Friday: Further Thought – Peter on the Great Controversy
Peter warned that scoffers would say: “‘everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation'” (2 Pet. 3:4, NIV). This was nothing new; the same sentiments were expressed before the Flood. “As time passed on, with no apparent change in nature, men whose hearts had at times trembled with fear, began to be reassured. They reasoned, as many reason now, that nature is above the God of nature, and that her laws are so firmly established that God Himself could not change them.
Image © Krieg Barrie from GoodSalt.com
Reasoning that if the message of Noah were correct, nature would be turned out of her course, they made that message, in the minds of the world, a delusion-a grand deception. They manifested their contempt for the warning of God by doing just as they had done before the warning was given. . . . They asserted that if there were any truth in what Noah had said, the men of renown-the wise, the prudent, the great men-would understand the matter.”-Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 97. Today, “the great men” tell us something similar: the laws of nature are fixed and set, and all things continue on as before. In a sense, that’s what the theory of evolution teaches: life occurred through natural processes that can be explained, at least in principle, through the operation of natural laws that one day science will fully explain to us, and all without any need of deity. The “great men” were wrong then, and they are wrong now, as well. No wonder Paul wrote: “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (1 Cor. 3:19). It was in the time of the Flood, it was in Peter’s time, and it is in ours, as well.
Discussion Questions:
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The lessons this week have been a huge blessing to me so it pains me to have to point out some misguided thinking in Friday's lesson. Question #2 revisits the subject of peer pressure. I agree that peer pressure is not limited to young people; it is human nature to seek approval and avoid disapproval. The next question has to be taken as sarcasm, but I think the author is suggesting it might (or probably not) be a good idea to try to get others to like us so we can be a better witness. I agree wholeheartedly that it's a horrible idea.
The next question is the one that troubles me. "In our desire to be pleasing to others, how can we guard against compromising our beliefs?" The question starts with the flawed premise that I actually do have a desire to please others. If I am in Christ and he is in me, what business is it of mine whether or not I am pleasing to others? If I am connected with Christ, I don't need to worry so much about whether or not my beliefs are being compromised. My ultimate "worry" is whether or not my eyes are focused like laser beams on Jesus, especially him hanging on the cross. (Matt. 6:33)
The bottom line is that these questions come across (to me) as being focused entirely on self. This kind of thinking will lead us to lose sight of our only hope, our Lord Jesus. In my daily battle with self, approval is one of the things that self is constantly and continually demanding. I am not saying approval is bad, but that seeking it for myself is deadly.
Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will, through us or otherwise, lead others to find *Jesus* pleasing. Let Christ in us be pleasing to others.
Another question: Does anybody believe that Jeremiah was trying to be pleasing so he could be a better witness?
Thanks for your comment, Jeffrey. 🙂
Perhaps we can bring your comment and the author's comment together this way:
We need to be friends with people before they will listen to us. We need to be "loving and lovable Christians." And it's clear that that's what the author had in mind, and he issued a caution regarding focusing so much on the friend-making process that we might forget our ambassador for Jesus task.
Indeed, we need to be more concerned about what people think of Christ than what they think of us. But because we are Christians, the two ideas come together: If we are unpleasant in our dealings with them, they will get a false picture of Christ.
As for Jeremiah: He was called to be a prophet, and most of us aren't. He had to do some strange things as part of his calling, and we can be grateful that we don't have a prophet's job.
At the same time we do have a prophetic message: Jesus, the Creator of heaven and earth is coming soon, and He wants us to deliver that Good News to the ends of the earth. Is it possible that our delivery method says something about our message?
Thank you, Brother Jeffrey and Sister Inge!
Speaking of Jesus, I am reminded of not only His words, but also His example.
Jesus did, and expects of us:
1. Visit/help widows and fatherless. Not disdain lack of 'financial planning'.
2. Minister to the imprisoned. Not preach that it is their just desserts.
3. Feed the hungry and give water to the thirsty. Not hoard what is God's grace.
4. Minister to the sick. Not feel we will be contaminated.
5. Help clothe the poor. Not chastise them for expecting charity. We have not lived their experiences.
We need to be separate from the evil actions of the world, but engaged in ministering to the world. We cannot judge who the Spirit will convict and draw. When we believe we are 'clean' and they are 'dirty', then we are ripe for the haughty spirit and destruction.
I love you, Jesus! Not only the Savior but, indeed, the Friend of sinners. Please help and guide us to not follow or lust after the world, yet be servants among it. Wise as serpents and gentle as doves. Sabbath peace to all.
Yes Inge, we have been called to "prophesy again before many people". Is our message always eagerly accepted, no matter how nicely we share it? How does one speak of Babylon(with the clear understanding being taught of what it means) falling without raising a few eyebrows? Is there a nice way to say it so that it pleases everyone?
