Faith

The Pledge & Peter’s Ladder

by

“Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ: grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:1-4

Peter was one of the apostles, and he states that he is writing to those who have obtained the same faith that he and the other believers have. Do you have the faith of the apostolic church? If you do, then this book, written by Peter, is for you. In the book, The Great Controversy, we are told that the religion of these early Christians was a terror to evil doers. If your faith is a terror to evil doers, this book is written to you. And, if you truly have this faith, Peter says that grace always comes first and is followed by peace. You will never find the order reversed, because peace comes as the result of grace.

Did you notice how we receive grace and obtain peace? “In the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” There is only one way by which people are able to gain a knowledge of God. When the Jews rejected that one way, they were lost. There is no other way—no spare tire in the system of salvation. “All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” Matthew 11:27. The only way that you can know anything about the Father is through the Son. Any religion that denies Jesus and yet professes to worship God is a fraud.

“He who by faith lays hold firmly upon the invisible One, will reveal the character of Jesus. With lowliness of heart he will accept Christ’s invitation to the weary and the heavy laden. Instead of unloading his burdens upon his neighbor, with whose heart-sorrows he is unacquainted, he will seek rest by taking upon himself the yoke of Christ. Let us abide in Jesus. Then He alone—formed within, the hope of glory—will appear in our every word and deed.” Review and Herald, May 26, 1904

This is not to say that we should never seek counsel from another person; but if you have a spiritual problem, you need Divine help. Another human being can solve an accounting problem; but if you are experiencing a spiritual problem, the solution is for the other person to direct your mind to the divine-human burden bearer.

Cause for Spiritual Weakness

Think this matter through. If God has given me all things that pertain unto life, if He has promised me grace and peace, is it really excusable for me to spend my time unloading all of my troubles upon my neighbors? Inspiration tells us that when we do this, we are really insulting God, as He is the only One who can help us. Our failure to follow this plan is the reason behind so much of our spiritual weakness.

“Is not this why there is among us so much spiritual feebleness. Why do we not take everything to the Lord in prayer? He stands at the head of humanity enabling men through His sacrifice to become partakers of the divine nature, to lay hold upon infinite power that will transform them into the likeness of the divine.” Ibid.

We can become partakers of the divine nature through God’s promises if we choose to accept them by faith and ask the Lord to make us partakers of His divine nature. This opens the way for a miracle to take place in our character development. There follows a progression of change in our lives that Peter marks out, which has become known as “Peter’s ladder.” “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.” 2 Peter 1:5-9

Remember that Peter is writing to people who have obtained like faith as himself. These are baptized Christians. When you are baptized, you make a public confession to the whole world that you have forsaken your sins and you are starting a new life. Peter says, however, that if you do not climb this ladder, adding to your faith moral excellence, to moral excellence knowledge, you are not walking the Christian path. You have forgotten the significance of your baptism. It is only when we follow this progression that we may know the certainty of our salvation. “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.” Verse 10

In cooperation with Christ, each one of us is to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. (See Philipians 2:12, 13.) Doing the works He bids us to do, trials will come to us; but we are to learn to depend completely upon Him for grace and for guidance. We are to learn to live as in the presence of Christ because perfection of character only comes through the gift of His righteousness. He says here in verse 4 that we are to become partakers of the divine nature.

Have you tried to comprehend in your mind what it means to become a partaker of the divine nature? What does the word nature mean? Now this has been a matter of debate among Adventists for a long time. You have all heard of the debate over the nature of Christ. When you talk about the nature of anybody, what are you talking about? What does it mean to become a partaker of the divine nature?

It is natural for you to do according to your nature. As you become a partaker of the divin nature it will become natural for you to think, speak and act like Jesus would if He were in your place. If I am partaking of the divine nature, that will affect, first of all, the way that I think; and as a result of that, it will affect the way that I speak and act.

The Pledge

Ellen White said that we should take the following pledge:

“I choose to guard against speaking words that discourage and resolve never to engage in evil speaking and backbiting. I choose to refuse to serve Satan by implanting seeds of doubt. I choose to guard against cherishing unbelief or expressing it to others. I solemnly promise to speak only those words that are pleasing to God, choosing to discipline the tongue by disciplining the mind; for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Review and Herald, May 26, 1904. Speaking of this pledge, she said that we need to take this pledge just as much as we need to have a pledge against the use of intoxicating liquor. The exciting thing is that if the Lord tells us to pledge something, then He is going to give us the ability to fulfill that pledge.

How would you ever fulfill this pledge? I do not know how. All I know is that God says to make the pledge; and if He tells me to make it, He is going to help me to fulfill it because every command is a promise. There is divine power in this because God has said to do it; and when you choose to do something that God says to do, you are going to have divine power come into your life and help you to do that thing. Get down on your knees and say, “Lord, You told me to do this. I may never have done it one day in my whole life before this; but You told me to do it, and I am choosing to do it.”

In the very next paragraph she writes, “Through the help that Christ can give, we shall be able to learn to bridle the tongue.”

Do you know what would be the result if we were all to climb the whole ladder every day? Ellen White says that when this scripture actually comes to pass in the church, we are going to have conversions like they had on the Day of Pentecost.

For a long time I have been praying that something would take place similar to what happened during the sixteenth century Reformation. When Martin Luther preached, fifty million people walked out of the Catholic Church. We have been promised that when we are living out what we have been studying in these first ten verses here in 2 Peter, there are going to be hundreds and thousands of people converted like on the Day of Pentecost.

Are You Predestinated?

There are some people who are concerned about predestination. In fact, there is only one election that you will find in the Bible. The elect are the people who follow Peter’s instructions. He says, “If you do this, you make your calling and election sure.” You will be part of God’s elect. The good news is that not one person needs to fail of having everlasting life.

Do not let the devil convince you that are so wicked that the Lord cannot save you. That is not true. If you choose to learn daily of Jesus, no matter how bad your past has been, no matter what you have done or how vile you have been, the Lord can save you. This is the plan. Follow the instructions. He says that if you do these things, you will never stumble. “For so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:11

Peter then goes on to say, If you do this, (the things that we have been reading about in the first ten verses), you are not going to stumble or fall; you are going to have an entrance, and it is going to be abundant. You will not just squeak through; you are going to have an abundant entrance into the kingdom. This is a divine, life insurance policy. This is a life insurance policy that insures that you are going to have eternal life if you follow these instructions. This is the contract; this is the agreement.

Peter then continues, “I know that I am going to be put to death soon, as the Lord has told me; but as long as I am here, I’m not going to be negligent to keep on reminding you about this.” (See Verses 12-15.)

No Unpleasant Words in Heaven

A few years ago when I was reading the book Upward Look for the first time, there was a statement on page 163 that caught my attention so much that I have never forgotten it. In fact, I have used it many times in counseling people. Ellen White said, “In heaven no unpleasant words are spoken.” Would you like to be in a place where there are no unpleasant words spoken? The people who go to heaven when Jesus comes are going to be people who, before that time, have learned to talk like they talk in heaven. I want to learn; how about you?

