1888 Glad Tidings : Insight #8 November 25, 2017

SABBATH SCHOOL INSIGHT #8 "WHO IS THIS MAN OF ROMANS 7? NOVEMBER 25, 2017 Click Here to Read

1888 Glad Tidings : Insight #7 November 18, 2017

SABBATH SCHOOL INSIGHT #7 "Overcoming Sin" November 18 2017

Paul extends his discussion of righteousness by faith to include the true fruits of faith, and the working of true righteousness in one's life. You often hear many people say "We are saved by grace", but often grace is not sufficiently understood. For many, grace means that God saves people and forgives them, but they limit the work of righteousness to that of a legal, forensic transaction, without an accompanying heart change revealed in the life.   Romans 6: 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?    When we believe in Christ as our Savior and our righteousness, true faith leads to a change of heart, through the power of the Holy Spirit, and the life of Christ lived in us, and we experience progressive victory over sin and sanctification of character. True faith works by love, (Gal. 5:6), and purifies the soul. (2 Cor. 7:1). Paul is now dealing with an issue that is at the heart of the Gospel, the Sanctuary message, and the experience, ultimately, that God's people are called to fully experience at the end of time. Jesus did not come to save us in our sins, but from them, both in terms of the penalty for sin, the power of sin in our characters, and ultimately, the presence of sin in our natures. I have heard many say, "You can't stop sinning", but Paul understand that as we identify with the cross and the death of Christ, symbolized in baptism, we truly can rise to a new life.    3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.   As Galatians tells us, if we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. We can identify fully with Christ and His death to sin, so that we no longer need to serve the principle of sin, or self. Greater is He that is within you, than he which is in the world. There is nothing too hard for God.    11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.   We are not "under the law" as believers. What does this mean? It means we are trusting in the merits of Christ, instead of seeking salvation by works of the law, and thus we are not under either the condemnation, or power, of the law, for we have been freed through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.    We have been called to holiness, to character perfection. Many struggle with that concept, but as Mary, we can say, "so be it." We can allow God to perform what He has promised, to write His law in our hearts. The Gospel is linked with the heavenly sanctuary, and ultimately, the Most Holy Place, where we experience the life of Christ en grafted into our hearts and minds forever. Perfection is both a goal, and also a present moment possibility. The next time you are tempted to sin, don't. That is all we have, the next moment, and we can live a life of freedom in the next moment, trusting in God, and "working out", what He has first worked within.    16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.      22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.   This is the true Gospel, a gospel which gives us victory over sinning, and the fruit of holiness in the life. Paul wants everyone to experience the true power of love in our lives.   The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders Waggoner and Jones. This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Many had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family. All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel's message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure.   ~Pastor Tom Cusack

http://www.1888msc.org/article/527/resources/sabbath-school-insights/2017-quarter-4-oct-dec/insight-7-november-18-2017

