ALEX N.

MAC DONALD
P. O. BOX 312
BLACKWOOD, NJ. Oi012
SABBATH SCHOOL LESSONS

SENIOR DIVISION

FIRST QUARTER 1971.

Obtaining Tb~ Christlike

Cbaracter
 FOREWORD
"'fhc great, grund work of bringing out a people who will lca.\'c
Chris,tlike chaa'aeters, and who will hc ahle to stan(1 in the day of
the Lord, is to be accomplished. As long as we sail with the cUl'rent
of the world we necd neither canvas or oar. It. is when we turn
squarely about to stem the currcnt that our laOO'rs begin. S'atan will
bring evea'y kind of theory to pe.rvert the truth. The work will go
ha'rd, for .since the fall of Adam it has l)een the fashion of the world
to sin. But Christ is on the field oil action. The Holy Spirit is
at work. Divine agencies are combining with the human in re-
s,haping the character accOTding to the perfect pattern, and man is
to work out tha,t which God works in. Will we as a people do this
God--given work' Will we carefully heed all the light that has
been given, keeping consta.nt.ly Ilcfore us the one objcct of fittiJIg
students f'or the kingdom of God' If by faith, we advance step by
step in the right way, following the Great Leader, light will shine
along our pathway; and circumstances will occur to remove the
difficulties. The a,pproval of God will give hope, and ministerin'g
angels will' co-operate' with us, hringing ligl.t and gr::lee, and cour-
age and gladness." -6T 129,130.
" 'When the fruit is brought forth., immediately he putteth in
the sickle, because the harvest is come.' Christ is waiting with
longing; deshe for the manifest-nt-ion ofl Himself in Hils churcll.
When the cha,racter of Christ shall be perfectly reprodueed in His
people, then Hc will come to claim them as' His own." -COL 69.
We must remember as A peopl-e the task entrusted to us by
God. This is the time when all ghould be preparing for what is
coming on the earth. It is not o·nly neC6ssa.ry to have the preparation
needed to stand when the judgmen.ts of God shall be poure(1 out "un-
mixed with mercy," but also to be able to have part in the "refreshing"
and la.st great work before the clo·se of probation. The gospel must
"be preached in a,l1 the world for a witness unto all nations." Mani\'
will not listen to our words, t.here!()re, what. kind of witness do we
bear in our lives' What is the witnellS g'iven by our words, biy our
dress, hy our dep01·tment, by our work and by all tllat we i!o and
are'
--
Every Sabbath Sehool tear.her should eontiJma.lly seek wisdom from
abovE' so tllat we may: '"'!Jet our kssons' he appropriate for thE'
(1::1Y in whieh we livc, ani! let our reliP'10us in.struetion hE' given ill
areonlallee with tIle me·ss.1grs Clod ·SE'llds." -6'1' 128.

GENERAL CONFERENCE SABBATH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.

R,::Ihhath Srhoo] Lesson Qua/rtcrl~', "Obtaining the Chl'istlTi("p-Charact:Pi·"

