Claiming Life, Grasping the Privilege of Life unasked
CL1 From Discovery to Claiming Life: Choose Life (Deut 30:19,20)
-Experience life in blessings to endure evil in Jesus’ crucible of suffering-(Quick Scan Overview:
1. Invitation -Our life is an unasked for blessing for we have no choice on when, where and who is my father and my mother. In the process, we will discover the blessings of being given this great privilege of life that need not end in death.The issue of suffering in this world needs to be addressed. The Bible shows how God uses suffering as a transformational framework for our own enrichment, victory, and eternal life. Life is a journey, Psalm 23 is one of the best places to start, because it talks about a path. This path takes us through the highs and lows of our lives.
1.01 The Aim of CL1- The realization of the indescribable privilege of the gift of life in discovery D 35 of the assurance of everlasting life free of sin and suffering in the blessed hope in Christ is the demanding need of the knowledge in claiming life, the basis of CL1, This is the transition from discovery to the process of claiming life everlasting. This series begins by relating to our experience in this journey in life.
1.1 The Shepherd’s Path of Life-The present reality of our journey is the inevitability of death which is one of toil, suffering, evil that ends in death. The lengthy overview of D 35 discussed that death need not be, even at the destruction the world caused by the consequence of sins of the people under the reign of Satan. This will happen at the second coming of Jesus Christ to deliver His faithful followers who choose to take the true path of life.
1.3.4 Closing Review- Evil is not in God’s creation. Satan brought evil into the world that God created. This is why we are all subjected to pain and suffering caused by Satan which God allows as crucibles of sin in order to eradicate Satan and sin completely. The All-wiseGod created earth and encapsulated it in a time capsule (to confine sin where time is finite and for a limited time) as a theater to the whole universe on the consequence of sin caused by Satan’s rebellion that begins in heaven. In this journey on earth we are given the opportunity to experience the trials of life, metaphorical crucibles of life, to discover the blessings of being given this great privilege of life that need not end in death.
1.3.4.1 Experience the Privilege in Life Unasked- We are all chosen to be a player in the theatre to the whole universe. Used by God to demonstrate the horrendous suffering consequences of sin in vindicating His righteousness before annihilating Satan and sin foreverby the recreation of the new heaven and new earth.
We are placed in a very complicated world of sin for which we are ignorant about and therefore is a party to these sins offered by Satan. The only way out is the remedy provided with the incarnation of the Son of God as our example to help us go through the various crucibles of sin we entered into.Our probationary period of test and refining in the journey in the world has a purpose in getting to know God by personal experience in walking with Jesus and know his voice.)
Contents:
Section One
1. Invitation; 1.01 The Aim of CL1; 1.1 The Shepherd’s Path of Life; 1.1.1 Amplification of Psalm 23:1-6; 1.1.1.1 The Two Paths; 1.1.1.2 Religion as a Path; 1.1.1.3 Christianity vs Paganism;
1.1.2 Crucibles of Life; 1.1.2.1 Crucibles of Satan; 1.1.2.1.1 Satan in Theory of Evolution and Spiritualism; 1.1.2.1.1.1 Eduardo Handpicked as Candomble/Spiritist High Priest; 1.1.2.1.1.2 D15 Discovery Trip into Modern Day Spiritualism; 1.1.2.1.2 Crucibles of Sin; 1.1.2.1.2.1 Vindication of God’s Righteous Judgment;
1.1.2.1.2.2 How Good is God? 1.1.2.1.2.2.1 Who to Compare God with?; 1.1.2.1.2.2.1.1 God Our Father; 1.1.2.1.2.2.1.2 The Final Judgment; 1.1.2.1.2.2.1.3 Personal Communion in Prayer with God;
1.1.2.1.3 Sudden
Painful Crucibles; 1.1.2.1.3.1 Suffering With Christ; 1.1.2.1.3.2 Satan’s Lie in The Enlightenment’s Devil; 1.1.2.1.3.3 Reasons for Suffering in the World; 1.1.2.1.2.2.1.4
The Spirit of Truth; 1.1.2.1.2.2.1.4.1 The Work of the Holy Spirit in Salvation;
Section Two
1.2 “In His Image”; 1.2.1 Crucible of Suffering for Character Perfection; 1.2.1.1 Crucible of Purification; 1.2.1.1.1 John Huss Testimony; 1.2.1.1.2 Suffering of Christ for Sinners’ Perfection; 1.2.1.1.2.1 Eternal Reward in Enduring Finite Suffering;
1.2.1.1.2.2 Preparation for Second Coming (in Purification through Suffering); 1.2.1.1.2.2.1 “God’s Leading” in Fatal Knutson Family Car Accident; 1.2.1.1.2.2.1 “God’s Leading” in Fatal Knutson Family Car Accident; 1.2.1.1.2.3 Living By Faith In Jesus; 1.2.1.1.2.3.1 Character and Community;
1.2.2 Extreme Heat in Crucible; 1.2.2.1 Fiery Trial in Discipleship; 1.2.2.1.1Preface to Crucible of Consecration – Self Surrender; 1.2.2.2 Overcoming Feelings in Crucible of Maturity; 1.2.2.2.1 Striving in the Power of God; 1.2.2.2.1.1 Radical Commitment; 1.2.2.2.1.2The Need to Persevere;
1.3 Freedom and the Power of the Will; 1.3.1 The Bible Account on Sin and Suffering; 1.3.1.1Historical Perspective on Sin and Suffering; 1.3.1.2 Salvation Truth for Present Society;
1.3.2 Crucible of Consecration; 1.3.2.1 Death as the Solution to Death; 1.3.2.1.1Two Types of Death; 1.3.3 A Life of Praise- Faith in Action; 1.3.3.1 Power of Praise in Paul’s Persecution; 1.3.3.2 Praying with Praise Down Walls of Jericho (Jos 5:13–6:20; 1.3.3.3 Weapon of Victory in War (Chr20:1-30); 1.3.3.4 The Practice of Praise; 1.3.3.4.1 Conditions for Rejoicing in Crucibles;
1.3.4 Closing Review; 1.3.4.1 Experience The Privilege in Life Unasked.
CL1 From Discovery to Claiming Life
1. Invitation
The life we have is unasked, placed on this earth in a journey of unending struggle of good and evil. There is no choice on when, where and who is my father and my mother. In the process, we will discover the blessings of being given this great privilege of life that need not end in death. Death now is inevitable and a dreaded fear in humans in this fallen world where the rebel Satan, the prince of darkness, had usurped Adam’s dominion as the result of the original wrong choice of Adam and Eve in believing Satan, the father of lies. Satan is the most powerful angel created by God who became disloyal and rebelled with his other deceived angels in heaven were cast out and they came to the newly created earth. Satan is the cause of all the evils that God allows for the good that it will provide in God’s plan for salvation of lost souls. This is revealed clearly in the Book of Job written by Moses. (discussed in previous articles); for God, our true heavenly Father, “the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” Amo 3:7.
1.01 The Aim of CL1
The realization of the indescribable privilege of the gift of life in discovery D 35 of the assurance of everlasting life free of sin and suffering in the blessed hope in Christ is the demanding need of the knowledge in claiming life, the basis of CL1,
This is the transition from discovery to the process of claiming life everlasting. This series begins by relating to our experience in this journey in life. The present reality of our journey is the inevitability of death which is one of toil, suffering, evil that ends in death.
The lengthy overview of D 35 discussed that death need not be, even at the destruction the world caused by the consequence of sins of the people under the reign of Satan. This will happen at the second coming of Jesus Christ to deliver His faithful followers who choose to take the true path of life.
The journey of life cannot be taken on our own initiative because we are living in a world where evil rules over good under the rule of Satan and his evil angels since the fall of Adam and Eve. Thus suffering is inevitable in this journey and we must have a powerful savior and guide to direct our path of life. This will be discussed as is provided in the SDA Sabbath Bible Study, third quarter 2022 Lesson 1. 2, 4, 5, 6, 9 &12.(The pdf version beginning in displaying the contents of the study is available at https://absg.adventist.org/pdf.php?file=2022:3Q:TE:PDFs:ETQ322_00.pdf .)
The issue of suffering in this world needs to be addressed. Many well meaning people in the world are put off by the sufferings in the world cannot relate with a good God allowing these suffering that they rather take things in their own hands. To know that God is true is by reading the Bible with an open mind. Faith and trust in God comes from experiencing God’s blessings in our lives especially as we learn about the trials in the form of crucibles which will be discussed.
The Bible shows how God uses suffering as a transformational framework for our own enrichment, victory, and eternal life. If we imagine life as a journey, Psalm 23 is one of the best places to start, because it talks about a path. This path takes us through the highs and lows of our lives. More important, Someone is guiding us on that path. That Someone is more than a Guide; He is a caring and loving Shepherd. The most important questions for our journey, for our highs and lows, are: Do we know the Shepherd? Do we trust Him whatever happens or wherever He may decide to take us? (Starting with Psalm 23 is one of the best and simple way to understand what the Bible is teaching about life,)
1.1 The Shepherd’s Path of Life (https://absg.adventist.org/pdf.php?file=2022:3Q:TE:PDFs:ETQ322_01.pdf)
To most people who does not read the Bible their picture of God has been obscured because of his or her own struggles, whatever they are. Psalm 23 by king David who was a shepherd as a youth was able to paint the true picture by inspiration from God in just six compact and comprehensive verses.
1.1.1 Amplification of Psalm 23:1-6.
1 “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Because of the pastoral lifestyle of the people in Old Testament times, Psalm 23 uses the image of a shepherd to describe the way God cares for us. The symbol of a shepherd is used for God—in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. It’s a wonderful picture and one that is changeless, too. Different Bible writers understand the work and character of the Shepherd throughout the Bible enlarges to fill in the details (See Isa. 40:11 Jer. 23:3, 4 Ezek. 34:12 John 10:14–16 1 Pet. 2:25)
2 “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.”
The shepherd provides and ensures the best pastures for his sheep and leads them by the best and the safest path.
3 “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.”
Imagine the “paths of righteousness” stretching out before you, way out into the distance. You cannot see the end, but you know that at the end of the journey is home, God’s house. As you focus a little closer to you, do you see where the path leads? You can see some places clearly, but other parts are totally obstructed by large or dangerous obstacles. Sometimes the path disappears over a ridge. Some parts of the path are easy to walk along; others are difficult. It was just like this as Israel traveled from Egypt to the Promised Land, and it is described the same way in this psalm.
But why are these paths called “paths of righteousness” or “right paths” (NIV, NRSV)? Here are four important reasons. First, they are the right paths because they lead to the right destination—the Shepherd’s home. Second, they are the right paths because they keep us in harmony with the right Person—the Shepherd Himself. Third, they are the right paths because they train us to be the right people— like the Shepherd. Fourth, they are the right paths because they give us the right witness—as we become the right people, we give glory to the Lord. They are “right” or “righteous” paths, whether the going is easy or hard.
It is important to realize that when God leads us, it is not simply a question of His delivering a parcel to the destination. It is much more than guidance and protection. Like the many examples all through the Bible in which God is leading His people (whether it is leading Abraham by His promises or leading Israel by the pillar of fire and cloud), when God is guiding, it is always about His training His people in righteousness.
It is the trials in our lives that God use to change our character to better reflect the character of Christ under Jesus guidance and protection. The trials is liken to being placed in crucibles where heat is applied to effect a decided change of purification.
4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
It would be nice if the paths of righteousness wound their way only along the grass-covered banks of cool streams. But that is not the way David paints it. Also, along these paths is the valley of the shadow of death—not a place that we are eager to visit! At certain times of the year, the wadis and ravines found in Israel are prone to flash floods that can come unexpectedly and prove overwhelming. These places also are characteristically narrow, with steep sides that block out the light. Hence, “the shadow of death” is an image for “very deep shadow,” or “deep darkness.”
Elisabeth Elliot writes, “A lamb who found himself in the valley of the shadow of death might conclude that he had been falsely led. It was needful for him to traverse that darkness in order to learn not to fear. The shepherd is still with him.”—Quest for Love (Grand Rapids, MI: Revell Books, 1996), p. 218.