“Oh,” somebody says, “you have to rebuke sin.” Jesus rebuked sin. I want to learn to do it in the way that He did it. Somebody says, “Well, you have to warn people.” I believe that. That is the loving thing to do. I want to learn to warn people in the way that the angels and Jesus warned people. We are not talking about not facing reality. But in heaven, no unpleasant words are spoken. What could happen in our homes if we learned to speak like they speak in heaven? If we start putting this into practice, what could happen? Let me tell you one thing that would happen. The Adventist pastors all over the world would not have to spend so many thousands of hours that they are spending right now trying to counsel people to mend their broken marriages. That is one of the things that would happen just right away. We would start spending more time in evangelism all over the world; because what I am talking about is a worldwide problem.

Why do they never speak unpleasant words in heaven? Why? She tells us why on that very same page. Because “no unkind thoughts are cherished.” Friend, it is so easy. Let me tell you what the devil is trying to do. The devil is trying to get you to concentrate on my character defects and me to concentrate on your character defects so that in our minds we will pour forth a torrent of words. If we are not going to speak unpleasant words, out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh, we must not cherish unkind thoughts. I do not claim to come up to the standard, but I am determined by the grace of God to reach it. How about you? I want a change in my tongue; and to have a change in my tongue, I know that I will have to have a change in my mind and my spirit. I am determined, by the grace of God, that what He says can be done in my life because He is not a respector of persons. He is willing to do it for me; and He is willing to do it for you, if we are willing.

From what we have studied, I hope that nobody can ever deceive you by telling you that your character has no relation to your salvation; just believe and everything will be all right. From what we read in the Bible, nobody should ever be able to deceive you on that point. It is too plain!

I want the change in my mind that will result in a change in my tongue, that will result in a change in my behavior. Do you want it, too? I am just simple enough to believe that if we pray and are sincere, the Lord will answer our prayer. Let us pray for that miracle to start happening in our lives.

Editorial – The Power Needed at This Time

by

When David met Goliath, to the on-looking multitude, it appeared that all of the advantage lay with the giant. It was not until Goliath lay dead that the scene changed and the reality of the matter became apparent. Do you know that there is coming a time when even the weakest in the church will be like David? That we may be a part of this group, let us review how It was that David received the superior power that enabled him to overcome in the battle with Goliath.

“Modest and unassuming, he [David] did not make this declaration [to Goliath] trusting in his own wisdom, skill, or power, but in the strength of God, who had delivered him out of the paw of the lion and the bear when he was watching his father’s flocks in the wilderness. . . .

“Here we have an example of lofty courage, of a humble, but living faith. David’s trust was not in himself, neither was his motive a selfish one. But he was ready, in the strength of God, to meet Israel’s foe, to test Jehovah’s might against a heathen giant, that he might ‘take away the reproach from Israel.’ This was the divine plan for distinguishing David, Israel’s future king, and for humbling the adversaries of the true God.

“Those who are loyal to God, keeping all of His Commandments, will meet a spirit of opposition similar to that which David encountered. Learned men, proud and boastful in their supposed superiority, will feel, as did Goliath, to despise the little band who are loyal to God. Many of these never graduated from a college; but, with the Bible in their hands, they stand in defense of the truth of God, and vindicate His Sabbath, which has been trodden beneath lawless feet. But the Lord can make His strength perfect in man’s weakness. If, like David, men will forget self, and seek to honor God and to vindicate His name and His truth, He will work mightily with them, and crown their efforts with success. But there are many who take the glory to themselves if the work of God is prospered in their hands. They become proud and self-sufficient, and flatter themselves that their success is owing to their own superior abilities. Prosperity would often prove the ruin of the one thus honored of the Lord. Our compassionate Father in Heaven pities the weakness of our nature, and bears long with our follies. If this were not the case, He would not have given His Son to come to a fallen world and bear the buffetings and temptations of Satan, that He might show men how to overcome. The enemies of the truth will grow stronger and more bitter in their opposition to the Law of God. They will resort to ridicule and insult; they will wrest and misinterpret the Scriptures, and will sustain their positions by human opinions and arguments. They will present things in a false light, and thus pervert even honest minds. They will glory in their strength, as did the Philistine giant, and for a time they may appear to prosper. But their triumph will not always last; they will themselves fall into the pit which they have digged for others.

“God brings us into trials in order that we may be drawn nearer to Him. The psalmist says, ‘Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.’ David was a representative man. His history is of interest to every soul who is striving for eternal victories. In his life, two powers struggled for the mastery. Unbelief marshaled its forces, and tried to eclipse the light shining upon him from the throne of God. Day by day the battle went on in his heart, Satan disputing every step of advance made by the forces of righteousness. David understood what it meant to fight against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world. At times it seemed that the enemy must gain the victory. But in the end, faith conquered, and David rejoiced in the saving power of Jehovah.” Signs of the Times, March 4, 1886.

Before meeting Goliath, God brought David through experiences that were designed to develop his faith. In his encounter with the bear and the lion, David was preparing himself to meet larger tests. In meeting our day to day trials, we need to ask ourselves if we are dealing with these apparent obstacles and obstructions to progress as blessings in disguise, learning from them the lessons God designs that we should, so that we will be prepared for the really large trials we will all soon be forced to meet.

Bible Study Guides – Single-Hearted Purpose

by

January 19, 2014 – January 25, 2014

Key Text

“As He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” I Peter 1:15, 16.

Study Help: Christ’s Object Lessons, 100–102.

Introduction

“As long as we continue to keep our eyes fixed upon the Author and Finisher of our faith we shall be safe. But our affections must be placed upon things above, not on things on the earth. By faith we must rise higher and still higher in the attainments of the graces of Christ. By daily contemplating His matchless charms, we must grow more and more into His glorious image. While we thus live in communion with Heaven, Satan will lay his nets for us in vain.” My Life Today, 105.

1 AUTHOR OF OUR FAITH

  • To Whom should we look upon and what should be laid aside as the race of life is run? Hebrews 12:1, 2.

Note: “In the epistle to the Hebrews is pointed out the single-hearted purpose that should characterize the Christian’s race for eternal life: ‘Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith’ (Hebrews 12:1, 2).” The Acts of the Apostles, 312.

2 GREAT PRACTICAL NECESSITY

  • How is faith acquired? Romans 10:17; John 17:17.

Note: “If studied and obeyed, the word of God works in the heart, subduing every unholy attribute. The Holy Spirit comes to convict of sin, and the faith that springs up in the heart works by love to Christ, conforming us in body, soul, and spirit to His own image. Then God can use us to do His will. The power given us works from within outwardly, leading us to communicate to others the truth that has been communicated to us.

“The truths of the word of God meet man’s great practical necessity—the conversion of the soul through faith. These grand principles are not to be thought too pure and holy to be brought into the daily life. They are truths which reach to heaven and compass eternity, yet their vital influence is to be woven into human experience. They are to permeate all the great things and all the little things of life.

“Received into the heart, the leaven of truth will regulate the desires, purify the thoughts, and sweeten the disposition. It quickens the faculties of the mind and the energies of the soul. It enlarges the capacity for feeling, for loving.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 100, 101.

3 RECEIVE STRENGTH

  • What is the result when taking hold of God’s promises? (See Note.)

Note: “The moment you grasp God’s promises by faith and say, I am the lost sheep that Jesus came to save, a new life will take possession of you, and you will receive strength to resist the tempter. But faith to grasp the promises does not come by feeling.

“Take God’s word on trust, saying, He loves me: He gave His life for me; and He will save me.” In Heavenly Places, 116.

  • What does the Lord encourage and what is the result? Psalm 34:8; John 16:24.

