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Stand Firm

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The Caliga “was a heavy-duty, thick-soled openwork boot, with hobnailed soles” worn by low-ranking Roman soldiers and cavalrymen. They are similar to the cleats we see today on the athletic shoes worn by baseball and football players. These hobnailed-soled sandals were designed to provide optimal grip and foot support. The sandal was secured to the foot by straps that crisscrossed and tied above the ankle, often up the calf to the knee. Not only did the sandal provide sure-footedness, but they made a horrific noise. Imagine the thunderous sound made by the thousands of feet as the Roman legions marched toward their enemy.

Lorica segmentata was the most common armor of the Roman army. It consisted of metal plates that overlapped one another, using leather straps to secure it around the soldier’s torso, covering the shoulders, chest, stomach, and back. A later form of armor the Lorica hamata or mail armor, was made using iron or bronze rings linked together, alternating closed washer-like rings with riveted rings. This made the armor very flexible, reliable, and strong. Mail armor was worn like a shirt and covered the torso from mid-back and down the front, often to the thighs. With proper maintenance, this armor could be used for several decades. Both of these types of armor were effective in repelling arrows and other sharp tools of war.

The scutum shield was used by soldiers of ancient Rome. A large, semi-cylindrical shield, rectangular in shape, with a hand-hold in the center, the shield surrounded the soldier, from approximately the shoulders to the knees (about 37”–42” tall).

The Cassis (combat helmet) was made of iron that covered the head, cheeks, and sometimes with a strip of iron fashioned to cover the nose.

In combat, Roman soldiers carried a long, double-edged sword (either a Gladius or Spatha), a Pugio dagger (a large, leaf-shaped dagger) and either a spear (Hasta) or javelin (Pilum).

Sources: Wikipedia.org/wiki/Caligae; Wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_military_personal_equipment; Wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_Roman_ridge_helmet

Standing firm in a fight, dressed in the armor that can save your life, can be the difference between winning and losing a battle.

It is the same in spiritual warfare.

“Therefore take up 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 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.” Ephesians 6:13–17

“Our battle will not be with men, although it may appear so; we war ‘not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against wicked spirits in high places.’ …

“To every soul will come the searching test, Shall I obey God rather than man? The decisive hour is even at hand. Satan is putting forth his utmost efforts in a last despairing struggle against Christ and His followers. In this closing scene, false teachers are employing every possible device to stimulate the hardened sinner in his rebellious daring, to confirm the questioning, the doubting, the unbelieving, and by misrepresentation and falsehood to deceive, if it were possible, the very elect.

“Who are prepared to stand firmly under the banner on which is inscribed, ‘The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus’?” The Signs of the Times, February 22, 1910

“Do not fear to stand firm for the right under any and all circumstances. Do not think it uncourteous to meet with a decided ‘No,’ those who would suggest evil thoughts, or would urge you to any act which God would not approve.

“ ‘When sinners entice thee, consent thou not.’ Do they sneeringly call you a coward, tell them that if it is cowardly to fear to do wrong, then you are a coward.” Ibid., August 23, 1883

“God wants everyone to stand with the whole armor on, ready for the great review.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 20, 263

“We must put on every piece of the armor, and then stand firm. The Lord has honored us by choosing us as His soldiers. Let us fight bravely for Him, maintaining the right in every transaction. Rectitude in all things is essential to the welfare of the soul. As you strive for the victory over your own inclinations, He will help you by His Holy Spirit to be circumspect in every action, that you may give no occasion for the enemy to speak evil of the truth. Put on as your breastplate that divinely protected righteousness which it is the privilege of all to wear. This will protect your spiritual life.” The Youth’s Instructor, September 12, 1901

Story – Parrot Preachers

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Grandma Maria lived in a big house in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. The house was always a bustle of activity. In the basement, Grandpa operated a furniture factory. Every day you could hear the sounds of saws, hammers, machines, spray painting guns, and workmen shouting above the noise as they made all the beds, dressers, cabinets, tables, and chairs. The smell of wood shavings and spray lacquer blended together with the heat and humidity of the tropics.

Upstairs, life was very busy too. Several of Grandma’s children were now grownups and lived in the house. They had their children, which of course were Grandma’s grandchildren. And then there were all the neighborhood children who would come and visit. The delicious smells from the kitchen were always an attraction for those who passed by the big house, and Grandma was always there to invite them in for a glass of water or a meal. Grandpa would often be seen loading the factory truck with furniture to be delivered to the various stores in town.

Grandma was the only Adventist Christian in the family. That was not easy. When family worship time came, she always invited the members of the household to join her for singing, Bible reading, and prayer. Sometimes there were those who would join her, but most of the time Grandma found herself alone on the back porch with God and her two parrots, Pepe and Suzie. How she enjoyed having family worship! She would sing songs and read the Bible aloud, and sometimes would even preach to her parrots when there was no one else around for her to talk with.

Soon Pepe and Suzie began to learn to sing some of Grandma’s favorite hymns. Her favorite hymn was Santo, Santo, Santo … (Holy, Holy, Holy …). Every time Grandma would start to sing that hymn, Pepe and Suzie would begin to sway back and forth with their necks stretched out, singing the song with all their might. Grandma also repeated certain words and phrases from sermons she had heard. Her parrots learned those too. It wasn’t long before one or the other of the parrots would shout, “Preparate pecador, que Cristo viene!” (“Prepare sinner, the Lord is coming!”).

Pepe and Suzie were kept in a cage at the top of the steps that came up from the basement to Grandma’s back porch. In Grandpa’s basement furniture factory, there was a worker named Carlos, who was very lazy. Carlos would saw a board and then he would rest for a while. Every time Carlos’ corner of the factory got quiet, Pepe and Suzie would call out his name, “Carlos!” Then they would add, “Travaja!” (“Get to work!”) in a screechy voice. This would make Carlos very upset. He got so upset that one evening, as he climbed the stairs from the factory, he opened the latch of the parrot cage and left it open.

Early the next morning, while it was still dark, one of Grandma’s neighbors woke up to the sound of voices just outside her window. “Santo, Santo, Santo …” (“Holy, Holy, Holy …”). “Prepare sinner, the Lord is coming!” The neighbor lady ran to her window and peered out into the darkness. Again came the song and the warning cry, “Prepare sinner, the Lord is coming!” With that she hurried out to the street only to find others who were asking each other, “Did you hear what I heard?”

Grandma heard the commotion and joined the group. She happily announced that her parrots must be up in the trees.

Soon Pepe and Suzie were back in their cage, leaving Grandma to explain to her neighbors how it happened that her parrots learned to sing and preach! Some of Grandma’s neighbors said they wished they knew more about the Bible, so Grandma offered to give them Bible studies. Several of them gave their hearts to Jesus and were baptized.

We all know that Pepe and Suzie were just repeating words and sounds they had heard Grandma say in family worship. They didn’t really understand what it all meant. But we know about the love of Jesus from the Bible. Jesus is our friend, and we can tell others of His love. If Pepe and Suzie could witness for Jesus by just repeating sounds, how much more we could do by intelligently sharing our love for Jesus with others!

Adventist Family Ministries, Casper and Mary-Ellen Colon, 1993

How to Gain Spiritual Strength

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Many are spiritually weak because they look at themselves instead of at Christ. Looking at themselves, and seeing only discouragement and unworthiness, they forget that God is waiting to make them agencies for the blessing of the world, and that angels are waiting to be colaborers with them.

Christ is the great storehouse from which on every occasion we may draw strength and happiness. Why, then, do we withdraw our eyes from His sufficiency to look on and bemoan our weakness? Why do we forget that He is ready to help us in every time of need? We dishonor Him by talking of our inefficiency. Instead of looking at ourselves, let us constantly behold Jesus, daily becoming more and more like Him, more and more able to talk of Him, better prepared to avail ourselves of His kindness and helpfulness, and to receive the blessings offered us. As we thus live in communion with Him, we grow strong in His strength, a help and a blessing to those around us.

Christ has made every provision for us to be strong. He has given us His Holy Spirit, whose office is to bring to our remembrance all the promises that Christ has made, that we may have peace and a sweet sense of forgiveness. If we will but keep our eyes fixed on the Saviour, and trust in His power, we shall be filled with a sense of security; for the righteousness of Christ will become our righteousness.

If we would only do as the Lord desires us to, our hearts would become as sacred harps, every chord of which would sound forth praise and gratitude to the Redeemer sent by God to take away the sin of the world. With joy we would be able to say, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom also we have access by faith into the grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us.”

