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Remembering What Matters

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December 25 is celebrated by Christians around the world as the day that Christ was born. A diligent student of the Bible knows that it does not tell, anywhere within its pages, the exact day of Christ’s birth. A diligent study of the history of the world will show that the date December 25 is actually celebrated as the birthday of the pagan deity Tammuz, worshiped as a god. He has many names depending on the culture, but the date and the way his birth is celebrated is deeply rooted in paganism. So why do Christians celebrate December 25 as the birthday of Christ?

Likely it is because not many of us are diligent students of history. We don’t believe in paganism and the many varied gods and services and rituals that are worshiped and performed in that religion, and since we don’t believe, we dismiss paganism as a relic religion of the past. The pagan religion involved the worship of many things—trees, bunnies, chicks, stars, the sun, the moon, mountains, rivers, the earth and the sky. As Christians, should we then be concerned about having pictures of trees and mountains and rivers in our homes? Should we be concerned because we are fascinated by the stars in the sky and the things of the earth?

Perhaps our concern should not be so much about how Christmas came to be and more about the Christ who came.

“The 25th of December has long been commemorated as the day of Jesus’ birth, and … it is not my purpose to affirm or question the propriety of celebrating this event on this day, but to dwell upon the childhood and life of our Saviour … the humble manner in which the Redeemer came to the world. All heaven was interested in the great event of Christ’s advent to earth. Heavenly messengers came to make known the birth of the long-promised, long-expected Saviour to the humble shepherds who were watching their flocks by night on the plains of Bethlehem. The first manifestation that attracted the notice of the shepherds at the birth of the Saviour, was a radiant light in the starry heavens, which filled them with wonder and admiration. …

“The astonished shepherds could scarcely comprehend the precious message borne to them by the angels, and when the radiant light had passed away, they said one to another, ‘Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child’ (Luke 2:15–17). …

“What matchless love Jesus has manifested for a fallen world! If angels sang because the Saviour was born in Bethlehem, shall not our hearts echo the glad strain, Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, good will to men? Although we do not know the exact day of Christ’s birth, we would honor the sacred event. May the Lord forbid that anyone should be so narrow minded as to overlook the event because there is an uncertainty in regard to the exact time. Let us do what we can to fasten the minds of the children upon those things which are precious to everyone who loves Jesus. Let us teach them how Jesus came into the world to bring hope, comfort, peace, and happiness to all. … Let the hearts of all respond with exceeding joy for the priceless gift of the Son of God.” The Review and Herald, December 17, 1889

(For a more in-depth reading regarding Christmas and its pagan origins, see Marshall Grosboll’s article How to Celebrate Christmas, p. 2, in this issue.)

Inspiration – The Child Life of Jesus

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Christ appeared upon the scene as a babe, as a child, having no extra advantages in the world. He came of poor parentage, He had no privileges that the poor have not known, He experienced the difficulties that the poor and lowly experience from babyhood to childhood, from youth to manhood. There is a mystery surrounding the birth of Christ that cannot and need not be explained. Nearly two thousand years ago a voice strange and mysterious was heard in heaven, proceeding from the throne of God, and saying: “Sacrifice and offering Thou wouldest not, but a body hast Thou prepared Me.” “Lo, I come; in the volume of the book it is written of Me, I delight to do Thy will, O My God; yea, Thy law is within My heart.” God manifest in the flesh came to our world, being justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

In contemplating the incarnation of Christ in humanity, we stand baffled before an unfathomable mystery, that the human mind cannot comprehend. The more we reflect upon it, the more amazing does it appear. How wide is the contrast between the divinity of Christ and the helpless infant in Bethlehem’s manger! How can we span the distance between the mighty God and a helpless child? And yet the Creator of worlds, He in whom was the fullness of the Godhead bodily, was manifest in the helpless Babe in the manger. Far higher than any of the angels, equal with the Father in dignity and glory, and yet wearing the garb of humanity! Divinity and humanity were mysteriously combined, and man and God became one. It is in this union that we find the hope of our fallen race. Looking upon Christ in humanity, we look upon God, and see in Him the brightness of His glory, the express image of His person.

Christ … was a pattern of obedience and industry. He was as a pleasant sunbeam in the home circle. Faithfully and cheerfully He acted His part in doing the humble duties that His lowly calling required. As the world’s Redeemer, He had chosen a most humble position. He had clothed His divinity with humanity in order that He might be able to reach humanity. …

It is written of Jesus in childhood that “the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.” When only twelve years of age, He made manifest the fact that His mind was developing along spiritual lines. His parents went to Jerusalem every year to the feast of the Passover, and in His twelfth year Jesus accompanied them to the city. “And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and His mother knew not of it. But they, supposing Him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance; and when they found Him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking Him.” For three days they sought Him anxiously … . “And it came to pass, that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.”

His parents listened in amazement as they heard His searching inquires. Jesus was taking advantage of the providential occasion that had opened to Him to diffuse light. … Tho taking the attitude of a learner, Christ imparted light in every word He uttered. He interpreted the Scripture to the darkened mind of the rabbis, and gave them clear light in regard to the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world. The sharp, clear questions of the child learner brought a flood of light to their darkened understanding. The truth shone out as the clear shining of a light in a darkened place, as He received and imparted the knowledge of the plan of salvation. …

The doctors and the wise men were amazed at the question of the child Jesus, and, desiring to encourage such a student of the prophecies, they sought to draw out the knowledge He had obtained. Joseph and Mary were as much astonished, as they heard the wise answers of their Son, as were the learned men themselves. When there was a pause in the conversation, Mary, the mother of Jesus, approached her Son, and asked, “Son, why hast Thou thus dealt with us? behold, Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing.” Divine light shone through humanity as Jesus lifted His right hand, and asked, “How is it that ye sought Me? wist ye not that I must be about My Father’s business? … ” The Signs of the Times, July 30, 1896

Story – The Widow’s Christmas

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Mrs. Mulford was a woman who doted on ruins. Nothing in the present was as beautiful as she had enjoyed in the past; and it seemed utterly impossible for her to imagine that there was anything in the future that could compensate her for the trials she had endured.

In her girlhood, Mrs. Mulford had been surrounded with the luxuries of life; and after her marriage her surroundings were but a trifle less magnificent. In such an air of luxury and ease, her children, were being reared when suddenly a great change came.

Mr. Mulford was a rash speculator, and on that memorable “Black Friday,” the idol he had worshiped, the god of gold, proved itself to be nothing but clay, and was as dust in his hands. He could not rally from the shock; pride, ambition, courage, were all annihilated, and Mrs. Mulford, to whom beggary seemed worse than death, could only mingle her tears with his in speechless agony.

The next morning Mrs. Mulford was a widow, and her children fatherless. A trifle the creditors allowed her was all she had to depend upon, the money she had inherited from her father having been swept away by the financial tornado.

She had taken a little place in the country, and with Arthur’s help, and Bridget’s, had really succeeded in making things look quite cozy and attractive.

“Sure ma’am,” says Bridget, in her homely attempts to comfort her mistress, who dragged herself about, “if you’d only smile once in a while ye’d be surprised at the comfort ye’d get!”

“Ah Bridget,” Mrs. Mulford replies, with a long-drawn sigh, “my smiling days are over. I try to be patient, but I cannot be cheerful.”

“Ah, but it’s the cheerful patience that brings the sunshine; and ye really shouldn’t grieve the children so.”

“Do they mind it, Bridget?”

“Sure, an’ they do! Master Arthur, bless the boy! says it’s just like a tomb where ye are; and Miss Minnie and Miss Maud have their little hearts nearly torn out of them.”

But Mrs. Mulford could not be easily beguiled from her sorrow, especially as she was obliged to rely on her needle to eke out the limited allowance, and every stitch she took was but an additional reminder of the depth to which she was reduced.

She had managed to exist through the Thanksgiving season, and Bridget had done her best to make it an occasion worthy to be remembered, by the children at least; and if it hadn’t been for that kitchen queen, I don’t see how the house could have held together.

She had always some amusing story to tell the children, something to excite their wonder or admiration, and every few days would surprise them with some fresh molasses delights.

Minnie and Maud rather enjoyed their poverty, as it allowed them more freedom and exemption from little rules that society enjoined. It was such fun to roll in the snow, and draw each other on the sled, without any caution in regard to the ruffles and frills that used to be such a torment and restraint to them.

Christmas was drawing near, and its approach filled Mrs. Mulford with uncontrollable despondency. It had been a happy season in her young days. Now it was all so changed! Even a moderate expenditure was not to be thought of, when it was so difficult to procure even the necessities of life, and she really wished the day was over, for she dreaded its arrival.

