Jana Wagner, Author at Steps to Life

Heavenly Celebrations

November 8, 2017 by Maurice Hoppe

Scripture and Inspiration tell us of great celebrations that take place in heaven, all a part of different phases of the plan of redemption or the new covenant. An understanding of the setting of these celebrations, their purposes and how they relate to us here on earth will enable us to more fully understand God’s wonderful plan for man’s redemption. Some of them have already taken place and some are to take place in the future. To understand these celebrations we need to understand the covenant God made with man.

“The covenant of grace was first made with man in Eden, when after the Fall there was given a divine promise that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent’s head. To all men this covenant offered pardon and the assisting grace of God for future obedience through faith in Christ. It also promised them eternal life on condition of fidelity to God’s law. Thus the patriarchs received the hope of salvation.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 370.

The covenant was a plan by the Father and the Son to free the fallen race from sin and restore mankind to the kingdom of glory. Obedience and freedom from sin are requirements for us to return to that kingdom.

“This same covenant was renewed to Abraham in the promise, ‘In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed’ (Genesis 22:18). This promise pointed to Christ.” Ibid.

“Though this covenant was made with Adam and renewed to Abraham, it could not be ratified until the death of Christ. It had existed by the promise of God since the first intimation of redemption had been given; it had been accepted by faith; yet when ratified by Christ, it is called a new covenant. The law of God was the basis of this covenant which was simply an arrangement for bringing men again into harmony with the divine will, placing them where they could obey God’s law.” [Emphasis author’s.] Patriarchs and Prophets, 370, 371.

This new covenant is called by different names—Abrahamic covenant, plan of salvation, plan of redemption, among others. In Revelation 14:6 in the first angel’s message it is called the everlasting or eternal gospel because it was made between the Father and the Son, two eternal beings.

This covenant is wholly a product of divine creation. John 3:14–17 states: “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” Because of the love of God and His Son for the pinnacle of their creation, they formed this covenant so that whoever believes and follows its terms and conditions can be restored to the kingdom of glory.

We are told that there is a sanctuary connected with this covenant. “ ‘Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an High Priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a Minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man’ (Hebrews 8:1, 2). Here is revealed the sanctuary of the new covenant.” The Great Controversy, 413.

Another statement confirms this: “The term ‘sanctuary,’ as used in the Bible, refers first, to the tabernacle built by Moses, as a pattern of heavenly things; and, secondly, to the ‘true tabernacle’ in heaven, to which the earthly sanctuary pointed. At the death of Christ the typical service ended. The ‘true tabernacle’ in heaven is the sanctuary of the new covenant.” Ibid., 417.

The weight of evidence shows that the foundation of the Christian faith is this covenant, and its terms are carried out by Christ in the sanctuary in heaven. The two are interlocked. Everybody who is saved will have their name pass through that sanctuary and have his or her sins confessed and atoned for by the blood of Christ.

“The plan of salvation had been laid before the creation of the earth; for Christ is ‘the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world’ (Revelation 13:8); yet it was a struggle, even with the King of the universe, to yield up His Son to die for the guilty race. But ‘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). Oh, the mystery of redemption! the love of God for a world that did not love Him! Who can know the depths of that love which ‘passeth knowledge’ (Ephesians 3:19)? Through endless ages immortal minds, seeking to comprehend the mystery of that incomprehensible love, will wonder and adore.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 63.

There are seven celebrations which take place over a period of time in heaven involving this covenant.

Celebration No. I. The Institution of the Covenant with Adam and Eve in heaven.

The whole universe is intensely interested in the carrying out of this great plan of salvation. All heaven watched with great anxiety as Satan, in the guise of a beautiful serpent, engaged Eve in conversation. With great sorrow they watched Eve and then Adam eat of the forbidden fruit. The angels loved Adam and Eve and they offered to pay the penalty for their transgression. They were so anxious to have the covenant ratified that we could be saved that they were willing to give their lives.

“The angels prostrated themselves at the feet of their Commander and offered to become a sacrifice for man (but they were created beings and could not meet the requirements of that covenant). …

“Christ assured the angels that by His death He would ransom many, and would destroy him [Satan] who had the power of death. He would recover the kingdom which man had lost by transgression, and the redeemed were to inherit it with Him, and dwell therein forever. Sin and sinners would be blotted out, nevermore to disturb the peace of heaven or earth.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 64, 65.

With that good news the first celebration took place. “Then joy, inexpressible joy, filled heaven. The glory and blessedness of a world redeemed outmeasured even the anguish and sacrifice of the Prince of life. Through the celestial courts echoed the first strains of that song which was to ring out above the hills of Bethlehem ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men’ (Luke 2:14). With a deeper gladness now than in the rapture of the new creation, ‘the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy’ (Job 38:7).” Ibid.

All heaven is interested in the recovery of mankind to Eden. Thus the first celebration in the universe was connected with the great plan of salvation. This time of rejoicing, this celebration, was based on promises that the covenant would be ratified and on the promise that by confession and separation from sins the blood of Christ would atone for them.

Celebration No. II. The Birth of Jesus

Angels came to earth to announce the birth of Jesus.

“Above the hills of Bethlehem are gathered an innumerable throng of angels. They wait the signal to declare the glad news to the world. Had the leaders in Israel been true to their trust, they might have shared the joy of heralding the birth of Jesus. But now they are passed by.” The Desire of Ages, 47. These leaders of the church were looking for a Saviour to deliver them, not from sin, but from the control of the Pagan Roman Empire. So the angels passed them by.

“In the fields where the boy David had led his flock, shepherds were still keeping watch by night. Through the silent hours they talked together of the promised Saviour, and prayed for the coming of the King to David’s throne. ‘And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord’ (Luke 2:10, 11). …

“The heavenly messenger had quieted their fears. He had told them how to find Jesus. With tender regard for their human weakness, he had given them time to become accustomed to the divine radiance. Then the joy and glory could no longer be hidden. The whole plain was lighted up with the bright shining of the hosts of God. Earth was hushed, and heaven stooped to listen to the song – ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men’ (Luke 2:14).” Ibid., 47, 48.

The same song that the angels sang at the institution of the covenant 4,000 years earlier they sang again to these shepherds.

“Oh that today the human family could recognize that song! The declaration then made, the note then struck, will swell to the close of time, and resound to the ends of the earth. When the Sun of Righteousness shall arise, with healing in His wings, that song will be re-echoed by the voice of a great multitude, as the voice of many waters, saying, ‘Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth’ (Revelation 19:6).” Ibid.

This song will be the theme of the new covenant from the beginning to the end of the execution of the plan of salvation.

“The story of Bethlehem is an exhaustless theme. In it is hidden ‘the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God’ (Romans 11:33).” Ibid.

Celebration No. III. Opening of the Holy Place

After Jesus had provided His blood by His sacrifice on Calvary, He ascended to heaven. The story of this celebration is found in Revelation 4:2–6 and 9–11: “At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing.” Here is described the Father sitting on His throne surrounded by 24 of the highest officials in the government of heaven. The seven lamps in the earthly sanctuary were found in the first apartment of the holy place.

“There are cherubim and seraphim. The commanders of the angel hosts, the sons of God, the representatives of the unfallen worlds, are assembled. … all are there to welcome the Redeemer. They are eager to celebrate His triumph and to glorify their King.” The Desire of Ages, 834.

“Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures. … Day and night they never stop saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.’ Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to Him Who sits on the throne and Who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him Who sits on the throne, and worship Him Who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: ‘You are worthy our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being.’ ” Revelation 4:6–11.

The scene continues into chapter 5. In the first four verses John tells about a little book in the hand of the one sitting on the throne. No one can be found who can open it. John begins to weep because he wants to know what is in that book. Then the scene changes in verse five:

“Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah [Jesus], the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.’ Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne” (verses 5, 6).

Jesus had ascended to the holy place of the heavenly sanctuary after His resurrection. This celebration was all about receiving Jesus and His appearance reminds John of the crucifixion—of the Lamb slain on the cross.

The Desire of Ages picks up this story of Revelation 4 and 5 beginning at page 833. “All heaven was waiting to welcome the Saviour to the celestial courts. As He ascended, He led the way, and the multitude of captives set free at His resurrection followed. The heavenly host, with shouts and acclamations of praise and celestial song, attended the joyous train.

“As they drew near to the city of God, the challenge is given by the escorting angels –

‘Lift up your heads, O ye gates;

And be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors;

And the King of glory shall come in’ (Psalm 24:7).

“Joyfully the waiting sentinels respond,

‘Who is this King of glory?’

“This they say, not because they know not who He is, but because they would hear the answer of exalted praise –

‘The Lord strong and mighty,

The Lord mighty in battle!

Lift up your heads, O ye gates;

Even lift them up, ye everlasting doors;

And the King of glory shall come in’ (verses 8, 9).

“Then the portals of the city of God are opened wide, and the angelic throng sweep through the gates amid a burst of rapturous music.” The Desire of Ages, 833.

All heaven is celebrating that Jesus has come home. This is quite a contrast from when He left the earth and a few disciples gathered to watch Him ascend, not really understanding what was taking place. God desires that His church on earth be celebrating in harmony with His church in heaven.

“There is the throne, and around it the rainbow of promise. There are cherubim and seraphim. The commanders of the angel hosts, the sons of God, the representatives of the unfallen worlds, are assembled. … all are there to welcome the Redeemer. They are eager to celebrate His triumph and to glorify their King.” Ibid., 834.

The scene changes again and the celebration now seen is the inauguration of Jesus as High Priest in the sanctuary of the new covenant in heaven following His ascension in A.D. 31. Notice what happens:

“But He waves them back. Not yet; He cannot now receive the coronet of glory and the royal robe. He enters into the presence of His Father. He points to His wounded head, the pierced side, the marred feet; He lifts His hands, bearing the print of nails. He points to the tokens of His triumph; He presents to God the wave sheaf, those raised with Him, as representatives of that great multitude who shall come forth from the grave at His second coming. He approaches the Father, with whom there is joy over one sinner that repents; who rejoices over one with singing. Before the foundations of the earth were laid, the Father and the Son had united in a covenant [of grace] to redeem man if he should be overcome by Satan. They had clasped Their hands in a solemn pledge that Christ should become the surety for the human race. This pledge Christ has fulfilled. When upon the cross He cried out, ‘It is finished’ (John 19:30). He addressed the Father. The compact had been fully carried out. Now He declares: Father, it is finished. I have done Thy will, O My God. I have completed the work of redemption. If Thy justice is satisfied, ‘I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am’ (John 19:30; 17:24).

