Author Topic: SDA Sabbath Sch Lesson 8-2nd Qrtr 2014-The Law of God and the Law of Christ  (Read 7271 times)

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Wally

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 Lesson 8 *May 17-23





The Law of God and the Law of Christ




Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week's Study: Matt. 19:16-22; John 13:34-35; Gal. 6:1-5; Acts 17:31; John 5:30.

Memory Text:" "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love" " (John 15:10, NKJV).

In most nations a hierarchy of laws exists. At the top are laws that come from the national government and that bind all who reside in the country. Then there are laws on the provincial level that pertain to the inhabitants of certain territories. Finally, local laws govern the smallest districts. Although each division within a country is permitted to make laws that are relevant to its constituents, none can make a law that contradicts the law of the nation. And though circumstances may dictate that a certain law be applied in different ways, the application cannot deviate from the spirit of the law.

As the Supreme Head of the universe, the Creator God has established laws for all of His creatures. When Jesus Christ voluntarily transformed Himself into human flesh, He gave Himself to a life of obedience to His Father (Phil. 2:5-11) and to His Commandments. Thus, everything that Jesus taught, the perspective that He put on the law, even the "new" commandment that He gave, was always in full harmony with the law of God.

*Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, May 24.

Sunday May 18

The Law and the Prophets

Some believe that the Ten Commandments, delivered through Moses at Sinai, were relevant only to the Israelites before the Cross and are not binding in the New Covenant era of grace. Others teach that Christians are free from the old law, but only those of Jewish heritage, and not Christians, are still expected to adhere to it. As we have seen, though the Bible does teach that the works of the law can save no one, no passage gives a person license to violate God's law. If any did, it would be a license to sin, and the Bible would blatantly contradict itself on a crucial topic.

In this context we remember that God revealed the terms of His covenant to Israel on tablets of stone that contained the law. However, the Bible contains many other commandments that cover details not found in the Decalogue. In seeking a comprehensive understanding of God's will, the rabbis counted 613 scriptural laws, which they anchored in the Ten Commandments. Jesus appears to go beyond the rabbis when He announces that He has not come to " "abolish the law or the prophets" " (Matt. 5:17, NRSV; emphasis supplied). While summarized in the Ten Commandments, the law of God contains every divine command spoken directly to or through His prophets.

Compare Matthew 19:16-22 and 22:34-40. What do these verses tell us about Jesus and the Ten Commandments?

Although there are hundreds of commandments that God has revealed in His Word, the Ten Commandments provide solid principles that can be applied to all other laws. Hence, Jesus mentioned five of the Ten Commandments when speaking to the rich young ruler. There is an even more potent summary of God's law in the commandments found in Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18, which is to love God and to love one's neighbor. Jesus declares, " "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets" " (Matt. 22:40, NKJV). Ultimately, Jesus and His Father are united in purpose as they urge the people of God's creation to love as they have been loved, and obedience to the law is foundational to how that love is to be expressed.

What in your life shows your love for God and for your neighbor?

Monday May 19

The "Rules" of Love (John 15:10)

Scripture provides a number of examples of Jesus' fidelity to the law of God. For instance, although His words in Luke 2:49 imply that at a young age He understood His identity, when His earthly mother expressed the hurt she felt that resulted from His straying from the family, He humbly accompanied His parents home and "was obedient to them" (Luke 2:51, NIV). On another occasion, Jesus refused to bow to Satan when tempted in the wilderness because worship was reserved for God alone (Luke 4:8 ). And there are several illustrations of His Sabbath keeping (for example, Luke 4:16). Paul wrote that Jesus' entire life was based on obedience to God's will (Phil. 2:5-11), and Hebrews says that, although tempted, He never sinned (Heb. 4:15). Thus, He could say as He approached His final hours, " "I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love" " (John 15:10, NKJV).

Read John 13:34-35. What did Jesus mean by saying that this was a "new" commandment?

Jesus understood that there is a relationship between commandment keeping and love. Though we're not used to talking about "rules" of love, one could say that, in a real sense, the Ten Commandments are those rules. They show us how God wants us to express our love for Him and others.

God is love (1 John 4:16), and so in presenting His commandment to His disciples (John 13:34-35), Jesus is simply amplifying the law of love that originated in His Father (John 3:16). Now, though, more than just loving each other as ourselves, we are to love as Jesus loved us.

"At the time when these words were spoken, the disciples could not understand them; but after they had witnessed the sufferings of Christ, after His crucifixion and resurrection, and ascension to heaven, and after the Holy Spirit had rested on them at Pentecost, they had a clearer conception of the love of God and of the nature of that love which they must have for one another."-Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 547.

With today's lesson in mind, read 1 John 3:16. How can we have this kind of love in our own lives? How can we die the kind of death to self that is needed in order for us to express such love?
So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants:  we have done that which was our duty to do.  Luke 17:10

Wally

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Tuesday May 20

All Things to All Men

Take a close look at the references to law in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. What is Paul saying here? Why such a strong emphasis on law?

