SDA Sabbath School Lesson 3-First Quarter 2015-A Matter of Life and Death

[Wally]

 Lesson 3 *January 10–16

A Matter of Life and Death

Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study: Matt. 5:21–30; Prov. 6:21; Prov. 7:3; Prov. 6:23; Prov. 7:2; Prov. 6:24; Prov. 6:30-31; Prov. 7:26-27.

Memory Text: "For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life" (Proverbs 6:23, NKJV).

Two brothers were left home alone, but given a strict warning by their mother not to eat the cake that she had just baked. To make sure that the boys would obey, she added the threat of punishment.

When she left, it took the boys only a few minutes to decide to eat the cake anyway. "This is not a matter of life and death," they reasoned. "Our mother would never kill us; so, let’s eat!"

For the teacher in Proverbs, though, the issue he speaks about is indeed a matter of life and death. His language is strong and sometimes graphic. Of course, Jesus used very strong language Himself when talking about matters of eternal life and death (see Matt. 5:21–30). And no wonder. In the end, our ultimate destiny, our eternal destiny (and what could be more important than that?), rests upon the choices that we make here now. So we should take the urgency of the strong language at face value.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 17.

Sunday January 11

The Law in Our Life

Read Proverbs 6:21 and 7:3. How are we to understand the bodily images used in these texts regarding how we should relate to God’s law?

As we saw in an earlier lesson, in Proverbs the heart represents the seat of emotions and thoughts. By telling us to bind the law upon our hearts (Prov. 6:21), the teacher means that we should always be in close connection with the law. There is no moment we may lose contact with the law, because the law is what defines sin (Rom. 7:7). The teacher also insists that this law should even be written on the tablets of the heart (Prov. 7:3), just as the Decalogue was written by God on the stone tablets (Exod. 24:12).

To speak about the law written on the heart means that the law is not just an external set of rules imposed on us. The law should penetrate our motivations, our secret intentions, and so be part of our intimate self. It’s another expression of having the Pauline promise of "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col. 1:27) be a reality in our lives.

To tie the law around the neck also means that we should keep it close to ourselves. Ancient people used to tie their precious belongings around their necks. The neck is the place through which air travels to the lungs, allowing breath and life, an association of thoughts that is attested in the Hebrew word nephesh ("soul"), which refers to "life" and is derived from a word meaning "throat" and "breathing."

To bind the law on one’s fingers means to bring the law into the domain of actions. The teacher focuses on the fingers to suggest the most delicate and intimate actions. The law should affect not only the grand choices we make but the smaller ones as well (see Luke 16:10).

Although the biblical intention of these images was purely symbolical, it is noteworthy that these symbols have been taken literally in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions. It is seen through the use of the Jewish tephillin around the head and the fingers, the Christian crosses around the neck, and the Muslim (and Christian) rosaries around the fingers.

Symbols can be helpful, but why must we be careful not to mistake the symbol for the reality it represents?

Monday January 12

Light and Life

Read Proverbs 6:23. How is the law related to "light"?

In the Bible, the word of God or His law has been compared to light: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Ps. 119:105, NKJV). In the Hebrew mind there is a connection between the idea of "law" and of "light." Just as the lamp illuminates the path where we walk, the law will help us stay on track; that is, when we face moral choices it will help us to know what the right choice is, even if at times reason or personal expedience would tempt us to disregard the law.

What examples can you find in the Bible of those who chose to follow God’s law despite powerful reasons not to? What can we learn from their obedience? In what cases, if any, did their choice to be faithful seem to be the wrong one at least from a human perspective?

Along with Proverbs 6:23, read Proverbs 7:2. Why is the law related to "life"?

Since the Fall, our hope for eternal life cannot be found in the law, but only through faith in Christ. However, obedience to the law and the principles it represents continues to play a central part in the life of faith (see Matt. 19:17, Rev. 14:12). We obey because, as the Lord said to Israel thousands of years ago, "I am the LORD your God" (Lev. 18:4). The law of God is related to "life," simply because of who God is — the source of our life. This principle represents true spirituality: we trust God and His promises for our present life, just as we trust His promises for eternal life.

Jesus said: "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12, NKJV). How have you experienced the reality of this wonderful promise in your walk with the Lord?

[Wally]

Tuesday January 13

Fighting Temptation

As we have just seen, the author of Proverbs 6:23, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, directly links light and life to God’s law. In the next verse he gives a solid example of how the law, as light and life, can offer us powerful spiritual protection.

What are we being warned about in Proverbs 6:24? Besides the obvious, what more subtle warning is given here?

When a religious person is tempted, the greatest temptation is to find a religious reason to justify the iniquity. Using God to rationalize bad behavior is not only a terrible form of blasphemy — it’s powerfully deceptive. After all, if someone thinks that "God is with me," then what can you say in reply? This can happen even in cases of adultery. "God has shown me that this [man or woman] is the one I should be with." If that’s what they believe, who or what can trump what "God" has shown them?

Notice, too, it’s not just her physical beauty that lures him. She uses language, flattering words, to draw the victim into her trap. How often have men and women been led into compromising situations by subtle and seductive words, sometimes even couched in religious language? The author of the book of Proverbs seeks to warn us against this deception.

The law is the perfect antidote against the "flattering tongue of a seductress." Only the imperative of the law and the duty of obedience will help us resist her alluring words, which can sound so true and beautiful. Indeed, the seductress will find you not only handsome but also wise and bright. She may even evoke her spiritual needs; and ironically, dangerously, "the love of God" might become the justification for sin.

Just think how easily we can be led, even under the guise of faith, to justify wrong actions of any kind, not just adultery. Why, then, is an absolute commitment to the law of God our only real protection against even our own minds and the tricks that they can play on us?