“The voice of God is heard proclaiming that justice is satisfied. Satan is vanquished. … The Father’s arms encircle His Son, and the word is given, ‘Let all the angels of God worship Him’ (Hebrew 1:6).” Ibid.

The disciple John was enamored with the scene. The appearance of Jesus has changed from that of a Lamb looking as if it had been slain to that of a high priest.

“I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands (the holy place of the heavenly sanctuary) and among the lampstands was someone ‘like a son of man,’ dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of rushing waters. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.” Revelation 1:12–16.

Jesus no longer appears like a Lamb slain. When He went in before the Father, He was changed and inaugurated as High Priest and now had the authority to take and open the book that no one, according to verses 1–4, could open.

“He went and took the scroll from the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. [The highest officials in the government of heaven now bow down before the newly inaugurated High Priest. In this inauguration ceremony Jesus has been elevated above all the leaders of the universe except God the Father.] … And they sang a new song: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood You purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.’ ” Revelation 5:7–10.

Now that the covenant is established, anyone can go to Jesus in the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary, confess his sins, dedicate himself to Christ and receive eternal life through the atoning blood of Christ.

“Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who is slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!’ Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: ‘To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!’ ” Revelation 5:11–13.

The whole universe now praises God the Father and Jesus the Lamb for establishing the great plan of salvation, the new covenant. This is undoubtedly the greatest celebration thus far in the great controversy between Christ and Satan in carrying out the plan of salvation.

“With joy unutterable, rulers and principalities and powers acknowledge the supremacy of the Prince of life. The angel host prostrate themselves before Him, while the glad shout fills all the courts of heaven, ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing’ (Revelation 5:12).

“Songs of triumph mingle with the music from angel harps, till heaven seems to overflow with joy and praise. Love has conquered. The lost is found. Heaven rings with voices in lofty strains proclaiming, ‘Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever’ (Revelation 5:13).

“From that scene of heavenly joy, there comes back to us on earth the echo of Christ’s own wonderful words, ‘I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God’ (John 20:17). The family of heaven and the family of earth are one. For us our Lord ascended, and for us He lives. ‘Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them’ (Hebrew 7:25).” The Desire of Ages, 834, 835.

The next celebration is even greater in glory and magnificence than this one.

Celebration No. IV. Opening of the Most Holy Place, the Investigative Phase of the Judgment and the Wedding of the Lamb

In The Great Controversy, 426, we are given information about this fourth celebration.

“In the summer and autumn of 1844 the proclamation, ‘Behold, the Bridegroom cometh’ (Matthew 25:6), was given. … The coming of the bridegroom, here brought to view, takes place before the marriage.”

Daniel 7:9, 10 and 13 talks about this great celebration: “As I looked, ‘thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was a white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened. In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.’ ”

This passage describes the coming of the Bridegroom to the wedding. In The Great Controversy, 427, it states: “Christ, as stated by the prophet Daniel, will receive from the Ancient of Days in heaven, ‘dominion, and glory, and a kingdom’ (Daniel 7:14).”

We know that the Bridegroom came to the Ancient of Days on October 22, 1844, but the wedding does not take place until after the close of probation.

“He ‘shall sit and rule upon His throne; and He shall be a priest upon His throne.’ Not now ‘upon the throne of His glory;’ the kingdom of glory has not yet been ushered in. Not until His work as a mediator shall be ended will God ‘give unto Him the throne of His father David,’ a kingdom of which ‘there shall be no end’ (Luke 1:32, 33).” Ibid., 416.

We now understand that the period of the investigative judgment is a preparation time for the wedding. At its close Jesus will receive the New Jerusalem, the capital of His kingdom, “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Revelation 21:2.

“The marriage represents the reception by Christ of His kingdom. The Holy City, the New Jerusalem, which is the capital and representative of the kingdom, is called ‘the bride, the Lamb’s wife.’ Said the angel to John: ‘Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.’ ‘He carried me away in the spirit,’ says the prophet, ‘and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God’ (Revelation 21:9, 10.” Ibid., 426.

Daniel 7:14 tells us, “He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”

“At the appointed time the Bridegroom came, not to the earth, as the people expected, but to the Ancient of Days in heaven, to the marriage, the reception of His kingdom. ‘They that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut’ (Matthew 25:10).

“They were not to be present in person at the marriage; for it takes place in heaven, while they are upon the earth. The followers of Christ are to ‘wait for their Lord, when He will return from the wedding’ (Luke 12:36).” The Great Controversy. 427.

At the second coming, Jesus will gather His people to attend the wedding banquet. “He will receive the New Jerusalem, the capital of His kingdom, ‘prepared as a bride adorned for her husband’ (Daniel 7:14; Revelation 21:2). Having received the kingdom, He will come in His glory, as King of kings and Lord of lords, for the redemption of His people, who are to ‘sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob,’ at His table in His kingdom (Matthew 8:11; Luke 22:30), to partake of the marriage supper of the Lamb.” Ibid., 426.

“ ‘He shall bear the glory’ (Zechariah 6:13). To Christ belongs the glory of redemption for the fallen race. Through the eternal ages, the song of the ransomed ones will be: ‘Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood … to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever’ (Revelation 1:5, 6).” Ibid., 416.

What a wonderful Saviour we have Who gives us this picture of what is happening and to share with us the joy that is taking place in heaven. Our hearts can be part of these celebrations, as we understand the word of God and the Spirit of Prophecy. There are three more celebrations to come. Are you preparing your heart to be part of them? A future article will provide details of those glorious events.

(Unless appearing in quoted references or otherwise identified, Bible texts are from the New International Version.)

Maurice Hoppe is Director of the Steps to Life training programs and a member of the Steps to Life Board. The Training Program for Ministers and Church Leaders is a correspondence course that prepares individuals to serve as pastors or Bible workers. Preparing for the Final Conflict is a correspondence course for the laity. Both of these courses teach present truth that will be an anchor for the soul during the storm of opposition and persecution just ahead. He and his wife also have a correspondence course offered through Revelation Ministry. He can be contacted at: mauricehoppe@stepstolife.org.

Repent and Be Baptized

November 8, 2017 by Maria Cofer

Many people who are convicted of their sins and long to be restored to harmony with God are burdened because they have absolutely no idea how to do this and have no one to show them. The little book Steps to Christ, explains how to have an experience with Jesus Christ. Beginning with God’s love for man, it teaches to behold Him daily by reading about His life from birth to the cross and then to the resurrection. As we behold Him, we will see our need of a Saviour and will be brought to repentance. Without Christ we are nothing; it is impossible to surrender our sins without Him.

Preaching Christ brings conviction to those who hear. “Now when they heard this [Peter’s preaching], they were pricked (convicted) in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:37, 38).

Peter gave the answer to those who had a desire to be right with God, “Repent, and be baptized.”

True repentance is a sorrow for sin and a turning away from it in the heart, which is only possible when sin is seen in its true sinfulness. Repentance is a gift from God and it is He Who places this gift within us as we daily commune with Him.

Repentance is not merely a feeling as some may believe. Some may think that repentance is crying or mourning over sin; however, often times this mourning is because of a fear of punishment. Some may come before God crying and pleading for forgiveness because they have been caught in sin and now fear the punishment, i.e., they have committed adultery and their spouse has found out and they feel bad and ask for forgiveness from their spouse and from God. But had they not been caught, would they be asking for forgiveness? Sin is a matter of the heart.

Esau is an example of this. He gave up his birthright for a morsel of food and when he realized what he had done, he cried and lamented, but it was not a true sorrow for what he had done. He was sorrowful because he had lost the blessing (Genesis 25:29–34).

We also see the example of Judas who, when he had betrayed the Son of God, confessed to Christ that he had sinned and betrayed Him (Matthew 27:3, 4). That was not a true confession and Judas was not converted. He had beheld Christ and he was convicted many times, but he did not surrender that of which he was convicted. He saw the love of God and loved Jesus, but he held on to his sin, his pride, and his love of money. When he got up to leave after eating the last supper with the other disciples, he turned his back on Christ and headed right out into the darkness. At that point it was too late for him; he had completely surrendered himself to Satan. After he had led the soldiers to arrest Jesus and Jesus made no attempt to escape, he became frightened. He then realized what he had done and sensed that he would be severely punished. His experience was not true heart sorrow; his confession was forced from a sense of guilt.

True repentance recognizes and acknowledges that it was our sins that put Christ on that cruel cross. Personally feeling responsible for causing the death of Christ will cause hearts to be changed.

King David had a relationship with Jesus but he fell because he failed to watch and pray. Unknowingly, he had slowly let go of the hand of God and found he had no strength to resist the temptation before him. This happened gradually. We do not come to Christ and are holy all of a sudden, and in the same way we do not fall all of a sudden. It is a gradual process. When David let go of the hand of God, he committed a sin, which led him to take another man’s wife. In an attempt to conceal his sin, he gave orders for her husband to be placed in the thick of battle so that he would be killed. Nathan the prophet was sent to him and on hearing a parable relating to himself, David was truly convicted of his sin and brought to repentance (II Samuel 11).

Psalm 51 gives us the expression of David’s heart, for he truly had an experience with God. Verse 1 says, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.” David had experienced and knew the love of God. Verse 3 says, “For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.” This was true repentance—an acknowledgment of sin without making excuse.

When God went into the garden looking for Adam and Eve after they sinned, he asked Adam what he had done. God wanted him to confess his sin but instead he blamed his wife. “This woman that you made for me caused me to sin” (Genesis 3:12). When God asked Eve, “What have you done” (verse 13)? She blamed the serpent. Ultimately, the blame went back to God for making the serpent; neither acknowledged their sin but instead blamed others.

Many spend their lives blaming others for their sin but true repentance acknowledges that we have sinned against none other than the spotless Son of God, Jesus Christ.

We have been playing the blame game since the Garden of Eden. We cannot make excuses for sin. We will be held accountable for the opportunities that we had to learn truth but rejected it. God gives us many opportunities to repent.