Note: “God invites us to prove for ourselves the reality of His Word, the truth of His promises. … His promises will be fulfilled. They have never failed; they never can fail. …

“Our Saviour wants you to keep in close relation to Himself, that He may make you happy.” The Faith I Live By, 123.

  • How are we to participate in this race? Hebrews 12:1; I Corinthians 9:26, 27.

Note: “Have you ever watched a hawk in pursuit of a timid dove? Instinct has taught the dove that in order for the hawk to seize his prey, he must gain a loftier flight than his victim. So she rises higher and still higher into the blue dome of heaven, ever pursued by the hawk, which is seeking to obtain the advantage. But in vain. The dove is safe as long as she allows nothing to stop her in her flight, or draw her earthward; but let her once falter, and take a lower flight, and her watchful enemy will swoop down upon his victim. Again and again have we watched this scene with almost breathless interest, all our sympathies with the little dove. How sad we should have felt to see it fall a victim to the cruel hawk!

“We have before us a warfare—a lifelong conflict with Satan and his seductive temptations. The enemy will use every argument, every deception, to entangle the soul; and in order to win the crown of life, we must put forth earnest, persevering effort. We must not lay off the armor or leave the battlefield until we have gained the victory, and can triumph in our Redeemer.” My Life Today, 105.

“Paul knew that his warfare against evil would not end so long as life should last. Ever he realized the need of putting a strict guard upon himself, that earthly desires might not overcome spiritual zeal. With all his power he continued to strive against natural inclinations. Ever he kept before him the ideal to be attained, and this ideal he strove to reach by willing obedience to the law of God. His words, his practices, his passions—all were brought under the control of the Spirit of God.” God’s Amazing Grace, 273.

4 TRIALS OF OUR FAITH

  • What will be the ending result for the faithful? I Peter 1:7–9.

Note: “The most trying experiences in the Christian’s life may be the most blessed. The special providences of the dark hours may encourage the soul in future attacks of Satan, and equip the servant of God to stand in fiery trials. The trial of your faith is more precious than gold. You must have that abiding confidence in God that is not disturbed by the temptations and arguments of the deceiver. Take the Lord at His word. You must study the promises, and appropriate them as you have need.” Our High Calling, 324.

  • What should be the response to the trials of our faith? I Peter 4:12, 13.

Note: “In the full light of day, and in hearing of the music of other voices, the caged bird will not sing the song that his master seeks to teach him. He learns a snatch of this, a trill of that, but never a separate and entire melody. But the master covers the cage, and places it where the bird will listen to the one song he is to sing. In the dark, he tries and tries again to sing that song until it is learned, and he breaks forth in perfect melody. Then the bird is brought forth, and ever after he can sing that song in the light. Thus God deals with His children. He has a song to teach us, and when we have learned it amid the shadows of affliction we can sing it ever afterward.” The Ministry of Healing, 472.

“Trial is part of the education given in the school of Christ, to purify God’s children from the dross of earthliness. It is because God is leading His children that trying experiences come to them. Trials and obstacles are His chosen methods of discipline, and His appointed conditions of success. He who reads the hearts of men knows their weaknesses better than they themselves can know them. He sees that some have qualifications which, if rightly directed, could be used in the advancement of His work. In His providence He brings these souls into different positions and varied circumstances, that they may discover the defects that are concealed from their own knowledge. He gives them opportunity to overcome these defects and to fit themselves for service. Often He permits the fires of affliction to burn, that they may be purified.” The Acts of the Apostles, 524.

5 THE EXPECTATION

  • Who demonstrated more faith than all of those in Israel and what was Jesus’ response? Matthew 8:6–10.

Note: “The centurion’s servant had been stricken with palsy, and lay at the point of death. …

“Jesus immediately set out for the officer’s home … . The news of His coming preceded Him, and the centurion, in his self-distrust, sent Him the message, ‘Lord, trouble not Thyself: for I am not worthy that Thou shouldest enter under my roof’ (Luke 7:6). But the Saviour kept on His way, and the centurion, venturing at last to approach Him, completed the message, saying, ‘Neither thought I myself worthy to come unto Thee; but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it’ (verses 7, 8). As I represent the power of Rome, and my soldiers recognize my authority as supreme, so dost Thou represent the power of the Infinite God, and all created things obey Thy word. Thou canst command the disease to depart, and it shall obey Thee. Thou canst summon Thy heavenly messengers, and they shall impart healing virtue. Speak but the word, and my servant shall be healed.” The Desire of Ages, 315, 316.

“ ‘When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned Him about, and said unto the people that followed Him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel’ (Luke 7:9). And to the centurion He said, ‘As thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.’ And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour (Matthew 8:13).” The Desire of Ages, 316.

ADDITIONAL READING

“The truths of the word of God meet man’s great practical necessity—the conversion of the soul through faith. These grand principles are not to be thought too pure and holy to be brought into the daily life. They are truths which reach to heaven and compass eternity, yet their vital influence is to be woven into human experience. They are to permeate all the great things and all the little things of life.

“How far we come from representing the character of Christ! But we must lay hold of His merits by living faith, and claim Him as our Saviour. He died on Calvary to save us. Each should make it a personal work between God and his own soul, as though there were no one in the world but himself. When we exercise personal faith, our hearts will not be as cold as an iron wedge; we shall be able to realize what is meant by the psalmist when he says, ‘Blessed is he … whose sin is covered’ (Psalm 32:1).” The Faith I Live By, 123.

Studies compiled by Judy Hallingstad. Judy is part of the LandMarks team and can be contacted by email at: judyhallingstad@stepstolife.org.

Bible Study Guides – Faith that Lives

by

January 12, 2014 – January 18, 2014

Key Text

“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17.

Study Help: Gospel Workers, 259–263; The Signs of the Times, May 19, 1898.

Introduction

“There is nothing in faith that makes it our saviour. Faith cannot remove our guilt. Christ is the power of God unto salvation to all them that believe. The justification comes through the merits of Jesus Christ. He has paid the price for the sinner’s redemption. Yet it is only through faith in His blood that Jesus can justify the believer.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, 1071.

1 TWO ARMS

  • In what frame of mind should God be approached? Hebrews 11:6.

Note: “The greatest victories gained for the cause of God are not the result of labored argument, ample facilities, wide influence, or abundance of means; they are gained in the audience chamber with God, when with earnest, agonizing faith men lay hold upon the mighty arm of power.” Gospel Workers, 259.

  • What is necessary to lay hold upon the power of Infinite Love? (See Note.)

Note: “True faith and true prayer—how strong they are! They are as two arms by which the human suppliant lays hold upon the power of Infinite Love. Faith is trusting in God—believing that He loves us, and knows what is for our best good. Thus, instead of our own way, it leads us to choose His way. In place of our ignorance, it accepts His wisdom; in place of our weakness, His strength; in place of our sinfulness, His righteousness. Our lives, ourselves, are already His; faith acknowledges His ownership, and accepts its blessings. Truth, uprightness, purity, are pointed out as secrets of life’s success. It is faith that puts us in possession of these. Every good impulse or aspiration is the gift of God; faith receives from God the life that alone can produce true growth and efficiency.” Gospel Workers, 259.

2 LOOK BEYOND THE PRESENT

  • What is the victory that overcomes the world? I John 5:4.