In the kitchen, all was animation and excitement. Minnie and Maud were down in a corner very busy over some mystery, in which Bridget was as much interested as they were themselves. Arthur bustled about from one room to another, always the active, cheery, hopeful boy, who kept everybody informed of what was going on in the outside world, and he, too, evidently had some weighty secret pressing against the buttons of his jacket.

Christmas Eve came. Mrs. Mulford was in the midst of a troubled dream, when shouts of “Merry Christmas!” rang through the house and awakened her to the reality of the day she so long had dreaded.

The children’s cloth bags were fairly bulging with little treasures they had created with their own hands. “Come Mother,” said Arthur, “you first; Bridget can hardly wait.”

“Oh no,” said the mother. “Maud should have the first chance,” and the child eagerly availed herself of the privilege.

It was astonishing what an amount of goodies rolled out of that bag. There was a nice pair of warm gloves to use in drawing the sled, or making snowballs, a new doll, and a book full of pictures. Minnie’s bag was quite as bountifully stocked. Arthur had filled his own bag with all sorts of odds and ends to increase the excitement. Bridget unloaded her collection of treasures, pulling out a potato labeled, “The last of the Murphys! May they always be first in the field!”

When Mrs. Mulford was finally induced to examine the contents of her bag, the children gathered around anxiously watching the proceedings. There was a pair of nice brackets for hanging outside, which Arthur had cut out with a pen knife, and as she took up each article that had been wrought by loving little fingers, the worsted pulse-warmers, the pretty mats and tidies, she felt that it was indeed possible for love to build upon the old ruins a beautiful palace for the heart to dwell in.

“Forgive me my dear children,” she exclaimed, embracing them each in turn. “We will begin the world anew. I have been a weak woman.”

“It’s been a heavy cross ye had, but we’re all going to help carry it.”

“And Mother,” broke in Arthur, “I’ve gotten a job in a grocery store! It isn’t much, but I’ll learn the business, and then I can take care of you.”

What a Christmas breakfast they had! Bridget had made delicious waffles, and everything was super excellent, but it was the guest that sat at the board with them that made it a feast to be remembered. While they were at the table, there was a sudden, sharp knock at the door that startled all the inhabitants.

Arthur admitted the gentleman, so swathed in an immense scarf about the neck and chin as to leave one in doubt as to whether he was friend or foe.

“Well, well,” said the stranger, divesting himself of his wraps. “Where’s Carrie? Where’s Carrie Wharton, my niece? She was Carrie Wharton, married Ned Mulford, and a long tramp I’ve had to find her.” Saying which, he entered the room where Mrs. Mulford and her children were sitting.

“Carrie!” said the stranger in eager tones, advancing toward Mrs. Mulford, who having a bewildered moment, then a flash of recognition.

“Uncle Nathan!”

“Yes, dear child! Would I could have got to you sooner. I felt I was growing old and had a hankering after a home to die in, and always the face of my little niece, Carrie, seemed to give me the heartiest welcome. Why, I had hard work finding out anything about Ned Mulford, or Ned Mulford’s widow.”

“It’s because of our poverty,” sighed the widow.

“Money don’t make a home, I know that well enough, for I’ve seen it tried. It’s the way of the world. But no matter, we’ll begin anew. Arthur, what are your plans?”

“I was going into Mr. Chase’s grocery the first of January.”

“Do you want to?”

“No, sir,” replied Arthur, “but I’d like to help Mother.”

“You’ve done your duty. But my opinion is you’d rather go to college than into a grocery.”

“Oh sir!” hoping the flush on his face was not to be misunderstood.

“College it is, then. Carrie, you are to be my housekeeper; these are my little girls,” clasping the children in a hearty embrace.

The Christmas dinner was a marvel of cookery, and Uncle Nathan enlivened the meal with accounts of his adventures.

“And this was the Christmas I had dreaded,” said Mrs. Mulford, as she retired to her room. Her pride was truly humbled by this manifestation of God’s goodness, and long and earnestly she prayed that henceforth, whatever trials might come upon her, she might bear the burden with cheerful patience, trusting in God to lead her through the shadows into the sunshine of a more perfect day. And in years after, no memory was more precious to her than that of a Christmas morning when the children taught her a lesson of unselfishness and duty.

Sabbath Readings for the Home Circle, Vol. 1, ©1877, 358–372.

The Song of Mary

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Have you ever felt unimportant, put down, or unappreciated? Mary must have had some of those feelings. She was born in poverty. Her parents were of an unimportant background as far as the world was concerned. She was considered a peasant, and in her day and culture, the poor people were looked down upon because it was believed that God had made them that way. This belief was part of their religion.

Mary undoubtedly grew up rejected by society until the day an angel appeared to her with the news that she would have a child. Being a pure and upright woman, her dumbfounded response was, “ ‘How can this be, since I do not know a man?’ And the angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.’ ” Luke 1:34, 35

How do you think it would feel, never having had relations with a man, to be told that you would become pregnant and that your child would be the One that you knew would be the Messiah? Physically speaking, Mary would feel no different than any other pregnant woman, but from a heart perspective, how do you suppose she felt?

We can know how Mary felt because she tells us in a song. Unimportant in the world’s eyes, she must have had tremendous gifts because she composed one of the most beautiful songs in the Bible, especially to those who feel unimportant, rejected, and unappreciated.

“And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.

“ ‘He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly.

“ ‘He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy. As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.’ ” Verses 46–55

Mary composed this song for all the humble and unappreciated of all the ages. She was given the most important job of any woman who has ever lived or will ever live in this world. She was to be the physical abode for Jesus until He was born into this world. And as He physically dwelled within her body, He desires to find a spiritual abode inside us.

Paul adds a final verse to Mary’s song in 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20.

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

“For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

God desires to dwell in you, and whatever the world may think, that makes you important. Mary could rejoice because He who is mighty had done great things by her. Whatever the world had done or thought, no matter what her community or her peers thought of her, God had chosen her for this important task, and she praised God. But friends, God also has chosen you, to dwell within you, and if you will accept Him, then you can rejoice as Mary did.

Sadly, while God found a dwelling place within Mary’s body and her humble heart, He did not find a dwelling place within the rich in Jerusalem, within all the lives of the priests, or within the hearts of those who were mighty and proud. The song of Mary is a song for the humble, but it is also a song for the proud. In Mary’s day, you had to have money or position to be important. Church offices were obtained by quid pro quo, prevalent in the church in those days.

When Mary came to Bethlehem, ready to deliver her baby, there was no room for them in the inn. It was already filled with those who were believed to be of greater importance. But a place was found in a humble stable for Mary’s baby, the Saviour of the world, to be born.

Looking at our churches today, are they filled with so many programs, that when God has a plan or program for His church, there is no room left for it? Are our minds so filled with information that we do not hear when God speaks, and no room is found in our hearts for His truth?

It is only God’s program, His truth that will survive. Everything else will be put down, pulled down, and destroyed. Mary’s song tells us so. The Bible says, speaking of the end-time church and the people who will claim to be God’s people, they will believe that they are rich, increased with goods, and have need of nothing. But Jesus says, “I will vomit you out of My mouth.”

What is your condition today? Are you self-satisfied? Are you rich, in need of nothing?

Or are you poor, blessed, and heirs of God’s kingdom? Are you hungry for what God has to give you? Do you need to be filled with His grace? Only those who are hungry can be filled.

We must not envy the proud, but rather pity them, because though they think they are filled, the Bible says they are wretched and miserable, poor, blind, and naked. God can never find an abiding place with the proud of spirit, with the self-satisfied, or the self-conceited.

Today God wants to find an abiding place in your heart. Are you humble enough to receive Him? Are you humble enough to sing Mary’s song? Jesus tells us how we can have Him abiding in our hearts this very day, how we, too, can rejoice and glorify God.

“ ‘I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.’ …

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

“ ‘For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.’ ” John 6:51, 53–56

Jesus abides in the hearts of those who eat His flesh and drink His blood. Both spiritually and carnally we become what we consume. If from day to day, our mind food consists solely of things of this world, then we are wholly of this world. If instead we fill our minds with the Scriptures, committing them to memory, meditating upon the messages contained there, with prayer and thanksgiving, then we will become holy, a fit dwelling place for God’s Spirit.