When temptations assail you, as they surely will, when care and perplexity surround you, when, distressed and discouraged, you are almost ready to yield to despair, look, O look, to where with the eye of faith you last saw the light; and the darkness that encompasseth you will be dispelled by the bright shining of His glory. When sin struggles for the mastery in your soul, and burdens the conscience, when unbelief clouds the mind, go to the Saviour. His grace is sufficient to subdue sin. He will pardon us, making us joyful in God.

Looking at self, we see only weakness, and we forget God’s purpose for us. We forget that He placed on us so high a value that He gave Christ to die for us. O, after all that has been done for us, how can we disappoint Christ by failing to live the life that He has made it possible for us to live? Let us no longer talk of our inefficiency and lack of power. Forgetting the things that are behind, let us press forward in the heavenward way. Let us neglect no opportunity that, if improved, will make us more useful in God’s service. Then like threads of gold, holiness will run through our lives, and the angels, beholding our consecration, will repeat the promise, “I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.” All heaven rejoices when weak, faulty human beings give themselves to Jesus, to live His life. The Review and Herald, October 1, 1908

Let Love Have Its Perfect Work

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What does it mean to love one another? When David said to Jonathan, “Your love to me was wonderful, surpassing the love of women,” (2 Samuel 1:26, last part), what did he mean? We often talk of love in many contexts, but rarely have a true understanding of it. The Bible talks a great deal about love.

“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:8

This text establishes the foundation of true love: God is love. The whole world and everything in it, though tarnished by sin, shows forth the love of God. It was because of the love of God that the world, the entire universe, was created. It was love that walked and talked with Adam and Eve in the garden. It was love that put into effect a plan to restore man if he should turn away from God’s love. It was love that brought Jesus to this world as a babe. It was love that sustained Him under the crushing weight of the sin He bore for us and that separated Him from His Father. It was love that took Jesus to Calvary, and consequently, moved Him to give up His life for every man, woman, and child. And it is love that has pleaded with mankind for 6,000 years.

The love of God for man is a favorite subject of many a minister preaching from the pulpit. But what about our love for God? While we may not have a full understanding of God’s love, we have but to open our eyes, breathe the air, hear the birds sing, or sit down to eat to be aware of it. God abundantly shows His love for us, even in a sinful world. How do we know and show that we love God? How do we increase our love for Him?

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4–8, first part. The very foundation of Christ’s character is love. Jesus was always kind and patient. He was not proud, nor was He selfish. Jesus did not seek to do evil, but rather He rejoiced in the truth.

Jesus could have decided not to endure the pain and suffering inflicted upon Him in the judgment halls of Caiaphas, Herod, and Pilate. He could have walked away from the pain and agony of the cross and returned to His Father. But He didn’t. Why? Because love does not fail. The Father and His Son had a plan to save the world, to offer salvation to all who would accept it, and in this, love would not fail. What a rebuke to all of us! So the most important question we must ask ourselves is, “How can I be like Him?”

We often talk about keeping the commandments of God, and this is very important to our salvation, because perfect love will have perfect results—complete compliance with all of God’s commandments. In Mark 10:17, a young rich ruler came to Jesus and asked a question. “Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?’ ” This is a question we should all be asking the Lord. What must I do to enter the kingdom of heaven? Jesus responded with a list of criteria. The criteria he used to test this young man was specific. “ ‘You know the commandments: “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not bear false witness,” “Do not defraud,” “Honor your father and your mother.” ’ ” Verse 19. There are two very notable items in what Jesus said. First, He reminded the young man that he already knew what he must do. Second, He did not quote all the commandments of God, only those that dealt with love for mankind.

The young man was sure he had kept these commandments, but Jesus gave Him a further test in response to his statement. “And he answered and said to Him, ‘Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth,’ Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.’ ” Verses 20, 21. What did the rich young ruler lack? It was love. Remember 1 Corinthians 13 says that love “does not seek its own.” If we have selfishness in our hearts, we do not have love. The young man went away from Jesus lost because he loved himself more than his fellow man, and consequently, he did not love Jesus.

It is also recorded that Jesus was approached by a scribe who had been listening to Him and was impressed by His understanding of the things of God. He “asked Him, ‘Which is the first commandment of all?’ Jesus answered him, ‘The first of all the commandments is: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’ ” Mark 12:30, 31 The greatest commandment is that we are to love Him with all our being. Yet, Jesus was not satisfied with the scribe’s question and added, as a second commandment, that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. Jesus made a point of saying “There is no other commandment greater than these.” It is not enough to claim to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind; it is necessary to prove it by our love for our fellow man.

Jesus was pointing out in these two examples that it is impossible to love God without loving your neighbor. It is through unconditional love that Jesus was born into the world to redeem mankind. God loved us, even in mankind’s fallen state, with such a fervent love that He was willing to sacrifice His human existence to save us. Jesus said to His disciples, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” John 15:13. Who were Jesus’ friends? The entire human race, every sinner on this planet, before He came, during His stay, and to the end of time. He loved them despite their fallen nature.

As an answer to the opening question, David loved Jonathan with a godly, brotherly love. He felt the kindness and caring Jonathan had for him, and he reciprocated that love. God wants us to reciprocate His love for us by showing our love for others. Jesus is impartial in His love for sinners. He does not care how bad a sinner we may be, He loves us all. He did not die for the righteous, but for the sinner. His love is unbounded. He loved and died for each one of us. He did not wait for us to become righteous before loving us. No, He sat with the sinners and talked with them and cared for them. There is no partiality with Him. People hated Jesus because of His unconditional love for all, calling Him all sorts of names, yet He did not back away from His love. Jesus does not condone our sins, yet His love is perfect, lacking nothing, while He works tirelessly to save every sinner.

In addressing this subject, Peter shows us a process whereby we can gain this perfect love that is required to enter heaven. “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.” 2 Peter 1:5-7. First, we must have faith that God can create in us this perfect love. All the apostles talk about the faith that we must have in the Lord. That faith that “comes from hearing [reading], and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17

As we study God’s word, He adds knowledge of what He says about love. That knowledge solidifies our understanding of the conditions of salvation. Then comes the harder area to conquer—self-control and perseverance. Perfect love will have our emotions under control. It will make us meek and lowly, humble. Perseverance in this humility molds our character, forming a godly character within us. But don’t be fooled. Many today think they have reached this plateau of harmony, but it is hard to obtain. It takes much prayer and contrition. Godliness is not totally formed until we complete the next step in our search for perfect love. As Jesus pointed out to the rich young ruler—as He does also to us today—godliness is formed through brotherly kindness and love.

Because of our heritage, we are weighed down by the life that has molded us into what we are as we come to Christ. Thank God in heaven that He did not hold that against us. Paul writes, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” Romans 12:10, 11. Jesus said to His disciples on the day before His crucifixion, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34, 35. If we cannot love one another within the church, with our faults and defects, how can we love our fellowman and work to bring them out of the world?

Jesus has called us to have love for each other in the church. As we examine self, we will find more flaws which will require prayer and repentance. Perfect love is the perfect reflection of Jesus. As Jesus is longsuffering with us, should we not be longsuffering with others? That is love according to 1 Corinthians 13, “Love suffers long and is kind.” Oh, if we could see ourselves as Jesus sees us, we would be ashamed. But we should not fear, for love will cast out all fear of failure. If we have perfect love, all fear will be cast out. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18. When our love is tried and tested by God, we must remember that it is to bring us into complete harmony with His love for us, that our love for Him and others will be perfected.

“ ‘There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.’ This is an important statement; for there are many who desire to love and serve God, and yet when affliction comes upon them, they do not discern the love of God in it, but the hand of the enemy. They mourn and murmur and complain; but this is not the fruit of love to God in the soul. If we have perfect love, we shall know that God is not seeking to injure us, but that in the midst of trials, and griefs, and pains, He is seeking to make us perfect, and to test the quality of our faith. When we cease to worry about the future, and begin to believe that God loves us, and means to do us good, we shall trust Him as a child trusts a loving parent. Then our troubles and torments will disappear, and our will will be swallowed up in the will of God.” The Youth’s Instructor, January 6, 1898

The apostle John explains our condition with God in the absence of love for others. Here are a few statements he makes concerning love. “He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now,” “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him,” “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” 1 John 2:9; 3:15; 4:20

Would you agree that if you hate or dislike someone, it is from a lack of love? We are told to hate sin but love the sinner, yet most of the time we seem to do the opposite. It is time to learn the lesson of perfect love; to love the sinner and cherish his or her soul as Jesus did.

“Jesus bears with the perversity of the children of men, and pities them in their wrong course. If He felt as some who claim to be His followers feel, He would be filled with continual disgust and hatred as He looks upon those who are abusing His mercy, despising His grace, refusing to obey His commandments, and trampling upon His authority. He has bought them soul and body, and though they give their allegiance to Satan, His bitterest enemy, He loves them still.

