Dealing with Temptation

(We will want to when we understand how much God loves us.)

"Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof." Romans 6:12. No one wants to admit they have specific lusts (any sinful desire). We don't freely talk about such things. Our own bad habits embarrass us, and if reproved, we're often upset and sometimes very angry. This kind of reaction is due to the sinful nature.

Preachers and teachers of the Scriptures find it hard to speak of specific sins in the pulpit, and when they do, it's the human tendency to apply any references to sin to our neighbor instead of ourselves. This is probably why some people are so free at criticizing others, instead of searching their own hearts and admitting their own shortcomings, and making efforts to overcome.

The Bible deals with temptation and sin without holding back for fear of offending. The Lord wants us to search the Scriptures and our own hearts, to know how and why we're tempted and what to do about it. We are given a goal, and ways to reach that goal.

“We are now living in the great day of atonement. In the typical service, while the high priest was making the atonement for Israel, all were required to afflict their souls by repentance of sin and humiliation before the Lord, lest they be cut off from among the people. In like manner, all who would have their names retained in the book of life should now, in the few remaining days of their probation, afflict their souls before God by sorrow for sin and true repentance. There must be deep, faithful searching of heart. The light, frivolous spirit indulged by so many professed Christians must be put away. There is earnest warfare before all who would subdue the evil tendencies that strive for the mastery. The work of preparation is an individual work. We are not saved in groups. The purity and devotion of one will not offset the want of these qualities in another. Though all nations are to pass in judgment before God, yet He will examine the case of each individual with as close and searching scrutiny as if there were not another being upon the earth. Everyone must be tested and found without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.” Great Controversy Page 489.

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. . .That the righteousness of the law be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:1, 4.

To walk after the flesh is to let our fleshly desires control us. God gave us reasoning powers in the front part of our brains. This is where the Holy Spirit works. The higher powers of our minds must rule over us. The fleshly lusts (appetites and passions) are perverted because of the sinful nature we inherited from Adam. Yet, it's not our sinful natures which make us guilty. Nor are we guilty because we are tempted, but condemnation comes when we cherish the temptations Satan tries to implant in our minds.

“Judas had the same precious opportunities as had John to study and imitate the Pattern. He listened to the lessons of Christ, and his character might have been transformed by divine grace. But while John was earnestly warring against his own faults, and seeking to assimilate to Christ, Judas was violating his conscience, yielding to temptation, and fastening upon himself habits of dishonesty that would transform him into the image of Satan.” Review and Herald, 2-15-1881.

The Spirit of God helps in the battle we must daily fight over selfish desires. "Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkeness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof." Romans 13:13, 14. How do we make "provision for the flesh"? By going where temptation is, by cherishing evil thoughts, by insisting on our own way.

Temptation is a powerful enemy. It can sneak up on us like a thief. It can strike us down before we know what hit us. How can we deal with it successfully? The Bible tells us, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as in common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13.

“Christ will never abandon the soul for who He has died. The soul may leave Him, and be overwhelmed with temptation, but Christ can never turn from one for whom He has paid the ransom of His own life. Could our spiritual vision be quickened, we should see souls bowed under oppression and burdened with grief, pressed as a cart beneath sheaves, and ready to die in discouragement. We should see angels flying swiftly to these tempted ones, who are standing as on the brink of a precipice. The angels from heaven force back the hosts of evil that encompass these souls, and guide them to plant their feet on the sure foundation. The battles waging between the two armies are as real as those fought by the armies of the world, and on the issue of the spiritual conflict eternal destinies depend. Live in contact with the living Christ, and He will hold you firmly by a hand that will never let go. Know and believe the love that God has for us, and you are secure; that gives us a fortress impregnable to all the delusions and assaults of Satan. ‘The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.’” Signs of the Times, 11-4-1903.

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." 2 Corinthians 7:1. The spirit this text speaks of is the spirit of our own minds--our motives, attitudes, and emotions are involved. God, in other places, promises to give us a new spirit, to free us of perverted or selfish thoughts and motives. Our Lord will be thorough in His work of cleansing. "This say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." Galatians 5:16. This is the Holy Spirit working with our spirits.

"They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Galatians 5:24, 25. Paul says, "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live." Galatians 2:20. We live because Christ dwells in us through the Holy Spirit. Thus, the fruit of the Spirit will appear in our lives.

Will we still be tempted? Yes. Satan isn't ready to give us up until Christ's second coming. We're in a war, but we must always use the sword of the Spirit (the word of God) to fight that war. Our faith in God will shield us from Satan's darts (see Ephesians 6:10-18).

We struggle with selfishness every day, and we need to surrender to God and die to self each day (and even each hour). It's vital "that ye put off concerning the former conversation (and conduct) the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lust; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Ephesians 4:22-24.