Eating the body of Jesus and drinking His blood, is symbolized by the communion service. On Jesus’ last day with His disciples, He established the communion service as He told them, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me. … This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 22:19, 20. We partake of the bread and grape juice that symbolizes the acceptance of the word of God into our hearts and minds and the salvation purchased by His own beloved blood. Consuming His word and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us once again into the image of God, we become the humble abode of His Spirit. We cannot be the abode of the Spirit if we are proud and worldly.

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise.” Psalm 51:17

“For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and lofty place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Isaiah 57:15

And thus, we can sing the song of Mary, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour.”

Pastor Marshall Grosboll, with his wife Lillian, founded Steps to Life. In July 1991, Pastor Marshall and his family met with tragedy as they were returning home from a camp meeting in Washington state, when the airplane he was piloting went down, killing all on board.

What Everyone Needs and No One Has

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The righteousness of Christ is a major theme of the New Testament, so let’s look at seven facts about righteousness.

The first fact is a simple one. You must have righteousness in order to have eternal life. This can be conclusively proven from the Bible in many scriptures, but we’ll look at just two.

“Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?

“He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart; he who does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes, a vile person is despised, but he honors those who fear the Lord; he who swears to his own hurt and does not change; he who does not put out his money at usury, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.

“He who does these things shall never be moved.” Psalm 15

“Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, he who despises the gain of oppressions, who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, and shuts his eyes from seeing evil: he will dwell on high; his place of defense will be the fortress of rocks; bread will be given him, his water will be sure.” Isaiah 33:14, last part–16

Isaiah and David are both speaking of those who are righteous. You must be righteous or you will not go to heaven.

The second fact about righteousness is very startling. We see that in order to go to heaven we must be righteous, but the truth is, we have no righteousness. What we need, we do not have.

“All our righteousnesses are like filthy rags.” Isaiah 64:6

“There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one.” Romans 3:10–12

Not one single person has the righteousness necessary for heaven.

The third fact about righteousness is its definition. What is righteousness? There are two definitions. The first is found in Romans 7:12

“So then, the law is holy and the commandment is holy and just and good.”

God’s law is righteous. Righteousness is that which is in harmony with the ten commandments.

What if a person breaks the law? “All unrighteousness is sin.” 1 John 5:17. “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. … He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.” 1 John 3:4, 7, last part

So, righteousness is when the law is being kept because the law is righteous, and unrighteousness is when the law is or has been broken.

The second definition of righteousness is found in 1 John 2:1.

“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

This definition of righteousness says that Jesus Christ is righteous; so righteousness is that which is like Him. This definition does not conflict with the first, but rather they complement each other, because Jesus said in John 15:10, “I have kept my Father’s commandments.”

Righteousness, first, is that which is in harmony with the ten commandments, and then it is that which is in harmony with the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

The fourth fact about righteousness is that when you are perfectly righteous, then you are holy. I believe that inspired writings prove this, but I will let you study it out for yourself.

A fifth fact, regarding righteousness has to do with the motives of the heart—our thoughts and feelings. Jesus brought this out very clearly in the Sermon on the Mount. “ ‘For I say to you that except your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees, you will in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.’ ” Matthew 5:20

This was a shocking statement because the Jews thought that the scribes and Pharisees were the most righteous people on the face of the earth. And here, Jesus was saying that they had to be more righteous than they or they would not be able to enter heaven.

But Jesus went on to explain that righteousness has more to do with what is on the inside than what is on the outside. “ ‘You have heard that it was said by them anciently, “You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment [condemnation].”

“ ‘But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever will say to his brother, “Raca!” shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, “You fool!” shall be in danger of hell fire.’ ” Verses 21, 22

Jesus is not talking about the person who actually took a club or a spear or a sword and killed somebody. He says that if you are angry with your brother to the point of hatred, then you are guilty of murder, as if you had committed it as Cain did. John supports this in 1 John 3:15, “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” On the outside, it looked like the Pharisees were keeping the law, but Jesus said in their hearts, they were not.

As human beings, we tend to look at what’s on the outside; that’s all we can see. But Jesus deals with what is unseen by man, the motives and desires of the heart. He spoke of this same thing in reference to the seventh commandment.

“ ‘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

It may be true that we haven’t literally broken the law by actually killing someone or robbing a bank or sleeping with someone who is not our spouse, but if in our hearts we desire it above all things or harbor strong feelings against someone, then in the eyes of God, it is the same as if we actually broke the law.

The commandments go right to the heart. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12, 13

So, this fifth fact has to do with what is in the heart, not just what you say or do, but our motives and feelings, too.

The sixth fact about righteousness is that you cannot become righteous by simply deciding to do what is right and good. Paul tells us in Philippians 3 that he had already done that. He had determined to do what was right, he was born into the right race and family, he had been circumcised on the eighth day, he had practiced carefully and perfectly his religion, and he says in verse 6, “concerning the righteousness which is in the law, [I am] blameless.”

But notice what he says next in verses 7–9: “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.

“Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and might be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith … .”

Paul recognized that his righteousness was worthless to gain eternal life. He realized that he could go through all these forms and rituals and ceremonies, and he could keep the ceremonial law perfectly, and still not go to heaven.

It is the same in the Christian church today. Our name is on the church roll, we are baptized, we participate in the communion and foot washing services, we pay tithes and offerings, and hold offices. But not a single one of those things will make us righteous.

“That I might know Him and the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Verses 10–14

Paul knew that the righteousness he needed could come only from Jesus Christ. This is the seventh fact about righteousness. Righteousness has to do with the heart and we are all sinners. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. The human heart, left to itself, is filled with wickedness. We are incapable of generating righteousness.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9

Deceitful and incurably wicked is the condition of the heart we all possess.

“I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells … .” Romans 7:18, first part. How much good? Nothing. None.

This shows us that we cannot be righteous by deciding to do good or even if we do good things. If we are to be righteous, we must receive righteousness from Jesus Christ.

So, we know where righteousness comes from. The question is, how can we receive it?

The 19th century was an optimistic age. Because of the teachings of evolution, people believed that as a species, we were getting better and better. The many inventions that were created during that time only reinforced that idea; so people believed they could do anything, even make themselves righteous. In theology, that is called perfectionism. The problem with perfectionism is that people believe they have made themselves perfect all while breaking God’s law.

The 20th century became a very pessimistic century. People were asking, How can I do it? I’m a sinner. I can’t. So a “new theology” was created; one that said Christ would do everything for us. All a person had to do was believe in Christ and they would be justified, and then Christ would do the rest. You could be living like the devil, but the Lord was going to save you if you just believed.

In actuality, the Lord is going to do everything, but not without your cooperation.

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Philippians 2:12

Someone might say that this is teaching salvation by works. In a way, it is.

“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do His good pleasure.” Verse 13

God wants to perform a work of righteousness in your life and mine. But He will do this only when we cooperate with Him. What does it mean to work out our salvation with fear and trembling? The Bible teaches that we do this by looking at ourselves and recognizing that we are filled with sin and need a good cleaning up.

Maybe we have already done some of this work, but we all have besetting sins; those darling sins that we just can’t seem to let go of. The Bible says to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us … .” Hebrews 12:1. It is these sins that we must bring to Christ and plead for His power and grace to overcome them, for only overcomers will see heaven. We cannot be free from sin without divine help, but, we must be willing to give it up. It is in this way that we are colaborers with Christ.

So many people spend their time bemoaning their condition rather than looking in faith to the Lord, who can and will change their thoughts, their hearts, their motives, and their feelings, which will produce a change in their words and their actions.

“The secret of Satan’s power over God’s professed people lies in the deceitfulness of the human heart. Their constant stumbling and falling reveal that they have not maintained a stern conflict with their besetting sins.” The Signs of the Times, December 13, 1899

Paul is an example of this stern conflict with besetting sins and the cooperation with the Holy Spirit to affect the necessary change in his life. Remember he says in Philippians 3 that he cannot change, but that he stretches, extends himself as far as he can, then he will press, pursue, struggle until he reaches the prize of the high calling of God.

The New Testament does not teach a backseat religion where we do nothing and just expect the Lord to do it all. New Testament religion is going to the Lord, admitting our inability to overcome our sins, and claiming His promise to do in our lives that which we cannot do for ourselves; to change us according to His good pleasure. In this way only are we able to be overcomers.

This change occurs only by stern conflict, supreme effort. And if we are not willing to maintain this stern conflict against our besetting sins and our own inherent nature, then we will not overcome, but will be overcome. That is what Paul is talking about in Philippians 3.

“They have not depended wholly upon Christ, because they have not realized that they are in peril of being overcome by these sins. It is the sin which appears small and unworthy of our notice against which we should be on our guard.” Ibid.

