Friday: Further Study: Blessings of the Righteous
Further Study: It is not enough to make a profession of faith in Christ and have our names registered on the church roll. . . . Whatever our profession, it amounts to nothing unless Christ is revealed in works of righteousness.
— Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 312, 313.
— Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 309, 310.
The greatest deception of the human mind in Christ’s day was that a mere assent to the truth constitutes righteousness. In all human experience a theoretical knowledge of the truth has been proved to be insufficient for the saving of the soul. . . . The darkest chapters of history are burdened with the record of crimes committed by bigoted religionists. . . . The same danger still exists. Many take it for granted that they are Christians, simply because they subscribe to certain theological tenets. But they have not brought the truth into practical life. . . . Men may profess faith in the truth; but if it does not make them sincere, kind, patient, forbearing, heavenly-minded, it is a curse to its possessors, and through their influence it is a curse to the world. “The righteousness which Christ taught is conformity of heart and life to the revealed will of God.
Discussion Questions:
- Discuss how our decisions impact others for good or for evil. Why is this an inescapable fact of life? This truth was first revealed in the story of the Fall, where even to this day the impact of Adam and Eve’s choice is felt in each of our lives. It might be tempting to try to measure the amount of good or bad our decisions might bring, but that’s risky, because we often don’t know the impact of our choices. Why, then, in light of God and His law, must we choose to do what’s right, regardless of what we fear the consequences might be?
- Proverbs makes a sharp distinction between the righteous and the fool, and from these verses we learn about what is right and wrong. Why, though, must we be very careful whom we judge as fools? On the other hand, how often have we been deceived by those whom we once thought were righteous?
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What influences my decisions? The impact on others? The consequences?
I believe that the result of my decisions absolutely do have an impact on those within my influence circle, some more than others.
I know that my decisions will have consequences in this world and the world to come, some good and some bad.
But neither the impact nor the consequences should be the major influence on my decisions. The major influence on my decisions?
Is this in harmony with the will of the LORD for my life? or in other words my relationship with the LORD determines who I am which is reflected in what I do and say.
In practical terms fill my mind with the knowledge of the character of the LORD, fill my heart with the love of the LORD and put a watch on my lips and walk in the paths of righteousness continually.
Shirley,
Fine comment.
Sometimes in calculating impact and consequences based on common reasoning parents decide only to affirm or feed with pleasantries the mind of their children in an attempt to build self-esteem. They decline to restrain for this will attack self-esteem. This they understand to be acting kindly; but the result does not tend to godliness.
Children of God sometimes expect the same from their Heavenly Father and His messengers and will not listen to anything that challenges the conduct or appears to attack self-esteem. So feeling good is set above God's will. It is at this point mere assent to truth or profession of faith amounts to little. For unless there is submission to the Creator one is only living for time; not eternity.
When pleasing our Maker is our highest thought we may still make mistakes; but they are not likely to have eternal consequences.
Hugh, in context of the next week's lesson, we do well to do as you suggest and point out those things which challenge wrong conduct. Self, in self-esteem, is often blind to the things of God. And, too often, "self-esteem" is a cover for self-worship. On the other hand, self-worth is seen in the value Christ paid for each one of us on the Cross, and He, the Omniscient One, is the only One worthy of our worship.