses to him and said, “Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the Lord as you have said.” Exodus 12:31. In fact, the people of Egypt urged the children of Israel to leave before all the Egyptians would die (verse 33).

God saved the children of Israel from out of Egypt and led them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to the Red Sea. Compelled by his stubborn, unconverted heart, Pharaoh followed them to bring them back to Egypt. But God parted the sea and led His children to safety on the other side. When the Egyptians followed them, God hindered their ability to retreat and released the sea to close over them and destroy them.

The Bible tells us that we can be as confident of God’s power to save us as were the children of Israel, standing on the shores of the Red Sea.

After the seven last plagues have come, after the battle of Armageddon is fought, the devil will finally realize that he will never be able to torment or trouble God’s people again. The 144,000 will be sealed in their foreheads and all His children alive or resurrected at His coming will for all eternity be set free from the bondage of sin.

To be ready for this terrible and amazing time, we will need help. Even the strongest person will still need divine help to go through to the end. Jesus has help enough for everyone who seeks it, from the weakest to the strongest.

“The only begotten Son of God came to this world to redeem the fallen race. He has given us evidence of His great power. He will enable those who receive Him to build up characters free from all the tendencies that Satan reveals.” The Signs of the Times, January 3, 1906. Jesus will help us to develop a character free from all evil tendencies. Naturally tempted by our own sinful nature to do wrong, we are also tempted by the devil and the world. This is specifically expressed in Romans 6, 7, and 8.

Temptations come to us through a number of avenues. We must be responsible to make right choices regarding what we allow to enter. Jesus said in the Lord’s Prayer, “Lead us not into temptation.” We cannot deliberately provide for and enter into temptation and expect God to save us in sin, nor work a miracle to save us from sin.

As Christians, we must use spiritual judgment regarding what we listen to, what we watch or read, even what we allow or put into our bodies. Mrs. White says that if the devil can control the appetite, he can control the whole man (Temperance, 276). The worldly things we read take us away from the study of the Bible and prayer. The things we listen to can fill our minds with thoughts that will war against the spiritual truths that we find in the word of God. The things we see can encourage us to emulate the world rather than the character of God. We cannot invite the world into our hearts and minds, for when we do, we will have no desire to partake of the strength which Jesus offers to help us overcome sin.

“We can resist the enemy and all his forces. The battle will be won, the victory gained, by him who chooses Christ as his leader, determined to do right because it is right.” The Signs of the Times, January 3, 1906. Even if you are the weakest one, you can resist the enemy and all his forces and be victorious.

“Our divine Lord is equal to any emergency. With Him nothing is impossible.” Ibid.

The Bible solidly cements this thought. When the angel came to give Mary the news of Jesus’ birth, she could not see, from a human point of view, how this could be possible. She said, “ ‘How can this be, since I do not know a man?’ And the angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One [that holy thing] who is to be born will be called the Son of God. … For with God nothing will be impossible.’ ” Luke 1:34, 35, 37

“Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.” Jeremiah 32:17

God told Abraham he would have a son and Sarah laughed because she was old, and from a human perspective, this would be impossible. But in God’s time, Sarah did have a child and named him Isaac, which means laughter. God waited until it was impossible for either Sarah or Abraham to have a son (Romans 4:19) and then worked a miracle to show that nothing is impossible with Him.

In Mark 9:23, we are told of a father who brought his son possessed of an evil spirit to Jesus. Speaking to Jesus he said, “ ‘If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.’ Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, ‘Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.’ ” This man was afraid that because of his unbelief his son would not be healed, but Jesus told him to believe and all things would be possible (see The Desire of Ages, 429).

Speaking of those with worldly wealth Jesus said, “ ‘It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’ ” It says that the disciples were exceedingly amazed. They said, “ ‘Who then can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’ ” Matthew 19:24–26; Mark 10:25–27; Luke 18:25–27. A few days after this exchange, we find the example of Zacchaeus. A wealthy tax collector, Zacchaeus heard the truth preached by Jesus and was converted. He accepted the help Jesus offered and yielded himself to the control of the Holy Spirit, and in doing so he received victory over sin and temptation.

We see also the example of the woman caught in adultery. Jesus delivered her from guilt, but also gave her a new heart and this was the beginning of a new, pure life. This was a mighty miracle, though to the human eye nothing much seemed to have happened. We are more impressed with the physical things we can see happen or can touch. But what Jesus did for this woman was far greater than any physical healing.

“He who commits his soul to Jesus need not despond. We have an all-powerful Saviour. … In the future life we shall understand things that here greatly perplex us. We shall realize how strong a Helper we had, and how angels of God were commissioned to guard us as we followed the counsel of the word of God.” The Signs of the Times, January 3, 1906

“To all who receive Him Christ will give power to become the sons of God. He is a present help in every time of need. Let us be ashamed of our wavering faith. Those who are overcome have only themselves to blame for their failure to resist the enemy. All who choose can come to Christ and find the help they need.” Ibid.

One of our biggest problems is that we tend to look to each other for help when the help we really need is found only in God. Mrs. White says, “Satan and his angels are urging on their warfare against the truth. We must have help. But the help we need will not come from human beings.”

“Trustful dependence on Jesus makes victory not only possible, but certain.” Ibid. This brings much courage and comfort to the heart seeking desperately for the help necessary to get through these troublous times. It would be a good statement to commit to memory. We may have all kinds of powerful temptations on the outside and inside that seem impossible to overcome, and we may be the weakest of the weak, a most sinful human being. But if we depend on the strength of Jesus Christ, victory is certain.

“Tho multitudes be pressing on in the wrong way, tho the outlook be ever so discouraging, yet we may have full assurance in our Leader; for ‘I am God,’ He declares, ‘and there is none else.’ He is infinite in power, and able to save all who come to Him. There is no other in whom we can safely trust.” Ibid.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Martyrs, on their way to the torture chamber would quote: “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.  No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:12, 13. We can lean on this same assurance.

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2–4

“In Christ, God has provided means for subduing every sinful trait, and resisting 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.’ John 6:37. 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, 429

God’s promises can never fail because God stands behind every one. No matter how bad troubles or circumstances might get, we have a divine Lord that is equal to any emergency. Nobody needs to be lost. Everyone who wants it can have eternal life. They need only to place trustful dependence in Jesus. That makes victory not only possible, but certain. [Emphasis supplied.]

Pastor John J. Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by email at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

The Enemy Within

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In 1961, in the matter of McGowan v. Maryland, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that it was constitutional to have a Sunday law. The effect of the Supreme Court’s ruling was that the passing of new legislation and the administration of existing Sunday laws would be left within the purview of the States.

My family and I were living in Colorado. The Colorado legislature, at that time, was attempting to pass a statewide Sunday law. There was a great deal of agitation within Adventism. The Religious Liberty Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church was very active in fighting against this legislative effort, and it is probably more the result of their work that the law did not pass. However, the fight against Sunday laws was more than a legislative one. It was a battle against a false teaching, persecution, boycotting, the inability to buy or sell, the threat of imprisonment, or even death. But the real battle we face is a spiritual one, fought in our own minds and hearts; and winning the battle inside will make it possible to win the battle out there.

