Atonement and the Divine Initiative

 
Memory Text: Ephesians 1:9-10 NIV 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment-- to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

“Scripture taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION”. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson Publishers. Used by Permission.

 
Sabbath Afternoon

 
Sunday

The Mystery of God’s Love

Romans 5:6-8 NKJV 6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Ecclesiastes 7:29 NIV 29 This only have I found: God made mankind upright, but men have gone in search of many schemes."

Ecclesiastes 7:29 NKJV 29 Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, But they have sought out many schemes."

Romans 3:19-22 NKJV 19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;

Romans 8:3 NKJV 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,

Galatians 3:21 NKJV 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.

Monday

The Mystery of God’s Grace

Ephesians 1:7 NKJV 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

Ephesians 1:7 NIV 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace

Luke 6:35 NASB 35 "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.

Luke 6:35 NKJV 35 "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.

Romans 5:20-21 NKJV 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ephesians 1:7 NASB 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace,

Ephesians 1:7 NKJV 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

2 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

Tuesday

An Eternal Plan

Ephesians 1:4 NKJV 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

Colossians 1:26-27 NKJV 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

2 Timothy 1:8-9 NKJV 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

Titus 1:2 NKJV 2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,

Ephesians 1:4 NASB 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love

Ephesians 1:4 NKJV 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

Colossians 1:26 NIV 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.

Colossians 1:26 NKJV 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.

Colossians 1:27 NKJV 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Ephesians 6:19 NKJV 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,

Ephesians 1:10 NIV 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment-- to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

Ephesians 1:10 NKJV 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him.

Ephesians 3:6 NKJV 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,

Wednesday

The Way of the Cross

Mark 10:45 NKJV 45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Galatians 1:4 NKJV 4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

Galatians 2:20 NKJV 20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Ephesians 5:2 NKJV 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Titus 2:14 NKJV 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Matthew 26:36-46 NKJV 36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, "Sit here while I go and pray over there." 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me." 39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." 40 Then He came to the disciples and found them asleep, and said to Peter, "What? Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." 42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done." 43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 "Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand."

John 10:17-18 NIV 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life-- only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

John 10:17-18 NKJV 17 "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 "No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father."

 
Thursday

God’s Plan Revealed in Jesus

Luke 4:43 NKJV 43 but He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent."

Luke 9:22 NKJV 22 saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day."

Luke 17:25 NKJV 25 "But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

Luke 19:5 NKJV 5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."

Luke 22:37 NKJV 37 "For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: 'And He was numbered with the transgressors.' For the things concerning Me have an end."

Luke 24:7 NKJV 7 "saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'"

Luke 24:26 NKJV 26 "Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?"

Luke 24:44 NKJV 44 Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me."

John 9:4 NIV 4 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.

John 9:4 NKJV 4 "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.

Luke 4:43 NASB 43 But He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose."

Luke 4:43 NKJV 43 but He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent."

Luke 19:5 NIV 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today."

Luke 19:5 NKJV 5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."

Matthew 16:21 NIV 21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

Matthew 16:21 NKJV 21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.

Luke 17:25 NKJV 25 "But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

Luke 22:37 NKJV 37 "For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: 'And He was numbered with the transgressors.' For the things concerning Me have an end."

John 3:14 NKJV 14 "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,

John 12:34 NKJV 34 The people answered Him, "We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?"

Acts 17:3 NKJV 3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ."

Acts 3:21 NKJV 21 "whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.

Friday

Ellen G. White, My Life Today, p. 100

The Exceeding Riches of His Grace But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, . . . and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Eph. 2:4-7 {ML 100.1}

     We would never have learned the meaning of this word "grace" had we not fallen. God loves the sinless angels who do His service and are obedient to all His commands, but He does not give them grace. These heavenly beings know naught of grace; they have never needed it, for they have never sinned. Grace is an attribute of God shown to undeserving human beings. We did not seek after it, but it was sent in search of us. God rejoices to bestow this grace on everyone who hungers for it, not because we are worthy, but because we are so utterly unworthy. Our need is the qualification which gives us the assurance that we will receive this gift. {ML 100.2}

     But God does not use this grace to make His law of none effect or to take the place of His law. "The Lord is well pleased for His righteousness' sake; He will magnify the law, and make it honorable." His law is truth. . . . {ML 100.3}

     God's grace and the law of His kingdom are in perfect harmony; they walk hand in hand. His grace makes it possible for us to draw nigh to Him by faith. By receiving it, and letting it work in our lives, we testify to the validity of the law; we exalt the law and make in honorable by carrying out its living principles. . . . {ML 100.4}

     How may we witness for God? . . . By rendering pure, wholehearted obedience to God's law. If we will let Him, He will manifest Himself in us, and we shall be witnesses, before the universe of heaven and before an apostate world who are making void the law of God, to the power of redemption. {ML 100.5}

