Thursday: The Law and the Gospel
As Seventh-day Adventists, we carry in our name so much of what we stand for. The Seventh-day part represents the seventh-day Sabbath, which points to our belief, not just in that one commandment alone but, by implication, our belief in all ten. The Adventistpart points to our belief in the second advent of Jesus, a truth that can exist only because of what Christ did with His atoning death at His first advent.
Image © Steve Creitz from GoodSalt.com
Hence, our name Seventh-day Adventist points to two crucial and inseparable components of present truth: the law and the gospel.
How do these texts indicate just how closely linked the law and the gospel are?
Jer. 44:23, Rom. 3:20-26 & Rom. 7:7.
The gospel is good news, the good news that though we have sinned in that we have broken God’s law, through faith in what Christ did for us at the cross we can be forgiven our sins, for our transgression of His law. Also, we have been given the power to obey that law, fully and completely.
No wonder then that, in the context of the last days, as the great controversy rages in special ferocity, God’s people are depicted in a very specific manner.
Read Revelation 14:12. How does this text reveal the link between the law and the gospel?
| As Seventh-day Adventists, a people who believe in obedience to God’s law, how can we show others that obedience to the law is not legalism but is a natural outgrowth of loving God and being saved by Him? How do texts like Deuteronomy 11:1 and 1 John 5:3 buttress this point? |
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Seventh Day Adventist refers to law and gospel- 2 important things we as Adventists believe in and what God wants from us and promised us.
God also said, 'if you love Me, you will keep my commandments' and in the new testament that He will go and prepare a room in heaven for each and every one of us.
He will prepare a crown for those that love His appearing.
Our obedience to the law should be by faith in Christ, with the sole purpose of honouring n love for Him which is called righteousness by faith. Otherwise self pleasing, comparison n public appeal type of obedience are all legalism.
It is important to remember that the law in and of it self cannot save us and I. It actually take God grace in order to do anything...Remember there is not going to be two heaven, so let go and let God.
We talk of THE LAW and seem to always refer to the 10 Commandments when we do. But then, what are God's Testimonies, and His Statutes, and Judgements? These also seem to be included in what God's OT people failed to keep and that God always told them so via His Prophets.
In the garden of Eden God give man one commandment. Genesis 2:15-17, and he walk and talk with Adam every day (Relationship). perfect man knew no sin but disobedience brought sin.
I conclude therefore, that Seventh-day Adventist then should be like a bridge between Judaism & Islam(with with emphasis on works) on one hand; and Evangelical Christianity(which emphasizes faith without works) on the other hand. The question is: Have we? Do we and Shall we provide that bridge to the world so that it prepares for the 2nd Advent. The Moslem world seems ready, the Budhist and Hinduist world seem ready but we seem to be blinded by contemporary politics which has segregated the world into touchables and untouchables. The Judaists are asking questions and presenting arguments which suggest that in Times like these, they also need a Savior. I believe the Harvest is ripe and this SDA movement was solely raised up to harvest.
I am not sure that I follow your bridge analogy Stephen. What is certain is that we are to preach the Gospel to "all the world". While we cannot individually do that, we should be preaching (living) the Gospel to that part of the world that we are in contact with daily. I live in a secular society, and living the Gospel is the only communication "bridge" that is readily understood by my secular friends.
By the way, I will disagree with your final sentence (nicely I hope!). We are to prepare for the harvest; Jesus does the harvesting!
Jesus does call gospel workers reapers on occasion, representing the seeking of the lost and gathering them into the fold of Salvation through preaching, teaching, and baptizing. He said to "pray for reapers" to gather the fields that are ripe for harvesting, in every generation, into the fellowship of believers.
True that Jesus gathers all at His coming in the great harvest.
The verse in 2Peter 3:9 should be remembered when we are attempting to persuade others. We often have the opinion that we are better than much of the rest of the world. Jesus said we should love God and our neighbor as our selves. Matt.22:37-40. Perspective seems important.