Wednesday January 14

"You Shall Not Steal"

Right after his warning about adultery (Prov. 6:24–29), the author starts talking about another sin: stealing (Proverbs 6:30-31). The relationship between the two commandments (stealing and adultery) shows how disobedience to one commandment can affect our obedience to the others. The attitude of compromise, to pick and choose in regard to God’s law, could be even more dangerous than complete disobedience to the law. "The strongest bulwark of vice in our world is not the iniquitous life of the abandoned sinner or the degraded outcast; it is that life which otherwise appears virtuous, honorable, and noble, but in which one sin is fostered, one vice indulged. . . . He who, endowed with high conceptions of life and truth and honor, does yet willfully transgress one precept of God’s holy law, has perverted his noble gifts into a lure to sin." — Ellen G. White, Education, p. 150.

Read Proverbs 6:30-31. What are these verses saying about what even a desperate person does?

Poverty and needs do not justify stealing. The thief is guilty even if "he is starving" (Proverbs 6:30, NKJV). Although the starving thief is not to be despised, he must still restore seven times what he has stolen; this shows that even the desperateness of his situation does not justify sin. On the other hand, the Bible insists that it is our duty to meet the needs of the poor, so that they don’t feel compelled to steal in order to survive (Deut. 15:7-8).

How interesting that after going from adultery to stealing, the text now returns to adultery (Prov. 6:32–35). The two sins are indeed somewhat similar. In both cases someone is illicitly taking something that belongs to someone else. A crucial difference, however, between stealing and adultery lies in the fact that the former sin concerns only the loss of an object, while the latter deals with something much greater. In some cases one can make restitution for stealing an object; in the cases of adultery, especially when children are involved, the damage can be much more severe than when stealing is involved.

""Thou shalt not commit adultery." This commandment forbids not only acts of impurity, but sensual thoughts and desires, or any practice that tends to excite them. . . . Christ, who taught the far-reaching obligation of the law of God, declared the evil thought or look to be as truly sin as is the unlawful deed." — Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 308.

[Wally]

Thursday January 15

The Threat of Death

Most people don’t think of death when they sin; they have other things on their minds, usually the immediate gratification and pleasure that they derive from their sin. It doesn’t help, either, that popular culture often extols adultery and other iniquities. In contrast, the book of Proverbs places sin in the right perspective, a view echoed many years later by Paul: "The wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23).

Read Proverbs 7:22-23 (NKJV). What makes the adulterer vulnerable to the threat of death?

The one who goes "after her" is described as someone who has lost his personality and will. He is no longer thinking. The word immediately suggests that he does not give himself time for much reflection. He is compared to an ox who "goes to the slaughter," to a fool who goes to "the correction of the stocks," and to a bird who "hastens to the snare." None of them realize that their life is threatened.

Read Proverbs 7:26-27. What makes the immoral woman lethal?

It’s possible that the woman here depicts more than a "mere" adulterer. In fact, she represents values opposite to wisdom. Solomon uses this metaphor to warn his pupil against any form of evil. The risk is huge, for this woman does not just wound; she kills, and her power is such that she has slain even the strongest of men. In other words, others before you, stronger than you, have not been able to survive in her hands. The universal language of this passage clearly suggests that the biblical author is speaking about humankind in general. (The Hebrew word sheol in the text has nothing to do with "hell," as commonly thought; it designates the place where the dead now are: the grave.)

In the end, the point is that sin, whether adultery or something else, leads to annihilation, the opposite of the eternal life that God wants us all to have through Jesus Christ.

No wonder, as we said in Saturday’s introduction, the language is strong — we are dealing, literally, with matters of life and death.

Think of some "strong" people who have fallen in a big way. Why should this make you tremble for yourself? What is your only protection?

Friday January 16

Further Study: "Satan offers to men the kingdoms of the world if they will yield to him the supremacy. Many do this and sacrifice heaven. It is better to die than to sin; better to want than to defraud; better to hunger than to lie." — Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 495.

"Choose poverty, reproach, separation from friends, or any suffering rather than to defile the soul with sin. Death before dishonor or the transgression of God’s law should be the motto of every Christian. As a people professing to be reformers, treasuring the most solemn, purifying truths of God’s word, we must elevate the standard far higher than it is at the present time." — Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 147.

Discussion Questions:

    How can we be serious about the gravity of sin without falling into the trap of fanaticism? At the same time, how can we be obedient to the law of God without falling into legalism?

    Read Exodus 20:1–17. How are all the Ten Commandments related to each other? Why, if we openly violate one commandment, are we likely to transgress other commandments as well? (See James 2:11.) What examples can you find in which transgression of one commandment has led to the transgression of others?

    Dwell more on the idea of how people might use religion in order to justify wrong actions. It’s not that hard to do, especially if you tend to hold up "love" as the ultimate standard of right and wrong. After all, think about all the bad things done under the pretext of "love." How, then, does the law continue to act as a way of protecting people, either from themselves or others, who might otherwise be led into sin?

    Look again at the question at the end of Sunday’s lesson, which deals with mistaking symbols for reality. How might we do that? For example, how might idolatry be one way of doing this? What traditions, which are symbols of spiritual truths, could be mistaken for those truths themselves?

[Richard Myers]

Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study: Matt. 5:21–30; Prov. 6:21; Prov. 7:3; Prov. 6:23; Prov. 7:2; Prov. 6:24; Prov. 6:30-31; Prov. 7:26-27.

Memory Text: "For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life." Proverbs 6:23

Two brothers were left home alone, but given a strict warning by their mother not to eat the cake that she had just baked. To make sure that the boys would obey, she added the threat of punishment.