We all have a sinful nature. Some people think that when they surrender their heart to Christ and are born again, their sinful nature no longer exists. But the New Testament is clear that we will do battle against our fallen, sinful nature as long as life lasts. It is only by the grace of God that we will learn to be successful in winning this battle.

“Christ desires nothing so much as to redeem His heritage from the dominion of Satan. But before we are delivered from Satan’s power without, we must be delivered from his power within.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 174, 175.

If we have sinful thoughts, sinful feelings, sinful words, and sinful actions, the devil still has a hold on our hearts. This is what the real battle is about. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles [trickery] of the devil.” Ephesians 6:10, 11. The devil uses trickery and deception to keep us in his grasp.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Verse 12

Our battle is not with each other or with people in the world. Paul says our battle is with the world, the rulers of the darkness, with spiritual wickedness in heavenly places. One might say that this is the devil, and that would be correct, but it includes the agents of the devil as well.

Ephesians 6:13–17 continues: “Therefore, take up [put on] the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Notice that we are to be fully clothed with the armor of God, and that Paul describes both offensive and defensive weapons and says that we will need to use them all. Wearing the helmet of salvation and the breastplate of righteousness, being shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, your waist girded about with truth, and bearing the shield of faith leaves no place where the devil can attack. Furthermore, carrying the sword of the word of God gives you the ability to mount an offensive attack against the devil. But here is an important question: Will the sword do you any good if you have never practiced using it?

Verses 18–20: “[P]raying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication of all the saints—and for me, that utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Philippians 2:12. This is the most important battle in which we will ever engage. It is a life or death battle, and if we lose this battle, we will lose our souls and eternal life. That is why Paul says to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.

In the messages to the seven churches found in Revelation 2 and 3, each church is given a promise, but that promise is only given to a group of people in that church with a specific characteristic. “To him who overcomes [to conquer or gain the victory] I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” Revelation 3:21. Think of the stakes involved in this battle. If we lose this battle, we have eternal death, but if we win the battle, we will have eternal life and will be treated as royalty by the King of the universe. Jesus overcame in our behalf and gives to us an example of how we are to overcome.

“Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’ And He said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely [without cost] to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.” Revelation 21:5–7. God knows that the battle we are facing will be fierce. He knows that we will be tempted to quit. He wants you to see how high the stakes are in winning this battle, to encourage us to stay in the fight. Christians must understand that the only way we really lose is to give up. God guarantees success in this fight, but only to those who do not quit.

Hebrews 12 talks about resisting sin unto blood. Paul told Timothy to fight the good fight. We must surrender to the Lord, but we must also resist the devil (James 4:7). This involves putting to death our carnal [fleshly] nature (Romans 8:13). It involves crucifying the old man (Romans 6:6). This is our battle.

Discouragement is one of the devil’s main weapons, and God knows that we will be tempted to be discouraged. The devil brings to us thousands of temptations and we fall so many times. Then the devil tells us it isn’t worth the fight, that it is impossible to win. How could we win? Just see how terrible we are! But it is up to us to determine that no matter how many times we may have fallen, we will get back up and stay in the fight with God’s help.

We’re in a battle against inward corruption and outward temptation. Outward temptations are so strong because the devil knows how to match the outward temptation to the inward corruption. The devil knows what our sinful natures crave and he knows exactly what our individual natures desire and how to tempt us. The world calls that addiction. We are addicted to sin.

“The warfare between good and evil has not grown less fierce than it was in the days of the Saviour. The path to heaven is no smoother now than it was then. All our sins must be put away. Every darling indulgence that hinders our religious life must be cut off.” The Review and Herald, August 25, 1896

Jesus said, “[O]n this Rock I will build My church, and the gates [host] of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18. That is a divine promise. If we choose to surrender our wills and lives to Jesus, and if we choose to resist the devil and stay in the fight, He has promised to give us the victory. These encouragements are placed in the Bible so that no matter how we feel, we will know that we cannot afford to quit. We have to win and we can win because God has promised victory in this battle. Every moment of every day He observes what is in our hearts, and if we have committed our lives to Him, He directs the battle. He allows temptations to come, some of a very severe nature, because unless the temptations come, and unless we fight them and overcome them, we will never develop spiritual strength. The Lord does not say He will take the temptations away; He says He will fight with us until we are overcomers (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Ellen White wrote, concerning the leaders in the Adventist church, “There are few … men … who have fought and conquered in the battle with self.” Testimonies, Vol. 5, 82

“The warfare against self is the greatest battle that was ever fought.” Steps to Christ, 43. That is quite a statement if you study history. There have been some very significant battles in this world, but she says that the battle one fights to overcome the natural, sinful heart and soul is the greatest battle that has ever been fought. No matter how long we have been Christians, day by day we must wage the battle against our sinful, fallen nature and overcome it, or else we will be overcome.

“Till the conflict is ended, there always will be a departing from God. Satan will so shape circumstances that unless we are kept by divine power, they will almost imperceptibly weaken the fortifications of the soul. We need to inquire at every step, ‘Is this the way of the Lord?’ As long as life shall last, there is need of guarding the affections and the passions with a firm purpose. Not one moment can we be secure except as we rely upon God, our lives hid with Christ. The safeguards of our purity must be watchfulness and prayer. We must do nothing to lower the standard of our religious principles.” The Review and Herald, February 22, 1906

Ellen White also says, “There are many things to be overcome. Day by day the battle goes on. The struggle is lifelong; for Satan watches every opportunity to take advantage of us, that he may ensnare us to our ruin.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 18, 138

“Character will always be tested. If Christ dwells in us, day by day and year by year, we shall grow into a noble heroism. This is our allotted task, but it cannot be accomplished without help from Jesus, without resolute decision, unwavering purpose, continual watchfulness, and unceasing prayer. Each has a personal battle to fight; each must win his way through struggles and discouragements. Those who decline the struggle, lose the strength and joy of victory. No one, not even God, can make our characters noble or our lives useful unless we make the effort necessary on our part.” The Youth’s Instructor, October 29, 1907. Even God cannot save us if we are not willing to put forth effort in our own behalf. “We must put features of beauty into our lives. We must seek to expel the unlovely traits, while God works in us to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Ibid.

Imagine what would happen within a church if over 50 percent of the congregation had expelled all their unlovely traits of character. The latter rain of the Holy Spirit has not been poured out because we still possess unlovely traits of character. But if those traits are expelled, the Holy Spirit can then be poured out in the form of the latter rain, and by the power of God signs, wonders, and miracles will be seen and His work in the world will rapidly be finished. We will be able to go home.

We must ask the Lord to help us fight against our thoughts, feelings, words, and actions.

“Jesus came to this earth, marred and seared by the curse, for the purpose of bringing moral power to men. He fought the battle in man’s behalf in the wilderness of temptation, and it was the same battle that everyone of us must fight till the close of time.” The Signs of the Times, September 30, 1889. We must gain the victory for then we can lay down our weapons, lay off our armor, and enjoy the pleasures of eternity.

“Not one who complies with the conditions will be disappointed at the end of the race. Not one who is earnest and persevering will fail of success. The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. The weakest saint, as well as the strongest, may wear the crown of immortal glory. All may win … .” The Acts of the Apostles, 313

No matter how weak we may be, we can win. How do we know? Because Jesus has promised to help us gain the victory.

