Hi FrogSLG
I am just over in Zanesville & my e-mail is edandlindasutton@y-city.net . Give me a "call" soon. Let me try to answer those two questions by how they were answered for me as a kid walking by myself on a side walk & as an adult and SDA.
1. What is the meaning of life for Christians on earth before Jesus Comes again?
2. How do you live that meaning out on a day to day basis? or in other words how do you put the meaning of life into practice in your own life?
1. I exist because God has waited all eternity to create me. He has dreamed about me forever and loves me even while I am still a dream in His mind - not even made yet. Part of His dream is my loving Him back & us being together for always.
I exist as me & not someone else because God knows all about me and knows I would be happiest as me, so that's who I am - me .
I exist now because God looked over all eternity to see when would be best for me and when I would be happiest to exist - so I am here now .
The meaning of life for Christians here on Earth before Jesus comes. Life's purpose or meaning - become as much like Jesus as possible and help as many as possible to do the same. Imitate Jesus to them so they will believe He is as real for them as He is for you. Devour the Bible & SOP to get His Spirit & Life within you to use to help and bless others and help them learn how to get closer to Jesus than you are and follow His Eternal & present Truths for this generation.
This life is the calling and refining and preperation and helping and tutoring time.
God calls & a person responds and becomes a Christian. God gives helps and the tools of refining and preperation (Bible & SOP empowered by His Spirit, trials, temptations, circumstances, tests, and He tutors each person as they ask Him to.
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The work of transformation from unholiness to holiness is a continuous one. Day by day God labors for man's sanctification, and man is to co-operate with Him, putting forth persevering efforts in the cultivation of right habits. He is to add grace to grace; and as he thus works on the plan of addition, God works for him on the plan of multiplication. Our Saviour is always ready to hear and answer the prayer of the contrite heart, and grace and peace are multiplied to His faithful ones. Gladly He grants them the blessings they need in their struggle against the evils that beset them. {AA 532.2}
There are those who attempt to ascend the ladder of Christian progress; but as they advance they begin to put their trust in the power of man, and soon lose sight of Jesus,
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the Author and Finisher of their faith. The result is failure-- the loss of all that has been gained. Sad indeed is the condition of those who, becoming weary of the way, allow the enemy of souls to rob them of the Christian graces that have been developing in their hearts and lives. "He that lacketh these things," declares the apostle, "is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins." {AA 532.3}
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In the first chapter of Second Peter is presented the progressive work in the Christian life. The whole chapter is a lesson of deep importance. If man, in acquiring the Christian graces, works on the plan of addition, God has pledged Himself to work in his behalf upon the plan of multiplication. "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord." 2 Peter 1:2. The work is laid out before every soul that has acknowledged his faith in Jesus Christ by baptism. {FLB 146.5}
If we are true to our vow, there is opened to us a door of communication with heaven--a door that no human hand or satanic agency can close. {FLB 146.6}
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Chap. 225 - Changed by Beholding
We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Cor. 3:18. {AG 233.1}
The work of transformation from unholiness is a continuous one. Day by day God labors for man's sanctification, and man is to co-operate with Him, putting forth persevering efforts in the cultivation of right habits. He is to add grace to grace; and as he thus works on the plan of addition, God works for him on the plan of multiplication. Our Saviour is always ready to hear and answer the prayer of the contrite heart, and grace and peace are multiplied to His faithful ones. Gladly He grants them the blessings they need in their struggle against the evils that beset them. {AG 233.2}
John and Judas are representatives of those who profess to be Christ's followers. Both these disciples had the same opportunities to study and follow the divine Pattern. Both were closely associated with Jesus and were privileged to listen to His teaching. Each possessed serious defects of character; and each had access to the divine grace that transforms character. But while one in humility was learning of Jesus, the other revealed that he was not a doer of the Word, but a hearer only. One, daily dying to self and overcoming sin, was sanctified through the truth; the other, resisting the transforming power of grace and indulging selfish desires, was brought into bondage to Satan. {AG 233.3}
Such transformation of character as is seen in the life of John is ever the result of communion with Christ. There may be marked defects in the character of an individual, yet when he becomes a true disciple of Christ, the power of divine grace transforms and sanctifies him. Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, he is changed from glory to glory, until he is like Him whom he adores. . . . {AG 233.4}
God can be honored by those who profess to believe in Him, only as they are conformed to His image and controlled by His Spirit. Then, as witnesses for the Saviour, they may make known what divine grace has done for them. {AG 233.5}
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Could it be that on planet Earth our purpose is to Honor God - to Biblically fear Him and reflect His character to the universe ?
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2. In regards to question two, if you have an EGW CD ROM Disk like Library Edition or Legacy of Light Research Edition - use them to pull these two things up as a start.
If not, use the EGW White Estate website SOP search engine to pull these things up.
http://www.ellenwhite.com/search/search.asp
(SC)Steps to Christ & (PCP)Peter's Counsel to Parents (1981). Never leave the basics - continue to build on them.
Memorize and engraft Scripture & ASK JESUS TO TUTOR YOU PERSONALLY. He will be glad to & send others to help you too. Become a resource person & help to others. Teach what you learn, however small & God will cause you to grow up in Him.
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Edward F Sutton
[This message has been edited by Edward F Sutton (edited January 20, 2001).]