Note: “It is faith that enables us to look beyond the present, with its burdens and cares, to the great hereafter, where all that now perplexes us shall be made plain. Faith sees Jesus standing as our Mediator at the right hand of God. Faith beholds the mansions that Christ has gone to prepare for those who love Him. Faith sees the robe and crown prepared for the overcomer, and hears the song of the redeemed.

“Perfect faith, the surrender of self to God, simple trust in His pledged word, should be a part of every minister’s experience. Only as a minister has this experience can he make the subject of faith plain to the doubting and distrustful.” Gospel Workers, 260.

  • If faith is not feeling, what is it? Hebrews 11:1.
  • Because faith is not allied to presumption, what should be our prayer? Psalm 19:13, 14.

Note: “Faith is not feeling. … True faith is in no sense allied to presumption. Only he who has true faith is secure against presumption, for presumption is Satan’s counterfeit of faith.

“Faith claims God’s promises and brings forth fruit in obedience. Presumption also claims the promises, but uses them as Satan did, to excuse transgression. Faith would have led our first parents to trust the love of God and to obey His commands. Presumption led them to transgress His law, believing that His great love would save them from the consequences of their sin. It is not faith that claims the favor of Heaven without complying with the conditions on which mercy is to be granted. Genuine faith has its foundation in the promises and provisions of the Scriptures.” Gospel Workers, 260.

3 HEALING TO THE SOUL

  • Through what are we kept by the power of God? I Peter 1:3–5.

Note: “To talk of religion in a casual way, to pray without soul-hunger and living faith, avails nothing. A nominal faith in Christ, which accepts Him merely as the Saviour of the world, can never bring healing to the soul. The faith that is unto salvation is not a mere intellectual assent to the truth. He who waits for entire knowledge before he will exercise faith, cannot receive blessing from God.” Gospel Workers, 260.

  • Do devils believe? James 2:19.

Note: “It is not enough to believe about Christ; we must believe in Him. The only faith that will benefit us is that which embraces Him as a personal Saviour; which appropriates His merits to ourselves. Many hold faith as an opinion. But saving faith is a transaction, by which those who receive Christ join themselves in covenant relation with God. Genuine faith is life. A living faith means an increase of vigor, a confiding trust, by which the soul becomes a conquering power.” [Emphasis author’s.] Gospel Workers, 261.

  • From where does faith come? Romans 10:16, 17.

4 TRYING EXPERIENCES

  • How should we respond to trying experiences? I Peter 1:5–9.

Note: “Faith takes God at His word, not asking to understand the meaning of the trying experiences that come. But there are many who have little faith. They are always fearing and borrowing trouble. Every day they are surrounded by the tokens of God’s love, every day they enjoy the bounties of His providence; but they overlook these blessings. And the difficulties they encounter, instead of driving them to God, separate them from Him, by arousing unrest and repining.” Gospel Workers, 261.

  • What does God make available to those who ask? Ephesians 3:20, 16; 1:19.

Note: “Do they well to be thus unbelieving? Jesus is their friend. All heaven is interested in their welfare, and their fear and repining grieve the Holy Spirit. Not because we see or feel that God hears us are we to believe. We are to trust His promises. When we come to Him in faith, we should believe that every petition enters into the heart of Christ. When we have asked for His blessing, we should believe that we receive it, and thank Him that we have it. Then we are to go about our duties, assured that the blessing will be sent when we need it most. When we have learned to do this, we shall know that our prayers are answered.” Gospel Workers, 261.

  • How did Jesus admonish Peter that this is also applicable to us today? Matthew 14:31.

Note: “Often the Christian life is beset with dangers, and duty seems hard to perform. The imagination pictures impending ruin before, and bondage and death behind. Yet the voice of God speaks clearly, Go forward. Let us obey the command, even though our sight cannot penetrate the darkness. The obstacles that hinder our progress will never disappear before a halting, doubting spirit. Those who defer obedience till every uncertainty disappears, and there remains no risk of failure or defeat, will never obey. Faith looks beyond the difficulties, and lays hold of the unseen, even Omnipotence, therefore it cannot be baffled. Faith is the clasping of the hand of Christ in every emergency.

“The worker for God needs strong faith. Appearances may seem forbidding; but in the darkest hour there is light beyond. The strength of those who, in faith, love and serve God, will be renewed day by day. The understanding of the Infinite is placed at their service, that in carrying out His purposes they may not err. Let these workers hold the beginning of their confidence firm unto the end, remembering that the light of God’s truth is to shine amid the darkness that enshrouds our world.” Gospel Workers, 262.

5 ALL THE STRENGTH WE NEED

  • What advice is given by the wise man, Solomon? Proverbs 30:5.

Note: “There is to be no despondency in connection with God’s service. The faith of the consecrated worker is to stand every test brought upon it. God is able and willing to bestow upon His servants all the strength they need, and to give them the wisdom that their varied necessities demand. He will more than fulfil the highest expectations of those who put their trust in Him.” Gospel Workers, 262.

  • Who is the only way to the Father and what has He promised? John 14:6; Psalm 72:12.

Note: “Jesus does not call on us to follow Him, and then forsake us. If we surrender our lives to His service, we can never be placed in a position for which God has not made provision. Whatever may be our situation, we have a Guide to direct our way; whatever our perplexities, we have a sure Counselor; whatever our sorrow, bereavement, or loneliness, we have a sympathizing Friend. If in our ignorance we make missteps, Christ does not leave us.” Gospel Workers, 263.

  • What has God promised to those who trust in Him? Isaiah 26:3.

Note: “The arm of Omnipotence is outstretched to lead us onward and still onward. Go forward, the Lord says; I will send you help. It is for My name’s glory that you ask; and you shall receive. Those who are watching for your failure shall yet see My word triumph gloriously. ‘All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive’ (Matthew 21:22).” Gospel Workers, 263.

  • Why was Paul not ashamed of the gospel of Christ? Romans 1:16, 17.

Note: “There is nothing in faith that makes it our saviour. Faith cannot remove our guilt. Christ is the power of God unto salvation to all them that believe. The justification comes through the merits of Jesus Christ. He has paid the price for the sinner’s redemption. Yet it is only through faith in His blood that Jesus can justify the believer.

“The sinner cannot depend upon his own good works as a means of justification. He must come to the point where he will renounce all his sin, and embrace one degree of light after another as it shines upon his pathway. He simply grasps by faith the free and ample provision made in the blood of Christ. He believes the promises of God, which through Christ are made unto him sanctification and righteousness and redemption. And if he follows Jesus, he will walk humbly in the light, rejoicing in the light and diffusing that light to others. Being justified by faith, he carries cheerfulness with him in his obedience in all his life. Peace with God is the result of what Christ is to him. The souls who are in subordination to God, who honor Him, and are doers of His Word, will receive divine enlightenment. In the precious Word of God there is purity and loftiness as well as beauty that, unless assisted by God, the highest powers of man cannot attain to.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, 1071.

Studies compiled by Judy Hallingstad. Judy is part of the LandMarks team and can be contacted by email at: judyhallingstad@stepstolife.org.

Keys to the Storehouse – Whatever Comes!

by

The strength of our faith is very important. We can understand a little better about our faith by looking at our own fruits, taking note of our actions and reactions.

