Question – Does God love Satan?

Question:

Does God love Satan?

Answer:

The Bible tells us that God is love (1 John 4:16). Romans 8:38, 39, tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of God. And Hebrews 9:28 and John 3:16 tell us that Christ died for all. However, there are several Inspired statements that say that repentance was impossible for Satan and that there was never a plan for Christ to redeem the fallen angels (Confrontation, 21).

“The law of love being the foundation of the government of God, [and] God desires from all His creatures the service of love … . He takes no pleasure in a forced obedience; and to all He grants freedom of will, that they may render Him voluntary service.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 34

“God made him [Lucifer] good and beautiful, as near as possible like Himself.

“God had made him [Lucifer] noble, had given him rich endowments. He gave him a high, responsible position. He asked of him nothing that was unreasonable.

“He was to administer the trust given him of God in a spirit of meekness and devotion, seeking to promote the glory of God, who had given him glory and beauty and loveliness.” The Truth About Angels, 26, 27

Did Lucifer love God?

“Peace and joy, in perfect submission to the will of Heaven, existed throughout the angelic host. Love to God was supreme, love for one another impartial. Such was the condition that existed for ages before the entrance of sin.

“He [Lucifer] had a knowledge of the inestimable value of eternal riches that man did not possess. He had experienced the pure contentment, the peace, the exalted happiness and unalloyed joys, of the heavenly abode. He had realized, before his rebellion, the satisfaction of the full approval of God. He had had a full appreciation of the glory that enshrouded the Father, and knew that there was no limit to His power.

“There was a time when … it was his [Satan’s] joy to execute the divine commands. His heart was filled with love and joy in serving his Creator.” Ibid., 28, 29

But something changed. In this place of peace and harmony, Lucifer exercised God’s gift of free will to make a terrible choice, and sin sprang up in his heart because he had been excluded from the inner council with God and His Son. He, next to Christ, was honored most by God and had been given power and glory above all the heavenly inhabitants, was given the name ‘son of the morning,’ and was first of the covering cherubs, holy and undefiled. He had been in the very presence of God, and the glory surrounding God rested upon him (Patriarchs and Prophets, 35), but as a result of persistent pride, there was no way back for him.

“So far as Satan himself was concerned, it was true that he had now gone too far to return.” The Truth About Angels, 42

“Satan trembled as he viewed his work. … His mighty frame shook as with a tempest. An angel from heaven was passing. He called him, and entreated an interview with Christ. This was granted him. He then related to the Son of God that he repented of his rebellion, and wished again the favor of God. He was willing to take the place God had previously assigned him, and be under His wise command. Christ wept at Satan’s woe, but told him, as the mind of God, that he could never be received into heaven. … The seeds of rebellion were still within him. …” Ibid., 46, 47

“Satan had declared that God knew nothing of self-denial, of mercy and love, but that he was stern, exacting, and unforgiving. Satan never tested the forgiving love of God; for he never exercised genuine repentance.” The Review and Herald, March 9, 1897

Question – Am I denying the Lord?

Question:

Am I denying the Lord? How do I know?

Answer:

“There are many ways wherein we may acknowledge our Lord and many ways wherein we may deny Him. We may deny Him in our words, by speaking evil of others, by foolish talking, jesting and joking, by idle or unkind words, or by prevaricating [being vague], speaking contrary to truth. In our words we may confess that Christ is not in us. In our character we may deny Him by loving our ease, by shunning the duties and burdens of life which someone must bear if we do not, and by loving sinful pleasure. We may also deny Christ by pride of dress and conformity to the world, or by uncourteous behavior. We may deny Him by loving our own opinions and by seeking to maintain and justify self. We may also deny Him in allowing the mind to run in the channel of lovesick sentimentalism and to brood over our supposed hard lot and trials.