The Bible goes on to say in Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” When the word create is used in Genesis, we see God creating the world through His word. He spoke and it was. He could have created the world in one day but He took six. So when we ask God to create in us a clean heart, we must realize that this creation comes through His word. As we read and behold Him in His word, the change will become manifest in us. This is a daily experience, drawing closer to God by yielding, surrendering, beholding and praying.

Over our lives we have developed habits. There are also hereditary things that need overcoming. In coming to Christ we surrender these heart sins. It is not just the way we eat or speak or who we hang out with but also includes the deep things of the heart, the bitterness, the lingering resentment, the lying and jealousy, these so-called small sins that are not always obvious. Nothing is small in the sight of God—sin is sin. We must desire God to create in us a new heart that we may be born again. We need a new mind because when we come to God, we come as we are with our old habits. The difference is that now we have power through Christ Jesus to overcome. Do not be discouraged if you slip. As we surrender our life to Jesus day by day with the plea to “create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me,” He will answer that heart cry.

“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit” (verse 12). When we experience true repentance we will say, “Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto Thee” (verse 13). Before we can lead others to Christ, we need this conversion experience. There are people today who are lost because they cannot find someone to lead them in the right direction. We need to be that witness. Instead of going to church to find somebody who we think is holy, or trying to find somebody to call a hypocrite, we can be that witness, beholding Jesus instead of the defects of others.

Looking upon Christ is like looking upon the sun in its meridian glory. When we look away, all that we see is the image of the sun in everything that we look upon. But if we remove our eyes from the sun long enough, the old images will be restored. While looking upon Christ, the Son of God, His image will be in our mind. Thus when we look at others, we will see the image of Jesus Christ in them.

By beholding we become changed (II Corinthians 3:18). By constantly beholding sin in others and constantly speaking error, those things will become manifest in us. Talk faith and cultivate those things that are true, honest, just, pure and lovely and continue to meditate on these things (Philippians 4:8).

Stay constantly in touch with God by offering prayers to Him; when you are alone or when you are working, stay in communication. You may not at all times be able to get on your knees to pray, but speak to God in your mind and in that way you will not focus on the sins of the world or on your own sins. We must have this experience so that we can be a witness for Christ. “Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee” (Psalm 51:13).

Hearts must yield to the Holy Spirit. To yield means to make a decision. The same power we use to sin is used to surrender hearts to Christ. When we are in a situation where we are tempted, it is decision time. We can yield to that temptation or yield to the voice of the Holy Spirit. When we yield to God, He then has permission to take control and to bring us into harmony with His thoughts.

The plan of salvation is to restore us back to harmony with God, the condition of Adam and Eve before their fall, covered with the glory of God. That glory is His character. When Moses asked God to show him His glory, He revealed His character. He made His goodness pass before him. God wants us to have His image restored in us. It can only be manifested and restored by cooperation with His plan of salvation. Our salvation is not dependent upon our works but secured by our humanity and Divinity working together.

When Jesus was on this earth, He was constantly in communion with the Father, fully depending upon the power He drew from Him. This must be our experience—dependence on that same power. Every day we must ask God for a fresh supply of His grace and as we yield to His Spirit, our conscience will be quickened, made alive, and will discern the depth and sacredness of His holy law. Those things that were once dark will become light—our understanding now being quickened.

As we yield to God, He draws us to Him and we begin to see sin as it is in the Light (James 4:8). We will see sin through the eyes of Christ and begin to loathe it. Beholding the love of God, we will desire to be cleansed from our sins. Our prayer will be, “Lord, what must I do to be saved?” It is a false belief that you must first repent before coming to Christ. Some know they have things in their life that must be put away and think they need to get right with God first before giving God their heart. That is not correct. We need to come to God just as we are, because we have no power in ourselves to overcome sin.

Prior to the fall, Adam and Eve had dominion over the earth but after they sinned, Satan then had dominion and power over them. They had absolutely no power to overcome sin. Christ, in His mercy, had pity upon the fallen race and knew that unless He paid for our sins, our situation would be hopeless. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) and God’s law demands the life of the sinner but by Jesus taking our place, all of the power of heaven is available to us if we would simply ask.

In Matthew 11:28–30 we are given an invitation: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Heavy laden refers to the yoke of bondage, the yoke of sin that is upon us. The invitation continues, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” This yoke of Jesus is the yoke of rest. Jesus wants to have this exchange with us. He wants us to behold Him by studying His word, His life, and His character. We simply do not have time to read things that are not going to help us spiritually. We must begin by studying the love of God, sitting like Mary at the feet of Jesus. There is a work to do, as Martha did, but we must first learn of Christ, become converted, and give Him our hearts. We must ask to be purified through the blood of Jesus. This He has promised to do. “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16). All He asks of us is our sin-polluted hearts.

“… and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29, last part, 30). Here is an invitation from Christ for us to give Him our burdens and He will give us His rest. Many lives are so busy with even the Lord’s work that they neglect time with Christ. Soon Jesus will say to them, “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23). Do you know Christ? Jesus said to His disciples, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).

John 12:32 says, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” The sad thing is that Jesus was lifted up on that cross and only a few will respond. If we do not resist we will be led to the experience of true repentance and Jesus will be revealed to us as that Lamb of God Who died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3). It is only at the cross and only as we see what sin has done to Christ that we have a little understanding of the plan of redemption. We must respond as God draws our hearts to Him. God does the work in the heart. As we respond to that drawing our outward actions will reveal the results. As we spend a thoughtful hour and behold the life of Christ, specifically the closing scenes, a ray of light will shine into our hearts and a transformation will truly begin (see The Desire of Ages, 84). The thief on the cross was converted because he beheld the Saviour and His love. The thief had no choice but to witness how Jesus was treated in the judgment hall, being spat upon and mocked. At the first he joined in with the crowd, but as He saw the response of Jesus he marveled at His love. Christ came to this earth to reveal His Father’s character of love to the world and to give us power to overcome sin as He did (Luke 23:39–43).

Many inquire, why, if He is a God of love, is there so much sin in the world; why didn’t He just get rid of Satan; why did He even create him? Since sin came into existence God allows things to take place so that the true nature of sin is revealed. Had Satan been eliminated, the angels would then have worshiped God out of fear. Satan’s character had to be fully developed for other created beings to see the result of sin. It was only at the cross that the heavenly host of angels saw the true character of Satan and the hatred exhibited toward their loving Master. God wants us to see the difference in character. When the thief heard Christ say, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34), he was convicted that this truly was the Son of God. The thief asked the Lord to remember him and prepare a place for him (verse 42). By beholding the scenes on Calvary and witnessing the love of God the thief was converted. He repented and was assured of salvation.

We may have this same experience by beholding and recognizing Jesus as our personal Saviour. He died for a world that did not love Him. Do not be one of those who resist His love.

Revelation 22:17 says, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Christ is addressing us personally so that He can fill the void in our hearts. Ask God for the power to stay focused and as you continue to study and behold the word of God, it will become living bread and living water to your soul. Before his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus, Paul thought he kept God’s law. With an impeccable outward appearance, he went about killing and persecuting those who were following Christ. Through his blindness, the glory of God shined into his heart and he was convicted of his sin, bringing him to repentance. He was converted. God constantly draws our hearts. His Holy Spirit changes the hearts of those who respond.

Stephen stood before the leaders of the church and preached Christ. Though they were deeply convicted, they did not want to hear the word of God. Aware that he was about to die, Stephen looked up to heaven and saw the Son of man standing beside the right hand of the Father (Acts 7:55, 56). Saul, later Paul, saw the glory in Stephen’s face and could not get this out of his mind. After Stephen was dead, Saul’s conviction kept him from peaceful sleep. Enquiring of the church leaders of the validity of Stephen’s speech, he was told that Stephen was wrong in his interpretation of Scripture. A Pharisee, Saul wanted to believe the teaching of the church, but God would not allow his conviction to go. On the road as he was about to enter Damascus, he was blinded by a brilliant light. Jesus spoke to him and Saul responded, “Lord, what will you have me to do” (Acts 9:6)? For three days he was blind. Because the Scriptures were in his mind, he was able to analyze them to determine that it truly was the Son of God Who had paid him a visit. He knew that it truly was the Messiah that the Jews had been waiting for Whom he had encountered, the Promised One Who came to deliver us from our sins. He was changed from that experience and given a new name. Saul became Paul. He had experienced true repentance. He blamed nobody for his sins but acknowledged that he had sinned against the spotless Son of God. Once converted, he went about preaching and many were converted. When you behold God’s glory, you will see yourself in a different way and understand that you cannot do anything without Christ and will long to have this new experience that God wants to give you.

As Daniel described his vision in Daniel 10:8, he wrote, “Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.” When Daniel saw the Lord’s glory, he had no strength left in him. Daniel’s experience with God continued to deepen. This can also be our experience.

The closer we come to God the more we will see our sinfulness. Like looking in a mirror, the closer you get to it the more clearly you see the flaws in your face. As we behold Him and come closer to Him the light shows us our deformities and that we are nothing without God. There is no good in us and it is only as we behold Christ that we can have this experience.

Many excuse their sins saying, “God knows my heart,” or “We can’t keep God’s law.” Christ did not come from heaven to pay the penalty for our sins so that we could continue in sin. He came because there was no other way for us to be saved. We cannot make ourselves better. “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil” (Jeremiah 13:23)? No matter how hard we try, we cannot change ourselves.

There is a difference between “being tempted” and “entering into temptation.” Satan is the “accuser of the brethren” (Revelation 12:10) wanting you to believe you are a hopeless sinner. But raise your eyes to heaven and recognize that Christ came and died for sinners and became righteousness for you.

Make it personal; hold tight the hand of God. Do not procrastinate putting off things you should be doing today. A time is coming when God will no longer strive with man and all will be left to the desires of their hearts. Life is uncertain; today is the day of salvation (11 Corinthians 6:2) and it is very dangerous to put off a commitment to the Lord.

