Thursday: Teach Transgressors Your Way
Daily Lesson for Thursday 22nd of May 2025
After the Lord had appeared to Isaiah in the throne room scene of Isaiah 6:1-8, and after Isaiah had been told that his “iniquity is taken away” and his “sin purged,” he then answered God’s call by saying, “ ‘Here am I! Send me’ ” (Isaiah 6:8, NKJV). That is, once he knew that he was right with God, and despite knowing his faults, he was ready to work for the Lord.
Is it not the same with us? How can we proclaim salvation to others if we don’t have it ourselves? And we can have it, by faith in Jesus and what He has done for us.
Read Psalms 51:7-15. What does David promise to do after he has been pardoned and purged from his sin?
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To be called into God’s presence is, ultimately, to be sent back out. In His wisdom, God has commissioned the redeemed to serve as His primary voice to a fallen world. At some point, the impact of His people on earth is going to be powerfully felt. Revelation 18:1 tells us that His final plea with the fallen planet will illuminate the whole world.
“No sooner does one come to Christ than there is born in his heart a desire to make known to others what a precious friend he has found in Jesus; the saving and sanctifying truth cannot be shut up in his heart. If we are clothed with the righteousness of Christ and are filled with the joy of His indwelling Spirit, we shall not be able to hold our peace. If we have tasted and seen that the Lord is good we shall have something to tell. Like Philip when he found the Saviour, we shall invite others into His presence.”—Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 78.
In Revelation 14:1-20, the three angels’ messages are founded on the “everlasting gospel” (Revelation 14:6). That is, even before the proclamations go out about worshiping the one “ ‘who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water’ ” (Revelation 14:7, NKJV) or about the fall of Babylon (Revelation 14:8) or about worshiping the “beast and his image” (Revelation 14:9), the foundation of the gospel, of salvation in Jesus, is proclaimed. And that is because the warnings and messages of the three angels mean nothing apart from the hope and promise that those who proclaim these messages have in Jesus and what He has done for them. Apart from the “everlasting gospel,” we really have nothing of any value to say to the world.
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Dwell more on the fact that, even before the proclamation of the three angels’ messages begins, we are pointed to the “everlasting gospel.” What should this tell us about how foundational this truth is to all that we believe? |
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The loudest story that one can tell is your own story. How possibly can one teach transgressors God’s way, while we are partakers of transgression? It is not how much information one has about Jesus Christ, but how much one has been impacted by the information. If we have not been impacted by the information we have about the gospel message, then all is simply a resounding gong. The dark world in which we live in will never be impacted by simply how much prophecy we know but by the transformed hearts through the love of Christ. Spiritually dead souls will never teach transgressors the ways of the Lord.
“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart... For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Luke 6:45).
The story of the Sons of Sceva as recorded in Acts 19:13–16, is very illustrative that we cannot offer what which we do not have. "Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?" (Acts 19:15). As story goes, it did not end well with these impostors. Trying to impersonate Jesus without having a personal relationship with Him, it is spiritually dangerous and ineffective. Isaiah confessed his sins first and was cleansed, and that is only then did he say, “Here I am, send me!”. Unless we are purified and renewed, we cannot teach transgressors effectively the ways of the Lord.
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, NLT).
Psalm 51 is an eloquent expression of repentance. It is generally accepted that King David wrote it after his affair with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah. His sin was horrific and it took a bit of divine intervention before he realised that even kings can sin.
I have taught many students in my time, and every now and then, I encounter a student who has such a high opinion of themselves that they are largely unteachable. I remember a student I had in my programming class who had come with a couple of years of self-taught programming. He knew everything and wrote the most obfuscated code I had ever seen. He completely ignored my teaching about structure and maintainability, because he thought he knew better.
David could have remained unteachable, but his psalm of repentance shows a willingness to learn the lesson, accept responsibility for his actions and grow spiritually.
... and with the eloquence over, he had to face the reality of a new life where he still had to face the consequences of his actions. Repentance is tough because it requires more than saying, "I'm sorry".
What is the lesson for us Christians who think we are nowhere near as bad as David? I ask myself: Am I guilty of being unteachable?
All along Mr Maurice is programming teacher. Hey,I’m one of those who self taught programming language. I believe I had that mentality as the student
The very fact that the “everlasting gospel” message of Revelation 14 is part of the final message to be given to the world should inspire us with confidence in relation to all other aspects presented in this chapter. However, I would suggest that you can’t separate the “everlasting gospel” from either the Creator, the fall of Babylon, or the judgement hour message. They are all part of the same thing which relates to a revelation of God’s character and government.