“No one can truly confess Christ before the world unless the mind and spirit of Christ live in him. It is impossible to communicate that which we have not. The conversation and the deportment should be a real and visible expression of grace and truth within. If the heart is sanctified, submissive, and humble, the fruits will be seen outwardly and will be a most effectual confession of Christ. …

“You commit sin and deny your Saviour by dwelling on gloomy things, by gathering trials to yourself, and by borrowing troubles. You bring the troubles of tomorrow into today, and embitter your own heart, and bring burdens and a cloud upon those around you, by manufacturing trials. … You suffer your imagination to run upon subjects that will bring you no relief or happiness.” Testimonies, Vol. 3, 332

“He who would confess Christ must have Christ abiding in him. He cannot communicate that which he has not received. The disciples might speak fluently on doctrines, they might repeat the words of Christ Himself; but unless they possessed Christlike meekness and love, they were not confessing Him. A spirit contrary to the spirit of Christ would deny Him, whatever the profession. Men may deny Christ by evilspeaking, by foolish talking, by words that are untruthful or unkind. They may deny Him by shunning life’s burdens, by the pursuit of sinful pleasure. They may deny Him by conforming to the world, by uncourteous behavior, by the love of their own opinions, by justifying self, by cherishing doubt, borrowing trouble, and dwelling in darkness. In all these ways they declare that Christ is not in them.” The Desire of Ages, 357

Question – There are things that I have to get out of my life, but how?

Question:

I know I’m not right with God. There are things that I have to get out of my life, but how?

Answer:

Paul understood this situation completely.

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. … O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” Romans 7:18, 19, 24

So what is the answer to his question? Who can deliver him, you, me?

“Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; in You I take shelter. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.” Psalm 143:9, 10

“Keep my soul, and deliver me; let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for You.” Psalm 25:20, 21

“God will accept nothing less than unreserved surrender. Half-hearted, sinful Christians can never enter heaven. There they would find no happiness, for they know nothing of the high, holy principles that govern the members of the royal family. The true Christian keeps the windows of the soul open heavenward. He lives in fellowship with Christ. His will is conformed to the will of Christ. His highest desire is to become more and more Christlike.” The Review and Herald, May 16, 1907

“We cannot use the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is to use us. Through the Spirit God works in His people ‘to will and to do of His good pleasure.’ Philippians 2:13. But many will not submit to this. They want to manage themselves. This is why they do not receive the heavenly gift. Only to those who wait humbly upon God, who watch for His guidance and grace, is the Spirit given.” The Desire of Ages, 672

Question – How can I be thankful when everything is so bad?

Question:

How can I be thankful when everything is so bad?

Answer:

Illness and death, grief and loneliness. Loss of a job and bills to pay. Violence, crime, hatred, crises, wars, and disasters. Temptation and trial. How is it possible, even for a moment, to be thankful in this world?

All evil is brought about by Satan. And while God allows hardships, misfortune, and trials to strengthen our faith and characters, He does not forsake us, providing the strength to bear the task, to carry the load.

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man … but with the temptation will also make the way of escape that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

“Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before God. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. … 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 that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice.” Steps to Christ, 100

“Never allow Satan to discourage you. Trust yourself … in the hands of God. … [C]ommit the keeping of your soul to God. Depend in all that you do on the Holy Spirit, for He is our strength, our efficiency.” This Day With God, 22

“Educate the soul to cheerfulness, to thankfulness, and to the expression of gratitude to God for the great love wherewith He hath loved us. …. Christian cheerfulness is the very beauty of holiness.” Sons and Daughters of God, 168

“Of all things that are sought, cherished, and cultivated, there is nothing so valuable in the sight of God as a pure heart, a disposition imbued with thankfulness and peace.” Testimonies, Vol. 4, 559

“Praise the Lord, O my soul! While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have any being. … Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.” Psalm 146:1, last part, 2, 5

Question – How can I be fit for the Master’s presence?

Question:

How can I be fit for the Master’s presence?

Answer:

“Wherever you go, carry on the good work of searching the Scriptures, and the Lord Jesus will always be at your right hand to help you. … There is no excuse for wavering or sinning. But in order to be upright, you must keep all these rich and full promises in memory’s hall. Clear the mind of all objectionable, foolish things; retain the precious truths that you have heard here. … What weapon did Jesus present to the enemy in his temptation in the wilderness? … ‘It is written.’