1888 Glad Tidings : Insight #6 November 11, 2017

Sabbath School Insight #6 "Adam and Jesus" November 11, 2017

Romans 5 is very important in the points expressed as a part of the 1888 Message.  Paul has established the truth of Righteousness by Faith alone.  Salvation is by faith alone, in the merits of Christ, obtained for the human race through His love and grace.  Romans 5 then goes further to look at the issues of Adam vs. Christ, and the results of both lives in the history of sin and salvation.   The issues raised in Romans 5 and the realization of what Jesus accomplished for the human race, corporately and legally, in the redemption of mankind, has been discussed in many avenues in our church in the last few years, and I feel a deep responsibility that people understand what Jesus did, and did not do, through His life, death, and resurrection. Justification, received by faith, results in forgiveness of sins, power to stand, and hope in the glory of God, or His character reproduced in us.   I Corinthians 15:1-4 reveals the Gospel, the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Christ.  Man did not, and cannot contribute to this finished work of redemption.  We are called, in John 6:28-29, to believe in Christ as the Savior of mankind.  When we place faith in Christ, we have peace, freedom from condemnation, and the promise of a changed heart through the power of love in the Holy Spirit.  See Romans 5:1-5, Romans 8:1.   Paul reveals the history of the First and Second Adam, and the results of their lives on the problem of sin in the human race.  Jesus came to rewrite the history of the human race, and to undo what Adam did in the fall into sin.   God took the initiative in our salvation, dying for the human race while we were His enemies.  We were saved from wrath by Him.  This is true historically, as well as in terms of present assurance and future reality.  Adam and Eve should have perished due to their sin, but because of the intervention of God, mankind had a second chance to return to loyalty and allegiance to God.  When we are in right standing with God, we have peace, and the hope of eternal life, through the grace and forbearance of God.   Paul expresses the truth that due to Adam's sin, condemnation came upon the human race, in him as the head of the human race.  In the same way, justification unto life came upon all men, through the Victory of Christ at the Cross.  What does this mean, and what does it not mean?  I Timothy 4:10 tells us that Christ is "the Savior of ALL men, especially those that believe."   Jesus saved us all, in Him as the Head of Humanity or the 2nd Adam, in paying the redemption price, saving the world, in Adam.  We have quotes in inspiration that reflect the Biblical point. See Selected Messages, I, p. 252.    "In assuming humanity Christ took the part of every human being, He was the Head of Humanity.  A being Divine and human, with His long arm He could encircle humanity, while with His Divine arm, He could lay hold of the throne of the Infinite." Letter 67, 1902.   "Christ came to the earth and made an offering of such value that He redeemed the race." Ministry of Healing, p. 90.   "With His own blood He has signed the emancipation papers of the race." Letter 136, 1902.   "The world does not acknowledge that, at an infinite cost Christ has purchased the human race.  They do not acknowledge that by creation and by redemption, He holds a just claim to every human being.  But as the redeemer of the fallen race, He has been given the deed of possession, which entitles Him to claim them as His property."   Romans 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.   The entire human race was legally justified, unto life, redeemed from the penalty of sin, and reconciled to God through Christ's death.  This, of course, does not mean that every human being, in their own personal spiritual experience, are "born again."   What Christ has accomplished for every human being, in order to be personally experienced, must be united with total faith and surrender in the merits of Christ for His freedom from condemnation in the judgment. When we do so, we stand before God as though we have never sinned, and moreover, He changes the heart, brings us back into right relationship, gives us a new heart and a new spirit, causes us to walk in His commandments, and fills us with His love.   Mankind must, themselves, be reconciled to God in their hearts and minds.  We are to submit by faith to the righteousness of God, which alone is our title to Heaven.  God promises to sanctify the character of those who believe in Christ.    We are all in the water, drowning, in our experience, before Christ.  God has purchased the lifeboat, given us the life preserver, and our name is inscribed on a seat in the "ark" of salvation.  We are called to enter into Christ, by faith, and to abide in Him.   Waggoner on Romans.   "Justification of Life." -- "By the righteousness of One the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life." There is no exception here. As the condemnation came upon all, so the justification comes upon all. Christ has tasted death for every man. He has given himself for all. Nay, He has given himself to every man. If it came upon only those who have some special qualification, then it would not be a free gift.  p. 5, Para. 44, [WROM]. It is a fact, therefore, plainly stated in the Bible, that the gift of righteousness and life in Christ has come to every man on earth. There is not the slightest reason why every man that has ever lived should not be saved unto eternal life, except that they would not have it. So many spurn the gift offered so freely.  p. 5, Para. 45, [WROM].   ~Pastor Tom Cusack

http://www.1888msc.org/article/526/resources/sabbath-school-insights/2017-quarter-4-oct-dec/insight-6-november-11-2017

1888 Sabbath School Insight

Sabbath School Insight #5

"THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM"

November 4, 2017

Was Abraham justified by his works? James 2:21. Or was he justified by faith and not by works? Romans 4:1-6. Our study this week is central to understanding Paul's theology of righteousness by faith alone, using a very practical example, that of the life of Abraham. Is salvation by faith alone? Is it faith plus works? Or is it a third option, that brings into the play the issue of good works in the life of the person of faith?