In The Ministry of Healing, 488, we are told that our “faith can

  • endure trial
  • resist temptation
  • bear up under disappointment …”

Does this describe your faith? Often times when our mind is not walking in heavenly places we forget that whatever comes to us comes from the Saviour who surrounds us with His presence. Train your mind to remember that nothing can touch you except by the Lord’s permission. What a thought! We really can rest in Him knowing that,

  • “all our sufferings and sorrows
  • all our temptations and trials
  • all our sadness and griefs
  • all our persecutions and privations
  • all things work together for our good

All of our experiences and circumstances are God’s workmen whereby good is brought to us.” (See Ibid., 489.)

How is your faith? Think about how much good is being brought to you through God’s workmen. We are promised in Matthew 24:13, “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

Remember, even through the many tears shed and the many hardships to go through, our faith in Him will shine through us because we will represent Him in character. Our faith will endure that trial, our faith will resist that temptation and our faith will bear up under disappointment and our God will be glorified.

“Think you not that Christ values those who live wholly for Him? Think you not that He visits those who, like the beloved John in exile, are for His sake in hard and trying places? God will not suffer one of His truehearted workers to be left alone, to struggle against great odds and be overcome. He preserves as a precious jewel everyone whose life is hid with Christ in Him.” Ibid., 488.

“I saw that the enemy will contend either for the usefulness or the life of the godly, and will try to mar their peace as long as they live in this world. But his power is limited. He may cause the furnace to be heated, but Jesus and angels will watch the trusting Christian, that nothing may be consumed but the dross. The fire kindled by Satan can have no power to destroy or hurt the true metal. It is important to close every door possible, against the entrance of Satan.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 309.

Is your life hid in Christ? How is your faith? Remember, we are precious in His sight. Be strong and of a good courage, go forward in the strength of your Saviour and close all doors against the entrance of Satan.

Father: Whatever may come, prepare my heart to reflect the character of Jesus. Show me any door that may be open to the entrance of the enemy and grant me the grace to close it permanently. Remind me each moment that nothing can touch me except by Your permission and that these trials are Your workmen for good. I thank You for Your unceasing love and mercy upon me. Amen.

Inspiration – Transformation Through Faith and Obedience

by

The teaching of Christ in the gospel is in perfect harmony with the teaching of Christ through the prophets in the Old Testament. The prophets spoke through the messengers of Christ in the Old Testament as much as the apostles voiced His messages in the New Testament, and there is no contradiction between their teachings. But Satan has ever worked and is still working with all deceivableness of unrighteousness to make the word of God of none effect. He seeks to make mysterious that which is simple and plain. He has had long experience in this work. He knows the character of God, and through his subtlety he has captivated the world. It was through making the word of God of none effect that sin was brought into the world. Adam believed the falsehood of Satan, and through his misrepresentation of the character of God, Adam’s life was changed and marred. He disobeyed the commandment of God, and did the very thing the Lord told him not to do. Through disobedience Adam fell; but had he endured the test, and been loyal to God, the floodgates of woe would not have been opened upon our world.

Through belief in Satan’s misrepresentation of God, man’s character and destiny were changed, but if men will believe in the word of God, they will be transformed in mind and character, and fitted for eternal life. To believe that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16), will change the heart, and reproduce in man the image of God.

As many are today, so (before his conversion) Paul was very confident in an hereditary piety; but his confidence was founded on falsehood. It was faith out of Christ, for he trusted in forms and ceremonies. His zeal for the law was disconnected from Christ and was valueless. His boast was that he was blameless in his performance of the deeds of the law; but the Christ who made the law of any value he refused. He was confident that he was right. He says: “I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them” (Acts 26:9, 10). For a time Paul did a very cruel work, thinking that he was doing God service; for he says, “I did it ignorantly in unbelief” (1 Timothy 1:13). But his sincerity did not justify his work, or make error truth.

Faith is the medium through which truth or error finds a lodging place in the mind. It is by the same act of mind that truth or error is received, but it makes a decided difference whether we believe the word of God or the sayings of men. When Christ revealed Himself to Paul, and he was convinced that he was persecuting Jesus in the person of His saints, he accepted the truth as it is in Jesus. A transforming power was manifested on mind and character, and he became a new man in Christ Jesus. He received the truth so fully that neither earth nor hell could shake his faith.

There are many who cry, “Believe, only believe.” Ask them what you are to believe. Are you to believe the lies forged by Satan against God’s holy, just, and good law? God does not use His great and precious grace to make of none effect His law, but to establish His law. What is the decision of Paul? He says: “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law. … For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and [the commandment then ended?—No.] I [Paul] died. … Wherefore the law is [standing directly in the way of my having liberty and peace?—No.] holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good” (Romans 7:7–12).

The Law Cannot Pardon

Paul learned that there was no power in the law to pardon the transgressor of law. “By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified” (Romans 3:20). “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:3, 4).

The Lord saw our fallen condition; He saw our need of grace, and because He loved our souls, He has given us grace and peace. Grace means favor to one who is undeserving, to one who is lost. The fact that we are sinners, instead of shutting us away from the mercy and love of God, makes the exercise of His love to us a positive necessity in order that we may be saved. Christ says, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain” (John 15:16).

When Adam fell, provision was made for his restoration. In due time Jesus, the Prince of life, came to our world to enter into controversy with the powers of darkness. In this world Satan had an opportunity to exhibit the result of the working out of his principles of freedom from all law, and Christ, by His unswerving obedience to His Father’s commandments, made manifest the result of practicing the principles of righteousness. In accordance with his principles of evil, Satan harassed the Son of God with fierce temptations, and finally brought Him to the judgment hall, that He might be condemned to death without cause. The confederacy of evil moved upon the hearts of men to work out the principles of evil. Christ and Barabbas were presented before the multitude. Barabbas was a notable robber and murderer; Christ was the Son of God. Pilate looked upon the two, and thought there would be no hesitation in the choice of Jesus. The marks of nobility, intelligence, and purity were plainly revealed in His countenance, in marked contrast to the coarse features of Barabbas. He asked, “Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? (Matthew 27:21). And the hoarse cry of the infuriated mob was heard, calling, “Barabbas.” “Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified” (Matthew 27:22, 23).

Satan Defeated by Christ’s Death

In this choice the principles of Satan were made manifest; and the hosts of heaven, and all the worlds that God had created, judged that Satan was an accuser of the brethren, a liar, and a murderer. In heaven and among the unfallen worlds the question of Satan’s deceiving power, of his malignant principles, was settled, and the perfect purity and holiness of Christ, who was bearing the test and trial in behalf of fallen man, was forever proved. Through the development of Satan’s character and principles, he was forever uprooted from the affection of the unfallen worlds, and the controversy concerning his claims and the claims of Christ was forever settled in heaven. The righteousness manifested in the character of Christ was forever to be the anchor, the saving hope, of the world. Every soul who chooses Christ can say with faith, “The Lord my righteousness.”

Christ was “despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:3–5).

The grace of Christ and the law of God are inseparable. In Jesus mercy and truth are met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other. In His life and character He not only reveals the character of God, but the possibility of man. He was the representative of God and the exemplar of humanity. He presented to the world what humanity might become when united by faith with divinity. The only-begotten Son of God took upon Him the nature of man, and established His cross between earth and heaven. Through the cross, man was drawn to God, and God to man. Justice moved from its high and awful position, and the heavenly hosts, the armies of holiness, drew near to the cross, bowing with reverence; for at the cross justice was satisfied. Through the cross the sinner was drawn from the stronghold of sin, from the confederacy of evil, and at every approach to the cross his heart relents and in penitence he cries, “It was my sins that crucified the Son of God.” At the cross he leaves his sins, and through the grace of Christ his character is transformed. The Redeemer raises the sinner from the dust, and places him under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As the sinner looks upon the Redeemer, he finds hope, assurance, and joy. Faith takes hold of Christ in love. Faith works by love, and purifies the soul.

