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The Law and Love – An Introduction to 2014b lessons — 10 Comments

  1. [Moderator's Note: Please remember to use your full name for comments]

    The freedom which God has given us to obey His law is a strong indication that He is allowing us to demonstrate love greatly. He said in His word, "If you love me keep my commandment." A further look points out that there is a great call to love. The commandment itself requires us to love God and to love man, and by following these instructions we of ourselves become great lovers.

    The commandment reflects who God is and helps us to appreciate Him.

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  2. Adam was created without sin, formed from the ground by the creator? Made a living soul by the breath of Christ. He was given authority over all earth by God himself, God to Adam. He walked with God in the Garden face to face. Adam didn't have to pray he didn't have to hide his face from God. He didn't know wrong. But he was given a command by God not to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of Good and Evil. He was given a choice, but to Trust and Obey the creator. Then Eve was created without sin? Seduced by satan, she chose to disobey God. Adam still perfect in God's sight. Now loved Eve so much that he made a conscience CHOICE to eat as Eve had eaten. Maybe the Angels knew right from wrong but Adam didn't? He didn't know about it until "Disobedience to God" corrupted God's creation.

    (2)
  3. Satan wants to do away with the law because the law is the expression of God's character. To do away with the Law is to do away with God. Without God we have no freedom to choose. It is God that gives us freedom. Anything that takes away choice is not of God.

    (3)
  4. This is just a question about the principal contributor to this lesson which is being studied worldwide, Keith Burton. He is the Coordinator of the Center for Adventist-Muslim Relations. What are these relations about? We know that the Muslims do not believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and our Savior. We do. They do not believe that the Bible is the word of God, we do. We do not consider Mohamed to be a prophet, they do. We do not consider the Koran to be the word of God as they do. What is the basis of these relations? What are the objectives? What is the place of Christ in these relations between Christian Adventists and Muslims who do not believe in Christ?

    Is the Center for Adventist - Muslim relations a SDA church Center? is it a Oakwood University Center or is is it a private center? Could anyone help me as I do not know how to reach the Coordinator of the Center?

    Thank you and God bless you.

    (1)
    • Joseph, all the statements you make in your first paragraph point up the need for us to learn how to relate to Muslims so that we may share the "Good News" with them. We are told that

      Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, “Follow Me.” (Ellen White, Ministry of Healing, p. 143)

      You can visit Center for Adventist - Muslim relations online by clicking on this link.
      And you can visit its Facebook page here.
      You can see Dr Burton himself in this news article about the opening of the Center for Adventist-Muslim relations.

      If you wish to contact him directly, I'm sure you can do so through one of the contact links.

      (2)
    • Dear Bro, Nzabamwita,

      I’m sorry you feel this way. The Center for Adventist-Muslim Relations at Oakwood University is committed to showing and sharing the love of Christ with our Muslim brothers and sisters. We believe that the Gospel of the Kingdom is best demonstrated by lifting Christ up rather than tearing other faith systems down.

      We are fully aware of the differences between the Muslim and Christian faiths in general. We are also aware that there are even more differences within Christianity and Islam. While acknowledging these differences, we firmly believe that an overemphasis on issues that separate is a hindrance to genuine conversation and obstructs efforts to build community.

      In John 13:34-35, Jesus reminded those who are called by his name that all people will know that we are His disciples by the love that exudes from our fellowship. The Center for Adventist-Muslim Relations takes this admonition very seriously and we pray that others will embrace the ethos that characterized the ministry of our beloved Christ.

      Sincerely,

      Keith Augustus Burton, Director
      The Center for Adventist-Muslim Relations at Oakwood University

      (2)
    • I read your comment regarding Muslim Relations and felt prompted to write this, hope you will get a moment to check it out on www.northlondonsda.co.uk and listen for yourself,probably.

      On the issues of what Muslims believe and what they don't, you may not know and many Muslim masses (unfortunately) may not know but all well conversed and top Muslim leaders know that Jesus is supreme over Mohammed, that Mohammed (on his death bed) cautioned his followers to look to and think about Jesus and what is written "in the book" (meaning the bible) because judgement lies with Jesus not him (Mohammed).

      In case you know or can hear Luganda (Ikigande)well, please visit the website www.northlondonsda.co.uk and listen to those messages (below on home page and more under the menu Former Muslim Sheikhs). We have very prominent and once fire brand Muslim Sheikhs who have now converted to Adventism and you will never get a clear, genuine, informed and emphatic explanation of the Quran in relation to the Bible than what you will hear these guys say.

      These were Muslim Sheikhs specifically trained/sponsored by an Arab country (Iran) to refute all Bible teachings/christianity and promote the Quran through public crusades. But as it was with Paul on the way to Damascus, God has turned their knowledge and "firebrand" preaching method to promoting Jesus and how He died for all men including Muslims! Believe me.

      Muslims, like many leading world religions (leading does not mean truth by the way), are so blindly led to believe falsehoods that are beyond imagination...yet the Quran clearly recognises that only those who believe in Jesus will be saved from this world for the paradise. Did you know that Islam like Catholicism has teachings "suitable" for the masses (Exoteric knowledge)and others for the real insiders (Isoteric knowledge). I was a Muslim and am telling you what i know is real and true, brother.

      You can only get a full understanding and clarity of what am telling you if you listen to the messages i have referred you to on www.northlondonsda.co.uk.

      Shaka umuntu wagusobanurira ibyo bavuga niba Ikigande utacunva at all. You will be astounded to hear how Jesus is hidden by top Muslims leaders and the well schooled in Islam yet the Quran throws light to the importance of Muslims recognising Jesus as saviour.

      (0)
  5. The Adventist church and its institutions operate a number of centers such as the one mentioned here. Essentially we have a mission to preach the Gospel to all the world and it is most appropriate that we preach to Muslims, Jews, Hindu, Buddhists, as well as Christians, and the unchurched. In order to be effective we need to understand these religions and how best to approach them with the good news of the Gospel. In the past we have been terribly insensitive in the way we have talked about the Gospel to others; often turning them away from Christianity with our efforts.

    There is much that we can learn from those engaged in these centers of study, even when we are approaching other Christians, and especially the unchurched. I have been exposed to some of the work of those working in the area of Buddhism and I am appreciative of the understanding that they have given me.

    (1)
  6. I do not know how is the organization conducted between the two but what I know I will mention. My brother stated "In order to be effective we need to understand these religions and how best to approach them with the good news of the Gospel" while this may be true, we cannot study all the 10,000+ religions and 34,000+ Christians religion to understand them. We have to stick to the truth at all times. But what I knew is, their is a mission group from the church who published a magazine known as "ADVENTIST FRONTIER MISSIONS" in the Feb edition it says "Praying for Muslims". The group works with Muslins is Europe, Africa and Asia and we are told to pray for them, all should obtain a copy for reading, it is interesting.

    (2)
    • Marva, we don't have to "study all the 10,000+ religions," because we'll never meet people belonging to all of those. However, we should study how to best approach people with the good news of the Gospel.

      When Jesus wanted to share the Good News with us, He become one with us. As much as possible, we need to do the same with the people we want to reach.

      (1)

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