SDA Sabbath School Lesson 8--3rd Quarter 2017--From Slaves to Heirs

[Richard Myers]

Lesson 8       August 12-18

From Slaves to Heirs

Commentary in Navy                  Inspiration in Maroon

Sabbath Afternoon


Read for This Week’s Study: Gal. 3:26-4:20; Rom. 6:1-11; Heb. 2:14-18; 4:14, 15; Rom. 9:4, 5.

Memory Verse: “Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” Galatians 4:7

Paul tells the Galatians that they should not live and act as slaves but as the sons and daughters of God, with all the rights and privileges thereof — a truth that the young Martin Luther needed to hear. As his convictions of sin deepened, the young man sought by his own works to obtain pardon and peace. He led a most rigorous life, endeavoring by fasting, vigils, and scourgings to subdue the evils of his nature, from which the monastic life had brought no release. He shrank from no sacrifice by which he might attain to that purity of heart which would enable him to stand approved before God. He was, he had said later, a pious monk who strictly followed the rules of his order, and yet he found no peace within. “If ever monk could obtain heaven by his monkish works, I should certainly have been entitled to it.” Yet it didn’t work for him.

Only as he later began to understand the truth about salvation in Christ, as revealed in the Galatians, did he ever start to have any kind of spiritual freedom and hope for his own soul. As a result, too, our world has never been the same.

Yes, Martin Luther was a man for his time. But, we do not study Martin Luther, we study the Bible. Many are led into error by studying the words of man. The true teacher sent of God points sinners to Christ and His Word. When we find teachers who teach the truth, we do not quote them, we quote Scripture as they quote Scripture. We stand with them and recognize them as sent of God, but we do not quote them when we teach the truth.

The church of today has moved far beyond where Martin Luther was. The light has increased ever so much. Those who study the writings of church fathers will be influenced by the error they taught. Study the Words of Jesus and the inspired truth given through the prophets. This is our only safety.

Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, August 19.

[Richard Myers]

Sunday August 13

Our Condition in Christ (Gal. 3:26-29)

Keeping Galatians 3:25 in mind, read Galatians 3:26.

 3:25   But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 
 3:26   For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 

How does this text help us understand what our relationship to the law is, now that we have been redeemed by Jesus?

The word "for," at the beginning of verse 26, indicates that Paul sees a direct connection between this verse and the preceding one. In the same way that a master’s son was under a pedagogue only as long as he was a minor, Paul is saying that those who come to faith in Christ are no longer minors; their relationship with the law is changed because they are now adult “sons” of God.

The term son is not, of course, exclusive to males; Paul clearly includes females in this category (Gal 3:28). The reason he uses the word sons instead of children is that he has in mind the family inheritance that was passed on to the male offspring, along with the fact that the phrase “sons of God” was the special designation of Israel in the Old Testament (Deut. 14:1, Hos. 11:1). In Christ, Gentiles now also enjoy the special relationship with God that had been exclusive to Israel.

What is it about baptism that makes it such a significant event? Gal. 3:27, 28; Rom. 6:1-11; 1 Pet. 3:21.
Paul’s use of the word for in verse 27 indicates once again the close logical development of his reasoning. Paul sees baptism as a radical decision to unite our lives with Christ. In Romans 6, he describes baptism symbolically as our uniting with Jesus, both in His death and resurrection. In Galatians, Paul employs a different metaphor: baptism is the act of being clothed with Christ. Paul’s terminology is reminiscent of wonderful passages in the Old Testament that talk about being clothed with righteousness and salvation (see Isa. 61:10, Job 29:14). “Paul views baptism as the moment when Christ, like a garment, envelops the believer. Although he does not employ the term, Paul is describing the righteousness which is conferred upon believers.” — Frank J. Matera, Galatians (Collegeville, Minn.: The Liturgical Press, 1992), p. 145.