Every wrong character trait or sinful desire cherished will eventually neutralize the power of the gospel. We need to come before God asking Him to search our hearts. Psalm 139:23, 24 says, “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.” The word of God searches hearts. It is a light and convicts. It is not to be read as a rebuke for others but to provoke you to examine your own life. Ask God to search your heart. The Word says, “lead me in the way” (Psalm 139:24). This is a prayer asking for complete surrender and dependence upon God. Day by day go before God in the morning and commune with Him. Do not let the thoughts and cares of this world distract you from communing with Him.

We do not have much time. We need to behold Christ. Repentance is a gift which God will give to us if we come to Him in prayer and sincerely ask. It is the will of God for us to repent. Claim His will. He loves us so much that He gave His only begotten Son. Let’s take the time to behold that love and to share it with our families.

Today is the day. If you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts (Hebrews 4:7). Today is the appointed day for you to make a decision.

Maria Cofer works with her husband, John, who is currently engaged in establishing training schools under the name, The Schools of the Prophets for the youth. They have established a digital media company to create and promote video media teaching the unique message of Adventism using social media such as Facebook and Youtube.

The Forgotten Token-The Rainbow of Promise

November 8, 2017 by Brenda Douay

“Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying, ‘Now behold, I Myself do establish My covenant with you, and with your descendants after you; and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you; of all that comes out of the ark, even every beast of the earth. I establish My covenant with you; and all flesh shall never again be cut off by the water of the flood, neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth.’ God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all successive generations; I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. It shall come about, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow will be seen in the cloud, and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the cloud, then I will look upon it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.’ And God said to Noah, ‘This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.’ ” Genesis 9:8–17 NASV

In the book Education, 125, we are told that the central theme of the Bible is the redemption plan. It is the burden of every passage, every book of the Bible. Steps to Christ, 90, instructs us to study each passage of the Bible until we understand what it means and how it relates to the plan of salvation. It is with this council and goal in mind that we turn to our study of the story of Noah and the covenant and the rainbow.

Typically as we think about the story of Noah and the rainbow, the covenant spoken of was simply a promise that never again would the whole earth be destroyed by a flood. But if we study this passage as instructed—that is, in the light of the new covenant or plan of salvation—we find it has a broader significance than we realize, and such beauty unfolds to our minds as we have never imagined.

When you look at a drop of water, all that is seen is a clear liquid object, plain, small, colorless, but let a little sun shine through it and the brilliance of a rainbow splashes across the sky! When one takes a passage that appears to be just a story of God or one of His servants, and views that story or passage through the Sun of Righteousness, the center of the new covenant, truths open up and refract into brilliance like the rainbow in the sky.

As you read about Noah and his family during the time of the flood, try to imagine yourself there living through it with them. Hear the violence of the water bursting forth, the noise as trees, buildings, massive rocks hurl about in the shrieking wind. Genesis 7:11, 12 relates, “In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights.” This was no gentle rain, or even a torrential downpour. It was a violent outpouring of water, from earth as well as from sky. Inspiration paints the picture this way: “Water appeared to come from the clouds in mighty cataracts. Rivers broke away from their boundaries, and overflowed the valleys. Jets of water burst from the earth with indescribable force, throwing massive rocks hundreds of feet into the air, and these, in falling, buried themselves deep in the ground. …

“As the violence of the storm increased, trees, buildings, rocks, and earth were hurled in every direction. … Satan himself, who was compelled to remain in the midst of the warring elements, feared for his own existence.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 99.

“It often seemed to the family within the ark that they must perish, as for five long months their boat was tossed about, apparently at the mercy of wind and wave. It was a trying ordeal.” Ibid. 105. People who have been through a severe storm or earthquake or some severe event such as this report that just ten or fifteen minutes in that situation seems like an eternity, but imagine five months!

Continuing the story in Genesis 7, we find they were in the ark for one year and ten days. What had taken place during that time? Genesis 7:21–23 explains, “Every living thing that moved on land perished—birds, livestock, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind. Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died. Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; people and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark.”

Imagine the extreme trauma they experienced. The flood wiped out every single human being; relatives, dear friends, people with whom they had pled to enter the ark and be saved. As the angel swung open that massive door and they stepped across the threshold, not an animal greeted them. Not an insect buzzed. Not a bird sang as they left the ark, viewing what must have looked to them like an alien planet. Visualize if you can the extreme change—from a populated, civilized culture, the earth itself rich in verdure and beauty, to an utterly void, desolate, empty, chaotic, devastated landscape.

That lonely family must have suffered anxiety. Not only did they have the trauma of the total destruction of society and the natural world, but as time went on those faithful ones watched the unbelievable and rapid spread of the very thing that had precipitated the flood in the first place—wickedness and evil. Noah and his family clearly understood why God had sent the flood. They knew it was a direct consequence of the wickedness and evil of the world—the rejection of God’s great plan of salvation, His covenant to man to redeem him.

God understood the situation in which Noah and his family found themselves. He understood their trying ordeal—the fear for their lives through those long five months of storm that made even Satan fear. He knew that storm clouds, rolling thunder, and the flash of lightning would cause fear in their hearts that it might happen again as soon as they saw rise again the wickedness that caused the destruction in the first place. So God, in His mercy, His love, His tender care for His faithful servant, did not leave their fears unaddressed. In fact, He gave them a radiant, recurring token as a sign and a pledge to them to address their concerns:

the promise of an escape from the consequences of wickedness and evil (in other words, His “everlasting covenant”)
the fear of a universal flood.

In Genesis 9:8–17, seven times—that is an interesting number, is it not—God reminded them of His everlasting covenant. Seven times He reassured them that there was an escape for all who will accept it from the curse and consequences that sin has brought. He yearned for their allegiance, their acceptance of His merciful plan. Note these beautiful words of inspiration about the rainbow: “The rainbow of God’s promise … [is] a pledge of God’s mercy to every repentant, believing soul. It is an everlasting testimony 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). It declares to the whole world that God will never forget His people in their struggles with evil.” The Home Missionary, November 1, 1893. Not only that, but in the midst of reminding them of His covenant, God reassures them that never again will a flood cover the entire face of the earth.

“The Lord has said, ‘I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. … And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you, and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh’ (Genesis 9:13–15). In the rainbow above the throne is an everlasting testimony 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). Whenever the law is presented before the people, let the teacher of the truth point to the throne arched with the rainbow of promise, the righteousness of Christ.” The Review and Herald, December 13, 1892.There is another beautiful reality to the rainbow that had never occurred to me before: it shows the intimate connection between heaven and earth.

“The One who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.” Revelation 4:3. “I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, clothed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon His head, and His face was like the sun, and His feet like pillars of fire.” [Emphasis added.] Revelation 10:1 NAS.

“A rainbow is represented in Heaven round about the throne, also above the head of Christ, as a symbol of God’s mercy encompassing the earth. When man by his great wickedness provokes the wrath of God, Christ, man’s intercessor, pleads for him, and points to the rainbow in the cloud, as evidence of God’s great mercy and compassion for erring man; also the rainbow above the throne and upon his head emblematical of the glory and mercy from God resting there for the benefit of repentant man.” Spiritual Gifts, vol. 3, 75.

It is not alone on this earth where the rainbow shines forth in color and brilliance. A rainbow is in heaven; one around the throne, and another upon the head of Jesus. These are symbols of God’s mercy that encompasses the earth for the benefit of man. And now, even more, we find that mortal men are not the only ones gazing at this beautiful sight. Think of, contemplate, understand the following:

“In heaven the semblance of a rainbow encircles the throne and overarches the head of Christ. The prophet says, ‘As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about [the throne]. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Jehovah’ (Ezekiel 1:28). The revelator declares, ‘Behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. … There was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald’ (Revelation 4:2, 3). When man by his great wickedness invites the divine judgments, the Saviour, interceding with the Father in his behalf, points to the bow in the clouds, to the rainbow around the throne and above His own head, as a token of the mercy of God toward the repentant sinner.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 107.

So we see Jesus looking upon the bow, pointing to it interceding with the Father on behalf of the repentant sinner. In fact, we read further that it was through Jesus Himself that the bow was bent in the sky.

“The world’s Redeemer looks upon it; for it was through His instrumentality that this bow was made to appear in the heavens, as a token or covenant of promise to man. God Himself looks upon the bow in the clouds, and remembers His everlasting covenant between Himself and man. … The bow represents Christ’s love which encircles the earth, and reaches unto the highest heavens, connecting men with God, and linking earth with heaven.

“As we gaze upon the beautiful sight, we may be joyful in God, assured that He Himself is looking upon this token of His covenant, and that as He looks upon it He remembers the children of earth, to whom it was given. Their afflictions, perils, and trials are not hidden from Him. We may rejoice in hope, for the bow of God’s covenant is over us. He never will forget the children of His care. How difficult for the mind of finite man to take in the peculiar love and tenderness of God, and His matchless condescension when He said, ‘I will look upon the bow in the cloud, and remember thee’ (Genesis 9:16).” Our High Calling, 314.

Does this not give a very intimate connection between heaven and earth? Not only do we see a bow in the cloud, but we are told that there is a rainbow around the throne in heaven and one around Jesus’ own head. It surely speaks of the tenderness and love with which the Father and Jesus view their children on this earth, that the former would share with the latter the beauty of the very things that are in heaven, to remind them of the new covenant made on their behalf.

In speaking of the rainbow and Noah, Inspiration says, “With the assurance given to Noah concerning the Flood, God Himself has linked one of the most precious promises of His grace: ‘As I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed, saith Jehovah that hath mercy on thee’ (Isaiah 54:9, 10).” [Emphasis added.] Patriarchs and Prophets, 107.

Oh, how much God loves us, to give us such beautiful reminders of His mercy and His love, that at the same time serve as solemn reminders of the consequences of rejecting that love—because along with the rainbow comes the cloud, the storm in which we see illustrations of the penalty awaiting the rejecters of His covenant.

“The rainbow spanning the heavens with its arch of light is a token of ‘the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature’ (Genesis 9:16). And the rainbow encircling the throne on high is also a token to God’s children of His covenant of peace.

“As the bow in the cloud results from the union of sunshine and shower, so the bow above God’s throne represents the union of His mercy and His justice. To the sinful but repentant soul God says, Live thou; ‘I have found a ransom’ (Job 33:24).” Education, 115.