5 “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”
Throughout our lives, we will inevitably bump into some enemies. How do you deal with them? Have you ever lain awake at night, tossing and turning, dreaming up ways to take revenge on those who are trying to hurt you or destroy your work? It can be hard for Christians to know how to handle enemies
David shows us an interesting way of dealing with enemies. He obscures their presence by looking instead at what God is doing in his behalf. And God is there preparing a banquet for him. In David’s culture, when an honored guest came for a feast, the host would anoint his head with oil as the guest was about to enter the banqueting hall. The oil was a mixture of olive oil and perfume. Then the guest would be seated in front of far more food than one could ever eat.
As Paul reminds us, “our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12, NRSV). Our enemies include those we see and those we don’t. Whether we like it or not, we are surrounded. Yet, when we are with the Shepherd, not one enemy, visible or invisible, can steal what He has provided for us.
6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
When we are in the valley or surrounded by enemies, it is sometimes tempting to believe that we have been left alone. It does not always feel as though God has been doing much; we reason that if He had been helping, we wouldn’t be in this situation to begin with. But David obviously does not see it like this.
Some translations say that goodness and unfailing love (God’s covenantal commitment) will “follow” me all the days of my life. However, the original verb is much stronger, and the text should read that goodness and unfailing love will “pursue” me all the days of my life. (In fact, it’s the same Hebrew verb used in such verses as Genesis 14:14, Joshua 10:19, and 1 Samuel 25:29, where the idea of “pursuit” is very clear.)
No matter how deep the valley or how persistent the enemies, the certainty of God’s goodness and unfailing love and the certainty of His guidance to the very end of our journey is unquestionable. If these thoughts could sustain Jesus through Calvary, we should take heart, as well.
There are times, however, when those we care for are full of questions. Like David, the best way to address these concerns is often not with a theological description of what God can do. Rather, as David shows us in Psalm 23:6, it is through an affirmation, the sharing of a personal conviction, of the truth about our God (through our own experience).
1.1.1.1 The Two Paths
One biblical representation of life is of a path through a landscape. This path follows a trajectory from birth to death. There are not one but two paths. The first is the good path, the path of justice or righteousness (Prov. 8:20) that leads to prosperity and life (Ps. 1:2, 3), for God Himself makes the path smooth (Prov. 2:8, Isa. 26:7). Those who walk on the good or righteous path are guided by the divine Word that serves as a lamp for their feet when life is dark (Ps. 119:105). Eventually, their path becomes progressively brighter as the midday (Prov. 4:18). Those on this path also acknowledge God in all aspects of life (Prov. 3:5, 6). Although this path leads to life, it is narrow, and few walk on it (Matt. 7:14). The second path is the bad, or the sinful, path. This is the wide path that leads to iniquity, superficial existence, and death (Ps. 1:4, 5; Prov. 14:12; Matt. 7:13).
The paths of our lives are visible to God; He examines them (Prov. 5:21) and warns us: “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil” (Prov. 4:14, NKJV; see also Ps. 1:1). If someone is on the wrong, sinful path, God calls him or her to move to the good one: “ ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’ ” (Ezek. 33:11, NKJV).
1.1.1.2 Religion as a Path
As in other Eastern worldviews, the Bible depicts the concept of “religion” as a path or journey. Enoch “walked with God three hundred years” (Gen. 5:22, NKJV). The prophet Micah depicts a time when many people from around the world will say: “ ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord. . . . He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.’ . . . For all people walk each in the name of his god, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever” (Mic. 4:2, 5, NKJV). God calls His people to walk faithfully before Him (1 Kings 3:14, 1 Kings 9:4, Prov. 10:9, Zech. 3:7), and when they wander off the path, God calls them back: “ ‘Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls’ ” (Jer. 6:16, NKJV).
Jesus declared about Himself: “ ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’ ” (John 14:6, NKJV). The combination of “way,” “truth,” and “life” constitutes three major pillars of the Christian religion. Now, we may ask, Is the Christian religion important? Is it still relevant today? It is true that the history of Christianity is littered with apostasy, abuse, deception, and corruption; numerous times Christianity took divergent routes from Christ’s path. But this does not mean there is no path of righteousness to be followed. Jesus remains the Path, and He promises us that His path is the truth and that it will take us to life, eternal life. Jesus not only is the Path; but He also is, as He says about Himself, “ ‘the good shepherd’ ” (John 10:11, NKJV). What does that mean? Jesus explains: “ ‘I know My sheep, and am known by My own’ ” (John 10:14, NKJV), including those from other folds (see John 10:16, NKJV). There is more. Jesus as “ ‘the good shepherd gives His life for the sheep’ ” (John 10:11, NKJV; see also John 10:15) and will give “ ‘them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand’ ” (John 10:28, NKJV). So, following Christ on His path, the path of His righteousness, is the only and sure path to life (Acts 4:12). Even if it is narrow, even if it has crucibles, it is the only, and the best, path to life. Our Shepherd will take us there.
1.1.1.3 Christianity vs Paganism
The Western concept and word “religion” comes from the Latin ‘re’ (again) plus ‘ligare’ (connect, tie)—to tie again, to reconnect. While it has been developed in the Western Christian environment, this term makes sense from the biblical perspective, too, and can be connected to the biblical view of religion as a “path” and “journey.” When humanity took the path to perdition, we lost the connection with God. Religion is that process through which humans and God are reconnected. But how do we reconnect with God? If religion is a “path” or “journey,” it is not an atemporal, ahistorical phenomenon, as in the pagan mythological or philosophical religions. Rather, in the biblical view, religion (or the reconnection of humanity with divinity) is a process in time and space. It is a personal and historical journey, both for God and for us. God comes to us and meets us where we are, in history. Another difference between pagan and biblical religions is that in pagan religions people must clear a path for themselves, to find the way to the world of the gods, to earn their favors, to reconnect to them, or to steal their secrets or the secret to eternal life. In the biblical religion, on the contrary, it is God Himself who clears the path to us. He comes to us, seeking to save us, to take us back to the path of life, to take us back to Himself. In fact, He Himself becomes the Path and the Guide and the Shepherd. He walks with us through that valley, guiding us on that path of reconnecting to God. This is God’s religion, the religion of grace!
1.1.2 Crucibles of Life (https://absg.adventist.org/pdf.php?file=2022:3Q:TE:PDFs:ETQ322_02.pdf)
We can trust our Shepherd to take us through the crucibles* of life because, before permitting us to pass through crucibles*, the Shepherd Himself went through that crucible*. But there is an essential difference between His crucible and ours. Many of our crucibles are caused by ourselves or other humans, or by the consequences of sin in general. The Shepherd’s crucible* was caused by us, and He took it upon Himself sacrificially, substitutionally, and redemptively.
A crucible* is defined in the dictionary as (1) a vessel used for melting a substance that requires a high degree of heat, (2) a severe test, or (3) a place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development. These definitions also give us a helpful insight into what happens in our spiritual lives. Some of these crucibles will be discussed we may suddenly find ourselves under pressure and experiencing tests in places in which circumstances cause us to change, develop, and grow in character. This will help to give us an awareness of what God is doing in our lives so that when we enter a crucible, we will have an idea of how to respond.
1.1.2.1 Crucibles of Satan
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8, NKJV)
A hungry lion (dubbed king of the animal kingdom) can catch and eat just about anything it wants. Peter says that Satan is prowling around in the same way. When we look around, we can see the consequences of his desire to kill. Death, suffering, and the twisting and perverting of morals and values are everywhere. We cannot escape seeing the work of Satan but only if we have not yet fallen into his deception
Peter writes these words (1 Peter 5:8–11) in the context of responding to Satan’s attacks on Christian faith. But as we have mentioned, Satan is at work in many different ways. And although we must be aware of the reality and the power of our enemy, we must never be discouraged, for we must always remember that Jesus has beaten Satan; that Satan is a defeated foe; and that as long as we stay connected with Jesus, as long as we cling to Him in faith, we can never be defeated either. Because of the cross, Christ’s victory is our victory
1.1.2.1.1 Satan in Theory of Evolution and Spiritualism (D2 Darwinism at https://www.discoverylifediy.com/43025925 & D15 Discovery Trip into modern Day spiritualism* par 15.2.2.1 at https://www.discoverylifediy.com/438811439
From D2 par 2.1.1 The Mystery of Darwinism (Darwin, Satan and Evolution)
Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaDEKaKhQoY - Darwin, Satan and Evolution (3:30) published on Sep 23, 2014 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKyq8gYBSBc (5:20), published on Sep 2, 2014. (The second clip has been high jacked and could not be seen- quite likely by Sermons Room diverting to its presentations) The alternative is to watch Roger Morneau “A Trip Into The Supernatural (full testimony” by Amazing Mission, Published on Sep 24, 2011 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ird-BKuPRlw)
These two clips show portions of the testimony of Roger Morneau, who narrated about what the Satanist high priest revealed to Roger and his friend in Montreal in recruiting them to join as Satanists. He was not “A former high level Satanist” as labelled in the clip.
D2 bear evidences to substantiate the hidden agenda of the evil forces in brainwashing the masses to believe in the lies postulated by Darwin in the Theory of Evolution.
1.1.2.1.1.1 Eduardo Handpicked as Candomble/Spiritist High Priest
The story narrated by Andrew McChesney in 13 parts in the third quarter Bible study with “Pt1: Possessed at 11.“ It is a testimony of the working of evil spirits picking Eduardo and possessed him starting at 11 and how he is freed and saved by initially turning up at his son’s baptism dressed in his Candomble high priest robe at 4:00 p.m. at Alpha Seventh-day Adventist Community Church in Manaus, Brazil. He broke the spiritist vow of not entering any SDA church and the evil spirits ordered him to kill his wife and son (see Pt 7: Father surrenders).
Candomblé, a religion that arrived in Brazil on slave ships from Africa in the early 19th century, teaches that people can be possessed by the spirits of gods. The spirits, however, aren’t gods but fallen angels..
It began in Pt 1 with the evil spirit of Candomie entered Eduardo Ferreira dos Santos at 11 years old when he rested on a chair after skateboarding. Immediately, an unholy shriek escaped his lips. His body began to convulse. His mother rushed to him. A low, distorted voice spoke from Eduardo’s mouth, telling his mother to hand over her son or watch him die. Eduardo’s mother began to cry. “Don’t worry,” the stranger told Eduardo’s mother. “Your son has been chosen to be part of our group. I am a Candomblé leader.”
After some time, the evil spirit left, and Eduardo returned to normal. He didn’t remember the incident, but his mother couldn’t forget, and she took him to the Candomblé temple. The temple priests welcomed Eduardo like a king.
“What an honor,” one said. “You have been handpicked,” said another.
Only 11, Eduardo was introduced to spiritism and devil worship. Over the next seven years, he spent much time at the temple, learning to be a priest. Evil spirits spoke to him and through him. The most important lesson, they said, was never to leave a job undone. If he started a task, he had to finish it.
As an adult, Eduardo became high priest of a temple. He earned money from people who wanted him to curse their enemies. But the evil spirits forbade him from cursing Seventh-day Adventists and other Protestant Christians. “They are protected,” the spirits said, adding that any attempt to curse them would cause Eduardo to lose his powers. The spirits also banned Eduardo from communicating with Adventists and other Protestants
(Please read the full story (13 pagesin the Bible Study lessons) which is real and intriguing as this is corroborated by the testimony of Roger Morneau mentioned above in D2,)
1.1.2.1.1.2 D15 Discovery Trip into Modern Day Spiritualism
D15 Discovery Trip into Modern Day Spiritualism is essentially providing the warning of the dangers that Satan set out traps to ensnare you who unknowingly may have been caught in one or more of his traps. Satan’s deceptions are most deadly as their ensnarement will decide your ultimate future life. Modern day spiritualism is rooted in the Garden of Eden when Satan using the serpent as the medium, successfully mesmerized Eve and used her as an agent to influence Adam to also doubt God’s word. He has since perfected his art of deception in the form of modern spiritualism. Modern spiritualism encompasses the entertainment industry, martial arts, yoga, and contemplative meditation. (Note: Yoga and contemplative meditation are covered in subsequent discovery.)