Interesting use of the word "conferred". This is a typical Evangelical teaching that denies the radical transformation of character that comes with the new birth. When the Spirit takes possession of the heart, He brings with Him a righteousness that is imparted to the repentant sinner. Conferred is indeed "given", but it does not put an end to the false gospel being taught by so many. Conferred can be imputed or imparted. We need to express that both come, not at baptism, but when the repentant sinner makes a full surrender of His heart to Jesus.

Baptism is a symbol of the new life wherein self has died and a new creature comes forth when the repentant sinner comes forth from the water cleansed from all sin. Though his sins were as scarlet, his heart is then white as snow (Isaiah 1:18) .

Our union with Christ symbolized through baptism means that what is true of Christ also is true of us. Because Christ is the “seed” of Abraham, as “joint-heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:17), believers also are heirs to all the covenant promises made to Abraham and his descendants.

Dwell on this thought that what is true of Christ is also true of us. How should this amazing truth affect every aspect of our existence?

When man comes into this world, he is separated from God and in need of a Savior. Even filled with the Spirit, he still needs to be converted. We inherit Adam's fallen nature which is evil. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit." John 3:6. We must be born of the Spirit.  The everlasting covenant is the promise that God will allow His Son to suffer and die in our place that we may have the opportunity to be born again. We do not automatically inherit a new heart. It comes when we love God with the whole heart. And, in order to keep the promise made, we must continue to love God with the whole heart. What is the first of all the commandments? "And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:    And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second [is] like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:29-31.

We cannot be born again until we keep the first commandment. We cannot keep the second until we are converted. Interesting is it not? Is keeping the first commandment being saved by works? Not at all. If we think we are saved by keeping the second commandment, we have been deceived. We cannot love our neighbor until we are converted. It is the fruit of conversion, but not so with the keeping of the first commandment. What is the difference?

[Richard Myers]

Monday August 14

Enslaved to Elementary Principles

Having just compared our relationship to God with that of sons and heirs, Paul now elaborates on this metaphor by including the theme of inheritance in Galatians 4:1-3. Paul’s terminology evokes a situation in which an owner of a large estate has died, leaving all his property to his oldest son. His son, however, is still a minor. As is often the case with wills even today, the father’s will stipulates that his son is to be under the supervision of guardians and managers until he reaches maturity. Though he is master of his father’s estate by title, as a minor he is little more than a slave in practice.

Paul’s analogy is similar to that of the pedagogue in Galatians 3:24, but in this case the power of the stewards and managers is far superior and much more important. They are responsible not only for the upbringing of the master’s son, but they are also in charge of all the financial and administrative affairs until the son is mature enough to assume those duties himself.

Read Galatians 4:1-3.

 4:1   Now I say, [That] the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 
 4:2   But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. 
 4:3   Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 

What is Paul saying there that, again, should help clarify what the role of the law should be in our lives, now that we are in Christ?
Exactly what Paul means by the phrase “elementary principles” (Gal. 4:3, 8, ESV) is disputed. The Greek word stoicheia literally means “elements.” Some have seen it as a description of the basic elements that compose the universe (2 Pet. 3:10, 12); or as demonic powers that control this evil age (Col. 2:15); or as the rudimentary principles of religious life, the ABC’s of religion (Heb. 5:12). Paul’s emphasis on humanity’s status as “minors” before the coming of Christ (Gal. 4:1-3) suggests that he is referring here to the rudimentary principles of religious life. If so, Paul is saying that the Old Testament period, with its laws and sacrifices, was merely a gospel primer that outlined the basics of salvation. Thus, as important and instructional as the ceremonial laws were to Israel, they were only shadows of what was to come. They never were intended to take the place of Christ.

To regulate one’s life around these rules instead of Christ is like wanting to go back in time. For the Galatians to return to those basic elements after Christ had already come was like the adult son in Paul’s analogy wanting to be a minor again!

While a childlike faith can be positive (Matt. 18:3), is it necessarily the same thing as spiritual maturity? Or could you argue that the more you grow spiritually, the more childlike your faith will be? How childlike and “innocent” and trusting is your faith?

