Friday: Further Study: Being and Doing
Further Study: Ellen G. White, The Test of Discipleship,
p. 59-63, in Steps to Christ.
-Ellen G. White Comments, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 935.
The law is God’s great moral looking glass. Man is to compare his words, his spirit, his actions with the Word of God.
“Instead of releasing man from obedience, it is faith, and faith only, that makes us partakers of the grace of Christ, which enables us to render obedience.
As Jesus was in human nature, so God means His followers to be. In His strength we are to live the life of purity and nobility which the Saviour lived.
-Ellen G. White, Our Father Cares, p. 69.
Discussion Questions:
- Though we have been told it would be to our advantage to move away (if possible) from worldly places, why is that not the ultimate answer to the problems of sin and temptation? How far would we have to go in order to be away from any kind of temptation at all? What is the only answer for sin and temptation, regardless of where we live?
- Police were trying to place electronic eavesdropping devices in an office where they suspected criminals were working. The only problem: vicious Dobermans surrounded the compound. So, the police, each night, would feed the dogs hamburgers. At first they would toss about five or six between the bars. Before long, the dogs were not only eating the burgers out of the officers’ hands, but they were licking the officers’ hands when done. Thus, with the guard dogs tamed, the police were able to infiltrate and plant the devices. What lesson can we take from this story about how we, if we are not careful, can let our own guards down?
- Think more about this idea of being a doer of the Word as opposed to just believing the Word. What is, in the end, the real difference between the two?
- What do you say to those who claim that because of the grace of Christ, they are free from the law? What do they often really mean by that, and how would you answer them?
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Through this week's lesson I have come to dwell more upon why we should be different from the world and yet live in the heart of it. by living up to God's standards we appear more peculiar to those around us and are observed more closely. While there will be some who will ridicule us for not being like them, there are some who would want to understand why we are different and it is in these very hearts God want us to plant the seeds of truth. May we receive the baptism of the Holy spirit so we can be magnets to those we seek God's truth. Wish you all a victorious week.
I believe this is the Will of God for His true followers, to be Doers of the Law. In doing the Will of God by practical obedience and faith in His Word, we will become peculiar people in the world, that will draw many to worship and praises our Father in Heaven by genuine uniqueness of our eyewitness Godly characteristics. Just as the power of the Holy Spirit fell on the disciples on the day of Pentecost, the manifestation of the gift of tongue that was witnessed and experienced by the multitude, we too can receive the power of the God by the Holy Spirit if we by faith, DOERS of His Will. We are all promised this amazing Spiritual influence when we choose to do and obey God's Law, His Will. Happy delightful Sabbath.