 

The Laodicean condition is self-righteousness. The Jews of Paul's day had the same issue. Romans 9-10, which we will study further in a subsequent lesson, clearly state that the Jews sought salvation by work of the law, instead of faith, and trusted to their own righteousness, instead of surrendering to the righteousness of God.

 

The phrase "righteousness of God" refers to a divinely produced righteousness in the perfect life and atoning sacrifice of Christ, then offered as a gift to the human race, having accomplished the legal justification of the race "In Christ" as the Head of Humanity and the Second Adam. I have often heard, after preaching on the beautiful truth and miracle of righteousness by faith, "yes, but we ALSO have to obey." That is another form of faith plus works. The Jews in the first century argued for circumcision and the keeping of the law as the means to obtaining justification, and men continually wrestle with the question of their "part" in the plan of salvation.

 

Romans 4 presents three phases in the plan of salvation.

 

The promise of divine blessing (the promise of grace.)

The human response to that divine gift.

The divine pronouncement of righteousness credited to those who believe (Justification.)

 

Paul, in Romans 5, of course reveals the resulting experience of a changed heart and the divine implanting of the Holy Spirit, all predicated on the Justification unto Life obtained for all mankind, to be received by faith alone.

 

When we understand Romans 4, we begin to truly appreciate salvation as a miracle, as something beyond man's ability to produce through human effort, and the unspeakable gift that Christ is to the human race. We also begin to see very clearly the universality of the gospel to both Jew and Gentile, as Abraham is the "father of us all." This clearly negates dispensationalism, the theology that drives the "secret rapture", and the idea that there is more than one Gospel and one Plan of Salvation.

 

Paul brings out that in the Old Testament, Abraham believed and it was credited to Him as righteousness, to illustrate that the Old Testament, as well as the new, present the one gospel of grace. Hebrews 4:2 tells us that they had the same Gospel preached to them that we have. To keep a balanced perspective, Romans 3:31 points out that faith does not make void the law of God, but establishes it, because the New Covenant promise, the experience of salvation, was available in the OT as well. See Psalm 40:8, Psalm 37:31, Deuteronomy 5:29, Deuteronomy 6:6. The OT people had the same gospel we do, and the Gospel granted to Abraham was the same given to Israel at Sinai, typified in the sanctuary services which prefigured the atoning sacrifice of Christ.

 

Be ye mindful always of His covenant; the word which He commanded to a thousand generations;16 Even of the covenant which He made with Abraham, and of His oath unto Isaac; 17 And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,

1 Chronicles 16:15-17

 

Salvation is by grace and not of debt. Paul is arguing that if man had to work to obtain his salvation, it would eliminate the reality of grace, and make the basis of salvation the debt man owed God through sin. He shows that Abraham experienced justification by faith before He was circumcised making it impossible that circumcision was the means of obtaining the grace of God.

 

And being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform." Romans 4:21

 

Faith in God is revealed in this text, that we place implicit trust in God, in full surrender that what God has promised, He will perform. COL, p. 333.

 

"All His biddings are enablings" The key verse which harmonizes faith and works is Galatians 5:6… "A faith which works by love." Faith works by love and purifies the soul. True faith produces an experience of heart change, giving us new motives, a new focus, and the power of the Gospel to make us sons and daughters of God. Ephesians 2:10. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus UNTO good works, which God has foreordained that we should walk in them."

 

A "hidden treasure" in this chapter is the fact that God honors Abraham's faith, in stating that He did not stumble in unbelief, but was strong in faith. Yet doesn't that trouble you? The fact is, Abraham DID stumble in unbelief, with Hagar, resulting in the birth of Ishmael, who along with his mother had to eventually be cast out of the camp. The good news is that when we finally gain victory over the unbelief of our life, God does not remember our sin, or hold it against us, but rejoices in the victory. I find tremendous comfort in that aspect of Romans 4.

 

Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all. Romans 4:16

 

Christ is the surety of the promises of God.

 

~Tom Cusack

RR

Raul Diaz

https://about.me/raul.diaz