for January to March 1971, is pUblished by the Sevellth Da~' Adventist
Reform Movement General Confercnce,-~1~i1ing Adq.ress: Box i112.
Blackwpp~, ~,J 080l2, USA,
 Lesson No.1 Sabbath, January 2, 1971.
THE GODLY HOME
Questions:
1. What kind of home IUd the Lord est.ablish for the first couple,
and wlhat does He thereby want to teach us? Gen. 2:8.
NOTE: " . . , Let them remember that the hom~ on earth is to
be a. symbol of and a pl'eplLra:tion for th~ home in heaven. Life is
a training school, fTom which parents and ch~ldren are to be gradu·
ated to the higher school ill the mansQons of God. As the location
for a home is Bought let this lmrposc direct the choice , ," -MH 363.
2. Under what circumstances did Jesus come to this world and live
bere? Ma.tthew 13:53-55; 2 Corinthians 8:9.
NOTE: I I An expcJl<live dwelling, elaborate furnishings, display, lux·
ury, Mid case, do not fUTnish tiLe conditions essential to a happy,
useful life. J esllS came to this earth to accomplish the greatest wOl'k
ever accomplished among men. He c,ame as God's ambassadoT, to
show us how to live ·so as to secure life's best results. Whait were
the conditions chosen by the infinite Father fool' His Son ~ A secluded
home in the Galilean hills; a household sustained, by honest, self·
respecting k'1.bol·; . . ." -MH 3&5. .
3. How did Christ answer one' of His followers Who came to Him
with ambitious purposes? Matthew 8:19,20.
NOTE: "How much means is expended for things that a.re mel'e
idols, things that engross thought altd time and strength which should
be· put to a higher use! How much money is wasted on expens~ve
houses and furniture, on selfish pleasures, luxurious and unwholesome
food, hUl'tful! indulgences I How much is s,quandered on gifts toot
benefit no one!. "-MYP 320,321.
, I In the line of furniture, do not purchase one a<rticle merel,}'
to make 11 show. Get things that will be usef.ul, and ·that will
bear handling. Educa·te the people to pra.etice S)Clf-delliaL Let it be
cOllsidoroo that eve.ry dolla·r may repl'l~.~\nt .a soul,~ far someOlW
miglLt be brought to a knowledge of the truth through the use of
that dollar ill,- tlW missionary worl> . . . " -TM 179. /Aa ~ a-L
.~/qj,V ~~9t"f~ ~~~. - e.'Z(;:/
4. What should chJl,racterize our homes? Against what shouln 'we
guard and of what should we think whtm furni1lihing our homes?
1 John 2:15,1; Hebrews ~ M ~ .,t,,~~~/,
~~l~ta p]aiILJ1~~d SilllPlici(~o:it~:a~'k ~iings
and apparel of all who believe the solemn u'uths for this time. All
-3-
means needlessly expended in dress or in the adorning of our houses
ig a, waste ofl our Lord's moneYi It· ill defrauding the cause of God
fox the gratification of pl:ide . . . ~' -5T 189. (MYP 315.)
"Let the homemakeI'll resolve' to live on a wiBer plan. Let it be
your first aim to make a. pleasant home. :ije sure to pro.vide the
fllcilities that will lighten la·bor and promote health and com·ort.
Plan for the entertainment of the guests whom Christ has bidden
us welcome, and of whom Hc says, 'rilasmuch as ye have done it unto
one of the least of these My Brethren, ye have done it unto Me.'
M~tthew 25 :40." -MH 369,370.
5. What should mark a Christian life? 1 COrinthians 14:40. f'~.~
~.~""7~~
NOTE: "The truth of GoQ will never degrade, ~t will elevate the
receiver, I'efilie his taste, sanctify his judgment, a.nd pe.rfect him
for the company of the pure and holy :llIll:els in the kingdom of
God . . ." -1T 415. .
6. ·Wha.t instructions were given to the Jewish people before the #...
Lord descended upon Mount Sinai? -;, E%. 19:1!Ml.14. Ofi;.-n&<A'~
',(,;;;~~"o/~ .dt4<>~<o<~ Hol4~
NO''I''E. "The necc,8"sity of personal cleanlinells 'was au t in the
-:;JCW""-'
tfI' d;,'.
most impressive manner. Before gathering at Mount Sinai to. listen "'-
to the proclamation of the law of God, the people were required
to wash both. their persons and their clothing. This d.i!'ect'ion
was enforced on pain of death. No impurity was to be tolerated in the
presence of God." -MH 279.
7. What instructions were given to Israel duririg the.tr stay" in
tJ1e wilderness? Deut. 23:9-14:. 0&. ~ .'Q~
NOTE: "In the teaching that God 'gave to I8orael, the preservation
of health received car'eful attention. The people who had come from
slavery with the un.cleanly and unhealthful habits wh,ich it engenders,
were su'bjected to the fstric'est training in the wilderness before
entering Canaan.. Health principles were taught and sanitary laws
enforced," -MH 277.
" . . the strictest regard to cleanliness was required both within
and without their tents. No refuse was allowed to remain within or
about the ·lmcampment. The Lord said: 'l'he Lo·rd thy God walketh
in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies
before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy.' Deuteronomy 23:14.. " /'
-~b~d., 279,28?A2!1':'?;;V~3':" d- u~u<. .h ~2:~j "'d:/lfI.eIJ..it.<Jo
~WhPi~n&war mu8t'th\W·~~, ~ h~wif(~ 7.;i IJ
influence our attitude to ,~eanlineliS?" EpII: 4:23,24..~ ~ 4v'
NOTE: "Believers should be taught :tha\ .even though they Ulay be .
poor, they need not be uncleanly or uiLtidy in their pel"llons or in their
homes. Help must be given in this li\Le to those who seem to· have
no lense of the meaning and importance of cleanliness. They are Too
be taught tha.t those who are to represent thc high and holy God
mmrt keep thear souls pure and clean, and that this purity must extend
to their dress, and to evcl'ytJllng in thc home, so that the ministering
a:ngelB will have evidence that the truth, has w.rought a ch'ange in the
life, purifying the soul and I'efining the tastes. Those who, after
receiving the tl'uth, make· no change in wor·d 0.1' deportment, in dreJls
or surroundings, are living to themselves, not to Ch.rist. They have
not been created anew in Christ Jesus unto purification and holi-
ness." -CH 101,102. (AH 21,22,)
9. What results from unclea.nUness?
NOTE: I I Every form o,f unclean'1iness tends to disease. Death-
producing germs abound in da.rk, neglected corners, in decaying l' efu.se,
in dampness and mold and must. No waste vegeta-bles 0.1' heaps of
f:allen leaves should be allowed to remain neal' the house to decay
and poison the ad.r. Nothing uncle.~l1l or decaying should be toler-
ated within the home . . ." -MH 276. 1"~ U'tJ_ b ~
~~':f..l!4tkv2A~./~ ~<L-'~,~
10. W'hf do&! the Lord repeat to us the' instructions formerly given f!~
to Is~ael? I Corint'hfam~ 10:11. ~".£l?tt.m1J~'tA!o~~~.tUgftn
.NOTE: I I Spccial directiOlI was given to the armies of IsraeI that
everything in and around their tents should be cIea,n ::md orderly,
lest the angel of th.e Lord, passing through th.e el1ca.mpment, should
see their un.clea,nuess. Would the Lord be, particular to notice these
things? He WOUld; for the f,act is stated, lest in seeing tlleir un-
cleanness, He could not go fonvard with theh al1'mies to battle.
"He' who was so particular tha t the child!J'en of Israel should
che.rish habits of cleanliness, will not sanction any impurity :in the
homes of His peo,ple today. God looks with disfavour on uncleanness
of any kind ;. . ." -CH 101.
I I Some a.re very untidy in person. They need to be guided by
the Holy Spill'it to prepare for a pUl'e and holy heave11J . ." -Ibid., 10·2.

11. nan we expect God's angels to come to OUr dwellings it we indulge

in unc1ei3.11l1ness and digo·rder?
NOTE: "Order is hoovcn's fhst law, and the Lord desires His peop.]e
to give in their homes a representation of the order aoo harmony that
pervade the heavenly e.onrts. Truth never places her delicate feet
in a path of uncleanll.ess 01' impurity. Truth does' not make men
and women coarse 01' rough and untidy. It raises all who accept
it to a high level. Under Christ's influence, a work of constant
refinement goe·s on." -CH 101.
" . . . How cam we invite Him into our homes unless 1111 i.s
.n.eat and clean and pure'" -Ibid.
-5-
Lesson No.2 Babb.a.th, January 9, 1971.

REPRESENTING CHRIST IN OUR OUTWARD APPEARANCE

Questions:
1. How aJ:e Christians set forth in this world? 1 Cor. 4,:9,; 2 Cor. 3:2,3.
NOTE: "The power of <a higher, purer, nobler life is our great need,
The 'wo<rld is watching to see what fruit is borne by profcsse'll Christians.
It has a right to look for self-denial and sc]f'-sa,crifice from those who
believe advanced truth. It is watching, ready to criticize with keenness
and seYerity our words and acts, Every{)ne who arts a part in the
wOil'k of God is weighecl ill the scales of huma~ discernment. Im-
pressions favorahle or unfavora,bJe to Biblc religion aTe constantl~'
being made on the minds of all with whom we hav'e to do." -CT 324,
2. What does our way of dressing reveal? 1 John 2:15,16.
NOTE: "A person's chaJ'acter is judged by his st,yle' of dress. A
refined taste, a cultivatecl mind, will be revealed in the choice of
simple and a,ppropriate attire , , ," -Ed 248.
" , . . Tllel'e aTe few who understaJld t1]eir own hearts. The
vain and trifling lovers of fushion ma.y claim to be followers 'of
Chl'ist; but their dress 1m'll conversation show what occupies the
mind and engages the affections. ThC>lr lives betN1Y the;,r friendship fOl'
the wOTld, and it cklims them as Hs own." -MYP 355.
3. What does the Bible teach on this point? When should we
especfally think about our clothing? 1 Tim. 2:9,10.