God's desire is that all people accept His gift of eternal life and become citizens of His everlasting kingdom. In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul reveals his method of attracting people to God's kingdom. He understands that there are cultural barriers that hinder people from making a decision for the gospel. Paul is willing to adapt to the culture of the group to whom he was witnessing for the sole purpose of seeing them saved.

Ultimately, all who become a part of God's kingdom will be subject to His law. Consequently, those who minister for God must also be in line with God's will. Paul is quick to state that although he uses innovative methods to reach people, he is always careful to remain under the dictates of God's law. His desire to see people saved will not allow him to compromise the laws of the God he is asking them to serve. He may adapt to cultural laws but only if there is no conflict with the ultimate law. The principle that governs his method is the "law of Christ" (1 Cor. 9:21, NASB).

We can also understand Paul's reference to the "law of Christ" as the method that Christ used. It was a method based on love for all people and not for just a select few. Paul does not intend for the law of Christ to be seen as an alternative to the law of God. The two work harmoniously together as the loving law of Christ is used to introduce those saved by grace to the law of a loving God. In fact, the entire section, in which Paul so openly explains all that He is willing to do in order to reach the lost, is a perfect example of the kind of self-sacrificing love that is revealed in the "law of Christ."

How much self are you willing to deny in order to reach others for Christ? How much self have you already denied in reaching out to others? How much of the "law of Christ" do you follow?

Wednesday May 21

Fulfilling the Law of Christ (Gal. 6:2)

Whether revealed in written documents or in nature, the law of God discloses His will to every person capable of understanding (Rom. 1:20, 2:12-16). Consequently, no one can claim to be ignorant of the basic requirements of God. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23, NKJV) and thus are destined for destruction (Rom. 6:23, Ezek. 18:4). However, all is not lost: the curse has been reversed by the gift of eternal life, which has been made available through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8 ).

According to Paul, grace should empower the believer to live an obedient life (Rom. 6:15, Eph. 2:10, Titus 2:11-14), though, as we all know too well, we don't always live as obediently and faithfully as we should.

According to Galatians 6:1-5, what is one way to manifest the "law of Christ"?

It is important to remember that everyone is subject to temptation and can submit to sin in moments of weakness. With this recognition, it is insensitive for a person to immediately condemn a fellow Christian who has fallen. Even Jesus, who had never sinned, was willing to assist those who have been overcome by sin. As Ellen G. White wrote of Jesus, "He did not censure human weakness."-The Desire of Ages, p. 353. Paul admonished Christians to provide assistance for the purpose of restoration (Gal. 6:1). In other words, the person who has sinned should be encouraged to abide once again by the precepts of God's law.

The law of Christ is driven by mercy. Had it not been for His sacrificial death, there would be no reason to keep the law of God. However, because Christ has made eternal life possible, there is an incentive for the faithful to resume keeping God's law after moments of weakness. Fellow believers should use the law of Christ as a vehicle to transport the repentant sinner back to the arena of God's law of love.

Think about a time when you messed up and were shown grace, though you didn't deserve it (after all, if you did deserve it, it wouldn't be grace). How can you make sure that you remember the grace that you have received the next time that someone needs to beg some grace from you?
So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants:  we have done that which was our duty to do.  Luke 17:10

Wally

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Thursday May 22

Law and Judgment (John 5:30)

Although God's law is a law of mercy, God will eventually use it as the standard of judgment. God has continued to provide opportunities for sinners to repent and pledge loyalty to Him, but the hour is coming when the cry will go out, " "Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy" " (Rev. 22:11, NRSV). This announcement serves as a prelude to the final judgment.

In Revelation 14:7 the first angel proclaims God's judgment, though a number of other texts speak of Christ's judgment (for example, Acts 17:31, 2 Tim. 4:1, 2 Cor. 5:10). How does John 5:30 help us understand the role of Jesus in judgment?

Although Christ had laid aside His Divine nature when He became human (Phil. 2:5-11), He still had a special relationship with the Father. When the religious leaders accused Him of blasphemy, He informed His accusers that God had given Him authority to fulfill specific divine tasks (John 5:19-30), one of which was judgment. The fact that Christ has been assigned the responsibility of judgment demonstrates the mercy of God. Because Christ has become one with the human race, He is in a position to judge impartially. Given His familiarity with the human experience, Christ would not condemn a person unjustly. In fact, Christ suggests that condemnation does not come from Him, but that the unrepentant sinner condemns himself when he refuses to heed the command of God (John 12:48).

Many are familiar with the content of God's law but don't know how to keep it. The law is not a check-list we use to see how close we are to the kingdom; instead, it is an instrument that expresses various principles of love. Fulfilling the law does not mean we obey it to gain personal favor with God, but it beckons each Christian to share the love of God with those who need it. As the standard of judgment, the law serves to measure the level of love that the individual has shared with God and humanity. When Christ presides over the final judgment, He will use God's unchanging law of love as the standard by which to judge (James 2:12).

Friday May 23

Further Study: Read Ellen G. White, "Church Discipline" p. 260-264; " "Consider One Another," " pp. 260-266, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7.

""Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Here, again, our duty is plainly set before us. How can the professed followers of Christ so lightly regard these inspired injunctions? . . ."

"We know but little of our own hearts, and have but little sense of our own need of the mercy of God. This is why we cherish so little of that sweet compassion which Jesus manifests toward us, and which we should manifest toward one another. We should remember that our brethren are weak, erring mortals, like ourselves. Suppose that a brother has through unwatchfulness been over-borne by temptation, and contrary to his general conduct has committed some error; what course shall be pursued toward him? We learn from Bible history that men whom God had used to do a great and good work committed grave sins. The Lord did not pass these by unrebuked, neither did he cast off his servants. When they repented, he graciously forgave them, and revealed to them his presence, and wrought through them. Let poor, weak mortals consider how great is their own need of pity and forbearance from God and from their brethren. Let them beware how they judge and condemn others."-Ellen G. White, The Signs of the Times, January 25, 1883.

Discussion Questions:

    Reflect on the above paragraph from Signs of the Times. Why is it so important that we bestow grace on those who fall into sin?

    Think about some well-known Bible characters who fell into sin, whom God was yet able to forgive and continue to use. What important lesson is there for us in these examples?

    In what ways can we enforce church discipline while at the same time showing grace and mercy toward those among us who fall into sin? Why should we see the two concepts, discipline and grace, as not being in contradiction with each other?

So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants:  we have done that which was our duty to do.  Luke 17:10

Richard Myers

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Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week's Study: Matt. 19:16-22; John 13:34-35; Gal. 6:1-5; Acts 17:31; John 5:30.

Memory Text: "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in His love." John 15:10

In most nations a hierarchy of laws exists. At the top are laws that come from the national government and that bind all who reside in the country. Then there are laws on the provincial level that pertain to the inhabitants of certain territories. Finally, local laws govern the smallest districts. Although each division within a country is permitted to make laws that are relevant to its constituents, none can make a law that contradicts the law of the nation. And though circumstances may dictate that a certain law be applied in different ways, the application cannot deviate from the spirit of the law.

As the Supreme Head of the universe, the Creator God has established laws for all of His creatures. When Jesus Christ voluntarily transformed Himself into human flesh, He gave Himself to a life of obedience to His Father (Phil. 2:5-11) and to His Commandments. Thus, everything that Jesus taught, the perspective that He put on the law, even the "new" commandment that He gave, was always in full harmony with the law of God.

"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in His love."
And what if we knowingly break one of his commandments? Do we then still abide in His love? The answer seems obvious but the deception runs deep. Let's pick any one of the last six of the 10 Commandments. Choose anyone you like and we will use that as an example for our sin. That sin reveals our attitude toward the one whom we have offended. Does that sin reveal our love towards our neighbor?

We are told in Scripture that if we offend in one point we offend in all. Then what does that one sin reveal about our love for God? We're also told that if we can't love our neighbor who we can see how can we love God whom we can't see?

No, when we sin we do not abide in Christ's love, we are separated from our God. But, we are not cast-off. Jesus stands at the door of the heart knocking, wanting in.

Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Sunday May 18

The Law and the Prophets

Some believe that the Ten Commandments, delivered through Moses at Sinai, were relevant only to the Israelites before the Cross and are not binding in the New Covenant era of grace. Others teach that Christians are free from the old law, but only those of Jewish heritage, and not Christians, are still expected to adhere to it. As we have seen, though the Bible does teach that the works of the law can save no one, no passage gives a person license to violate God's law. If any did, it would be a license to sin, and the Bible would blatantly contradict itself on a crucial topic.

In this context we remember that God revealed the terms of His covenant to Israel on tablets of stone that contained the law. However, the Bible contains many other commandments that cover details not found in the Decalogue. In seeking a comprehensive understanding of God's will, the rabbis counted 613 scriptural laws, which they anchored in the Ten Commandments. Jesus appears to go beyond the rabbis when He announces that He has not come to " "abolish the law or the prophets" " (Matt. 5:17, NRSV; emphasis supplied). While summarized in the Ten Commandments, the law of God contains every divine command spoken directly to or through His prophets.

Compare Matthew 19:16-22 and 22:34-40.

 19:16   And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 
 19:17   And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? [there is] none good but one, [that is], God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 
 19:18   He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 
 19:19   Honour thy father and [thy] mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 
 19:20   The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 
 19:21   Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go [and] sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come [and] follow me. 
 19:22   But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. 

 22:34   But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 
 22:35   Then one of them, [which was] a lawyer, asked [him a question], tempting him, and saying, 
 22:36   Master, which [is] the great commandment in the law? 
 22:37   Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 
 22:38   This is the first and great commandment. 
 22:39   And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 
 22:40   On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. 


What do these verses tell us about Jesus and the Ten Commandments?

These verses tell us that if we want to inherit the kingdom of God, we must keep God's law. This does not mean that we are saved by keeping God's law because these verses reveal another important matter. Our keeping of the commandments all hang on our keeping the first of the 10 Commandments. If we do not love God with all of the heart we will certainly not be able to keep any other of the commandments. It is our love for God that empowers us to do any good thing.