No, these verses do not allow for the child to have life. The lesson today is entitled Enslaved to Elementary Principles. Paul speaks of them thusly: "When we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world." Then he calls the child a servant. "....a child, differeth nothing from a servant." And Paul contrasts a servant with a son who has salvation. "Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." 4:7. 

Paul is teaching that until we are freed from the bondage of sin, set free by the redeeming love of Christ, we do not have eternal life. He is setting the stage for the following verse that reveals the loss of salvation by those Galatians that have returned to their previous state. "But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?"  4:9.

Notice again that Paul talks about "elements" and "bondage" and a return to where they had been before they were redeemed.

What is Paul teaching? He is preaching the gospel of grace. His burden was to reach those who thought they could merit salvation by their good deeds. He was one of them and had killed in order to prove his faithfulness to God. He understood the false gospel and was sickened that after beginning a good work with the Galatians Satan had made a breech and had brought that hated doctrine into the church he had raised up. He is fighting against salvation by works. He is pointing the Galatians to Jesus Christ and the work of the Spirit in setting them free from the bondage of sin.

[Richard Myers]

Tuesday August 15

“God Sent Forth His Son” (Gal. 4:4)

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.” Gal. 4:4.

Paul’s choice of the word fullness indicates God’s active role in working out His purpose in human history. Jesus did not come at just any time; He came at the precise time God had prepared. From a historical perspective, that time is known as the Pax Romana (the Roman Peace), a two-hundred-year period of relative stability and peace across the Roman Empire. Rome’s conquest of the Mediterranean world brought peace, a common language, favorable means of travel, and a common culture that facilitated the rapid spread of the gospel. From a biblical perspective, it also marked the time that God had set for the coming of the promised Messiah (see Dan. 9:24-27).

Most important in regards to the time of the coming of Jesus was it was prophesied. He came just when the prophets said He would. There was another important reason He came when He did. Satan had succeeded in deceiving the whole world, and God's chosen people. Jesus had to come to sweep away the false teachings and witness to the true character of God. As it was, they were so deceived that they put to death the Son of God.

Why did Christ have to take our humanity in order to redeem us? John 1:14; Gal. 4:4, 5; Rom. 8:3, 4; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 2:14-18; 4:14, 15.

1:14   And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 

 4:4   But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 
 4:5   To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 

 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. 

 5:21   For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 

 2:5   Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 
 2:6   Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 
 2:7   But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 
 2:8   And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 

 2:14   Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 
 2:15   And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 
 2:16   For verily he took not on [him the nature of] angels; but he took on [him] the seed of Abraham. 
 2:17   Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto [his] brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things [pertaining] to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 
 2:18   For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. 

 4:14   Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our] profession. 
 4:15   For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. 

Galatians 4:4, 5 contains one of the most succinct accounts of the gospel in Scripture. The coming of Jesus into human history was no accident. “God sent forth His Son.” In other words, God took the initiative in our salvation.

Also implicit in these words is the fundamental Christian belief in Christ’s eternal deity (John 1:1-3, 18; Phil. 2:5-9; Col. 1:15-17). God did not send a heavenly messenger. He, Himself, came because only God could save us.

Although He was the divine preexistent Son of God, Jesus was also “born of woman.” Though the virgin birth is implied in this phrase, it more specifically affirms His genuine humanity.

The phrase “born under the law” points not only to Jesus’ Jewish heritage but also includes the fact that He bore our condemnation and was born in order to die for our sins.

It was necessary for Christ to assume our humanity because we could not save ourselves. By uniting His divine nature with our fallen human nature, Christ legally qualified to be our Substitute, Savior, and High Priest. As the second Adam, He came to reclaim all that the first Adam had lost by his disobedience (Rom. 5:12-21). By His obedience He perfectly fulfilled the law’s demands, thus redeeming Adam’s tragic failure. And by His death on the cross, He met the justice of the law, which required the death of the sinner, thus gaining the right to redeem all who come to Him in true faith and surrender.

Amen. But, something very important has been left out. God has shed great light upon the world. It has been entrusted to His church. In the "great controversy" between Christ and Satan, we as a people understand the issues involved. Satan has successfully deceived the world about the character of God. We stand in the breech to rightly teach and represent the true character of our God. There is a reason why the important truth has been left out.