NOTE: "The Bible teachoo modesty in dress. 'In like ma.nller

also, that women Itdol'n themselves in modest apparel.' 1 Tim. 2':9,
T'hi;; forbids display in dress, gaudy eolors, profuse ornamentatio.n.
Any device designed to attract attention to the wearel' O<l' to excite
admiration is exclucled from the modest 'lpparel which God's wonl
enjoins." -MYP 351. .
" . In their dress they avoid snperfluity and display; but
their clothing will be nea,t, no,t gaudy, modest, and arranged upon
the pcrsoll with orde.1' a11(l taste. Especial care will be takcm to· dress
ill a mallllor th.a.t will show a saered r'eg:nd for the holy Snbba,th
:llld the worship of God. ,. -Ihid., 349.

4. How does the Lord regard His people, if they dress according
to the world? Isaiah 3:16-26.
NOTE: "Young a,ncl aIel, Gael is now testing you. You al'e decidiug
your own etel'llal destiny. Your pride, your love to follow thc fashiOlls
of the world, your vain .and empty conversation, your selfishness, arc
all put in the scale, and the weight of evil is tearfully against ~·ou.
-6-
:y ou are pOD1', and miserablc, and. blind, and naked. While evil is
in~reasing and taking deep root, it is choking the good seed which
has been sown in the heart; and 800n the word that was given con-
cern!ng Eli's hOUBe. will be spo,ken to the angels of God concerning
you: Your sins t sh·all not be purged with sacrifice nor offering
forever.'. " - 1T 189,190.

5. 'Wha.t does the Lord say about adornmg, jewelry, and rings?
1 Peter 3:1-5.
NOTE: "I was shown that the peo,ple of God should not imitate
the fashions of the world. Some have done this, and are fast losing
the peculiar, holy character which should distinguish them as God's
people . . . If God's professed people had not greatly depail'ted
from Him, there would now be Q, ma:rked difference between their
dress and that of the wO'1'ld , ' . The inhabitants of ea,l'th are
growing mo're and more corrupt, and the line of distinction between
them and the Israel of God must be more plain, or the curse, which
falls upon the worldlings will f,all on God's professed people."
-IT 188,189.
" the wearing of the ring would be no evidence th.at we
were true. I feel deeply ove,r this leavening process which seems
to be going on among us, in th,e conformity to CUBtom and fashion.
Not one pelLJIy should be spent for a chclet of gold to testify that
we aJ'e manie.d. In countries where the custom is imperative, we have
no burden to condemn those who have their marria'ge ring; let them
wea:r it if they can do so conscientiously; but let not our missio,naries
feel that the wea.ring of the ring will increaS.e their influence one jot
or tittle . . ." -TM 181.
,t • • • Let those who ha.ve had experience Bee to, it that they
do not lead others aoBtray on tMs point b~ their example. That ring
eneireling your finger may be ve'ry plain, but it is useless, and the
wearing of it has a wrong influence upon others." --4T 630.

6. WitJ1 what thoughts should we study this part of our Christian

life? What does the LO'1'd regud, and what is very precious in
IDs sight? Rev. 3:15; 1 Peter 3:3,4.

NOTE: . Dear friends, do not deceive yourselves concerning

your condition. You cannot deceive God. Says the T,rue Witness:
t I know thy works.' The third angel iSI leading up a. people, step by
step, high'er and higher. At overy step they will be tested." -IT 190.
"It is not your dress, that makes you of value in the Lo,rd's sight.
It is the inwail'd ado:rning, the graces of the Spirit, the kind word, the
thoughtful consideration for otheiJ's, that God values. Do without the
unn~ecssa,ry trimming.s, and lay aside fo'r the advancement of the
c,ause of God the means thus saved." -MYP 314.
-7-
 7. What other fault may appear, on the other hand, in the clothing
of Christians?

NOTE: " . . Look upon the class of professed Christians described,

who are clueless in tlJeir dress and personj loose ill their business
tr.allsnctions, ns thleir dress represents j coarse, uneourteous, nlld
rough ill t.heil· I11nllllNSj low in theil' e.onvel'sntiollj at the &ame t.ime
regan]illg tlwse m~sm'able traits as m:1H'I,s of tnw lmmilit.y nllcl
Ch.l'1stian life , . . ." -MYP 349.
8, What does God expect from His converted children? What do those
reveal who do not play atten17ion to the will of God on this point'?
NO'I'E: ('Our e1re~s be elenlll~·. Uncleanlillpss in e]ress is unhen.1thful,
am] thus defiling to the body and to the sou]. " -MYP 352.
" . , . The influence of bclieve'rs would be t.enfold greater
if me,n alld women who accept the t.ruth, who have beell formerly
careless a.m] sklck in their habits, woule] he so cleva tee] anel 'sanctifier]
t.hrough the t.l'uth as to observe habits of nea.tnc.ss, order, and gooe]
taste in t.h<>ir dress. Our God is a God of order, an.d He is not in
any d('gree pleased with dis.t.ra ctiOll , with £ilthin('ss, or with SilL"
-lbie]., 349,350.
" . . . But when we lose ta.ste £0]' o·rder a,nd neatll(,ss in elres~,
we vi.rtuolly leHve the huthj for t,he truth nevel' degrHd('s, hut,
elevHtes. '~Then believel'S arc negledful of their drp~s, nlld al'p ('onl'se
and rough in their mannl,rs, their influence hurts thp truth
--Ibid., 353. "If T-'j

9. What blessed influence has a Christian family that lives ac-

cording to the principles of God? 1 Peter 2:12,
NOTE: ,( The Christian home is to he an object lesson, ilIustratillg
th,e excellence of the t.rue prh1ciples of life. Such an illus'trl.l tio,n will
be a POWCIt· for good in the world. Far more powerful than :Illy
sermon call be preached is the influence of a t.nle home lIpan hum.all
hearts and lives . . ." -MH 352,
10, Is it, therefore, enough for us to observe the external forms?
What are we to do? Titus 2:14.
NOTE: « I was showll the llecessit.~, of opening the doOl's of 0111' houses
and hea,rts to the Lord. ,Vl1('ll we hegin to work in earnest for OUl'-
selves and for our families, then we shnll have help from God. I was
s'howll that, mere,l? observing the Sabbath ani! praying mOl'n,ing and
evening 01'0 ]lOt positive evidences thnt. 'we are ChristiHns. 'fhese out-
ward forms may all stric.tly he obsprvecl, a 11(1 yet t.nH' goelliness h'
Jacking. " -1T 305.

