I appreciate what both of you--Richard and Jim--have brought out. We can be thankful for Jesus who shows us our need and supplies the what we so desperately need--a new heart, a new Spirit (Ezekiel 36:26). But given our blindness (see Revelation 3:14-21), we will not see our need unless the Holy Spirit reveals to us the holy character of God and His law (the loveliness of Jesus as revealed in the law), and thus our unlikeness to God. Then, seeing our subsequent need, the Holy Spirit can renew our hearts as we behold the Lamb of God who takes away our sin, fear, and shame. How thankful we can be for Jesus!
As I was reading this chapter this morning, I was encouraged by how persecution and trials are great blessings from God in the work of character building. Notice the promises herein:
The world loves sin, and hates righteousness, and this was the cause of its hostility to Jesus. All who refuse His infinite love will find Christianity a disturbing element. The light of Christ sweeps away the darkness that covers their sins, and the need of reform is made manifest. While those who yield to the influence of the Holy Spirit begin war with themselves, those who cling to sin war against the truth and its representatives. {DA 306.1}
Thus strife is created, and Christ’s followers are accused as troublers of the people. But it is fellowship with God that brings them the world’s enmity. They are bearing the reproach of Christ. They are treading the path that has been trodden by the noblest of the earth. Not with sorrow, but with rejoicing, should they meet persecution. Each fiery trial is God’s agent for their refining. Each is fitting them for their work as colaborers with Him. Each conflict has its place in the great battle for righteousness, and each will add to the joy of their final triumph. Having this in view, the test of their faith and patience will be cheerfully accepted rather than dreaded and avoided. Anxious to fulfill their obligation to the world, fixing their desire upon the approval of God, His servants are to fulfill every duty, irrespective of the fear or the favor of men. {DA 306.2}
May we rejoice in trial and conflict, truly believing that "each fiery trial is God's agent" for our refining and preparation for our home in heaven. And as we begin warfare with ourselves by the work of the Holy Spirit (for the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in the life of one surrendered to Christ--not one will be missing), this will put us in opposition to the sinful nature that constantly protests up to the coming of Christ for us to go in the way of inclination and selfishness. Let us be glad that when Jesus promised, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." (Matthew 10:34). This sword, the word of God (Hebrews 4:12) reveals to us where we need to grow and change, cutting away self, and inviting us to greater efficiency in the Lord's service. The amazing thing is that as He cuts and fashions us amid trial and tribulation, the spontaneous result of union and communion with Christ IS PEACE! But let us remember that the sword is to go down to remove sin in our lives, and that all true reform must begin with us. This was a lesson that unfortunately was lost sight of during the time of the reformation, after God had used Martin Luther to do much good, the devil raised up his agents who neglected to first begin a warfare with themselves:
Thomas Munzer, the most active of the fanatics, was a man of considerable ability, which, rightly directed, would have enabled him to do good; but he had not learned the first principles of true religion. “He was possessed with a desire of reforming the world, and forgot, as all enthusiasts do, that the reformation should begin with himself.”—Ibid., b. 9, ch. 8. He was ambitious to obtain position and influence, and was unwilling to be second, even to Luther. {GC 191.1}
In the Sermon on the Mount, the most powerful lesson I learn is the need for personal transformation of character. We need to pray for revival and reformation in the Seventh-day Adventist Church--but let us allow Christ to bring that experience into our daily lives first. As a result of living by faith upon Christ as our Savior, all the fruits of the Spirit are manifested in our lives by an abiding connection with Christ (not one is missing), and others will be enabled to see that His presence--the heavenly atmosphere of light and peace have changed us. Then as we pass through trials, others will see that by trusting His promise to keep us from sin amid temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13), there is never a need to fall out of an abiding connection with Jesus.
“Blessed are the meek.” The difficulties we have to encounter may be very much lessened by that meekness which hides itself in Christ. If we possess the humility of our Master, we shall rise above the slights, the rebuffs, the annoyances, to which we are daily exposed, and they will cease to cast a gloom over the spirit. The highest evidence of nobility in a Christian is self-control. He who under abuse or cruelty fails to maintain a calm and trustful spirit robs God of His right to reveal in him His own perfection of character. Lowliness of heart is the strength that gives victory to the followers of Christ; it is the token of their connection with the courts above. {DA 301.3}
Praise the Lord for the innumerable lessons that can be gained from this precious chapter!