There are many testimonies of people who were rescued out of spiritualism by calling on Jesus Christ to save them in their darkest hour. Some of these testimonies are available at https://secretdangersofmartialarts.wordpress.com/home/testimonies/
1.1.2.1.2 Crucibles of Sin
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom. 1:18, NKJV).
Everything we do has a consequence. If you stand in the hot sun with ice cream, it will certainly melt. Cause and effect always go together. And no matter how desperately we may want things to be different, it is the same with sin. It always reaps consequences. It is not that God sits in heaven wondering what terrible things He can do to people who sin; no, sin itself comes with its own built-in consequences.
The problem is that many times we think that we can somehow outwit God and sin without experiencing the consequences. It never happens. Paul makes it very clear that sinning has consequences, not only for eternity but also painful and distressing consequences today
In Romans 1:21–32, Paul describes the process when people fall into sin and the consequences of those sins, A couple of verses earlier Paul describes these consequences as the “wrath of God” (Rom. 1:18). God’s wrath in this passage is simply God calling human beings to reap what they sow. Even for Christians, God does not always intervene immediately to remove the pain that results from our own actions. Many times He allows us to experience the consequences of our actions in order for us to understand how deeply damaging and offensive our sin is.
We have been considering the consequences of breaking God’s moral laws. But what about breaking God’s health laws? Our bodies are God’s home. If we abuse our bodies by failing to eat healthfully or to exercise, or if we regularly overwork, this also is sin against God. And this has consequences that can create the conditions of a crucible
Many of us are surprised about suffering because we often have an oversimplified view of the Christian life. We know there are two sides—God, who is good; and Satan, who is bad. But often, we then automatically put everything that feels good in the box with God and everything that feels bad in the box with Satan. But life is not so simple. We cannot use our feelings to decide what is in God’s box or Satan’s box. Sometimes walking with God can be challenging and hard. And following Satan can appear to bring great rewards. Job, who is righteous yet underwent disastrous suffering, illustrates this when he ask God, “ ‘Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?’ ” (Job 21:7, NIV). Job in the midst of his suffering was led to doubt his integrity and faith in God’s righteousness by the three friends who tried to convince him that he was guilty. Under those testing exchanges he didn’t see or feel or sense God was protecting and caring for him. He went to the extent to appeal to God to show him his ungodly way. The bible says everyone who lives godly will suffer persecution, 2 Tim 3:12. Job was totally unaware that he was the subject of conversation of the universe and God permitted Satan to afflict him to vindicate God’s judgment that Job will remain faithful even when extremely afflicted by Satan.
1.1.2.1.2.1 Vindication of God’s Righteous Judgment
Of Job, the patriarch of Uz, the testimony of the Searcher of hearts was, "There is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil." {Ed 155.2}
Against this man, Satan brought scornful charge: "Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast Thou not made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? . . . Put forth Thine hand now, and touch all that he hath;" "touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse Thee to Thy face." {Ed 155.3}
The Lord said unto Satan, "All that he hath is in thy power." "Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life." {Ed 155.4}
Thus permitted, Satan swept away all that Job possessed--flocks and herds, menservants and maidens, sons and daughters; and he "smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown." Job 1:8-12; 2:5-7. {Ed 155.5}
Still another element of bitterness was added to his cup. His friends, seeing in adversity but the retribution of sin, pressed on his bruised and burdened spirit their accusations of wrongdoing. {Ed 155.6}
Seemingly forsaken of heaven and earth, yet holding fast his faith in God and his consciousness of integrity, in anguish and perplexity he cried:
"My soul is weary of my life." Job 10:1
"O that Thou wouldest hide me in the grave, That Thou wouldest keep me secret, until Thy wrath be past, That Thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!" Job 14:13.
"Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry for help, but there is no judgment. . . . He hath stripped me of my glory, And taken the crown from my head. . . . My kinsfolk have failed, And my familiar friends have forgotten me. . . . They whom I loved are turned against me. . . . Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; For the hand of God hath touched me." Job 19:7-21, R.V
"Oh that I knew where I might find Him, That I might come even to His seat! . . . Behold, I go forward, but He is not there; And backward, but I cannot perceive Him: On the left hand, where He doth work, but I cannot behold Him: He hideth Himself on the right hand, that I cannot see Him. But He knoweth the way that I take; When He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." .Job 23:3-10, R.V
"Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him." Job 13:15
"I know that my Redeemer liveth, And that He shall stand up at the last upon the earth: And after my skin hath been destroyed, this shall be, Even from my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, And mine eyes shall behold, and not as a stranger." Job19:25-27, R.V., margin. {Ed 155.7}
According to his faith, so was it unto Job. "When He hath tried me," he said, "I shall come forth as gold." Job 23:10. So it came to pass. By his patient endurance he vindicated his own character, and thus the character of Him whose representative he was. And "the Lord turned the captivity of Job: . . . also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. . . . So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning." Job 42:10-12. {Ed 156.1}
How can we be like Job who believed totally in the goodness of God even when he was extremely afflicted to the point that he asked for death? It was his heart felt knowledge by contemplating on what he had learned of God’s protection and care from the lives of his uncle, Joseph, grandfather Jacob, great-grandfather Isaac and great-great-grandfather Abraham. We can only know the goodness of the Lord by spending the first hour of our day in studying and contemplating the word of God. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Mat 6:33.
1.1.2.1.2.2 How Good is God?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIaQqGjyoC0 How Good is God? || Worship Service (7/30/22) Jul 30, 2022 secretsunsealed - Pastor Dale Leamon (1:09:00- 1:58: ) .
This subject on the Goodness of God is the most important topic we could possibility address. It is inexhaustible and we will be learning more and more when we are with Him in heaven. The issue to be resolved is that Satan did not think that God is good and convinced even one third of the angels in heaven. Thus the universe and our world fell into this crisis with that God created now have one third of its most advanced creatures beings becoming convinced that God wasn’t so good. They believe that they would be better ignoring Him and not following His leadership anymore. They wanted to take over for themselves. If they could be deceived it is no surprise that so many human beings are deceived
Satan wants people to think and apparently convince so many of the angels that God is dominating and arbitrary, distant, strict, harsh that demand the impossible , that He keeps all authority to Himself. And denies His intelligent creatures their most significant personal development and advancement. Satan felt that God was holding him back from being his best.possible self. Thus, this is the most important issue that any of us ever must confront. Because our decision about receiving His salvation, about our wanting to be with Him forever, our decision about letting Him involve Himself in our lives hinges on what we decide about how good God is.There is really only one choice with two options. Option one is we trust God to the point of our loving Him or option two we mistrust God to the point possibly even hating Him and wanting to distance ourselves from Him.
If you ultimately really trust Him then you will want to live with Him because we find that we can rely on Him and eternal life with Him will be very good. If you mistrust Him then of course you recognize since He is the source of all life that you have also rejected that life. Then there is only one future for you and that is no future at all. It is annihilation which the Bible say is the second death, Many people felt that there is no choice at all. I am destroyed forever even seems very coercive to some people. But this is not coercive at all. God wants a universe full of peace. He made the universe and He made you and me has the right to want that. But beyond that He wants our best good forever. He knows that if we distance ourselves from him that we will never ever be anything but selfish, self-centred and harmful creatures making a mess of everything we touch.
So He wants to convince us of His goodness. The Christians ought to be convince that God has done a very good job in convincing the world . But there may be still some doubts sometimes. Our faith in Christ is dependent on our response to our conviction on the goodness of God all the time. This will protect us from being deceived by the great tempter to think that I‘d be better off without God. So if we mistrust Him we don’t want to live with Him forever, meaning giving up the only choice for eternal life. Sadly, many of those who find themselves outside the city on that final day waiting for the fire to come down from heaven will actually realize that they don’t want to live with God; they don’t like what He stands for. they think they have more freedom of choice and will without Him and so they accept annihilation willingly as a better option. How pathetic , how tragic. They know nothing about how wonderful it is to live with God, not just the future but right here today, all the time. These people think that would be a slavery in itself that would be misery. They have not learnt that living with God is real life, where joy and love and peace and happiness begins.
1.1.2.1.2.2.1 Who to Compare God with? - Our Father’s Goodness
Who can we compare God with? Based on Jesus reply to the rich young ruler who asked Him “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” Mat 19:16. 17 “And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.”
People make gods (idols) of all kinds of things. The ancient Greek gods were not gods at all, like the millions of gods believed in India. They were just mythological divinities made in the image of men. God declared in the Bible that He is the only true God (Jer 10:10; 1 The 1:9). God has also given us the free will and does not force us to accept Him. Furthermore, Jesus is telling us that we can call God our Father (Mat 5:16,45,48) and we are to pray to our Father in heaven (Mat 6:8,9-13). So we can compare God with our biological father who provides and care for us and suffers when we suffer. Maybe not all fathers have given us a positive image of God through him. But as we go through life and even become a father will have a good idea what a good father would be like.
1.1.2.1.2.2.1.1 God Our Father
God lives the way He says you and I should live. He walks the talk. He actually does what He tells us He’d like us to do; i.e. He keeps His own commandments. God is the exemplary father who lives by the very law that He taught and projected upon us. His laws are the obligations He places upon Himself and the ways He operates. The Ten Commandments are His rules for His own life. He just wants us to follow in His path showing us that that is the very best way. God models all of His rules Himself in His behavior and attitudes. Jesus explains that this is the basis of the Golden rule.
“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Mat 7:12 . God has to treat us the way He wants us to treat Him. He has to treat us with loving kindness and respect, with continual appreciation and gratitude and friendliness, and enjoyment of our company. If He wants us to help Him in any way in His projects on this earth, then He has to be ready to help us in any way in the worthy projects that we take on. If you talk with God and enjoy spending time with Him at all you will soon learn that He is treating you in the very way that you would like to be treated.
Paul in Col 3:12-14 spells out the kind of person God wants us to be. The emphasis is on the affection of our heart and how we actually truly feel about things. Paul says we are 3:12“ the elect of God, holy and beloved, (therefore put on God’s characters) bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness (servant’s attitude like Jesus), longsuffering(God puts up with a lot of our iniquities and make Him suffer by the things we do); Col 3:13 “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. (We are forgiven readily by God when we confess our sins. Jesus already bore all of our confessed sins on the cross. It is by His power that he channels to us that we can forgive. )” Col 3:14 “ And above all these things put on charity (love), which is the bond of perfectness.”
God’s Will is to run the universe by love from the beginning of our creation by giving each of us the privilege of life that we never asked for. Why would He want to create all these intelligent beings that could cause Him so much trouble and to the final end that He would have to even give His only begotten Son to bear all our sins in order to keep us. Knowing all these in advance He loved us so much that He wanted us to understand Him so that we could love Him back so that the universe can be operated by love. He is the perfect father everyone could wish for. He shows us by examples. Whatever He says we should do He has already done a million-fold.
There is only one response: Mat 22:37 ““Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind”. 38“This is the first and great commandment.” 39 “And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” 40 “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” God is saying I don’t want you to be uncertain if I’m the number one. Gladly, when He gave us life, He has valued our happiness even above His own. He just wants us to give Him back what He makes possible for our lives. The bible is very clear that “We love him, because he first loved us.”- 1Jn 4:19.20 “ If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” 21 “And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.” (See God is Love -1Jn 4:7-21)
There are many more moralistic things and about history, about some people who are good and some who are very bad. The bible is filled with thousands of topics , But there is one central topic that all those others topic pertain to, that is , How Good is God. Every one of those stories, every one of those prophecies, every one of those words of wisdom, they all say something about God. One of the very key aspects is when in the final judgment God saying to you: “I don’t know you!”
1.1.2.1.2.2.1.2 The Final Judgment (Mat 25:31-46)
“Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.” 46 “ And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Mat 25:45,46.