To be renewed by the Spirit is a process that takes time. We will face temptations daily, but we may also be renewed daily and gain victories daily, as we submit to God. He wants to restore us into His holy image, and He will, as we cooperate.

“He who would build up a strong symmetrical character, must give all and do all for Christ. The Redeemer will not accept divided service. Daily he must learn the meaning of self-surrender. He must study the Word of God, getting its meaning and obeying its precepts. Thus he may reach the highest standard of Christian excellence. There is no limit to the spiritual advancement that he may make if he is a partaker of the divine nature. Day by day God works in him, perfecting the character that is to stand in the day of final test. Each day of his life he ministers to others. The light that is in him shines forth, and stills the strife of tongues. Day by day he is working out before men and angels a vast, sublime experiment, showing what the gospel can do for fallen human beings.” Review and Herald, 7-7-1904.

Temptation must be squarely faced. To dally with it is to play with fire. We need to deal with it whether we want to or not, yet God assures us, "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil; neither tempteth He any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." James 1:12-15.

When we learn to hate sin, and realize how much it drags us down into the depths of misery and death, temptation will lose its power over us. Satan may cause us a certain amount of pain and suffering, but he can't destroy our connection with our Saviour against our wills.

“There are those who have known the pardoning love of Christ and who really desire to be children of God, yet they realize that their character is imperfect, their life faulty, and they are ready to doubt whether their hearts have been renewed by the Holy Spirit. To such I would say, Do not draw back in despair. We shall often have to bow down and weep at the feet of Jesus because of our shortcomings and mistakes, but we are not to be discouraged. Even if we are overcome by the enemy, we are not cast off, not forsaken and rejected of God. No; Christ is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Said the beloved John, "These things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." 1 John 2:1. And do not forget the words of Christ, "The Father Himself loveth you." John 16:27. He desires to restore you to Himself, to see His own purity and holiness reflected in you. And if you will but yield yourself to Him, He that hath begun a good work in you will carry it forward to the day of Jesus Christ. Pray more fervently; believe more fully. As we come to distrust our own power, let us trust the power of our Redeemer, and we shall praise Him who is the health of our countenance.” Steps to Christ Page 64.

"As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance; but as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (and conduct); because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy." 1 Peter 1:14-16. It's possible to backslide into our former sins, but as we determine to fill our minds with His word and our lives with His way, we shall conquer.

In the matter of obedience, God gives us the easy part. We only need to choose His way. We make it hard for ourselves when we lean on our own meager strength and fail to acknowledge our total dependence on Him for life itself. We mortals are so foolish. How can we suppose we know more than our Creator what will give us lasting happiness? Temptations are so powerful because they offer us instant gratification. Our senses rule over us. The Bible speaks of sin being a love for idols. We love to indulge appetite, passions, pride, and all manner of selfish desires. Our carnal natures enslave us when we let them.

But when we belong to Christ, we'll consider ourselves strangers in this world, and anything it may offer us which tends to pull us away from our Saviour. The reason Satan can so easily deceive us is because we too often want to be deceived. It's easier to sin that way. "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul." 1 Peter 2:11.

We who must deal with our sinful natures, are offered the divine nature to give us all the help we need. "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:4.

Those who fail to make it often blame the Lord. "We can't help it," they say, "we're too weak." Yes, we are terribly weak in our human flesh, but the problem lies in our failure to trust in the Lord's divine power to save us from our sins. We should be thankful for His forgiving love, but His love does more than forgive us. It restores or remakes us. We need to trust God's love more than we do, then we can be victorious over every temptation. Doesn't the God who created our complex bodies and minds have enough power and wisdom to re-create us into His image?

“In his efforts to reach God's ideal for him, the Christian is to despair of nothing. Moral and spiritual perfection, through the grace and power of Christ, is promised to all. Jesus is the source of power, the fountain of life. He brings us to His word, and from the tree of life presents to us leaves for the healing of sin-sick souls. He leads us to the throne of God, and puts into our mouth a prayer through which we are brought into close contact with Himself. In our behalf He sets in operation the all-powerful agencies of heaven. At every step we touch His living power.” Acts of the Apostles Page 478.

Copyright 2000, Kathryn D. Search

Study for Yourselves

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." --2 Timothy 3:16,(NKJV).

Many Christians conclude the wicked burn in an everlasting hellfire somewhere in the universe. They have been taught this by their spiritual leaders for years, and most believe it is a Biblically proven doctrine. This is not a study of the doctrine. My purpose is to use it as an illustration of our need to study for ourselves.

To prove a doctrine is based soundly on the written word of God, we need to study it from all angles. One or two proof texts are often never enough, when it comes to complex issues. Where the wicked and the righteous spend eternity is an important matter.