“In the gospel of Christ Jesus, proclaimed by the angels as glad tidings of great joy, the terms of salvation were fully revealed. The law stands in all its original force and purity; not one jot or tittle was to be set aside or altered; for the law is the transcript of the character of God. But the Lord made a covenant of grace whereby his mercy is extended to fallen man, and provision is made so ample and powerful that souls ruined by the fall may be uplifted to glory, honor, and immortality. ‘For 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). Encircling the throne of God is the rainbow of the covenant, a symbol of the pledged word of God that He will receive every sinner who gives up all hope of eternal life on the ground of his own righteousness, and accepts the righteousness of the world’s Redeemer, believing that Christ is his personal Saviour, able to save him from his sin, and to keep him from falling. Unless Christ is the ground of our hope, we shall not inherit eternal life.” The Signs of the Times, September 5, 1892.

“A covenant has been entered into by the Father and by the Son to save the world through Christ. ‘For 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). No power save that of Omnipotence could make such a covenant. The rainbow above the throne is a token that God through Christ binds Himself to save all who believe in Him. The covenant is as sure as the throne, and His throne is established in righteousness. Then why are we so unbelieving, so distrustful? Why doubt so frequently, and trust God so fitfully? Whenever we come to the throne of God to ask His mercy, we may look up, and behold the rainbow of promise, and find in it assurance that our prayers shall be answered.” Ibid., October 10, 1892.

What marvelous promises we have. Why indeed “doubt so frequently, and trust God so fitfully” when we are told that “whenever we come to the throne of God to ask His mercy, we may look up, and behold the rainbow of promise, and find in it assurance that our prayers shall be answered.”

Friends, over and over again we read of the rainbow, a sign of God’s great plan of redemption, the new covenant, a sign of His mercy and His justice. This new covenant is such an integral part of the Bible, in fact, the very foundation. Inspiration tells us that this covenant, the redemption plan, is the central theme, the burden of every book and every passage of the Bible. It also tells us that if we understand that the new covenant is the central theme we have (not a key, but) “the key that will unlock to him the whole treasure house of God’s word.” Education, 126. And the rainbow is a sign of this covenant, sent by God to give us hope, courage, strength, a reminder of His love.

The compassion God exhibited to Noah in giving the rainbow in the cloud as a promise, a covenant, when Noah was in such need of reassurance, of comfort, of confidence in His God, is really the new covenant in shadow or example. My friends, are we storm tossed and traumatized by sin and its consequences, whether it be our own sin, or the results of 6,000 years of sin? Absolutely! Does our God understand our situation? Absolutely! “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15 NASV.

Are the promises given to Noah also given to us? Is that rainbow of promise arched across the sky meant for you, for me? “The rainbow above the throne is a token that God through Christ binds Himself to save all [not just Noah and his family, not just your neighbor, or your friend at church] who believe in Him. The covenant is as sure as the throne, and His throne is established in righteousness. Then why are we so unbelieving, so distrustful? Why doubt so frequently and trust God so fitfully? Whenever we come to the throne of God to ask His mercy, we may look up, and behold the rainbow of promise, and find in it assurance that our prayers shall be answered.” The Signs of the Times, October 10, 1892.

But my friends, just as the antediluvians had no hope whatsoever in themselves, they had to enter the ark (God’s way for their salvation) or be lost, so we must give up all thought that anything we might do may save us. We must trust only to the mighty power of our Saviour and Redeemer, for He tells us, “ ‘Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool’ (Isaiah 1:18). The gift of life has been freely, graciously, joyously offered to fallen man. Encircling the throne of God is the rainbow of promise, that God will receive every sinner who gives up all hope of eternal life on the ground of his own righteousness, and accepts the righteousness of the world’s Redeemer, believing in Christ as his personal Saviour. It is when the sinner realises [sic] that he is without hope, lost, condemned to eternal death, incapable of doing anything to redeem himself, but accepting of Christ as his complete Saviour, that the word of God is fulfilled, when He says, ‘I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more’ (Hebrews 8:12).” Messenger, May 10, 1893. So look on the rainbow. Remember God’s everlasting covenant; accept of His mercy and love; enter the ark of His salvation, the new covenant … and live.

Oh, my friends, when you look at the beautiful bow in the cloud, will it ever seem the same to you again? I certainly hope not. There are so many illustrations and applications in this story that we have just scratched the surface. Take the time to study them on your own until you know what illustrations mean, more and more fully, and what they have to do with the great new covenant God and Jesus made and carried out on our behalf. When we gaze in awe upon the beauty of the rainbow arched across the heavens, remember, let us tell our children, our friends, and let us recount the meaning of that bow—a sign of God’s everlasting covenant to recreate in us His image if we but yield to His Lordship in our lives. Let us remember that our Redeemer Himself looks at and points to the very rainbow we are gazing on in wonder and admiration. And let us commit ourselves totally to His loving, tender care, soul, body and mind. Let us consecrate ourselves completely to Him and He will keep us through the storms of life as surely as He kept the faithful Noah and his family through the flood.

(Unless appearing in quoted references or otherwise identified, Bible texts are from the New International Version.)

Brenda Douay is a staff member at Steps to Life. She may be contacted by email at: brendadouay@stepstolife.org.

If you Believe-Then Follow

November 8, 2017 by John J. Grosboll

Many of the most famous people who have ever lived were not at all popular among their contemporaries during their lifetime. Abraham Lincoln received only forty percent of the popular vote in 1860. The apostle Paul was despised and considered a teacher of dangerous doctrines by both the pagans and the Jews. Even many Christians had an intense dislike for him.

Why were so many people in New Testament times, all over the Roman Empire, so upset with Paul and his teachings? Interestingly, one of the prominent reasons that many people, Jews and Christians alike, were upset with him was because of his teaching about how a person is saved. What he taught is recorded in his letter in Romans 4:1–5. He says, “What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.”

Paul clearly states that a man is not saved by his own works. Salvation comes through grace alone, through faith, and not by means of money or by any effort on his part.

In the early church there were leaders, as there have been in all ages since then, who asked what would motivate people to do what is right. Notice what Paul said about that in Ephesians 2:8, 9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Salvation comes as a free gift from God when you exercise faith in Jesus Christ. That is what the apostle Paul told the Philippian jailor in Acts 16 when he came and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? So they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.’ ” Acts 16:30, 31.

Salvation is not complicated; it’s very simple.

If you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, you will be saved. Sometimes people say that they believe in Jesus Christ but they really do not know what that demands. In the New Testament, the words “to believe,” or “to have faith” mean that you believe something strongly enough to make a commitment. To “believe” in Jesus Christ therefore means that you believe in Him to the extent that you acknowledge Him to be your Lord and act accordingly. Notice what Jesus said about that in Luke 6:46. Jesus asked the following question to the Jewish people. He said, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?”

When you believe in Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life, you will choose to follow Him. At that time you will receive salvation as a gift of the grace of God. It will not be because of anything that you do or that you deserve. Over and over again the apostle Paul taught this in his letters. Notice what he said in Galatians 2:16 when speaking to a group of churches in what we call Turkey today that had gone into apostasy. He said, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.”

Paul taught that salvation came through grace alone when faith is exercised and when you believe in Christ as your Lord and Saviour. There are millions of Christians, even today, that do not believe this. Notice what Paul wrote to a young minister in Titus 3:3–5. He said, “For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”

He emphatically taught that you cannot be saved by going through any manner of religious rituals. The Jews tried that. Expanding on the writings of Moses they added all manner of religious rituals and customs. There were so many rules and regulations that it was almost impossible for anybody to keep them all. Paul wrote that nobody can be saved because he goes through a certain religious rite or exercise.

Some may believe that being baptized saves them. Baptism, like other religious rituals, is a symbolic act. If all you have is the symbol, but do not understand what is symbolized, then you do not have the reality. That was the problem with the Jewish religion. Every sacrificed animal was a symbol of the promised Messiah to come Who would offer His life for the sins of the world. Unfortunately, they lost sight of the reality and rejected the Messiah. They continued with the sacrificial services, even though once Christ had come they had lost their meaning. In Paul’s letter to the Hebrews, in the 10th chapter, he wrote that animal sacrifices cannot take away your sins or provide salvation (Hebrews 10:4). It is only the blood of Jesus Christ that can take away sins and enable us to enter by faith “the Holiest” (verse 19) where our sins are forgiven.

What about baptism and circumcision?

In Colossians 2:11 Paul addresses that. He wrote, “In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” Circumcision and baptism are both symbols. Circumcision is a symbol of cutting away sin in your life. Baptism is a symbol of washing away the sins from your life. If you go through the symbol, but never have the experience that is symbolized, then you can have no assurance of salvation.

Notice 1 Corinthians 12:13, where Paul said, “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” Here he talks about being baptized by the Holy Spirit. There will not be any person who is truly baptized with the Holy Spirit that will not be in the kingdom of heaven. But there will be millions of people who have been baptized with water that will not be in the kingdom of heaven because they merely had the symbol, but were never baptized by the Spirit. In fact, on the Day of Pentecost, it says in Acts 2:38: “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ ” The whole purpose of baptism was to receive the Holy Spirit.

Acts 19:2–6 records a time when Paul met some men who had been baptized by John but had not received the Holy Spirit: “He said to them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ And they said to him, ‘We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.’ And he said to them, ‘Into what then were you baptized?’ So they said, ‘Into John’s baptism.’ Then Paul said, ‘John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.’ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.” A baptism of repentance is not enough. You need to receive the Holy Spirit. Have you received the Holy Spirit?

Baptism is a symbol of dying to the old life and rising to walk in newness of life. It is a symbol of being baptized by the Holy Spirit, receiving the new birth so that you have a new heart, a new spirit and a new mind. It was for this reason that many Jews and others did not like what the apostle taught because they wanted a religion where you had to do something to be saved. Paul taught the opposite: you cannot be saved by doing anything yourself. Salvation is a gift by grace through faith alone to all who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and choose to follow Him. But this was not the only reason the people were unhappy with Paul.

The Futility of Pagan Religion

Throughout his letters and preaching he showed the worthlessness of pagan philosophy, which made the pagans very unhappy with him. He opposed the philosophers when he spoke to them in Athens, as recorded in the 17th book of Acts. It says, “Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, ‘Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.

“Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’

“Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead. And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, ‘We will hear you again on this matter.’ ” Acts 17:22–32.