Final judgment is the topic in the context of these two verses where God is saying to those people you never ministered to me while these other people, the sheep did. But you, goats, never ministered to me. So this narrow our vision to seeing just that. But there is more that the verse say about God which is its most important aspect in saying what is God like. that God is completely connected to His children. He feels what they feel, He receives what they receive. If they are rejected ,He is rejected. If they’re hurting, He’s hurting, If they are persecuted, He’s persecuted. If they are receiving affection, He’s receiving affection. If they are being fed and ministered to, He’s administered to. Everything that affects His children affects Him and that nothing that touches us emotionally or physically or relationship wise escapes His notice and attention.
1.1.2.1.2.2.1.3 Personal Communion in Prayer with God
When we come to realize this aspect, then we see the importance of personal communion with Him in prayer. This gives purpose and reason for prayer. If anything is important enough to pray about if it touches me emotionally or physically or relationship wise or in terms of my career or success in life it affects Him greatly. (Note: the topic on prayer is covered in the chapter, “The privilege of Prayer in “Step to Christ” (SC) by Ellen G. White who has inspiration from God in visions to share with us) God is a perfect Father because He knows exactly how we feel and even shares our feelings and suffering. By opening up our life to Him in this very practical way, we are giving Him permission to be directly involved in our life, giving Him permission to operate inside of us by telling Him how we feel.
Sister White gives us her counsel::
“Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before God. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. He who numbers the hairs of your head is not indifferent to the wants of His children. "The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." James 5:11. His heart of love is touched by our sorrows and even by our utterances of them. Take to Him everything that perplexes the mind. Nothing is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds, He rules over all the affairs of the universe. Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice. There is no chapter in our experience too dark for Him to read; there is no perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel. No calamity can befall the least of His children, no anxiety harass the soul, no joy cheer, no sincere prayer escape the lips, of which our heavenly Father is unobservant, or in which He takes no immediate interest. "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds." Psalm 147:3. The relations between God and each soul are as distinct and full as though there were not another soul upon the earth to share His watchcare, not another soul for whom He gave His beloved Son. {SC 100.1} (Can you now see why we can trust God, our dear heavenly Father?)
Jesus said, "Ye shall ask in My name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: for the Father Himself loveth you." "I have chosen you: . . . that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you." John 16:26, 27; 15:16. But to pray in the name of Jesus is something more than a mere mention of that name at the beginning and the ending of a prayer. It is to pray in the mind and spirit of Jesus, while we believe His promises, rely upon His grace, and work His works. {SC 100.2}
1.1.2.1.3 Sudden Painful Crucibles
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you” (1 Pet. 4:12, NKJV).
Surprises, painful surprises, can come in many ways. A car veering across the road into your path. A sudden notification that you’re losing your job. A medical test that gives you unexpected bad news. Betrayal by someone you loved and who you thought loved you. As bad as the pain can be, it’s always made worse by the element of surprise. Peter was referring to trials (crucibles) that are the consequence of standing up for Christ. But there also are other reasons that trials come.
1.1.2.1.3.1 Suffering With Christ
1Pe 4:12 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13” But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy”
1 Peter 4:12,13 intrigue us with two major themes. First, what does Peter mean by telling us that we should not be surprised when trials hit our lives? Evil and sin are intruders in God’s created order. They are not natural to biological life or to moral life, as originally created by God. We must not permit ourselves to become accustomed to them or accept them as part of God’s original world. Evil and sin will not endure. The time is coming when God will put an end to them.
What Peter is communicating here is that it is in a post-Fall world that sin, evil, suffering, and death are ubiquitous (everywhere). To survive in this world, we must accept that this new reality, albeit temporary, is present. Although we should not live in a constant angst, fearing that evil is going to befall us any moment, we do need to be ready for what may happen as a consequence of evil.
In this context, being ready means: (1) being aware of the panorama of the great controversy; (2) being continually connected to God in prayer and through His revelation of Himself; and (3) having spiritual friends who will be ready to wisely, compassionately, and biblically console and support us in times of suffering.
Second, what does Peter mean by telling us to rejoice as we participate in the suffering of Christ? Peter highlights the suffering of Christ several times in his first epistle. In chapter 1, the entire event of the first coming of Christ, as predicted by the Holy Spirit, is described as the “sufferings of Christ” (1 Pet. 1:11, NKJV). In chapter 2, Peter explains that Jesus suffered unjustly because He is the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53 (1 Pet. 2:21–25). In chapter 3, Peter emphasizes that Jesus “suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God” (1 Pet. 3:18, NRSV). In chapter 4, Peter adds that “Christ suffered in his body” (1 Pet. 4:1, NIV), and in chapter 5, he confirms that he (Peter) himself witnessed “Christ’s sufferings” (1 Pet. 5:1, NIV).
Peter also relates all our suffering to Christ’s suffering. (For more see pg 27-28) (Connected with rejoicing is praising the goodness of God. Praising God in times of crises springs out of our relationship with God, in which we know, love, and trust Him. God is the Source of praise by being who He is, our Creator and our Savior, our King and our Father, our Judge and our Friend. He is awesome! One basic principle of Christian life in this world is that praising God in the crucible is possible when we live a continuous—not occasional—life of praise. (from L9 Bible study, A Life of Praise pg 117).
1.1.2.1.3.2 Satan’s Lie in The Enlightenment’s Devil (1 Pet. 5:8–11)
The figure of the devil was real for Christians throughout history. The Protestant Reformers viewed his existence as real. However, during and after the Enlightenment, philosophers and theologians built a worldview that rejected the existence of persons or phenomena that operated beyond the known world. This worldview conditioned liberal Christianity, today, to deny the existence of the devil as a real person. Instead, this group declares that the devil is merely a mythical representation of the principle of evil. Consequently, evil is now regarded as the result of ignorance or is a product of a long, violent evolutionary process from which the human race emerged. Thus, evil is the result of a material, genetic, and social determinism. Even if some Christians would admit the existence of the devil, they would find it difficult to believe he is indeed as wicked and powerful as depicted in the Bible. (This is one of the key strategy that Satan use in hiding behind the scees of all his evil works and blaming them on God. (see the counterfeits of Satan in D35)
As Bible-believing Christians, however, we regard the existence of the devil as real. For Jesus, Satan was a real being, not a symbol of some inner dark aspects of His mind (see, for instance, Matt. 4:1–11). Paul, too, saw the Christian as engaged in a fight that is waged against “the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 6:12, NIV). Peter reminds us to be on our guard against the attacks of the devil (1 Pet. 5:8). However, though he is real, the Christian does not focus on the devil. Yes, we must be aware of his existence and careful not to fall for his deceptions, but the center, the essence, and the joy of our life is Christ and His salvation.
Ellen G. White on “The Role of Suffering After the Fall”:
“And the life of toil and care which was henceforth to be man’s lot was appointed in love. It was a discipline rendered needful by his sin, to place a check upon the indulgence of appetite and passion, to develop habits of self-control. It was a part of God’s great plan for man’s recovery from the ruin and degradation of sin.”—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 60..(The fallen human nature possesses the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life of this world which is best overcome by returning to the Edenic lifestyle as pointed out by Ellen White to place a check upon the indulgence of appetite and passion, to develop habits of self-control.) (See D6 God’s Health Laws)
1.1.2.1.3.3 Reasons for Suffering in the World
The four reasons why suffering exists in this fallen world are:
1. We suffer because Satan is at work in the world who ursurped the dominion of Adam when he listened to Satan who is now the prince of darkness in this fallen world to sin. It is Satan at work in the world;
2. The individual sins (lie or steal) and the consequence of sin brings pain to him and other people in his circle as well. We are suffering the consequences of our own sins;
3. God allows a person(s) to go down the wrong road to bring them to a point of crisis where they are really in pain as a whole people to make him/them realize their hopelessness and calls out to God to save him. It is God’s redemptive nature in refining his children. Because of my sin and in order that I may realize my mistakes that God is there and He loves me and I am going to start to trust Him properly now to help me. God is working to purify us;
4. God wants to make us more useful in bringing others to know1.1.2.1.3.4 Reasons for Suffering in the World; Him by cutting away the weak traits in our character as a gardener prunes a plant to make it more fruitful. God is working to mature us.
1.1.2.1.2.2.1.4 The Spirit of Truth (John 16:5–15)
It was the Holy Spirit that impressed on Job’s conviction in the goodness of God even when he was extremely afflicted to the point that he asked for death as mentioned earlier. We must seek God, the Father with an open mind and praying, “Please, God, make me good!” God has said “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jer 29:13. However, if little seems to change then we need to question: How is it possible that we can pray for God’s great transforming power to work within us, but our lives seem to remain the same? We know that God has unlimited supernatural resources that He so eagerly and freely offers us. We really want to take advantage of it all, and yet, our lives don’t seem to change in a way that matches what God is offering. Why? One reason is disturbingly simple: while the Spirit has unlimited power to transform us, it is possible by our own choices to restrict what God can do.
1.1.2.1.2.2.1.4.1 The Work of the Holy Spirit in Salvation
Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the “Spirit of truth” (John 16:13) Truth is the word of God. What does this imply that the Holy Spirit does for us? ( For instance, witnessing with our spirit that we are the children of God (Rom 8:14-17) and He lives in us who willingly accepts Him. “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment (when Satan is finally judged, the originator of sin and destroyed:” Joh 16:8. 16:13“He will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”) (See D35, par 2.1.3.1 Office of Holy Spirit)
While the Holy Spirit can bring us the truth about our sinfulness, He cannot make us repent. He also can show us the greatest truth about God, but He cannot force us to believe or obey it. If God did compel us in even the slightest way, we would lose our free will, and Satan would accuse God of manipulating our minds and hearts and would thus be able to accuse God of cheating in the great controversy. When the great controversy broke out in heaven, our Father did not compel Satan or any of the angels to believe that He was good and just or compel them to repent. And in the Garden of Eden, when so much was at stake again, God made the truth about the tree in the middle of the garden very clear but did not prevent Eve and Adam from exercising their free will to disobey. God will not act any differently with us today. So, the Spirit presents the truth about God and sin and then says, “In view of what I have shown you, what will you do now?”
It is the same when we are in the crucible (to test and to correct) (Being in the crucible is very important because some people stay in the crucible or they allow the crucible to consume them as they don’t take a hold of the strength of God through the crucible to trust God.) Sometimes the crucible is there precisely because we have not obeyed or repented of our sins. For our Father to work in such cases, we must consciously choose to open the doors of repentance and obedience in order for God’s power to enter in and transform us. Paul conveyed in Rom 2:4 saying we despise “the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” Realising that we are in the crucible again from one form to another is an indication of entering into the crucible of maturity. We need time for maturation as the heat are turned on when things don’t make sense to us and issues of feelings affect our choices. Knowing the truth as set out in Scriptures from the Holy Spirit to set our direction to ignore our negative feelings and we have the idea of somehow to keep struggling so that we can keep working together with Christ to mature for our character transformation into likeness of Christ. (This topic will be further discussed in Section Two)
Section Two
1.2 “In His Image” (https://absg.adventist.org/pdf.php?file=2022:3Q:TE:PDFs:ETQ322_04.pdf)
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Rom. 8:29, NKJV).
In the beginning, God made us in His image (Gen. 1:27), but that image has been corrupted by sin.
It’s obvious: we all have been corrupted by sin (Rom. 3:10–19). Yet, God’s desire is to restore us to what we should have been originally. Rom 8:29 reveals God’s plan that those who submit their lives to the Holy Spirit may be “conformed to the image of his Son” (Rom. 8:29, NIV).
But there’s another dimension. “The very image of God is to be reproduced in humanity. The honor of God, the honor of Christ, is involved in the perfection of the character of His people.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 671.(See Job 1, Matt. 5:16, 1 Cor. 4:9, and Eph. 3:10.)
As Christians, we must never forget that we are in the midst of a cosmic drama. The great controversy between Christ and Satan is unfolding all around us. The battle takes many shapes and is manifested in many ways. And though much is hidden, we can understand that, as followers of Christ, we have a part to play in this drama and can bring honor to Christ through our lives.( Whenever men rejects Christ’s invitation they are yielding themselves to Satan.)
1.2.1 Crucible of Suffering for Character Perfection
“Character building is the most important work ever entrusted to human beings; and never before was its diligent study so important as now. Never was any previous generation called to meet issues so momentous; never before were young men and young women confronted by perils so great as confront them today.”—Ellen G. White, Education, p. 225.