“You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy [satisfaction, pleasures]. At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11. In the presence of God there is fullness of joy, pleasures forever. Whatever sinful pleasure we are struggling with, is it worth losing this?

“To reject the Holy Spirit, through whose power we conquer the forces of evil, is the sin that surpasses all others; for it cuts us off from the source of our power—from Christ and communion with Him.” The Review and Herald, August 25, 1896

The power that enables us to overcome comes only from the Holy Spirit. In the book Special Testimonies for Ministers and Workers, Series A, No. 10, 37, Ellen White, talking about the time of the apostles, said, “The prince of the power of evil can only be held in check by the power of God in the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit.”

If there is no other way by which we can be overcomers, should we not be asking for the power of the Holy Spirit as we engage in this battle against self? Without Him we will not win. “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds [works] of the body [our sinful nature], you will live.” Romans 8:13. Only by the power of the Holy Spirit are we enabled to put to death the deeds of our sinful natures. Jesus says, “My grace is sufficient [enough] for you.” 2 Corinthians 12:9. That was written for every saint, the weakest as well as the strongest.

“The conflict is not yet ended; and as we draw near the close of time, the battle waxes more intense.” The Review and Herald, April 14, 1896

The Lord will give us the victory over self if we do not give up. [Emphasis supplied.]

Pastor John J. Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by email at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

To Deceive the Whole World

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There are many places in the Bible where it is predicted that the last days, in which we are now living, will be the most deceptive time in world history; a time in which the whole world will be deceived. Many people question these prophecies. With all of our knowledge and technology, how is it possible that everyone could be deceived? The Bible tells us:

  1. Who started the deception
  2. How it started
  3. How to recognize it

Second Peter 2:4 says, in part, “[G]od did not spare the angels who sinned … .” Notice, human beings in this world are not the only intelligences that have sinned. This scripture says that there was a group of angels who also sinned. Who led these angels into sin? Jesus Himself tells us in Matthew 25:41: “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’ ” The fire spoken of in this scripture was prepared for the devil and his angels.

The devil is known by a number of different names throughout the Bible. Revelation 12 calls him “the great dragon” and “that old serpent” because he spoke to Eve through a snake in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). He is called Lucifer in Isaiah 14. He is most commonly referred to by his Hebrew name Satan. The word Satan simply means the adversary. Many have asked why God would create such a being. Satan wasn’t always Satan. God didn’t create Satan, but He did create a covering cherub. We find a description of him in Ezekiel 28:13–15, “You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering … . You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you.” This angel was perfect, a high and exalted angel, until iniquity was found in him.

If Satan was a perfect creation, a high and exalted angel in heaven, then how did he fall? Isaiah 14 holds the answer, beginning with verses 12–14: “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ ” Ezekiel 28:17 says further, “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor … .” So we see that Satan was proud and as a result, he desired to be like God Himself.

Solomon tells us in Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” The Bible describes this conflict in Revelation 12:7, 8: “And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.”

So Satan, the great dragon, that serpent of old, the devil, was cast to the earth, and a third of the angels of heaven were cast out with him (Revelation 12:9). This verse also tells us that Satan and his angels will deceive the whole world. Someone might say, that just isn’t possible today, but we will see as we continue just how possible it is.

We find that Satan’s pride caused him to sin in heaven. To justify his sin, he pursued the other angels in heaven in an effort to cause them to rebel against God’s government as well. He succeeded with a large group of the angels, but sin cannot exist where God is and so there was war in heaven. Satan and the angels who followed him in his rebellion were cast out from heaven to this earth.

After Satan was cast out of heaven, he tempted Adam and Eve to sin; they were overcome by him, yielding to his temptation, disobeying God, and becoming the world’s first sinners. Second Peter 2:19 tells us, “By whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.” Paul says the same in Romans 6:16: “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” When God created Adam, He made him the steward over all of creation. When Adam and Eve sinned, as a consequence, Satan declared himself the ruler of this world. He had usurped man’s dominion over the earth and now considers this world as his kingdom, and he is referred to in this manner in many places in the Scriptures. Notice what he says of himself to Jesus “ ‘All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.’ ” Luke 4:6

We find in the book of Job a microcosmic example of what the devil has been doing in this world for millennia. “Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.” Job 2:1. Satan has appeared before God along with the representatives of the other worlds, as the representative of this world. “And the Lord said to Satan, ‘From where do you come?’ So Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.’ ” Verse 2. Throughout the book of Job, we find that Satan tempted and tortured Job beyond imagination in an effort to cause him to sin. But we also find that Job did not sin, no matter what Satan did to or took from him. “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” Job 13:15, first part

In this same way, Satan has tempted and tortured all of mankind throughout the history of the world. But the Bible says that this will one day be over. When Satan instigated and achieved, through the children of Israel and the Roman government, the crucifixion of Jesus, he was no longer the representative of this world. Jesus had ransomed the world. This was Satan’s second fall, alluded to by Jesus when He said, “Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler [prince] of this world will be cast out.” John 12:31. Satan’s final fall and destruction are yet future.

To understand how Satan has deceived the people of the world for so long, let us look at his character, for those who believe and follow Satan will be and are like him. First John 3:8 says, “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” Satan sinned from the beginning and all of his works are sin. Jesus described Satan in this way: “You are of your father the devil, and the desires [the lusts] of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” John 8:44. He is the father of lies and a murderer from the beginning. He lied about God to the angels in heaven, he lied to Eve (Genesis 3:4, 5), and he continues lying to mankind today. This is just one of the methods he uses to lead men and women to sin. And the Bible tells us that the wages of sin is death; so by deceiving and leading people to sin, Satan is a murderer. Lying and murder are the two most hateful sins in the eyes of the God of truth. In fact, they are so horrible that we are told three times in the last two chapters of Revelation that no liar will be with God’s children in eternity.

The floodgates of evil have been opened upon this world and the Bible predicts in both the Old and New Testament that evil will reach a level never reached before. Second Thessalonians 2:9–12 describe it this way: “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” People are going to believe a strong delusion and will be deceived by miraculous workings by Satan and his demons.

Friends, we are living in a time when this is happening, and yet there are many people who do not even believe that the devil exists. The fact of the matter is that no one is in greater danger from the influence of evil spirits than those who, notwithstanding all the evidence and testimony of the Scriptures, deny the existence and agency of the devil, his angels, and evil spirits. As long as we are ignorant of their wiles, they have an almost inconceivable advantage. Oftentimes, people give heed to their suggestions thinking that they are just following the dictates of their own reason or their own mind. This is why Satan will work with greater power than ever before in this world to deceive and to destroy mankind. It is his determined purpose that the world should not believe that he exists or that they be aware of his devices. He endeavors to make people believe he isn’t real or that he is a figment of the imagination or that he is some mythical creature.