My next question may be disturbing, but let it set you to thinking and searching the Scripture for yourself. Is it comforting to believe a loved one, who you have evidence died without Jesus as their Saviour, is burning in a place called hell? This thought has turned some people away from Christianity. They refuse to believe in a God who would let men suffer for eternity because of a short life of wrong-doing here on earth.

Are they justified in feeling this way? Or, could the problem be too many of us who profess Christianity have been deceived into believing an incorrect doctrine? Can this happen to a born-again Christian? Is it possible to know and understand some Biblical doctrines and misunderstand others? Yes, it is possible.

We are taught to believe many Bible doctrines by others, sometimes from childhood. The people we learn from may not be considered wicked, yet their beliefs are often based on what others have passed to them, not on thorough Bible study.

Actually, the best Bible studies are the thorough ones we do ourselves, with only the use of a good concordance and a prayer for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Though we may be thankful for texts given to us by others, we need to do what the Bereans did in the time of the apostles--check the Scriptures for ourselves on every spiritual matter.

If someone loads you down with Scriptures to prove a doctrine, take time to pray and read them over by yourself. See what additional texts you can find on the matter and what surrounds the text given. In most cases, check both the old and new testaments. The old sheds light on the new and the new unfolds truth in the old. For example, Isaiah 53 is a beautiful prophecy of our Saviour, written many years before He was born on earth. It's worth your time. Spending time in prayer will enhance your efforts and give you the aid of God's Spirit to heighten your understanding.

For example, there are passages that speak of sleep as death and texts that give clues to the thoughts of the dead (if any). Malachi has a text which speaks of the wicked being ashes under the feet of the saints, which tells me there is an utter end of the wicked at some point. YOU study it out yourself, with a heart open to God's will, and come to your own conclusions. I will say, I have read texts that indicate the wicked, Satan, and all his angels will be completely destroyed. It is up to you to make your own decisions on what is truth, after you study for yourself.

Now, it is true, if someone else can give you texts on any subject to look up, this can give you a head start. In fact, if someone has studied this or any other subject out thoroughly (at least they claim this) read the texts they provide. But, don't take it for granted their interpretation is absolutely right. Make sure you have all the Bible evidence needed for a sound conclusion.

What about pre-conceived opinions? What do you do with the ideas you have already formed? If someone says you are in error on something you believe to be true, what should you do? Perhaps, you can start by asking them to quote Scriptures to prove you are in error. Then write down where to find these. Study them, and get your concordance out and look for others on the subject. Pray for guidance, look for similar words, etc. You may find a clearer understanding of this and many other Bible doctrines and prophecies, which will help you to grow in grace and make you better equipped to help others.

I know of a man who considered the Bible as the word of God. One day a friend told him he was in error on a certain doctrine. Of course, he couldn't believe this could be true. So he started studying the subject, with the intentions of proving his friend wrong.

He studied it thoroughly, from every angle he could think of. When he was through, he had the proof he needed. He convinced himself "he" was the one who was wrong, not his friend. This can happen to any of us. May the Lord help us as we "search the Scriptures" for "doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." (Read 2 Timothy 3:16 again.).

Copyright 2000, Kathryn D. Search

Love is the Heart of the Matter

When Jesus spoke to the rich, young ruler He emphasized the last six commandments, which were summed up by Moses long before: "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Leviticus 19:18. This man's conduct toward his neighbors was an outward sign of his lack of love for God. His selfish nature kept him from sharing his wealth with those less fortunate. He didn't seem to realize it is the Lord who prospers a man. God gives some the ability to acquire riches. In reality, everything we possess belongs to our Maker, and He expects us to use it to glorify Him. The rich young ruler refused to do this.

"And thou shalt love the Lord, thy God, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." Deuteronomy 6:5. The principles set forth by Jesus in the gospels were in the old testament writings of Moses. Why are they considered changed under the new covenant in the gospel of Christ?

Jesus came to show the Jews a way which seemed new and strange to them, because they had wandered so far from God's original plan for their salvation. Through the Messiah to come they were to be saved from sin. The sacrificial system was designed to point them forward to the spotless Lamb of God. His plan for their restoration was the same as it is for us--faith in God's power to save and keep us from sin.

“. . . Man needs a power outside of and beyond himself, to restore him to the likeness of God, and enable him to do the work of God; but this does not make the human agency unessential. Humanity lays hold upon divine power, Christ dwells in the heart by faith; and through co-operation with the divine, the power of man becomes efficient for good.” Desire of Ages Page 296.

The words of Deuteronomy 10:12 speak to all of us: "What doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, and to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul."

When Jesus summed up the law in the two great commandments--love for God and love for man (Matthew 22:37-40), He didn't belittle the ten precepts written by God on tables of stone. They were placed in the ark in the Most Holy Place of the earthly sanctuary, and now reside in the heavenly sanctuary, according to the book of Revelation. God also writes them in our body temples--our hearts and minds (see Hebrews 10).