Jesus’ last teaching hour before Passover is spent telling His disciples parables, including the ones about the ten virgins and the sheep and the goats. These stories are related to the way we should live as we wait for Jesus to come. Thus, their relevancy to today—with the signs of Jesus’ soon return all around us—has never been more significant.
“In the parable (Mat 25:1-12), the foolish virgins are represented as begging for oil, and failing to receive it at their request. This is symbolic of those who have not prepared themselves by developing a character to stand in a time of crisis. It is as if they should go to their neighbors and say, Give me your character, or I shall be lost. Those that were wise could not impart their oil to the flickering lamps of the foolish virgins. Character is not transferable. It is not to be bought or sold; it is to be acquired. The Lord has given to every individual an opportunity to obtain a righteous character through the hours of probation; but he has not provided a way by which one human agent may impart to another the character which he has developed by going through hard experiences, by learning lessons from the great Teacher, so that he can manifest patience under trial, and exercise faith so that he can remove mountains of impossibility.”—Ellen G. White, The Youth’s Instructor, January 16, 1896.
The parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:31–46 provides the criteria used in separating the sheep and the goats. The king separates the sheep and the goats based on their works, their character. Though Jesus is not teaching salvation by works here, we can see how important character development is in the plan of salvation and how those who are truly saved by Christ will l reflect that salvation through their lives and characters.
1.2.1.1 Crucible of Purification.
Purification requires a standard. In our case, the standard is the image of God in us and the image of Jesus Christ, who is the perfect reflection of the image of God (Heb. 1:3). Purification also requires an agent of purification, which the Bible often presents as fire (1 Pet. 1:7, Rev. 3:18). The result of purification is seen in our character, represented by the oil in the lamps of the ten virgins in the parable of Jesus (Matt. 25:1–13). The book of Daniel describes the character of those purified as “wise” in the things of God (Dan. 1:19, 20; Dan. 2:47, 48; Dan. 3:26–30).
There are four aspects of purification in the process of character formation:1. Suffering plays an essential role in the process of character formation and purification. 2. We will see that character formation is the restoration of the image of God in humans, as they were created by God in the beginning, as well as the shaping of our characters according to the image of Christ. 3. This formation of character entails the cosmic conflict. It is in this conflict between good and evil, God and Satan, that we experience the crucible of maturity. 4. Purification and maturity are never achieved by individuals in isolation; rather, purification and maturity are achieved by individuals in communities.
1.2.1.1.1 John Huss Testimony
The subject of the relation between crucibles (suffering) and purification is very important. Ellen G. White’s comments on this subject are revealing and relevant. In one of her major books, she quotes John Huss’s letter to a friend in which Huss relates the suffering of Jesus to our suffering. In that same letter, Huss also relates suffering to purification: “Jesus Christ suffered for His well-beloved; and therefore ought we to be astonished that He has left us His example, in order that we may ourselves endure with patience all things for our own salvation? He is God, and we are His creatures; He is the Lord, and we are His servants; He is Master of the world, and we are contemptible mortals—yet He suffered! Why, then, should we not suffer also, particularly when suffering is for us a purification? Therefore, beloved, if my death ought to contribute to His glory, pray that it may come quickly, and that He may enable me to support all my calamities with constancy.”—The Great Controversy, p. 105.
1.2.1.1.2 Suffering of Christ for Sinners’ Perfection
Elsewhere, Ellen G. White writes in a similar vein herself: “Complain not bitterly of the trial which comes upon you, but let your eyes be directed to Christ, who has clothed his divinity with humanity, in order that we may understand how great is his interest in us since he has identified himself with suffering humanity. He tasted the cup of human sorrow, He was afflicted in all our afflictions, He was made perfect through suffering, tempted in all points like as humanity is tempted, in order that he might succor those who are in temptation. He says, ‘I will make a man more precious than fine gold, even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.’ He will make a man precious by abiding with him, by giving unto him the Holy Spirit. He says, ‘If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?’ ”—The Signs of the Times, March 5, 1896.
1.2.1.1.2.1 Eternal Reward in Enduring Finite Suffering
To a church member controlled by appetite, she writes: “Now he should so estimate the eternal reward, the treasure in the heavens, the immortal inheritance, the crown of glory that is unfading, that he can cheerfully sacrifice the gratification of depraved appetite, let the consequence of suffering be ever so great, in order to accomplish the work of purification of the flesh and of the spirit.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 99.
1.2.1.1.2.2 Preparation for Second Coming (in Purification through Suffering)
To “Brother G,” Ellen G. White writes a letter explaining the relation between suffering and purification in the Advent people preparing for the second coming of Jesus: “The purification of the people of God cannot be accomplished without their suffering. God permits the fires of affliction to consume the dross, to separate the worthless from the valuable, that the pure metal may shine forth. He passes us from one fire to another, testing our true worth. If we cannot bear these trials, what will we do in the time of trouble? If prosperity or adversity discover falseness, pride, or selfishness in our hearts, what shall we do when God tries every man’s work as by fire, and lays bare the secrets of all hearts? True grace is willing to be tried; if we are loath to be searched by the Lord, our condition is serious indeed. God is the refiner and purifier of souls; in the heat of the furnace the dross is separated forever from the true silver and gold of the Christian character. Jesus watches the test. He knows what is needed to purify the precious metal that it may reflect the radiance of His divine love.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, pp. 85, 86.
She continues this topic in the same profound manner: “God brings His people near Him by close, testing trials, by showing them their own weakness and inability, and by teaching them to lean upon Him as their only help and safeguard. Then His object is accomplished. They are prepared to be used in every emergency, to fill important positions of trust, and to accomplish the grand purposes* for which their powers were given them. God takes men upon trial; He proves them on the right hand and on the left, and thus they are educated, trained, disciplined. Jesus, our Redeemer, man’s representative and head, endured this testing process. He suffered more than we can be called upon to suffer. He bore our infirmities and was in all points tempted as we are. He did not suffer thus on His own account, but because of our sins; and now, relying on the merits of our Overcomer, we may become victors in His name.
1.2.1.1.2.2.1 “God’s Leading” in Fatal Knutson Family Car Accident
(Note* Watch “Trusting Him Still” by TJ & MaryAnn Knutson- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVFgRHzXLrg (12:35-1:09:50) Streamed live on Apr 28, 2022 Weimar Church Media.)
This is the testimony of the Knutson family in the way every member are being used as witnesses trusting that God is leading in the journey of this godly family. Watch next the earlier testimony to learn about their family lifestyle prior to the horrific car accident - “Knutson Family Testimony” -- in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfi_Y127BXw (57:30) ( Amen Conference 2021 Nov 20, 2021 Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN).)
God has appointed the Knutson family to teach the world that time is short and we must return to Him and not procrastinate for we do not know what will happen to us at any moment as in this case of the car accident where MaryAnn, the mother is paralysed, the death of the first born daughter, ten year old Sierra, who is so consecrated to God that she earns her rest in Christ and her work is done in this world. The other two daughters suffered other serious injuries from which they have recovered. The family lifestyle and practice in obedience to God’s law is the example set before the world as the hour of Christ is at hand for our preparation in the Second coming of Jesus.
1.2.1.1.2.2.1.1 Sierra’s End-time Message for Children and Parents
Sierra is a model for the children under twelve in earth’s last generation (Gen Z). Under the guidance of her father, TJ, who is a physician grounded in God’s natural healing laws and a very godly mother, MaryAnn, caring and nurturing Sierra in home schooling and Bible studies. TJ is impressed to resign from the hospital to spend more quality time with the family travelling through America to enjoy God’s creative handiwork in nature. It is in this setting that Sierra is chosen by God who manifests the image of Christ at her tender age of ten and is holy and consecrated to God that she like Daniel (Dan 12:13) earns her rest (asleep in the grave) and need no more trials (crucibles), to await resurrection at Jesus second coming.
God, the source of life, is in control of the universe. He assures us, his adopted children saying lovingly “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jer 29:11
The decided end as in the case of Job’s ten children who died in the hands of Satan in catastrophes is the best outcome for each of them for God sees the end from the beginning. Had they lived on in their individual lives they may go through worse suffering and would not earn salvation anyway. However, there is also the likelihood, some of them, like Sierra, be chosen instruments of God who are all resting in the graves to be resurrected “with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:” 1Th 4:16.)
In the same vein herein is the answer to unbelievers raising the issue of suffering in the world, particularly of children dying in terminal illness. “if God is real and the God of love and justice?”
God loves the sinner but hates sin. Every sin has its consequences although God says He forgives the sinner who repents for the sin to remove the guilt through the self-sacrifice of Christ for all confessed sins. By the divine justice and the mercy of God the abnormal children with terminal illness are chosen instruments of God. In general children (below 12 years old) who died before they have fully developed the ability to exercise free choice on their allegiance to serve God are guaranteed a place in heaven. They are used as trials for their parents salvation.
Regarding forgiveness of confessed sin, it is very important for us to forgive those who have caused us harm and hurt in order for God to forgive all our iniquities. (This topic will be expanded later below in the crucible of consecration.)
“God’s work of refining and purifying must go on until His servants are so humbled, so dead to self, that, when called into active service, their eye will be single to His glory. He will then accept their efforts; they will not move rashly, from impulse; they will not rush on and imperil the Lord’s cause, being slaves to temptations and passions and followers of their own carnal minds set on fire by Satan. Oh, how fearfully is the cause of God marred by man’s perverse will and unsubdued temper! How much suffering he brings upon himself by following his own headstrong passions! God brings men over the ground again and again, increasing the pressure until perfect humility and a transformation of character bring them into harmony with Christ and the spirit of heaven, and they are victors over themselves.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 86.
1.2.1.1.2.3 Living By Faith In Jesus (to Overcome Suffering)
The Bible tells us that we are purified from sins by the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus and that we are then purified by enduring the process of suffering in the trials of life. We are justified by God’s grace, and we receive His forgiveness of sins by faith; thus, we are set apart for God and live for God. Justification and forgiveness are both declarations and deep spiritual experiences. But then we continue in the experience of grace in the context of the great controversy, in which we are tried and in which we prove ourselves as faithful and loving to our Lord. In this experience, we discover that many times we may fail. We also discover hidden characteristics that must be abandoned. We purge them by God’s grace. Purification is a real experience that happens to real persons in a real history. (More to follow later in the crucible of maturity and self surrender)
1.2.1.1.2.3.1 Character and Community
When Paul writes to the Ephesians (Ephesians 4:11–16.), he describes the church as a body. Jesus is the Head, and His people make up the rest. If you look at Ephesians 4:13, you will notice the ultimate purpose of living in such a community—it is to experience “the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (NIV). And for that we need each other! (It certainly is possible to be a Christian all alone. Indeed, as for many people throughout the centuries who have been ridiculed or persecuted, standing alone is often unavoidable. It is a powerful witness to the power of God that men and women do not buckle under the pressures that surround them. However, while this is true,) Paul emphasizes a critical truth: ultimately, we experience and reveal the fullness of Christ when we are working together in fellowship with each other in our Christian community.
Christ gives His church the opportunity to meet every week on Sabbath to testify to the world of the goodness of our Father God. We gather together to “provoke unto love and to good works”and “exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Heb 10:24-25) We help each other, the strong in faith encouraging the weak to be aware of Satan’s attacks. He is constantly at work to wound and poison the soul. We must use the weekly opportunity to express our thoughts and giving utterance of gratitude and love that is the result of thinking upon the word of God and the home of the Lord. This is how we glorify God by our testimonies.
It’s easy to be nice when you are by yourself or with strangers, but it is much harder to be nice to people you either know really well or don’t like. This means that when we still show these people grace and kindness, we provide an irresistible witness to the truth about God.