We are going to let one of our Bible scholars tell us what has been left out, and why. It is too late in the day to continue on in this great deception. Multitudes are perishing and Jesus delays His coming because we have been lazy and have not studied for ourselves as a people. Why did Jesus come to this world? What is He doing in the Most Holy Place in heaven?

[Richard Myers]

Wednesday August 16

The Privileges of Adoption (Gal. 4:5-7)

In Galatians 4:5-7, Paul expands on his theme, stressing that Christ has now “redeemed those who were under the law” (vss. 4, 5, ESV).

Let's compare the ESV with the King James.

 4:4   But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 
 4:5   To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 
 4:6   And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 
 4:7   Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 

It is true Christ paid the price for our redemption, but until we make a full surrender of the whole heart to Christ, we are not His. We are not adopted into His kingdom until we are born again of His Spirit.

The word to redeem means “to buy back.” It referred to the price paid to buy the freedom of either a hostage or a slave. As this context indicates, redemption implies a negative background: a person is in need of being liberated.

From what, though, do we need to be freed? The New Testament presents four things among others: (1) freed from the devil and his wiles (Heb. 2:14, 15), (2) freed from death (1 Cor. 15:56, 57), (3) freed from the power of sin that enslaves us by nature (Rom. 6:22), and (4) freed from the condemnation of the law (Rom. 3:19-24, Gal. 3:13, 4:5).

Amen! When we are converted, we then have eternal life (freed from death). We are also freed from the power of sin that "enslaved" us when we were unconverted. This is to say we will not be tempted beyond what we can bear, we will not sin as long as we remain fully surrendered to Christ and filled with the Spirit. And, when we are converted, walking in the Spirit, we are not under condemnation like we are when we are not fully surrendered to Jesus.

What positive purpose has Christ achieved for us through the redemption we have in Him? Gal. 4:5-7; Eph. 1:5; Rom. 8:15, 16, 23; 9:4, 5.

We often speak about what Christ has accomplished for us as “salvation.” Though true, this word is not nearly as vivid and descriptive as Paul’s unique use of the word adoption (huiothesia). Although Paul is the only New Testament author to use this word, adoption was a well-known legal procedure in the Greco-Roman world. Several Roman emperors during Paul’s life used adoption as the means of choosing a successor when they had no legal heir. Adoption guaranteed a number of privileges: “(1) The adopted son becomes the true son . . . of his adopter. . . . (2) The adopter agrees to bring up the child properly and to provide the necessities of food and clothing. (3) The adopter cannot repudiate his adopted son. (4) The child cannot be reduced to slavery. (5) The child’s natural parents have no right to reclaim him. (6) The adoption establishes the right to inherit.” — Derek R. Moore-Crispin, “Galatians 4:1-9: The Use and Abuse of Parallels,” The Evangelical Quarterly, vol. LXI/No. 3 (1989), p. 216.

Mr. Moore-Crispin will lead many astray with the statement that "the child’s natural parents have no right to reclaim him." He is teaching in regards to the adoption by Christ of those who have made a full surrender of the whole heart. Some Evangelicals will think that Satan cannot reclaim those who fall from grace. I think I have heard this teaching in the Evangelical world. Once one has been saved, he cannot be lost. Is Mr. Moore-Crispin a Seventh-day Adventist, or does he believe in once saved always saved?  The Bible is clear on this point of doctrine:   "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 3:20,21.

If these rights are guaranteed on an earthly level, just imagine how much greater are the privileges we have as the adopted children of God!

Read Galatians 4:6, realizing that the Hebrew word Abba was the intimate word children used to address their father, like the word Daddy or Papa today. Jesus used it in prayer (Mark 14:36), and as God’s children we have the privilege of calling God “Abba,” as well. Do you enjoy that kind of intimate closeness to God in your own life? If not, what’s the problem? What can you change to bring about this closeness?