When she left, it took the boys only a few minutes to decide to eat the cake anyway. "This is not a matter of life and death," they reasoned. "Our mother would never kill us; so, let’s eat!"

For the teacher in Proverbs, though, the issue he speaks about is indeed a matter of life and death. His language is strong and sometimes graphic. Of course, Jesus used very strong language Himself when talking about matters of eternal life and death (see Matt. 5:21–30).

 5:21   Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 
 5:22   But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 
 5:23   Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 
 5:24   Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 
 5:25   Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 
 5:26   Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. 
 5:27   Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 
 5:28   But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 
 5:29   And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell. 
 5:30   And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell. 

And no wonder. In the end, our ultimate destiny, our eternal destiny (and what could be more important than that?), rests upon the choices that we make here now. So we should take the urgency of the strong language at face value.

In the context of the warning being a matter of life and death, what is the warning to every sinner? For here is where the great deception has been placed.

[Richard Myers]

Sunday January 11

The Law in Our Life

Read Proverbs 6:21 and 7:3.

 6:21   Bind them continually upon thine heart, [and] tie them about thy neck. 
 7:3   Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart. 

How are we to understand the bodily images used in these texts regarding how we should relate to God’s law?

As we saw in an earlier lesson, in Proverbs the heart represents the seat of emotions and thoughts. By telling us to bind the law upon our hearts (Prov. 6:21), the teacher means that we should always be in close connection with the law. There is no moment we may lose contact with the law, because the law is what defines sin (Rom. 7:7). The teacher also insists that this law should even be written on the tablets of the heart (Prov. 7:3), just as the Decalogue was written by God on the stone tablets (Exod. 24:12).

To speak about the law written on the heart means that the law is not just an external set of rules imposed on us. The law should penetrate our motivations, our secret intentions, and so be part of our intimate self. It’s another expression of having the Pauline promise of "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col. 1:27) be a reality in our lives.

To tie the law around the neck also means that we should keep it close to ourselves. Ancient people used to tie their precious belongings around their necks. The neck is the place through which air travels to the lungs, allowing breath and life, an association of thoughts that is attested in the Hebrew word nephesh ("soul"), which refers to "life" and is derived from a word meaning "throat" and "breathing."

To bind the law on one’s fingers means to bring the law into the domain of actions. The teacher focuses on the fingers to suggest the most delicate and intimate actions. The law should affect not only the grand choices we make but the smaller ones as well (see Luke 16:10).

Although the biblical intention of these images was purely symbolical, it is noteworthy that these symbols have been taken literally in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions. It is seen through the use of the Jewish tephillin around the head and the fingers, the Christian crosses around the neck, and the Muslim (and Christian) rosaries around the fingers.

Symbols can be helpful, but why must we be careful not to mistake the symbol for the reality it represents?

I would not say that the heart is a symbol, but reality. We must define the heart then. What is the heart and why is it not a symbol? Another reality is the mind. "Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus." Is this a symbol or reality? Then there is the "carnal mind". Is this a symbol or reality? Abide in me and I in you? Is this symbolic or a reality? Baptism is a symbol, what is the reality?

[Richard Myers]

Monday January 12

Light and Life

Read Proverbs 6:23.

For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.

How is the law related to "light"?

God is light, Satan is darkness. God is Truth, Satan is lies. The law is a revelation of the character of God. Thus, the law is light.

In the Bible, the word of God or His law has been compared to light: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Ps. 119:105. In the Hebrew mind there is a connection between the idea of "law" and of "light." Just as the lamp illuminates the path where we walk, the law will help us stay on track; that is, when we face moral choices it will help us to know what the right choice is, even if at times reason or personal expedience would tempt us to disregard the law.

The law does not help us to stay on track, it tells us what the track is. It is the school master that points us to Christ because we cannot keep it without His help. The law brings condemnation to all who break it. All who are alive unto self and are outside of Christ are under condemnation. There is no good in man until he is converted and reconciled to God.

"For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.  And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death....For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I." Romans 7:9,10,14, 15. 

We must be born again of His Spirit before we come out from under condemnation. "The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." Romans 8:7,8.  In other words, those who are in the flesh, unconverted, have a carnal mind which is at enmity with God. But, when we are reconciled to God by the new birth, we then are partakers of His divine nature and escape the corruption in the world and in our flesh. We are given power to obey the law even though we live in corrupted evil flesh. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1,2.

Christ brings life to all who will abide in Him and He in them.

What examples can you find in the Bible of those who chose to follow God’s law despite powerful reasons not to? What can we learn from their obedience? In what cases, if any, did their choice to be faithful seem to be the wrong one at least from a human perspective?

"Powerful reasons not to"?  There is no reason to not obey God. Only excuses. When Abraham was asked by God to sacrifice his son, he did not look for a reason to not obey. He obeyed. "Powerful reasons" are lies hatched from below by one who we follow until given life by Christ. Then the light is seen in its true context. Then spiritual things are spiritually discerned.

Along with Proverbs 6:23, read Proverbs 7:2.

 6:23   For the commandment [is] a lamp; and the law [is] light; and reproofs of instruction [are] the way of life: 
 7:2   Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. 

Even before conversion, the law of God is a light amid the darkness of lies and deceptions brought into this world by Satan. While the law cannot be kept by the unrepentant sinner, all who have not yet been converted, it is a bright light pointing out that which is good and that which is evil. The sinner who comes into the world as such, has no power to do good, he is aligned with Satan and sin by nature. But, he has not lost his reasoning ability, nor his intelligence. He also has a conscience that can discern right from wrong. As he comes in contact with the Bible or Bible truth, he better understands the morality that all will be held to in the judgment. Again, he has no ability in and of himself to obey this standard of morality until he is born again and filled with the Spirit of God. Only those who love God and keep His commandments will enter into the kingdom of God.