He pointed out that the true God is the One that made the heavens and earth, that He is Lord of all of it, and that He is not worshiped by replacing Him with things that you can make. The pagans did not like this teaching of the apostle Paul because, as you can see in the 19th chapter of Acts, they realized that if the apostle Paul’s teachings were accepted, the income that they made from their idolatrous religion would end. They were loath to lose that money.

The apostle wrote about this again in Romans 1. He explained the worthlessness, the futility of pagan philosophy. Notice what he said: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things.

“Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

“For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.” Romans 1:20–32.

The pagans did not like Paul’s teachings because it revealed that their way of life was futile, worthless, and even worthy of death. He exposed the futility of pagan philosophy over and over again in his letters. The pagans were upset with him because he explained that their way of life was empty and did not lead to life everlasting or salvation, but was worthless because it rejected the wisdom of the Creator.

The Jews Reject Paul’s Teachings

Although there were many pagan people, idolatrous people, who were unhappy with the apostle Paul as is documented in the book of Acts, the people that caused him the most trouble were the Jews. Why were they so upset with what he taught? The Jews, who had the Old Testament, believed themselves to be the greatest religionists in the world. Yet they too hated Paul because he exposed their heresies. He said, “You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? For ‘the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,’ as it is written. For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law? For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.” Romans 2:23–29.

Over and over again the apostle Paul dwelt on this matter. It is not whether or not you go through outward rituals, performing outward religious symbols, or keep certain religious observances that makes the difference. What makes the difference is whether or not you have been changed on the inside.

Jesus also reprimanded the Jewish people about this same experience. He said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. … first clean the inside … that the outside of them may be clean also.” Matthew 23:25, 26.

Paul effectually told the Jews that all of their religion was worthless if it was just a matter of outward action and their hearts had not been changed. In Romans 9:6–8, he said, “But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called.’ That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.” The Jews considered that simply because they were Jews, they were assured of salvation, but Paul told them that they were mistaken and that some of them were not even part of Israel.

Notice that for a person to be part of spiritual Israel he must be born again. It is the inward spiritual experience that determines a man’s destiny. When the heart is changed, it will be seen in his actions, but trying to change the outside when the heart is corrupt will not result in any lasting change. This is the doctrine that Paul taught the Jews that the majority rejected. Religion must involve a change of heart and not just a change in outward appearances.

The ceremonies that were given to Moses to instruct the children of Israel, had their time and place, but once Christ had fulfilled His mission they had lost their purpose and became empty forms. In Galatians 6:15, Paul says, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.”

Paul Teaches the New Birth Experience

Have you been born again? Has your heart been made new? Remember, a birth creates a new being. Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Most Assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” John 3:5. Have you allowed Jesus to create a new heart in you? If you have, you are a new person and what happens on the outside will reflect the new heart. You will hate the things you once loved and love the things that you once hated.

When you study the life of the apostle Paul, one of the most unbelievable things that stands out is that it was not only the pagans or the Jews who rejected his theology, but it was even many of the Christians who thought he was a teacher of dangerous doctrines. There are many Christians even today who do not understand that Paul clearly taught the importance of the new birth, even though it occurs in one form or another throughout his writings (see Ephesians 1:4, II Corinthians 7:1 and Colossians 3:1–3). Over and over again, the apostle taught that it was necessary to “follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.

Paul taught that only those who were sanctified; in other words, only those who were living a holy life, would receive the gift of salvation. Now we are not holy, and we cannot make ourselves holy, for only God can make any person holy, but God has promised to make His children holy. He has promised His children that if they would follow Him, and follow His instructions, He would make them holy. That is what the new birth is about also, changing a person’s heart so that they live a different life. Paul says in Romans 7 that the law is holy, just and good (verse 12). The person who is a holy person will be keeping the principles of the law, the Ten Commandments.

Friend, do you have that essential ingredient to obtain the gift of salvation? Has the Holy Spirit made you new? Has the Holy Spirit given you a new heart? Are you living a new life because you have been made clean and holy on the inside? If not, ask the Lord to give it to you, so that you may be changed inside, and be made ready to receive the gift of salvation and eternal life when Jesus returns.

“And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” Matthew 21:22.

(Unless appearing in quoted references or otherwise identified, Bible texts are from the New King James Version.)

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

Editorial – The First Day Controversy

November 8, 2017 by John J. Grosboll

The First Day Controversy

Thoughts on Acts 20:7 when the disciples came together to break bread.

This verse is repeatedly used to support Sunday worship in place of the Sabbath.

Luke speaks clearly when identifying a religious custom—examples, Luke 4:16; Acts 17:2. In Acts 20:7, the meeting was not “according to their custom.”

It was a night meeting on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7, 8). In the Bible, the dark part of the day is the first part of the day and the light part of the day is the last part (see Leviticus 23:27–32). Therefore the meeting was held on what we call today Saturday night, the evening before the first day of the week.

On the first day of the week (Sunday) about daybreak Paul appointed his companions to sail around the coast to Assos (about 40 miles) while he went to Assos on foot (about 20 miles cross country). From there they sailed to Mitylene (another 40 miles). So on Sunday Paul first walked 20 miles before sailing 40 miles while his companions sailed about 80 miles.

No Christian obeys a moral precept on the basis of the example of the Apostles or the practice of early Christians. The apostles were subjects and not masters of moral obligation. Moral duties derive from the will of God and not from the example of either prophets, priests, apostles or the church. The apostles point us to Jesus as our example and not themselves: “Christ also suffered for us leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” I Peter 2:21; “You be followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” I Corinthians 11:1; “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” I John 2:6. Jesus Christ is the one and only example for men to follow. He says “follow me.” Take my yoke upon you and learn of me (Matthew 11:29). I am the door. He that enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way the same is a thief and a robber (John 10:7, 8). Jesus is the only person Who is the example to be followed by men.

There is no example of Jesus keeping the first day of the week instead of the Sabbath. He never commanded it or authorized it. On the other hand, for the keeping of the seventh day we have the commandment of God (Exodus 20:8–11; Genesis 2:3), the example of the living God and the example of the Lord Jesus Christ both in heaven and on earth (Genesis 2:3; Luke 4:16; John 15:10), both as Creator and Redeemer. There is neither command nor example for keeping any other day.

Bible Study Guides – Love: The Essence of Righteousness

November 8, 2017 by Reformation Herald Publishing

October 19, 2014 – October 25, 2014

Key Text

“God is love.” I John 4:16.

Study Help: Steps to Christ, 23–36.

Introduction

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

1 THE GREAT COMMANDMENT

In the Christian life, what vital significance does love have in relation to the law of God? Matthew 22:36–40.

Note: “Obedience is not a mere outward compliance, but the service of love. The law of God is an expression of His very nature; it is an embodiment of the great principle of love, and hence is the foundation of His government in heaven and earth. If our hearts are renewed in the likeness of God, if the divine love is implanted in the soul, will not the law of God be carried out in the life?” Steps to Christ, 60.

How does the apostle John summarize God’s character—and how does His character relate to righteousness? I John 4:16; Psalm 11:7.

Note: “Righteousness is holiness, likeness to God, and ‘God is love’ (I John 4:16). It is conformity to the law of God, for ‘all Thy commandments are righteousness’ (Psalm 119:172), and ‘love is the fulfilling of the law’ (Romans 13:10). Righteousness is love, and love is the light and the life of God. The righteousness of God is embodied in Christ. We receive righteousness by receiving Him.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 18.

2 OUTWARD COMPLIANCE OR HEARTFELT OBEDIENCE?

What kind of service does the Lord desire? Deuteronomy 6:5; Joshua 24:15.

Note: “The exercise of force is contrary to the principles of God’s government; He desires only the service of love; and love cannot be commanded; it cannot be won by force or authority. Only by love is love awakened. To know God is to love Him; His character must be manifested in contrast to the character of Satan. This work only one Being in all the universe could do. Only He who knew the height and depth of the love of God could make it known. Upon the world’s dark night the Sun of Righteousness must rise, ‘with healing in His wings’ (Malachi 4:2).” The Desire of Ages, 22.

“It is not the fear of punishment, or the hope of everlasting reward, that leads the disciples of Christ to follow Him. They behold the Saviour’s matchless love, revealed throughout His pilgrimage on earth, from the manger of Bethlehem to Calvary’s cross, and the sight of Him attracts, it softens and subdues the soul. Love awakens in the heart of the beholders. They hear His voice, and they follow Him.” Ibid., 480.

In contrast to a willing, joyful obedience from the heart, what kind of obedience are some professed Christians rendering to God? Deuteronomy 28:45–47; I John 5:3.

Note: “Christ died on the cross to draw all to Him, and He would have us joyful in that joy which He alone can give, the joy of obedience.” Sermons and Talks, vol. 1, 217.

“The man who attempts to keep the commandments of God from a sense of obligation merely—because he is required to do so—will never enter into the joy of obedience. He does not obey. When the requirements of God are accounted a burden because they cut across human inclination, we may know that the life is not a Christian life. True obedience is the outworking of a principle within. It springs from the love of righteousness, the love of the law of God. The essence of all righteousness is loyalty to our Redeemer. This will lead us to do right because it is right—because right doing is pleasing to God.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 97, 98.

3 IDENTIFYING TRUE LOVE

What will be seen in the life of those who genuinely love God? I John 3:10; 4:20, 21.

Note: “Love is the basis of godliness. Whatever the profession, no man has pure love to God unless he has unselfish love for his brother. But we can never come into possession of this spirit by trying to love others. What is needed is the love of Christ in the heart. When self is merged in Christ, love springs forth spontaneously. The completeness of Christian character is attained when the impulse to help and bless others springs constantly from within—when the sunshine of heaven fills the heart and is revealed in the countenance.” [Emphasis author’s.] Christ’s Object Lessons, 384.

Describe some of the characteristics manifested by true love. I Corinthians 13:4–7.