How true! It is the little sins that we don’t think even amount to much that, if not overcome, will become bigger and bigger until we lose all desire to give them up.

But we have in the courts in heaven an all-powerful Mediator.

“God is approached through Jesus Christ, the Mediator, the only way through which He forgives sins. God cannot forgive sins at the expense of His justice, His holiness, and His truth. But He does forgive sins and that fully. There are no sins He will not forgive in and through the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the sinner’s only hope, and if he rests here in sincere faith, he is sure of pardon and that full and free. There is only one channel and that is accessible to all, and through that channel a rich and abundant forgiveness awaits the penitent, contrite soul and the darkest sins are forgiven.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, 479, 480

Hebrews 7:25 is a text that we should commit to memory so that we can be encouraged when discouragement looms heavy upon us. “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

No one can truthfully say that they are too great a sinner for Christ to save. If you are willing to be saved in the way He wants to save you, He can and will save you.

“It is not because there is any flaw in the title which has been purchased for you that you do not accept it. It is not because the mercy, the grace, the love of the Father and the Son is not ample, and has not been freely bestowed, that you do not rejoice in pardoning love. … If you are lost, it will be because you will not come unto Christ that you might have life.” Our Father Cares, 92

When you are sick, your physician must determine what needs to be done to help you get better and then you decide whether you are willing to accept the treatment or not. As the Great Physician, Jesus can heal you from the sting of sin, which will cause you to die eternally, but He can only save you if you are willing to accept the cure that He offers.

In an emergency room setting, you would likely hear someone say, “Whatever it takes, I want to live.” We must come to Christ with this same whatever-it-takes attitude. We must be willing to put ourselves in His hands, for this is the only way we will be saved.

One of our biggest problems as human beings is that we do not realize just how defiled we truly are. When people realize that they are terrible sinners and that there is no way they can be saved, that means there is hope, because then they are ready to say, “Lord, I commit my case to You. Whatever it takes.” You see, friends, our prayers, our worship, our services are all defiled and worthless unless Christ adds His righteousness to them.

“The religious services, the prayers, the praise, the penitent confession of sin ascend from true believers as incense to the heavenly sanctuary, but passing through the corrupt channels of humanity, they are so defiled that unless purified by blood, they can never be of value with God. They ascend not in spotless purity, and unless the Intercessor, who is at God’s right hand, presents and purifies all by His righteousness, it is not acceptable to God. All incense from earthly tabernacles must be moist with the cleansing drops of the blood of Christ. He holds before the Father the censer of His own merits, in which there is no taint of earthly corruption. He gathers into this censer the prayers, the praise, and the confessions of His people, and with these He puts His own spotless righteousness. Then, perfumed with the merits of Christ’s propitiation, the incense comes up before God wholly and entirely acceptable. Then gracious answers are returned.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 344

We must have Christ’s righteousness or else we cannot be saved. Peter said, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12. Jesus is the only One who is righteous, and only He will, through His Holy Spirit, give you the righteousness you lack if you will surrender to Him and become a coworker with Him in working out your salvation.

Christ came to this world to save mankind from sin. John 1:29 says, “Behold! The Lamb of God [this is John the Baptist speaking] who takes away the sin of the world!” How did He do it?

Paul confirmed that concept when he wrote, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

Jesus went to the cross knowing that all the sins that had been and would be committed from the beginning of the world until the end of time would be placed upon Him. He had no sin of His own for the righteousness of God was in Him, but He was made sin for us. When we confess our sins to Him, He takes away our sin, He bears it away from us, and then He gives to us His perfect righteousness in return.

Psalm 40 contains a prophecy of Jesus Christ and describes the basis of His righteousness, “I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart.” Verse 8

Jesus’ righteousness caused Him to delight in doing God’s will. And He rejoiced that God’s law was in His heart. And when He gives His righteousness to you, His law will be written in your heart and you will seek and enjoy doing God’s will. However, this is a process accomplished over time.

When you confess your sins, and exercise faith in Jesus, you will realize that you have no righteousness of your own and that you won’t be able to go to heaven without the righteousness of Christ, which is acquired by faith. So Jesus says He’ll give you His righteousness and take away your sins. And then the Holy Spirit starts to work. He begins writing on the heart the principles of God’s law and as that happens, we look at our sinful life and decide that we aren’t going to live, think, feel, or talk that way anymore. That is what always happens when a person receives Jesus and His righteousness.

The sinner says, “How can you save somebody that is as bad as I am?”

The Lord says, “I can save you perfectly. Anybody that comes to God through Me, will be perfectly saved.”

When the Holy Spirit begins to write God’s law in your heart, you want to do what is right. And that’s the kind of religion you want; one in which you do what is right because it is right and not just trying to keep from doing wrong because you don’t want to be lost.

Every day, as the Holy Spirit works the miracle of writing God’s law in your heart, you begin to want to do His will. You see, preparing for heaven, you are doing good according to God’s will more and more until you don’t want to do anything else. Down here in this world, we must fight, because we have a sinful nature to fight and an enemy who constantly tempts us to do wrong. And in our flesh, we cannot do anything good.

Paul explains this when he says that he brings his body into subjection. “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:27

In heaven, when you no longer have a sinful nature, you will never have to struggle with yourself. Every time you are struggling to overcome a besetting sin, just remember a time is coming when all the struggling and fighting will be over. Your sinful nature will be gone. The devil will be gone. The world we know today will be gone. All in the past. But, if it is going to be in the past, then we must receive the righteousness of Christ now. And finally, you will be doing what you want to do, living like Christ.

“Righteousness of Christ imputed to men means holiness, uprightness, purity. Unless Christ’s righteousness was imputed to us we could not have acceptable repentance. The righteousness dwelling in us by faith consists of love, forbearance, meekness, and all the Christian virtues.” Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce, 134

We need to be righteous if we are to be saved, but we have no righteousness and we can’t generate it. There is only one place from which we can get it and that is from Jesus Christ. He has a sufficient supply for everyone, and if we will commit our lives to Him and choose to cooperate with the work He wants to do in our lives, then His righteousness will become ours.

God has something for us that is so much better than anything we can think of ourselves. Do you want God to work in your life, to work out His good pleasure?

“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13

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.

Commemorating the Birth of Christ

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The question has been asked many times, “How should a Christian celebrate Christmas?”

Is it right to celebrate Christmas? Does Christmas fit into the life of the Christian?

We hear a lot at this time of year that Christmas is Christ’s birthday. We sing songs about it: The Birthday of the King, Away in a Manager, Silent Night, The First Noel. That’s why Christians celebrate the holiday, isn’t it? Christ was born on December 25. Or was He? There is nothing in the Bible that says when Jesus was born. In fact, God intentionally did not reveal that date to us.

God hid the burial place of Moses because He knew that the Jews would make it a shrine, and would worship there, and teach all their subsequent generations to worship there. You would find all kinds of paraphernalia representing miracles done by the wonderful healing power that would come through Moses. God did not want us to make a sacrilege of the day Christ was born any more than He did Moses’ burial place, so He hid them both.

There are some things we do know that might help us pinpoint when Christ was born or when He wasn’t. The seasons in Palestine are very similar to ours here in the United States. Summers are dry, windy, and hot during the five-month period from May through October, with temperatures ranging between 84 and the mid-90s. Winter occurs from December through March, December and January being the coldest months, characterized by severe cold and humidity, with temperatures ranging between 38 and 50 degrees given the time of day. It rarely snows, but does rain with an average rainfall of 27 inches. So the weather tells us that 2,000 years ago it was very unlikely that there were “shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night” on December 25. [Source: 5 Things to Know About Winter in Palestine – (https://excellencenter.org/5-things-to-know-about-winter-in-palestine/); Summer & Winter in Palestine (https://traveltips.usatoday.com/summer-winter-palestine-104225.html)]

So, where does the Christmas celebration of Christ’s birth on December 25 come from? Christmas comes to us from paganism. In every sun-worshiping religion, in whatever country the religion exists, the people worship a sun god, be it Baal, Nimrod, Isis, or Tammuz, and near the winter solstice was the time that these sun gods are believed to have been born. Tammuz, for example, is said to have been born around the time of the winter solstice, December 21 or 22, the time of year when the sun sinks lowest in the sky, and the days grow shorter. Sun worshipers believe in some special magic that keeps the sun returning every day, otherwise it would sink below the horizon and disappear forever, leaving the world cold and lost in darkness. This led them to believe that their sun god was born on the shortest day of the year and that he gradually gained strength over the subsequent months.

