Friday: Further Thought ~ The Biblical Worldview
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Mind Cure,” Pages 241-259, in The Ministry of Healing; “True and False Theories Contrasted,” Pages 7-16, in The Sanctified Life.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
“The great controversy is nearing its end. Every report of calamity by sea or land is a testimony to the fact that the end of all things is at hand. Wars and rumors of wars declare it. Is there a Christian whose pulse does not beat with quickened action as he anticipates the great events opening before us? The Lord is coming. We hear the footsteps of an approaching God.” — Ellen G. White, Maranatha, p. 220.
“Live the life of faith day by day. Do not become anxious and distressed about the time of trouble, and thus have a time of trouble beforehand. Do not keep thinking, ‘I am afraid I shall not stand in the great testing day.’ You are to live for the present, for this day only. Tomorrow is not yours. Today you are to maintain the victory over self. Today you are to live a life of prayer. Today you are to fight the good fight of faith. Today you are to believe that God blesses you. And as you gain the victory over darkness and unbelief, you will meet the requirements of the Master, and will become a blessing to those around you.” — Ellen G. White, Signs of the Times, October 20, 1887.
“The Lord is soon to come, and we must be prepared to meet Him in peace. Let us be determined to do all in our power to impart light to those around us. We are not to be sad, but cheerful, and we are to keep the Lord Jesus ever before us. … We must be ready and waiting for His appearing. Oh, how glorious it will be to see Him, and be welcomed as His redeemed ones! Long have we waited, but our faith is not to become weak. If we can but see the King in His beauty, we shall be forever and forever blessed. I feel as if I must cry aloud, ‘Homeward bound.’ We are nearing the time when Christ will come with power and great glory, to take His ransomed ones to their eternal home.” — Ellen G. White, Heaven, Pages 165, 166.
Discussion Questions:
|
Our worldview is one that must offer hope for the future, have roots in the past, but make a difference in the present.
In my obsession with bird watching, I often find myself near tall trees. (Sometimes I wish they were a bit shorter so the birds were forced to be a bit closer) The thriving trees have a good strong canopy (future) and an extensive root system (past) but they also provide a service for the environment. Birds and lizards use them as homes; their leaves photosynthesize carbon dioxide into oxygen, trapping energy from the sun in doing so. In fact a tree is not just a static ornament to be admired for its beauty, but an active participant in life and living.
If our worldview is focused entirely on an apocalyptic future it misses the fertilisation of the past and the practicality of the present. It is not just about being right; it is also about being useful.
One of the discussion questions asks, how we can have the assurance of being ready without being presumptuous? The book of 1 John tells us how to be prepared for the second coming and how to know we have eternal life.
“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.” 1 John 5:13 NKJV
Peter also has some admonition on assurance of eternal life, which may be construed as salvation by works, but in reality gives us as believers confidence in eternal life, the fruition of being ready, or occupying till I come, if you prefer. 2 Peter 1:5-8.
Verse 10 says if you do these things you will never stumble.