Note: “True love is not a strong, fiery, impetuous passion. On the contrary, it is calm and deep in its nature. It looks beyond mere externals and is attracted by qualities alone. It is wise and discriminating, and its devotion is real and abiding. God tests and proves us by the common occurrences of life. It is the little things which reveal the chapters of the heart. It is the little attentions, the numerous small incidents and simple courtesies of life, that make up the sum of life’s happiness; and it is the neglect of kindly, encouraging, affectionate words, and the little courtesies of life, which helps compose the sum of life’s wretchedness. It will be found at last that the denial of self for the good and happiness of those around us constitutes a large share of the life record in heaven. And the fact will also be revealed that the care of self, irrespective of the good and happiness of others, is not beneath the notice of our heavenly Father. …

“Love cannot live without action, and every act increases, strengthens, and extends it. Love will gain the victory when argument and authority are powerless. Love works not for profit nor reward; yet God has ordained that great gain shall be the certain result of every labor of love. It is diffusive in its nature and quiet in its operation, yet strong and mighty in its purpose to overcome great evils. It is melting and transforming in its influence, and will take hold of the lives of the sinful and affect their hearts when every other means has proved unsuccessful.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 133–135.

4 LIVING THE LAW OF LOVE

In light of the self-sacrifice of Christ for us, what law or principle will be at the heart of the Christian life? II Corinthians 5:14, 15; I Corinthians 13:5.

Note: “When the Spirit of God, with its marvelous awakening power, touches the soul, it abases human pride. Worldly pleasure and position and power are seen to be worthless. ‘Imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God’ are cast down; every thought is brought into captivity ‘to the obedience of Christ’ (II Corinthians 10:5). Then humility and self-sacrificing love, so little valued among men, are exalted as alone of worth.” The Desire of Ages, 135.

“In the light from Calvary it will be seen that the law of self-renouncing love is the law of life for earth and heaven; that the love which ‘seeketh not her own’ has its source in the heart of God; and that in the meek and lowly One is manifested the character of Him who dwelleth in the light which no man can approach unto.” Ibid., 20.

In order to live a life of self-sacrificing love, what is required of us on a daily basis? Luke 9:23.

Note: “Every soul that accepts Jesus as his personal Saviour will pant for the privilege of serving God and will eagerly seize the opportunity to signalize his gratitude by devoting his abilities to God’s service. He will long to show his love for Jesus and for His purchased possession. He will covet toil, hardship, sacrifice. He will think it a privilege to deny self, lift the cross, and follow in Christ’s footsteps, thus showing his loyalty and love.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 394.

“Self-denial and the cross are our portion. Will we accept it? None of us need expect that when the last great trials come upon us a self-sacrificing, patriotic spirit will be developed in a moment because needed. No, indeed, this spirit must be blended with our daily experience, and infused into the minds and hearts of our children, both by precept and example. Mothers in Israel may not be warriors themselves, but they may raise up warriors who shall gird on the whole armor and fight manfully the battles of the Lord.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 135.

5 THE SIGN OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP

What is the sign of true discipleship? John 8:31; 14:15.

Note: “Obedience—the service and allegiance of love—is the true sign of discipleship. … Instead of releasing man from obedience, it is faith, and faith only, that makes us partakers of the grace of Christ, which enables us to render obedience.” Steps to Christ, 60, 61.

What does true obedience mean, and from where does it spring? Romans 5:5; 13:10.

Note: “In the heart renewed by divine grace, love is the principle of action. It modifies the character, governs the impulses, controls the passions, subdues enmity, and ennobles the affections. This love, cherished in the soul, sweetens the life and sheds a refining influence on all around.” Steps to Christ, 59.

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

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 What key element in God’s law does Jesus present to us in Matthew 22?

2 Explain the difference between outward compliance and true obedience.

3 When will the development of our Christian character be complete?

4 Describe the attitude towards service in those who have accepted Christ.

5 How closely will Christ be identified in the obedience of His followers?

Bible Study Guides – Laying Our Own Glory in the Dust

November 8, 2017 by Reformation Herald Publishing

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?

Bible Study Guides – The Most Precious Message

November 8, 2017 by Reformation Herald Publishing

October 5, 2014 – October 11, 2014

Key Text

“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29.

Study Help: Steps to Christ, 71–75.

Introduction

“As you empty the heart of self, you must accept the righteousness of Christ. Lay hold of it by faith; for you must have the mind and spirit of Christ, that you may work the works of Christ.” The Review and Herald, February 23, 1892.

1 THE GOSPEL REPEATED IN OUR TIMES

What special truth was given over 100 years ago to prepare God’s people for holiness? Where did it originate? John 17:17; I Thessalonians 5:23.

Note: “The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people. … This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Many had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 91, 92.

“The present message—justification by faith—is a message from God; it bears the divine credentials, for its fruit is unto holiness.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 359.

What truth is essential for our time—and what was required that we might have hope? John 1:29; Romans 5:10; 8:34.

2 THE NEED OF JUSTIFICATION

What truth should each of us individually take to heart—and in what perspective, especially in these last days? Matthew 1:21.

Note: “The third angel’s message calls for the presentation of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and this truth must be brought before the world; but the great center of attraction, Jesus Christ, must not be left out of the third angel’s message.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 383.

“Messages bearing the divine credentials have been sent to God’s people; the glory, the majesty, the righteousness of Christ, full of goodness and truth, have been presented; the fullness of the Godhead in Jesus Christ has been set forth among us with beauty and loveliness, to charm all whose hearts were not closed with prejudice.” The Review and Herald, May 27, 1890.

“The sweetest melodies that come from God through human lips—justification by faith, and the righteousness of Christ—do not call forth from them [many unrepentant church members] a response of love and gratitude. Though the heavenly Merchantman displays before them the richest jewels of faith and love, though He invites them to buy of Him ‘gold tried in the fire,’ and ‘white raiment’ that they may be clothed, and ‘eyesalve’ (Revelation 3:18) that they may see, they steel their hearts against Him and fail to exchange their lukewarmness for love and zeal. While making a profession, they deny the power of godliness. If they continue in this state, God will reject them. They are unfitting themselves to be members of His family.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 426, 427.

What does it mean to welcome Jesus into our heart as a heavenly Guest? Revelation 3:20. What happened when the message of Christ’s righteousness was brought before church leaders in 1888?

Note: “Some who greatly need the precious truth that was presented before them, we fear did not receive its benefit. They did not open the door of their hearts to welcome Jesus as a heavenly Guest, and they have suffered great loss. There is indeed a narrow way in which we must walk; the cross is presented at every step.” The Review and Herald, September 3, 1889.

3 OUR INDIVIDUAL NEED OF THE GOSPEL

What evidence reveals that God will not allow me to depend on others for my salvation? Ezekiel 14:20.

Note: “Character is not transferable. No man can believe for another. No man can receive the Spirit for another. No man can impart to another the character which is the fruit of the Spirit’s working.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 412.

“Let everyone who loves God consider that now while it is day is the time to work. … Now is the time for the careless to arouse from their slumber. Now is the time to entreat that souls shall not only hear the word of God, but without delay secure oil in their vessels with their lamps. That oil is the righteousness of Christ. It represents character, and character is not transferable. No man can secure it for another. Each must obtain for himself a character purified from every stain of sin.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 233, 234.

“It is impossible for one Christian to impart character to another soul.” That I May Know Him, 215.

How do we know that Jesus wants us to serve God with our own individuality? Can we drink the “water of life” for another? Matthew 22:37; John 7:37.

Note: “No one can serve God by proxy. There are so many who seem to think that there is someone in this world stronger than Christ, upon whom they can lean. And instead of coming right to Christ, just as they are, giving themselves unreservedly to Him, they reach out for human help. God wants us to have an individual experience. … I cannot work out a character for you, and you cannot work out a character for me.” Our High Calling, 90.

“The gospel deals with individuals. Every human being has a soul to save or to lose. Each has an individuality separate and distinct from all others. Each must be convicted for himself, converted for himself. He must receive the truth, repent, believe, and obey for himself. He must exercise his will for himself. No one can do this work by proxy. No one can submerge his individuality in another’s. Each must surrender to God by his own act and the mystery of godliness.” Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, 423.

4 CLOSING THE DOOR TO JESUS EQUALS SUICIDE!

What deception were our people warned about in 1893 when the majority believed they were ready for heaven? How is this self-deception repeated today—and might we be affected? Isaiah 58:2–8; Revelation 3:15.

Note: “It is a solemn statement that I make to the church, that not one in twenty whose names are registered upon the church books are prepared to close their earthly history, and would be as verily without God and without hope in the world as the common sinner. They are professedly serving God, but they are more earnestly serving mammon. This half-and-half work is a constant denying of Christ, rather than a confessing of Christ. So many have brought into the church their own unsubdued spirit, unrefined; their spiritual taste is perverted by their own immoral, debasing corruptions, symbolizing the world in spirit, in heart, in purpose, confirming themselves in lustful practices, and are full of deception through and through in their professed Christian life. Living as sinners, claiming to be Christians!” Christian Service, 41.

What will happen to anyone who would spoil heaven by his or her character if he or she were ever allowed to enter there? Matthew 22:12–14.

Note: “In this life many have not entered into fellowship with Christ; therefore they know not the language of heaven, they are strangers to its joy. …

“Saddest of all words that ever fell on mortal ear are those words of doom, ‘I know you not’ (Matthew 25:12). The fellowship of the Spirit, which you have slighted, could alone make you one with the joyous throng at the marriage feast. In that scene you cannot participate. Its light would fall on blinded eyes, its melody upon deaf ears. Its love and joy could awake no chord of gladness in the world-benumbed heart. You are shut out from heaven by your own unfitness for its companionship.

“We cannot be ready to meet the Lord by waking when the cry is heard, ‘Behold, the Bridegroom’ (Matthew 25:6)! and then gathering up our empty lamps to have them replenished. We cannot keep Christ apart from our lives here, and yet be fitted for His companionship in heaven.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 413, 414.

5 GOD’S FINAL MESSAGE TO THE WORLD

How will the knowledge of salvation enlighten the whole world? Revelation 18:1; II Peter 3:12.

Note: “When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 69.

Name some good works that Jesus bids us to use in shining His light on our world. Matthew 5:16; 25:34–40.

Note: “We are to give food to the hungry, clothing to the naked, and shelter to the homeless. And we are called to do more than this. The wants of the soul, only the love of Christ can satisfy. If Christ is abiding in us, our hearts will be full of divine sympathy. The sealed fountains of earnest, Christlike love will be unsealed.