Why is the law related to "life"?

It is the fruit of life in Christ Jesus. Only those who are fully submitted to Christ can keep the law. By nature we are evil and can do no good thing, but in Christ we reveal the law in our character. It is His Spirit working through fallen flesh that is seen in the life of every truly converted Christian.

Since the Fall, our hope for eternal life cannot be found in the law, but only through faith in Christ.

Amen!!

However, obedience to the law and the principles it represents continues to play a central part in the life of faith (see Matt. 19:17, Rev. 14:12). We obey because, as the Lord said to Israel thousands of years ago, "I am the LORD your God" (Lev. 18:4). The law of God is related to "life," simply because of who God is — the source of our life. This principle represents true spirituality: we trust God and His promises for our present life, just as we trust His promises for eternal life.

God is life. We need to focus on what this means to our salvation. The law is a transcript of God's character. It is the only definition of morality. By the law we know what is right and what is wrong. It defines who our God is and what He has promised to make us if we will make a full surrender to Jesus and allow Him to indwell our hearts. "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." 1 John 5:11,12.

Jesus said: "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12. How have you experienced the reality of this wonderful promise in your walk with the Lord?

All who have been converted, experienced the "new birth", have experienced the fulfillment of this promise. It is the gospel message, it is the everlasting covenant. If we will die to self, we shall be given power to walk in the light of God's Truth. He will write His law upon the heart and we shall keep His statutes and His judgments. It is called overcoming sin.

"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother." 1 John 3:4-10

As long as we retain this experience, this new birth, we will continue to partake of God's divine nature and obey from the heart the laws of God that we know of. Beyond that we shall reveal all of the fruits of His Spirit even if we do not know of them.

[Richard Myers]

Tuesday January 13

Fighting Temptation

As we have just seen, the author of Proverbs 6:23, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, directly links light and life to God’s law. In the next verse he gives a solid example of how the law, as light and life, can offer us powerful spiritual protection.

What are we being warned about in Proverbs 6:24? "To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman." 

Besides the obvious, what more subtle warning is given here?

When a religious person is tempted, the greatest temptation is to find a religious reason to justify the iniquity.

Yes, there are many excuses made for sin, when there is no excuse. Many many believe that they can sin and still retain salvation. Is this not making an excuse for sin?  Many many do not think so. But, the truth is and always has been, the wages of sin is death. How much sin? Just one sin. A large or little sin? Either is sin and the wages of sin is death. We may possess eternal life today, but not if we sin. We can regain life, but sin reveals a separation between God and man. If we do not have Christ, we do not have life. If we have not His Spirit, we are none of His (Romans 8:9). Do you hear this being taught? I do not. Therefore, many will think this incorrect or even fanatical. Read the verse in context and you cannot help but see the truth.

Using God to rationalize bad behavior is not only a terrible form of blasphemy — it’s powerfully deceptive. After all, if someone thinks that "God is with me," then what can you say in reply? This can happen even in cases of adultery. "God has shown me that this [man or woman] is the one I should be with." If that’s what they believe, who or what can trump what "God" has shown them?

Not much. They are often deceived about the character of God and are following what they believe to be God when in fact they are going contrary to what God has explicitly revealed in His Word. But, they do not want to hear this. God has spoken to them personally.   It is an independent spirit that allows for this refusal to listen to others when they come with counsel from Scripture.

Notice, too, it’s not just her physical beauty that lures him. She uses language, flattering words, to draw the victim into her trap. How often have men and women been led into compromising situations by subtle and seductive words, sometimes even couched in religious language? The author of the book of Proverbs seeks to warn us against this deception.

Yes, when one comes bearing Scripture it leads those who are not grounded but looking for truth into deep trouble if they are not looking at the character of the teacher and then comparing the teaching to Scripture to see if it is correct.

The law is the perfect antidote against the "flattering tongue of a seductress." Only the imperative of the law and the duty of obedience will help us resist her alluring words, which can sound so true and beautiful. Indeed, the seductress will find you not only handsome but also wise and bright. She may even evoke her spiritual needs; and ironically, dangerously, "the love of God" might become the justification for sin.

The law cannot help us resist temptation. The only power that can overcome temptation is the grace of God. We must be reconciled to God before we can do any good thing for the right reason. The lack of understanding this keeps many from seeking Christ as Savior. But, think about it for a moment. Can you really resist sin if you are not fully surrendered to Christ? It may appear that you are obedient just as Paul thought he kept the law perfectly before he met Christ on the road to Damascus. We all can look good if given the right circumstances, but Paul came to understand that apart from Christ he was a slave to sin and did that which he did not want to do and did not do that which he ought to do. ARe you different from Saul? Can you keep the law of God from the heart even though your heart is carnal?

Just think how easily we can be led, even under the guise of faith, to justify wrong actions of any kind, not just adultery. Why, then, is an absolute commitment to the law of God our only real protection against even our own minds and the tricks that they can play on us?

We can make all of the commitments we want, and they will not protect us from sin.  Why not? God has made a promise to us. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Cor. 10:13. When we sin, it appears that the promise has failed. Is that the case. Are some of God's promises not sure? Why do we sin when God has promised to keep us from sin? At baptism we made a commitment to not sin, but it appears that for most of us, that commitment has not been kept. What is the problem? What are we missing when we are fighting temptation?