The fruit of love is revealed in the way we treat others. "Love worketh no evil to his neighbor, therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." Romans 13:9, 10. Love is not shown by a little charity now and then. Motives for kind deeds can be selfish. But when a heart is overflowing with love for God, it will reveal a humble, meek spirit and result in warm, heartfelt love toward others. Yet, it is possible to show TLC without genuine love, to gain our own selfish goals, perhaps without fully understanding our true motives.

"Love (KJV--charity) suffereth long, and is kind, love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all thing, hopeth all things, endureth all things." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

Love is not based on emotions. Love is a principle that will be shown in the life of a genuine Christian no matter how he feels. It is practical in its application. It isn't turned off when someone treats us badly, for the love which God wants to put in our hearts will lead us to love even our enemies.

The fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22, 23 begins with love, which is tied in with all the other fruit. Love is progressive--we grow in love. Our capacity becomes greater and our understanding richer. Our goal is to reflect Christ's image fully, and when we do, we will have the compassion for men He always possessed. The light of heaven will shine out from us.

“Love is the basis of godliness. Whatever the profession, no man has pure love to God unless he has unselfish love for his brother. But we can never come into possession of this spirit by trying to love others. What is needed is the love of Christ in the heart. When self is merged in Christ, love springs forth spontaneously. The completeness of Christian character is attained when the impulse to help and bless others springs constantly from within--when the sunshine of heaven fills the heart and is revealed in the countenance.” Christ’s Object Lessons Page 384.

Self must die before Jesus is able to show His love through us. Then the law of love will control us. A humble, contrite spirit will compel us to glorify God and not ourselves. We will give to Him the credit for everything good we might accomplish. We'll not take a particle for ourselves.

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that ye being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend, with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with the fulness of God." Ephesians 3:17-19.

The fullness of God's love in our lives and hearts is something worth yearning for. It's worth any sacrifice we need to make to obtain it. In fact, the only thing God requires of us to give up is our carnal or sinful natures and those pet sins, which are harmful to us anyway. His love will fill us with peace, joy, and satisfaction. What else could we need to be happy?

Our Saviour loves us so much He is willing to do the hard part in helping us to gain salvation. The risk He took by coming to earth, living a sinless life by faith in His Father, and dying for us, reveals His willingness to do everything necessary to save us from our sin. Christ loved the church, "and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water, by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." Ephesians 5:25-27.

When Christ dwells within us there is a "work of faith and a labour of love" (1 Thessalonians 1:3) flowing out from our hearts to others. We cannot force such love, but the nearer we draw to Christ, through study of His word and prayer, the more natural this love will become. We need the "divine nature" of Christ mentioned in 2 Peter 1:4. When we truly have His nature in us, He guides every impulse to love others in an unselfish way. This life completes Christian character.

“‘The prince of this world cometh,’ said Jesus, ‘and hath nothing in Me.’ John 14:30. There was in Him nothing that responded to Satan's sophistry. He did not consent to sin. Not even by a thought did He yield to temptation. So it may be with us. Christ's humanity was united with divinity; He was fitted for the conflict by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And He came to make us partakers of the divine nature. So long as we are united to Him by faith, sin has no more dominion over us. God reaches for the hand of faith in us to direct it to lay fast hold upon the divinity of Christ, that we may attain to perfection of character.” Desire of Ages Page 123.

"And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you. To the end He may stablish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints." 1 Thessalonians 3:12, 13.

Peter's ladder shows us the height of God's law of love as written in our hearts. "and beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity (love). For if these things be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:5-8.

John tells us, "But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him." 1 John 2:5. Perfect love cannot exist where the carnal nature rules. If self is alive to any degree, we cannot be perfect in love. Love fulfills, the law, because pure love shows self has died.

This does not mean we won't take care of our own needs and we won't care what happens to us. Since we are to "love our neighbor as ourselves," we will love ourselves. But not in a harmful way. A compassionate love for others is not self-destructive. It's just the opposite. We take care of ourselves with the motive of glorifying God and blessing others. In the process we are blessed. We will be blessed, healed, made happy by reaching out to others. God's Spirit controls the higher powers of the mind. Thus, we have control over our carnal natures, which destroy us when we allow them to control us.

Satan has too many people believing they know what's best for themselves. Only God who made us understands what is for our best good. He wants us to know and possess His love for others, and we gain this by loving Him with our whole being.

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever." 1 John 2:15-17.

Love of self cherishes the temptation the world offers. Our desires for food, drink, sex, possessions, recognition, and knowledge are often perverted and sinful. Satan knows how to use our personal weaknesses to drag us down to death. But Christ gives us the victory.

"But this we know, we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and His commandments are not grievous." 1 John 5:2, 3. God wants to write His law in our hearts. And He will if we surrender to Him day by day, filling our minds with His word, communing with Him, listening to the prompting of His Spirit.

