Something to consider as we end this weeks lesson on The Apostles and the Law: Why should the apostles teach repentance toward God? Because the sinner is in trouble with the Father. He has transgressed the law; he must see his sin, and repent. What is his next work? To look to Jesus, whose blood alone can cleanse from all sin. Faith in Christ is necessary; for there is no saving quality in law. The law condemns, but it cannot pardon the transgressor. The sinner must depend on the merits of the blood of Christ. Let him take hold of my strength, says our merciful Redeemer, that he may make peace with me, and he shall make peace with me. Our Lord declared that he would love most to whom most was forgiven; and he only will feel that he needs forgiveness who sees himself as he is, defiled by sin, a transgressor of Gods holy law. He who has the fullest conviction of the sacred claims of the law, will most clearly see the enormity of his offenses, and will feel that he is indeed forgiven much.-Ellen G. White, Signs of the Times, August 5, 1886. Questions for thought: Carefully read the above statement by Ellen G. White. How does this excerpt shed light on the biblical teachings covered in this quarter? What does it mean that a sinner must depend on the merits of the blood of Christ? Dwell more on the warning in Jude 4. If the men are proclaiming the grace of God, they obviously are believers. Yet, Jude says that they are denying the Lord. What serious implications does this have for those who claim that Gods grace nullified the law? When people claim the law was done away with, what are they really trying to get rid of? How does the denial of the law, or even of one of the commandments, play into Satans hands as he seeks to overthrow the law of God?
Posted on: Fri, 13 Jun 2014 13:10:00 +0000