[Richard Myers]

Wednesday January 14

"You Shall Not Steal"

 6:24   To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. 
 6:25   Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. 
 6:26   For by means of a whorish woman [a man is brought] to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. 
 6:27   Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? 
 6:28   Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? 
 6:29   So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent. 
 6:30   [Men] do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry; 
 6:31   But [if] he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house. 

Right after his warning about adultery (Prov. 6:24–29), the author starts talking about another sin: stealing (Proverbs 6:30-31). The relationship between the two commandments (stealing and adultery) shows how disobedience to one commandment can affect our obedience to the others. The attitude of compromise, to pick and choose in regard to God’s law, could be even more dangerous than complete disobedience to the law. "The strongest bulwark of vice in our world is not the iniquitous life of the abandoned sinner or the degraded outcast; it is that life which otherwise appears virtuous, honorable, and noble, but in which one sin is fostered, one vice indulged. . . . He who, endowed with high conceptions of life and truth and honor, does yet willfully transgress one precept of God’s holy law, has perverted his noble gifts into a lure to sin." — Ellen G. White, Education, p. 150.

Read Proverbs 6:30-31. What are these verses saying about what even a desperate person does?

Poverty and needs do not justify stealing. The thief is guilty even if "he is hungry" (Proverbs 6:30). Although the starving thief is not to be despised, he must still restore seven times what he has stolen; this shows that even the desperateness of his situation does not justify sin. On the other hand, the Bible insists that it is our duty to meet the needs of the poor, so that they don’t feel compelled to steal in order to survive (Deut. 15:7-8).

How interesting that after going from adultery to stealing, the text now returns to adultery (Prov. 6:32–35). The two sins are indeed somewhat similar. In both cases someone is illicitly taking something that belongs to someone else. A crucial difference, however, between stealing and adultery lies in the fact that the former sin concerns only the loss of an object, while the latter deals with something much greater. In some cases one can make restitution for stealing an object; in the cases of adultery, especially when children are involved, the damage can be much more severe than when stealing is involved.

No, it is much more severe. Saying I am sorry is not good enough when one has broken the seventh commandment even when no children are involved. When children are involved, pity all involved, most especially the pastors who have illegally married those who have no Bible support for remarriage. God hates divorce, yet has allowed it when the marriage bed has been defiled. That speaks much as to how God looks at adultery.

"'Thou shalt not commit adultery.' This commandment forbids not only acts of impurity, but sensual thoughts and desires, or any practice that tends to excite them. . . . Christ, who taught the far-reaching obligation of the law of God, declared the evil thought or look to be as truly sin as is the unlawful deed." — Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 308.

Amen, but it does not allow for divorce as some have taught. Let's take a look a the the complete statement. For some reason, part of it was left out. "This commandment forbids not only acts of impurity, but sensual thoughts and desires, or any practice that tends to excite them. Purity is demanded not only in the outward life but in the secret intents and emotions of the heart. Christ, who taught the far-reaching obligation of the law of God, declared the evil thought or look to be as truly sin as is the unlawful deed." Too much for most to bear?  Yes, few will agree with the statement. Obedience is demanded "in the secret intents and emotions of the heart."

Last week we spent considerable time in addressing the subject of "the heart". The teaching on this has been a snare to many. It is why so many reject the above statement that the heart must be pure and holy before we can enter heaven. It is not good enough to not sin outwardly, we must not sin by a thought or look. When we do, it reveals a separation between God and man.

Until man is born of the Spirit, allows Jesus through the Spirit to take possession of "the heart", he remains at enmity (opposed to) with God and has no enmity (opposition) towards Satan or sin. In other words, he is aligned with evil because man's nature is evil. That which is born of the flesh is flesh. In other words, flesh is selfish which is evil, and can do no good thing. Read Romans seven if you want to better understand our evil flesh (fallen nature). God has provided a remedy that can keep that flesh under at all times. It is the Spirit of Christ indwelling the heart. Then the mind and heart are no longer "carnal". We then have the "mind of Christ" and possess a "new heart" which has been purified by the blood of Christ.

But, that is a symbol. The blood of Jesus is not poured upon our hearts, what is the reality? What does the blood of Christ do that changes the heart of man? Yes, the blood of Christ makes an atonement for our sins, that is not a symbol. The symbol for the atonement was the blood of the lambs that were slain by Israel. The blood of animals was to teach of the sufferings and death of Christ (slain blood) which atones for our sins when we allow it to. But, the blood cannot atone for our sins unless we make a full surrender to Jesus and are changed. Our lesson deals with how we can be changed. When reading what Jesus said to Nicodemus we find a direct statement that applies to our lesson. After telling Nicodemus he must be converted, Jesus did not leave him without knowledge of what he must do in  order to be born again.

Some who are reading this will find it opposed to what they have been taught. Take time to go study this for yourself. The seeds of error must be uprooted that the truth may find entrance into the heart. The heart must be purified, and that happens at conversion. It is the grace of God that cleanses the heart when the new birth takes place. This is directly contrary to most of what is written in the books coming off our presses and what is being preached in our pulpits. It is important to understand that it was taken out of the quote in today's lesson. Those who study the Sabbath School lesson with us understand, else they would not continue to do so. But, think about those who are not. Most remain in a serious state of deception. Take advantage of the truth revealed in today's lesson. Share in your Sabbath School class this coming Sabbath the portion left out of the lesson. Do not be fearful, it is not the messenger that is at fault. It is God's truth and those who rise up against it are at fault. Plant the good Seed and let God water It.