Some will ask that if the winter solstice is December 21 through 22, then how did they come to worship their sun god on December 25? Satan creates a counterfeit for everything that is of God and all that He creates. Satan knew the prophecy of a coming Messiah, so I believe he counterfeited that event before it happened to cause people to disparage Christianity.

For instance, Tammuz was supposedly born by way of virgin birth. Ishtar was his mother and she, it was believed, conceived during the spring equinox (Ishtar/Easter). Nine months later, Tammuz was born. They use the term nativity of the sun god in the same way Christians use the nativity of Christ.

Many things of God’s creation have been drafted by Satan into pagan worship, most commonly, of course, the sun, moon, and stars. Jeremiah 10:2 says, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; do not be dismayed at the signs of the heavens, for the Gentiles are dismayed at them.’ ” This scripture seems to show that paganism and the worship of the things in the heavens (astrology) existed a long time before Christ was born.

What about the trees, decorated with bulbs and flashing lights, that we see everywhere at Christmas time? In northern Europe, the traditional evergreen was used, and that tradition was brought over to America. In other countries it might be a palm tree or an oak.

“For the customs of the peoples are futile; for one cuts a tree from the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with nails and hammers so that it will not topple.” Verses 3, 4

Jeremiah tells us not to learn the way of the Gentiles, so why do Seventh-day Adventists have Christmas trees in their churches and homes, and why do they celebrate December 25? Is it possible, at this time of year, for us as Seventh-day Adventist Christians to recognize that Christ was born as a man to be the Saviour of the world?

Inspiration has quite a bit to say on the subject of Christmas. In The Review and Herald, December 9, 1884, Mrs. White wrote:

“Christmas is coming, May you all have wisdom to make it a precious season.”

Interesting. Didn’t Mrs. White know that Christmas was not Jesus’ birthday? How could she not know it is of pagan origin? Listen to the next statements.

“I entreat you, my brethren and sisters, to make this coming Christmas a blessing to yourselves and others.” Ibid.

How can something pagan be made a blessing? Let’s read a very clear statement proving that Mrs. White did know that December 25 was most certainly not the day of Christ’s birth.

“ ‘Christmas is coming,’ is the note that is sounded throughout our world from east to west and from north to south. … But what is Christmas, that it should demand so much attention? This day has been made much of for centuries. It is accepted by the unbelieving world, and by the Christian world generally, as the day on which Christ was born. …

“The twenty-fifth of December is supposed to be the day of the birth of Jesus Christ, and its observance has become customary and popular. But yet there is no certainty that we are keeping the veritable day of our Saviour’s birth. History gives us no certain assurance of this. The Bible does not give us the precise time.” Ibid.

This statement references back to what we stated above, that being how and why God hid the burial place of Moses and the actual date on which Christ was born, and it clearly shows that Mrs. White did know that December 25 was not the day of Christ’s birth. But associated statements also show that Mrs. White did not condemn certain ways of observing the Christmas season.

“God would be well pleased if on Christmas each church would have a Christmas tree on which shall be hung offerings, great and small, for these houses of worship. …There is no particular sin in selecting a fragrant evergreen, and placing it in our churches; but the sin lies in the motive which prompts to action, and the use which is made of the gifts placed upon the tree.” Ibid., December 11, 1879

“Let not the parents take the position that an evergreen placed in the church for the amusement of the Sabbath School scholars is a sin.” Ibid., December 9, 1884

The Bible has always been our foundation of faith, so the Spirit of Prophecy must be tested against the Bible. I have studied this subject from the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy, and I simply do not find that Mrs. White contradicts what the Bible says concerning the birth of Christ.

There are many people who are not willing to accept what the Bible says, and there are just as many more who want to go beyond what it says. As a student of the Bible, I want to challenge you, before going any further, to lay aside any preconceived ideas you may have on this subject, so that we will have a clear mind to see what God says we should or should not do.

In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul is not writing about Christmas, but he is writing about pagan customs. Let’s see what he has to say in verses 4–6:

“Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.”

The pagans would offer food to their idols before they would eat it, and after it was blessed by the idol, they believed that the idol had imparted special properties to the food. There were many Christians in Paul’s day who argued that because Paul ate things offered to idols, he was following pagan customs and therefore, was really pagan.

Paul is saying that you don’t need to ask whether the food has been offered to idols. He says to just eat the food because idols can have no effect on it. If you ask, and the food has been offered to idols, and you still eat the food, then you will become a stumbling block for those who believe in the power of their idols. If someone tells you that the food has been offered to idols, then do not eat it.

Interesting counsel, isn’t it? Paul is saying there is only one God, and the gods of paganism have no power over the food, before or afterward. So, can pagan custom desecrate food? No. But we must be sensitive to the beliefs of others.

Now, can paganism desecrate a day or a tree?

Again, Paul doesn’t write regarding Christmas, but we find in Romans 14:4–6 that he does write regarding holidays.

“Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it.”

Paul is not talking about the Sabbath, the day of God’s rest, the day that God esteems most. He was referring to man-made holidays, and of course, Jewish holidays that were no longer consecrated by God. While Paul still kept the Passover, he recognized that it no longer had religious significance. He said that Jesus had become our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7). The Passover and the Day of Atonement, called sabbaths in the Jewish economy, were a shadow of things to come, and done away with at the cross.

Only God can make something holy. This He did when He instituted the Sabbath day at Creation, and does when a man or woman surrenders their will and life to Him. But man, try as he might, cannot make anything holy that God says is unholy, nor can he make something unholy that God has made holy. Man can use something unholy in a holy way or something holy in an unholy way, but that doesn’t change whether it is holy or unholy according to God.

So Paul is saying that the pagan worship and use of food, a tree or flower, or even a day, does not ruin these things for use in other ways. Why? Because as the Bible tells us, what God says is good, is good. Everything that God created was pronounced good, and the Sabbath day was blessed and sanctified by Him. Nothing man can do will change the fact that God made the seventh-day Sabbath His holy day.

Anything outside of God’s creation, anything that is not expressed in or supported by the Bible, is simply a perverted deception wrought by the devil, who seduces man to use what belongs to God in a distorted and evil way, causing him to break God’s commandments. And these unholy traditions and doctrines are handed down generation after generation in religions and churches all over the world, until the pure truth of God’s word has been all but obliterated. But is it always wrong to have traditions and customs of any kind? Matthew 15:3 says, “Why do you also transgress the commandments of God because of your tradition?”

What did Jesus say in this text is wrong with tradition? Man chooses his own traditions and devisings over God’s law. Tradition too often causes us to break God’s commandments. This is why we say so many traditions are bad—they go directly against God’s word.

Let’s look at an example of an acceptable tradition in driving. Here in the United States, we drive on the right-hand side of the road, but in other places around the world, people drive on the left-hand side. There’s nothing wrong with driving on the right side or the left side of the road.  You must drive on one side or the other. There are many other traditions, some may even be associated with pagan religion, that may not seem bad, but they become bad when they transgress God’s commandments.

The observance of December 25 as Christ’s birthday is clearly rooted in paganism. And what about keeping Sunday as the weekly day of worship? We can see that this, too, is rooted in paganism because the pagans, as sun worshipers, worshiped on Sunday. Over the centuries, as more and more pagan traditions and rituals were adopted into Christianity, the Christian day of worship was changed from the seventh day to the first day. Let’s be clear, God has ever only had one day that He Himself blessed and sanctified as His holy Sabbath. God, who does not change, has never changed—nor has He given man the authority to change—the seventh-day Sabbath to any other day. Yet, man changed the day of worship, on his own assumed authority, to Sunday because, he said, Christ rose from the grave on that day.

It is interesting that many Christians today strongly speak out regarding the pagan origins of December 25 as the birthday of Christ, which comes only once a year, and yet each week they worship on Sunday, the day of the sun in pagan worship, directly contrary to the seventh-day Sabbath of the Bible. You see, the Bible says nothing about Christmas, but it says a lot about sun worship, Sunday worship, and Sabbath worship.

It is important that we are careful in our interpretation of the Scriptures. Our pre-conceived ideas can lead us to incorrectly interpret or even manipulate Bible verses to say what we want them to say or support what we believe, whether it is truth or not.

We must be extremely careful with the way we use Scripture. We must never say, “If I look hard enough, maybe I can find texts that will prove what I believe.” We are to follow the teachings of the Bible as revealed to our submissive minds, not believe something and attempt to use the Bible to prove it. Because the amazing thing is, often if you manipulate the context just so, it can cause people to think that a particular text justifies an erroneous idea.

