Friday: Further Thought – Great Controversy and the Early Church
Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky wrote about Jesus returning to the earth, but not as predicted in the Bible. Instead, in this made-up story, Jesus returned at the height of the Inquisition, when religious leaders used their power for evil. The Grand Inquisitor had Jesus, who came as a humble peasant, arrested and thrown in a dungeon. That night he visited Jesus in jail and castigated Him for giving humans freedom. “Instead of taking men’s freedom from them,” he declares, “Thou didst make it greater than ever!
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Didst Thou forget that man prefers peace, and even death, to freedom of choice in the knowledge of good and evil? Nothing is more seductive for man than his freedom of conscience, but nothing is a greater cause of suffering.” Despite his audacity and cynicism, the cleric has a point. Look at what humans have done with their freedom. Pain, evil, sin, suffering, death-all have arisen from freedom, or from the abuse of it. But God created us as loving beings, and the only way we could love is if we were created free. So much of how the great controversy plays out in this world is impacted by what people have done and still do with the sacred but very costly gift (the Cross reveals the cost) of freedom. As we saw this week, some, when confronted with the gospel, repented and gave their hearts to Jesus; others, when confronted with it, murdered the messenger. Freedom is a precious gift, but we need to be so careful about what we do with it.
Discussion Questions:
- No question, the New Testament emphasizes the oneness that we have in Christ. This is a very powerful idea, one that was revolutionary in its time. Unfortunately, even now in the 21st century, one of the greatest evils that still exists is ethnic, racial, and national prejudice. Only God knows the full extent of what this evil has wrought. And though we expect this in the world, what about the church, even our own church? How is it manifested? Why is this kind of attitude so contradictory to the most basic and fundamental teaching of the gospel?
- At times we all feel convicted by the Holy Spirit. How do you respond when that conviction comes? It’s in the heart that the great controversy truly rages. How do the choices you make when convicted by the Spirit reveal whose side you might be on?
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When the Holy Spirit Convicts you of a Sin, He will not just make you feel bad all over. He will put his finger right on the sore spot and push. For me I thank Jesus for showing me how to live a better life and forgiving me of my Faults and Sins. For me I use to feel a sense of Guilt and Shame, But this BROUGHT me to Repentance! AMEN!
"Freedom is a precious gift, but we need to be so careful about what we do with it."
What freedom does the Bible offer sinners? Freedom from sin and the control of the Wicked one. This freedom is only in total surrender to the Word, will, and Spirit of God. Any sin that could be named is nothing more than an affront to someone else's freedom and peace. That is why it is sin. It serves the sinner only at the expense of someone else, and themselves, and it's wages are death.
So true freedom for sinners (who are naturally opposed to righteousness) is only found in Christ, who lived by every word from God. Now we are "free" to accept or reject truth, but in the rejection of Truth we become destined for death. What freedom is there in death?
For the sinner, true freedom is to give up one's "freedom" as naturally viewed by nearly all the world, and to present themselves as living sacrifices who demonstrate in their lives the "faith of Jesus, who prayed; "not my will, but Thine be done!" when tempted to depart from the "good, acceptable and perfect will of God".
True freedom is eternal life with God, and in this world/universe restored, the true freedom will naturally be exercised for the benefit of all.
The prayer of Christ for his disciples was that they may be one in the way christ is one with his father.But this days we hear more about ecumenism,denominations working towards some kind of unity.Is this christian unity?
True unity is only found in being fully one with God in spirit and truth. If doing so, we will be in perfect unity with all who do this. There is no unity outside of Truth as God has defined it in Christ.
"As we saw this week, some, when confronted with the gospel, repented and gave their hearts to Jesus; others, when confronted with it, murdered the messenger. Freedom is a precious gift, but we need to be so careful about what we do with it." --- This is a profound statement from the lesson author.
Since our fallen nature/the sinful flesh of humankind is systematically stimulated by the ego master, Satan and his demons. You may ask yourself, why is God allowing so much suffering ?
If you had not suffered as you have, there would be no depth to you as a human being, no humility, no compassion. You most likely would not be studying these bible lessons/or moderating them. Suffering cracks open the veneer of the fallen/sinful fleshy nature, and then comes a point when it has served its purpose. Suffering is necessary until you realize it is unnecessary.
In my humble estimation, God is in total control, even of Satan (as for instance, Job's story in the bible). In no way am I suggesting our heavenly Father is using Satan, God forbid! What Satan is or has become is likened to a virus and God has provided the anti-virus, Christ Jesus, an indescribable formula and mystery that all creation will study for eternity when the redeemed of this earth are returned to God's glorious bosom and heavenly abode.
Therefore, through Christ Jesus, true freedom and the end of suffering is alive and in us at levels we cannot fathom, so you can live in such a way as if you had completely chosen whatever you feel or experience at this moment.
This inner alignment with the Holy Spirit is the end of suffering, leaving the latter day Pentecost truly alive and well for all to receive today.
We have truly been set free, free to forgive the unaware , free to forgive ourselves for our part in it.
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)
May God bless us all, keep coming back to these lesson studies, and in turn we be a blessing to those within our sphere of influence.
"Suffering is necessary until you realize it is unnecessary". Powerful!