An intimate closeness to God is achieved when a full surrender of all we are and all we have is made to Christ. Until we love Him with the whole heart, we do not have this relationship. And, when we achieve this relationship, we must maintain it to be true Christians. When we separate from God, we still love Him, but we do not have the Spirit abiding in the heart. If we have not His Spirit, we are none of His. "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 8:9 . Many, like Nicodemus when he came to Jesus under cover of darkness think they have salvation (eternal life), but they do not. This message that we must have Jesus in order to have life is a strange teaching to many in the church. "He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." 1 John 5:12.

[Richard Myers]

Thursday August 17

Why Turn Back to Slavery? (Gal. 4:8-20)

Read Galatians 4:8-20.

 4:8   Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. 
 4:9   But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? 
 4:10   Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. 
 4:11   I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain. 
 4:12   Brethren, I beseech you, be as I [am]; for I [am] as ye [are]: ye have not injured me at all. 
 4:13   Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. 
 4:14   And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, [even] as Christ Jesus. 
 4:15   Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if [it had been] possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. 
 4:16   Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? 
 4:17   They zealously affect you, [but] not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. 
 4:18   But [it is] good to be zealously affected always in [a] good [thing], and not only when I am present with you. 
 4:19   My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, 
 4:20   I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you. 

Summarize on the lines below what Paul is saying there. How seriously does he take the false teachings among Galatians?

Paul explains his pain in verse 19. He also explains what needs to be done again in these fallen Christians. "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you." What does it mean to have Christ "formed in you"?

Paul does not describe the exact nature of the Galatians’ religious practices, but he clearly has in mind a false system of worship that resulted in spiritual slavery. Indeed, he deemed it so dangerous and destructive that he would write such an impassioned letter, warning the Galatians that what they were doing was akin to turning away from sonship to slavery.

Though he didn’t get into specifics, what does Paul say the Galatians were doing that he found so objectionable? Gal. 4:9-11.
Many have interpreted Paul’s reference to “days and months and seasons and years” (Gal. 4:10, ESV) as an objection not merely against ceremonial laws but against the Sabbath, as well. Such an interpretation, however, goes beyond the evidence. For starters, if Paul really wanted to single out the Sabbath and other specific Jewish practices, it is clear that he easily could have identified them by name. Second, Paul makes it clear that whatever it is the Galatians are doing, it has led them from freedom in Christ to bondage. “If observance of the seventh-day Sabbath subjects a man to bondage, it must be that the Creator Himself entered into bondage when He observed the world’s first Sabbath!” — The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 967. Also, why would Jesus not only have kept the Sabbath but taught others how to keep it, if its proper observance were in any way depriving people of the freedom that they have in Him? (See Mark 2:27, 28; Luke 13:10-16.)

Might there be any practices in Seventh-day Adventism that take away from the freedom that we have in Christ? Or instead of the practices themselves being problematic, what about our attitudes toward the practices? How could a wrong attitude lead us into the kind of bondage that Paul warned the Galatians about so vehemently?

What kind of freedom do we have in Christ? Before we make a full heart surrender to Christ, what are we in bondage to? That will help some to give a right answer. Many will not want to answer the question properly, for they have been taught they are still going to sin. It is their nature to sin. Thus, they believe they have life when they sin a known sin.

Can one think he is keeping the law when in fact he is not? How does one come to think such a thing?

There are many who attempt to make another way to enter heaven, but there is only one way.

      Christ is the door to the fold of God. Through this door all His children, from the earliest times, have found entrance. In Jesus, as shown in types, as shadowed in symbols, as manifested in the revelation of the prophets, as unveiled in the lessons given to His disciples, and in the miracles wrought for the sons of men, they have beheld "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29), and through Him they are brought within the fold of His grace. Many have come presenting other objects for the faith of the world; ceremonies and systems have been devised by which men hope to receive justification and peace with God, and thus find entrance to His fold. But the only door is Christ, and all who have interposed something to take the place of Christ, all who have tried to enter the fold in some other way, are thieves and robbers. Desire of Ages, chapter 52.   