Selected Messages, Book 1, 345–349.

Question & Answer – What is Presumptuous Sin?

by

Satan counterfeits the attributes of the Lord. His counterfeit of faith is presumption, which is so deceptive that each of us needs a true faith based on the Word so they will not be fooled. “That so-called faith in Christ which professes to release men from the obligation of obedience to God, is not faith, but presumption.” Steps to Christ, 61.

In The Desire of Ages, 126, we are told the following: “But faith is in no sense allied to presumption. Only he who has true faith is secure against presumption. For presumption is Satan’s counterfeit of faith.

The heart is deceitfully wicked and man’s feelings cannot be trusted. Daily study of God’s word accompanied with prayers to heaven must be made with a request for a heart cleansing. Plead with God as did David in Psalm 139:23, 24 when he said, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” For those who in sincerity pray this prayer, God will help identify any presumptuous thought.

“There are those who profess holiness, who declare that they are wholly the Lord’s, who claim a right to the promises of God, while refusing to render obedience to His commandments. These transgressors of the law claim everything that is promised to the children of God; but this is presumption on their part, for John tells us that true love for God will be revealed in obedience to all His commandments.” The Acts of the Apostles, 562.

We fall for the devil’s counterfeit when we presume upon God’s word while we do not walk by faith with Him in obedience. Thus the prayer of David should also be our prayer: “Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.” Psalm 19:13.

FAITH PRESUMPTION
Faith claims God’s promises, and brings forth fruit in obedience. Presumption also claims the promises, but uses them as Satan did, to excuse transgression.
Faith would have led our first parents to trust the love of God, and to obey His commands. Presumption led them to transgress His law, believing that His great love would save them from the consequence of their sin.
Genuine faith has its foundation in the promises and provisions of the Scriptures. It is not faith (but presumption) that claims the favor of Heaven without complying with the conditions on which mercy is to be granted.

Bible Study Guides – Laying Our Own Glory in the Dust

by

October 12, 2014 – October 18, 2014

Key Text

“We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6.

Study Help: Steps to Christ, 17–22.

Introduction

“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.

1 REALIZING HOW BAD SIN REALLY IS!

  • How does Scripture depict the misery of fallen human nature? Galatians 5:17; Romans 7:18–21.

Note: “As through Christ every human being has life, so also through Him every soul receives some ray of divine light. Not only intellectual but spiritual power, a perception of right, a desire for goodness, exists in every heart. But against these principles there is struggling an antagonistic power. The result of the eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil is manifest in every man’s experience. There is in his nature a bent to evil, a force which, unaided, he cannot resist. To withstand this force, to attain that ideal which in his inmost soul he accepts as alone worthy, he can find help in but one power. That power is Christ. Co-operation with that power is man’s greatest need.” Education, 29.

  • Of what value is the righteousness of any one of us—and what are we powerless to do for ourselves? Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:12.

2 OUR “BEST” IS VANITY APART FROM CHRIST

  • How does God see us even when we are in our “best” state? Psalm 39:5, 11; Isaiah 40:17.

Note: “Were it not for Christ’s atoning sacrifice, there would be nothing in us in which God could delight. All the natural goodness of man is worthless in God’s sight. He does not take pleasure in any man who retains his old nature, and is not so renewed in knowledge and grace that he is a new man in Christ. Our education, our talents, our means, are gifts entrusted to us by God, that He may test us. If we use them for self-glorification, God says, ‘I cannot delight in them; for Christ has died for them in vain.’ ” The Review and Herald, August 24, 1897.

  • Do we have anything of merit that we can offer to God as a price for sin? Isaiah 1:11; Micah 6:7. What may be said of even our “best” performances? I Chronicles 29:14.

Note: “The question is asked, ‘Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul’ (Micah 6:7)? No; no man can stand before God in his own merit. Those who are saved will be saved because Jesus has paid the full debt; and man can do nothing, absolutely nothing, to merit salvation. Christ says, ‘Without me, ye can do nothing’ (John 15:5). Then whose is the merit?—It all belongs to our Redeemer. All the capabilities of man come alone through Christ, and we may say of our best performances, ‘All things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given to Thee’ (I Chronicles 29:14).” The Signs of the Times, November 10, 1890.

  • What attitude should we cultivate in view of the above statements? Micah 6:8.

Note: “ ‘Man at his best state is altogether vanity’ (Psalm 39:5). Christ came with no outward display. Finding Himself in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, showing that fallen man must ever walk humbly before God. Riches, worldly honor, human greatness, can never save a soul from death. ‘To this man will I look,’ declares the Lord, ‘even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word’ (Isaiah 66:2).” The Youth’s Instructor, December 20, 1900.

3 LEARNING TO DISTRUST OURSELVES

  • What experience did Elijah need to go through before God heard his prayer for rain, and why? James 5:16–18; I Kings 18:43.

Note: “The servant watched while Elijah prayed. Six times he returned from the watch, saying, There is nothing, no cloud, no sign of rain. But the prophet did not give up in discouragement. He kept reviewing his life, to see where he had failed to honor God, he confessed his sins, and thus continued to afflict his soul before God, while watching for a token that his prayer was answered. As he searched his heart, he seemed to be less and less, both in his own estimation and in the sight of God. It seemed to him that he was nothing, and that God was everything; and when he reached the point of renouncing self, while he clung to the Saviour as his only strength and righteousness, the answer came.” The Review and Herald, May 26, 1891.

“We have a God whose ear is not closed to our petitions; and if we prove His word, He will honor our faith. He wants us to have all our interests interwoven with His interests, and then He can safely bless us; for we shall not then take glory to self when the blessing is ours, but shall render all the praise to God.” Ibid., March 27, 1913.

  • What happens as we come closer to Jesus and depend on Him? Daniel 10:8; Luke 5:8; Revelation 1:12–17.

Note: “The closer you come to Jesus, the more faulty you will appear in your own eyes; for your vision will be clearer, and your imperfections will be seen in broad and distinct contrast to His perfect nature. This is evidence that Satan’s delusions have lost their power; that the vivifying influence of the Spirit of God is arousing you.

“No deep-seated love for Jesus can dwell in the heart that does not realize its own sinfulness.” Steps to Christ, 64, 65.

  • What happens when we overestimate ourselves? Galatians 6:3.

Note: “One word which exalts self causes the light of God’s countenance to be withdrawn.” The Review and Herald, August 24, 1897.

4 A CAUSE FOR SUPREME GRATITUDE

  • Despite our wretched condition, what hope is nonetheless extended to us? Romans 7:24–8:2.

Note: “Though the world’s Redeemer sees the misery and wretchedness of the world on account of sin, yet He does not present before the fallen race a vivid delineation of their wretchedness, but teaches them of something infinitely better than that which they have ever heard before. He knows that their wretchedness is the result of sin, and His heart is moved with compassion towards fallen men. The rabbis did not condescend to preach to the common people, or to present to the Gentiles any hope of salvation. But Christ had come to present the plan of salvation before all classes of people; for all were in need of His words. In those that gathered before Him He saw a possibility that they might be allied to an infinite power, because of the parental love of God toward all His children.” Sabbath School Worker, August 1, 1895.