“[Y]ou are to remember what is written, and when the enemy comes, and tempts you … just say firmly, ‘No, I cannot go there.’ Make up your mind, and know how to say ‘No’ squarely. ‘When sinners entice thee, consent thou not.’ ” The Bible Echo, January 15, 1893

“The law of God is the standard by which character is to be tested; if we erect a standard to suit ourselves, and attempt to follow a criterion of our own devising, we shall utterly fail to secure heaven at last. …

“Jesus is the perfect pattern. Instead of trying to please self and have our own way, let us seek to reflect His image. …

“It is not enough that we merely profess the faith; something more than a nominal assent is wanted. There must be a real knowledge, a genuine experience in the principles of the truth as it is in Jesus. The Holy Spirit must work within, bringing these principles into the strong light of distinct consciousness, that we may know their power and make them a living reality. The mind must yield obedience to the royal law of liberty, the law which the Spirit of God impresses upon the heart, and makes plain to the understanding. The expulsion of sin must be the act of the soul itself, in calling into exercise its noblest powers. The only freedom a finite will can enjoy, consists in coming into harmony with the will of God, complying with the conditions that make man a partaker of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” The Review and Herald, November 24, 1885

“It is a subject of interest to every soul of us, how we shall keep our vessels unto honor in the sight of a holy God. … There is no safety for us when we lie down, when we rise up, when we go out, and when we come in. Satan and evil angels have conspired with evil men and evil women, and the whole energies of the powers of darkness will gather themselves together to lead astray and destroy every soul that is not garrisoned with firm principles of eternal truths. …

“The principles of righteousness must be implanted in the soul. Faith must grasp the power of Jesus Christ, else there is no safety.” In Heavenly Places, 199 [Emphasis supplied.]

Question – Were There Really Giants?

Question:

Were There Really Giants?

Answer:

“There were many giants, men of great stature and strength, renowned for wisdom, skillful in devising the most cunning and wonderful works; but their guilt in giving loose rein to iniquity was in proportion to their skill and mental ability.” Conflict and Courage, 33

“There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward … .” Genesis 6:4, first part

The Philistines were a race of giants with Goliath as their champion. And when God told the children of Israel to go and take the land of Canaan as their home, the people were afraid because the men sent to spy out the land said it was inhabited with giants, the children of Anak.

But being a giant isn’t always determined by size. We find many giants recorded in the Bible, but they were giants because of their characters, not their height.

Gideon, David, and Jeroboam are all described as mighty men of valor (Numbers 13:1–33; Judges 6–7; 1 Samuel 16; 1 Kings 11).

Caleb and Joshua, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, and Moses were all giants of faith, believing and trusting in God (Numbers 13; Hebrews 11).

Daniel stood tall in the courts of Nebuchadnezzar, Darius, and Cyrus, and Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego stood tall on the plain of Dura.

These giants for God weren’t always perfect, but we will see every one of them in His kingdom. It isn’t the physical size of a man that makes him a giant; it is his spiritual connection to God.

“Let us take hold of the arm of infinite power. Let us walk humbly before God, but let us be giants in meeting discouragement and difficulty. We must have increased faith. Let us praise God. He is our strength, our shield, and our defense, our front guard and our rearward.” Pamphlet 067, 17

Question – What is faith?

Answer:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

“Faith is not feeling …

“Faith claims God’s promises, and brings forth fruit in obedience. … It is not faith that claims the favor of heaven without complying with the conditions on which mercy is to be granted. Genuine faith has its foundation in the promises and provisions of the Scriptures.

“To abide in faith is to put aside feeling and selfish desires, to walk humbly with the Lord, to appropriate His promises, and apply them to all occasions, believing that God will work out His own plans and purposes in your heart and life.” The Faith I Live By, 122

“ ‘Ask, and it shall be given you’ ” (Matthew 7:7) is the promise. Our part is to rest on the Word with unwavering faith, believing that God will do according to His promise. Let faith cut its way through the shadow of the enemy. When a questioning doubt arises, go to Christ and let the soul be encouraged by communion with Him. The redemption He has purchased for us is complete. The offering He made was plenteous and without stint. Heaven has a never-failing supply of help for all who are needy.” Our High Calling, 117

“God’s people are weak because they have not made Him their trust. They have not made Him their dependence, …

“How infinitely inferior we are to the perfect Pattern that we are called upon to copy! Yet in His strength we can reach the ideal set before us. We can do ‘all things’ in His power.” The Signs of the Times, October 24, 1900

“By living faith, I grasp the hand of Jesus, and I am all light in the Lord. … Faith will keep the mind above the low level of earth, and direct the soul to heaven in contemplation of the spiritual and eternal. … Will you have faith in God, who ‘so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life?’ ” Ibid., March 18, 1889

In his book Satisfied, Mark Finley defines faith as “… believing God—trusting Him. It is a settled confidence in Him. It moves at His command. It obeys at His word. It walks in His strength and lives in His power.”

