Sabbath, July 7, 2007

INTRODUCTION

Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,

Every day we come in contact with others in our families, in our workplace, and at school. Their influence, whether positive or negative, will have a decided effect on us. There is a proverb that says: “Tell me with whom you associate, and I will tell you who you are.” For this reason, our eyes should not be fixed on human beings but rather on our Saviour, who will erase the negative effects of sin and transform us completely until we reflect His holy image and character. The Word of God has this very purpose, inviting us to behold and look unto Him so we may be changed into His likeness.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrew 12:2. “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18.

Sister Ellen G. White had this holy desire to reflect Christ in her life, and she expressed it in the following words: “I have a continual longing for Christ to be formed within, the hope of glory. I long to be beautified every day with the meekness and gentleness of Christ, grow­ing in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ up to the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. I must as an individual, through the grace given me of Jesus Christ, keep my own soul in health by keeping it as a divine channel through which His grace, His love, His patience, His meekness, shall flow to the world. This is my duty and no less the duty of every church member who claims to be a son or a daughter of God.” –God’s Amazing Grace, p. 301.

To reflect Jesus in our life and ministry should be the goal not only of individual members but also of the church as a whole in preaching the gospel to the world.

“The Lord Jesus has made His church the depositary of sacred truth. He has left with her the work of carrying out His purposes and His plans to save the souls for whom He has manifested such inter­est, such unmeasured love. Like the sun in relation to our world, He rises amid the moral darkness–the Sun of Righteousness. He said of Himself, ‘I am the light of the world.’ John 8:12. He said to His follow­ers, ‘Ye are the light of the world.’ Matthew 5:14…. By reflecting the image of Jesus Christ, by the beauty and holiness of their characters, by their continual self-denial and their separation from all idols, large or small, they reveal that they have learned in the school of Christ.” –God’s Amazing Grace, p. 301.

To make this exalted goal possible, the Lord permits trials and af­fliction to come upon us.
“Christ desires nothing so much as to redeem His heritage from the dominion of Satan. But before we are delivered from Satan’s power without, we must be delivered from his power within. The Lord permits trials in order that we may be cleansed from earthliness, from selfish­ness, from harsh, unchristlike traits of character. He suffers the deep waters of affliction to go over our souls in order that we may know Him and Jesus Christ whom He has sent, in order that we may have deep heart longings to be cleansed from defilement, and may come forth from the trial purer, holier, happier. Often we enter the furnace of trial with our souls darkened with selfishness; but if patient under the crucial test, we shall come forth reflecting the divine character. When His purpose in the affliction is accomplished, ‘He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.’ Psalm 37:6.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 174, 175.

It is our sincere desire that these spiritual lessons on “Reflecting Jesus” may be food in due season for all of God’s people and be truly helpful in the daily work of sanctification and preparation for the soon coming of Jesus.

– The Brethren of the General Conference

 

 

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Nei­ther do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16.

Choose to be a Light

1. With what words did the apostle Peter describe the people of God?
1 Peter 2:9, 11 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light …Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

“As we read the word of God, how plain it appears that His people are to be peculiar and distinct from the unbelieving world around them. Our position is interesting and fearful; living in the last days, how important that we imitate the example of Christ, and walk even as He walked. ‘If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’ The opinions and wisdom of men must not guide or govern us. They always lead away from the cross. The servants of Christ have neither their home nor their treasure here. Would that all of them could under­stand that it is only because the Lord reigns that we are even permitted to dwell in peace and safety among our enemies. It is not our privilege to claim special favors of the world. We must consent to be poor and despised among men, until the warfare is finished and the victory won. The mem­bers of Christ are called to come out and be separate from the friendship and spirit of the world; their strength and power consists in being chosen and accepted of God.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 286.

2. What particular role do God’s people have in this dark, sin­ful world?
Matthew 5:13-16
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

“Christ’s followers have been redeemed for service. Our Lord teaches that the true object of life is ministry. Christ Himself was a worker, and to all His followers He gives the law of service–service to God and to their fellow men. Here Christ has presented to the world a higher conception of life than they had ever known. By living to minister for others, man is brought into connection with Christ. The law of service becomes the con­necting link which binds us to God and to our fellow men.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 326.

Ministers To Others

3. How did Jesus break down walls that separated people?
John 2:1, 2 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
John 4: 5-7  Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

“Jesus had begun to break down the partition wall between Jew and Gentile, and to preach salvation to the world. Though He was a Jew, He mingled freely with the Samaritans, setting at nought the Pharisaic cus­toms of His nation. In face of their prejudices He accepted the hospitality of this despised people. He slept under their roofs, ate with them at their tables–partaking of the food prepared and served by their hands–taught in their streets, and treated them with the utmost kindness and courtesy.