God's commandments can be kept, no matter what men may say, if we let Him write His law of love in us. Then will His love be revealed through us. The last message of mercy to a dying world is a revelation of God's love, revealed through the compassion of His remnant people. "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus." Revelation 12:17. This testimony will bear witness to God's boundless love.

Copyright 2000, Kathryn D. Search

Salvation's Ten Promises

What is God saying to us in the Ten Commandments? Many who are familiar with this passage think of these as the "thou shalt nots" Many, rather vaguely, seem to include these in with the ceremonial laws, which were done away with when Jesus died on the cross. The world, in general, treats them as Ten Suggestions, to be obeyed only if you feel like it.

When questioned about it, they may reply that Jesus took care of the commandments in Matthew 22:37-40, when He spoke of loving God and loving your neighbor. They seem to believe this is the new way of serving God and obeying Him--just love Him and your fellow man.. Is it as simple as that? Are we capable of this without any further instruction or insight into what love consists of? Yes, we have the beatitudes, we have the fruit of the Spirit and we have the love chapter in 1 Corinthians 13. Are the ten commandments needed now?

Did you know the ancient Israelites had these same two commandments to guide them in understanding the meaning of the Ten Commandments? Yes, most of them failed to understand. Yet, the two were there. In Deuteronomy 6:5 we read "You shall love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." And, in Leviticus 19:18 we are told "you shall love your neighbor as yourself."

So ancient Israel had access to the true meaning of the Ten Commandments. Then, why did God spell them out in detail to them, and are they to be considered in detail by Christians? Think of this: When Jesus was still on the mount where He gave the beatitudes, He gave more detail on the keeping of the commandments. He emphasized the need of reaching down into our motives and thoughts, not just our words and actions. While He was there He let them know He had not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill.

If we go to 1 John 5:3, we find this disciple, who has written so much on love, says, "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome." To many they seem burdensome, or grievous (as the KJV puts it).

Here is another way of looking at the commandments. This way, I believe, is the gospel way of looking at them. And, gospel means "good news." How are the commandments the good news of salvation for mankind? Please let me paraphrase the text of the first part of Exodus 20, where we read the Ten Commandments, and perhaps you will see what I mean about the good news being enfolded there: And God spoke all these words saying: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of slavery to sin, and out of the house of sinful bondage. I did this by dying on the cross for your sins and rising again, so you could also crucify the flesh and rise to walk in the newness of life through the Spirit of God dwelling in you. Because of this I promise you divine power, and the following promises will be fulfilled in your heart and life:

You shall have no other gods before Me.

You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God. am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the father upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes HIs name in vain.

You shall remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. For it is the seal of My Kingship, My creation and My re-creation of mankind. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. You shall honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.

You shall not murder.

You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

You shall not covet your neighbor's house, you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's. (This the end of my paraphrasing)

Can we picture these as promises? God promises to give us His divine power to do all these things. This wouldn't mean much if it only referred to surface words and actions. When God tells us He looks on the heart of a man can it mean He doesn't pay attention to the actions and words of the outward man? He is interested in everything we do, for He also says we are known by our fruits.

Suppose you pick an apple off a tree and when you bite into it you find it is rotten inside. Not all fruit is good fruit, even when it appears to be on the outside. The law of God reaches into our very inner being. This is where He promises to write His law (Hebrews 10), in our hearts and minds.

The gospel of salvation, the plan of redemption is the good news God not only will forgive our sins, but He will give us power to overcome them. The grace of Christ, His righteous merits, do more than pardon us, they have cleansing power. We are freed from the house of bondage, the slavery to sin.

Yes, sin enslaves us. We are helpless and cannot free ourselves from this slavery, but God through His Son, can and will do it, if we choose to let Him. Paul describes sin as the transgression of the law. What law? The only law given to mortals that could apply are the Ten Commandments. Perhaps from now on we should call them the Ten Promises. When we think of them this way they are indeed a happy part of the Good News of Salvation. Christ is our Creator and Redeemer . Through Him we may receive the full power of the Gospel. For as the law enfolds the plan of salvation, when we see it clearly, the plan of salvation can unfold the true meaning of God's law of love. For this is what the entire ten commandments are in reality.

Copyright 2000, Kathryn D. Search

Restoration

We may attempt to restore an antique piece of furniture, or renew a car by putting another engine in it. As we grow older, we'd like to replace parts of our body with younger parts. but in most cases, we'll have to wait until we are glorified at Christ's coming.

God has promised to restore this old earth completely, to re-create the original Edenic beauty. He promises to restore us to the original image in which we were created--the image of God. Yet, even now, restoration, renewal, or re-creation can take place in our hearts and minds. In fact it must, if we are to attain everlasting life.