“What is faith? It is simply taking God at His word; it is believing that God will do just as He has promised.” The Signs of the Times, September 9, 1889

Question – How do you set your affections on heaven?

Answer –

“Put yourself under discipline to Christ. Be led by His word. Heed His instruction, ‘Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls’ (Matthew 11:29).” This Day With God, 290

“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 … 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

“There is within the worldly man a craving for something that he does not have. He has, from force of habit, bent every thought, every purpose, in the direction of making provision for the future, and as he grows older, he becomes more eager than ever to acquire all that it is possible to gain. …

“All this energy, this perseverance, this determination, this industry after earthly power, is the result of the perversion of his [man’s] powers to a wrong object. … Their object is for earthly gain, and to this end they direct all their energies. O that this zeal would characterize the toiler for heavenly riches!” The Faith I Live By, 170

“When temporal matters absorb the mind and engage the attention, the whole strength of the being is engaged in the service of man, and men look upon the worship due to God as a trifling matter. Religious interests are made subservient to the world. But Jesus … requires that men shall subordinate temporal interests to the heavenly interests. He would have them cease to indulge in hoarding up earthly treasures, in spending money upon luxuries, and in surrounding themselves with all those things which they do not need. He would not have them destroy spiritual power, but directs their attention to heavenly things. …” Lift Him Up, 128

Question – How can I be a “man after God’s own heart?”

Question:

How can I be a “man after God’s own heart?”

Answer:

“I was shown that it was when David was pure, and walking in the counsel of God, that God called him a man after His own heart. When David departed from God, and stained his virtuous character by his crimes, he was no longer a man after God’s own heart. … God would not justify anyone in transgressing His commandments, but that He will surely punish the guilty, however righteous, and favored of God they might once have been while they followed the Lord in purity of heart. …” Spiritual Gifts, vol. 4a, 87

“[T]he history of David furnishes no countenance to sin. It was when he was walking in the counsel of God that he was called a man after God’s own heart. When he sinned, this ceased to be true of him until by repentance he had returned to the Lord. …

“Though David repented of his sin, and was forgiven and accepted by the Lord, he reaped the baleful harvest of the seed he himself had sown. … His authority in his own household, his claim to respect and obedience from his sons, was weakened. A sense of his guilt kept him silent when he should have condemned sin; it made his arm feeble to execute justice in his house. …

“Those who, by pointing to the example of David, try to lessen the guilt of their own sins, should learn from the Bible record that the way of transgression is hard. Though like David they should turn from their evil course, the results of sin, even in this life, will be found bitter and hard to bear.” Conflict and Courage, 180

“When the righteous turn from their righteousness to do evil, their past righteousness will not save them from the wrath of a just and holy God.” Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce, 95

[Emphasis supplied]

Question – Why do I have to change?

Question:

The Bible says God accepts you where you are.  If that is true, then why do I have to change?

Answer:

Yes, God does accept you as and where you are. As sinners, we have no way to change ourselves for the better so that we can come to Him ready for heaven. But this does not mean that we should believe that God does not require a change of heart. He does not leave us where He found us.

“The religion of Christ never degrades the receiver; it ennobles and elevates. Upon certain conditions we are assured that we may become members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King. … Through faith in Christ, and obedience to the requirements of His law, we are offered a life that shall run parallel with the life of God.” The Review and Herald, May 5, 1891

“Transformation of heart means an entire change of the entire man. ‘Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God,’ Christ declared (John 3:3). This change of heart is unseen; for it is an inward work, and yet, it is seen, because it works outward from within.

“Has the leaven of truth been at work in your heart? Has it absorbed the whole heart, the whole affections by its sanctifying power? …

“Our first work is with our own hearts. The true principles of reform should be practiced. The heart must be converted and sanctified else we have no connection with Christ.” This Day With God, 48

“When Jesus speaks of the new heart, He means the mind, the life, the whole being. To have a change of heart is to withdraw the affections from the world, and fasten them upon Christ. To have a new heart is to have a new mind, new purposes, new motives. What is the sign of a new heart?—A changed life.” Our High Calling, 159

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.” Psalm 51:7, 9–11