Friday: Further Thought – God Loves Freely
Daily Lesson for Friday 3rd of January 2025
Read Ellen G. White, “ ‘To Meet the Bridegroom,’ ” Pages 405–421, in Christ’s Object Lessons.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
“It is the darkness of misapprehension of God that is enshrouding the world. Men are losing their knowledge of His character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. At this time a message from God is to be proclaimed, a message illuminating in its influence and saving in its power. His character is to be made known. Into the darkness of the world is to be shed the light of His glory, the light of His goodness, mercy, and truth.
“This is the work outlined by the prophet Isaiah in the words, ‘O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.’ Isaiah 40:9-10.
“Those who wait for the Bridegroom’s coming are to say to the people, ‘Behold your God.’ The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love. The children of God are to manifest His glory. In their own life and character they are to reveal what the grace of God has done for them.
“The light of the Sun of Righteousness is to shine forth in good works—in words of truth and deeds of holiness.”—Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, Pages 415, 416.
Discussion Questions
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In keeping with today's lesson theme, I am keeping my comment short. I have some good works to do. We don't do anything to be saved, but doing nothing once we are saved is not an option.
Indeed! This reminds me of a statement l saw on a poster. ‘Your actions show who you really are, your words show who you pretend to be.’
May we really be in CHRIST - totally in love with Him as our all in all.
What “deeds of holiness” might reveal God’s love to those around us? I believe the answer to this question must come precisely from those around us. But of course, knowing the Truth must involve practicing It.
I believe talking about God's love an integral part of living God's love. I could live God's love all day long and if I did not mention, or be ready to discuss God's love, I may never get the chance to express verbally God's love. Most people need a stimulus of verbal content to get a conversation going about God's love. Most people are like you and I, we are afraid if we talk about God's love, we will be stepping on an agnostic toes or may get shut down by a bitter, or acromomious, previous or recently hurt Christian. I felt impelled to get to a sharp point today. God bless all who read our thread and all you who contribute to our Sabbath School Net throughout this nrw year, in word and in monetary value.
I especially like the question ‘Why do you think there is so much misunderstanding of God’s character in our world today?’
I can start by saying that this is so because of the mixed messages we live. We say we are Christians but our witness is not Christ-like. May we strive to reflect Christ in all we do. ‘Our walk walk, speaks louder than our talk talks.’
The repentant thief on the cross is the best example of being "Saved by grace and not by works." James is clear what our works are to be to go along with our faith: Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the prisoners, etc. and etc. But the repentant thief had no opportunity for any of these "works." Yet, Jesus told him, "Verily I say to you this day, you will be with me in Paradise." So it is with us, in relation to any of God's Promises written in The Bible, we are just like that thief, we have no "Righteousness" to offer God at all. So we have to just simply claim them by faith and go about our daily duties trusting that He will fulfill them in our lives as we go about to bless others with these "Precious Promises."
Pete, if I may politely add, if I cast my good works upon the waters it is sure to return to me in several days, a year? Ok, I could even wait till Christ comes in the air and I rise upto Him in the air, and meet with Him and His angels for a seven day journey up yonder. When the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there. That's a promise I can keep by the grace of a loving God. Ecclesiastes 11:1. Sarcastic, I rather doubt it. Not even acromonious, we are told to be confident in our faith.
"Our faith must be something more confident than it now is. We must live the truth, and teach it by our lives as well as by our words. There are thousands within our reach to whom we can teach the truth, and it does not require the investment of large means to reach our neighboring towns and cities." 9LetterManuscripts, Manuscript 60, 1894, par. 26. Letter written by Ellen White.
Probably the first thing we need to do before we try to show God's character to the world is make sure we really know what God is like. And that goes beyond just quoting verses to really internalizing and believing in what the Bible teaches.
Lots of people in the "world" and other churches have misconceptions of God, but I'm not sure that we are actually much better. I think if we are really honest, a lot of us do have a feeling that God is disappointed in us and ready to reject us or punish us when we slip up. No one will really admit to this, but it's there in the background. And our perspective of God comes through - maybe not in words, but in how we treat others. And then people perceive God in a bad way and the cycle is perpetuated.
For many, parent figures give us this picture of God (often not intentionally, but hurt is passed down from generation to generation). We need to heal and really allow God to change the pictures we have.
If you are one of those people with faulty views of God, I encourage you to commit to really getting to know God. Immerse yourself in the story of Jesus. Studying the gospels, reading The Desire of Ages, can be so helpful. And ask God to do His work of healing in your life. Then we can really share a picture of God with others that is accurate.
Dear Christina, you are spot on. I can identify with what you are saying from my own experience growing up in church. Thank you for spelling out that if we have a faulty perception of who GOD is then we are worshipping a false god. This is as idolatry as much as it is to bow down to graven images and statutes. I praise GOD for His loving kindness and patience in restoring and healing our brokenness so we can see His character more clearly.
It seems as though God can only love. But Scripture says that He hates too. Even of Israel that he loved freely it is said: “My inheritance has become to Me like a lion in the forest; she has roared against me; therefor I have come to hate her.”(Jer 12:8) I know in some cases we may translate it as “love less”, but not here.
“The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, and the one who loves violence His soul hates.”(Ps 11:5)
“You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; no evil dwells with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all who do iniquity. You destroy those who speak falsehood; the Lord abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.”(Ps 5:4-6)
It is not a manifestation of His love, as some say, when God destroys the wicked in the end.