It is only by the study of the word of God and the Spirit of Prophecy, and being in regular prayer that we can avoid the deception that has taken the world unawares and will only become more deadly as we draw nearer to the coming of Jesus. “All who do not earnestly search the Scriptures and submit every desire and purpose of life to that unerring test, all who do not seek God in prayer for a knowledge of His will, will surely wander from the right path and fall under the deception of Satan.” Prayer, 25

“He who carefully studies the word of God and brings its holy principles into his daily life, making every thought, word, and deed subject to its control will be a man of discernment; he has spiritual eyesight; he is not ignorant of Satan’s devices. The love of God is in his heart, and he loves his fellow men.” The Present Truth, January 26, 1893

If we love God and our fellow man, then we must study and share the gospel as we never have before, because in order to see Satan’s deceptions for what they are, they, and we ourselves, must first know what the truth is. We cannot fully recognize evil, neither that which is in the world nor that which is inside us, until we truly know what goodness looks like. This comes by beholding Jesus.

“Those who labor in word and doctrine have a great work before them to tear from the minds of those for whom they labor the fatal deceptions of Satan, and to impress them with the importance of aiming to reach God’s great standard of righteousness. They should pray earnestly for divine enlightenment, and for wisdom to present the truth as it is in Jesus.” Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists, 122

Pastor John J. Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by email at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

Perfection

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How many times have we heard or said “Only God is perfect,” and yet, God calls us to reach perfection of character. I have seen people absolutely horrified at the idea that man could actually be perfect this side of heaven, but Mrs. White says that we are to be as perfect in our sphere as God is in His. We are told repeatedly that we must be overcomers; we must be justified and sanctified.

I want to suggest that we do not have to be afraid of the word perfect or any of its derivatives—perfection, perfectionism, perfectionist. And here’s why.

When used as a noun, the word perfection means the quality or condition of being perfect. But when it is used as a verb, it means the act or process of perfecting. As an adjective it means the highest degree of a quality. As a philosophy, perfection is a doctrine holding that religious, moral, social, or political perfection is attainable, especially the theory that human moral or spiritual perfection should be or has been attained. A perfectionist is a person who is displeased by anything that does not meet very high standards. And perfectionism is the disposition that regards anything short of perfection as unacceptable.

Now it is true that in this world, perfection has been distorted and misused, even abused. But from the perspective of the Bible and what God requires, we should not be afraid of achieving perfection. God means for us to have a perfected character in order to be with Him for eternity and it is a character that must be developed here, before He comes.

“A heavenly character must be acquired upon earth … or you will never possess it; therefore you should engage at once in the work which you have to do. You should labor earnestly to obtain a fitness for heaven. …” Testimonies, Vol. 2, 430

“A character formed according to the divine likeness is the only treasure that we can take from this world to the next. Those who are under the instruction of Christ in this world will take every divine attainment with them to the heavenly mansions. And in heaven we are continually to improve. How important, then, is the development of character in this life.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 332

Perfection seen as the action or process of improving something until it is faultless is sanctification. Think of what Jesus said to the woman caught in sin, brought to Him by her accusers. Accused of sin by the world, but forgiven by God, He said, “ ‘… Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.’ ” John 8:10, last part, 11. Were it not possible to no longer sin, why would Jesus instruct her not to? The more we obey, resist temptation, surrender and submit to do the will of God, then by the power and grace of the Holy Spirit and because of Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf (Hebrews 10:10), one day that is all we will do.

“All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ. And if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. The will, refined and sanctified, will find its highest delight in doing His service. When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of continual obedience. Through an appreciation of the character of Christ, through communion with God, sin will become hateful to us.” The Desire of Ages, 668

Sanctification is a journey with a very specific destination—a Christlike, perfected character. What is a Christlike character? Jesus said, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” John 6:38. “I can of Myself do nothing. … I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.” John 5:30. “I always do those things that please Him.” John 8:29, last part

The Bible says in Psalm 14:3, “They have all turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one.” And John 15:5, last part, says “without Me, you can do nothing.” It is obvious by these verses and many, many others that alone we are not able to achieve this perfected character. So how is it accomplished?

First Thessalonians 5:23, 24 say, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful who also will do it.”

John 17 says, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. … And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. … I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one” (verses 17, 19 and 23, first part). Are we seeing a theme here? Who sanctifies us?

“How can we reach the perfection specified by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ—our Great Teacher? Can we meet His requirement and attain to so lofty a standard? We can, else Christ would not have enjoined us to do so. He is our righteousness. In His humanity He has gone before us and wrought out for us perfection of character. We are to have the faith in Him that works by love and purifies the soul. Perfection of character is based upon that which Christ is to us. If we have constant dependence on the merits of our Saviour and walk in His footsteps, we shall be like Him, pure and undefiled.

“Our Saviour does not require impossibilities of any soul. He expects nothing of His disciples that He is not willing to give them grace and strength to perform. He would not call upon them to be perfect if He had not at His command every perfection of grace to bestow on the ones upon whom He would confer so high and holy a privilege. He has assured us that He is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him than parents are to give good gifts to their children.

“Our work is to strive to attain in our sphere of action the perfection that Christ in His life on the earth attained in every phase of character. He is our example. In all things we are to strive to honor God in character. In falling day by day so far short of the divine requirements, we are endangering our soul’s salvation. We need to understand and appreciate the privilege with which Christ invests us, and to show our determination to reach the highest standard. We are to be wholly dependent on the power that He has promised to give us.” That I May Know Him, 130

This is a commitment, a covenant, God has made with us and we need only to look at the rainbow to know that God keeps His covenants. “[B]eing confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6

There is no need to be afraid of being perfect in this world. God has a standard that we are meant to reach in order to spend eternity with Him. We do not know when we reach that standard, but He who has required it is faithful to see that we reach it. We should not be anxious as to whether we can reach it or spend a great deal of time wondering “Am I perfect yet?” The Spirit of Prophecy says, “As the will of man cooperates with the will of God, it becomes omnipotent [that is, all powerful]. Whatever is to be done at His command may be accomplished in His strength. All His biddings are enablings.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 333. If He bids it, He promises He will make us able and that is really all we need to know. We need only to claim the promise.

Friends, we should not be uncertain of or concerned regarding our ability to reach perfection of character in this life, for Jesus Himself said in Matthew 5:48, “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” It should be unacceptable to us not to be doing our part—exercising the faculties of the mind, obeying the requirements of God’s law and cooperating with His will—to reach perfection of character.

“Every living Christian will advance daily in the divine life. As he advances toward perfection, he experiences a conversion to God every day; and this conversion is not completed until he attains to perfection of Christian character, a full preparation for the finishing touch of immortality.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 505

“At this time in the history of the world, we should have but one object in view—to gain eternal life. Every other desire should be subordinate to this. The work of regeneration must go on in every soul until perfection of character is reached; for nothing short of this will meet the mind of God.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 5, 338

I am reminded of a story I once read. I don’t know where the story originated or even if it is a true story or just a spiritual allegory. While shopping in a store, an elderly man accidentally hit a shelf and many things fell to the floor and were broken. Embarrassed, the man knelt and began trying to pick up the broken pieces, but soon the store manager came, and kneeling beside him he said, “Leave it, we will clean it up.” But the elderly man was so embarrassed and he said, “But I need to pay for all of this.” The manager smiled, helped him to his feet and said, “No sir, we have insurance for this, you do not have to pay anything.”