[Richard Myers]

Friday August 18

Further Thought: “In the council of heaven, provision was made that men, though transgressors, should not perish in their disobedience, but, through faith in Christ as their substitute and surety, might become the elect of God predestinated unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself according to the good pleasure of His will. God wills that all men should be saved; for ample provision has been made, in giving His only-begotten Son to pay man’s ransom. Those who perish will perish because they refuse to be adopted as children of God through Christ Jesus. The pride of man hinders him from accepting the provisions of salvation. But human merit will not admit a soul into the presence of God. That which will make a man acceptable to God is the imparted grace of Christ through faith in His name. No dependence can be placed in works or in happy flights of feelings as evidence that men are chosen of God; for the elect are chosen through Christ.” — Ellen G. White, “Chosen in Christ,” Signs of the Times, January 2, 1893.

Amen! What does "imparted grace" mean? And, what must man do that he may receive imparted grace? We are surrounded by grace. It is as thick as the air we breathe. How is it that some receive this "imparted grace" and others do not?

Discussion Questions:

    Dwell more on the idea of what it means, and what it does not mean, to be like children in our walk with the Lord. What aspects of children are we to emulate in regard to our faith and our relationship with God? At the same time, what are ways in which we can take this idea too far? Discuss.

    What is it about human beings that makes them so afraid of the idea of grace, of salvation by faith alone?

Because the most common deception involves teaching that man may be saved when sinning.

Why is it that many people would rather try to work their way to salvation, if that were possible?

They think if they do some things they will be saved. And, it is too hard to give all to Christ. It requires a sacrifice and giving up pride. The only way one can give up all is to love Jesus with they whole heart. In order to do that, it means spending time getting to know Him. This is too much to ask also. Time is money, or there are too many other fun things to do. 

    As a class, go over the final question from Thursday’s study. In what ways can we as Seventh-day Adventists get caught up in the kind of slavery that ideally we have been freed from? How could this happen to us, how can we know if it does, and how can we be set free?

Again, what kind of bondage were we in before we became converted born again Christians? Do we go back to that bondage when we separate from Christ?

Summary: In Christ we have been adopted into God’s family as His sons and daughters. As God’s children, we have access to all the rights and privileges that such a family relationship entails.

"In Christ". What does it mean to be "in Christ"? Many false teachers will tell you that you are in Christ even when sinning a know sin. Is this true?

To relate to God on the basis of rules and regulations alone would be foolish. It would be like a son wanting to renounce his position and inheritance in order to become a slave.

Ok, so we have attempted to keep grace as the all important issue when it comes to being saved. And, we have pointed out that there are many false gospels telling us works are not part of salvation. And, that we may retain justification when sinning a known sin. Now, let us close by saying there are Pharisees in the church. They teach that we must obey God and they leave out grace. What kind of religion is this? Some go so far as to say we can be saved  before we are converted. And few teach that it is the fruit in the life that testifies to one's status  before God. Is this not what Scripture says. The words of Jesus in Matthew:

 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. 

When we love Jesus with the whole heart, we shall be filled with the Holy Spirit and reveal His love to even those who despitefully use us. All then may know we have been set free from the bondage of sin and are no longer slaves to it, but are heirs of salvation.

[Richard Myers]

This week's lesson is entitled From Slaves to Heirs. Having studied the first four chapters of Galatians, when is it that we go From Slaves to Heirs? When Christ paid the price for our redemption are we delivered from our slavery?

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Tuesday August 15

“God Sent Forth His Son” (Gal. 4:4)

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.” Gal. 4:4.

It was necessary for Christ to assume our humanity because we could not save ourselves. By uniting His divine nature with our fallen human nature, Christ legally qualified to be our Substitute, Savior, and High Priest. As the second Adam, He came to reclaim all that the first Adam had lost by his disobedience (Rom. 5:12-21). By His obedience He perfectly fulfilled the law’s demands, thus redeeming Adam’s tragic failure. And by His death on the cross, He met the justice of the law, which required the death of the sinner, thus gaining the right to redeem all who come to Him in true faith and surrender.

