LESSON 5 -July 25 - 31, 2009
Key Text: “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15–17)
The Student Will:
Know: Experience what it means to live in this world but not be part of it.
Feel: Assured of his or her salvation.
Do: Live a life with a heavenly focus.
Know: Getting the Right Focus
1. What would you include in the expression “loving the things of this world”? Why are love of the world and love of the Father incompatible?
John says that these three things are not of the Father but of the world: Lust of the flesh, obviously, deals with passions, though it does not have to be limited to that alone (Gal. 5:19–21). Lust of the eyes, though certainly linked to the flesh, takes it deeper, takes it to our thoughts, our desires, to the things that we see and want for ourselves (Exod. 20:17). The idea of “the pride of life” implies independence from God. It’s as if we created our lives, and hence the glory and honor of any of our accomplishments should belong to us. “Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves” (Ps. 100:3)
2. Why are love of the world and love of the Father incompatible?
“It does not make sense to love the world, because the world is impermanent. It is better and wiser to choose that which lasts. By doing so, we ourselves also will last—that is, we will live forever.” (Bible Study Guide, July 30,2009)
3. Discuss the role of forgiveness in walking in the light.
“When sin struggles for the mastery in the human heart, when guilt seems to oppress the soul and burden the conscience, when unbelief clouds the mind, who lets in the beams of light? Whose grace is sufficient to subdue sin, and who gives the precious forgiveness and pardons all our sins, expelling the darkness, and making us hopeful and joyful in God? --Jesus, the sin-pardoning Savior. He is still our Advocate in the courts of heaven; and those whose lives are hid with Christ in God must arise and shine, because the glory of the Lord has risen upon them.” (From a letter written to Elder S. N. Haskell, published in Bible Training School, May 1915.)
4. How can we be assured that our sins are forgiven? Explain how this impacts your life.
Key Text: “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15–17)
The Student Will:
Know: Experience what it means to live in this world but not be part of it.
Feel: Assured of his or her salvation.
Do: Live a life with a heavenly focus.
Know: Getting the Right Focus
1. What would you include in the expression “loving the things of this world”? Why are love of the world and love of the Father incompatible?
John says that these three things are not of the Father but of the world: Lust of the flesh, obviously, deals with passions, though it does not have to be limited to that alone (Gal. 5:19–21). Lust of the eyes, though certainly linked to the flesh, takes it deeper, takes it to our thoughts, our desires, to the things that we see and want for ourselves (Exod. 20:17). The idea of “the pride of life” implies independence from God. It’s as if we created our lives, and hence the glory and honor of any of our accomplishments should belong to us. “Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves” (Ps. 100:3)
2. Why are love of the world and love of the Father incompatible?
“It does not make sense to love the world, because the world is impermanent. It is better and wiser to choose that which lasts. By doing so, we ourselves also will last—that is, we will live forever.” (Bible Study Guide, July 30,2009)
3. Discuss the role of forgiveness in walking in the light.
“When sin struggles for the mastery in the human heart, when guilt seems to oppress the soul and burden the conscience, when unbelief clouds the mind, who lets in the beams of light? Whose grace is sufficient to subdue sin, and who gives the precious forgiveness and pardons all our sins, expelling the darkness, and making us hopeful and joyful in God? --Jesus, the sin-pardoning Savior. He is still our Advocate in the courts of heaven; and those whose lives are hid with Christ in God must arise and shine, because the glory of the Lord has risen upon them.” (From a letter written to Elder S. N. Haskell, published in Bible Training School, May 1915.)
4. How can we be assured that our sins are forgiven? Explain how this impacts your life.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
“Jesus does not desire those who have been purchased at such a cost to become the sport of the enemy's temptations. He does not desire us to be overcome and perish. He who curbed the lions in their den, and walked with His faithful witnesses amid the fiery flames, is just as ready to work in our behalf to subdue every evil in our nature. Today He is standing at the altar of mercy, presenting before God the prayers of those who desire His help. He turns no weeping, contrite one away. Freely will He pardon all who come to Him for forgiveness and restoration. He does not tell to any, all that He might reveal, but He bids every trembling soul take courage. Whosoever will, may take hold of God's strength, and make peace with Him, and He will make peace.” (Ministry of Healing, 90)
Feel:Appreciate the Gift of Salvation
5. In what ways can we experience the absolute assurance of salvation?
“Only through Christ can one experience salvation “ for there is no name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4: 12). Jesus said: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14: 6) The experience of salvation involves repentance, confession, forgiveness, justification and sanctification” (The 28 Fundamental Beliefs, 2005 p.134)
“Obedience through Jesus Christ gives to man perfection of character and a right to that tree of life. The conditions of again partaking of the fruit of the tree are plainly stated in the testimony of Jesus Christ to John: "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city" (The SDA Bible Commentary, Ellen G. White Comments, vol. 1, p. 1086).
6. God freely forgives us, regardless of what we have done. How can we foster this attitude of forgiveness in our relationships with others? Must we in every case forgive? Explain.
“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.” (1 John 2:9, 10)
“Clothe yourselves therefore, as God's own people holy and dearly loved, with tenderheartedness, kindness, lowliness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another and readily forgiving each other, if anyone has a grievance against another” (Col. 3:12, 13,)
“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14, 15)
Jesus teaches that we can receive forgiveness from God only as we forgive others. It is the love of God that draws us unto Him, and that love cannot touch our hearts without creating love for our brethren.
Do: Renouncing Worldly Things
7. Sometimes it is difficult to focus on the unseen and eternal. Share ways that have helped you keep your focus on the eternal.
“Humanity is tempted to live by the moment, to be captivated by the material world, and to treasure only what can be seen. Therefore, Paul joins John by saying, “Keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory” (Col. 3:1–4)
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18).
8. What responsibility comes with owning worldly goods? How should they be used?
“I saw that it is God’s plan that these riches should be used properly, distributed to bless the needy and to advance the work of God. If men love their riches better than they love their fellowmen, better than they love God, or the truth of His word, if their hearts are on their riches, they cannot have eternal life.” (1Testimonies, 172)
9. How could you briefly could explain what it means to be forgiven?
To be cleansed from all unrighteousness and experience the joy and freedom of living a life that leads to salvation
“It is peace that you need--Heaven's forgiveness and peace and love in the soul. Money cannot buy it, intellect cannot procure it, wisdom cannot attain to it; you can never hope, by your own efforts, to secure it. But God offers it to you as a gift, "without money and without price." (Isaiah 55:1.) It is yours if you will but reach out your hand and grasp it. The Lord says, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18.) "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you." (Ezekiel 36:26.) You have confessed your sins, and in heart put them away. You have resolved to give yourself to God. Now go to Him, and ask that He will wash away your sins and give you a new heart. Then believe that He does this because He has promised. (SC, 50)
Summary: Part of walking in the light is abandoning the transient things of this world; this should be easy in contrast to what we’re offered instead: eternal life.