This has occurred in regard to worshiping on the first day of the week. With a couple of New Testament scriptures taken out of context, you have the basis for the centuries-long support that changed the Sabbath day from the seventh day to the first. We must be careful to follow everything that God says, and be even more careful not to mix in our own human ideas.

As I have studied the subject of Christmas, I have found that Ellen White has the most biblical approach to it. “If Christmas is kept at all, it should be kept in a way that will be in harmony with its significance. Christ should be remembered, His name honored; the old, old story of His love should be recounted. Instead of saying by our actions that we are putting Christ out of our minds and hearts, we should testify to men, to angels, and to God, that we remember our Redeemer, by following His example of self-sacrifice for others’ good.” The Review and Herald, December 9, 1890

More and more these days, the people of the world, including Christians, feel little or no need to think about Jesus or about those who live around them. Our own thoughts should ever be on Him and His marvelous work on our behalf, and then we should take every opportunity to turn the thoughts of others to Him.

The world says that in its observance of Christmas, it is celebrating the birth of Christ, but in the celebration, we see little of the true reason for this season. The world needs to be shown Christ. They need to be encouraged to think about and believe in Him. He must be uplifted in our own thoughts so that we can uplift Him to those around us.

Sadly, the world invokes the name of Jesus, but the Christmas season is celebrated by man for man. We make lists. We talk about what we want. We enjoy the bright lights and beautifully decorated trees. On Christmas morning, the morning supposedly on which Christ was born, instead of offering to Him the gift of our life, we are anxiously opening the beautifully wrapped presents we have given and received.

Our thoughts are not on the Sacrifice that was made to save us from eternal death, or on the pain and humiliation He suffered on our behalf, nor on the great love that compelled Him to come. There are few thoughts for those who are hungry, homeless, sick, and alone, both physically and spiritually. This day instead has become one of gluttony and a waste of God’s money for frivolous worldly things to give to each other.

As God’s people, we must think of others above ourselves. Christmas, pagan though it may be, is the one time in all the year that hearts are most open to receive the truth of Jesus’ birth and life, and ultimately His death, resurrection, and the current work He is doing on our behalf in the heavenly sanctuary. If we would make Christmas a blessing, then we need to know how to do it and prepare to do it.

“There is no divine sanctity resting upon the twenty-fifth of December; and it is not pleasing to God that anything that concerns the salvation of man through the infinite sacrifice made for them, should be so sadly perverted from its professed design. Christ should be the supreme object … .” Ibid., December 9, 1884

It was God’s design for man to worship Christ especially on the Sabbath, but to also give thanks and praise to Him every day. Designating December 25 as the day Christ was born is man’s doing. We must stridently endeavor to make it a time to honor and glorify what heaven has done for us and not taint it with selfishness.

“Christ should be the supreme object; but as Christmas has been observed, the glory has turned from Him to mortal man, whose sinful, defective character made it necessary for Him to come to our world.” Ibid.

“Let those who desire a Christmas tree make its boughs fruitful gifts for the needy, and offerings for the treasury of God.” Ibid., December 26, 1882.

Do you see in this quote anything about gifts for ourselves? Our gifts should be for those living in poverty all around us or sent to help missionaries spread the good news of salvation.

“There is no particular sin in selecting a fragrant evergreen, and placing it in our churches; but the sin lies in the motive which prompts to action, and the use which is made of the gifts placed upon the tree.” Ibid, December 11, 1879

Are we thinking of self, or are we thinking of others? 

“The tree may be as tall and its branches as wide as shall best suit the occasion; but let its boughs be laden with the golden and silver fruit of your beneficence, and present this to Him as your Christmas gift. Let your donations be sanctified by prayer.” The Adventist Home, 482

 “While urging upon all the duty of first bringing their gifts to God, I would not wholly condemn the practice of making Christmas and New Year’s gifts to our friends. It is right to bestow upon one another tokens of love and remembrance if we do not in this forget God, our best friend. We should make our gifts such as would prove a real benefit to the receiver.” The Review and Herald, December 26, 1882

We should not waste a single cent on something needless or frivolous. But after making God first in our giving, in our plans and affections, because we are to love Him with all our heart, then we can give gifts that are practical and useful, something that will bring us closer to God and to each other. We need the ties of love and affection with both our family at home and our church family.

To make the Christmas season, even Christmas day, a blessing, we should remember that we have a responsibility to share with the world the gospel, the blessed news of a Messiah, who left heaven and came to this world, born as a man, so that all of mankind, sinful as we are, could be saved. It is our duty under God to remember the poor and God’s work all around the world, and to be willing to sacrifice for them. For this reason Jesus came as a babe and this is what should fill our hearts at this time of the year.

Some people will say that they are tired of giving so much to God’s work. They’ve heard appeal after appeal and have given a lot. Why should they do more?

Well, here is a question for these individuals: If you are tired of giving to God, are you also tired of receiving from Him? We hear a lot of “I’m tired of giving,” but I don’t recall ever hearing anyone say they are tired of God giving them so much—a roof over their head, food on the table, a job, wealth, family, friends, safety—and that they just wish He’d quit giving them things.

Are you tired of receiving from God? By the death of Christ, God gives us life and health and eternal life. If we gain the whole world and lose our own soul, what will it profit us? And God, in His mercy and love for us, calls for our means that we may take our eyes and desire from where we are and place them on where we are going.

This year, this Christmas, let us give God the best gift we can give Him. We can and should give Him our money and time, but what He really wants is our hearts. He loves us and ransomed us, and as we give Him our earthly temporal life, He in turn gives us His eternal one.

Pastor Marshall Grosboll, with his wife Lillian, founded Steps to Life. In July 1991, Pastor Marshall and his family met with tragedy as they were returning home from a camp meeting in Washington state, when the airplane he was piloting went down, killing all on board.

Editorial – On Being Perfect

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Nobody can go to the kingdom of heaven who is not perfect. “The Lord requires at this time just what He required of Adam in Eden—perfect obedience to the law of God. We must have righteousness without a flaw, without a blemish. God gave His Son to die for the world, but He did not die to repeal the law which was holy and just and good. The sacrifice of Christ on Calvary is an unanswerable argument showing the immutability of the law. Its penalty was felt by the Son of God in behalf of guilty man, that through His merits the sinner might obtain the virtue of His spotless character by faith in His name.” Faith and Works, 89, 90

We are imperfect, but there is One who is perfect, with a divine character that He wants to impart to us: “Our claim to Christ’s righteousness is without a flaw, if we meet the conditions upon which it is promised … if we accept Christ as our personal Saviour.” Sons and Daughters of God, 189

“The Son of God so conducted His life that even His unbelieving countrymen were compelled to say, ‘He hath done all things well.’ His character was without a flaw. He did not leave the example of a life of idleness and self-indulgence, although He was heir of all things in heaven and earth, the only-begotten Son of the Father.” The Signs of the Times, November 12, 1896

“The law requires righteousness—a righteous life, a perfect character; and this man has not to give. He cannot meet the claims of God’s holy law. But Christ, coming to the earth as man, lived a holy life, and developed a perfect character. These He offers as a free gift to all who will receive them. His life stands for the life of men. Thus they have remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. More than this, Christ imbues men with the attributes of God. He builds up the human character after the similitude of the divine character, a goodly fabric of spiritual strength and beauty. Thus the very righteousness of the law is fulfilled in the believer in Christ. God can ‘be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.’ Romans 3:26.” The Desire of Ages, 762

Editorial – Have you left out of your life what is most important?

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“That which in the counsels of heaven the Father and the Son deemed essential for man’s salvation is clearly presented in the Holy Scriptures.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 438

“Christ’s words contain nothing that is nonessential. The Sermon on the Mount is a wonderful production, yet so simple that a child can study it without misunderstanding. … Every word He uttered came from God, and He spoke with the authority of heaven. … His teaching is full of ennobling, saving truth, to which men’s highest ambitions and most profound investigations can bear no comparison. He was alive to the terrible ruin hanging over the race, and He came to save souls by His own righteousness, bringing to the world definite assurance of hope and complete relief.

“It is because Christ’s words are disregarded, because the word of God is given a second place in education, that infidelity is riot and iniquity is rife. … A mass of tradition, containing merely a semblance of truth, is brought into the courses of study given in the schools of the world. The force of much human teaching is found in assertion, not in truth. … There is a painful uncertainty, a constant searching, a reaching for assurance, that can be found only in God. The trumpet of human greatness may be sounded, but it is with an uncertain sound; it is not reliable, and the salvation of souls cannot be assured by it.