In addition, Sister White also says “Let it be seen that Christ, not the minister, is the head of the church. The members of the body of Christ have a part to act, and they will not be accounted faithful unless they do act their part. Let a divine work be wrought in every soul, until Christ shall behold his image reflected in his followers. “ {ST, January 27, 1890 par. 9}
1.2.2 Extreme Heat in Crucible
God sees what we can be not just what we are and extreme heat is necessary to purify us in our suffering. These are the different way in which we can comfort other during the times of water and fire ( Isa 43:1,3) God sees us where we are but He also sees us in the finished product we will be like Him for we will see Him as He is. So God’s assurance is on four planes: 1. God’s extreme heat is not to destroy us but to destroy sin; 2. The extreme heat is not to make us miserable but to make us pure; 3. God cares for us through all things, and is always constant and tender regardless of the circumstances. He will never leave us alone no matter what happens to us. The Father pities His children as the Lord pities those who fear Him.
God chastening is for our growth and our purification For whom the Lord loves He corrects as a father the son on whom he delights (Pro 3:11.12). God promises us through Jesus Christ He will be with us until the end.(Mat 28:20)
1.2.2.1 Fiery Trial in Discipleship (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idBWQXdkFH8 “Extreme Heat” | Sabbath School Panel by 3ABN - Lesson 5 Q3 2022 Thursday (John Lomacang) - “Extreme Heat”(44: 30- 54:49))
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you” (1 Pet. 4:12, NKJV).
Peter in the passage, 1 Pet. 4:12-19, was referring to trials that are the consequence of standing up for Christ. The experience of suffering for our faith could be considered a “smelting process,” the process of the crucible (a vessel used for melting a substance that requires a high degree of heat). The process of the crucible for purification may be considered in various stages, such as crucible of purification, crucible of maturity, and crucible of consecration, of dying to self or daily self surrender,
Jesus freely offers to the end-time church members in Rev 3:18 “to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” 19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.22 “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
Gold is purified by extreme heating in the crucible. God is seeking to purify us, to refine us like gold, to transform us into His image. The goldsmith repeated apply greater heat in order to remove all the impurities until he sees his face reflected in the pure gold. That’s an astonishing goal, and it seems even more astonishing that a Christ-like character is developed in us only as we pass through life’s crucibles of fiery trials. (This topic needs to be discussed further in Crucible of Consecration) :
Fire accomplishes four things:
1, Fire reveals allegiance - Dan 3:19-24 It is not what we go through but what we become as a result that matters. The fiery furnace was heated seven times hotter to cast the three Hebrew yourth in the fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnessar. We need to allow the fires in our lives to reveal i.e Does it reveal the unchrist-like character in you? Or does it reveal the Christ who is in the fires with you? God sees our capabilities and consumes our complacency.
2. Fire consumes evil works -2 Pet 3:10. Now before the evil works of the world are going to be burned up, God allows he fires to consume the evil works in us in the fire of purification.
3. Fire purifies a character. So many of us come to Christ and are baptized and we are unlike Him on the day of baptism . So He puts us into the owen for He knows how long to keep the cake into the oven until it is done. God knows exactly how long to keep you in the oven. He wants not to consume you but to develop you.( Rev 3:18)
4. The fires of purification results in obedience. (1 Pet 1 :22) It will also show itself in our fervent love towards others. Extreme heat requires patience Ja 1:4. God develops our greatest capacity through our greatest difficulties and consumes our complacencies. He sees us where we are but He doesn’t leave us as he finds us. He sees in the purification that one day we will be like Him ( Phi 1:6); I Jn 3:2 ) It is not what you go through but what you become as a result of it that matters. May this be our experience that in extreme circumstances God is revealed through our life.
1.2.2.1.1Preface to Crucible of Consecration – Self Surrender (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idBWQXdkFH8 “Extreme Heat” | Sabbath School Panel by 3ABN - Lesson 5 Q3 2022 Thursday (John Lomacang) - “Extreme Heat”(44: 30- 54:49)) (Main topic covered in L12 Bible Study “Dying Like a Seed )
From the fiery trials in discipleship, followers of Christ who accepted Jesus invitation to take up the cross and follow Him in suffering and dying to self (Mat 16:24) are these main take away points:
1. Why wait for God to do something in our lives in extreme in order for us to be drawn back to Him? Why not allow God to speak to your heart and surrender to Him without that intense crucible;
2. If you feel like you are going through a Job-like experience take heart that God bless his life at the end of the book and God will be with you through the midst of the crucible.
3. Not all trials are from God. He is not causing them as he does allows trials. But just sin in general when your body is degenerating and you are in pain that we can still go to God and let Him fill our hearts with the power of the Holy Spirit. Then we can bubble over with hope, the blessed hope that is coming.
4. Jesus did not come to burn us up but to light us up. He did not come to consume us but to ignite us. The fire will consume whatever does not reflect the character of Christ. The fire will burn away anything that does not resemble Jesus.
5 The call that God made to Abraham to sacrifice his son and He obediently proceeded to carry it out. That experience of Abraham allowed him to see the son of God is coming to offer His life for me and that help him to carry out the sacrifice of Isaac.Jn 8:56.
We have only scratched the surface of “dying to self by faith” in trying to relate what we understand in the physical science in order to understand the spiritual dimension of eternal life. The essential prerequisite of being “born again by faith”, in order to “enter the kingdom of God” -Jn 3:5, will be discussed further in greater depth.
1.2.2.2 Overcoming Feelings in Crucible of Maturity
The bible provides many examples of feelings. The most significant was God’s call to Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, his only begotten son from God as his perpetual inheritance for mankind. Without Isaac God’s promise would be gone. “The agony which he endured during the dark days of that fearful trial was permitted that he might understand from his own experience something of the greatness of the sacrifice made by the infinite God for man’s redemption.”—PP p. 154.
Another important aspect of this experience is Isaac’s own participation and reaction in this experience. While we focus on Abraham’s anguish and suffering, we need to point out that this experience was Isaac’s crucible, too, and his reaction is inestimable. Indeed, he could have reacted in many ways, such as dubbing his father a mad old man or escaping by running away. But Isaac did not do so. His upbringing in faithfulness and in trusting God and his father makes Isaac a perfect example for the Christian going through crucibles. He believes in the love of his father and that he would not make this terrible sacrifice of his only son if God had not bidden him to do so.”—Sons and Daughters of God, p. 205.
These are the two purposes of God’s command to Abraham to slay his son in Genesis 22: “It was to impress Abraham’s mind with the reality of the gospel, as well as to test his faith. The agony which he endured during the dark days of that fearful trial was permitted that he might understand from his own experience something of the greatness of the sacrifice made by the infinite God for man’s redemption. No other test could have caused Abraham such torture of soul as did the offering of his son. God gave His Son to a death of agony and shame. The angels who witnessed the humiliation and soul anguish of the Son of God were not permitted to interpose, as in the case of Isaac. There was no voice to cry, ‘It is enough.’ To save the fallen race, the King of glory yielded up His life. What stronger proof can be given of the infinite compassion and love of God? ‘He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?’ Romans 8:32.”—PP, p. 154.
1.2.2.2.1 Striving in the Power of God (Our Character Development)
In Colossians 1:29, there is a very interesting insight into the way Paul sees his relationship with God in this work. He says that he is struggling—but with the power of God. Paul is straining, not with everything he has, but with everything that God gives him. So, we are left with a simple conclusion about Paul’s ministry—it was a ministry done with great personal effort and discipline but done with God’s power. This relationship works in exactly the same way as we pursue the development of Christ’s character in us. Our discipleship to Christ is no different. If we want to achieve something worthwhile in this life, it takes time and effort. It is the divine and human combination.
Some Christian evangelists promise that if you just believe, the Holy Spirit will fall upon you with amazing supernatural power and perform great miracles. But this can be a dangerous half-truth, because it can lead people to the conclusion that we just need to wait for God’s power to come while sitting comfortably in our seats!
We need to experience and receive the early rain of Pentecost in order to then work and wait in prayer to receive the latter rain to proclaim the loud cry of the three angels message with power to light up the whole world (Rev 18:1). This will be the beginning of the end of the world. God’s children will come out of Babylon to unite with the righteous in the church of Jesus,
“This will, that forms so important a factor in the character of man, was at the Fall given into the control of Satan; and he has ever since been working in man to will and to do of his own pleasure, but to the utter ruin and misery of man.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 515. “In order to receive God’s help, man must realize his weakness and deficiency; he must apply his own mind to the great change to be wrought in himself; he must be aroused to earnest and persevering prayer and effort. Wrong habits and customs must be shaken off; and it is only by determined endeavor to correct these errors and to conform to right principles that the victory can be gained. Many never attain to the position that they might occupy, because they wait for God to do for them that which He has given them power to do for themselves. All who are fitted for usefulness must be trained by the severest mental and moral discipline, and God will assist them by uniting divine power with human effort.”—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 248.
1.2.2.2.1.1 Radical Commitment
“If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell” (Matt. 5:29, NIV).
Radical action is necessary not because God has made the Christian life difficult, but because we and our culture have drifted so far away from God’s plans for us. People often wake up and wonder to themselves, How could I have gone so far away from God? The answer is always the same: just one step at a time
Matthew 5:29, 30 - Jesus is speaking in the context of sexual sin. However, the underlying principles apply to dealing with other sin, as well. Indeed, the principles can apply to our growth in Christ in general in the crucible of dying to self (and to be born again in Jesus).
Jesus isn’t calling us to harm our bodies physically—not at all! Rather, He is calling us to control our minds and therefore our bodies, no matter the cost. Notice that the text does not say that we should pray and that God will instantly remove the sinful tendencies from our lives. Sometimes God may graciously do this for us, but often He calls us to make a radical commitment to give up something, or start doing something, that we may not feel like doing at all. What a crucible that can be! The more often we make the right choices, the stronger we will become, and the weaker the power of temptation in our lives.
God sometimes uses crucibles to catch our attention when there are so many noisy distractions around us. It is in the crucible that we realize how far we have drifted from God. The crucible may be God’s call for us to make a radical decision to return to our Father’s plan for us.
1.2.2.2.1.2The Need to Persevere
We can know what is right and exercise our wills to do the right thing; but when we are under pressure, it can be very difficult to keep holding on to God and His promises. That’s because we are weak and fearful. Therefore, one of the important strengths of the Christian is perseverance, the ability to keep going despite wanting to give up.
One of the greatest examples of perseverance in the Bible is Jacob. Many years before, Jacob had tricked his brother, Esau, and his father into giving him the birthright (Genesis 27), and ever since, he had been running in fear of Esau’s desire to kill him. Even though he had been given wonderful promises of God’s guidance and blessing in his dream of a ladder reaching to heaven (Genesis 28), he was still scared. Jacob was desperate for God’s assurance that he was accepted and that the promises made to him many years before were still true. As he fought someone who was actually Jesus, Jacob had his hip dislocated. From that point on, it could not have been possible to fight, as the pain would have been too excruciating. There must have been a subtle shift from fighting to hanging on. Jacob is hanging on to Jesus through unbearable pain until he receives an assurance of His blessing. So, Jesus says to him, “ ‘Let me go, for it is daybreak’ ” (Gen. 32:26, NIV).
Jacob’s blessing came because he held on through the pain. So it is with us. God also may dislocate our “hip” and then call us to hang on to Him through our pain. Indeed, God allowed the painful scars to continue—Jacob was still limping when he met his brother. To outside appearances it was a weakness, but for Jacob it was an indication of his strength.
We can now build our assurance of Christ teaching us through the Holy Spirit that we are to struggle with all energy to hang onto Jesus even if the sky falls by combining these verses in Col 1:28-29, Phi 2;12-13 and Gen 32:26-28
1.3 Freedom and the Power of the Will
God has given every human being unasked for life to live forever that need not end in death making His creative effort in you as vanity. But He did not make us as automaton by giving us the free will to choose living this life as His child for eternity. .
Many Christians find it difficult to understand how our free will relates to the origin of evil and suffering, as well as to salvation. This is because of two other interpretations of the Bible from the Catholic perspective of Augustine and another from Pelagius, the views adopted my most Protestant denominations.