“Satan was exulting that he had succeeded in debasing the image of God in humanity. Then Jesus came to restore in man the image of his Maker. None but Christ can fashion anew the character that has been ruined by sin. He came to expel the demons that had controlled the will. He came to lift us up from the dust, to reshape the marred character after the pattern of His divine character, and to make it beautiful with His own glory.” Desire of Ages Page 37.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10. David understood what must take place in his life before he could be restored into God's favor. True repentance and confession are absolutely necessary for pardon and renewal. If we allow a wall of sin to separate us from our Creator and Redeemer, He can't re-create our hearts. Repentance and faith are gifts from God. We must yield to the Holy Spirit's convictions and confess our sins. When we trust in our Creator's power to re-make our minds, and cooperate with Him in every possible way, we are exercising faith.

"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31. With a promise like this we should be encouraged to be diligent. There's a need for patient waiting, or for marching forward into our own Red Sea, or making an all-out effort to run the race set before us.

"I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you, and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh." Ezekiel 11:19. A complete renewal of thoughts, feelings and attitudes--this is what we long for when we begin to understand God's precious promises. We want and need the compassion of Jesus to be the controlling factor of our lives.

“The leaven hidden in the flour works invisibly to bring the whole mass under its leavening process; so the leaven of truth works secretly, silently, steadily, to transform the soul. The natural inclinations are softened and subdued. New thoughts, new feelings, new motives, are implanted. A new standard of character is set up--the life of Christ. The mind is changed; the faculties are roused to action in new lines. Man is not endowed with new faculties, but the faculties he has are sanctified. The conscience is awakened. We are endowed with traits of character that enable us to do service for God.” Christ’s Object Lessons Page 98.

In order for this to be a reality we will acknowledge our sins, our pet idols--all of them. We must search our hearts for hidden faults. Shall we be afraid of the results of letting the Spirit of God control us? We may suffer under the grinding wheel, but it's worth it all. In the end we'll declare, "Heaven is cheap enough."

"Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Romans 6:4. Christ's life is our pattern, and His grace is our strength. Hope and faith will encourage us to rely on our Lord for everything needful to finish the work He has begun in us.

"That ye put off concerning the former conversation (and conduct) the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Ephesians 4:22-24. We are born anew when we first accept Christ as a personal Saviour. As we walk the Christian pathway, a thoroughly new person begins to emerge, and the old corrupt nature loses its power over us. Yet, self won't die without a struggle. We may think it's dead until an overpowering temptation sneaks up on us. Does God plan for us to continue to live a life of constant sinning and repenting? Satan doesn't bother to harass people who aren't struggling against their carnal natures. But victory can be ours as we learn to focus our thoughts on Christ and His life more and more each day.

“The education to be secured by searching the Scriptures is an experimental knowledge of the plan of salvation. Such an education will restore the image of God in the soul. It will strengthen and fortify the mind against temptation, and fit the learner to become a co-worker with Christ in His mission of mercy to the world. It will make him a member of the heavenly family; and prepare him to share the inheritance of the saints in light.” Christ’s Object Lessons Page 42.

The more we understand the wisdom and love of our Creator and Redeemer, the easier it will be for Him to change us back into the image He created man in the beginning. "And have put on the new man; which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him." Colossians 3:10. What more can we ask than to be given the character of Him who knows how we are made and for what purpose we were created? How else could we find true happiness and satisfaction?

Speaking of the future life, we quote the following: “There, immortal minds will contemplate with never-failing delight the wonders of creative power, the mysteries of redeeming love. There will be no cruel, deceiving foe to tempt to forgetfulness of God. Every faculty will be developed, every capacity increased. The acquirement of knowledge will not weary the mind or exhaust the energies. There the grandest enterprises may be carried forward, the loftiest aspirations reached, the highest ambitions realized; and still there will arise new heights to surmount, new wonders to admire, new truths to comprehend, fresh objects to call forth the powers of mind and soul and body.” Great Controversy Page 677. Thus, restoration and development in this life are just the beginning of what God has in store for us.

Copyright 2000, Kathryn D. Search

Agape Love--Other-Centered vs Worldly Love--Self-Centered

Many people do not recognize the kind of love which God tells us about in the Holy Bible. The human race has gone so far away from the original plan of our Creator for mankind they don't truly understand it. Once an individual gets a glimpse of this type of love, they may be drawn toward their Creator. When they appreciate what it is about they learn to love God with all their heart. This article explains to us a little about this love. We hope you will be blessed and lead to our Creator and Redeemer, for He is the only source for a love which will truly and forever make us contented, happy, and at peace with ourselves and others.

1 John 4:8--"He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."

1 John 5:3-5--"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"

Deut. 6:5--"And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."

Lev. 19:18--".....thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I [am] the LORD."

We read these same two commandments, which sum up the ten, in Matthew 22:37-40. We also understand from reading some of the sermon on the mount in Matthew 5, keeping of the commandments goes beyond just our words and actions. It also includes our thoughts and motives. Love for God and mankind is broad and deep.