“In acquiring earthly knowledge, men have thought to gain a treasure; and they have laid the Bible aside, ignorant that it contains a treasure worth everything else. A failure to study and obey God’s word has brought confusion into the world. Men have left the guardianship of Christ for the guardianship of the great rebel… .

“When in difficulty, philosophers and men of science try to satisfy their minds without appealing to God. They ventilate their philosophy in regard to the heavens and the earth, accounting for plagues, pestilences, epidemics, earthquakes, and famines by their supposed science. Questions relating to creation and providence they attempt to solve by saying, This is a law of nature.” Ibid., 439, 440

If you are uncertain about why the world is in the mess it is in, read these predictions found in Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, 2 Timothy 3, 2 Thessalonians 2, 1 Peter 4, and 2 Peter 3.

Bible Study – The New Heaven and the New Earth

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December 25 – 31, 2022

Key Text

“My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.” Isaiah 32:18

Study Help: The Great Controversy, 674–678

Introduction

“The kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, was then given to the saints of the Most High, who were to possess it forever, even forever and ever.” Early Writings, 295

Sunday

1 HEIRS OF THE KINGDOM

1.a. What promise will be fulfilled after sin and sinners are blotted out? Isaiah 65:17; Daniel 7:18, 27

 Note: “God’s entire universe was clean, and the great controversy was forever ended. Wherever we looked, everything upon which the eye rested was beautiful and holy. And all the redeemed host, old and young, great and small, cast their glittering crowns at the feet of their Redeemer, and prostrated themselves in adoration before Him, and worshiped Him that liveth forever and ever. The beautiful new earth, with all its glory, was the eternal inheritance of the saints.” Early Writings, 295

1.b. What gives us the privilege of becoming heirs of the kingdom of glory? John 1:12; Galatians 4:4–7

 Note: “In the heavenly courts there will be no song sung, To me that loved myself, and washed myself, redeemed myself, unto me be glory and honor, blessing and praise. … The whole gospel is comprised in learning of Christ, His meekness and lowliness.

“What is justification by faith? It is the work of God in laying the glory of man in the dust, and doing for man that which it is not in his power to do for himself.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 456

Monday

2 PERFECT PEACE

2.a. What condition will exist among the animals in the new earth? Isaiah 11:6, 7, 9

 Note: “Man will be restored to his lost kingship, and the lower order of beings will again recognize his sway; the fierce will become gentle, and the timid trustful.” Education, 304

2.b. What kinds of dwelling places will the saints enjoy in the earth made new? Isaiah 32:18; Proverbs 1:33

 Note: “If we can meet Jesus in peace and be saved, forever saved, we shall be the happiest of beings! Oh, to be at home at last where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest! Heaven, sweet heaven! Oh, I shall appreciate heaven! I know that I must watch and keep my garments unspotted from the world or I shall never enter the abode of the blessed.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 21, 343

“There are ever-flowing streams, clear as crystal, and beside them waving trees cast their shadows upon the paths prepared for the ransomed of the Lord. There the wide-spreading plains swell into hills of beauty, and the mountains of God rear their lofty summits. On those peaceful plains, beside those living streams, God’s people, so long pilgrims and wanderers, shall find a home.” The Great Controversy, 675

“What we are in the heavenly home, when saved, eternally saved, will be the reflection of what we now are in character and holy service. Shall we not show our loyalty by keeping God’s commandments here, in this our place of probation?” In Heavenly Places, 298

“Let us consider most earnestly the blessed hereafter. Let our faith pierce through every cloud of darkness and behold Him who died for the sins of the world. He has opened the gates of paradise to all who receive and believe on Him. To them He gives power to become the sons and daughters of God. Let the afflictions which pain us so grievously become instructive lessons, teaching us to press forward toward the mark of the prize of our high calling in Christ.” Testimonies, Vol. 9, 286, 287

Tuesday

3 NO DISEASE, SUFFERING OR DEATH

3.a. What evils will no longer exist in the earth made new? Revelation 21:4; Isaiah 33:24; 60:18

Note: “Pain cannot exist in the atmosphere of heaven. There will be no more tears, no funeral trains, no badges of mourning.” The Great Controversy, 676

“This earth is the place of preparation for heaven. The time spent here is the Christian’s winter. Here the chilly winds of affliction blow upon us, and the waves of trouble roll against us. But in the near future, when Christ comes, sorrow and sighing will be forever ended. Then will be the Christian’s summer. All trials will be over, and there will be no more sickness or death.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, 988

3.b. Will the redeemed remember the suffering that was their lot on this earth? Isaiah 65:17–19

 Note: “We tried to call up our greatest trials, but they looked so small compared with the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory that surrounded us that we could not speak them out, and we all cried out, ‘Alleluia, heaven is cheap enough!’ and we touched our glorious harps and made heaven’s arches ring.” Early Writings, 17

3.c. Describe life in the earth made new. Isaiah 51:3; 65:21–25

 Note: “There [in heaven] we shall know even as also we are known. There the loves and sympathies that God has planted in the soul will find truest and sweetest exercise. The pure communion with holy beings, the harmonious social life with the blessed angels and with the faithful ones of all ages, the sacred fellowship that binds together ‘the whole family in heaven and earth’—all are among the experiences of the hereafter.

“There will be music there, and song, such music and song as, save in the visions of God, no mortal ear has heard or mind conceived.” Education, 306, 307

Wednesday

4 TRUE AND FAITHFUL WORDS

4.a. What admonition is given to us about the immutability of God’s words? Revelation 21:5, last part; 22:18, 19

 Note: “Those who, by their human construction, shall make the Scripture to utter that which Christ has never placed upon it, weaken its force, making the voice of God in instruction and warnings to testify falsehood, to avoid the inconvenience incurred by obedience to God’s requirements, have become signboards, pointing in the wrong direction, into false paths, which lead to transgression and death.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, 387

“Many will make the words of the Revelation a spiritualistic mystery, robbing them of their solemn import. God declares that His judgments shall fall with increased dreadfulness upon anyone who shall try to change the solemn words written in this book—the Revelation of Jesus Christ.” The Review and Herald, August 2, 1906

“In His word, God has committed to men the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are to be accepted as an authoritative, infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the revealer of doctrines, and the test of experience.” Ye Shall Receive Power, 122

4.b. What warning is given to children and youth who desire to inherit the new earth? Ephesians 6:1–3; Colossians 3:20

Note: “Children who dishonor and disobey their parents, and disregard their advice and instructions, can have no part in the earth made new. The purified new earth will be no place for the rebellious, the disobedient, the ungrateful, son or daughter. Unless such learn obedience and submission here, they will never learn it; the peace of the ransomed will not be marred by disobedient, unruly, unsubmissive children. No commandment breaker can inherit the kingdom of heaven.” Testimonies, Vol. 1, 497, 498

“Children, do you desire eternal life? Then respect and honor your parents. Do not wound and grieve their hearts, and cause them to spend sleepless nights in anxiety and distress over your case. If you have sinned in not rendering love and obedience to them, begin now to redeem the past.” The Youth’s Instructor, June 22, 1893

Thursday

5 ALMOST HOME

5.a. What should be our attitude considering the nearness of our eternal redemption? James 4:8–11; Titus 2:11–13

 Note: “The Lord is soon to come, and we must be prepared to meet Him in peace. Let us be determined to do all in our power to impart light to those around us. We are not to be sad, but cheerful, and we are to keep the Lord Jesus ever before us. He is soon coming, and we must be ready and waiting for His appearing. Oh, how glorious it will be to see Him and be welcomed as His redeemed ones! Long have we waited, but our hope is not to grow dim. If we can but see the King in His beauty we shall be forever blessed.” Testimonies, Vol. 8, 253

“The closest relation exists between God and His people. … The servants of God are to be earnest, penitent, trustful, thankful. Their lives should be living epistles, known and read of all men. They should be continually looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” The Signs of the Times, January 27, 1890

5.b. What comfort do we find in God’s word as we approach the consummation of our hope? James 5:7, 8; Hebrews 10:36–39

 Note: “There will be no sadness in the city of God. No wail of sorrow, no dirge of crushed hopes and buried affections, will evermore be heard. Soon the garments of heaviness will be changed for the wedding garment. Soon we shall witness the coronation of our King. Those whose lives have been hidden with Christ, those who on this earth have fought the good fight of faith, will shine forth with the Redeemer’s glory in the kingdom of God.” Testimonies, Vol. 9, 287

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1    What is the reward of the faithful?