Although there are hundreds of commandments that God has revealed in His Word, the Ten Commandments provide solid principles that can be applied to all other laws. Hence, Jesus mentioned five of the Ten Commandments when speaking to the rich young ruler. There is an even more potent summary of God's law in the commandments found in Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18, which is to love God and to love one's neighbor. Jesus declares, " "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets" " (Matt. 22:40, NKJV). Ultimately, Jesus and His Father are united in purpose as they urge the people of God's creation to love as they have been loved, and obedience to the law is foundational to how that love is to be expressed.

What in your life shows your love for God and for your neighbor?

The keeping of God's law, for they are a revelation of love.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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  • Posts: 44592
  • Grace, more than a word, it is transforming power
    • The Remnant Online
Monday May 19

The "Rules" of Love (John 15:10)

Scripture provides a number of examples of Jesus' fidelity to the law of God. For instance, although His words in Luke 2:49 imply that at a young age He understood His identity, when His earthly mother expressed the hurt she felt that resulted from His straying from the family, He humbly accompanied His parents home and "was obedient to them" (Luke 2:51, NIV). On another occasion, Jesus refused to bow to Satan when tempted in the wilderness because worship was reserved for God alone (Luke 4:8 ). And there are several illustrations of His Sabbath keeping (for example, Luke 4:16). Paul wrote that Jesus' entire life was based on obedience to God's will (Phil. 2:5-11), and Hebrews says that, although tempted, He never sinned (Heb. 4:15). Thus, He could say as He approached His final hours, " "I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love" " (John 15:10, NKJV).

Read John 13:34-35.

 13:34   A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 
 13:35   By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. 


What did Jesus mean by saying that this was a "new" commandment?

To the Jews, a Laodicean people, it was a new commandment.They were an unconverted people, thus they had no love for others. They were selfish.


Jesus understood that there is a relationship between commandment keeping and love. Though we're not used to talking about "rules" of love, one could say that, in a real sense, the Ten Commandments are those rules. They show us how God wants us to express our love for Him and others.

God is love (1 John 4:16), and so in presenting His commandment to His disciples (John 13:34-35), Jesus is simply amplifying the law of love that originated in His Father (John 3:16). Now, though, more than just loving each other as ourselves, we are to love as Jesus loved us.

"At the time when these words were spoken, the disciples could not understand them; but after they had witnessed the sufferings of Christ, after His crucifixion and resurrection, and ascension to heaven, and after the Holy Spirit had rested on them at Pentecost, they had a clearer conception of the love of God and of the nature of that love which they must have for one another."-Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 547.

With today's lesson in mind, read 1 John 3:16. "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." How can we have this kind of love in our own lives? How can we die the kind of death to self that is needed in order for us to express such love?

The answer is always the same we need Jesus. Not some of the time, but all the time. For when we do not have Jesus we have no power to do any good thing.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Al

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Sabbath - The Law of God and Christ

John 15:10 "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."

There is one thing mentioned in this text that supersedes all other laws. We find that Christ's obedience was a continual manifestation of His love for the Father. Again in John 14:13 "That the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave Me commandments even so I do." 

"Our obedience, too must spring from our love of the Saviour. It is obedience that has its origin in love for Him, for which He has asked. "It you love Me, keep my commandments," are the words with which He appeals to us in this matter. He thus appeals for no selfish reason, but to make it possible for Him to send us the Comforter as a continual abiding power with us. John 14:10, 11" (The Atoning Work of Christ by C. H. Watson p 37)

Love is not something we can work up by thinking about it. Christ plainly states that this love comes from an abiding experience with him just as he abides in the Father and keeps His commandments. Christ makes it very clear that there are two kinds of people. Those who are abiding in Him and those who are not.

 Joh 15:6  If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
Joh 15:7  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Joh 15:8  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Joh 15:9  As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

Just before, we come to John 15:10 we have another reminder from Christ "continue ye in my love." Christ came to this world to take away disobedience. He died on the cross of Calvary to make us obedient and now ministers as our great high priest in the heavenly sanctuary before God. The work of salvation is to ". . . to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Luke 1:17 

In light of John 15:10 we each need to examine our motive for obedience and ask ourselves if we are abiding in Christ.

Jesus looked upon the distressed and heart burdened, those whose hopes were blighted, and who with earthly joys were seeking to quiet the longing of the soul, and He invited all to find rest in Him.  {DA 328.3}

Al

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Sunday - The Law and the Prophets

Quote
Some believe that the Ten Commandments, delivered through Moses at Sinai, were relevant only to the Israelites before the Cross and are not binding in the New Covenant era of grace. Others teach that Christians are free from the old law, but only those of Jewish heritage, and not Christians, are still expected to adhere to it. As we have seen, though the Bible does teach that the works of the law can save no one, no passage gives a person license to violate God's law. If any did, it would be a license to sin, and the Bible would blatantly contradict itself on a crucial topic.