“No one can hate his brother, or even his enemy, without placing himself under condemnation. We ever receive from the hand of our Maker and Judge a reward in harmony with the nature of our conduct toward Him and His creatures. It is written: ‘If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.’ Again we read: ‘With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt show thyself upright; with the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt show thyself froward.’ ” The Youth’s Instructor, January 13, 1898

Jesus has given us the example of true love for His creation. He bears long with our iniquity. Should we not also bear long with others? Jesus does not care what their sins may be. He seeks to help them, and us, to overcome and be part of His kingdom. We must look to self and examine our own motives to see if, by our unloving attitudes, we are doing Satan’s work.

None are perfected yet, but if we look closely at Jesus, see His loveliness, His kindness and gentleness, watch as He does not condemn but guides, He will perfect us in perfect love. Whether it be our neighbor next door, the homeless man on the street, our leaders in power, or our brethren in the church, our love should not waver for any of them.

Jesus loved the people (Jews), the church leaders (Pharisees) and the world leaders (Romans) who crucified Him. His statement on the cross relayed a message to us today. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Luke 23:34. Should we do less than He?

If we are to go boldly to the throne of God for our salvation, we must, as Jesus taught us, learn perfect love for those in this world. Love does not condemn or look down on, speak evil of, or gossip about others, no matter who they might be. Love will change our thought patterns and soften our hearts to feel pity for all people. Let love have its perfect work, lacking nothing.

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.

What Do We Mean by the Blueprint?

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God often uses illustrations to bring us a lesson, and in Amos 7:7, 8, we find a vivid and graphic one.

“Thus He shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in His hand. And the Lord said unto me, ‘Amos, what seest thou?’ And I said, ‘A plumbline.’ Then said the Lord, ‘Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of My people Israel: I will not again pass by them anymore.’ ”

A plumbline is used to see whether a wall is straight or not, but there is an interesting thing about a plumbline: no matter what the person using it thinks, or whether they have something to gain or lose, the plumbline always points straight up and down. That is why it is used.

A builder friend of mine once told me about a church that was being built. A general contractor had been hired to oversee the project, but certain parts of the building’s construction had been sourced out to various subcontractors. One of those contractors was responsible for the masonry work on the building.

One morning the general superintendent came to the job site. He thought one of the walls didn’t look straight. When the foreman for the masons came, the superintendent expressed his concern about the wall. The foreman said, “Well, let’s get the plumbline.” They did, and sure enough, the wall was not true; it was out of line.

Now, the wall had already been built up to a certain point. Do you suppose they decided that the wall wasn’t a whole lot out of alignment, and since it would take a lot of time and money to pull it down and do it right, they would just keep building on that wall even though it was out of line, but do it right on the other walls? Wouldn’t it be strange to argue that if it had been built according to the blueprint in the first place, it would have been better, but now it is too late to go back and start over?

There is only one right thing for them to do—tear it down and start over again, using the plumbline more often and more carefully. In material things, nobody questions what to do in a case like this.

But, in our text above, God is talking about something infinitely more important. Another translation states it this way: “ ‘Amos, what do you see?’ ‘A plumbline,’ I replied. The Eternal said, ‘With a plumbline I test My people.’ ”

The Seventh-day Adventist church is unique. It isn’t some sect or a cult. It is a movement established by God with a God-given message, and its destiny is to allow God to use it to prepare a people to be ready for His soon coming. But there is a question to consider: God has waited a long time, spiritually building this last-day movement. He has spent 6,000 years testing it. Unless His church is built according to the blueprint and is perfect according to its standard, what profit is it to keep building it?

Key to this message, and the foundation and central pillar of the advent movement, is the following text: “And he said unto me, unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” Daniel 8:14. It is the event highlighted in this prophecy that has made us a people, and will keep us on our job.

There are three critical things about this text. One is that great period that began in 457 B.C. and reached down to the autumn of 1844. October 22, 1844, is the birthday of God’s last-day people. It designates the beginning of the cleansing of the sanctuary in heaven, and the blotting out of the sins of God’s people. God will never enter a false record in His heavenly bookkeeping. And when He says that He will cleanse the sanctuary in heaven, that includes an accompanying work of cleansing His church on earth. As the Investigative Judgment continues in the most holy place in the sanctuary above, as the lives of men are measured by His ten-commandment law—His plumbline—God wants us to be measuring our lives according to the plumbline to be certain that we are straight and true.

“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10. We primarily think about the fourth commandment when we read this verse because the Sabbath is the seal of the law and the seal of God’s work in the hearts of His people—the sign of a completed work in which all His people have all the law written in their hearts and revealed in their lives. But there are ten commandments and behind those ten are the two great commandments: love to God and love to fellow man—God’s blueprint as well as His plumbline. In order to have a people in whose hearts and lives the ten commandments are fully revealed, God has given us a message of physical healing and restoration so that our blood streams may be pure and our brains thinking straight. That is why we have health reform and medical missionary work in this movement.

In order that we might know what this law reveals, God gave us a set of lenses—the Old and New Testaments—which magnify the law. And because some of us down here in this last generation have such poor eyesight, He’s given us, along with His law and the Bible to magnify it, a great magnifying glass in the Spirit of Prophecy. The Spirit of Prophecy magnifies the Bible, the Bible magnifies the law and thus we can see the whole duty of man.

Why is this law so important? It is the revelation of God’s will, His character. He spoke it with His lips, He wrote it with His finger. It is the only part of the Bible given to us in these ways. In the Bible, we have this same Creator who writes His will on the tables of stone, speaking to us through the prophets and apostles, and telling us in simple language what He means by every precept of His law. Now in the word of God, we find the last-day promise that He will have a remnant church that keeps His law—the ten commandments—and have the testimony of Jesus—the Spirit of Prophecy.

If the Spirit of Prophecy is the testimony of Jesus, then who is speaking to us as we read books such as The Ministry of Healing, Counsels on Diet and Foods, Counsels on Health, and the Testimonies? Jesus is speaking. We often hear it said that the messages found in the Spirit of Prophecy are out of date. Isn’t it strange that we believe that the messages in a book given to us 2,000 years ago are still valid, but messages given by the same voice over a hundred years ago, are not? I don’t believe it, do you? I believe that the One who gives us light through the Bible has given us light in the Spirit of Prophecy, and both sources of light will help, guide, and bless us all the way to the end.

There are those who believe in the writings of Ellen G. White as found in The Desire of Ages, Patriarchs and Prophets, Steps to Christ, or Christ’s Object Lessons, but they find it difficult to attach the same inspired authority to the details dealing with physiology, dietetics and nutrition, medical practice, and sanitariums and hospitals. So, the question we need to ask is, “What do we mean by the blueprint?”

I am not telling any secret when I say that we have good men in leadership who believe that there is good counsel in the writings of Ellen G. White. However, they also believe that at least some of what she wrote, while relevant to her time, is not relevant to our time. With all my heart I believe they are mistaken. I do not believe that we can treat some of the Spirit of Prophecy as guidance for a bygone age only, and jettison other guidance which we feel is outmoded or obsolete for this time in earth’s history. The truth is, friends, we have to make sure that we are right according to the plumbline.

The higher the wall, the more important it is for the continued use of the plumbline to keep the wall straight. And if in our ignorance or carelessness, in our desire to keep up with the Joneses, we have built different from the blueprint and contrary to the plumbline, then we must repent and start over again in our individual work for God. God’s patience has endured for more than 6,000 years, and He continues to wait until He gets what He wants. No matter how high we build our walls, unless God accepts our work, what profit is it?

To the point of just exactly what we mean by the blueprint, I’d like us to read the following classic statement. It relates to the Bible, but is equally applicable to the inspired instruction which has been given to us through the Spirit of Prophecy. “It is one thing to treat the Bible as a book of good moral instruction, to be heeded so far as is consistent with the spirit of the times and our position in the world; it is another thing to regard it as it really is—the word of the living God, the word that is our life, the word that is to mold our actions, our words, and our thoughts. To hold God’s word as anything less than this is to reject it.” Education, 260

Are the writings of the Bible and of Ellen G. White the blueprint for our work, or are they merely some guiding principles to apply as we think best? This is the question, and on this issue will come a confrontation in this denomination that we have yet to meet.

In 1904, Mrs. White was given a vision of an iceberg. We understand that this vision came at the same time as an open attack against the Spirit of Prophecy by the people in Battle Creek. In vision, Mrs. White was told that she was to give the order to “Meet it!”

Our controversy in the world is over the Sabbath and keeping the ten commandments, but the great controversy within this movement in the coming days is over the Spirit of Prophecy. Books have been written with the intention of debunking the authority of Ellen G. White. Now is the time for those who believe in and hold fast to the Spirit of Prophecy to come out in the open and stand up for Jesus and His testimony.