11, How seriously should we search out such defects in ourselves?

2 Corinthians 13:5,
-g.......
NOTE: "We shouta' not try to 1essen our guiit by excm;lllg sin.
We must accept God's estima.te of sin, alld that is heavy ill deed . "
-:MB 116.

Lesson No. 3 Sa.b1ba1l1l, January 16, 1971.

COUNSEL FOR THE CHURCH

QUestiOWl:
1. To what did the apostle Pau.l call the attention of the be-
lievers? How should tlley serve the Lord? Col. 3:8-10; 1 John 2:6.
2. What did the Lord also enjoin on IDs disciples? John 13:34.
NO'1'B: "Afte!" the descent uf the Holy Spi!"it, when the disciples
welLt forth to proclaim a living S:lIViour, theil' one desire was the
~alva timl of souls. '1'hey rejoiced in the sweetness of communion with
saints. Th()o~' were tellder, thoughtful, self-denying, willing to make
an~, sacrll1ice fo,l' the tru,th'i> sake. In their daily association with
one Rnothel', tIH~~' 'revealed the love that Ghrist had enjoined upun
them. By unselfish words and deeds they strove to kindle this love
in othel' lwarts.
"Such a love the be!ievc.l's we·re eve!" tu che!"ish. '1'hey we!"e to
go fo!"wal'd in willing obedience to the new commandment ,
AA 547.
3. Ins·ten.d. of this love, what is often witnessed among believers?
James 3: 14-16.
NOTB: "The 10\'e which shou:1d exist uet\\'een chu!"ch JIIellluel's
frequently gives place to criticism and censure; a~ld these appeaJ:,
eyell in the religious excrcises, in reflections and severe personal
thnlsts, Such things should not be countenanced by ministers, elde!"s,
01' ]Jeople , . ," --4'1' 488,489.
" , , , '1'he TO.Ot of bitterness, envy, dist!"ust, jealous,)', anll
cven hatred, which exists in the hearts of SOllie chu!"ch JIIemuers,
is the work of Satan. Such elements have a· ]JOiSOIlOUS influence
upon the church. "-Ibid.

4. What an we in danger of becoming, if the love of Christ does

llot abide in our hearts?
NO~'B: Unless we daily cultivate the pl'ecious plant of luve
we are in da~lger of becoming narrow, unsympathetic, bigo,tec1, :lnd
critical, esteeming ourselves. righteous when we are far from being
approved of God. Some are uneonrteous, abrupt, and hal'sh. '1'hey
-9-
are Hke ohostnut burs: they prlck whell,ever touched. Theso do
incalculable ha~m by misropresenting o~ loving Saviour." -5'1' 605.
6. By what spirit are some of the believers controlled? Mat. 7:3-5;
18:~35.

NOTE: " . . . When one errs, others too oHen feel at liberty to
make the case appear as ba.d as possible. Those who perhaps are
guilty of fully as great sins in somo CYth'er dueetion, will treat their
bmther with cruel severity. Errors committed through ignorance,
thoughtlessness, or weakness are exaggerated into willful, premedi-
tated sin . . "-5'1' 605.
6. What is one of thll greatest dangers to tile chureh of Ohrlst?
Jerem1ah 4:1.4.
NOTE: "It is not the opposition of the wodd that most endangers
the church of Christ. It is the evil cherished in the heart,s of bolie'vers
~hat works their mOllt gr~evous dillaste.r and moot surely retards
the progtroos otf God's cause. There is no 8~er way of weakoning
8piritualit/Y than by ohorillhing eJl;vy, Buspicion, faultfi.nding, and
evil 8urmillling.. . ." -AA 549.
7. Besides weakening our spirttual life, what else do slander and
gossip cause in the clnUt'clJ,? What does the Word of God say we
should do with those who indulge these evils? Proverbs 20:19.
NOTE: "An earnest effort shonld be made in every (~hurch to put
away evi~p'j3aking and a ce'I1Borious spirit. as among the sins pro-
ductive of the greatest evils in the churCh. Severity and faultfinding
must be rebluked as the workings of Satan. Mu'tual love and con-
fidence must be encouraged and stl'engthened in the members of the
cJlUreh. Let all, in th,e fear of God and with love to their brethren,
cJose theLr ears to gossip and censure. Direct the talebearer to th.e
teltchdngs of God's word. Bid him obey the Sc,riptures and carry
Ids complaint direcltly to those whom ho thinks in error. This
united a,(')t.iol~ would bring a flood of light into the church anti
~lose the door to a flood of evil . . ." -5'1' 609,610.
8. What will be the end of ,the sland~er? Will the righteousness
ot Ohr1st cover those who have this defect of character? Ps. 15:1-3"
NOTE: " . . . Here the baekbiter is excluded fil'om abiding in
the tabernacle of God and dwelling in the holy hill of Zion. He' thlllt
¥~6th ~p a re'p.roacb ~lrd~n~ hi., neigihbour cannot rec,Olive tlhe
approval of Go~." .--5'1' 615.
9. What defect of ahancter does Satan know how to use to his
adva.ntage7 How does the Spirit of Prophecy classify those
who do 90'1

-10-
NO'l'E: "i saw t1iat sonIc aie witliering spiritually. 'l'hey flave'
lived some time watching to, keep their lJ·rethren straight ~ watchillg
for every fault to make trouble with them. And while doing this,
their minds are !lot on God, !lor on heaven, nor o,n the trutll; but
just whc're Sa.tan wants them ~ on someone else. Their souls are
!Ieglected; they seldom see 0'1' feel their own faults, for they have
had enough to do to watch the faults of othei:s withollt so much
liS lookillg :to their own souls 01' selB'ching their OWJI hearts. A
person's (lress, bo·nnet, or apl"on takes theLr attentiOlL They must
talk to this one or thoat one, and it is sufficien.t to dwell upon for
weeks . . . " -IT 145,
" . , , '1'here has ever been a class )))'ofessing godliness, who,
instead of following on to kno,w the tJ'uth, make it their religion
to seek some fault of chal'lwter or enor of faith in those with
wholll they do not agJ"ee. Such are Satan's right-hand helpers.
Accusers of the brethren are not few, and they are ahvays active , ."
-Great Controversy 519,
10, What will be the result if we try to find defects in others?
NOTE: " . , , '1'he very act of looking for evil in others develops
evil in t1lO:se Who look. B~ dwelling upon the fau(lts of others, we
axe changed into the same image "~MH 492.