[Richard Myers]

I was listening to Family Radio this morning. The preacher was teaching on salvation. He was explaining that only those who were on the ark were saved. He was telling us that only those who are in Christ are saved. He went on to say that even though there are many with very good character, unless they are in Christ the ark, they will be lost. And even though there are many whose characters are defective, if they are in the ark, they will be saved. Here we see the evangelical gospel being proclaimed. There is no acknowledgement that the life must be changed, that the heart must be purified. To the contrary, he explicitly stated that the character defects make no difference, as long as one is in the ark. He went on to say that if we believe we will be in the ark. If we do not believe we will not be in the ark. If we are in Christ, we will be saved. If we are outside of Christ, we will be lost.

This is the great error within professing Christianity. Just believe, and be saved. There is no understanding that the heart must be purified from sin. There is no proper teaching on what it means to be in Christ. Or to have Christ in you, the hope of glory. Just believe, and you will be saved in the ark. But, we have been told that the Devils believe, and tremble (James 2:19). The truth is that in order to be in Christ, we must believe with all of the heart, not just part of it. There is no greater sin than unbelief. Phillip explained to the Ethiopian that in order to be baptized he must give his whole heart to Christ. There is no room for "unbelief" in the heart of the Christian. "And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Acts 8:37.

The thought that we become partakers of God's divine nature at conversion is not taught, or that when we sin, God does not remember our profession of faith and all of the good we have done. "When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby." Ezekiel 33:18. The wages of sin is turned into a lie and one may remain filthy and be on the Ark, in Jesus Christ. Listen to Paul contradict this false gospel in his epistle to the Romans.

 8:1   [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 
 8:2   For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 
 8:3   For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 
 8:4   That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 
 8:5   For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 
 8:6   For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace. 
 8:7   Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 
 8:8   So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 
 8:9   But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 
 8:10   And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. 
 8:11   But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
 8:12   Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 
 8:13   For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 
 8:14   For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 

We can go on and on explaining that at conversion, we are born of His Spirit and are given power to cease sinning. We must maintain that connection with Christ or we cannot resist the smallest temptation to sin. We must have Christ enthroned upon the heart in order to be "in Christ" so that the heart is purified and we are partakers of His divine nature. "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:4.

Shall God's people deny the power of grace to transform the life....at conversion? If so, then there is no protection against sin and we shall be deceived as to who it is that is in a Laodicean condition, and lost. If we do not know that we are miserable, wretched, poor, blind, and naked, then why would we seek out a Savior? Such a deception for those called by the name of Jesus. Especially when we are given such precious promises. "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.    And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."   Ezekiel 36:25-27 1 Corinthians 10:13.

God gave a message to Israel so that they would understand, and that message is just as important in our day."Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked [man] shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again, When a righteous [man] doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous [man], that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul." Ezekiel 3:17-21.

[Richard Myers]

Thursday January 15

The Threat of Death

Most people don’t think of death when they sin; they have other things on their minds, usually the immediate gratification and pleasure that they derive from their sin. It doesn’t help, either, that popular culture often extols adultery and other iniquities. In contrast, the book of Proverbs places sin in the right perspective, a view echoed many years later by Paul: "The wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23).

That is because they have been deceived and do not think of themselves as being dead in trespasses and sins. They do not believe that one little sin reveals they do not have eternal life. Many believe they do not lose their justification for life when they sin. It is the common false gospel being preached throughout professing Christianity. One little sin does not cause one to lose their salvation. They have life when they sin. There are many reasons why they make excuses for their sin, but there are none. If we have Christ, we have life. If we do not have Christ, we do not have life. So, one may quote this with a straight face, yet deny the truth. They believe they can have Christ and sin a known sin.

Read Proverbs 7:22-23.

 7:22   He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; 
 7:23   Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it [is] for his life. 

What makes the adulterer vulnerable to the threat of death?

The one who goes "after her" is described as someone who has lost his personality and will. He is no longer thinking. The word immediately suggests that he does not give himself time for much reflection. He is compared to an ox who "goes to the slaughter," to a fool who goes to "the correction of the stocks," and to a bird who "hastens to the snare." None of them realize that their life is threatened.

Read Proverbs 7:26-27.

 7:26   For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong [men] have been slain by her. 
 7:27   Her house [is] the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

What makes the immoral woman lethal?

It’s possible that the woman here depicts more than a "mere" adulterer. In fact, she represents values opposite to wisdom. Solomon uses this metaphor to warn his pupil against any form of evil. The risk is huge, for this woman does not just wound; she kills, and her power is such that she has slain even the strongest of men. In other words, others before you, stronger than you, have not been able to survive in her hands. The universal language of this passage clearly suggests that the biblical author is speaking about humankind in general. (The Hebrew word sheol in the text has nothing to do with "hell," as commonly thought; it designates the place where the dead now are: the grave.)

In the end, the point is that sin, whether adultery or something else, leads to annihilation, the opposite of the eternal life that God wants us all to have through Jesus Christ.

Let's be more accurate. Sin reveals that we are abiding in death. Unless we have Christ, we are under condemnation. Unless we are born of His Spirit, we walk in the flesh and are condemned (Romans 8:1). One little sin reveals that we are not born of His Spirit. If we were born of His Spirit, we would manifest the fruits of His Spirit. "So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Romans 8:8,9.

No wonder, as we said in Saturday’s introduction, the language is strong — we are dealing, literally, with matters of life and death.

Think of some "strong" people who have fallen in a big way. Why should this make you tremble for yourself? What is your only protection?