  • What happens when we acknowledge that our sinful efforts have no merit to save us? Zechariah 3:3, 4; 1II Corinthians 12:9.

Note: “When men see their own nothingness, they are prepared to be clothed with the righteousness of Christ. When they begin to praise and exalt God all the day long, then by beholding they are becoming changed into the same image.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 20, 117.

“Nothing is apparently more helpless, yet really more invincible, than the soul that feels its nothingness and relies wholly on the merits of the Saviour. God would send every angel in heaven to the aid of such a one, rather than allow him to be overcome.” Sons and Daughters of God, 35.

“The less we see to esteem in ourselves, the more we shall see to esteem in the infinite purity and loveliness of our Saviour. A view of our sinfulness drives us to Him Who can pardon; and when the soul, realizing its helplessness, reaches out after Christ, He will reveal Himself in power. The more our sense of need drives us to Him and to the word of God, the more exalted views we shall have of His character, and the more fully we shall reflect His image.” Steps to Christ, 65.

5 CHRIST CAME ON A RESCUE MISSION

  • What basic point must we all realize about salvation? Luke 19:10; John 15:5; Psalms 44:6; 31:1.

Note: “It is impossible for us to save ourselves. …

“Christ longs to see His people resist the adversary of souls; but only by looking away from self to Jesus can we do this.” The Review and Herald, September 15, 1896.

“The moment you grasp God’s promises by faith, saying, I am the lost sheep Jesus came to save, a new life will take possession of you, and you will receive strength to resist the tempter. But faith to grasp the promises does not come by feeling. ‘Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God’ (Romans 10:17).” Ibid.

“Sinful man can find hope and righteousness only in God; and no human being is righteous any longer than he has faith in God and maintains a vital connection with Him.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 367.

  • What fundamental principle does God declare to all? Isaiah 43:11; 45:21.

Note: “Oh, what love! What amazing love! that brought the Son of God to earth to be made sin for us, that we might be reconciled to God, and elevated to a life with Him in His mansions in glory. And oh! what is man that such a price should be paid for his redemption?” The Signs of the Times, August 28, 1879.

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 What specifically can we not do for ourselves?

2 Why is our “best” apart from Christ not good enough?

3 Whom must we learn to distrust before we can trust Jesus completely?

4 What must we see prior to developing a deep-seated love for Christ?

5 How much are you worth to God?

Copyright © 2013 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.

Bible Study Guides – Taking Hold of the Righteousness of Christ

by

November 22, 2014 – November 28, 2014

Key Text

“Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:25–27.

Study Help: Steps to Christ, 77–83.

Introduction

“Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith means the contemplation of Christ, beholding Christ, ever cherishing the dear Saviour as our very best and honored Friend, so that we would not in any action grieve and offend Him.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 387.

1 OUR GREAT NEED TODAY

  • What is desperately needed in our experience today? Matthew 5:3–11; II Peter 1:5–11.

Note: “There is need today of such a revival of true heart religion as was experienced by ancient Israel. Repentance is the first step that must be taken by all who would return to God. No one can do this work for another. We must individually humble our souls before God and put away our idols. When we have done all that we can do, the Lord will manifest to us His salvation.” Conflict and Courage, 145.

  • How do we experience revival? Acts 3:19; Matthew 8:5–13.

Note: “We must rely wholly upon Christ. It will do you no good merely to talk of the righteousness of Christ; you must appropriate it by living faith. You should cultivate faith until faith is the language of your soul. May God help us to walk in the light as He is in the light.” The Review and Herald, July 2, 1889.

2 FAITH IS ACTION

  • What does it mean to appropriate the righteousness of Christ? II Corinthians 5:21.

Note: “In order to meet the requirements of the law, our faith must grasp the righteousness of Christ, accepting it as our righteousness. Through union with Christ, through acceptance of His righteousness by faith, we may be qualified to work the works of God, to be colaborers with Christ.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 374.

“The only safeguard against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. It is because selfishness exists in our hearts that temptation has power over us. But when we behold the great love of God, selfishness appears to us in its hideous and repulsive character, and we desire to have it expelled from the soul. As the Holy Spirit glorifies Christ, our hearts are softened and subdued, the temptation loses its power, and the grace of Christ transforms the character.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 118.

  • How is appropriation different from presumption? James 2:19, 20.

Note: “Many concede that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world, but at the same time they hold themselves away from Him, and fail to repent of their sins, fail to accept of Jesus as their personal Saviour. Their faith is simply the assent of the mind and judgment to the truth; but the truth is not brought into the heart, that it might sanctify the soul and transform the character.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 389, 390.

“If you would stand through the time of trouble, you must know Christ, and appropriate the gift of His righteousness, which He imputes to the repentant sinner.” The Review and Herald, November 22, 1892.

“We must rely wholly upon Christ. It will do you no good merely to talk of the righteousness of Christ; you must appropriate it by living faith. You should cultivate faith until faith is the language of your soul.” Ibid., July 2, 1889.

“Genuine faith appropriates the righteousness of Christ, and the sinner is made an overcomer with Christ; for he is made a partaker of the divine nature, and thus divinity and humanity are combined.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 363, 364.

3 FAITH MUST GRASP THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST

  • How are changes produced in our life? II Corinthians 10:5.

Note: “In order to be candidates for heaven we must meet the requirement of the law: ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself’ (Luke 10:27). We can do this only as we grasp by faith the righteousness of Christ. By beholding Jesus we receive a living, expanding principle in the heart, and the Holy Spirit carries on the work, and the believer advances from grace to grace, from strength to strength, from character to character. He conforms to the image of Christ, until in spiritual growth he attains unto the measure of the full stature in Christ Jesus. Thus Christ makes an end of the curse of sin, and sets the believing soul free from its action and effect.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 395.

“By dwelling upon the love of God and our Saviour, by contemplating the perfection of the divine character and claiming the righteousness of Christ as ours by faith, we are to be transformed into the same image.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 744.

“Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith means the contemplation of Christ, beholding Christ, ever cherishing the dear Saviour as our very best and honored Friend, so that we would not in any action grieve and offend Him.” Testimonies for Ministers and Gospel Workers, 387.

  • What is genuine faith? Hebrews 11:1.

Note: “The faith that is unto salvation is not a casual faith, it is not the mere consent of the intellect, it is belief rooted in the heart, that embraces Christ as a personal Saviour, assured that He can save unto the uttermost all that come unto God by Him. To believe that He will save others, but will not save you is not genuine faith; but when the soul lays hold upon Christ as the only hope of salvation, then genuine faith is manifested. This faith leads its possessor to place all the affections of the soul upon Christ; his understanding is under the control of the Holy Spirit, and his character is molded after the divine likeness.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 391.

4 MEDITATING ON THE PERFECTION OF CHRIST

  • What relationship is the result of faith that works by love? John 15:8. What actions result from faith? Hebrews 11:29–34; Proverbs 4:25–27; 16:3.

Note: “Can we conceive of a closer, more intimate relation to Christ than is set forth in the words: ‘I am the Vine, ye are the branches’? (John 15:5). The fibers of the branch are almost identical with those of the vine. The communication of life, strength, and fruitfulness from the trunk to the branches is unobstructed and constant. The root sends its nourishment through the branch. Such is the true believer’s relation to Christ. He abides in Christ and draws his nourishment from Him.