“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.” (COL 415)
Indeed, the three angels’ messages are Jesus’ final message of mercy - a call that reveals who God really is. The result of this will lead us to trust entirely in Him, enabling us to co-operate with Him in revealing His character, which will lead to our own salvation while presenting a “captivating” picture of what an ambassador of heaven looks like. (See COL 420).
We get into trouble when we either subordinate one of those aspects to the other, neglect one, or highlight one. It is whole, and when presented whole and understood whole (the centre of Whom is Jesus), it paints a picture of a Creator God who is beyond comprehension and we are left like John who fails to find words and just says, “Behold…” (1 John 3:1).
When God desires to save, He raises up people to share the good news about salvation. The Bible says, “God was well pleased through the message preached to save those who believe”(I Cor. 1:21). And goes on to say, “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” (Rom. 10:14-15). Two verses later, in Rom. 10:17 Paul writes, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ.” When we preach the gospel to someone and they come to saving faith, we don’t boast that “we have saved them” but that God has saved them, though we were the instruments of God’s saving work. God's sovereignty saves sinners, yet, He often uses sinners to accomplish His sovereign will.
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Motanya, I'm not sure what you mean by; "God's sovereignty saves sinners, yet, He often uses sinners to accomplish His sovereign will." If you are implying that God chooses some to be lost and others to be saved, then both the Bible and myself disagree with you. 2 Peter 3:9 makes it abundantly clear that God desires everyone to come to repentance and be saved. The one thing that He won't do is violate our freedom to choose. Both John 3:16 and Ephesians 2:8-10 says how we are saved. Ultimately it is our decision, not to save ourselves, but to choose to be saved or lost. We opt into or out of salvation through faith. God does all the "heavy lifting," of saving us. At no point are we the savior of ourselves. Much like the lifeguard that is trying to save a drowning person must sometimes wait until the fight has gone out of the stricken person before they can be saved. If we don't fight against or frustrate the grace of God, He will lead us to salvation. (Galatians 2:17-21) Our part is to let God save us. "Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling."
I agree that God uses people to deliver the good news. It is both an honor and a blessing to be used by God to lead someone to Christ. The glory goes to God, but He shares with us the joy.
You're absolutely right to emphasize verses like 2 Peter 3:9, John 3:16, and Ephesians 2:8-10—they clearly show that God's desire is for all to be saved and that salvation is a gift received through faith. God does not force anyone into salvation, nor does He arbitrarily condemn others. He honors our freedom to choose, which is why the call to believe is extended to everyone.
When I said that “God’s sovereignty saves sinners, yet He often uses sinners to accomplish His sovereign will,” I wasn't implying that God predestines some to be lost. Rather, I meant that God, in His sovereign wisdom, works through human beings—even flawed ones—to carry out His purposes. Salvation is indeed offered to all, but God often chooses people to be His messengers.
Look at Moses, Abraham, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others—God called them specifically to deliver His message, to guide His people, or to proclaim the hope of redemption. Similarly today, God calls believers to carry the gospel. It's both a privilege and a responsibility. As Romans 10:14-15 says, “How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?”
So yes, salvation is God's work, but He chooses to involve us in sharing it. And while the glory belongs to Him alone, He graciously shares the joy with us when someone responds to the good news.
Although there are many tribulations in this world, looking ahead may comfort us: Jesus paid the price and conquered sin, and He is ministering in our favor before the Father. Let us cling to His promise of returning.
The "Voice From Heaven" in Revelation 18:4 is "The Voice of God Himself" heard throughout the world for "One Last Chance" for "All Humanity Alive then." All Humanity including Seventh Day Adventists too hear this "Voice of God" to come out of "Spiritual Babylon!"
The lesson writer asks: “Is it not the same with us?” Yes, as it was with David, the same is true for us! We have been accepted by the God of Creation, received His Forgiveness, and now are called to allow Him to transform our former state. Whether it be spiritual ignorance or outright rebellion, His Holy Spirit wants to transform us into a humble, loving, and engaged member of His spiritual family through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.
Even though David lived before the New Testament was written, the essence of what it means to be a child of God has not changed. David knew that it is not enough to simply accept God’s ever-available gift of forgiveness. Like he, we are called to fully embrace His Grace — asking Him to “create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us”. Psalm 51:10.
As Ellen G. White points out in her quote – “we shall not be able to hold our peace”. Salvation is not a one-time event. It is a lifelong testimony to God’s Goodness and Mercy rescuing us from the brokenness of this world. The world needs to experience this loving and gracious God we believe in; the One who longs to save man from destruction — and we are enabled by Him to live that Truth.