I'm not sure we need to be concerned about how others think of us or Christ, but rather, our concern should be their salvation and escape from the wrath of God against all who are ungodly, while sacrificing all we can to bring them the good news and reveal the Hope within us. Beyond this, what more can be done? While some will find life and rejoice, others will reply with extreme hatred, all from the same message and it's delivery. "We wrestle not against flesh and blood".
Yes, we must be loving and lovable, and if we are yoked with Jesus at all times it will be Him that is seen. Yet, how many times did the meek and lowly Jesus face men eager to stone Him, throw Him off a cliff or nail Him to a cross? What can any follower of the Lord expect if they are like Him in all things? Yet, this we must be, as you say.
I understand exactly what you are saying and agree, yet we cannot forget what Jesus taught that accepting the truth would bring us in this life, and of course, in the life to come. Especially the latter, which gives courage to face the former.
I believe that Noah, who walked with God, gave his warning as kindly as it could be given. He was not angry with his fellowmen, but as a Godly and obedient servant, the love of God and His desire to save was revealed in Noah's appeals, yet how was he received?
To the natural heart, if it still "lives", peer pressure will be great. For those who have crucified self, while Christ lives within, peer pressure will simply not exist, as their love for their neighbor's need exceeds their personal wants/needs. Isn't this the love exhibited on the cross?
Bob, I believe that how we represent Jesus is the *core* of evangelism. People are lost or saved by what they think of Jesus Christ. If we do not keep that foremost in our minds, our concern for their salvation may just result in converts to an escape from hell mechanism - and that won't work.
The message that Babylon is fallen is utterly meaningless unless the world sees from *what* Babylon is fallen. Notice that the Babylon message is preceded by "the everlasting gospel" - the Good News of salvation in Christ who demonstrated what God is really like.
Yes, I believe that some of Babylon's false teachings need to be unmasked by using words, but the most powerful message is through the demonstration of God's love in the lives of His people. That demonstration, by itself and without words, proclaims the message that "Babylon is fallen."
Being loving and lovable Christians does not mean we expect to be always appreciated. After all, Christ Himself was crucified. But before He was crucified, He drew crowds to Him by the demonstration of self-renouncing love, and after he was crucified and rose again, they remembered what they had seen. That's how thousands were converted in a day after Pentecost.
I'm in perfect alignment with your thoughts Inge. My intention was only to point out that the sinless Christ had many enemies though He was without fault in all He did. One cannot be without fault if not fully in line with the will of God who "so loved the world". Our love will not prevent enemies from hating the truth. We need only follow the example of giving all to save even one, while expecting that most will come to hate the faithful followers of Christ. Isn't this what prophecy tells us?
Great comments from you and Jeffrey, Inge. Just a little phrase I remember about "friendship evangelism" - you may have heard this coinage out of personal ministries departments. This embodies what you have said about being pleasant to people as we seek to introduce them to Christ or Christ to them. We have to demonstrably win their confidence and trust as well as respect before they open up to the theory of what we are selling as God's salesmen and women for the gospel. Though the gospel of Jesus is free, it can be difficult selling the concept to some people. Remember Jesus' methods are the only ones that work. He sought to the needs of the sick, hungry, desperate, demon possessed and oppressed more than He even preached and He was so kind for even little children followed and clung to Him. Yes, I agree with some of Jeffrey's observations.
I now realize that my comment above was not an appropriate way of sharing my thoughts on today's lesson. It was careless of me to share in public my concerns and frustration with the lesson instead of bringing them to the author one-on-one. I ask for the forgiveness of the readers of this blog and especially the author if they are reading this.
Jeffrey, I trust that by the ensuing discussion, you can tell that your comment was not inappropriate. 🙂
I believe you may be thinking of Christ's counsel in Matthew 18 regarding solving personal differences between believers. These are to be settled in private, if at all possible, and to be brought to the church only as a last measure.
By contrast, the Sabbath School lesson is widely distributed throughout the world and thus a very public medium. This blog was created for the very purpose of discussing what is presented in these lessons - whether we agree or disagree. Disagreeing with something in the lesson is not the same as a personal disagreement with a brother or sister. Thus talking to the author privately is neither practical nor useful in this situation. (In other words, Matthew 18 does not apply in such situations.) Christ's example should tell us something. While he spoke in private with a high-ranking Pharisee who came to Him in private, He addressed the Pharisees publicly about practices that were widely known. He did not go to each one privately.