1.3.1 The Bible Account on Sin and Suffering
The Bible is clear that sin is not a simple past act of Adam and Eve. Rather, the Genesis account of the Fall describes immediate and profound changes appearing in their nature, relationships, environment, lifestyle, and descendants (Gen. 3:7–24, Gen. 4:1–16). The apostle Paul stipulates that with Adam sin and death “entered” (invaded) and pervaded the world in space and time (Rom. 5:12–14, NKJV). Sin brought upon humanity suffering, death, and condemnation for all men(Rom. 5:16–18). Because of the transgression of Adam, all people “were made sinners” (Rom. 5:19, NKJV). For this reason, all humans are born in sin, and none is born righteous (Rom. 3:9–18, 23; Ps. 14:1–3; Ps. 51:5). Thus, the Bible rejects Pelagianism and presents sin as more than an individual human act. Rather, sin is described as both an external and internal force that enslaves and destroys all humanity in all its aspects. Facing this grim outlook, Paul exclaimed desperately: “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Rom. 7:24, NKJV). By itself, humanity cannot solve the problem of sin and evil. The only hope for sinful humanity is in the sacrificial and transformative ministry of Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:24, 25; Rom. 5:6–19; Rom. 7:25) and in the regenerative and mediating ministry of the Holy Spirit, who gives us a new heart (Ezek. 36:26, 27; John 3:5–8; Rom. 8:3–6, 9–17). (i.e. the need to die in the old self and be born again in Christ by faith)
Furthermore, the Bible does not teach the Augustinian concept of predestination and sacramentalism. At the foundation of the biblical teaching of salvation is always God’s initiative, intervention, solution (the sacrifice of Christ), and power for redemption (Gen. 3:8, 15; Exod. 20:2; Rom. 5:6–8). However, God did not predestine some humans for salvation and some for perdition. Rather, God always gave humans the individual freedom to choose (Josh. 24:15) and holds the individuals and nations accountable for their acceptance or rejection of His salvation (see, for example, Gen 4:4–12, Gen. 15:16). The golden text of the gospel declares that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, NKJV). The Bible insists that God wants, and invites, all to be saved (Ezekiel 33; John 1:12, 13; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 John 2:2; Rev. 22:17). And once the people respond to God’s invitation, they collaborate with God in His salvation (2 Pet. 1:10, James 4:8, Rev. 3:20). Scripture also rejects any sacramental view of the divine grace; on the contrary, the New Testament emphasizes that God gives all of us His grace, only—and directly—through Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; Heb. 5:9; Heb. 7:24, 25; Hebrews 9; Hebrews 10).
1.3.1.1Historical Perspective on Sin and Suffering
Historically, most Christians rejected Pelagius and embraced Augustine’s understanding that all humans are born with a sinful nature and that sin is an invincible force for humans. Roman Catholics integrated into their theology Augustine’s idea that all humans inherit Adam’s guilt and the need for sacraments but rejected Pelagius views on predestination. In contradistinction, Protestantism rightly rejected Augustine’s idea that we inherit Adam’s guilt and that God’s grace comes through the sacraments, but large parts of Protestantism erroneously accepted his concept of predestination. In the wake of the Enlightenment, modern and postmodern societies tend to reject the Augustinian ideas and think more in line with Pelagius.
1.3.1.2 Salvation Truth for Present Society
To reach people in these societies, we not only need to emphasize the biblical teachings on the free will and our profound responsibility for our individual and communal history but also share the biblical teaching about the seriousness of the power of sin and our only hope of salvation in Jesus Christ. This illustration helps us understand that knowing the truth is essential for our understanding of suffering and trials in our lives. But it also helps us understand our own nature and the power of free will. Such understanding helps us always seek and accept God’s help, guidance, and power to overcome our crucibles.
1.3.2 Crucible of Consecration
God made Adam, the first born human being of God through Jesus, the “Son of God” and “Son of man.” “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Gen 2:7. Every individual human being is a child of Adam and Eve . You and I are endowed with the free will and intelligence to make decisions concerning the way of life as each person so choose. Jesus, as the Son of man, in His first advent to live with us that God, Sovereign of the universe, tells us to address the Lord God, as our Father in heaven. Jesus as our brethren lovingly tells us we must abide in Him, “He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” Jn 15:5. This is part of His farewell message before returning to Heaven to prepare a place for us and that He will return to take us there to be with Him for life eternal ( Jn 14;1-3).
The bottom line for each individual is to respond to the word of God to freely decide whether it speaks the truth. We have learned earlier in Par 1.3.1 The Bible Account on Sin and Suffering that Adam and Eve made the wrong choice with their free will in disbelieving God’s word when they ate the fruit of of the knowledge of good and evil. Because Adam and Eve broke the law of God, sin and death “entered” the world in space and time (Rom. 5:12–14, NKJV). Sin brought upon humanity suffering, death, and condemnation for all men(Rom. 5:16–18 and all humans are born in sin, and none is born righteous and cannot have eternal life, but death instead. But, It is God’s will that He gives us life and death is not in the formulus of life. So for those of us who have strayed from God, it is still not too late while probation is still open- “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2Pe 3:9.
This is the whole truth by which everyone who believes and choose to respond in love and by faith to God’s goodness to take up the crucible of consecration. This is a live long process of sanctification beginning with realizing our helplessness in the trials of life and the desperate need of a savior. It is imperative to follow Jesus, our Savior by dying with Him and be born again in the risen Christ. The topic of consecration is too voluminous to be completely covered. Therefore, the framework for CL1- “Claiming Life” is to dwell on the issue of death, the wage of sin as a beginning that enlarges to incorporate all our testimonies in the marvelous and infinite handiwork of God in giving us life, in watching, caring, in sustaining and bringing us into the divine stature of Christ.
1.3.2.1 Death as the Solution to Death (Mat 16:24-28)
Death is a mysterious and fascinating element prominent in all religions. In biblical Christianity, death has two connotations. On one hand, death is the result of, and punishment for sin. On the other hand, our life with God starts with death− death to sin. Only when we experience this death to sin can we fully enjoy life in God’s kingdom. Death to sin leads to overcoming and confronting the death that is the result of sin. But both events are possible because of Christ’s death for us. This truth on death is concisely stated in the passage from Mat 16:24-26.
Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mat 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Mat 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Mat 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Mat 16:28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
The brief context to this vital passage is when Peter Confesses Jesus as “the Christ. the Son of the living God” (Mat 16:13-20); Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection (vv 21-23) and teaching the disciples and everyone to”Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me” (vv 24-28) Jesus is telling His disciple following Peter reply to Jesus asking “13 Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?”Jesus then said 17“flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven, 20”And charged that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ”. The in-depth amplification is provided in DA pg 404-418, relating the purpose of Jesus mission after the Jews rejected the Saviours work, the highest evidence of His divine character. This topic will be further discussed in later article.
1.3.2.1.1Two Types of Death.
The two biblical themes on death are: 1. Death to sin sets the framework for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit Himself personally implements the transformation of our characters unto the image of Jesus Christ and empowers us to live lives of sacrificial service and obedience to God. 2. If we do not experience death to sin, we will continue a life of self-centeredness and self-service, a life of sin that, in fact, leads to death.
Is there a solution to death? Yes! And we know it from the essence of the gospel: “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23, NIV). How, though, do we receive this gift of eternal life? Paradoxically, the gift of eternal life comes with death! Two types of death are indicated here. First, Jesus Christ died in our place and for us; He took our death upon Himself and gave us the hope of eternal life (John 3:16, Rom. 3:25, Rom. 5:8, 2 Cor. 5:21, 1 Pet. 1:18–20). Second, our own death is indicated, as well. But this death is not punishment for sin; Jesus died that death in our place. Rather, our death is to sin itself. This death (to sin) is required if we want to enjoy eternal life and God’s kingdom. Sin is a controlling power that keeps us separate from God (Rom. 7:18–20, 23, 24). To be saved from its power, we need to die to sin and be alive to Jesus and to the Holy Spirit (Rom. 7:4–6)! (i.e. We Must Be Born Again ( Jn 3:3,5,7)) This death is symbolized by baptism (Rom. 6:1–4). Paul presents the most beautiful depiction of this process: “If we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:5–11, NKJV).
By “death to sin” the Bible means exactly what it says. It does not say that we attain to eternal life by literally dying. We are not—and cannot be—paying for our sins with our own deaths. There is no salvific merit in our deaths. The only literal death that counts for our salvation is the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Neither does the Bible use “death to sin” to communicate an indifference to the world, as in Buddhism, for instance. God created the world perfect for our enjoyment and for us to care for it (Gen. 1:26–28, Gen. 2:15). Death to sin, then, means accepting the Lordship of God and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and rejecting the control of sin(Rom. 8:1–11). We enjoy obeying God and serving Him. We are transformed into the image and mind of Christ, who did not consider holding on to power, but stooped down to earth and took our status and our place to save us (Phil. 2:2–8).(from L 12 SDA Sabbath Bible Study). The outcome is a life of faith in praising God.
1.3.3 Life of Praise- Faith in Action
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4, NKJV).
This verse is the message of Paul given when he is a prisoner in Rome for the gospel of Jesus Christ and ended with being beheaded by Eperor Nero,. Yet he is calling out to fellow believers to rejoice in the Lord always;. because our names are written in the book of life (V.3). Paul is laying out a principle for Christian experience to be consistent as the Lord always guide us and sustain us. God is the source of all that we do. So this is a call to abide in Christ. When we abide in Christ nothing comes to us except through Christ. Christ decides whether or not this trials can be a blessing and a benefit to us Then we experience it in Him and with Him.
It’s always easy to shout with joy to the Lord when we feel joy. It’s not so easy, however, when things are bad, when we are in the worst situations imaginable, when the crucible heats up. Yet, it’s precisely then that we need—perhaps more than ever—to praise God, for praise is a means of helping us sustain faith.
Praise can transform even our darkest circumstances, maybe not in the sense of changing the facts around us, but in the sense that it can change us, and those around us, in a way that helps us face challenges.
Praise is faith in action. It may not always be natural to us, but when we practice praise so that it becomes a natural part of our lives, it has the power both to convert and to conquer.The crucible of consecration is entering into a holy life in serving and glorifying God, essence of a life of praise..
1.3.3.1 Power of Praise in Paul’s Persecution
The elected Apostle of Gentiles, Paul, our example, calls us (Phi 4:4-7) to praise God even though many times it may seem quite unnatural to us. It may even seem unreasonable. But as we will see, it is precisely because there are times when it appears unreasonable that we are called to rejoice. In other words, praise is an act of faith. Just as faith is based not on our circumstances but rather on the truth about God, so praise is something we do not because we feel good but because of the truth of who God is and what He has promised us. And amazingly, it is such faith that begins to shape our thoughts, feelings, and circumstances.
It is amazing to think that our praise can transform the eternal destinies of those around us. If Paul and Silas had sat in the dark mumbling and complaining as prisoners often do, do you think anyone would have been saved that night?
Praise had an astonishing effect on those who heard it (Acts 16:16–34). Having been stripped and beaten hard, Paul and Silas were thrown into prison. No one was there to put ointment on their badly cut and bruised backs. In great physical pain and with their feet in stocks, they were placed in the darkness of the inner prison. But as the other prisoners sat listening, Paul and Silas begin to pray and sing. After the earthquake (act of providence, when the doors fell open and the stocks and chains fell off all the prisoners), neither Paul nor Silas nor any of the other prisoners had escaped. Paul stopped the jailer trying to kill himself and to “fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ ” (Acts 16:29, 30, NIV).
The jailer and his family were baptized and converted that very night by Paul. He later wrote from another prison in Rome to us all: “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have” (Phil. 1:29, 30, NIV).
1.3.3.2 Praying with Praise Down Walls of Jericho (Jos 5:13–6:20)
After they had wandered for 40 years in the wilderness, God did not lead His people to empty, peaceful grasslands. God brought the Israelites to a dead-end. God led them to one of the most strongly fortified cities in the whole area. Then they had to walk around Jericho in silence for six days. On the seventh day, God told them to shout—and that shouting, together with the trumpets, would bring victory
Shouting loudly was not going to cause vibrations to trigger the walls to collapse. When God called the Israelites to “shout,” it was the same type of shouting that David writes about in Psalm 66: “Shout for joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious!” (Ps. 66:1, 2, NIV). This shouting was praise! After six days of looking at the huge walls, they must have concluded that they hadn’t a chance of breaking them down themselves.