Let me illustrate what I mean in this matter of implicit faith in Mrs. White’s writings. In U.S. News and World Report, there is occasionally a page on the latest in health and medicine. One article is titled, “Alcohol’s Link to Cancer.” This was reported to Congress, and it says, “Government research has shown that there is now evidence from science that the heavy use of alcohol brings an added risk of cancer.” That supports inspired writings. But now notice what it says as the article closes. “ ‘On the other hand,’ the doctor in charge said, ‘there is no evidence that moderate use of alcohol is harmful. In fact, according to the institute’s report, moderate drinkers, as a statistical group, live longer than abstainers or ex-drinkers.’ ”

My dear friends, I plead with your hearts, while it is all very well to gather scientific evidence in support of what the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy say, we need to spend our time with major emphasis in studying the writings themselves and believing them whether science confirms them or not. We do not believe because we understand, we understand because we believe. “Through faith we understand.” Hebrews 11:3. And just as there is danger that some of our scientific men may lose their way while trying to correlate, using the scientific theories and so-called scientific data available in the scientific world today, the teachings of the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy on Creation with science, we must beware that we do not evaluate what is given us in the Spirit of Prophecy according to what man has confirmed or not.

More than a hundred years ago, the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy were far in advance of the science of that time. Could it be that it is the same today? We know a lot of things today that people didn’t know then. If this light through the Spirit of Prophecy is our blueprint, let us be content to wait for the world to catch up.

Let me illustrate it in another way. Many years ago, when I was a student in the medical missionary work, the only people who did not use butter were those in the Seventh-day Adventist Church who were fanatics zealously following the writings of Ellen G. White, and were looked upon by many as extremists. People didn’t talk much about cholesterol and atherosclerosis caused by a high animal fat diet in those days, but do not miss this point: Those fanatics determined to do just what the prophet said about abstaining from eating butter and the result was fewer heart attacks. There are a hundred other details in the Spirit of Prophecy that, if we searched them out and followed them, whether there is any scientific support for them or not, we would not only be showing our faith in God, but we would also reap benefits for doing what God says.

Following the blueprint means taking both the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy at face value and accepting what we read and following their counsels whether we see any reason for it or not.

Let’s look at walking, for example. “Walking, in all cases where it is possible, is the best remedy for diseased bodies, because in this exercise all the organs of the body are brought into use. … There is no exercise that can take the place of walking.” The Retirement Years, 133, 134. Walking is better for our health than all the medicine the doctors can prescribe. Hold the head erect and the shoulders back. The lungs are forced into healthy action, circulation is improved, and many muscles are brought into exercise by walking. Walking can be a safeguard against colds. It is also good to cultivate the habit of talking with Jesus while you walk.

Here is another item of specific counsel on what we mean by the blueprint. “Sickness of the mind prevails everywhere. Nine tenths of the diseases from which men suffer have their foundation here. … The physician needs more than human wisdom and power that he may know how to minister to the many perplexing cases of disease of the mind and heart with which he is called to deal. If he is ignorant of the power of divine grace, he cannot help the afflicted one, but will aggravate the difficulty.” Counsels on Health, 324, 325. What would this do to our practice of medicine if we really believed this statement? Will we dare to refer to an unconverted psychologist or psychiatrist?

The blueprint tells us that if the physician is ignorant of the power of divine grace, he cannot help, but will instead aggravate the difficulty. If my mind ever goes off the beam, let me go insane, raving mad, and die, rather than put me in the hands of some pagan, heathen psychiatrist who does not believe in God and freewill. I would rather die insane in the Lord than be under the influence of one of these worldly psychiatrists or psychologists. Most do not understand that what is called science in the field of psychiatry and psychology goes contrary to the counsels of the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy.

“We may well distrust the ungodly physician. … How terrible to trust our loved ones in the hands of an impure man, who may poison the morals and ruin the soul!” Ibid., 326. Let no medical ethics rob you of the convictions that come from this inspired blueprint.

“Our institutions are to be entirely under the supervision of God. They were established in sacrifice, and only in sacrifice can their work be successfully carried forward.” Ibid., 316

Oh, but we now know how to run the work without sacrifice. Peter tried to help Jesus learn how to run His program without the sacrifice of the cross (Matthew 16). Jesus’ response was, “Get thee behind me, Satan.” Verse 23

Shall I venture another specific example of the blueprint? “It is the purpose of God that a health institution should be organized and controlled exclusively by Seventh-day Adventists; and when unbelievers are brought in to occupy responsible positions, an influence is presiding there that will tell with great weight against the sanitarium.” Counsels on Health, 401. What does “exclusively” mean? Nobody but. Of course, this counsel must be out of date. It was written over a hundred years ago.

God has given us a specific Seventh-day Adventist health message. We are not to be run-of-the-mill medical practitioners who happen to belong to the Seventh-day Adventist church. We have been given counsel to guide us in the way we are to do our work and run our institutions. Is that counsel still relevant? Yes, it is.

A full demonstration of God’s blueprint will soon be on full display. We are invited to have a part in that demonstration of all the counsel found in the Bible and given by Mrs. White, but God does not force anyone. He gives everyone an opportunity to be part of this last-day work. We must go to Him saying, “Dear Lord, I want the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I will seek for it as silver, search for it as pure gold, and I’ll follow it.” There is no limit to what God can do when He has a people willing to go all the way with Him. We must say and believe as did Elijah on Mount Carmel: “If the Lord be God, follow Him, but if it be the world, then follow it.” (1 Kings 18:21).

What is God’s blueprint? His holy law, the Bible, and the Spirit of Prophecy. “Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper.” 2 Chronicles 20:20

[All scripture from the KJV]

Pastor W. D. Frazee studied the Medical Missionary Course at the College of Medical Evangelists in Loma Linda, California. He was called to Utah as a gospel medical evangelist. During the Great Depression, when the church could not afford to hire any assistants, Pastor Frazee began inviting professionals to join him as volunteers. Thus began a faith ministry that would become the foundation for the establishment of the Wildwood Medical Missionary Institute in 1942. He believed that each person is unique, specially designed by the Lord, of infinite value, and has a special place and mission in this world which only he or she can fill. His life followed this principle and encouraged others to do the same.

Joshua and the Angel

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Matthew 25:1–13 records the parable of the ten virgins. From this parable, we learn that not everyone who believes they are saved will actually be saved. Nor will just claiming to be a Christian save you.

Our eternal destiny is a very personal and important, awesome and serious subject. It is difficult for you and I to comprehend just how important because we only live a few years in this world. The question we must ask ourselves is, “What must I do in order to have eternal life?”

There is a common belief throughout most Protestant denominations that we will all, ultimately, go to the same place. But the Bible is very clear that this is not true. In fact, there is no other truth so clearly taught in Scripture than this. In the parable of the ten virgins, did they all end up at the same place? They all expected to be at the bridegroom’s wedding, but only the five wise virgins were allowed entry.

So, let’s see what the Bible does say regarding where we will go and how we will get there.

“And anyone not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15

There will be people in this world, some living right now, who will be cast into the lake of fire.

“But there shall by no means enter it [heaven] anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Revelation 21:27

Only those whose names are written in the book of life will be allowed to enter the holy city.

So we see that the Bible clearly states that there are two completely different places that the people of this world will go, depending on whether or not their names are recorded in the book of life. The tragedy is, in our modern world, that so many who expect to be saved will discover in the end that they are lost.

After studying all the texts in the Gospels that talk about wailing and gnashing of teeth, I found that Jesus wasn’t talking about atheists, infidels, or unbelievers. He was talking about Christians who thought they were going to be saved, but who had come right up to the end, and were not saved.

And so, I want to study with you about our eternal destiny. There are many Bible passages that we could use to introduce this subject, Matthew 25, speaking of the ten virgins, is one. But I want to start with a prophecy that concerns the spiritual condition of God’s people in the last days, just before Jesus comes. A startling prophecy that reveals our condition on the inside.

Zechariah 3 contains a prophecy concerning the spiritual condition of God’s people in the last days, just before Jesus returns. Here we read of those who do not have the wedding garment on and are not ready to be part of the wedding feast.

“Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him.” Verse 1

The word Satan is one of the very few words in the English language that is a direct transliteration from a Hebrew word meaning the adversary. This name was given to Lucifer after he fell, because he is the adversary of God. He is also the adversary of all who chose to follow God.

“And the Lord said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?’ ” Verse 2

Only God can have an argument with Satan. In fact, the Spirit of Prophecy tells us that Jesus Christ Himself refused to argue with Satan, referring him to His Father.