The kind of love which exists among the three members of the Godhead is "other-centered." This is the kind of love God has for us and all of the creatures He has made. The Creator made us in His image in the beginning. Since the fall of man He longs for us to understand this kind of love and to be completely restored into this other-centered love, instead of the self-centered love of the carnal nature. This is what sin is all about. It is all centered in selfishness. Our Creator and Redeemer knows we will never be happy with this kind of love. Anyone who would enter the perfect heavenly abode must have this other-centered love or he would be miserable because of his selfish nature. So, God is striving to win us back to Himself and this kind of love.

This is why Jesus came to die for us. His life and death were a revelation of this other-centered love which our God has for us and all of His creation.
Just as there have been people who walked with God over the ages (Enoch is a prime example), God will have a group of people who will walk so close to Him again, they will be translated without seeing death. They will be alive when Jesus comes again, and will arise from the earth, along with the resurrected saints, and go back with Jesus to heaven. These people will have gone through a time where they have learned to trust God supremely and have learned, to the greatest extent a person can learn on earth, how to be "other-centered," which is what agape love is all about. This is a love we will ever be learning more about as the years of eternity go by.

"The law of love is the foundation of God's government, and the service of love the only service acceptable to Heaven. God has granted freedom of will to all, endowed men with capacity to appreciate His character, and therefore with ability to love Him and to choose His service. So long as created beings worshiped God they were in harmony throughout the universe. While love to God was supreme, love to others abounded. As there was no transgression of the law, which is the transcript of God's character, no note of discord jarred the celestial harmonies." {TMK 366.2}

"If we dealt kindly and tenderly and compassionately with one another, loving others as Christ has loved us, what a change would take place in our world! What a transformation would be brought about in the home life! In this church there are whole families who need to be educated and trained for the future, immortal life. All the power that can be obtained from above is needed to lead their feet in safe paths." {2SAT 177.3}

" . . . . Deeds of kindness, charity, and love to others will make you one with Christ and take your mind from yourself." {DG 166.3}

The life Christ lived while on earth is an example for us. We are to follow His example, and thus we will learn to be other-centered.

"The life of Christ was a life charged with a divine message of the love of God, and He longed intensely to impart this love to others in rich measure. Compassion beamed from His countenance, and His conduct was characterized by grace, humility, truth, and love. Every member of His church militant must manifest the same qualities, if He would join the church triumphant. The love of Christ is so broad, so full of glory, that in comparison to it, everything that men esteem as great, dwindles into insignificance. When we obtain a view of it, we exclaim, O the depth of the riches of the love that God bestowed upon men in the gift of His only-begotten Son!" {FE 179.3}

"We are to learn a lesson from the goodness and mercy and self-sacrificing life of the Father. We are to study how to give our sympathy and love to others. As we have received this priceless gift, so we are to impart it. We are to learn how to rule by love and kindness, rather than by severity and censure. When an erring person becomes conscious of his wrong, do not deal with him in a manner that will take away all his self-respect. Do not seek to tear to pieces, but to bind up and heal. You may see the errors of a brother. Yet he may not be able to discern his wrong; and it may be difficult to know how to act. But never pursue a course that will give him the impression that you regard yourself as his superior. You may think that your feelings, your pursuits, your organization, are superior to his, but do not seek to make this apparent; for such a course is altogether out of harmony with true refinement, true nobility of character. We are not to bruise the souls of the erring, but to go to them armed with humility and prayer. When the gospel minister, with his heart subdued by the love and grace of Christ, comes in touch with human minds, he can reveal his superior qualifications, not by destroying hope and courage, but by inspiring faith in the faithless, by lifting up the hands that hang down, and confirming the feeble knees.--RH Nov. 21, 1899." {PaM 212.3}

We should ever remember we cannot live a life of self-denial and loving service to others without the divine power of Christ in our daily lives. We cannot truly love others without His love dwelling in us. It is by beholding Him in the word of God, and communing with Him through prayer that we gain this kind of love and compassion.

"Many think that it is impossible to love our neighbor as ourselves; but it is the only genuine fruit of Christianity. Love to others is putting on the Lord Jesus Christ; it is walking and working with the invisible world in view. We are thus to keep looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." {RC 103.2}

"The life of Christ was a life charged with a divine message of the love of God, and He longed intensely to impart this love to others in rich measure. Compassion beamed from His countenance, and His conduct was characterized by grace, humility, truth, and love. Every member of His church militant must manifest the same qualities, if he would join the church triumphant." --FE 179 (1891) {LDE 62.2}