2    Describe the home of the saved.

3    What will happen to the many trials we now have?

4    What should our youth think about if they desire everlasting life and joy?

5    What will you do today with the offer of salvation?

Copyright 2000, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.

Bible Study – Sin and Sinners Destroyed

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December 18 – 24, 2022

Key Text

“ ‘For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all that do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘that will leave them neither root nor branch.’ ” Malachi 4:1

Study Help: The Great Controversy, 663–673

Introduction

“Satan, the root of every sin, and all evil workers, who are his branches, shall be utterly cut off. An end will be made of sin, with all the woe and ruin that have resulted from it.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 341

Sunday

1 AT THE COMING OF JESUS

1.a. Before the coming of Jesus, what will be the condition of the wicked? Malachi 3:14; 2 Timothy 3:1–4. 1 John 5:19

Note: “The cities around us are filled with wickedness, and after the message of warning has been given to them no more words of peace will be given.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 3, 87

“The state of the world, with its abominations and crimes, in fulfilment of the prophecies concerning the wickedness that would prevail during the last days, is enough to lead true Christians to live lives of humility and prayer.” Spalding and Magan Collection, 338

1.b. What will happen to the wicked ones who will be alive at the time of Jesus’ coming? 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9; 2:8

Note: “At the coming of Christ the wicked are blotted from the face of the whole earth—consumed with the spirit of His mouth and destroyed by the brightness of His glory.” The Great Controversy, 657

Monday

2 AT THE END OF THE MILLENIUM

2.a. What will take place after the one thousand years have expired? Isaiah 24:22; Revelation 20:5, first part

 Note: “Every eye in that vast multitude is turned to behold the glory of the Son of God. With one voice the wicked hosts exclaim: ‘Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord!’ It is not love to Jesus that inspires this utterance. The force of truth urges the words from unwilling lips. As the wicked went into their graves, so they come forth with the same enmity to Christ and the same spirit of rebellion. They are to have no new probation in which to remedy the defects of their past lives. Nothing would be gained by this. A lifetime of transgression has not softened their hearts. A second probation, were it given them, would be occupied as was the first in evading the requirements of God and exciting rebellion against Him.” The Great Controversy, 662

2.b. How does the Bible describe the multitude of the resurrected wicked ones at the end of the millennium? Revelation 20:7, 8. Who are included in that vast multitude?

 Note: “In that vast throng are multitudes of the long-lived race that existed before the Flood; men of lofty stature and giant intellect, who, yielding to the control of fallen angels, devoted all their skill and knowledge to the exaltation of themselves; men whose wonderful works of art led the world to idolize their genius, but whose cruelty and evil inventions, defiling the earth and defacing the image of God, caused Him to blot them from the face of His creation. There are kings and generals who conquered nations, valiant men who never lost a battle, proud, ambitious warriors whose approach made kingdoms tremble. In death these experienced no change. As they come up from the grave, they resume the current of their thoughts just where it ceased. They are actuated by the same desire to conquer that ruled them when they fell.” The Great Controversy, 664

Tuesday

3 EXTERMINATION OF SIN

3.a. What did Jesus say about the eradication of sin? Matthew 15:13

 Note: “Every plant that Satan has planted—jealousy, anger, envy, evil surmising, evil speaking, impatience, fretfulness, prejudice, vanity, covetousness, and selfishness—should be rooted up without delay. There is constant peril for the soul who nurtures these evil qualities, for they will bear a burden of evil fruit, whereby many will be defiled. These poisonous plants defile the soul and crowd out the precious flower of love.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 13, 79

“The extermination of sin will vindicate God’s love and establish His honor before a universe of beings who delight to do His will, and in whose heart is His law.” The Desire of Ages, 764

3.b. After the second resurrection, what will Satan do in desperation as he deceives the innumerable multitude of wicked? Revelation 20:9, first part

 Note: “Satan prepares for a last mighty struggle for the supremacy. While deprived of his power and cut off from his work of deception, the prince of evil was miserable and dejected; but as the wicked dead are raised and he sees the vast multitudes upon his side, his hopes revive, and he determines not to yield the great controversy. He will marshal all the armies of the lost under his banner and through them endeavor to execute his plans. The wicked are Satan’s captives. In rejecting Christ they have accepted the rule of the rebel leader. They are ready to receive his suggestions and to do his bidding. Yet, true to his early cunning, he does not acknowledge himself to be Satan. He claims to be the prince who is the rightful owner of the world and whose inheritance has been unlawfully wrested from him. He represents himself to his deluded subjects as a redeemer, assuring them that his power has brought them forth from their graves and that he is about to rescue them from the most cruel tyranny. The presence of Christ having been removed, Satan works wonders to support his claims. He makes the weak strong and inspires all with his own spirit and energy. He proposes to lead them against the camp of the saints and to take possession of the City of God. With fiendish exultation he points to the unnumbered millions who have been raised from the dead and declares that as their leader he is well able to overthrow the city and regain his throne and his kingdom.” The Great Controversy, 664

Wednesday

4 THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH

4.a. What will even the wicked understand regarding the mission of Christ when He came into the world? 1 John 3:8, last part; Luke 13:35

 Note: “When the Judge of all the world demands, Why have ye done thus? what reason can he assign, what cause can he plead? Bear in mind every tongue is silent, every mouth that has been so ready to speak evil, so ready to accuse, so ready to utter words of recrimination and falsehood is stopped, and the whole world of rebellion stands speechless before God.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh–day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, 1163

“With all the facts of the great controversy in view, the whole universe, both loyal and rebellious, with one accord declare: ‘Just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.’ ” The Great Controversy, 671

4.b. What will happen to the wicked, the evil angels, and Satan? Psalms 11:6; Jude 1:6, 7; Revelation 20:9, last part, 14, 15

 Note: “Fire comes down from God out of heaven. The earth is broken up. The weapons concealed in its depths are drawn forth. Devouring flames burst from every yawning chasm. The very rocks are on fire. The day has come that shall burn as an oven. The elements melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are therein are burned up. Malachi 4:1; 2 Peter 3:10. The earth’s surface seems one molten mass—a vast, seething lake of fire. It is the time of the judgment and perdition of ungodly men’—the day of the Lord’s vengeance, and the year of recompenses for the controversy of Zion.’ Isaiah 34:8.

“The wicked receive their recompense in the earth. Proverbs 11:31. They ‘shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts.’ Malachi 4:1. Some are destroyed as in a moment, while others suffer many days. All are punished ‘according to their deeds.’ ‘The sins of the righteous having been transferred to Satan, he is made to suffer not only for his own rebellion, but for all the sins which he has caused God’s people to commit. His punishment is to be far greater than that of those whom he has deceived. After all have perished who fell by his deceptions, he is still to live and suffer on. In the cleansing flames the wicked are at last destroyed, root and branch—Satan the root, his followers the branches.” The Great Controversy, 672, 673

Thursday

5 THE EARTH LIBERATED FROM SIN

5.a. What condition will exist after sin and sinners are destroyed? Psalm 104:35; Isaiah 14:7; 35:10; Zechariah 1:11

 Note: “Satan’s work of ruin is forever ended. … Now God’s creatures are forever delivered from his presence and temptations.” The Great Controversy, 673

“Christ … saw the happiness of those who through His humiliation should receive pardon and everlasting life. He was wounded for their transgressions, bruised for their iniquities. The chastisement of their peace was upon Him, and with His stripes they were healed.” The Ministry of Healing, 504

5.b. How will the redeemed express their gratitude to the Lord for the restoration of His original plan? Revelation 5:13; 19:1, 6, 7

Note: “When the redeemed stand in the presence of God, they will see how shortsighted were their conclusions as to what heaven records as success. As they review their efforts to achieve success they will see how foolish were their plans, how petty their supposed trials, how unreasonable their doubts. They will see how often they brought failure to their work by not taking God at His word. And one truth will stand out in clear lines: that position does not prepare a man for entrance into the heavenly courts. They will see, too, that the honor given to man is due to God alone, that to Him belongs all the glory. From the lips of the angelic choir and the redeemed host will peal forth the chorus.” Testimonies, Vol. 7, 28

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1    How does this lesson confirm the old saying, “Crime does not pay”?

2    What reveals the fact that human character is unchanged after death?

3    With what deception does Satan incite the resurrected wicked to fight?

4    In what sense will the redeemed be further amazed by God’s glory?

5    Describe the joy that will be felt in the universe.

Copyright 2000, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.