11. What example did our Siaviour give us also on this point? Isaiah
42:19,20.
NO'1'E: ' " . , , I saw that all the religion a few pOOl' souls ha,ve
CO~lsastsin watching the goa.rments and acts of o,thm's, and finding
fault with them. Unless they refOl'm, there will be no pla.ce in heaven
for them, for they would find fault with the Lord H.imself." -1'1' 145.
12. Instead of dwelling upon the f;tults of others, what should we do?
Psalms 37:37. -
NOTE: "Cultivate the habit of speaking well of others, Dwell upon
the good rtlU,alities of those with whom you associate, amd see as
little as possible of their errors and failings. When tempted to COlll-
plain of what someone has: saiel 01' dOlle, praise somethiJlg in that per-
SOil'S life or ch,aracter , . ," -i\1:H 492.

Lesson No.4 sabbath, Ja.nuary 23, 1971.

DANGERS FOR THE CHURCH
Questions:
1. Wihat instruction did the apostle Paul give about our words?
Ephesians 4:29.
NO'l'E: "Not one \Yard is to Le spoken unadvisedly. No evil speaking,
no hivoJous talk, no fl'etful repining or impure sugg.estion, will escape
-11-
the lips of hllll who Is foilowlng Christ. The apostie Paui, writing
b:>, the Holy Spirit, says, 'Let no corl'upt COlllDluuie;ation pToceed out
of your mouth.' Eph. 4:29. A corrupt communication does not mell,n
only words that are vile. It means allY expression contrary to h.oJy
principles u>nd pure and undefiled religion . . ." -COL 337.
2. What importance does conversation have in Ohristian life? JaJnes
3:2.
3. What did the Saviour say about our words? Matthew 12:34-37.
NOTE: "'fhe tenor of the conversation reveals the treasure of the
heart. The cheap, comlllon talk, the wo.rds of flattel'y, the foolish
witticiem, spokeu to cJ'eate a I,augh, aJ'e the merchandise of Satan,
and all who indulge in this talk al'e trading in his goo.de All these
transactions an'e recorded in the books of heaven; alld at the last
great day 'chey will appear in thej,r true light before the guilty ones.
Thon all will discel'lL in them the alluring, deceptive workings of the
devil, to lead them iuto tIle b~'oad road and the 'wide ga<te that o,penll to
their ruin." -'fM 84,85.
4, What ins·truction did the Saviour give in His sermon on the
m.ount? Willo will stand on the- sea of glass? Mat. 5:37; Rev.
14:1,5; 16:2.
NOTE: " . , . In the light of these scriptures the wOTds of Chl'ist
upon the mount a,re seen to condemn jeliting, tl'if~ing, aud unchaste
convenlation. They require tha,t our words should be not only
truthful, but pure.
"Those who, have learned of CIll'ist will 'have no fellowship
with the unfruitfUl works of darkness.' EphClSiians 5 :11. In speech,
as in li:f:'e, they will be simple, straiglltfonvard, lIind true; for they
a,re preparing for the fellowship of those 110ly ones in whose mouth
'was found no guile.' Revelation 14:5," -MB 69.
5. How do some people speak? What is the influence of theu-
words? Does hooven approve of tlUll? P.rov. 12:17-19.
NOTE: "My brethl'en, walk firmly, decidedly, ;your feet shod witlI
th~ prepa'Tation of the gospel of peace. You may be sure t.h~t pure
and undefiled religion is not a sensational religion , , ," -GW 305.
" . . , Their words should never cut. They should present
the tru.th in humili.ty, with the deepest love fo!' souls and an earnest
deaire for their salvat,ion, and let tILe truth cut. " - 3 T 218.
(GW 377.)
" . It is our work to speak tile truth in love and not
to mix in with the truth the unsallctificd clements of the nat.ura,l
heart R!l'd speak things that savor of the saUle spirit possessed by
o:u,r enemies, All sharp thl'U.·ts will come back UpOll us in double
measure when the power is in th,e hands of those who ca.n exercise
it for injuxy " - 9 T 241. (GW 326.)
-Ia-
 6. What is the duty ot every sincere follower of Christ? Tit.. 2:7,1l.
NOTE: " . . . Oh, tha:t WE) might coilfrol OUl' words and actions!
How stJrong we would becom'e if our ~o,rds were of such an order
that we would not be ashamed to meet the. reco.rd of them in the
day of judgment. How dift'erent will' t.hey "ppear in t.he day of
God f~'om what they seem 'when we ·ut.ter them. -Review and Herald,
February 27, 1913." -MYP 328.
"Upon every family, upon. every, . individual Ch,ristian, is laid
the dut.y of barring the way agajnst :CQr.rupt speech. When in t.he
company of those who indulgCl,iii. foolfsh talk, it is our duty to
change UIC subject of conversation if ppssible. By t.he help of thc
gl'ace of God we shO'1lld qUietl'y d,roop ,yords or introduce a subject
t.hat. will turn the conversatiol1,.into a, pro}'itnble channel." -COL 337.
7. Against what other sin did Ohrist· warn His followers? What is
it that leads to the substitution· ot human traditions for he
wo.rship? Luke 12:1.':
NOTE: "The hypocl'isy of the Phal'isees wa~ t.he product of self,
seeking. The glorifiea,tion of t.hellJsel~'e.s was t.he object. of t.heir
If,V'es, It. was this t.hat led t.hem to pervert. and mis:lpply t.he Scrip'
tures . , ." -DA 409.
" . , .It. is thc love of self, the '(lesil'e fo,r all easier wny j:hnn
God has appointed t.hat leads to the 'Bu.bst.it.ut.ion of humr.n t.heories
.:Ind traditions fo,r t.he dhrill(j precept.S'. To His own disciples the
wal'1ling words olf CI1rist are spoken, I Take heed and beware of the
leaven o,f the Phai'isees.'" -Ibid,
8. From whom sihould we keep away? 2 Thes. 3:6.
NOTE: "Whenever the message of t.r,u~h comes llOl!11e to souls wit.h
special power, Sat.a.n sti<1's up ·his agents to. start a dispute over some
millo,r question. Thus he seeks to attr;lct attention from the rea]
it-sue. Whenever a, good work is begun,._ the.re are cavile.rs ready to
enter into dispute over forms 01' technic:lIities, to draw minds away
~rom the living realities. When it appea,rs that God is about. t.o
\\'ork in a .special manner. for His peo,ple, let. them not be enticed
into a cont,roversy that will work only ruin of souls . . ," -DA 396.
9. With whom is fanaticism revealed?' Rom'ans 16:17,18.
RO'I'E: "In every age
"
Satan has' sought t.o impa ir tho effOl·ts 01'
God's SeJ'Y3nts by intrOducing into· the church a spirit of fanaticism,
'l'1'.us it W:'$ in Paul's day, and thus it ,vas in later cent.uries during
thf' time of the Refo.l'mation. Wyclitfe, Luther, lIiIld many others
\\'ho blessed the world by their influence and their faith, encountered
the wiles by which t.he enemy s('ek s to I.ead into fanaticism overzealous,
unh.::tlanced, and uns~ll1ct.dfied minds . . . " -AA 348.
(. '