The brand that is plucked from the fire is you and me and those who, because of their sins, are about to be destroyed, but the Lord says, “No, I will save you.”

So, Joshua has been pulled out of the fire, but notice his condition. “Now Joshua was clothed in filthy garments.” Verse 3

“Joshua the high priest, ‘clothed with filthy garments,’ stand[s] before the Angel of the Lord, entreating the mercy of God in behalf of his people who are in deep affliction. Satan stands at his right hand to resist him. Because Israel had been chosen to preserve the knowledge of God in the earth, they had been … the special objects of Satan’s enmity, and he had determined to cause their destruction. He could do them no harm while they were obedient to God; therefore he had bent all his power and cunning to enticing them into sin. Ensnared by his temptations they had transgressed the law of God and thus separated from the Source of their strength, and had been left to become the prey of their heathen enemies. … Yet they were not forsaken of the Lord. …

“As Joshua humbly pleads for the fulfilment of God’s promises, Satan stands up boldly to resist him. He points to the transgressions of Israel as a reason why that people should not be restored to the favor of God. He claims them as his prey and demands that they be given into his hands to be destroyed.

“The high priest cannot defend himself or his people from Satan’s accusations. He does not claim that Israel are free from fault. In his filthy garments, symbolizing the sins of the people, which he bears as their representative, he stands before the Angel, confessing their guilt, yet pointing to their repentance and humiliation, relying upon the mercy of a sin-pardoning Redeemer and in faith claiming the promises of God.” Testimonies, Vol. 5, 468, 469

We know that we cannot be part of the wedding feast if we remain in our filthy garments, but because of our sins, that is our condition. Throughout the Bible, filthy rags represent an imperfect character. We can try to clothe ourselves with any manner of covering, but to no avail as God sees everything in our hearts.

Finding Joshua clothed in filthy garments, the Angel said, “Then He answered and said to those who stood before Him, ‘Take away the filthy garments from him.’ And to him He said, ‘See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.’ And I said, ‘Let them put a clean turban on his head.’ So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the Lord stood by.” Zechariah 3:4, 5

The removal of the filthy garments represents the taking away of iniquity. The Lord says that it is He who provides the change of clothing, a royal robe, one that can be worn to a royal wedding.

“Then the Angel of the Lord admonished Joshua, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: If you will walk in My ways, and if you will keep My command, then you shall also judge My house, and likewise have charge of My courts; I will give you places to walk among those who stand here.

“ ‘Hear, O Joshua, the high priest, you and your companions who sit before you, for they are a wondrous sign … .’ ” Verses 6–8, first part

As a young preacher, I assumed that God’s people would know what causes them to be clothed in filthy garments, but I’ve learned lately the necessity of going over the basics so that we will understand exactly what is involved when we talk about a biblical subject. So, this is the question: “What is it that causes God’s people to be clothed in filthy garments?”

A filthy garment is a polluted and defiled garment, and if you find yourself still clothed in them when probation closes, you will be lost.

“He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still. And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work.” Revelation 22:11, 12

The one who is filthy will remain filthy. But those who are saved will have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Revelation 7:14

Wearing filthy garments represents a sinful character. “And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” Revelation 19:8. This is one of the clearest verses in all the Bible showing that our garments represent our character.

The Bible tells us of many ways by which our characters can be defiled. Here are just a few:

  1. The way we eat. Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14

These chapters tell us how to distinguish between clean and unclean foods, and instructs us “to consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Leviticus 11:44

  1. Lewdness and immodesty. Leviticus 18

This includes pornography, dress, music, what we read, television, movies, videos, the internet, and social media. “Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you.” Verse 24

In particular, the entertainment industry has had a profound effect upon man’s character. In a single movie or television program, you can experience nudity, lewd and coarse language, and the actors are being dishonest simply by virtue of pretending to be someone they are not. The clothing that is worn excites the sexual senses and does not modestly cover the body. The lyrics of the popular music styles today encourage violence, disobedience, immodesty, disrespect, and often, outright blasphemy. These entertainers are put before our children as role models, someone to emulate to prove that they are successful and well-liked.

If we want to have our character perfected, if we want to reflect Christ’s character, then we must remove these influences from our life. It is time to go to the Lord, and with deep contrition of heart, pray, “Lord help me.” This is why historic Adventist preachers spend so much time preaching about how to overcome sin. If these influences remain in our lives, then it would do no good for the Lord to give us new raiment for we would just get it dirty again.

  1. Sexual immorality/unrestrained passion. Exodus 32

“Your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves.” Verse 7

The God-ordained restraint between a man and woman has been broken. There is an intended respect between the genders that should be maintained. In this world, there is a certain familiarity in touching and speaking between men and women that should be preserved only within the bonds of marriage between husband and wife. People today say, “Oh, that’s just the way I am. I don’t mean anything by it.” Or “That’s just the way it is in our culture. We’re friendly people.” But these activities can cause the minds of God’s people to be filled with lust, desire, and envy, resulting in filthy garments.

  1. Deuteronomy 25 and Leviticus 19

“You shall not have in your bag differing weights, a heavy and a light. You shall not have in your house differing measures, a large and a small. You shall have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure.” Deuteronomy 25:13–15, first part

The Lord wants us to be strictly honest in all that we do.

“These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord [strife] among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16–19. All these things will make our garments filthy.

Remember, “But there shall by no means enter it [heaven] anything that defiles, or causes an abomination … .” Revelation 21:27, first part

  1. Evil surmising/stirring up strife/gossip. 1 Timothy 6:3–5

In 1 Timothy, Paul talks about people who engage in evil conjecturing or evil suspicioning. Gossiping and carrying tales, even if they are true, is not an activity that a child of God should be involved in. Reputations are ruined, particularly if the tale isn’t true, souls are scarred and driven from the church—both the subject of the gossip as well as the one carrying the gossip.

  1. The content of the heart and mind.

There are many scriptures that speak to this form of defilement. What is in our hearts directs our actions.

“ ‘You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.” But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.’ ” Matthew 5:21, 22

God is not suggesting that it is okay for you to be angry at your brother if you have a good reason. Anger begins in the heart and mind of a man. God is telling us that being angry is so bad that it can cause us to desire evil things and make us filthy with sin.

“ ‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour, and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.’ ” Verses 43, 44

Hatred grows in the heart and mind. When we allow it a place there, it can take control of our lives.

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Verses 27, 28

There are people who believe that the consequences of thinking about doing something are not the same as actually doing it. So, if I dream of having relations with someone other than my spouse, but I don’t really do it, then I am not guilty of committing adultery. This is one of the devil’s lies. The truth is, lust is found in the heart and mind, and if we look upon another person with evil desire, then we are guilty of making our garments filthy.

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45

Because evil lives in my heart and mind, if I want to wear clean garments, then I must have my heart and mind cleansed and purified; only then can I be delivered from my filthy garments.

Friends, we must now get serious about changing from our filthy garments and putting on Christ’s robe of righteousness. Our very nature requires a complete overhaul. First, we must recognize our true condition. Then, we must go to the Source of all power, the One who is mighty to save.

The Lord says that if we will walk in His ways and keep His commandments, then we will one day govern His house and keep His courts. We will be men and women at whom people will wonder. The unsaved, those without the wedding garment, will see God’s people dressed in the spotless, clean wedding garments, their characters perfected, ready to spend eternity with Jesus.

“To the marriage supper of the Lamb will come many who have not on the wedding garment—the robe [Christ] purchased for them with His lifeblood. From lips that never make a mistake come the words, ‘Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?’ (Matthew 22:12). Those [thus] addressed are speechless. They know that words would be useless. The truth, with its sanctifying power, has not been brought into the soul, and the tongue that once spoke so readily of the truth is now silent. The words are then spoken, ‘Take them out of My presence. They are not worthy to taste of My supper’ (cf. Luke 14:24).” The Upward Look, 301

As the sinner is separated from God’s loyal children, Christ looks upon them with deep sorrow. From His quivering lips come the mournful words of regret, “I loved them. I gave My life for them. But they persisted in rejecting My pleadings, and continued in sin.”

Do you want your filthy garments to be removed?

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.

Every Man’s Destiny Decided

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The God we serve is merciful and longsuffering. He loathes to punish, but righteousness and judgment are the foundation of His throne, and the time will come when He must pass judgment and determine every man’s destiny. For God’s children, that is in progress right now. For those who have not accepted the gospel, the judgment takes place during the millennium spoken of in Revelation 20.

