Friday: Further Thought – Complete in Christ
Daily Lesson for Friday 6th of March 2026
Further Thought
“As in the days of the apostles men tried by tradition and philosophy to destroy faith in the Scriptures, so today, by the pleasing sentiments of higher criticism, evolution, spiritualism, theosophy, and pantheism, the enemy of righteousness is seeking to lead souls into forbidden paths.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
To many the Bible is as a lamp without oil, because they have turned their minds into channels of speculative belief that bring misunderstanding and confusion. The work of higher criticism, in dissecting, conjecturing, reconstructing, is destroying faith in the Bible as a divine revelation. It is robbing God’s word of power to control, uplift, and inspire human lives. By spiritualism, multitudes are taught to believe that desire is the highest law, that license is liberty, and that man is accountable only to himself.
“The follower of Christ will meet with the ‘enticing words’ against which the apostle warned the Colossian believers. He will meet with spiritualistic interpretations of the Scriptures, but he is not to accept them. His voice is to be heard in clear affirmation of the eternal truths of the Scriptures. Keeping his eyes fixed on Christ, he is to move steadily forward in the path marked out, discarding all ideas that are not in harmony with His teaching. The truth of God is to be the subject for his contemplation and meditation. He is to regard the Bible as the voice of God speaking directly to him. Thus he will find the wisdom which is divine.”—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, Pages 474, 475.
Discussion Questions
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It is interesting how quickly our conversation this week moved from the topic to discussing conformity issues. I reread Colossians 2 this morning in “The Message” and the compelling pastoral message that came through was, “Keep it Simple”. Read this carefully:
That is encouragement. It is forward looking and generous in spirit. He then goes on to remind the readers of the centrality of Christ to our salvation:
I am reminded of Jesus’ one-to-one mission: Nicodemus, the Samaritan Woman, the woman taken in adultery, the thief on the cross, and Peter. The invitation was simple, sometimes confronting, but non-the-less ultimately an invitation to be complete in him.
Have, a great, shareable Sabbath!
For the first time ever, I am not sure what you are trying to convey here.
Hehe! Thanks for the feedback Corinthia. It’s not the first time I have made simple sound complicated. All I was trying to say was that the Gospel is not complicated. I used Jesus’ one to one witnessing to show that.
Amen Maurice. Your much appreciated. For a heart warming story of Nicodemus becoming complete in Christ, read the Desire of Ages page 775.2.
Maurice, I like what you say about keeping things simple. Salvation in itself is not complicated. Along those same lines there is a sentence in todays lesson that states, “The work of higher criticism, in dissecting, conjecturing, reconstructing, is destroying faith in the Bible as a divine revelation.”
I totally agree with this. Our salvation is so simple, and yet we work so hard at making it complicated.
Maurice – thank you for choosing the MSG version of the Bible which uses ‘interpretive language’ to make it easier for readers to understand the spiritual message being conveyed.
Yes, “Now do what you have been taught. School’s out; quite studying the subject and start living it!” This is what every student needs to learn: implementing/living the lessons he/she has learned through studying Scripture!
Thousands of books have been written presenting different theories and philosophies about success. Millions of people continue searching for the secret to achieving it. Yet the Bible reveals that the true path to lasting success is found in obedience to God and not human tradions. His way to success is clearly connected to obedience, and it remains the surest route to true success. The Bible says in Genesis 22:18, “And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.” Abraham’s blessing came as a result of his obedience to God. Likewise, Joshua 1:8 teaches that when we meditate on God’s Word and obey it, we will prosper and have good success. Obedience to God as opposed to human tradions makes meaningful and lasting success. When as a people we choose to follow God’s commandments, walk in paths that lead to blessing as Isaiah 1:19 says, “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.” Even today, God is still looking for people who will listen to His voice and faithfully walk in His ways so that He may bless them and make their lives a sucess.
And success is when Jesus writes your name in the Book of Life!
To balance wisdom is to have Christ. None can change the Law of God, but it cannot save anyone. Jesus is the way for us to achieve the goal, clearly shown by the Word.