10. In what is fanatdcism revealed? i·2 Timothy ':5,4.

-13-
',",
NOTE: " . . . Lutlwr also, suffered great perplexity' and distress
from the course of fanatical persons who claimed that God had spoken
directly tlll'ough them, mHI who therefore set' their own ideas a,nd
opinions above ~he. testimony of the. Scriptures . . ." -GC 396.
"God is leadi;lg out. a people, liot a few separate individuals
here an,d there, one believing tlllis thing, another that. Angels of
God a1'Co doing the work committed to their trust. The thhd a.ngel is
l'eading out and purifying a people, and they should move with· 11im
unitedly. Some J'un cheae] of the angels that are leading this peo]110;
but they have to J'etrace every st.ep, alld meekly follo,\\' no faster
than the angels lead . " But some J'Costless sphits do not morC'
.than half do up th.eir work. As the angel leads thC'm, the'Y get in
haste for something new, and I'ush on without eli"in(' guidance', aml
thus bring confllsion :I!ld discord into the rank."!. 'rhey do not speak
or a,ct in hal'JJlOny with the· body . . . " -IT 207,
11. What wanJing was given to some people tJ1rough the Spirit of
Prophecy? What did they think of themselves?
NO'l'E: " . . , 'l'he enemy has been seeking your· destruction, mId
endeavouring to influence others tl1.1'0ugh you.. I saw t.hat. you hotll
take an exalted position that God has never assigned ~'ou, ane] tlwt
~qJl, both cOI~ider YollJ'°elves far in advance of the people of God.
r,saw you looking to Battlc Creek with j0310us~' aml suspirioll. You
would place YOUl' hands in thc~'e, and mold their ncts and (loing~
to what you consider would be I'ight. You are noticing lit.t.ll' thing'R
t.hllt you do not unde-l'stand, tlwt you have not· the least t.o do wit.h,
and that in do way concern you '. . . ." -1'1' 204.
" . . You have an 31ppea.rance ·of 'humility, an.d this lws influenee
with othel's, and leads them to think tha,t you a,re ill!' llclvanced in the
Christian lif'e; but when your peculiar no.tj.oI18 are t.ol:ched, self
r,ises alt once, and you manifest a willful, s,tubbol'1l spi.rit. 'fhis is
a sure evidence that you e]o Il0t possess true humility." -Ibid.
" . . . A fanatical spirit is with· you, that you take to be
God's Spirit. You :l:re deceived . . ." -Ibid., 208.
12. Of w:h:at should God's serVants beware? What. are they to do?
1 Timothy 6:11,12; 2 Timothy 2:14,15.
NOTE: "I saw the- necessity of the messengers, c.specilllly, watc,hing'
ane] checking all ianllt.icism whCJ'ever they might see it arise. Satan
is l)l'essing in on every sie]e, llnd unless we ,wl,tch fo]' him, anel
have our eyes open to his dl}vicC's,and, snnl'es, and haTe 011 t,he wholl'
a!'mor of Goel, the fier.\' elart.s of thll.wicked will hit liS . . , " -EW 63.
" Let not. hUJIlllll ·reMlOnillg be placed whl'l'e s:lllrtif;\'ing
t.rut.ll shoule] be . . .". -GvV 308.
"Let us go to the wOI'd of God for guid03llce, Let, 11~ sC'C'k for :l
"rhus saith the Lo]'e1":' We ·have had enough of humllll Jl]l'thoels. "
-1biel., 310.
-H--
13. Who alone can distinguish the troth in its p\lrity? Rom. 12:2;
Psalms 119:18.
NOTE:" . Only the mind und heart cleansed by t,he BallcU-
ffiealtion of' the FJpirit eun disef'm heavenly things." ,-GW 310.

Leson No. fi Sabba.th, January 30, 1971.

CAUTIONS AGAINST PRIDE AND JEALOUSY ;