After looking at Sabbaths comments we find that the law of God was based on the same basis as the in the New Testament. The Reubenites, and the Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh were getting  ready to depart to posses their inheritance on the other side of the Jordon River but before the leave Joshua give them this council.   

"But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul." Joshua 22:5

This statement is very similar to John 15:10 the word "cleave" means to be joined together or to adhere to. This cleaving or abiding cannot be a halfhearted service "serve him with all your heart and with all our soul." The gospel is the same through all ages. Love has been and always will be the motive for true service for in keeping the commandments of God. 

Those who teach that we are under grace in the New Testament and that we no longer have to keep the old law of the Ten Commandments simply do not understand the redeeming quality of God's grace.

Jer 31:2  "Thus saith the LORD, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.
Jer 31:3  The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee."

Grace has always been active and love for God has always been the motive for obedience. Man left to himself would never love nor seek out God. He would continue to run and hide covering himself with fig leave garments. I am sure we have all heard the expression that God helps those who help themselves but we must remember that fallen man cannot help himself from his fallen condition without the aid of God's grace.  Grace came to the children of Israel in the wilderness in order to give them true rest. This scripture does not mean to teach that God's grace was only found in the wilderness, because as soon as there was sin there was grace. Something very special happened in the wilderness. The tents all Israel were to surround God's dwelling place called the sanctuary. Here the great truths of salvation were to be impressed on their hearts by the grace of God. The loving kindness of God was demonstrated in the symbols of the service of the Sanctuary. The law of God was in the very heart of the Sanctuary along with the presence of God. The two cannot be separated.

God loves us with an everlasting love and with this loving kindness he draws man unto Himself. Love awakes love and this love can only be awaked in the heart by God's grace. True obedience to the will of God found in the Ten Commandments is not possible without grace.

"For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly." Psalms 84:11  who it is that gives the grace and the glory to man? The result of receiving this grace and the goodness of God comes the power to walk uprightly.   

Jesus looked upon the distressed and heart burdened, those whose hopes were blighted, and who with earthly joys were seeking to quiet the longing of the soul, and He invited all to find rest in Him.  {DA 328.3}

Al

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Monday - The "Rules" of Love (John 15:10)

When I was a new in the faith my neighbor asked me to define what it meant to be a Christian? How would you answer this question?

Today many profess to be followers of Christ but what does it really mean. Christ clearly stated that He keep His Father's commandments in John 15:10 "I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."  Christ spent his whole life demonstrating the true purpose of His Father's law. He lived it in both the letter and the spirit and constantly reminded his followers that love was the motive for true obedience.  How is it that those who profess the name of Christ spend so much time trying to abolish the law of God, which Christ loved?

When Jesus said "If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15 He was referring to the very same commandments he loved and kept. This truth about God's law was never meant  to be confusing. A Christian is one who loves that which Christ's loves. Those who profess Christ's name who at the same time war against God's law are not Christians. "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." 1 John 2:4

Joh 13:34  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
Joh 13:35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

The question was asked, "What did Jesus mean by saying that this was a "new" commandment?

The word "new" in the Greek means "freshness" This comes from a root word meaning, "to regenerate".  I like the idea of "freshness" as it indicates that something has faded and lost its freshness. Webster gives this definition for "freshness" as "Newness of strength, renewed vigor." The law during Christ time had lost its true meaning its invigorating quality in the hearts of the people. Love was no longer the bases of motive for obedience. Christ is simply saying that the law of God needs to come back to its original purpose.

Christ makes this clear as he points out that the motive for law keeping is based on love. Love was always to be the basis for true obedience.

"Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;" Deuteronomy 7:9

I used this text onetime speaking to a man of another faith who taught that the law of God was abolished at the cross.  It was pointed out that a thousand generations have not yet past. But the key point and in all our arguments we must lift up the love of God. The real key to this text tells us that God's law directly tied to His covenant and that love is the bases for obedience to God's law. It is very hard to argue against the love of God. The people of God lost this love because they were no longer abiding in Him. They became self-absorbed and the law became a yoke of bondage to the carnal heart.

Do we face the same dangers today when it comes to keeping the law of God? There will be only two classes of people at the end. One class who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus (Revelation 14:12) and those who trample the law of God underfoot and keep the commandments of men. (Colossians 2:22)

Authors closing question.
Quote
With today's lesson in mind, read 1 John 3:16. How can we have this kind of love in our own lives? How can we die the kind of death to self that is needed in order for us to express such love?