The judgment should always be in our view because we are living in the most solemn period of earth’s history, when the eternal destiny of everyone who has ever professed the name of Christ is being decided. If you are uncertain about these facts or do not understand them, you are invited to go to the Steps to Life web page to enroll in our Bible course. These studies will enable you to not only understand what the Bible says about the judgment and that it is taking place right now, but also to help prepare you to be ready for that grand and awful day when the judgment is finished and every man’s eternal destiny is fixed by an unchangeable decree.

Here are a few facts about the judgment:

We will be judged by our deeds: Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14; 2 Corinthians 5:10.

We will be judged according to the words we have spoken—for the recording angel has recorded them all: Matthew 12:36, 37; Ecclesiastes 5:6, 7.

We will be judged according to the thoughts we have espoused and cherished: Isaiah 66:18; Matthew 15:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 4:5.

Our name must be retained in the book of life in order for us to be saved: Revelation 20:13–15.

For our names to be retained in the book of life, we must overcome sin: Revelation 3:5.

We must be Christlike in character: 1 John 3:1–3; Colossians 1:27, 28.

The standard of character by which we will be judged is the ten commandments: James 2:10–12.

“Let the heavens declare His righteousness, for God Himself is Judge.” Psalm 50:6

“Silently, unnoticed as the midnight thief, will come the decisive hour which marks the fixing of every man’s destiny, the final withdrawal of mercy’s offer to guilty men.” The Great Controversy, 491

“Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming … lest, coming suddenly, He find you sleeping.” Mark 13:35, 36

Bible Study – God’s Love

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October 22 – 28, 2023

Key Text

“In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them; in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bore them and carried them all the days of old.” Isaiah 63:9

Study Help: Steps to Christ, 9–15

Introduction

“What had Christ not done to win the hearts of Israel and to inspire them with unwavering confidence in Himself? For ages He had visited His people with manifestations of the most condescending kindness and unexampled love.” Counsels on Health, 455

Sunday

1 EVERLASTING LOVE

1.a. Mention one of the characteristics of God’s love. Jeremiah 31:3

Note: “God would not have us remain pressed down by dumb sorrow, with sore and breaking hearts. He would have us look up and behold His dear face of love. The blessed Saviour stands by many whose eyes are so blinded by tears that they do not discern Him. He longs to clasp our hands, to have us look to Him in simple faith, permitting Him to guide us. His heart is open to our griefs, our sorrows, and our trials. He has loved us with an everlasting love and with lovingkindness compassed us about. We may keep the heart stayed upon Him and meditate upon His loving-kindness all the day. He will lift the soul above the daily sorrow and perplexity, into a realm of peace.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 12

1.b. What is the simplest definition of God’s love? 1 John 4:8, 16

Note: “The love that the Lord has for His children passeth knowledge. No science can define or explain it. No human wisdom can fathom it. The more we feel the influence of this love, the more meek and humble shall we be.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 5, 1141

Monday

2 THE GREATEST MANIFESTATION OF GOD’S LOVE

2.a. How does Christ Himself describe God’s love? John 3:16, 17

Note: “If those who today are teaching the word of God, would uplift the cross of Christ higher and still higher, their ministry would be far more successful. If sinners can be led to give one earnest look at the cross, if they can obtain a full view of the crucified Saviour, they will realize the depth of God’s compassion and the sinfulness of sin.

“Christ’s death proves God’s great love for man. It is our pledge of salvation. To remove the cross from the Christian would be like blotting the sun from the sky. The cross brings us near to God, reconciling us to Him. With the relenting compassion of a father’s love, Jehovah looks upon the suffering that His Son endured in order to save the race from eternal death, and accepts us in the Beloved.

“Without the cross, man could have no union with the Father. On it depends our every hope. From it shines the light of the Saviour’s love, and when at the foot of the cross the sinner looks up to the One who died to save him, he may rejoice with fullness of joy, for his sins are pardoned. Kneeling in faith at the cross, he has reached the highest place to which man can attain. Through the cross we learn that the heavenly Father loves us with a love that is infinite.” The Acts of the Apostles, 209, 210

2.b.        What evidence does John show to prove God’s love? 1 John 4:10; 3:1

Note: “When we study the divine character in the light of the cross we see mercy, tenderness, and forgiveness blended with equity and justice. We see in the midst of the throne One bearing in hands and feet and side the marks of the suffering endured to reconcile man to God. We see a Father, infinite, dwelling in light unapproachable, yet receiving us to Himself through the merits of His Son. The cloud of vengeance that threatened only misery and despair, in the light reflected from the cross reveals the writing of God: Live, sinner, live! ye penitent, believing souls, live! I have paid a ransom.

“In the contemplation of Christ we linger on the shore of a love that is measureless. We endeavor to tell of this love, and language fails us. We consider His life on earth, His sacrifice for us, His work in heaven as our advocate, and the mansions He is preparing for those who love Him, and we can only exclaim, O the height and depth of the love of Christ!”
The Acts of the Apostles, 333, 334

Tuesday

3 GOD’S CHARACTER (HIS GLORY)

3.a. When Moses begged to see God’s glory, what was the first and most important thing God revealed to him? Exodus 33:18, 19. What did He explain further? Verses 20–23

Note: “Never before had fallen man been thus favored of God. As He laid upon Moses the great work of leading His people through to the promised land, He condescended to manifest to him His glory as He never had to any others upon the earth.” The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1, 256

“Reach up higher and still higher for clearer views of the character of Christ. When Moses prayed, ‘I beseech Thee, shew me Thy glory,’ the Lord did not rebuke him, but He granted his prayer. God declared to His servant: ‘I will make all My goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee.’ We keep apart from God, and this is why we do not see the revealings of His power.” Testimonies, Vol. 5, 652, 653

3.b.  What else did God reveal about Himself to Moses? Exodus 34:6, 7

3.c. How can God’s glory be revealed even in us? Romans 8:18

Note: “Through trial and persecution the glory—the character—of God is revealed in His chosen ones. The believers in Christ, hated and persecuted by the world, are educated and disciplined in the school of Christ. On earth they walk in narrow paths; they are purified in the furnace of affliction. They follow Christ through sore conflicts; they endure self-denial and experience bitter disappointments; but thus they learn the guilt and woe of sin, and they look upon it with abhorrence. Being partakers of Christ’s sufferings, they can look beyond the gloom to the glory.” The Acts of the Apostles, 576, 577

“Study not how to please self. Lose sight of self, and behold the multitudes perishing in their sins. Gather to your souls the courage that can come only from the Light of the world. Forgetting self, help the many who are within reach around you. Talk faith, and your faith will increase. Cease lamenting. Work in Christ’s lines. With loving endeavor strive to please Him. His excellence will help you to be Christlike. Ever stand ready to lift up the hands that hang down, and to strengthen the feeble knees. Shine as lights in the world, attracting others by the brightness of Christ’s glory revealed through your good works.” The Signs of the Times, June 3, 1903

Wednesday

4 GOD’S MERCY AND GRACE

4.a.        What appeals to our heart as we consider God’s abundant mercy? Psalm 136

Note: “When selfishness is striving for the victory over you, bear in mind One who left the glorious courts of heaven and laid aside the robes of royalty for your sakes, becoming poor that through His poverty you might be made rich. Will you, then, disregard this great love and boundless mercy by refusing to be inconvenienced and to deny yourselves for His dear sake? Will you cling to the treasures of this life and neglect to aid in carrying forward the great work of truth?” Testimonies, Vol. 4, 120

4.b.     How is this great mercy further explained? Micah 7:18, 19

Note: “Jesus might have remained at His Father’s right hand, wearing His kingly crown and royal robes. But He chose to exchange all the riches, honor, and glory of heaven for the poverty of humanity, and His station of high command for the horrors of Gethsemane and the humiliation and agony of Calvary. He became a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, that by His baptism of suffering and blood He might purify and redeem a guilty world.” Testimonies, Vol. 4, 121

4.c. Why is God’s grace offered so freely? Romans 3:24–26; Titus 2:11; 3:4–7

Note: “The Lord saw our fallen condition; He saw our need of grace, and because He loved our souls, He has given us grace and peace. Grace means favor to one who is undeserving, to one who is lost. The fact that we are sinners, instead of shutting us away from the mercy and love of God, makes the exercise of His love to us a positive necessity in order that we may be saved.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 347

“The Lord has enriched the world with a gift so large, so valuable, that there is nothing more held in reserve to give. Christ has linked His interest with that of humanity, and He asks that humanity become one with Him for the saving of humanity. He took the nature of man, suffered the inconvenience that humanity is subject to, endured our temptations, and became a partaker of the sorrows, griefs, and disappointments of men. He united divinity with humanity, in order that humanity might become a partaker of the divine nature.” The Home Missionary, December 1, 1894