Imagine God doing the same thing for you! Imagine the broken pieces of your mistakes and failures, your broken heart from the many blows life has thrown at you, all over the floor and you’re trying to collect all the pieces and fix them yourself. Imagine that God comes and kneels down right there beside you and says, “Leave it. I will clean this up for you.”

He loves us that much. He will put all the pieces back together, restore us to that state of perfection we were always meant to have, if we will let Him. With Him we have this assurance. All we have to do is ask Him to save us, forgive us, help and heal us. He is faithful. He has promised. [Emphasis supplied.]

Judy Rebarchek is a member of the LandMarks team. She may be contacted by email at: judyrebarchek@stepstolife.org

What Are You Thinking?

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The apostle Paul had a clear understanding of how your thinking affects the success of your spiritual growth. This understanding is expressed in several of his letters to the various churches. Indeed, the fact that he mentions the significance of our thinking so often should give us an indication of the importance of controlling our thoughts.

Paul covers a wide-ranging number of topics in his second letter to the Corinthians. It will be interesting to discuss with him once we cross the Jordan what provoked some of the things he wrote. However, it should be evident on this side of the Jordan how important he felt it was to be in control of our thoughts.

Toward the end of the second letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3–5

Clearly one of the “weapons of our warfare” that is “mighty in God” is exercising our ability to “[bring] every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”

Paul also refers to this weapon in his letter to the Colossians where he wrote, “Set your mind [affections] on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2

Then twice in his letter to the Philippians, Paul mentions this weapon again, addressing it from two different angles. In Philippians 2:5, Paul, speaking imperatively, wrote, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” Then in the next chapter, he speaks of “the enemies of the cross of Christ” who “set their mind on earthly things.” Philippians 3:18, 19

Inspiration addresses over and over again the importance of controlling our thinking and setting our mind on things above.

“When God’s people take their eyes off the things of this world and place them on heaven and heavenly things they will be a peculiar people, because they will see the mercy and goodness and compassion that God has shown to the children of men. His love will call forth a response from them, and their lives will show to those around them that the Spirit of God is controlling them, that they are setting their affections on things above, not on the things of the earth.” Maranatha, 322

“God wishes us to have the mastery over ourselves. But He cannot help us without our consent and co-operation. The divine Spirit works through the powers and faculties given to man. Of ourselves, we are not able to bring the purposes and desires and inclinations into harmony with the will of God; but if we are ‘willing to be made willing,’ the Saviour will accomplish this for us, ‘Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.’ 2 Corinthians 10:5.” The Acts of the Apostles, 482, 483

It is next to impossible to accomplish this essential objective without the surrender of the whole heart to the control of the Holy Spirit. Remember, this is warfare. Each of us has our own personal great controversy to deal with. It may seem counter-intuitive, but winning this war requires surrendering—not something one learns in the usual terms of worldly warfare, but “When we submit [surrender] 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 garment 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, 312

“Moral purity depends on right thinking and right acting. Evil thoughts destroy the soul, while a right control of the thoughts prepares the mind to labor harmoniously for the Master. Every thought should be brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” Gospel Workers, 126, 127

“To the heart that has become purified, all is changed. Transformation of character is the testimony to the world of an indwelling Christ. The Spirit of God produces a new life in the soul, bringing the thoughts and desires into obedience to the will of Christ; and the inward man is renewed in the image of God. Weak and erring men and women show to the world that the redeeming power of grace can cause the faulty character to develop into symmetry and abundant fruitfulness.” Prophets and Kings, 233

“You should keep off from Satan’s enchanted ground and not allow your minds to be swayed from allegiance to God. Through Christ you may and should be happy and should acquire habits of self-control. Even your thoughts must be brought into subjection to the will of God and your feelings under the control of reason and religion. Your imagination was not given you to be allowed to run riot and have its own way without any effort at restraint or discipline. If the thoughts are wrong, the feelings will be wrong, and the thoughts and feelings combined make up the moral character. When you decide that as Christians you are not required to restrain your thoughts and feelings you are brought under the influence of evil angels and invite their presence and their control. If you yield to your impressions and allow your thoughts to run in a channel of suspicion, doubt, and repining you will be among the most unhappy of mortals, and your lives will prove a failure.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 310

“The religion of Christ never degrades the receiver; it never makes him coarse or rough, discourteous or self-important, passionate or hardhearted. On the contrary, it refines the taste, sanctifies the judgment, and purifies and ennobles the thoughts, bringing them into captivity to Christ. God’s ideal for His children is higher than the highest human thought can reach. He has given in His holy law a transcript of His character.” Ibid., vol. 8, 63

It is this transcript that should be the guiding force in our thinking, and when this is the case, the efforts of Satan and his evil agents to inject unchristlike thoughts into our minds proves futile.

Paul provides a succinct set of criteria in his letter to the Philippians that those seeking to overcome can use as a guide for their thinking: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8

Perhaps understanding the challenge that the effort to restrict one’s thinking presents, Paul provided encouragement by asserting his faith in the power of Jesus to enable us to think and thus act aright: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (verse 13). It is evident from the context that Paul is not referring to physical strength, but rather to the strength which Christ provides to enable His followers to thwart the efforts continually and incessantly exerted by the enemy of souls to enshroud his victims in spiritual darkness.

It is imperative that we do not allow our actions to be influenced by thinking on inappropriate topics, thereby giving Satan ammunition in his desire to corrupt our characters.

“When we talk discouragement and gloom, Satan listens with fiendish joy, for it pleases him to know that he has brought you into his bondage. Satan cannot read our thoughts, but he can see our actions, hear our words; and from his long knowledge of the human family, he can shape his temptations to take advantage of our weak points of character. And how often do we let him into the secret of how he may obtain the victory over us. Oh, that we might control our words and actions! How strong we would become if our words were of such an order that we would not be ashamed to meet the record of them in the day of judgment. How different will they appear in the day of God from what they seem when we utter them.” The Review and Herald, May 19, 1891

Thus we see the critical connection between our thoughts, our words, and our actions. Satan is ever on the watch to “take advantage of our weak points of character.” We also must be ever watchful to ensure that we think appropriately so that improper thoughts do not result in improper words or deeds.

Although experience has perhaps revealed to us the difficulty that is inherent in controlling our thinking, remember Paul’s encouraging acknowledgment: “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”

 John R. Pearson is the office manager and a board member of Steps to Life. He may be contacted by email at: johnpearson@stepstolife.org

Testimony – The State of Our World

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I check out the world’s news via the Internet several times a week. Through that medium, it’s easier than ever to keep up with the world’s latest developments. Much like the younger generation today, I don’t have any channels on my television. Instead, I “surf the net.”

One morning I read in many media outlets that Netflix just reported its most successful series in history. It’s a fiction series called Squid Game. Usually, I wouldn’t pay much attention to it, but since it was such prominent news across the media, I looked it up. To say that I was in a state of shock would be an understatement. I do not live in a Christian bubble, so I consider myself quite aware of the evils and injustices of our world. This time, however, I was speechless.

The South Korean show Squid Game is fiction. It portrays 456 people who find themselves at the bottom of society and financially broke. They compete in various games for over 40 million dollars, paid for by wealthy individuals who enjoy watching the losers die. There will be only one winner at the end. The losers must die a cruel death. As the episodes progress, fewer and fewer people are left alive, the rest being executed in various graphic ways.

