Nipate
Forum => Controversial => Topic started by: GeeMail on October 22, 2014, 01:53:02 PM
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http://ssnet.org/blog/tuesday-law-freedom/
Tuesday: Law of Freedom
Posted on October 20, 2014 by Sabbath School Lesson
Read James 1:25. What does he say about the role of the law?
James echoes the Psalms in calling God’s law "perfect" (Ps. 19:7) and a way of freedom (Ps. 119:45). But notice that the law in James cannot save us and certainly cannot cleanse us. It shows us God’s ideal, but it cannot make us follow that ideal any more than seeing a world-class athlete perform amazing feats could enable us to do the same. To follow that ideal, we need the power of Christ in our lives.
Read Romans 8:2, 4 and 2 Corinthians 3:17-18. What makes the difference between the law as an instrument of death or as something that shows the way to freedom and life?
Even Paul affirms that "not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified" (Rom. 2:13, NKJV). As he says, we can become doers only through the work of the Spirit writing the law on our hearts. Only when we obey it from the heart can the law be a law of freedom.
Thus, the problem is not with the law but with us. We forget who we really are: sinners in constant need of a Savior. Outside of Christ we hear only the law’s condemnation. But in Christ we become new men and women (2 Cor. 5:17) who are set free in Jesus (John 8:36). We hear Him speaking the law to us, that we should " "love one another, as I have loved you" " (John 15:12, NKJV). Through Christ, we experience the freedom of God’s sons and daughters who are saved by grace and who will not want to slip back into the condemnation and bondage we had as transgressors. In Christ, not only are we forgiven our sins, we now have a new life, one in which we are able to render obedience to the law. We do so, however, not in order to be saved but out of the freedom that comes from knowing that we already are saved and therefore no longer stand condemned by the law.
Think about what it would be like, having the natures we do, to try to keep the law well enough to be saved by it. How would this make the law a means of bondage? How has Jesus freed us from that bondage while, at the same time, commanding us to keep the law?
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Wednesday: Useful or Useless
Posted on October 21, 2014 by Sabbath School Lesson
Read James 1:26-27 and compare it to Matthew 25:35, Matt. 25:36, Matt.25:40 and Romans 12:9-18. In light of these passages, how would you define true Christianity?
If Jesus, James, and Paul emphasize anything, it is the importance of being a useful Christian. By loving "the least of these" (Matt. 25:40), by taking the time to visit those most easily overlooked, by showing hospitality-in all these practical ways and more-we reveal Jesus’ love and become the channel by which Jesus loves through us.
"The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian."-Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 470. Of course, as she goes on to explain, "to live such a life, to exert such an influence, costs at every step effort, self-sacrifice, discipline."-Page 470. It does not come naturally or automatically. If our religion consists only in affirmations of belief and listening to sermons, it is largely useless.
James describes "religion" or "religious" in verses 26-27 with a word that suggests being unusually devout. Such an attitude has immediate, visible consequences, and people will notice the difference.
One obvious change will be our choice of words. Instead of using uninhibited remarks and harsh tones and gestures, we will become more sensitive to the effect our communication exerts on others. We will "bridle"our tongue so that it does not dash off ahead of us with all the violence and energy of an untamed horse.
James also singles out orphans and widows as those most needing our love and care. From a worldly standpoint, it does not make sense to focus our resources on those who can give nothing back to society. But from God’s viewpoint, it is precisely how we treat those who have been cast off and rejected by the world that reveals which of us are Christ’s true followers: either by lending money to those who cannot pay us back; inviting to dinner those who cannot reciprocate; or blessing and praying for those who mistreat us (Luke 6:35, Lk. 14:12-14, Matt. 5:44). As Paul points out, we are re-created in Christ Jesus for good works (Eph. 2:10).
How much of your own time and energy do you spend helping those in need? What does your answer say to you about how "useful" your faith really is?