Amen. But, something very important has been left out. God has shed great light upon the world. It has been entrusted to His church. In the "great controversy" between Christ and Satan, we as a people understand the issues involved. Satan has successfully deceived the world about the character of God. We stand in the breech to rightly teach and represent the true character of our God. There is a reason why the important truth has been left out.

We are going to let one of our Bible scholars tell us what has been left out, and why. It is too late in the day to continue on in this great deception. Multitudes are perishing and Jesus delays His coming because we have been lazy and have not studied for ourselves as a people. Why did Jesus come to this world? What is He doing in the Most Holy Place in heaven?

The end of this lesson talks about the importance of coming to Christ in "true faith and surrender." Let us remember that "when we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing" {The Desire of Ages, page 676, paragraph 4}. The questions Richard has posed as to what is being left out is the fact that Jesus is waiting for witnesses who live this truth in their lives, who accept what He has done for them by letting Him live in them continually by His Spirit. We are to be His witnesses, and it is as we suffer and reveal the character (glory) of God in our experience, that it is seen that grace has the power to transform the vilest sinner into a saint, who is truly converted and will eternally stand closer to God than the angels who never fell. We need to realize that the great controversy is about what Christ has done and is doing in heaven, but it is also intimately connected with what Christ is to do IN US by His Spirit. Without this final witness of the power of grace, heaven waits for the opportunity to send Jesus Christ. Christ waits on us more than us waiting on Him. He came to save us from our sins, not in our sins. And the false teachings that have led people to believe that they have life while sinning known sin is contributing to the Laodicean condition that staves off the coming of Christ, when He could have come much before this time had the message of His righteousness in verity (by transforming the experience and character of His people) been received. If God's professed people continue to sin known sin, they continue to pollute the sanctuary with these sins, and they need to experience so fully the grace that is to be received in the heart that they would realize they can be kept from falling (Jude 24-25) and that Christ has always promised a way of escape when tempted so that they need not sin (1 Corinthians 10:13). We need to realize that our willingness to be co-laborers with Christ in revealing His character is what is needed in bringing this great controversy to a close. We can help this truth to be answered more quickly: “What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time" (Nahum 1:9). Let us humbly surrender all we are to Christ and choose to "behold the Lamb of God" (John 1:29). Please join us in having this blessed experience of spending a "thougthful hour" with Jesus in The Desire of Ages forum! It is beholding Christ that gives us the character we need in this time!

[colporteur]

As has been stated before the picture at the beginning of this lesson depicts the wedding garment being placed over the old garment. The SOP is crystal clear that the under garment must be removed. Satan is very clever at working through subtle mixed messages.

YI October 28, 1897 Have You the Wedding Garment?

II.

 It is by living faith in Christ as our personal Saviour that his righteousness is imputed to us. In the parable of the supper, when the king came in to examine the guests, he found a man who had not on the wedding garment. He had accepted the invitation to the marriage feast, but had cast contempt upon his host in NOT LAYING ASIDE HIS OWN GARMENT for the wedding robe provided for him. There are many who are represented by this man. They have accepted the invitation to the marriage supper, but have failed to comply with the conditions for entrance to the feast. They will not LAY ASIDE THE GARMENTS of their own self-righteousness, and put on the robe prepared for them at an infinite price." ( emphasis supplied in caps)

[Richard Myers]

Yes, cp. It is a common heresy to teach that Jesus places His robe of righteousness over our filthy garments. What is being taught by this heresy?

[colporteur]

Yes, cp. It is a common heresy to teach that Jesus places His robe of righteousness over our filthy garments. What is being taught by this heresy?

Justification alone.... no need to change... salvation in sin

[Richard Myers]

Amen. "No repentance is genuine that does not work reformation. The righteousness of Christ is not a cloak to cover unconfessed and unforsaken sin; it is a principle of life that transforms the character and controls the conduct. Holiness is wholeness for God; it is the entire surrender of heart and life to the indwelling of the principles of heaven.  DA 555.