Sabbath: A Matter of Life and Death
Read for This Week’s Study: Matt. 5:21–30; Prov. 6:21; Prov. 7:3; Prov. 6:23; Prov. 7:2; Prov. 6:24; Prov. 6:30-31; Prov. 7:26-27.
Memory Text: For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life
(Proverbs 6:23, NKJV).
Two brothers were left home alone, but given a strict warning by their mother not to eat the cake that she had just baked. To make sure that the boys would obey, she added the threat of punishment.
When she left, it took the boys only a few minutes to decide to eat the cake anyway. This is not a matter of life and death,
they reasoned. Our mother would never kill us; so, let’s eat!
For the teacher in Proverbs, though, the issue he speaks about is indeed a matter of life and death. His language is strong and sometimes graphic. Of course, Jesus used very strong language Himself when talking about matters of eternal life and death (see Matt. 5:21–30). And no wonder. In the end, our ultimate destiny, our eternal destiny (and what could be more important than that?), rests upon the choices that we make here now. So we should take the urgency of the strong language at face value.
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 17.
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AMATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH! The aftermatch is determined by the kind of choice an individual makes.It is afree choice of which the result will either make u smile or groan in eternal fire.The Bible is clear ,it gives the Light needed in the walk,instruction,correction ,and many many more. choose wisely.
God created everything and made man a manager of all things. God gave us His word on how we can deal with temptations. It is the choises we make which wil determine whether we go for life or for death. Brethen lets choose life by abiding in Gods word. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
There is some truth in a bottle of beer but that does not make it worth consuming. I believe that what determines whether this corruption will one day put on in-corruption or at last be cast into the lake of fire will be, did we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Works are the result of our choices most certainly and right doing brings reward both in this world and the world to come but they do not save us or keep us in the love of God. That must always be to the glory of God who works in us to will and to do according to His good pleasure. "How can you who are accustomed to doing evil do anything good." "There are none that are good but my Father in heaven." All my righteousness is as filthy rags, dead works and in the past. It is present Truth that gives us abundant life in relationship to Christ. Meaning...your participation now, today, not anything you did yesterday or a month ago or a year ago. Live on and be strong in the Lord.
When I came to believe that Jesus did actually die for the Sin of the world my Bible tells me that the Holy Spirit sealed me for eternity. That is the Good news. The fact remains that In this flesh I am appointed once to die doesn't deminish God's ability to finish the work He has begun in me. Nothing is going to be able to separate us from the love of God.I have chosen the new life in relationship with Jesus the Christ. I'm chosen as well because He has predestined that no man should perish but that all men should come to repentance. Don't make the gift of God appear to be the result of something I muster up by my work and striving to enter the narrow Way. If and where we separate ourselves from the new life unmerrited favour and pardon is available.Death still reigns in our mortality but if we have received pardon by confession and the gift of repentance we will be saved but not of works or willing ourselves into an appearance of godliness that denies that it is God who works in us to will and to do according to His good pleasure.love God and your neighbor as you would you love your self by maintaining your faith in the merits of God's dear Son which sanctified the soul. That is the gospel truth that my God of my understanding is teaching me.
We are saved by grace through faith it is the work of God not man lest anyone should boast.
"To obey is better than sacrifice."
We fulfill the whole law if we have love for one another and for the follower of Christ that love extends to the whole world and even towards those who revile us and persecute us.Nothing save the grace of God can accomplish this in us yet is the greatest commandment. Choosing is believing and believing is a choice we have because of Jesus' obedience and sacrifice.
I love studing the bible. I need many study englesh to undestand very well. Thank you very manch for sared.
"It is a free choice of which the result will either make u smile or groan in eternal fire" Quite a statement considering that Death and Hades are going to be thrown into that same lake of fire. Do you think death and hades have any choice in the matter?
I am so happy in the love of God. He chose to sacrifice everything and obey even unto death. Creature merit has no place in our salvation. If you fear death it will probably keep you in bondage all of your life. Believe and be saved by His working in you to will and to do and He will work in you personally to accomplish all that He commands.
I really enjoy studying my Sabbath School lessons, they prepare me for a full life in this world and for eternal life. Therefore, in my studies I endeavor to glean the physical and spiritual implications. Obediene is a fundamental life-saving principle. Of course, the most important question is what to obey. The short narrative alludes to our preference of obedience ( we decide what is a matter of life and death to us). If we chose not to obey the traffic laws, more than likely, we would experience fatal accidents. If we disregard health principles, we will incur many preventable health issues. According to the conversation in Matt 5:21-30, choosing to hate people, to dehumanize them, and refusing to reconcile differences is a matter of life and death. Having said that, throughout this week I will remind myself that my relationship with people is a determinant of everlasting life.
I agree mate, "choosing to hate people, to dehumanize them, and refusing to reconcile differences is a matter of life and death." The unpardonable sin is wrapped up in the same theme if you read all the gospels concerning this. I have myself experienced people in leadership roles in our churches who have not preferred my interests to their own, (hate) and who have dehumanized me,(even slandered my character) and refused to reconcile our differences. Bad report? No, I have learned from this to rejoice and to be exceedingly glad, something I did not expect as a final result of conflict. I know whom I have believed. He promises that my reward will be great in heaven.
God is God of plan. He has given a space to chose were our destiny should land. Brethrens, inspite of all, God loves us no matter how far we have wondered! If we perish from seeing the heavenly realm, it is our choice to die in sin. The time is now to take eternal life or to perish forever.
1. Is there a difference between lamp and light? According to the memory verse that says ¨For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light...
2. what is the difference between law and commandment?
The Lamb is the bible with commandments and the law is the light. You may have the lamp but if you do not put on the lamp to direct your steps then you will fall into the pit. We may have the bible and know the commandments by head but we do not apply them for our counsel or to direct us (there is no light).
I like the illustration of your differences between lamp of commandments and the law of light. It makes sense to me now. Thanks for sharing. God bless.
The Lamb is the bible with commandments and the law is the light. You may have the lamp but if you do not put on the lamp to direct your steps then you will fall into the pit. We may have the bible and know the commandments by head but we do not apply them for our counsel or to direct us (there is no light).
Indeed Proverbs is a book filled with wisdom. At a superficial look nobody could have imagined that this book is filled with immense information worthy to guide a keen student to the right path. Let us now listen keenly to the words of wisdom as they flow from this book.
Thank you for helping me to understand the memory verse even better.
This analogy just makes me think that parents need to be careful to say only what they actually mean to their children. Have you heard the one: "I brought you into the world, I can take you out." We children who hear meaningless or false threats from their parents learn to disregard them. It would serve the child more, to explain reasoning (if possible) than to threaten. Otherwise, let our yes mean yes and your no mean no. Be the someone you want your child to grow up to be: honest, meaningful.
(Matt 12:36, Luke 24:11)