“…Jesus, the originator of the temple and its service, drew the Gentiles to Him by the tie of human sympathy, while His divine grace brought to them the salvation which the Jews rejected.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 193.

“In every age since Christ was among men, there have been some who chose to seclude themselves from others, manifesting a Pharisaical desire for preeminence. Shutting themselves away from the world, they have not lived to bless their fellow men.

“There is no example in the life of Christ for this self-righteous big­otry….” –Gospel Workers, p. 334.

“It is through the social relations that Christianity comes in contact with the world. Every man or woman who has received the divine illumi­nation is to shed light on the dark pathway of those who are unacquainted with the better way. Social power, sanctified by the Spirit of Christ, must be improved in bringing souls to the Saviour. Christ is not to be hid away in the heart as a coveted treasure, sacred and sweet, to be enjoyed solely by the possessor. We are to have Christ in us as a well of water, springing up into everlasting life, refreshing all who come in contact with us.” –The Ministry of Healing, p. 496.

4. What hopes can be realized when we enter into partnership with God?
1 Corinthians 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.
Revelation 7:14, 15  And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

“To His servants Christ commits ‘His goods’– something to be put to use for Him. He gives ‘to every man his work.’ Each has his place in the eternal plan of heaven. Each is to work in cooperation with Christ for the salvation of souls. Not more surely is the place prepared for us in the heavenly man­sions than is the special place designated on earth where we are to work for God.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 326, 327.

5. What can we expect from God when we fulfill His plan to bless and serve others?
Philippians 4:4, 7 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice… And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

“Christ came to this world to reveal the love of God. His followers are to continue the work which He began. Let us strive to help and strengthen one another. Seeking the good of others is the way in which true happiness can be found. Man does not work against his own interest by loving God and his fellow men. The more unselfish his spirit, the happier he is, be­cause he is fulfilling God’s purpose for him. The breath of God is breathed through him, filling him with gladness. To him life is a sacred trust, pre­cious in his sight because given by God to be spent in ministering to oth­ers.” –The Review and Herald, June 25, 1908.

Accountable To God And Man

6. Ultimately, to whom will the Christian give account for his lack of ministry to others?
Romans 1:14  I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

7. In what areas of life are we accountable to God?
Romans 13:11  And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
James 3:8, 9  But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
Malachi 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

“Our time belongs to God. Every moment is His, and we are under the most solemn obligation to improve it to His glory. Of no talent He has given will He require a more strict account than of our time….

“The power of speech is a talent that should be diligently cultivated. Of all the gifts we have received from God, none is capable of being a greater blessing than this. With the voice we convince and persuade, with it we of­fer prayer and praise to God, and with it we tell others of the Redeemer’s love. How important, then, that it be so trained as to be most effective for good.

“God also entrusts men with means. He gives them power to get wealth….

“Our money has not been given us that we might honor and glorify ourselves. As faithful stewards we are to use it for the honor and glory of God. Some think that only a portion of their means is the Lord’s. When they have set apart a portion for religious and charitable purposes, they regard the remainder as their own, to be used as they see fit. But in this they mistake. All we possess is the Lord’s, and we are accountable to Him for the use we make of it.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 342, 335, 351.

Reaching The Goal

8. Can our accountability be lost sight of amid our hectic everyday life? What can happen?
Matthew 25:18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
Mark 4:18, 19 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.

“Look into our churches. There are only a few real workers in them. The majority are irresponsible men and women. They feel no burden for souls. They manifest no hungering and thirsting for righteousness. They never lift when the work goes hard. These are the ones who have but one talent, and hide that one in a napkin, and bury it in the world; that is, they use all the influence they have in their temporal matters. In seeking the things of this life, they lose the future, eternal life, the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. What can be said and done to arouse this class of church members to feel their accountability to God? Must the mass of professed Christian commandment-keepers hear the fearful words, ‘Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth’?” –The Review and Herald, March 14, 1878.

9. What high goals can be achieved if we focus on Jesus and do His will?
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Acts 4:13  Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
Acts 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

“We should live in this world to win souls to the Saviour. If we injure others, we injure ourselves also. If we bless others, we bless ourselves; for the influence of every good deed is reflected back upon our own hearts.” –The Review and Herald, October 10, 1882.

Conclusion

“But many Christians are waiting for some great work to be brought to them. Because they cannot find a place large enough to satisfy their ambition, they fail to perform faithfully the common duties of life. These seem to them uninteresting. Day by day they let slip opportunities for showing their faith­fulness to God. While they are waiting for some great work, life passes away, its purposes unfulfilled, its work unaccomplished.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 360.