When God is on the verge of doing something new in our lives, He may bring us to a Jericho, for He may need to teach us that the power to triumph does not come in our own strength and strategies. Everything we need comes from outside of ourselves. So, no matter what is in front of us, no matter how insurmountable it may seem, our role is to praise God—the Source of everything we need. This is faith in action. {Ellen White remarked that angel pushed down the walls of Jericho.)
1.3.3.3 Weapon of Victory in War (Chr20:1-30)
Jehoshaphat discovered praise is a powerful weapon. After receiving the report that a “vast army” was coming against him, Jehoshaphat did not immediately jump to military action, but “resolved to inquire of the Lord” (2 Chron. 20:3, NIV). As the people of Judah came to Jerusalem for a fast, Jehoshaphat admitted the reality of the situation, saying that “ ‘we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you’ ” (2 Chron. 20:12, NIV).
As the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, he boldly announced: “ ‘ “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you” ’ ” (2 Chron. 20:17, NIV). After that, they worshiped God and sang praises to Him “with a very loud voice” (2 Chron. 20:19, NIV). Even though God was going to fight for them, they still had to go out to face the enemy.
But this was no ordinary march to war. Jehoshaphat appointed a choir to sing praises to the Lord as they marched out. “As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated” (2 Chron. 20:22, NIV). According to Ezra, the author, God intervened at the very moment they exercised their faith in His promise, as they began to “praise him for the splendor of his holiness” (2 Chron. 20:21, NIV).
1.3.3.4 The Practice of Praise.
The great British preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon wrote a book called The Practice of Praise. Based around Psa 145:7, Spurgeon calls our attention to three important things that can help in developing praise in our lives.
1. Praise is practiced as we look around us. If we do not look around us to see the greatness of God, we will have no reason to praise Him. What can you see in the created world that is praiseworthy, such as the beauty of God’s creation? What can you see in the spiritual world that is praiseworthy, such as the growing faith in a young Christian?
2. Praise is practiced as we remember what we have seen. If we want to live in an atmosphere of praise, we must be able to recall the reason for it. In what ways can we remember the great things about God (such as by developing new rituals or symbols that remind us of His goodness), so that His goodness and the truth about Him do not slip from our minds?
3. Praise is practiced as we talk about it. Praise is not something that we do in our heads. It is meant to come out of our mouths, to be heard by those around us. What reasons can you Praise benefits us; it strengthens our faith. As we utter it, it becomes even more a part of us and other people who hears it are blessed. The side benefit is joy because joy is the consequence of seeing the wonders of who God is and the wonders of what He has done.
Praise is a verbal articulation of faith because we trust God. We are able to see His greatness and Glorify God’s greatness in praises so that others may also see God in the picture we describe God..
However, for most of us, to our detriment, it is not a habit to praise! We must correct this by consciously developing this habit gradually until is our second nature in praising God and rejoice always.
We are encouraged and exhorted by Ellen White in the Spirit of Prophesy to focus on how to develop our habit of praising to God in these two passages:
“Then let us educate our hearts and lips to speak the praise of God for His matchless love. Let us educate our souls to be hopeful and to abide in the light shining from the cross of Calvary. Never should we forget that we are children of the heavenly King, sons and daughters of the Lord of hosts. It is our privilege to maintain a calm repose in God.”—Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 253.
“And while I adore and magnify Him, I want you to magnify Him with me. Praise the Lord even when you fall into darkness. Praise Him even in temptation. ‘Rejoice in the Lord alway,’ says the apostle; ‘and again I say, Rejoice.’ Will that bring gloom and darkness into your families? No, indeed; it will bring a sunbeam. You will thus gather rays of eternal light from the throne of glory and scatter them around you. Let me exhort you to engage in this work, scatter this light and life around you, not only in your own path, but in the paths of those with whom you associate. Let it be your object to make those around you better, to elevate them, to point them to heaven and glory, and lead them to seek, above all earthly things, the eternal substance, the immortal inheritance, the riches which are imperishable.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, pp. 593, 594.
1.3.3.4.1 Conditions for Rejoicing in Crucibles
Praising God and rejoicing in Him in a crisis are possible only when we are certain about the goodness and justice of the cause or the Person for whom we fight. In our case, the cause and the Person are One. Rejoicing amid trials and persecutions is possible when we trust God, when we understand Him and His plans, when we are convinced that God is just and good and that He and His cause are worthy of our total and radical commitment. Thus, rejoicing amid crucibles springs out of the realization (1) that God is real and that He is good; (2) that He created us, that we are His, that He loves us, and that we love Him back; (3) that the great controversy is real, that it is Satan’s attack on God and on us, and that God is on our side and we are on His; (4) that God redeems us from the power of sin and of Satan and that God and we in Christ, are, and will be, victorious; and (5) that God’s cause or mission of bringing salvation to the whole world is worth all the suffering we must endure, even, if need be, unto death.
1.3.4 Closing Review
The life we have is unasked, placed on this earth in a journey of unending struggle between good and evil in the cosmic great controversy. Evil is not in God’s creation. Satan brought evil into the world that God created. This is why we are all subjected to pain and suffering caused by Satan which God allows as crucibles of sin in order to eradicate Satan and sin completely. The All-wiseGod created earth and encapsulated it in a time capsule (to confine sin where time is finite and for a limited time) as a theater to the whole universe on the consequence of sin caused by Satan’s rebellion that begins in heaven. The created being in the other worlds of the universe is to judge that God is righteous in all His dealing with his created creatures. Satan is given 6,000 years to prove that God’s law does not work on earth before Satan and sin will be justly destroyed forever. God declared that the creation of earth and all in it as good. But, as an exception, Adam and Eve, our progenitor, made in His image were very good as free agent to make reasoned decision in deciding between good and evil so as to vindicate that God’s law is perfect, the transcription of the love of God. Consider the analogy of the mixing of just a little evil with truth to a drop of cyanide in a jug of pure water rendering the water deadly). This strategy allowed Satan to deceive the whole world that started with Adam and Eve. Remember God is not sending the pain and suffering in this world. The pains in this fallen world is the result of our own propensities to sin after the fall of Adam into sin.
The universe is made to witness the insidious deadliness of sin beginning with the first test of the free choice given to Adam and Eve that resulted in abject failure. They made the wrong choice in believing Satan rather than the word of God at the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It is the transgression of God’s law which is sin by Adam and Eve that brought pain and suffering where death now is inevitable and a dreaded fear in humans in this fallen world. This apostasy by Adam is a repeat of Lucifer (ala Satan) rebellon in heaven. However, there is a difference: Satan’s sin is out of the desire of his heart to be worshipped as God, whereas Adam can blame Satan as his excuse for sinning. God in his love, grace, mercy and justice has made provision to give a second chance to sinner like Adam who was enticed by Satan. Thus Adam was put on probation from death for sinning with Christ, the Son of God, dying on the sinner behalf. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Joh 3:16
In this journey on earth we are given the opportunity to experience the trials of life, metaphorical crucibles of life, to discover the blessings of being given this great privilege of life that need not end in death.We are given to experience the crucible of life by seeing Christ sharing the heat of the crucibles with us to decide whether you will choose to enter into the crucible of consecration. This is daily dying of the old sinful self of Adam and by faith to be born again in the resurrected life of Christ. This is a life time process of being subjected to intense heat of purification until maturity into the divine nature of Christ at the close of probation.There are various subclasses of crucibles to fit the appropriate circumstances or situations.
Faith is a key element in the transformation occurring in the crucible of consecration. It involves submitting to God daily as the first duty on waking up to seek His righteousness. This allows God to take charge of our will to mature us into the divine nature of Christ in the crucible. As praise is the verbal articulation of faith we are to develop the habit of praising God for who He is (until it is our nature at maturity) that brings about our progressive transformation. It is by being in the crucible of consecration to holiness that we are enabled to experience seeing God and really grasp the greatness and majesty of God.
This brings us to conclude CL1- “Claiming Life” on the note that its closure is to call into reality its continuity. The followers of Christ is to spread the depths of the knowledge of the everlasting gospel in testimonies until everyone have decided on their status of allegiance: to worship God as the source of life in claiming life; or to reject the love of God in disbelief to choose eternal death together with Satan and his evil angels.
Watch the 13 lessons beginning with Sabbath School - 2022 Q3 Lesson 1: The Shepherd's Crucible Jun 26, 2022 It Is Written with Pr Gavin Anthony as the key presenter who is the main author of this quarter’s study guide at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI3_BcsKlWw&t=6s
1.3.4.1 Experience the Privilege in Life Unasked
Individually, each one of us is given this life which we did not ask for. Indeed in wonder and awe, when we look at the wonders in the handiwork of God and begin to earnestly seek and thirst for the truth that the Holy Spirit will open the revelation of the word of God to us. Then we will discover what a great privilege we are blessed with to be alive. It is the epitome of God’s love, in extending grace, mercy, long suffering and righteousness in this probationary period in our temporary sojourn on this dark and sinful world. We are all chosen to be a player in the theatre to the whole universe. Used by God to demonstrate the horrendous suffering consequences of sin in vindicating His righteousness before annihilating Satan and sin forever in the recreation of the new heaven and new earth.
We are placed in a very complicated world of sin for which we are ignorant about and therefore is a party to these sins offered by Satan out of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pleasures of life. The only way out is the remedy provided with the incarnation of the Son of God as our example to help us go through the various crucibles of sin we entered into. Our probationary period of test and refining in the journey in the world has a purpose in getting to know God by personal experience in walking with Jesus and know his voice as a sheep knows the voice of its shepherd which is the word of God. The redemption from the feeling of guilt even with sins that have been confessed and forgiven requires a live long process of cleansing and purification in the crucible of consecration. We will be enabled to receive light to” so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”(Mat 5:16). It is when we attain through lovng God first that we also love our neighbours and even our enemies that are clealy on the path of being “perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Mat 5:48) .
God is our Shepherd and He is leading along His path of life that sometimes passes through dark and trying obstacles like the valley of the shadow of death, until we find ourselves at the house of the Lord. (See Par 1.1 The Shepherd’s Path of Life). There is only one right path, the righteous path of the Shepherd that leads to the kingdom of God. As we journey along the righteous path with the right and righteous Shepherd we become like Him. We begin to reflect His character. We must get to realize this absolute truth is the essence of the privilege of walking with Jesus on this journey in this finite sinful world. When we as sheep find ourselves in the valley of the shadow of death, from our straying away mainly, the Shepherd will come searching for the stray sheep to beat back the suffering that Satan as brought into our lives, with His rod and the staff with a hook to rescue us from the ditches, from our own foolishness sometimes. But whatever the case the Shepherd is with us and brings us out. He is equipped to rescue us and bring us out of the valley of the shadow of death. These times in the darkness, when we are scared, helpless and desperate cause us to feel we want to give up because we don’t know that He is there. But it is in the darkness that we begin to learn to trust and put our faith in God, even if we can’t see Him. So God is working in the period of darkness in the valley to mature our faith. As we go through these difficult times, God redeems them. He uses these times when we are in the crucible of consecration to mature us to be like Him. That is the goal. It is this longing as expressed by king David that his chief desire of the Lord is “that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.”Psa 27:4. David receives the assurance that 5 “For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock”.
Whatever God gives us whether it’s our family and neighbours, job, our reputation, relationships, Satan cannot take away from us unless we listen and believe His lies to separate us from God. This is symbolized by the celebration at the table celebrating the marriage supper of the Lamb, prepared by God when we arrive at the house of the Lord at the end of the journey. Paul was taken up in vision to heaven to share what is awaiting us at our destination: “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”1Co 2:9.
Pr Anthony, points out that the key to suffering is to know by experience that suffering itself is the key to understand suffering in this world. It is the self-sacrificial life of Jesus, the Son of God, “who being God Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross”. Thus.God “hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” –Ph 2:6-11.
End of CL1 –48 pages.
Posted on August 31, 2022 by Tsc at singtsc@yahoo.com
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