Jesus looked upon the distressed and heart burdened, those whose hopes were blighted, and who with earthly joys were seeking to quiet the longing of the soul, and He invited all to find rest in Him.  {DA 328.3}

Al

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Tuesday - All Things to All Men

1Co 9:19  For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
1Co 9:20  And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
1Co 9:21  To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
1Co 9:22  To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
1Co 9:23  And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

Here is E. J. Waggoner's comments on these texts
 
  "In order to get the full force of this text, we must note the verse immediately preceding, and the two following: "For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more." "To the weak become I as weak, that I might gain the weak; I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you." These verses, taken in connection with the 20th and 21st, show Paul's meaning to be that in his ministerial work he sought to adapt himself, as far as possible, to the condition of those for whom he labored. He did not approach all men in the same manner, but adapted his teaching to the different classes of people whom he taught. He took every one upon his own ground.
    To the Jews, he became as a Jew. This he could easily do, for he was himself a Jew, and knew all their habits and customs. The book of Hebrews is an instance of how he became as a Jew to the Jews. From their own history, their Scriptures, and their religion, he demonstrated the Messiahship of our Saviour, and also his whole work in connection with the plan of salvation. To them that were under the law, he became as under the law, that he might gain them that were under the law. That is, he drew on his own experience as a sinner, that he might successfully labor for those who felt the condemnation of God's law upon them in consequence of their sins. The seventh chapter of Romans is an instance of this. If Paul had not felt the terrible anguish which comes from the knowledge of an offended God, and the sense of impending doom, and the wondrous peace which comes from believing in Jesus, he could never have written a chapter so full of encouragement to the convicted sinner. {September 16, 1886 EJW, SITI 566.10}

 Waggoner's main emphases "Paul's meaning to be that in his ministerial work he sought to adapt himself, as far as possible, to the condition of those for whom he labored. He did not approach all men in the same manner, but adapted his teaching to the different classes of people whom he taught. He took every one upon his own ground."

"Paul did not approach the Jews in a way to excite their prejudices. He did not run the risk of making them his enemies by telling them the first thing that they must believe on Jesus of Nazareth; but he dwelt on the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament Scriptures, which testify of the Messiah, of his mission and his work. He led them on step by step, showing them the importance of the Law of God. He also gave due honor to the ceremonial law showing that Christ was the one who instituted the whole system of sacrificial service. After dwelling on these things evincing that he had a clear understanding of them, he brought his hearers down to the first advent of Christ, and proved that in the crucified Jesus the specifications of the ceremonial law had been fulfilled. He showed them plainly how the light from the cross of Calvary gave significance and glory to the whole Jewish economy. He approached the Gentiles, not by exalting the law at first, but by exalting Christ and then showing the binding claims of the law. Thus he varied his manner of labor, always shaping his message to the circumstances under which he was placed." {January 31, 1893 N/A, GCDB 85.3}

Some years back a family in a large colorful older school bus drove up in the church parking lot to come to church. It had slogans written on it about the mark of the beast and the papacy and other various writings. The colors were a mix of blues and reds with some bright orange. This man was getting his message out but I wonder how many he was saving in the process.

While there are times for us to be bold there are also time to use some tack and follow the methods outlined by Paul. We must as far as possible know our audience and how to best adapt the truths to reach their hearts. Paul was not suggesting watering down the truth but introducing it in such a way as to win as many as possible.

"We are living in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, and our nice and exact plans cannot always be carried out to the advantage of all. If we stand back upon our dignity, we shall fail to help those who need help the most. The servants of Christ should accommodate themselves to the varied conditions of the people. They cannot carry out exact rules, if they meet the cases of all. Labor will have to be varied to meet the people where they are. “Of some have compassion, making a difference; and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” [Jude 22, 23.]  {GW92 255.1}

Can you give examples of how this applies today?

Jesus looked upon the distressed and heart burdened, those whose hopes were blighted, and who with earthly joys were seeking to quiet the longing of the soul, and He invited all to find rest in Him.  {DA 328.3}

Al

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Wednesday - Fulfilling the Law of Christ

Rom 2:12  "Here's the reason: Whoever sins without having laws from God will still be condemned to destruction. And whoever has laws from God and sins will still be judged by them."

 "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men," Titus 2:11 God is doing all that he can to lead everyone to salvation. His grace gives all a degree of light to draw them to himself. 

The purpose of grace. "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;" Titus 2:12 God is working on the hearts of men and for the purpose of leading them to live soberly and righteously and godly.

I will never forget the time when I was convicted about taking LSD and other drugs. I was about 17 when I flushed all my drugs down the toilet. I did not know much of the Bible at the time but I knew that taking drugs was wrong. I look back at this now and realize that it was the grace of God working on my heart. There were times when I was protected from harm and my heart was touched by the grace of God even though I knew little of Him. God is reaching out to everyone drawing them to himself.  They can choose to follow of to ignore the heavenly influences which will decide their destiny. 

 Romans 2:12 is about those who resist the Spirit of God's grace with or without knowing the law of God.

"Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" Hebrews 10:29

What does it mean to do despite unto the Spirit of Grace?

Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Gal 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Gal 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Gal 6:5 For every man shall bear his own burden.

I find that when someone sees someone overtaken in a fault they go and tell the pastor or the head elder or talk about it too another church member and tell them all about it. We each have a personal responsibility to love and care for others. If we are truly burdened for someone and love them we will talk to them personally. 