"Oh, if all who professed to be followers of Christ were indeed living channels of light to the world, imbued by the Spirit of God, with hearts full to overflowing with the gospel message, with the very countenance beaming with devotion to God and love to others, what a work might be accomplished in a short time! The messengers of the truth would not speak with hesitation, with uncertainty, but with fearlessness and confidence. Their words and the very tones of the voice would strike conviction to the hearts of the hearers." —Review and Herald, Aug. 23, 1892. {BLJ 284.5}

"We can love our neighbor as ourselves only as we love God supremely. The love of God will bear fruit in love to our neighbors. Many think that it is impossible to love our neighbor as ourselves, but it is the only genuine fruit of Christianity. Love to others is putting on the Lord Jesus Christ; it is walking and working with the invisible world in view. We are thus to keep looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith." --Review and Herald, June 26, 1894. {WM 49.2}

"We are to empty the heart of everything that defiles the soul temple, that Christ may dwell within. Our Redeemer has told us how we may reveal Him to the world. If we cherish His Spirit, if we manifest His love to others, if we guard one another's interest, if we are kind, patient, forbearing, the world will have an evidence by the fruits we bear that we are the children of God. It is the unity in the church that enables it to exert a conscious influence upon unbelievers and worldlings." --Review and Herald, June 5, 1888. {YRP 76.4}

"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}

"Children should be instructed by both precept and example. Their parents should manifest kindness and courtesy and loving attention to each other. They should manifest self-forgetful love to others. Children will copy the lessons that they see practiced in the family circle. Holy angels will be round about a family where love and joy and peace abound." {RH, June 24, 1890 par. 4}

Being Self-Centered

"The more clearly our eyes behold the attractions of the future world, the deeper will be our solicitude for the inhabitants of this world. We cannot be self-centered. We are living in the time of special conflict between the powers of light and those of darkness. Go forth; let your light shine; diffuse its rays to all the world. Christ and the heavenly messengers co-operating with human agencies, will bring the unfinished parts of the work to a perfect whole. Not to fill our place because we love our ease, because we would avoid care and weariness, is not to shine; and how terrible the guilt, how fearful the consequences!" {CH 35.3}

"You have an experience before you to gain. You cannot be self-centered and be prepared for whatever work or responsibility, however difficult or dangerous, which is in Christ's line. Your eye must be single to the glory of God, and then your profiting [growth] will appear unto all. You need to employ every means of grace [so] that your love to God, and to all with whom you associate, may be pure and Christlike. Then you will approve the things that are excellent and be filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God. Your Christian life must take on a different mold, else you will never see the kingdom of heaven." {DG 137.1}

"Jesus, seeing that to antagonize was but to harden, refrained from direct conflict. The narrowing selfishness of Judas' life, Christ sought to heal through contact with His own self-sacrificing love. In His teaching He unfolded principles that struck at the root of the disciple's self-centered ambitions. Lesson after lesson was thus given, and many a time Judas realized that his character had been portrayed, and his sin pointed out; but he would not yield." {Ed 92.1}

"Warning, admonition, promise, all are for us, upon whom the ends of the world are come. "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober" (1 Thessalonians 5:6). . . . Watch against the stealthy approach of the enemy, watch against old habits and natural inclinations, lest they assert themselves; force them back, and watch. Watch the thoughts, watch the plans, lest they become self-centered. Watch over the souls whom Christ has purchased with His own blood. Watch for opportunities to do them good." {AG 332.5}

"Naturally we are self-centered and opinionated. But when we learn the lessons that Christ desires to teach us, we become partakers of His nature; henceforth we live His life. The wonderful example of Christ, the matchless tenderness with which He entered into the feelings of others, weeping with those who wept, rejoicing with those who rejoiced, must have a deep influence upon the character of all who follow Him in sincerity. By kindly words and acts they will try to make the path easy for weary feet.-- "Ministry of Healing," pages 157, 158.

"The soul finds rest only in cherishing meekness and lowliness of heart. The peace of Christ is never found where selfishness reigns. The soul cannot grow in grace when it is self-centered and proud. Jesus assumed the position that man must take in order that the peace of Christ may abide in the heart. Those who have offered themselves to Christ to become His disciples must deny self daily, must lift up the cross and follow in the footsteps of Jesus. They must go where His example leads the way." --Lt 28, 1888. {1MCP 45.2}

Being Other-Centered

"Those who wait for the Bridegroom's coming are to say to the people, "Behold your God." The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love. The children of God are to manifest His glory. In their own life and character they are to reveal what the grace of God has done for them." {COL 415.5}

"Love is the basis of godliness. Whatever the profession, no man has pure love to God unless he has unselfish love for his brother. But we can never come into possession of this spirit by trying to love others. What is needed is the love of Christ in the heart. When self is merged in Christ, love springs forth spontaneously. The completeness of Christian character is attained when the impulse to help and bless others springs constantly from within--when the sunshine of heaven fills the heart and is revealed in the countenance." {COL 384.2}