“This spiritual relation can be established only by the exercise of personal faith. This faith must express on our part supreme preference, perfect reliance, entire consecration. Our will must be wholly yielded to the divine will, our feelings, desires, interests, and honor identified with the prosperity of Christ’s kingdom and the honor of His cause, we constantly receiving grace from Him, and Christ accepting gratitude from us.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 229.

  • How are faith and love essential to one another? Galatians 5:6.

Note: “The only faith that will benefit us is that which embraces Him as a personal Saviour; which appropriates His merits to ourselves. Many hold faith as an opinion. Saving faith is a transaction by which those who receive Christ join themselves in covenant relation with God. Genuine faith is life. A living faith means an increase of vigor, a confiding trust, by which the soul becomes a conquering power.” The Desire of Ages, 347.

“And what is it to believe? It is to fully accept that Jesus Christ died as our sacrifice; that He became the curse for us, took our sins upon Himself, and imputed unto us His own righteousness. Therefore we claim this righteousness of Christ, we believe it, and it is our righteousness. He is our Saviour. He saves us because He said He would. Are we going to go into all the explanations as to how He can save us? Do we have the goodness in ourselves that will make us better and cleanse us from the spots and stains of sin, enabling us then to come to God? We simply cannot do it.” Faith and Works, 70.

5 SAVING FAITH IS A TRANSACTION

  • Explain our part in the plan of salvation. Matthew 7:7; Mark 9:24; Ephesians 2:8.

Note: “The soul temple is to be sacred, holy, pure, and undefiled. There must be a copartnership in which all the power is of God and all the glory belongs to God. The responsibility rests with us. We must receive in thoughts and in feelings, to give in expression. The law of the human and the divine action makes the receiver a laborer together with God. It brings man where he can, united with divinity, work the works of God. Humanity touches humanity. Divine power and the human agency combined will be a complete success, for Christ’s righteousness accomplishes everything. …

“If we do God’s will, we may accept large blessings as God’s free gift, but not because of any merit in us; this is of no value. Do the work of Christ, and you will honor God and come off more than conquerors through Him that has loved us and given His life for us, that we should have life and salvation in Jesus Christ.” Faith and Works, 26–28.

  • Can we expect the approval of God if we do not trust Him? Hebrews 11:6.

Note: “Satan is ready to steal away the blessed assurances of God. He desires to take every glimmer of hope and every ray of light from the soul; but you must not permit him to do this. Do not give ear to the tempter.” Steps to Christ, 53.

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 Where does a clear understanding of the penalty of transgression of God’s law bring the wayward soul?

2 How do we appropriate the righteousness of Christ?

3 How is change produced in our life?

4 Review the roles of faith and love in Christian growth and maturity.

5 Describe how the process of faith works.

Copyright © 2013 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.

Inspiration – The Christian’s Privilege

by

Many who are sincerely seeking for holiness of heart and purity of life seem perplexed and discouraged. They are constantly looking to themselves, and lamenting their lack of faith; and because they have no faith, they feel that they cannot claim the blessing of God. These persons mistake feeling for faith. They look above the simplicity of true faith, and thus bring great darkness upon their souls. They should turn the mind from self, to dwell upon the mercy and goodness of God and to recount His promises, and then simply believe that He will fulfill His word. We are not to trust in our faith, but in the promises of God. When we repent of our past transgressions of His law, and resolve to render obedience in the future, we should believe that God for Christ’s sake accepts us, and forgives our sins.

Darkness and discouragement will sometimes come upon the soul and threaten to overwhelm us, but we should not cast away our confidence. We must keep the eye fixed on Jesus, feeling or no feeling. We should seek to faithfully perform every known duty, and then calmly rest in the promises of God.

The Life of Faith

At times a deep sense of our unworthiness will send a thrill of terror through the soul, but this is no evidence that God has changed toward us, or we toward God. No effort should be made to rein the mind up to a certain intensity of emotion. We may not feel today the peace and joy which we felt yesterday; but we should by faith grasp the hand of Christ, and trust Him as fully in the darkness as in the light.

Satan may whisper, “You are too great a sinner for Christ to save.” While you acknowledge that you are indeed sinful and unworthy, you may meet the tempter with the cry, “By virtue of the atonement, I claim Christ as my Saviour. I trust not to my own merits, but to the precious blood of Jesus, which cleanses me. This moment I hang my helpless soul on Christ.” The Christian life must be a life of constant, living faith. An unyielding trust, a firm reliance upon Christ, will bring peace and assurance to the soul.

Resisting Temptation

Be not discouraged because your heart seems hard. Every obstacle, every internal foe, only increases your need of Christ. He came to take away the heart of stone, and give you a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). Look to Him for special grace to overcome your peculiar faults. When assailed by temptation, steadfastly resist the evil promptings; say to your soul, “How can I dishonor my Redeemer? I have given myself to Christ; I cannot do the works of Satan.” Cry to the dear Saviour for help to sacrifice every idol and to put away every darling sin. Let the eye of faith see Jesus standing before the Father’s throne, presenting His wounded hands as He pleads for you. Believe that strength comes to you through your precious Saviour.

Viewing With the Eye of Faith

By faith look upon the crowns laid up for those who shall overcome; listen to the exultant song of the redeemed, Worthy, worthy is the Lamb that was slain and hast redeemed us to God! Endeavor to regard these scenes as real. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, in his terrible conflict with principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places exclaimed, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56). The Saviour of the world was revealed to him as looking down from heaven upon him with the deepest interest, and the glorious light of Christ’s countenance shone upon Stephen with such brightness that even his enemies saw his face shine like the face of an angel.

If we would permit our minds to dwell more upon Christ and the heavenly world, we should find a powerful stimulus and support in fighting the battles of the Lord. Pride and love of the world will lose their power as we contemplate the glories of that better land so soon to be our home. Beside the loveliness of Christ, all earthly attractions will seem of little worth.

Let none imagine that without earnest effort on their part they can obtain the assurance of God’s love. When the mind has been long permitted to dwell only on earthly things, it is a difficult matter to change the habits of thought. That which the eye sees and the ear hears, too often attracts the attention and absorbs the interest. But if we would enter the city of God, and look upon Jesus and His glory, we must become accustomed to beholding Him with the eye of faith here. The words and the character of Christ should be often the subject of our thoughts and of our conversation, and each day some time should be especially devoted to prayerful meditation upon these sacred themes.

Silencing the Spirit

Sanctification is a daily work. Let none deceive themselves with the belief that God will pardon and bless them while they are trampling upon one of His requirements. The willful commission of a known sin silences the witnessing voice of the Spirit and separates the soul from God. Whatever may be the ecstasies of religious feeling, Jesus cannot abide in the heart that disregards the divine law. God will honor those only who honor Him.

“His servants ye are to whom ye obey” (Romans 6:16). If we indulge anger, lust, covetousness, hatred, selfishness, or any other sin, we become servants of sin. “No man can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). If we serve sin, we cannot serve Christ. The Christian will feel the promptings of sin, for the flesh lusteth against the Spirit; but the Spirit striveth against the flesh, keeping up a constant warfare. Here is where Christ’s help is needed. Human weakness becomes united to divine strength, and faith exclaims, “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 15:57)!

The Sanctified Life, 89–93.