Why would such a show become a hit? I couldn’t understand it, so I started reading the viewers’ reviews. There I learned that the show excels at exceptional brutality, letting the viewer watch gruesome killings with unsurpassed realism and closeness. This is the very reason why the show became a hit. The creators of the show couldn’t believe its success themselves and never dreamed that the very brutality and horrific images of death would attract millions.

Here are a few of the viewers’ comments:

“I usually never leave reviews on shows/movies I watch either, so me leaving one for this show speaks volumes to just how much I enjoyed Squid Game… EVERYTHING was just absolutely amazing … It has enough blood scenes for suspense/thrill lovers to enjoy. I really cannot explain enough just how much I love this show.”

“I can’t wait till season two and big credits have to go to the creators of this awesome show.”

“Korean content continues to set the standards, this time with a riveting, deliciously dark thriller series on Netflix called Squid Game.”

“I LOVE this show. I personally think that it is one of the most amazing shows I’ve ever watched. It is very intense and interesting it may be disturbing but it is one of those shows where u just CAN’T look away.”

The above are just four reactions out of thousands of Google reviews, all giving kudos to the show. A civilized and sensible person, regardless of religious conviction, must ask How can people possibly be so thirsty for violence and blood, the more gruesome the better? Have people always been so violent? Or is it a phenomenon of our time? Where is any display of humanity, respect for life, reverence for the words of the American Declaration of Independence that state that everyone is entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, not to mention the scriptures that declare the sacredness of human life?

While we possess more knowledge and light than humanity has ever had, it is a paradox that human society has never been so morally corrupt. Not only that, we are talking about an intense desire to kill—or at the least, to witness killing.

I have asked these questions of several acquaintances who watched the show. They looked at me surprised. “It’s fiction” was the most common answer. So your thirst for violence is fiction? Books have been written on the effects of such material on the human psyche. When we consume such content, our brain circuits don’t distinguish whether it’s fiction or real. The damage is the same.

If you have friends who watch dramatic presentations in any form, please consider advising them of the counsel we are given based on 1 Corinthians 3:18:

“Men put God out of their knowledge and worshiped the creatures of their own imagination; and as the result, they became more and more debased. The psalmist describes the effect produced upon the worshiper by the adoration of idols. He says, ‘They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.’ Psalm 115:8. It is a law of the human mind that by beholding we become changed. Man will rise no higher than his conceptions of truth, purity, and holiness. If the mind is never exalted above the level of humanity, if it is not uplifted by faith to contemplate infinite wisdom and love, the man will be constantly sinking lower and lower. The worshipers of false gods clothed their deities with human attributes and passions, and thus their standard of character was degraded to the likeness of sinful humanity. They were defiled in consequence. ‘God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. … The earth also was corrupt before God; and the earth was filled with violence.’ God had given men His commandments as a rule of life, but His law was transgressed, and every conceivable sin was the result. The wickedness of men was open and daring, justice was trampled in the dust, and the cries of the oppressed reached unto heaven.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 91 [Emphasis supplied.]

I’m an optimist. Yet as I look toward the future, I worry about what is coming once the viewers’ dark cravings are unleashed. We find several places in the Bible, such as Luke 21:12, where persecution of God’s people are prophesied: “But before all these things [disasters], they will lay their hands on you and persecute you.” It seems the Bible writers didn’t even have words for the unprecedented brutality human beings are capable of. Never have past generations normalized violence and cruelty as has the present one, whether real or fiction.

Yet, even in the world’s most turbulent storms, the Scriptures assure us of God’s protective hand:

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—

He who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, He who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you—

The Lord is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm—

He will watch over your life;

The Lord will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121

The Value of Something Almost Lost

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“O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is His also. The sea is His, and He made it: and His hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.”

Psalm 95:1–6

Sometimes we are not aware of how important something is until it is almost lost or even gone. For example, many do not understand just how wonderful and important good health is until they are sick or no longer strong and healthy.

When I was young, I loved music. It was my desire to learn to play many different instruments, so my parents arranged for me to have music lessons. At first, I learned to play the trumpet and the piano. I took lessons for several years, and then I began to have trouble with my eyesight. For a while, I had to give up playing the piano and engaging in other musical pursuits.

While there was great concern that I would go blind, in the end I did not. But I have often wondered if the reason that my musical pursuits were halted was providential. Could it be that I might have wanted to pursue a different life, one filled with the devil’s music? God had other plans for me, and in His mercy, I believe He put a large and potentially permanent obstacle in my path.

I have always tried to follow His leading and as a result I have been a teacher and a pastor for many, many years. Had I continued my musical pursuits all those years ago, it might be that I would not have fulfilled the plans that He had for my life.

Today, I still love music and continue to play the piano. I am filled with praise and thankfulness that God loved me enough to keep me from the wrong path and to lead me in His way. I want to be able to join the saints and angels one day to fill all the realms of heaven with joyous thanksgiving. I hope you want that, too. The great thing is that it doesn’t matter if you can’t play an instrument or even carry a tune here. When Jesus comes, we will all have a song to sing and a voice to sing it.

Why Doesn’t God Show Up?

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Not long ago, I watched a video regarding the recent “deconversion” of a number of Christian celebrities. Many reasons were given by these individuals as to why they had decided to abandon their faith, but one in particular stood out to me, “Why doesn’t God show up? If God is so powerful, so loving, why are there so many bad things in the world?” One of these individuals said, “Why doesn’t God cure cancer? If I was omnipotent, that’s what I’d do.” How many times have you wondered that same thing?

While a strong spiritual argument to the fact that God does show up can be presented, there are two thoughts I’d like to specifically explore.

God says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways… . For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8, 9. He also says in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you … thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” The KJV says, “to give you an expected end.”

Our future and hope is not in this world and while God does promise blessings and provides what we need in this life, He does not promise it will always be easy or fair. He does not promise, for now, that He will remove all the obstacles or take away all the bad things. We think in terms of the here and now, but God thinks and plans in the what-is-to-come. The reason that bad things happen, that life isn’t fair, but rather is hard and painful sometimes, is because of sin and our penchant for indulging in it. Which leads to my second thought.

The entire history of this world is one of spiritual conflict. The purpose of this conflict is to prove to everyone in this world and all the universe the true heinousness and perniciousness of sin.  So then, how could God, no matter how much He may want to, remove all the consequences of sin, both the natural ones and those that come from our individual choices?

Remember where sin began. Heaven is a perfect place and Lucifer still exercised his God-given free will to be jealous and prideful, and to spread discontent and malice toward God and His Son even there, aspiring to be like and equal with God. So, if God were to make this earth some kind of perfect place, sin would still find a way in it because there are so many people who would still choose to do evil.

Once this conflict is over, everyone will know sin for exactly what it is and those who have developed and maintained a saving relationship with Jesus Christ will not want to be sinful anymore. There will be no desire for sin and the Bible says that as a result “affliction [sin] will not rise up a second time.” Nahum 1:9

In addition to these two thoughts there are two others to consider: the vindication of God’s Law—the representation of His character—and the building up of a people, a church, who follow God’s will.

