|
Forums118
Topics9,199
Posts195,632
Members1,323
| |
Most Online5,850
Feb 29th, 2020
|
|
|
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
31
|
|
|
|
Here is a link to show exactly where the Space Station is over earth right now: Click Here
|
|
|
Re: Lesson Study # 10 - Meekness in the CRUCIBLE
[Re: asygo]
#93356
12/09/07 10:09 PM
12/09/07 10:09 PM
|
SDA
Active Member 2014
Retired Pastor
3000+ Member
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,014
Iceland
|
|
Again, the happiness is because of the final outcome - reward in heaven - not because of present evil. It is not rejoicing because of evil, but in spite of evil. I don't think that the truly converted can be happy about the existence of evil.
There is a whole chapter on this in the book Steps To Christ We are not to look at the thorns but enjoy the roses. And this applies to this life. I just had a talk with the author of these Sabbath School lessons, who told me he thought this was the most important lesson this quarter. He has discovered that meekness is measured by our reaction to those who persecute or ridicule us. We have not learned the secret of Christian faith if we do not learn how to turn such ridicule or persecution into a blessing. Blessing means joy, and I believe it is real joy now, at this moment, if Christ has entered into our being and consciousness. A future reward brings joy now.
"Here is a last piece of advice. If you believe in goodness and if you value the approval of God, fix your minds on the things which are holy and right and pure and beautiful and good. Model your conduct on what you have learned from me, on what I have told you and shown you, and you will find the God of peace will be with you."
|
 Reply
 Quote
|
|
|
|
Here is the link to this week's Sabbath School Lesson Study and Discussion Material: Click Here
|
|
Re: Lesson Study # 10 - Meekness in the CRUCIBLE
[Re: asygo]
#93359
12/09/07 11:36 PM
12/09/07 11:36 PM
|
SDA
Active Member 2014
Retired Pastor
3000+ Member
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,014
Iceland
|
|
Consider what you just claimed, and answer this: Did Jesus' experience in Gethsemane match what you have in mind? He was encouraged by angels who came to him. They gave him the joy and courage he needed to meet his enemies, or he would not have endured until he was crucified. How else could he pray for the soldiers?
"Here is a last piece of advice. If you believe in goodness and if you value the approval of God, fix your minds on the things which are holy and right and pure and beautiful and good. Model your conduct on what you have learned from me, on what I have told you and shown you, and you will find the God of peace will be with you."
|
|
Reply
Quote
|
|
|
Re: Lesson Study # 10 - Meekness in the CRUCIBLE
[Re: Johann]
#93398
12/12/07 10:47 AM
12/12/07 10:47 AM
|
SDA
Active Member 2023
5500+ Member
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,583
California, USA
|
|
Consider what you just claimed, and answer this: Did Jesus' experience in Gethsemane match what you have in mind? He was encouraged by angels who came to him. They gave him the joy and courage he needed to meet his enemies, or he would not have endured until he was crucified. How else could he pray for the soldiers? By your response, it seems that you're saying that Jesus was happy IN SPITE of the evil that was happening. I agree with that. I thought you were saying that we should be happy BECAUSE of the evil that was happening. Certainly, Jesus was encouraged and strengthened to pray for the soldiers. But I doubt that He was happy about the soldiers' need to be prayed for. He would have been happy if everybody always reflected His character.
By God's grace,
Arnold
There is no excuse for any one in taking the position that there is no more truth to be revealed, and that all our expositions of Scripture are without an error. The fact that certain doctrines have been held as truth for many years by our people, is not a proof that our ideas are infallible. Age will not make error into truth, and truth can afford to be fair. No true doctrine will lose anything by close investigation. RH 12/20/1892
|
|
Reply
Quote
|
|
|
Re: Lesson Study # 10 - Meekness in the CRUCIBLE
[Re: Johann]
#93408
12/13/07 02:05 AM
12/13/07 02:05 AM
|
SDA
Active Member 2023
5500+ Member
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,583
California, USA
|
|
Blessing means joy, and I believe it is real joy now, at this moment, if Christ has entered into our being and consciousness. Let's not confuse future facts with present feelings. Though one can and should be happy because of future bliss, that does not necessarily mean that one should be happy about present problems. Matthew 5:6 - Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Does that mean that we should be happy that we currently hunger and thirst for righteousness? No. It means that we should be happy that in spite of our current lack, we shall be filled. We should be innocent enough to enjoy the rose, but wise enough to see the thorn.
By God's grace,
Arnold
There is no excuse for any one in taking the position that there is no more truth to be revealed, and that all our expositions of Scripture are without an error. The fact that certain doctrines have been held as truth for many years by our people, is not a proof that our ideas are infallible. Age will not make error into truth, and truth can afford to be fair. No true doctrine will lose anything by close investigation. RH 12/20/1892
|
|
Reply
Quote
|
|
|
Re: Lesson Study # 10 - Meekness in the CRUCIBLE
[Re: asygo]
#93412
12/13/07 10:28 AM
12/13/07 10:28 AM
|
SDA
Active Member 2014
Retired Pastor
3000+ Member
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,014
Iceland
|
|
Blessing means joy, and I believe it is real joy now, at this moment, if Christ has entered into our being and consciousness. Let's not confuse future facts with present feelings. Though one can and should be happy because of future bliss, that does not necessarily mean that one should be happy about present problems. Since when have we been instructed to let our present feelings rule our lives? Matthew 5:6 - Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Does that mean that we should be happy that we currently hunger and thirst for righteousness? No. It means that we should be happy that in spite of our current lack, we shall be filled.
We should be innocent enough to enjoy the rose, but wise enough to see the thorn. How much innocence does it take to be able to enjoy the rose?
Last edited by Johann; 12/13/07 10:30 AM.
"Here is a last piece of advice. If you believe in goodness and if you value the approval of God, fix your minds on the things which are holy and right and pure and beautiful and good. Model your conduct on what you have learned from me, on what I have told you and shown you, and you will find the God of peace will be with you."
|
|
Reply
Quote
|
|
|
Re: Lesson Study # 10 - Meekness in the CRUCIBLE
[Re: Johann]
#93420
12/13/07 04:56 PM
12/13/07 04:56 PM
|
SDA
Active Member 2023
5500+ Member
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,583
California, USA
|
|
Blessing means joy, and I believe it is real joy now, at this moment, if Christ has entered into our being and consciousness. Let's not confuse future facts with present feelings. Though one can and should be happy because of future bliss, that does not necessarily mean that one should be happy about present problems. Since when have we been instructed to let our present feelings rule our lives? We are told the opposite - to never let feelings rule. That's why the "be happy or you're not Christlike" message is not true. Being happy about evil circumstances in the present is not a reliable gauge of Christianity. Christians are Christians, regardless of feelings. Matthew 5:6 - Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Does that mean that we should be happy that we currently hunger and thirst for righteousness? No. It means that we should be happy that in spite of our current lack, we shall be filled.
We should be innocent enough to enjoy the rose, but wise enough to see the thorn. How much innocence does it take to be able to enjoy the rose? Approximately the same amount a dove has.
By God's grace,
Arnold
There is no excuse for any one in taking the position that there is no more truth to be revealed, and that all our expositions of Scripture are without an error. The fact that certain doctrines have been held as truth for many years by our people, is not a proof that our ideas are infallible. Age will not make error into truth, and truth can afford to be fair. No true doctrine will lose anything by close investigation. RH 12/20/1892
|
|
Reply
Quote
|
|
|
|
|
