Wednesday: The Revolutionary’s War
Christ’s ministry was revolutionary but without the common weapons. His tools were infinitely more powerful than were swords or knives. Life-changing words, frequently expressed through parables and metaphors, became His not-so-secret weapons in the fight against evil.
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Christ’s tactics and strategies caught many leaders off guard; they were ill-equipped to counter the power of His appeal with the masses. Many of His parables contained messages that worked against the leaders. The religious leaders rightly saw that their influence would be largely curtailed wherever Christ’s message penetrated the people’s hearts.
Read Matthew 21:28-32 and Luke 14:16-24, 20:9-19. What powerful messages come through these parables? Though the parables were often directed to specific people, what principles here apply to us, no matter who we are?
The parable of the vineyard applies not alone to the Jewish nation. It has a lesson for us. The church in this generation has been endowed by God with great privileges and blessings, and He expects corresponding returns.
-Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 296.
No question, we have been greatly blessed by the Lord: redeemed by the blood of Christ, promised salvation based on His righteousness (not our own), given the assurance of eternal life, and offered the Holy Spirit-we have been provided with so much. It is easy, however, to forget all that we have or to take it for granted or to even scoff at it. Like the vinedressers in the parable, we might not even realize the implications of that which we are doing. In the end, their ignorance didn’t excuse them on judgment day. It won’t excuse us, either.
How often have you been deceived in the past about your own spiritual state? What have you learned from those experiences that could help you to avoid making the same mistakes again?
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Very true,we have been endowed with everything for salvation but as we stay longer in a church we take things for granted.It's very easy to be lost in the church let us take seriously reformation.Be blessed.
This is very true. It's easy to be caught up in the routines in our church. I think it would be a good idea if there would be review off the beliefs to refresh our lives. Better yet we should re-read all the fundamental steps and make them fresh in our minds.
Isn't it amazing how our God does everything possible, continually and with patience to draw us back to Himself. It can only touch your heart when your mind is opened to the love of God.
“The Lord desires through His people to answer Satan's charges by showing the results of obedience to right principles.” EGW
“The Jewish leaders looked with pride upon their magnificent temple, and the imposing rites of their religious service; but justice, mercy, and the love of God were lacking.” EGW
In today’s quote I see God’s request, a guide for Christian living, in Micah 6:8, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
Justice, mercy, love, and humility are wonderful principles to guide us in obedience. May these principles not be lacking in my heart; may they fill your heart also. God bless you and may you have a good and Godly day.
I find it so important to stay close to God so he can use His Spirit to keep me on His path. It is so easy to think one is right when one can be so wrong. We may be doing or saying the right things, but not realize our motives are all wrong. It is best to have ones life and trust placed fully and with holding nothing in Gods hands.
Sometimes i think our actions have consequences.. and the day in question(of judgement) is just but nigh. We need to look at our actions and motives, repent and ask for forgiveness.Christ tells us of God's grace. Happy Sabbath.
The quotation from Wednesday's lesson,"No question, we have been greatly blessed by the Lord: redeemed by the blood of Christ, promised salvation based on His righteousness (not our own), given the assurance of eternal life, and offered the Holy Spirit-we have been provided with so much.It is easy, however, to forget all that we have or to take it for granted or to even scoff at it. Like the vinedressers in the parable, we might not even realize the implications of that which we are doing. In the end, their ignorance didn’t excuse them on judgment day. It won’t excuse us, either."
Wow, is that intended to wake up the sleeping saints? The first half of the preceeding paragraph from the lesson ought to be plenty of motivational communication for us to get out there and love our neighbors as ourselves.
The way that I see this it is that the day of judgment is going to come regardless of whether I do my appointed work or not, and I am not saved by my works anyway but by the blood of Jesus. If the love of God which has come through Christ is not enough motivation to have me get out there and to do unto others what I would have them do unto me, nothing in the way of manipulation, coercion or condemnation is goiing to put a dent in any perceived slothful attitudes either. Do you think?What the church needs is a whole lot more of the transparency that accompanied the church in its early years. We are not really rich and increased and in need of nothing, actually we are poor blind and naked, but the Lord loves us regardless, and that is where we ought to start and finish in my humble opinnion. Wow! Knock, knock, the lights are on but no one seems to be home.