“God calls not only for our gifts for the needy, but for our cheerful countenance, our hopeful words, our kindly handclasp. …

“There are many from whom hope has departed. Bring back the sunshine to them. Many have lost their courage. Speak to them words of cheer. Pray for them. There are those who need the bread of life. Read to them from the word of God. Upon many is a soul sickness which no earthly balm can reach nor physician heal. Pray for these souls, bring them to Jesus. Tell them that there is a balm in Gilead.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 417, 418.

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 What vital message, given to God’s people over 100 years ago, welcomes Jesus into our hearts as a heavenly Guest?

2 Why is this message crucial to the world at this time?

3 Can we reach Heaven just because our parents or friends love Jesus?

4 How may I be in danger of missing Heaven through self-deception?

5 Will I ever enter Heaven if my character does not belong there?

Bible Study Guides – Uplifting the Savior

November 8, 2017 by Reformation Herald Publishing

September 28, 2014 – October 4, 2014

Trusting in the Love of Jesus

Key Text

“Behold the man!” John 19:5.

Study Help: Steps to Christ, 9–15.

Introduction

“The great center of attraction, Jesus Christ, must not be left out of the third angel’s message. By many who have been engaged in the work for this time, Christ has been made secondary, and theories and arguments have had first place.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 383.

1 JESUS OUR SURETY

What act on God’s part demonstrated at the same time both His love for our world and the cost of transgression? John 3:16, 17; II Corinthians 5:21.

Note: “The scheme of redemption far exceeds the comprehension of the human mind. The great condescension on the part of God is a mystery that is beyond our fathoming. The greatness of the plan cannot be fully comprehended, nor could infinite Wisdom devise a plan that would surpass it. …Through this plan the great, the dreadful God can be just, and yet be the justifier of all who believe in Jesus, and who receive Him as their personal Saviour.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, 1133.

What act of Jesus declared beyond doubt the infinite love that He has for each of us? John 15:13; Romans 5:6–8; Ephesians 2:13, 14.

Note: “Oh, wonderful condescension! The Majesty of heaven, through love and pity for fallen man, proposed to become his substitute and surety. He would bear man’s guilt. He would take the wrath of His Father upon Himself, which otherwise would have fallen upon man because of his disobedience.” The Review and Herald, February 24, 1874.

2 OUR FOCUS

What titles in Scripture describe the beauty of Jesus’ character, and what effect will beholding this beauty, have upon us? Song of Solomon 2:1; 5:16; Haggai 2:7.

Note: “With untold love our God has loved us, and our love awakens toward Him as we comprehend something of the length and breadth and depth and height of this love that passeth knowledge. By the revelation of the attractive loveliness of Christ, by the knowledge of His love expressed to us while we were yet sinners, the stubborn heart is melted and subdued.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 76.

Why is it essential for us to keep our eyes focused on Jesus? Compare Numbers 21:8 with John 3:14. Hebrews 7:25.

Note: “Our faith must be an intelligent faith, looking unto Jesus in perfect confidence, in full and entire faith in the atoning Sacrifice. This is essential that the soul may not be enshrouded in darkness.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 256.

“The intercession of Christ in our behalf is that of presenting His divine merits in the offering of Himself to the Father as our substitute and surety; for He ascended up on high to make an atonement for our transgressions. …

“It is the righteousness of Christ that makes the penitent sinner acceptable to God and works his justification. However sinful has been his life, if he believes in Jesus as his personal Saviour, he stands before God in the spotless robes of Christ’s imputed righteousness.

“The sinner so recently dead in trespasses and sins is quickened by faith in Christ. He sees by faith that Jesus is his Saviour, and alive forevermore, able to save unto ‘the uttermost [all] that come unto God by Him’ (Hebrews 7:25). In the atonement made for him the believer sees such breadth and length and height and depth of efficiency—sees such completeness of salvation, purchased at such infinite cost, that his soul is filled with praise and thanksgiving. He sees as in a glass the glory of the Lord and is changed into the same image as by the Spirit of the Lord. He sees the robe of Christ’s righteousness, woven in the loom of heaven, wrought by His obedience, and imputed to the repenting soul through faith in His name.” Faith and Works, 105–107.

3 THE LIGHT OF OUR LIFE

What does it mean for us to have an eye single to God’s glory? Luke 11:34; John 8:12.

Note: “What is it to have a single eye? It is to have a disposition to look upon Christ; for by beholding, we become changed from glory to glory, from character to character.” The Youth’s Instructor, September 14, 1893.

What specific knowledge does God use to bring light into our life? John 1:4, 9; II Corinthians 4:6.
How will beholding the light of God’s glory, as seen in the life of Jesus, help our growth in Him and our commitment to Him? II Corinthians 3:18.

Note: “If we gaze even a moment upon the sun in its meridian glory, when we turn away our eyes, the image of the sun will appear in everything upon which we look. Thus it is when we behold Jesus; everything we look upon reflects His image, the Sun of Righteousness. We cannot see anything else, or talk of anything else. His image is imprinted upon the eye of the soul, and affects every portion of our daily life, softening and subduing our whole nature. By beholding, we are conformed to the divine similitude, even the likeness of Christ. To all with whom we associate we reflect the bright and cheerful beams of His righteousness. …

“Jesus Christ is everything to us—the first, the last, the best in everything. Jesus Christ, His Spirit, His character, colors everything; it is the warp and the woof, the very texture of our entire being. The words of Christ are spirit and life. We cannot, then, center our thoughts upon self; it is no more we that live, but Christ that liveth in us, and He is the hope of glory. Self is dead, but Christ is a living Saviour. Continuing to look unto Jesus, we reflect His image to all around us. We cannot stop to consider our disappointments, or even to talk of them; for a more pleasant picture attracts our sight—the precious love of Jesus. He dwells in us by the word of truth.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 388–390.

4 THE BENEVOLENCE OF JESUS

How did Jesus treat the great variety of human beings He encountered on this earth? Acts 10:38; Matthew 14:14; 15:32.

Note: “Never was there such an evangelist as Christ. He was the Majesty of heaven, but He humbled Himself to take our nature, that He might meet men where they were. To all people, rich and poor, free and bond, Christ, the Messenger of the covenant, brought the tidings of salvation. His fame as the Great Healer spread throughout Palestine. The sick came to the places through which He would pass, that they might call on Him for help. Hither, too, came many anxious to hear His words and to receive a touch of His hand. Thus He went from city to city, from town to town, preaching the gospel and healing the sick—the King of glory in the lowly garb of humanity.” The Ministry of Healing, 22.

Compare the way Jesus treated Judas and Peter? Matthew 16:23; John 13:27; 17:12.
What evidence do we have that He provided equal opportunities to both of these disciples—just as He does for each one of us? John 13:1, 5.

Note: “Jesus connected John, Peter, and Judas with Him in His work, making them co-laborers with Him; but at the same time they were to be constantly learning lessons of Christ. They were to gather from His divine teachings instructions which were to correct their wrong ideas and their erroneous views of what constitutes a Christian character. John and Peter were not perfect men, but they improved every opportunity to learn. Peter did not learn to distrust himself, to be jealous of himself, until he was overcome by the temptations of the devil and denied his Lord. Judas had the same opportunity that these disciples had to learn the lessons taught by Christ, but he did not appreciate their value. He was a hearer only and not a doer. The result was seen in his betrayal of his Lord.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 557.

5 OUR PURPOSE: REFLECTING THE LOVE OF JESUS

Who are we as Christians to represent to the world, and how? Colossians 1:26, 27; I Peter 2:22, 23.

Note: “It is through the word that Christ abides in His followers. This is the same vital union that is represented by eating His flesh and drinking His blood. The words of Christ are spirit and life. Receiving them, you receive the life of the Vine. You live ‘by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God’ (Matthew 4:4). The life of Christ in you produces the same fruits as in Him. Living in Christ, adhering to Christ, supported by Christ, drawing nourishment from Christ, you bear fruit after the similitude of Christ.” The Desire of Ages, 677.

How is our Christian growth and maturity revealed in the way we treat our fellow humans? I Peter 3:8, 9; I John 4:7, 8; Hebrews 13:1–3.

Note: “When the attention is fastened on the cross of Christ, the whole being is ennobled. The knowledge of the Saviour’s love subdues the soul, and lifts the mind above the things of time and sense. Let us learn to estimate all temporal things in the light that shines from the cross. …

“In all true disciples this love, like sacred fire, burns on the altar of the heart. It was on the earth that the love of God was revealed through Jesus. It is on the earth that His children are to let this love shine out through blameless lives. Thus sinners will be led to the cross, to behold the Lamb of God.” The Review and Herald, May 6, 1902.

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 What emphasis should be given to the gospel today?

2 What are some meaningful examples of Christ’s love to men and women?

3 Why is the message of the love and life of Jesus important to me?

4 What does it mean to be a Christian?

5 How can I reflect Christ more fully to those around me?

Recipe – Potato Curry with Peas and Carrots

November 8, 2017 by Anna Schultz

2 Tbpn olive oil

1 cup (or more as needed) water

1 Tbpn hot curry powder

1 tsp salt

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp ground coriander

2 large onions, thinly sliced

1 tspn turmeric

8 oz carrots, thinly sliced

1 ¾ cups frozen peas

4 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch chunks

1 can coconut milk

In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. When hot, add the hot curry powder and stir it around for 30 seconds. Add the onions to the pan and saute’ until they are tender and slightly golden. Then add the carrots, potatoes, and minced garlic. Give it all a good stir, and add about a half-cup each of water and coconut milk. Stir in the turmeric, salts, and coriander. Reduce the heat to low and cover it. Check every so often to stir the pot and check the moisture level. When the moisture is almost all absorbed, add more coconut milk and water, in equal parts. Continue to cook, stir, and add liquid until the vegetables are very tender and the curry is nice and thick. At this point, taste it to check that the spice levels are where you like them. When you are there, stir in the peas and the rest of the coconut milk (and water if necessary), and cook it for another 3 minutes or so, until the peas are heated through and the curry thickens up again. Serve over brown rice. Makes 4 generous servings.

Helpful Hints: The coconut milk, while a delicious, rich and creamy addition, can be replaced with water or a flavorful broth, if desired.