It is evident from the council given to the Galatian church that there were members who high a high opinion of themselves. A person who thinks they are superior to others will lack the love and humility to touch the hearts of those who have fallen into sin. Paul says these people deceive themselves. For a remedy these people were told to prove themselves or to examine their hearts to see if they be in the faith. Those that compare themselves with others instead of Christ will soon see themselves to be rich and increased with goods. As we draw nearer to Christ the more we will partake of His Spirit and have the same love for those around us as He did.

 "We should remember that our brethren are weak, erring mortals like ourselves. Suppose that a brother has through unwatchfulness been overborne by temptation and contrary to his general conduct has committed some error, what course shall be pursued toward him? We learn from the Bible that men whom God had used to do a great and good work committed grave sins. The Lord did not pass these by unrebuked, neither did He cast off His servants. When they repented, He graciously forgave them and revealed to them His presence and wrought through them. Let poor, weak mortals consider how great is their own need of pity and forbearance from God and from their brethren. Let them beware how they judge and condemn others. We should give heed to the instruction of the apostle: "Ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." We may fall under temptation and need all the forbearance which we are called to exercise toward the offender. "With what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."  {5T 246.2}

What important truth do we learn about our responsibility towards others from today's lesson?


Jesus looked upon the distressed and heart burdened, those whose hopes were blighted, and who with earthly joys were seeking to quiet the longing of the soul, and He invited all to find rest in Him.  {DA 328.3}

Richard Myers

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Thursday May 22

Law and Judgment (John 5:30)


Although God's law is a law of mercy, God will eventually use it as the standard of judgment. God has continued to provide opportunities for sinners to repent and pledge loyalty to Him, but the hour is coming when the cry will go out, "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." Rev. 22:11. This announcement serves as a prelude to the final judgment.

In Revelation 14:7 the first angel proclaims God's judgment, though a number of other texts speak of Christ's judgment (for example, Acts 17:31, 2 Tim. 4:1, 2 Cor. 5:10). How does John 5:30 help us understand the role of Jesus in judgment?

"my judgment is just."


Although Christ had laid aside His Divine nature when He became human (Phil. 2:5-11), He still had a special relationship with the Father. When the religious leaders accused Him of blasphemy, He informed His accusers that God had given Him authority to fulfill specific divine tasks (John 5:19-30), one of which was judgment. The fact that Christ has been assigned the responsibility of judgment demonstrates the mercy of God. Because Christ has become one with the human race, He is in a position to judge impartially. Given His familiarity with the human experience, Christ would not condemn a person unjustly. In fact, Christ suggests that condemnation does not come from Him, but that the unrepentant sinner condemns himself when he refuses to heed the command of God (John 12:48).

The authors words are true when he says "the unrepentant sinner condemns himself when he refuses to heed the command of God." Sadly, many teach and believe that it is not necessary to repent in order to have salvation. Many believe their profession of faith is enough, and the righteousness of Christ will cover unconfessed and and forsaken sins. Well... At least the little sins. Most believe that murder, homosexuality, and child molestation would require repentance. It is just their little sins that don't need to be repented of, they do not cause one to lose their justification before God. Such a deception!

When discussing the judgment of Christ, we understand Revelation 14 to tell us "the hour of his judgment is begun." This judgment is known as the investigative judgment. In it, the books of heaven are opened and Christ reveals to the watching universe the deeds, thoughts, and motives of all who have professed to serve God. As the author has so truly stated, those who have on their record unconfessed and unforsaken sins, will be judged unworthy of heaven. This is contrary to what most professing Christian pastors teach. The doctrine of judgment must be clearly taught in this manner to help those who have been greatly deceived.


Many are familiar with the content of God's law but don't know how to keep it. The law is not a check-list we use to see how close we are to the kingdom; instead, it is an instrument that expresses various principles of love. Fulfilling the law does not mean we obey it to gain personal favor with God, but it beckons each Christian to share the love of God with those who need it. As the standard of judgment, the law serves to measure the level of love that the individual has shared with God and humanity. When Christ presides over the final judgment, He will use God's unchanging law of love as the standard by which to judge (James 2:12).

Level of love? That is not a very clear explanation of the judgment. The law is indeed the standard by which all who have professed to serve God shall be measured. It is very cut and dry. Either we have obeyed or we have not. When we understand this, then we may go on and explain that disobedience to the law is a revelation of separation from God. For if we are not keeping His Commandments, then we are not filled with His love. Thus, we have not love for God or for our neighbor. If we offend in one point, we offend in all. If we murder our neighbor, we surely don't love him nor God. So it is with all of the law, it is a law of love.

If we love God and our neighbor then we will keep all the commandments. One last thought. In and of ourselves we have no power to keep the law. By nature we are evil and helpless. We must be born again of his Spirit in order to do any good thing. We must maintain our connection with Christ if we want to love those who despitefully use us. This is Christianity.

When the books are opened all will be able to see the character of those being judged. If they have not this love, if they have broken God's law, all will see that they have not loved God supremely nor have they loved their neighbor as themselves. Thus we see the connection between law and judgment.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Friday May 23

Further Study: Read Ellen G. White, "Church Discipline" p. 260-264; " "Consider One Another," " pp. 260-266, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7.

""Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Here, again, our duty is plainly set before us. How can the professed followers of Christ so lightly regard these inspired injunctions? . . ."

"We know but little of our own hearts, and have but little sense of our own need of the mercy of God. This is why we cherish so little of that sweet compassion which Jesus manifests toward us, and which we should manifest toward one another. We should remember that our brethren are weak, erring mortals, like ourselves. Suppose that a brother has through unwatchfulness been over-borne by temptation, and contrary to his general conduct has committed some error; what course shall be pursued toward him? We learn from Bible history that men whom God had used to do a great and good work committed grave sins. The Lord did not pass these by unrebuked, neither did he cast off his servants. When they repented, he graciously forgave them, and revealed to them his presence, and wrought through them. Let poor, weak mortals consider how great is their own need of pity and forbearance from God and from their brethren. Let them beware how they judge and condemn others."-Ellen G. White, The Signs of the Times, January 25, 1883.


Amen, amen, and amen! It would be well to reread this daily. Let the strong bear with the infirmities of the weak. But notice also what was said: "The Lord did not pass these by unrebuked, neither did he cast off his servants. When they repented, he graciously forgave them, and revealed to them his presence, and wrought through them." While many have no power to bear with the infirmities of the weak, many are steadfastly opposed to the idea of rebuking wrong and the need for repentance.


Discussion Questions:

    Reflect on the above paragraph from Signs of the Times. Why is it so important that we bestow grace on those who fall into sin?

There are two good reasons that I can see. First, if we do not forgive others as God has forgiven us, then we have not his spirit and are none of his. Secondly, we are on this earth to be his witnesses. If we do not extend grace to others, then we are not his witnesses. This does not mean that we must ignore sin, or must elect unconverted church members to offices in the church, it means we are to show unmerited favor the sinner. Rather than hating the sinner, we are to find ways to help him, just as Jesus has done for us.


    Think about some well-known Bible characters who fell into sin, whom God was yet able to forgive and continue to use. What important lesson is there for us in these examples?

Well... Moses comes to mind, but God did not use him for very long afterwards. Matter of fact, he took his life. Moses manifested both pride and anger, such great sins by one so highly honored. His repentance was quick and deep. While he needed to repent in order to be re-justified, his character was such that he turned to Christ quickly, and was reconciled to God. After his repentance, God did use him to speak to Israel. But, more than this, Moses was chosen along with Elijah to speak to Jesus on the mount of transfiguration. His great sin, having been repented of, was forgiven and God used him in a mighty way.

    In what ways can we enforce church discipline while at the same time showing grace and mercy toward those among us who fall into sin? Why should we see the two concepts, discipline and grace, as not being in contradiction with each other?

Discipline is law, justice. Grace is unmerited favor. Grace does not set aside justice. We see the great example in our Savior coming to this sin cursed world. God cannot save man in his sin. The wages of sin is death. Once we sin, justice demands our life. No matter what we do we cannot erase the sin. Justice demands death. Justice was not set aside, but instead Christ came in the likeness of sinful flesh and suffered for each sin that humanity would commit. In this we see both justice and grace extended to humanity. We are undeserving of such great love!

Is it possible that we can go out of our way to show love, undeserved  love, to an unrepentant sinner? That is grace. Does that mean the unrepentant open sinner is not to be disfellowshipped? And if you have loved the unrepentant sinner, and this love (grace) has melted the heart and brought forth a new creature in Christ Jesus, shall the church then except him back into membership?

Here we see law, judgment, and grace. Have you experienced this grace in our church? Have a blessed Sabbath, dear family of God.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Glen

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"But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul." Joshua 22:5

This statement is very similar to John 15:10 the word "cleave" means to be joined together or to adhere to. This cleaving or abiding cannot be a halfhearted service "serve him with all your heart and with all our soul." The gospel is the same through all ages. Love has been and always will be the motive for true service for in keeping the commandments of God. 

Amen!

Christ saw humanity, through the working of the mighty growth of sin, possessed by the prince of the  power of the air and putting forth gigantic strength in exploits of evil. He saw also that a mightier power was to meet and conquer Satan.  "Now is the judgment of this world," He said, "now shall the prince of this world be cast out." John 12:31.  He saw that if human beings believed on Him, they would be given power against the host of fallen angels, whose name is legion. Testimonies for the Church Volume Nine 21.04

Galatians 5:
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

1 John 1:
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.


When we receive the Spirit of God WE CAN DO THE THINGS THAT WE WOULD. When we are led of the Spirit of God, we are not condemned by the law, for we are filled with the love of God, for God is love, and when He possesses the precincts of the soul temple, there is in us no darkness at all; we thus fulfill the law. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in the light as He is in the light, we speak, and do, the truth.



...Jesus...will live through (YOU), giving (YOU) the inspiration of His sanctifying Spirit, imparting to (YOUR) soul a vital transfusion of Himself. Sabbath-School Worker 02-01-96.03  ...as the blood

Richard Myers

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Amen and amen.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.