Thursday

5 GROWTH AND ACCOUNTABILITY

5.a.        How does God consider the time of ignorance? Acts 17:30

Note: “The days of ignorance God winked at. But increased light is shining; the light and privileges of understanding Bible truth are abundant, if workers will only open the eyes of their understanding. The truth must be diffusive. Foreign and home missions call for thorough Christian characters to engage in missionary enterprises. The missions in our cities at home and abroad call for men who are imbued with the Spirit of Christ, who will work as Christ worked.” The Review and Herald, June 14, 1887

5.b.        On the other hand, what is our duty before God and humanity after we have received the light of the truth? 1 John 1:7; John 12:35, 36

Note: “There is need of constant watchfulness, and of earnest, loving devotion; but these will come naturally when the soul is kept by the power of God through faith. We can do nothing, absolutely nothing, to commend ourselves to divine favor. We must not trust at all to ourselves nor to our good works; but when as erring, sinful beings we come to Christ, we may find rest in His love. God will accept every one that comes to Him trusting wholly in the merits of a crucified Saviour. Love springs up in the heart. There may be no ecstasy of feeling, but there is an abiding, peaceful trust. Every burden is light; for the yoke which Christ imposes is easy. Duty becomes a delight, and sacrifice a pleasure. The path that before seemed shrouded in darkness becomes bright with beams from the Sun of Righteousness. This is walking in the light as Christ is in the light.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 353, 354

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1    How would we define God’s love?

2    What was the greatest manifestation of God’s love?

3    What is God’s glory?

4    What is the only way sinners can be saved?

5    How can I know if I am walking in the light?

Copyright 2005, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.

Bible Study – Brotherly Kindness (continued)

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October 15 – 21, 2023

Key Text

“By purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love.” 2 Corinthians 6:6

Study Help: Patriarchs and Prophets, 211, 212, 230–233; The Acts of the Apostles, 255–268

Introduction

“He [Paul] clung to the cross of Christ as his only guaranty of success. The love of the Saviour was the undying motive that upheld him in his conflicts with self and in his struggle against evil, as in the service of Christ he pressed forward against the unfriendliness of the world and the opposition of his enemies.” Gospel Workers, 61

Sunday

1 JOSEPH AND HIS BROTHERS

1.a. How was Joseph treated at the hands of his brothers? Genesis 37:18–28

Note: “In an agony of terror he appealed to one and another of his brothers, but in vain.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 211

1.b. What should we learn from the way Joseph dealt with his brothers in spite of their past cruelties? Genesis 45:3–8

Note: “The life of Joseph illustrates the life of Christ. It was envy that moved the brothers of Joseph to sell him as a slave; they hoped to prevent him from becoming greater than themselves. And when he was carried to Egypt, they flattered themselves that they were to be no more troubled with his dreams, that they had removed all possibility of their fulfillment. But their own course was overruled by God to bring about the very event that they designed to hinder. So the Jewish priests and elders were jealous of Christ, fearing that He would attract the attention of the people from them. They put Him to death, to prevent Him from becoming king, but they were thus bringing about this very result.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 239

Monday

2 ELISHA AND THE SYRIANS

2.a. After the king of Syria had made plans against Israel, how did God intervene on behalf of His people? 2 Kings 6:8–12

Note: “On one occasion, during a Syrian invasion, the king of Syria sought to destroy Elisha because of his activity in apprising the king of Israel of the plans of the enemy. The Syrian king had taken counsel with his servants, saying, ‘In such and such a place shall be my camp.’ This plan was revealed by the Lord to Elisha.” Prophets and Kings, 255, 256

2.b. What did the king decide to do with Elisha? 2 Kings 6:13, 14

2.c. How did God intervene to protect His messenger? 2 Kings 6:15–20

Note: “ ‘The Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.’ Between the servant of God and the hosts of armed foemen was an encircling band of heavenly angels. They had come down in mighty power, not to destroy, not to exact homage, but to encamp round about and minister to the Lord’s weak and helpless ones.” Prophets and Kings, 256, 257

2.d. How did Elisha behave toward his enemies? 2 Kings 6:21–23

2.e. In what sense is Elisha’s attitude an added inspiration to those seeking to present the Elijah message of today? Romans 12:21

 Note: “ ‘In every age, the call of the hour is answered by the coming of the man. The Lord is gracious. He understands the situation. His will today is that for the present time the lamblike kindness of Elisha shall exceed the severity of Elijah. …

“ ‘Elisha received a double portion of the spirit that had rested on Elijah. In him the power of Elijah’s spirit was united with the gentleness, mercy, and tender compassion of the spirit of Christ.’ ” Spalding and Magan Collection, 231

Tuesday

3 CHRIST, OUR MASTER AND EXAMPLE

3.a. With what essential theme does Christ introduce His renowned call, “Be ye therefore perfect”? Matthew 5:43–48

Note: “The Saviour’s lesson, ‘Resist not him that is evil,’ was a hard saying for the revengeful Jews, and they murmured against it among themselves. But Jesus now made a still stronger declaration: “ ‘Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.’

“Such was the spirit of the law which the rabbis had misinterpreted as a cold and rigid code of exactions. They regarded themselves as better than other men, and as entitled to the special favor of God by virtue of their birth as Israelites; but Jesus pointed to the spirit of forgiving love as that which would give evidence that they were actuated by any higher motives than even the publicans and sinners, whom they despised.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 73, 74

3.b. How did God deal with us when we were far from Him, and what should be our response? Romans 5:6–10; Titus 3:3–5

Note: “God’s love for the fallen race is a peculiar manifestation of love—a love born of mercy; for human beings are all undeserving. Mercy implies the imperfection of the object toward which it is shown. It was because of sin that mercy was brought into active exercise.

“Sin is not the object of God’s love, but of His hatred. But He loves and pities the sinner.” The Signs of the Times, May 21, 1902

“All legalism, all the sorrow and woe by which you may encompass yourself, will not give you one moment of relief. You cannot rightly estimate sin. You must accept God’s estimate, and it is heavy indeed. If you bore the guilt of your sin, it would crush you; but the sinless One has taken your place, and, though, undeserving, He has borne your guilt. By accepting the provision God has made, you may stand free before God in the merit and virtue of your Substitute. You will then have a proper estimate of sin, and the godly sorrow of true repentance will take the place of hopeless discouragement and grief, for you will turn from sin with grief and abhorrence.” Ibid., April 9, 1894

Wednesday

4 AMIDST FRIENDS OR FOES

4.a. What does Paul reveal as our duty to all people? Romans 1:14, 15; 12:4–13

Note: “His [Christ’s] love received, will make us, in like manner, kind and tender, not merely toward those who please us, but to the most faulty and erring and sinful.

“The children of God are those who are partakers of His nature. It is not earthly rank, nor birth, nor nationality, nor religious privilege, which proves that we are members of the family of God; it is love, a love that embraces all humanity. Even sinners whose hearts are not utterly closed to God’s Spirit, will respond to kindness; while they may give hate for hate, they will also give love for love. But it is only the Spirit of God that gives love for hatred. To be kind to the unthankful and to the evil, to do good hoping for nothing again, is the insignia of the royalty of heaven, the sure token by which the children of the Highest reveal their high estate.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 75

4.b. How should we deal with those who consider us enemies? Romans 12:14–20

Note: “We may never know until the judgment the influence of a kind, considerate course of action to the inconsistent, the unreasonable, and unworthy. If, after a course of provocation and injustice on their part, you treat them as you would an innocent person, you even take pains to show them special acts of kindness, then you have acted the part of a Christian; and they become surprised and ashamed, and see their course of action and meanness more clearly than if you plainly stated their aggravated acts to rebuke them. …

“A few words spoken in a hasty manner, under provocation, and which seemed but a little thing—just what they deserved—often cut the cords of influence that should have bound the soul to your soul. The very idea of their being in darkness, under the temptation of Satan and blinded by his bewitching power, should make you feel deep sympathy for them, the same that you would feel for a diseased, sick patient who suffers, but on account of his disease is not aware of his danger.” Medical Ministry, 209, 210

Thursday

5 DEALING WITH ENEMIES

5.a. In their dispute over the body of Moses, how did Christ deal with Satan? Jude 9

Note: “Christ Himself, when contending with Satan about the body of Moses, ‘durst not bring against him a railing accusation.’ Jude 9. Had He done this, He would have placed Himself on Satan’s ground, for accusation is the weapon of the evil one. He is called in Scripture, ‘the accuser of our brethren.’ Revelation 12:10. Jesus would employ none of Satan’s weapons. He met him with the words, ‘The Lord rebuke thee.’ Jude 9.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 57

5.b. When in the presence of Christ’s enemies, how should we behave? James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:6–9 

Note: “His [Christ’s] example is for us. When we are brought in conflict with the enemies of Christ, we should say nothing in a spirit of retaliation or that would bear even the appearance of a railing accusation. He who stands as a mouthpiece for God should not utter words which even the Majesty of heaven would not use when contending with Satan. We are to leave with God the work of judging and condemning.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 57, 58

“Never should you enter a discussion where so much is at stake, relying upon your aptness to handle strong arguments. If it cannot be well avoided, enter the conflict, but enter upon it with firm trust in God and in the spirit of humility, in the spirit of Jesus, who has bidden you learn of Him, who is meek and lowly in heart. And then in order to glorify God and exemplify the character of Christ, you should never take unlawful advantage of your opponent. Lay aside sarcasm and playing upon words. Remember that you are in a combat with Satan and his angels, as well as with the man.” Testimonies, Vol. 1, 626

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1    How does Joseph’s life illustrate the life of Christ?