Sometimes we may misunderstand an author's intent, and our disagreement may result from this misunderstanding. Stating the disagreement publicly allows for feedback to sharpen our own understanding. As the wise man wrote,
Sometimes sharpening hurts, but if we withdraw from the process, we remain dull and less useful than we could be. 😉 So please stick around. 🙂
Hi Jeffrey. I agree with Inge. Please continue to share your thoughts here. I too appreciate your candor and humility and hope you'll continue to share on this forum. Happy Sabbath 🙂
My name is Henry Taylor , an elder of my church, I could understand the two comments of my Brother and my sister, yes when we are in Christ , and His word abide in us , then we are to be very careful of what we say to people, we are called to be Cristina ambassador , so the message that we are carring is God , s message, we hope that it will be accepted by all, but we have no garrantee an that, but it is a very special message, and we are to present it in a very special way, I have to make sure that I rightly represent Christ, as His ambassador , first that I pleased Him in all my ways, and allowed Him to guid me from day to day, so the world will see Him in me, His love and compassion , and His kindness , self has to be crsefie daily, that Christ alone be seen in me as I present Him to the world, because He is the only hope for Adam,s falling race, and I know that He is coming very soon, that,s why this message is so urgent, every one need,s to here,s it, John 14 , 30. GC 6 30-6 33. AA 560 - 561.
Why is prophecy important to us? This is how God has chosen to reveal His future plans(Amos 3:7) to help us see His Divine leading and doing in all things that are for our good. Unfulfilled prophecies still exist with the purpose to “show unto His servants” what is coming to them soon. Peter tells us that prophecy is “as a light in a dark place”, which will lead to Christ within, possessing our hearts and thus sanctifying our lives. Without this preparation and holiness, no man will see the Lord(Heb 12:14). So it seems prophecy is not only important, it is vital, and only through personal study and understanding will we receive it's blessing, which is promised(Rev 1:1-3).
Concerning peer pressure, anyone who has associated with others who are of a different persuasion very long understands this perfectly. Yet who do we see as our peers on this earth if we are Christ's? Are we pilgrims and strangers in this world or are we eating and drinking “with the drunken”?
Recently, I watched (excerpts from a USA network) some political pundits and media gurus making fun, scoffing and snickering at the faith of one of the world's most accomplished and successful neurosurgeons, an American, who expressed his belief that the theory of evolution was concocted by the devil. They obviously had a great deal of pleasure lambasting the doctor for his outrageous ideology that embraces the Genesis account of creation and that there is a real devil working against the plans and purposes of the Creator.
Using the media platform they disseminate falsehood and evil daily on behalf of the devil, whom they claim doesn't exist- laughing at the notion that there are people in the world today who believe that. If they can sell that idea to the public, more people will agree with it and by the same token discount the existence of God. I shook my head in pity at them (reflecting on the fact that the founding principles that made America, assumes the existence and Authority of God as Creator and declares that belief on every founding document of the USA and on its currency).
For as long as the great controversy rages between good and evil, light and darkness, there will be scoffers and among the enemies of God, those that openly defy and challenge His authority as Creator and Supreme Ruler of all nature, and thus they challenge the authority of His word. This fits perfectly into the plan of the evil one who attempted, from the beginning, to usurp God's government in heaven and take control. Of course, God could not allow that, hence that serpent of old was ejected from the holy presence of the Almighty, victorious One. But the devil has not relented and is, even now, seizing many with his evil influence, to resist and oppose all that represents God (2 Thess.2:4) and casting doubt on the Character of God.
As a people of prophetic beginnings, we know how crucial and how sweet it is to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His word because we believe what is recorded in the word for our learning, admonition, instruction and example; we have read the back of the "Book" so we know how the story will end. We receive the charge that Jehoshaphat gave his people, "....hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper." (2Chron. 20:20).
At this critical juncture in prophetic history, things are happening fast and the days/years are flying by while rapid developments are taking shape for one grand culminating event. We must look up! and watch! the way marks, because the prophesies are fulfilling right before our very eyes. The clarion message therefore, must echo everywhere - lift up the trumpet and loud let it ring "Jesus is coming again!" Ready or not, "He that shall come will come and will not tarry" (Heb. 10:37).
Look for the way-marks as you journey on,
Look fro the way-marks, passing one by one;
Down through the ages, past the kingdoms four-
Where are standing? look the way-marks o'er.
Chorus
Look for the way-marks, the great prophetic way-marks,
Down through the ages past the kingdoms four.
Look for the way-marks, the great prophetic way-marks;
The journey's almost o'er.
We are the witness anyway. Or to the evil or to the good.
What a refreshing lesson. Friends we are on course to eternal life if we hold fast to our Saviour Jesus and follow all these His biddings given us by his servants. Thanks for the great question and the response on this lesson. I like "we can thank God we don't have a prophets job". None the less we do have a tough job on hand to "go...to the world to teach all nations."