“Every question of truth and error in the long-standing controversy has now been made plain. The results of rebellion, the fruits of setting aside the divine statutes, have been laid open to the view of all created intelligences. The working out of Satan’s rule in contrast with the government of God has been presented to the whole universe. Satan’s own works have condemned him. God’s wisdom, His justice, and His goodness stand fully vindicated. It is seen that all His dealings in the great controversy have been conducted with respect to the eternal good of His people and the good of all the worlds that He has created. … The history of sin will stand to all eternity as a witness that with the existence of God’s law is bound up the happiness of all the beings He has created. With all the facts of the great controversy in view, the whole universe, both loyal and rebellious, with one accord declare: ‘Just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.’ ” Maranatha, 346

“The final judgment is a most solemn, awful event. This must take place before the universe. To the Lord Jesus the Father has committed all judgment. He will declare the reward of loyalty to all who obey the law of Jehovah. God will be honored and His government vindicated and glorified, and that in the presence of the inhabitants of the unfallen worlds. On the largest possible scale will the government of God be vindicated and exalted. It is not the judgment of one individual or of one nation but of the whole world. Oh, what a change will then be made in the understanding of all created beings. Then all will see the value of eternal life.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 21, 349

At long last, the universe will clearly see the insidiousness of Satan’s efforts to destroy God’s character and his insinuations that His law is one of tyranny rather than love. But Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross to save the souls of all mankind, and every word and deed of His life, proved that God’s law was crafted in love, that the happiness and well-being of man is bound up with it.

“God is omnipotent, omniscient, immutable. He always pursues a straightforward course. His law is truth—unchanging, eternal truth. His precepts are consistent with His attributes. But Satan makes them appear in a false light. By perverting them he seeks to give human beings an unfavorable impression of God. Throughout his rebellion he has sought to represent God as an unjust, tyrannical being.

“But Satan’s hypocrisy has been unmasked by Christ’s life, trial, and death. Christ took upon Himself human nature, and by His perfect life demonstrated the falsity of the claims of him who constantly accuses those who are trying to obey God’s law. And the blood of Christ shed on the cross is the everlasting, incontrovertible testimony that God’s law is as immutable as is His own character.” Christ Triumphant, 291

And then there is the church of God. What, or more accurately who are God’s people?

“The church on earth is God’s temple, and it is to assume divine proportions before the world. This building is to be the light of the world. It is to be composed of living stones laid close together, stone fitting to stone, making a solid building. All these stones are not of the same shape or dimension. Some are large and some are small, but each one has its own place to fill. In the whole building there is not to be one misshapen stone. Each one is perfect. And each stone is a living stone, a stone that emits light. The value of the stones is determined by the light they reflect to the world.

“Now is the time for the stones to be taken from the quarry of the world and brought into God’s workshop, to be hewed, squared, and polished, that they may shine. This is God’s plan, and He desires all who profess to believe the truth to fill their respective places in the great, grand work for this time.

“The angelic architect has brought his golden measuring rod from heaven, that every stone may be hewed and squared by the divine measurement, and polished to shine as an emblem of heaven, radiating in all directions the bright, clear beams of the Sun of Righteousness.

“In this world we are to shine in good works. The Lord requires His people … to reflect the light of God’s character, God’s love, as Christ reflected it. As we look unto Jesus, all our lives will be aglow with that wondrous light. Every part of us is to be light; then whichever way we turn, light will be reflected from us to others. Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. In Him is no darkness at all; therefore, if we are in Christ, there will be no darkness in us.” In Heavenly Places, 281

So why has it taken so long? Why has this controversy continued for more than 6,000 years?

“The reason why the Bridegroom delays is because He is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but all should come to repentance. … O that each … would appreciate the value of the soul that has been purchased at infinite cost on Calvary! O that each one would place a proper estimate upon the capabilities that have been given him of God! Through Christ you may climb the ladder of progress, and bring every power under the control of Jesus. You may represent the character of Jesus. In spirit, in thought, in word, and in action, you may make manifest that you are moved by the Spirit of Christ, and your life may wield a power of influence over others.” The Youth’s Instructor, September 20, 1894

“The Light of the world is shining upon us that we might absorb the divine rays and let this light shine upon others in good works, that many souls shall be led to glorify our Father which is in heaven. He is longsuffering, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance, and it grieves the heart of Jesus that so many refuse the offers of His mercy and matchless love.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 19, 303

Friends, we can be absolutely certain that God has, does and will show up. The Bible says, “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth.” Psalm 145:18

It may not always look the way we think it should but, “When we are in trouble and pressed down with anxieties, the Lord is near, and He bids us cast all our care upon Him, because He cares for us. …

“He comes to all His children in their affliction. In time of danger He is their refuge. In sorrow, He offers them joy and consolation. … He utters the gracious invitation, ‘Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ …

“Those who turn to God with heart and soul and mind will find in Him peaceful security. …

“He knows just what we need, just what we can bear, and He will give us grace to endure every trial and test that He brings upon us. …

“Every provision has been made to meet the needs of our spiritual and our moral nature.” Our Father Cares, 17, 18

Doesn’t that sound like a God who shows up? And if we can’t clearly see that God is present, available, powerful and patiently waiting on us, then it is because we are looking somewhere else, or we want Him to respond in a way we expect or even demand, or we think we know better what to do and how to do it.

If you are concerned that maybe God hasn’t shown up, think about this. From the beginning God knew that evil would spread across this world and its people. He knew that they would choose to follow another. Yet, instead of abandoning the idea of creating this world, He made a plan to restore its people to their rightful place as His created children, if they chose Him to be their Father. He provided the Holy Spirit to speak to hearts and effect transformation in the lives of those seeking it. He provided the Lamb as our life pattern and ultimately as a sacrifice to pay the penalty, one we could not pay, for the sins of the whole world. He provides love, forgiveness, restoration, atonement, rest, faith, peace and opportunity. Whatever is necessary is provided to bring even a single one of His children back into a right relationship with Himself, including the entire host of heaven, if needed.

God doesn’t have to show up. He’s never been away. He’s always been right here. We may not understand why and how things happen in this world, but it isn’t because God has failed to be present. I know that there are a lot of terrible things going on in the world and a lot of innocent people are hurt. And that is why we ask the question “Why doesn’t God show up?” But I have faith that when this world finally comes to an end, when sin and Satan are gone, that God will make everything come out right for those who put their trust in Him. We must always remember what God has promised us: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

The question isn’t whether God will show up, but will we?

Judy Rebarchek is a member of the LandMarks team. She can be contacted at: judyrebarchek@stepstolife.org

Testimony – God’s Test or Satan’s Temptation?

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On January 31, 2020, I had triple bypass surgery. I praise the Lord that the problem was discovered before I had a heart attack and that there was no damage to my heart muscle. That incident, though, made me consider my living situation—particularly with respect to my children and grandchildren. They all live a thousand miles away in Tucson, Arizona, and for several reasons I wanted to be closer to them.

First, if I ever had another serious physical problem, I thought it would be better if I were close to them so that they could provide any help I might need. But secondly, I am concerned for their salvation. I felt—and still feel—that being more involved in their daily lives might have a beneficial effect on their spiritual growth.

After pondering those factors and other considerations, I began a search for a place to buy in Tucson. I engaged the same real estate agent who had helped me with a previous property sale and initiated the search for a two-bedroom condominium.