Is it not an amazing thing to read such good counsel, and to know that it only helps to continue the great deception that one may sin and retain eternal life? It is not the "strong" people that have fallen in "a big way" that ought to concern us, but it is the vast majority of the church who believe they are converted and "in Christ" when in fact the "little" sins reveal they are greatly deceived. Yes, it is a matter of life and death. We ought to tremble when we understand who we are and that by nature we are evil and can do no good thing apart from Christ. But, sadly, we have been led to think more highly of ourselves than we ought. We are slaves to sin unless we are fully surrendered to Jesus. The moment we allow our minds to separate from Jesus, we have no power to do any good thing. If we think we can do good apart from a full heart surrender to Jesus, we are as the one spoken of in Proverbs 7:22 and 23. He "knoweth not that it is for his life."

[Richard Myers]

Good morning, afternoon, or g'day to our down under friends where it is already the Sabbath.

As we finish this week's lesson, let us keep Jesus at the center and the work that He is doing in the church today. Jesus is coming soon and He wants us to be ready.


Friday January 16

Further Study: "Satan offers to men the kingdoms of the world if they will yield to him the supremacy. Many do this and sacrifice heaven. It is better to die than to sin; better to want than to defraud; better to hunger than to lie." — Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 495.

As I have been attempting to point out, this applies to not just the homosexual or drug addict, but to the proud and impatient as well. Sin is sin and one sin, eating the food that was forbidden, reveals a separation between the professing Christian and God. We are told it is better to die than to sin. Yet, how many have reached this understanding? They why do we sin? The statement was made so that we would believe it, not just forget what was said.

"Choose poverty, reproach, separation from friends, or any suffering rather than to defile the soul with sin. Death before dishonor or the transgression of God’s law should be the motto of every Christian. As a people professing to be reformers, treasuring the most solemn, purifying truths of God’s word, we must elevate the standard far higher than it is at the present time." — Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 147.

Is this your covenant with God? Have you come to understand this is the truth? Are you willing to offend friend rather than God? Are you a reformer or are you just coasting along as a Laodicean who is blind to his situation (lost), and does not see his continual need of Jesus? If we do not have Christ, we are none of His and His promise to keep us from temptation cannot be fulfilled. We must abide in Him and He in us if we want to resist the smallest temptation to sin.

Discussion Questions:

    How can we be serious about the gravity of sin without falling into the trap of fanaticism?

And what is "fanaticism"? Why is it that this is the second time the term has been used without saying what it is? The road to heaven is narrow, but few are willing to believe it. They think the road they are on will allow them to enter heaven without being changed, transformed into His image. If one comes along and says that one sin (known sin) unconfessed and unforsaken will not be covered by the righteousness of Christ and will keep us from heaven, he is a fanatic. Well....let us see if this is so.

"But of the fruit of the tree which [is] in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die." Genesis 3:3.

This is the truth. Now, many will say that this does not apply to us today. It is true for most because they are already dead in trespasses and sin. But, for those who are abiding in Christ and have eternal life, it is true. We will not die immediately, but is true that if we sin, we will not have eternal life, only temporal life which is temporary. The wages of one sin is death. It is only because of the grace of God that Adam did not die immediately and we do not also. But, separated from God, we would die if not for the period of probation we are granted in which we may learn of the love and power of God and be transformed by it. A profession of faith saves none, it is a new heart that we must obtain and that which God has promised if we will come to Him just as we are and allow Him to change us, to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

"Those who in their actions pervert the grand principles of His holy law are under condemnation, for the righteousness of Christ cannot cover one unconfessed sin. The law has been lightly regarded. 'Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.' We must obey God's law, if we are loyal to Him and accepted by Him."  17MR 241.

"No sooner did Zacchaeus yield to the influence of the Holy Spirit than he cast aside every practice contrary to integrity. No repentance is genuine that does not work reformation. The righteousness of Christ is not a cloak to cover unconfessed and unforsaken sin. . . . Every converted soul will, like Zacchaeus, signalize the entrance of Christ into his heart by an abandonment of the unrighteous practices that have marked his life. Like the chief publican, he will give proof of his sincerity by making restitution. . . ." CC 302. 

Fanatical indeed! It is unbelief in what is written that is the problem. Shall we look at a thousand verses in the Bible that tell us the same thing, or will we be content with just two sections taken in context that will cause us to study the Bible for ourselves instead of looking to the wisdom of man?

The first section is from 1 John, chapter three. I present this in context so you may understand it to be truth, not some twisted "fanatical" interpretation made to deceive.

 3:1   Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 
 3:2   Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 
 3:3   And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 
 3:4   Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 
 3:5   And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 
 3:6   Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 
 3:7   Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 
 3:8   He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 
 3:9   Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 
 3:10   In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. 


The second is likewise presented in context so that you will see for yourself that it is truth. They are the Words of our Lord, taken from the Book of Matthew.

 7:13   Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 
 7:14   Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 
 7:15   Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 
 7:16   Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 
 7:17   Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 
 7:18   A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 
 7:19   Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 
 7:20   Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 
 7:21   Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 
 7:22   Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 
 7:23   And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 
 7:24   Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 
 7:25   And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 
 7:26   And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 
 7:27   And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 

When souls are converted their salvation is not yet accomplished. They then have the race to run; the arduous struggle is before them to do, what? "To fight the good fight of faith," to press forward to the mark for the prize of the high calling which is in Christ Jesus. There is no release in this warfare; the battle is lifelong, and must be carried forward with determined energy proportionate to the value of the object you are in pursuit of, which is eternal life. Immense interests are here involved. We are made partakers of Christ's divine nature in this life if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.

The promise is, "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape." We cannot afford to become discouraged and cast away our confidence. The Lord loves you, trust in the Lord. The Lord Jesus is our only hope. We must encourage ourselves to believe and to trust in God. In the Lord we have righteousness and strength. Lean upon Him, and through His power you may quench all the fiery darts of the adversary and come off more than conqueror.


At the same time, how can we be obedient to the law of God without falling into legalism?