Qu.eStions:
1. Who first conceived pride? What does the Lord say about
this trait of character? Eze. 28:17; Provo 8:13.
NOTE: " 'fh61'e is no pride so dangerous as spiritual pride."
-TM 109.
a What is the influence of ~his trait of character upon the soul?
What should we bear in mind in order to avoid pride in our
hearts? Proverbs 16:18:
NOTE: ," . .( . ;Spiritual pride eats out tJJe vitals of l'Blig1lln.
In o]'{ll'l' to presHrve humility, it would be well to remember how we
nppear in the sight of a holy God, who rea(Js every secret. of t.he soul,
and how we should appeal' in the sight of our fellow men if t.hey fill
knew us as well as God knows us. For t.his reason, to huml'le LIS,
we are directed to confess our faults, an~l improve this opport.unity
t.o subdue oui' pride." -3'1' 211.
:I. What will be the end of those who do not overcome this trait
of chlll1'acter? Malachi 4':1.
NO'rE: "I saw that God hates pride, and that all 'the proud al~d
all that do wickedly shall be stuhble, and the day that cometh Ilh,:111
burn them up. I saw that the third angel;s message must yet work
like leaven upon many hearts that profess to believe it, am} purge
away pride, selfishness, covetousness, aJl(} Jove of the world." '-
1T 132,133.
4. What warning are we given against presumption and boasting?
Psalms 19:13. '.
NO'fE: "Often when Satan ha,s failed PI exciting distrust, he sue-
cpeds in leading us to presumption. If he can cause Us to place OUT-
sl'lves unnecessarily in the way of temptation, he knows that the
victory is his. God will pres'erve all who waHe in the path of obedi-
ellce; hut to' depart fTom it is to venture on Satan '8 gt'OUlld. 'fhere
we RTe SUT!' to fall . . ." -DA 126.
I
R. Who first acted presumptUOUsly? . Why does he tempt the be-
lievers ·~o ~.ndulge self-su,lIiciency? ~saiah 14:13,14.
,
, -15-
NOTE: " . . . '1'hel'e can be no presumption more f':ltal tha'n tJlat
which lenas lIlen t.o vellt.ul't' upon a coul'se of self-pleasing . . ."
-'l'est.imoJdes to Ministers J03.
" . . . He (Sn'bn) will try ol'ory device, alld if tho suiJ:icds
P;f these temptations do not seek God, they will be blillded to h.is
deceptions, and will be self-confident, self-sufficient, nnd in ignoraJlce
of their condition 31ld dangel' . . .' ~ -MYP 86.
6. Wha.t was the ea:use of Saul's 'ruin? 1 Sam. 15:17-19,22,30.
NOTE: " . . . Saul presumed upon his exaltation, anel dishonou.l'eel
God by unbelief am] disobeelienee. '1'hough when first calleel to the
throne he ",as humble and self-elish'ustful, success maele him self-con-
fielent. The ve·ry fil'st victory of his reigll had Id-)ldleel that pride ,)I
heart which was his grea,test danger . . . 'rhe peo,ple honorer] their
king, forgetting that he Wns but the ngent by whom Goel hna w.l'ougbt;
and though at first S::ml nscribeel the glO1'y to God', he nfterwnrd took
honor to himself . . . 'rhus the way'. was prepareel for his Hin of
presumption and sacrilege nt Gilg.nl. Th:e !'lnme hlind seli-confidellce
IN1 him to l'ejeet Samuel's repJ'oof . . . ." -PP 633.
7.• What was Solomon's disposition when he became a king? What
was the cause of his ruin? 1 Kings 3:7.
NOTE: "By en.ruest prayel' nnd dependenee upon· God, Solomon ob-
tnined the wiselom whieh excited the wonder nnd nr]mirnt;ion of thp
world. Bu,t whell he tUl'lled f"om the. Source of ]ds strength, :11Ir]
went forwn,l'd relying upon himself, he fell a prey to tenlptntion. "
-Gl'eat Controversy, 509.
8. What do Solomon and James say about envy? What should we
lmow about this trait of character? PrOT. 27:01; James 3:16.
NOTE: ''< • . . Envy is one of the most sataGlic traits tha t can
~ist in the humau hem·t., and it is one oj' the most baleful i.n its
effect.s. Says t.he wise man, 'Wrath is cruel, and anger is out.rageous;
but who is a.ble to stand before envy¥' P.royel'l)!! 27:4. It was envy
that first caused discorel in heaven, and its indulgence has wrought
untold evil among men. "Where envying nud strife is, there is con-
fusion 1111(1 Cy('r)' ('vii work.' .James 3 :'16." -pp 1\85.
9. What rose in Miriam's heart when she murmured a'gainst Moses?
Why did the Lord ~lInisJl her? N\~mbers 12:1,2,9,10.
N-OTE: "God had chosen Moses, nnr] 11{Id Pllt His Spi,-it upon him;
and :Miri:1111 nnd AI1I'on, by their mur"lurjngs, w('re guilty of {]is-
]Co)cal:ty, not. 01l1y to t.heir nppointed ]endm', but to God Himself
The elour] r]isnppenl'ed from the tnhernacle in token of Goel's a,s-
pleasure, n1l(] Miriam was smittell _ ....
"'l'his manifest.at.ion of the Lord's ,displea.sure \\'''8 ,]psigJlp,] :0
be a wa\'lling to all Israel, to cheek the 'growing spirit ,.If .lisconte-llt
and insubordination, If Miriam's envy and dissatisfaction had not
-l6-
Lecn sign,aliy relmked, It would lia ve l'esuited in gt'eat evli j J
-1>:1' ;)84,385.
10. Why was the jeaJou~y of Mirta.m a.nd Aaron excited agaillSt
Moses? NlUllPe1ll 12:2.
NO'I'E: "In the appoint,ment of the seventy elders Miriam 1I:1Id
Aaron had not bee'u' consulted, and tlieir jealous~' was excited ngaimt
Moses. At the fime of Jethro's visit, while the Israelites were un
the way to Sinai, the read~' at:eeptance by Moses of the counsel uf
his fathe·r·in·lal\" had aroused in Aaron and J\fil'iam ~t fear that his
influence with the great leader exceeded theirs. In thc organization
of the council of elders the;}' fclt that their position aud lLuthority
had been ignored . . ." -pp 382,383.
" . . Thc jndgment visitcd upon Mirimn should bc a l'ebuke to
all who yicld to jealousy, and lIlurmur against thosc upon wholll
God Jays thc burdcn of llis work." -Ibid., 386.
11. What trait of character lel1 Ko,rah, Dathan and Abi.ram to
re'bellion? NUlUbers 16: 1-3.
NO'l'E: "Jealousy had give·n rise to envy, and envy to rebellion .
-I'aitriarcha and l'rophcts 397.
;1.2. 'Nho sent Dayid to a,aul's court and WIlY? How did Sata.n try
to liinder God's plans!?' 1 Samuel 16:12,13; 18:9-11.
NO'l'E: "It \\-as the providence of God that had conuected Da.vid
with Saul. David's position at court would give him a knowledge
of affairs, in preparation for his future great.ness. It would enable
him to gain the. confide lice of the nation. 'l'he vicissitudes and
hardships which befell him, through the cnmity of Saul, would Icad
him to feel ILis dependcnce UpOll God, and to put his whole trust
in Him . . ." ._pp 649.
"Sa.ul opened his heart to thc spirit of jcalous~' by which his
soul was poisoned . . . ." -Ibid., 650.