What does it mean to be complete in Christ? Can I be so bold as to say it is simply assurance of salvation? Yes! Further I can say when I look at myself, I cannot see how I can be saved, yet when I look at Jesus, I don’t see that I could ever be lost. It is not blessed uncertainty, or blessed misgivings; rather blessed assurance Jesus is mine. It is when Christ is received as our personal Saviour that salvation comes to the soul. Our experience with Christ is not as a passing guest, rather as our Saviour abiding in our soul temple, giving us joy and happiness that this world cannot offer. Called a daily relationship with Christ Jesus. Sounds simple. Salvation, or in Christ completely has the invitation for everyone, therefore it must be simple.
Revelation 22:17. “The Holy Spirit and the beautiful City are saying, “Come!” Whoever accepts the messages in this book, “Come!” Everyone who is thirsty may come and drink of the Water of Life.” From the Clear Word. For less paraphrased Words, click on the text above.
The gospel commission is to go, preach, teach, baptize, and make deciples of all men and women. How can we do this without concluding that our Seventh-day Adventist beliefs are right, but the beliefs of other religious groups (Christians and non-Christians) are wrong? Is this being judgemental on our path?
We need the power of the Holy Spirit for discernment to understand what we believe and to be certain,grounded and confident in what we believe in.
As it was at the Beginning – The mystery of ‘Love and Faith’, implemented through God’s Grace, is the Gateway for man’s Salvation. I refrain from discussing the many interpretations of what is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’, but I do want to share thoughts about God’s Grace and Mercy.
After reading Ellen G. Whites excerpts in todays “Final Thoughts”, I am encouraged to continue to stand outside the ‘fray’ and point to “God’s Love and Grace through Faith”. I like to contribute a thought to this week’s discussion which might be helpful with trying to understand the dilemma between ‘works’ vs. ‘faith’ – obeying the ‘Law’ vs. ‘God’s Grace by Faith’.
With/through Jesus Christ, His Son, the Father introduced His Last Covenant – the Covenant of Grace through FAITH. I consider that, before we can engage in any act of ‘kindness, compassion – caring in general -, we need to ask ourselves: do I engage because my life is found in Jesus Christ – I love God with all my heart -, or do I follow ‘doctrine’ and all their underlying forms of ‘subtility’ motivated by other sources? When following ‘doctrine’, we engage in works.
John 3:16 – tells us that God ushered in His last Covenant with man. God sent us His Son so we can believe/know the Father through Him. He sent Him to show that it is His Grace which saves us through FAITH, and so prevent man from judging His children’s state of Salvation based on works.
As I see it:
James 4:16 –
The New Covenant has replaced the old Covenant because man was led to judge his fellow man by his works.
1 Cor. 4:3-4 –
God’s New Covenant based on Grace through Faith precludes man from judging his fellow man as judgement is based on the Grace of God experienced through our faith.
Rom.14:10-12 –
As it was at the Beginning, the quality of our relationship with God is found in the integrity of our faith, engendered by the sincerety of our LOVE for God for that which HE has done for us.
It is by His works of Grace by which we are saved through Faith!
Our salvation is made “simple,” only through total surrender to Christ, Karen.
How do we live “converted,” and “Complete in Christ?”
Intellectually? Outwardly? Works? Ego-centeredly? Falsely? With spotlighted physicality? Engaged in legalism?
(Isa 61:3; Col 2:6, 7, 8)
Here is how, healed “by His stripes,” our salvation is made possible:
1. Receive JESUS, The True and Living Word/The Cornerstone.
2. Walk by faith; deeply established and rooted in His righteousness/faith (Isa. 61:3)
3. Grow in Jesus, in Christian grace & CHARACTER (2Peter 3:18).
4. Live and witness with gratitude. Rejoice in His peace.
5. Test and be guided by the authority of God’s Word.
I learned that, “It is our sinful condition, not God, that requires our obedience to His law.” (Col 2:16-19) What a revelation!
“…Bind my laws (new covenant 10) upon your heart,” is our divine instruction. (Hebrews 8:10; Romans 7:7)
May we who are prone to righteousness by works strive for inward transformation, rather than unnecessary outward entanglements.
(Col. 20:20-23)
May we set our minds on things above, and follow the Ten Commandments; knowing that Christ, the source of all wisdom, freedom and love, is already with us. (Job 28:12 ; Colossians 2:1-7)
May our hearts be encouraged, as we grow … knit together in love; and known for dwelling “in one accord” (John 13:35).
We are saved by grace: Gr Charis; “The divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life.” Meditate on this…