The answer is always the same, we need Jesus. If we have Christ, we are not legalists. If we do not have Christ, we are none of His (Romans 8:9).

    Read Exodus 20:1–17.

 20:1   And God spake all these words, saying, 
 20:2   I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 
 20:3   Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 
 20:4   Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth: 
 20:5   Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me; 
 20:6   And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. 
 20:7   Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. 
 20:8   Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 
 20:9   Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 
 20:10   But the seventh day [is] the sabbath of the LORD thy God: [in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that [is] within thy gates: 
 20:11   For [in] six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them [is], and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. 
 20:12   Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. 
 20:13   Thou shalt not kill. 
 20:14   Thou shalt not commit adultery. 
 20:15   Thou shalt not steal. 
 20:16   Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 
 20:17   Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's. 
How are all the Ten Commandments related to each other? Why, if we openly violate one commandment, are we likely to transgress other commandments as well? (See James 2:11.)

That is an incorrect statement. If we violate one commandment, then we are not abiding in Christ and cannot keep any of the commandments. That would be the work of the Pharisee to keep the law without having grace in the heart. It is not correct to say we are likely to transgress the others. We will violate all of them. "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." James 2:10.

What examples can you find in which transgression of one commandment has led to the transgression of others?

The greatest example of this is the murder of the Son of God. What sins led to this most horrible of sins?

    Dwell more on the idea of how people might use religion in order to justify wrong actions. It’s not that hard to do, especially if you tend to hold up "love" as the ultimate standard of right and wrong.

Love is the ultimate standard of right and wrong. The ten commandments is the law from which hang all laws. And when we study them, we see that they are the ultimate standard of love. If we love God we will follow the first four commandments. If we love our neighbor, will we violate one of the last six? God is love and the ten commandments are a transcript of His character. All who love Him and their neighbor will keep the law of God. "Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:12.

After all, think about all the bad things done under the pretext of "love."

God loves me and will not keep me out of heaven just because I have not been changed into His character. Thereby justifying sin. 

How, then, does the law continue to act as a way of protecting people, either from themselves or others, who might otherwise be led into sin?

The law is a mirror that we may know we are evil by nature and in need of a Savior. The law reveals we are not loving as we think we are. The law reveals our selfishness. The law prescribes a penalty for transgression, thus protecting others. The law is the standard of love by which all will be judged. Either we love God and our neighbor or we don't. There is no half way. Sin is the transgression of that law of love and reveals our fallen nature. Unless we allow Christ to indwell us, we have no power to do any good thing. "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. Are you an exception? Can you cleanse yourself and do good without making a full surrender to Jesus? Can a blind man see? Are you in a Laodicean condition? Or have we seen our sinfulness and our need of Jesus and gone to Him for help? He is drawing all men unto Himself. He loves us and gave Himself for us. Why would we continue to resist that love?

    Look again at the question at the end of Sunday’s lesson, which deals with mistaking symbols for reality. How might we do that? For example, how might idolatry be one way of doing this? What traditions, which are symbols of spiritual truths, could be mistaken for those truths themselves?

Sadly, baptism has become to many salvation when in fact it was to be a symbol of what had already taken place. It has created a lot of difficulties in the church since many have not died to self. They were not converted by baptism. Yet, because we baptize new members, we treat them as if they were truly converted Christians. They vote in church meetings, they preach and teach in the church. Ordination is a similar situation. We believe that since someone was ordained they were called of God, but that is not always the case. The symbol is only a symbol even though the church has made is a reality. Many who have been ordained were only called by the church, not by God. Thus, we sadly have the blind leading the blind. Many who are called by the church to baptize are baptizing those who are not converted any more than themselves.

"The new birth is a rare experience in this age of the world. This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the churches. Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy. They have been baptized, but they were buried alive. Self did not die, and therefore they did not rise to newness of life in Christ." Volume 6, The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, pg. 1075.

Sin and salvation is a matter of "life and death" as this week's lesson points out. Do we want to live or are we content in wasting the opportunity God has given us in this our time of probation? If we want to have peace in this life and spend eternity with Jesus, then how can we be saved? Jesus says it best. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matthew 11:28, 29.

All who would work for the Master must submit to the yoke of Christ. This submission involves self-sacrifice and entire consecration of body, soul, and spirit. As we learn of Christ, His meekness and lowliness, we will find that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Time is precious. The destiny of souls is in the balance. At infinite cost a way of salvation has been provided. Shall Christ’s great sacrifice be in vain? Shall the earth be entirely controlled by satanic agencies? The mercy of God is shown by His long forbearance. He is holding back His judgments, waiting for the message of warning to be sounded to all. There are many who have not yet heard the testing truths for this time. The last call of mercy is to be given more fully to our world.

The terrible condition of the world today would indicate that apparently the death of Christ has been almost in vain, that Satan has triumphed. The great majority of the earth’s inhabitants belong to Satan’s kingdom.

By the fragrance of our speech and the nobility of our characters, let us make it clear that in the great conflict between good and evil we are on the side of Christ. Let us express our faith in the triumph of the cross of Calvary. Let us rightly represent our Lord and Savior. How can we do this? By beholding we become changed into His image (2 Cor. 3:18).

It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His great sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His Spirit. If we would be saved at last, we must learn the lesson of penitence and humiliation at the foot of the cross. As we associate together, we may be a blessing to one another. If we are Christ's, our sweetest thoughts will be of Him. We shall love to talk of Him; and as we speak to one another of His love, our hearts will be softened by divine influences. Beholding the beauty of His character, we shall be "changed into the same image from glory to glory." Amen!

Have a blessed Sabbath, dear brothers and sisters.