     There is but one power that can bring us into conformity to the likeness of Christ, that can make us steadfast and keep us constant. It is the grace of God that comes to us through obedience to the law of God. (p. 101) {ML 100.6}

Ellen G. White, God’s Amazing Grace, p. 129

Chap. 121 - Before Creation Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. 2 Tim. 1:9. {AG 129.1}

     The purpose and plan of grace existed from all eternity. Before the foundation of the world it was according to the determinate counsel of God that man should be created, endowed with power to do the divine will. But the defection of man, with all its consequences, was not hidden from the Omnipotent, and yet it did not deter Him from carrying out His eternal purpose;

for the Lord would establish His throne in righteousness. God knows the end from the beginning. . . . Therefore redemption was not an afterthought . . . but an eternal purpose to be wrought out for the blessing not only of this atom of a world but for the good of all the worlds which God has created. {AG 129.2}

     The creation of the worlds, the mystery of the gospel, are for one purpose, to make manifest to all created intelligences, through nature and through Christ, the glories of the divine character. By the marvelous display of His love in giving "his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life," the glory of God is revealed to lost humanity and to the intelligences of other worlds. {AG 129.3}

     Jesus encircles the race with His human arm, while with His divine arm He lays hold upon infinity. He is the "daysman" between a holy God and our sinful humanity--one who can "lay his hand on us both" (Job 9:33). {AG 129.4}

     The terms of this oneness between God and man in the great covenant of redemption were arranged with Christ from all eternity. The covenant of grace was revealed to the patriarchs. The covenant made with Abraham . . . was a covenant confirmed by God in Christ, the very same gospel which is preached to us. . . . Paul speaks of the gospel, the preaching of Jesus Christ, as "the revelation of the mystery, which hath been kept in silence through times eternal, but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known unto all the nations unto obedience of faith" (Rom. 16:25, 26, R.V.). {AG 129.5}

Ellen G. White, The Bible Echo, November 25, 1895

November 25, 1895 The Love of God.- Mrs. E. G. White.

     How is it possible to set forth the love of God in giving His only begotten Son to die for sinners? The imagination cannot comprehend it. Men of the brightest intellects cannot, by mere speculative knowledge, form any conception of this love. Without a personal knowledge of God, men of the most brilliant intellects are unable to set forth divine things. They do not look through nature up to nature's God, and see the expression of His love to man in the flowers of the field, which adorn the world with speaking beauty and loveliness. They know little of the length and breadth, the height and depth, of the love of God as revealed in giving His Son to our world, and they trace the expression of His love in nature with sleepy, benumbed senses. God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has not yet shined into their hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. {BEcho, November 25, 1895 par. 1}

     God has declared His love; Jesus Christ is the expression of that love. "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." O what love, what infinite love! "While we were yet sinners," the Father pitied and loved us. And yet when we are pressed with trials, how weak is our faith. {BEcho, November 25, 1895 par. 2}

     The soul that keeps far off does not have communion with Heaven, though the Holy Spirit is promised to all who ask it. Jesus has brought this precious lesson within the comprehension of all: "If ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?" {BEcho, November 25, 1895 par. 3}

     The love of God is so deep, so full, that it could only be expressed in giving for our sakes His own beloved Son to poverty, to shame, to humiliation, to mockery, and to death. He was the most costly and precious offering that could be given to the world, and in Him all heaven was given. "He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" Through Christ the way was made safe for God and man. God's justice and honour are maintained, every divine attribute is exalted and most clearly defined, while salvation and righteousness are brought to light for every creature. {BEcho, November 25, 1895 par. 4}

     Herein is the mystery of redemption, that the innocent, pure, and holy Son of the infinite God was permitted to bear the punishment of a thankless race of rebels against the divine government; that through the manifestation of His matchless love, these rebels might be inspired with faith in, and love for God, and might stand before Him repentant, forgiven, guiltless, as if they had never sinned. Angels in heaven marvelled that the wrath of God should be laid on His well-beloved Son; that a life of infinite value in the heavenly courts should be given for the worthless life of a race degraded by sin. {BEcho, November 25, 1895 par. 5}

     The heir of God came to our world in the garb of humanity, as one of humble origin, as one who serves. When the time was drawing near that He should pour out His life on the cross, His love was revealed in the words, "Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon Him, went forth." Not only was He to die, but he knew precisely the shame, the humiliation, He would have to suffer, the cruel treatment He should receive. There was no compulsion in bringing Him to the ignominious death on the cross; yet He made His soul an offering for sin. The mind of God to save the world was the mind of Christ. His own love was one with that of the Father, and that love constrained Him. {BEcho, November 25, 1895 par. 6}

     Herein is the love of God manifested, inexpressible, immeasurable, and passing knowledge. The human mind cannot grasp it in its fulness; but we should put forth the most earnest efforts of which we are capable, that we may communicate redeeming love to others. Eternity, all eternity, will unfold that love, and then we shall know what here we cannot comprehend. - {BEcho, November 25, 1895 par. 7}