2    Summarize the experience of Elisha with the Syrian army.

3    How can we “heap coals of fire” on the heads of our enemies?

4    How should we behave when defending present truth?

Copyright 2005, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.

Bible Study – Brotherly Kindness

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October 8 – 14, 2023

Key Text

“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.” Romans 12:10

Study Help: The Desire of Ages, 677, 678

Introduction

“One of the strongest evidences of true conversion is love to God and man. Those who accept Jesus as their Redeemer have a deep, sincere love for others of like precious faith.” The Acts of the Apostles, 262

Sunday

1 BROTHERLY LOVE

1.a. What is written about the early Christian church, and when was this love manifested? Acts 4:32–35

Note: “After the descent of the Holy Spirit, when the disciples went forth to proclaim a living Saviour, their one desire was the salvation of souls. They rejoiced in the sweetness of communion with saints. They were tender, thoughtful, self-denying, willing to make any sacrifice for the truth’s sake. In their daily association with one another, they revealed the love that Christ had enjoined upon them. By unselfish words and deeds they strove to kindle this love in other hearts.

“Such a love the believers were ever to cherish. They were to go forward in willing obedience to the new commandment. So closely were they to be united with Christ that they would be enabled to fulfill all His requirements. Their lives were to magnify the power of a Saviour who could justify them by His righteousness.” The Acts of the Apostles, 547, 548

1.b. How did Paul exhort the Thessalonian believers in this regard? 1 Thessalonians 4:9, 10

Note: “One of the strongest evidences of true conversion is love to God and man. Those who accept Jesus as their Redeemer have a deep, sincere love for others of like precious faith.” The Acts of the Apostles, 262

Monday

2 EXHORTATIONS TO THE HEBREWS

2.a. What essential theme is included in Paul’s message to the believing Jews? Hebrews 13:1–3; Matthew 25:40

Note: “Paul exhorts the Hebrews: ‘Let brotherly love continue.’ Do not flatter yourselves that there is a time when this exhortation will not be needed; when brotherly love may cease. He continues: ‘Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.’ Please read Matthew 25:31 and onward. Read it, brethren, the next time you take the Bible at your morning or evening family devotions. The good works performed by those who are to be welcomed to the kingdom were done to Christ in the person of His suffering people. Those who had done these good works did not see that they had done anything for Christ. They had done no more than their duty to suffering humanity. Those on the left hand could not see that they had abused Christ in neglecting the wants of His people. But they had neglected to do for Jesus in the person of His saints, and for this neglect they were to go away into everlasting punishment. And one definite point of their neglect is thus stated: ‘I was a stranger, and ye took Me not in.’ ” Testimonies, Vol. 1, 679, 680

“It is the will of God that union and brotherly love should exist among His people. The prayer of Christ just before His crucifixion was that His disciples might be one as He is one with the Father, that the world might believe that God had sent Him. This most touching and wonderful prayer reaches down the ages, even to our day; for His words were, ‘Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word.’ John 17:20. While we are not to sacrifice one principle of truth, it should be our constant aim to reach this state of unity. This is the evidence of our discipleship. Said Jesus, ‘By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another.’ John 13:35.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 520

2.b. What is the only way to successfully climb the Christian ladder? Hebrews 12:1–4

Note: “All these successive steps are not to be kept before the mind’s eye, and counted as you start; but fixing the eye upon Jesus, with an eye single to the glory of God, you will make advancement.” The Youth’s Instructor, January 5, 1893

Tuesday

3 THE PHILADELPHIA CHURCH

3.a. What special promise is included in the prophecy given to the church of Philadelphia? Revelation 3:7–12

Note: “The one who stands nearest to Christ will be he who on earth has drunk most deeply of the spirit of His self-sacrificing love—love that ‘vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, … seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil’ (1 Corinthians 13:4, 5)—love that moves the disciple, as it moved our Lord, to give all, to live and labor and sacrifice, even unto death, for the saving of humanity.” The Desire of Ages, 549

3.b. How can we who live in the period of Laodicea partake of the wonderful promise given to the Philadelphia church? Revelation 3:21; 20:4

Note: “Soon we heard the voice of God like many waters, which gave us the day and hour of Jesus’ coming. The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake. When God spoke the time, He poured upon us the Holy Ghost, and our faces began to light up and shine with the glory of God, as Moses’ did when he came down from Mount Sinai.

“The 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written, God, New Jerusalem, and a glorious star containing Jesus’ new name. At our happy, holy state the wicked were enraged, and would rush violently up to lay hands on us to thrust us into prison, when we would stretch forth the hand in the name of the Lord, and they would fall helpless to the ground. Then it was that the synagogue of Satan knew that God had loved us who could wash one another’s feet and salute the brethren with a holy kiss, and they worshiped at our feet.” Early Writings, 15

Wednesday

4 BUILDING ON A NEW COMMANDMENT

4.a. What position does brotherly kindness hold in the ladder of Christian perfection? 2 Peter 1:7 

Note: “We should have that love for others that Christ has had for us. A man is estimated at his true value by the Lord of heaven. If he is unkind in his earthly home, he is unfit for the heavenly home. If he will have his own way, no matter whom it grieves, he would not be content in heaven, unless he could rule there. The love of Christ must control our hearts.” The Review and Herald, February 21, 1888

4.b. What key point did Christ emphasize before His crucifixion, and why was this called “a new commandment”? John 13:34; 15:10, 12, 13, 17

Note: “ ‘These things I command you,’ He said repeatedly, ‘that ye love one another.’ … ‘A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.’ To the disciples this commandment was new; for they had not loved one another as Christ had loved them. He saw that new ideas and impulses must control them; that new principles must be practiced by them; through His life and death they were to receive a new conception of love. The command to love one another had a new meaning in the light of His self-sacrifice.” The Desire of Ages, 677

“Such a love the believers were ever to cherish. They were to go forward in willing obedience to the new commandment.” The Acts of the Apostles, 547

4.c. How does John explain the “new commandment”? 1 John 2:7–11

Note: “It is not the opposition of the world that most endangers the church of Christ. It is the evil cherished in the hearts of believers that works their most grievous disaster and most surely retards the progress of God’s cause. There is no surer way of weakening spirituality than by cherishing envy, suspicion, faultfinding, and evil surmising. On the other hand, the strongest witness that God has sent His Son into the world is the existence of harmony and union among men of varied dispositions who form His church.” The Acts of the Apostles, 549

Thursday

5 FULFILLING THE LAW

5.a. How can we fulfill God’s law in our life? Romans 13:8–10

Note: “Righteousness is love, and love is the light and the life of God. The righteousness of God is embodied in Christ. We receive righteousness by receiving Him.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 18

5.b. How can we receive this love in our heart? Romans 5:1–5; John 16:13

Note: “Not by painful struggles or wearisome toil, not by gift or sacrifice, is righteousness obtained; but it is freely given to every soul who hungers and thirsts to receive it. ‘Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat, … without money and without price.’ ‘Their righteousness is of Me, saith the Lord,’ and, ‘This is His name whereby He shall be called, The Lord Our Righteousness.’ Isaiah 55:1; 54:17; Jeremiah 23:6

“No human agent can supply that which will satisfy the hunger and thirst of the soul. But Jesus says, ‘Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.’ ‘I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.’ Revelation 3:20; John 6:35

“As we need food to sustain our physical strength, so do we need Christ, the Bread from heaven, to sustain spiritual life and impart strength to work the works of God. As the body is continually receiving the nourishment that sustains life and vigor, so the soul must be constantly communing with Christ, submitting to Him and depending wholly upon Him.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 18, 19

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1    What was the main characteristic of the early Christian church?

2    Explain the relationship between the Philadelphian church and the 144,000.

3    How can we climb the Christian ladder?

4    Why is “loving one another” called “a new commandment”?

5    What will God’s love enable us to do?

Copyright 2005, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.