After a bit of searching, my agent found a great unit in a small complex of 20 units near Saguaro National Park. It had a huge swimming pool, which I thought would be a great magnet for my kids and grandkids. I made an offer, which the buyer accepted; so I took a few days off from work and went to Tucson for the inspection prior to the close of the deal.

While the inspection was in process, I walked around the complex and met a man who it turned out had lived there for a year or so. He loved the place because “everything you need is within walking distance—both a McDonald’s and a Burger King.” That got me to thinking about what I really needed and was reminded of the abundant counsel we are given about leaving the cities.

I am truly blessed to be currently living in a rural environment. Deer and turkey regularly walk through my yard. I often hear coyotes howling at night. How foolish it seemed to go against counsel and move to a city of almost a million people!

So I backed out of the deal.

A few months later I was praying for guidance, still harboring the desire to move closer to family and freely ignoring the counsel that the Lord had already provided through His testimonies to live in the country.

In hindsight, I was doing what many have done who recognize the Sabbath truth for the first time and pray, “Lord, if you want me to keep Saturday as the Sabbath, give me a sign.” He’s not going to do that. He’s made it very plain in His word that He wants His faithful followers to observe and keep holy the seventh-day Sabbath.

Now let me tell you how I continued to rationalize my desire to do what I wanted to do.

Tucson is surrounded by mountains on four sides: the Catalina Mountains, the Rincons, the Santa Ritas and the Tucson Mountains. West of the Tucson Mountains, about a 30-minute drive from the heart of Tucson and a 45-minute drive from my children, is an area called Picture Rocks. It is an area with an eclectic assortment of residences, most on a minimum of an acre of land. So I thought, Why not check there? It might provide what I wanted—being close to family and in a relatively rural location.

So I booted up Zillow.com, typed in the ZIP code for Picture Rocks and there was what seemed to be the perfect place. It was a two-bedroom home with an office addition and a hobby room. There were two good-sized outbuildings, one of which was insulated and air conditioned. It sat on an acre and a quarter of land and had an abundance of irrigated fruit trees. It was a complete fulfillment of what I wanted.

I called up my real estate agent and asked him to check it out for me. He called me and said that it was a real oasis and in excellent condition, but, while he was there looking at it, there were several other interested parties checking it out as well. He said that if I really wanted it, I would have to offer more than the asking price. So I offered almost $3,000 above the listed price. My agent said that the seller was going to review all offers on the following Wednesday afternoon.

While I was waiting for his call, I kept trying to ignore the counsel to leave the cities. I would be close to my family, only 30 minutes from town yet with a mountain range in between. The yearning heart can easily overrule an otherwise rational mind.

Then as I was thinking about being closer to my family, the Holy Spirit kept reminding me of the quote from Adventist Home that I printed out and placed in the edge of the picture frame holding a photo of my three children:

“We must not center our affections on worldly relatives, who have no desire to learn the truth. We may seek in every way, while associated with them, to let our light shine; but our words, our deportment, our customs and practices, should not in any sense be molded by their ideas and customs. We are to show forth the truth in all our intercourse with them. If we cannot do this, the less association we have with them the better it will be for our spirituality.” Op. Cit., 462. (See also Testimonies, vol. 5, 543.)

All this time, I was also thinking of Balaam, the prophet who kept asking the Lord to let him do something that he wanted to do, but that the Lord had initially made clear to him He didn’t want him to do. The story is found in Numbers 22.

Inspiration offers this account of the story:

“Balaam inquired of God if he might curse Israel, because in so doing he had the promise of great reward. And God said, ‘Thou shalt not go;’ but he was urged by the messengers, and greater inducements were presented. Balaam had been shown the will of the Lord in this matter, but he was so eager for the reward that he ventured to ask God the second time. The Lord permitted Balaam to go. Then he had a wonderful experience, but who would wish to be guided by such an experience? There are those who would understand their duty clearly if it were in harmony with their natural inclinations. Circumstances and reason may clearly indicate their duty; but when against their natural inclination, these evidences are frequently set aside. Then these persons will presume to go to God to learn their duty. But God will not be trifled with. He will permit such persons to follow the desires of their own hearts. Psalm 81:11, 12: ‘But My people would not hearken to My voice.’ ‘So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels.’ ” Testimonies, vol. 3, 73

It dawned on me that I was on the verge of committing the same error that Balaam had done by walking in my own counsel. So I finally said, “Lord, Your will be done. Close the door firmly and decidedly if You would not be honored by my moving to Tucson. You know whether or not I would have a beneficial and lasting effect on my children’s spiritual growth. I will accept whatever happens as Your will.”

Wednesday afternoon, my real estate agent called. “Bad news, John. The seller didn’t accept your offer. In fact, they accepted an offer that was several thousand dollars below yours,” explaining that the offer they accepted was all cash. The seller wanted a quick close, which the cash offer made possible. I could not help but think that the Lord had intervened and structured circumstances to prevent me from making a big mistake.

“Okay,” I thought. “The Lord has spoken.” Once I accepted that, I had a complete change of mindset. The draw of my family and the desire to move back to Tucson and the Sonoran Desert completely left me. I had a wonderful feeling of peace and contentment, knowing that the Lord had intervened and that I was doing His will. By accepting what I felt was the hand of the Lord moving in this situation, I had successfully resisted the temptation to move.

But that’s not the end of the story …

Two days later, my real estate agent called again. “I have some good news, John. The original buyer backed out of the deal. It was an older woman and her kids felt that the location was too remote and too far from medical care if anything should happen. The house is yours.”

An unnumbered jumble of thoughts was coursing through my head, resulting in a long, silent pause. Finally the agent asked, “Has there been a change of plans?”

I tried to explain to him briefly what I had gone through spiritually, but he brushed it aside clearly uninterested in my being guided by a higher purpose and said, “Do you want to buy the place or not?” There wasn’t any irritation in his voice, just “Let me know by tomorrow afternoon.”

The question I was asking myself was “Is this a temptation from Satan or a test from God—or both?” As I pondered that question, the Holy Spirit gave me insight into what my life would have been like if I had moved.

First, I would have no significant spiritual fellowship in my daily life. In fact, the prominent daily influences would be entirely of the world. Second, I would have no meaningful, edifying Sabbath worship. The nearest Seventh-day Adventist church would have been an hour away. The few times I had previously attended worship there, I was truly appalled by the lack of reverence in the sanctuary between Sabbath school and church. Quiet meditation between services had been impossible. Plus, the messages I had heard during the main worship service varied from travelogues to “feel good” sermons. Rarely, if ever, had I heard any encouragement regarding overcoming an inherited sinful nature.

There was absolutely no question in my mind that God had intervened and showed me what He wanted me to do. Was He trying to determine the depth of my conviction by giving me this one last test? Or was Satan trying to lure me away from a situation to which I had been called to be in God’s service?

I called my real estate agent and told him of my decision to pass on the purchase. I thanked him for his efforts on my behalf and hung up, certain that I was doing God’s will.

[All emphasis supplied.]

John R Pearson is the office manager and a board member of Steps to Life. He may be contacted by email at: johnpearson@stepstolife.org.