Lesson No. 6 ,: Sabbath, February 6, 1971,

CORRECT ATTITUDE:s IN THE CHURCH
Qll eFi°D.ll:.'
1. Wliat sliould be considered as great gain in this world? 1 Tin!. 6:6,
NO'l'E: . . . If Christ is Bot in the heart, tue character will lJo
unlovcl~'.' ,-3'1' 81.
2. What sliould we beoar in mind wlien all evil trait of cha.racter
has control over us? Gftlatians 6:7.8.
NOT].;: '" Wlwtlloevc'r a Illtlll sO\\'cth, that shall he also reap.'
'What seed :Ire we scattel'ingf What will be our harvellt for time
-17-
an~1 for etend.tJ' '/
/1'0 ev,ej'y luan tJIC Master has assigned his work:
;~J accordance with his uuili,ty, A.re ,,.e sowing the ~eed of truth
and righteouslloss, or that of unbe'~of, disaffection, evil surmising,
:wu love of the world f "1'he olle, 'who scatters evil seed may discern
the uature of his work, a~ld rcpen~ and be f0l'!,>'iven . , ," '-5'J.' .129.
". To What does t.he Lord draw our attention through the apostle
Plaul? Galatians 6:2-
1\'O'l'.I~: '" Often it requires n. vast UlIlouut of time and labor
to win OJlO soul to Christ. And whon a soul -tUl'llS from sin to l'igh,t·
cousncss, tllorc is joy in the prcscncc of the angels. '1'hink you that
the millisterillg spirits who watch ovcr thcsl\ souls aro pkascd to see
how indiffcrcntly they are trcated by some who claim to be Christiaills1
Should Jesus deal with us as ,ye too often deal with one another,
who of us could be savee) f ,. -:M:H 494.
,\, What was lacking in the hearts of the Levite and the priest?
What lI1ay we also be 'jacking? Luke 10:30-32.
NOTE: "Bult there has been a.mong us as a people a. lack of deep,
eante,st, soul-touching sympathy, altd love for the tempted and the
ol'l'ing. Many have lllani1'.est~d great coldness and sinful neglect,
r-cpresented bJ' Christ a~ ,paS~\ilg by on the other side, keeping as
far as possible from those who :YlOst"need help' . . . 'We then tlwt a~'o
strong ought to bear the inf'j,l'~nities of the weak, and not to please
ourselves.' But how little ,of the pitying tenderness of Christ is mani·
fCB.ted by His professed f;ollo\~ersl '. . . " -5T 604;605.'
5. Under What conditions a,re' the blessings of God promised? What
danger ItltRy exist if we <lo' not answer this c&ll? Isa, 58:6-8;
Romans 15:1,2. ' ,
NO'rE: H • . . UHlcss'::'''~P: daily cultlv·ate the precious plaHt~
lovc we arc in dangcl' of "bocoming narrow, 'unsympathetic, bigoted,
and critical, cstccming oUl'selvcs rightcous whcn we are far from being
approvcd of God., Somc ae uncourtcous, a,brupt, :lIld harsh. They are
like chestnut burs: theJ' prick whenever touched. These do in-
calculable harm by misrepresenting ocr loving Saviour." -5'£ 605.
, 'God calls upon His people to a.rise a,nd come out of the chilling,
f'l'OSty atmospllere in which they have been IiVillg, to shake off the im·
pressions amI ideas that ha ve fr'Ozcn up thc impulses of love and helll
them in self'isll inactivity. He bids, ·them como up from their low,
e:trthly level and brcathe in the clear, sunny atmosphere of heaven."
.-Ibid., 607. '
6. What was the Lord's complaint aga.insi the church of Sardis?
What IVilI be,.the result if we cherish the same spirit? Rev. 3: l.
NOTE: "'J.'he-ll'd-monit.ion of the 'J.'rue Witncss to tho Sardis ohureh is:
''1'11011 hast a,' n()IlIC that -thou liveat, and art dead. Bc wat(',hful, and
5trel1gt.!,lell thc things which rcm.ain, that are rcady to ilie: for
I have not fpund thy works pedect before God. R~memhcr therc-

-18-
fore lion- thou iwst received aud ileard, and holcl fast, and repent.;
'L'he sin e:sl]Jecially charged agaiJIst this chul't.h is that they h,ave
not s,treng,thelled the thillgs that remain, that are ready to die.
DOl'8 this wal'1ling a;pply to us~ Let us individually examine our
!lelu-ts in t.he light of "God's' wonl, and Jet our first work be to set
our hearts in 01'(1er b~' the help of C1l1'ist." -5'f 610.
" 'WILen you indulge your own harshness of character by mani-
f1efJting a hurd, unfeeling spirit you m'e repulsing the very ones
whoUl you should win. Your harshness destro~'s their love of assembling
together and too often results in driving them from the truth. "
-Ibid., 608.
7. What will be taken into consideration on the great day of tJ1e
Lord? Matthew 25: 35,36,40,42,43:,45.
NO'fE: "Your faith'must be something more than it has heell, or
)'OU will be weighe(1. in the bala,nces and found wanting. At the
last day the final decision by the Judge, of all the earth "'ill
turJl upon our iuterost in, and practical labor for, the ueedy, the
oppressed, the temptecl, You canuot always pass these by on the
other side and yourselve,s f~nd entrance as l'edeemed sinllers into
the city of God. I Inasmuch,' says G"lll'ist, 'as ye did it not to onc
of the least of these, ye did ~t not to Me.' ,,! -5T 61'2.
8. What warning of the Lord should we heartily accept while
it is not too latei? :&evelat~on 2:4,5. -.;
NOTE: " It is not yet too late to redeem the neglects of the past.
Let there he a revival of the first love, the first ardor. Search
out the, ones you have driven away, bind up by confession the
woullds you have made. Come close to the great Heart of pitying
love, and Jet the CUl'l'ent of that clivi~Le compassion fJow into ~'our
heart anel fJ'om )'OU to the hearts of others. Let the tellclerlless and
mercy that Jesus has revc>aled in His o,wn precious life be an coxample
to liS of the nWllner in which we should treat' OILr fellow beings,
especially those who are OUl' brethrcli in Christ . . ," -51' 612.
9. What did Aaron do when two of his sons were destroyed by
fire? What were ,Aaron and his, other sons not allowed to
do, and why? Leviticns 10:1,2,4,6.
~OTE: , " . . . Aaron was silent. '1'he 'dea th of his sons, cut down
',"ithout w.:ll'lling, in so te1'1'ible a sin - a 'sin which he now ~aw
to bo the result of his 011'11 neglect of duty - wrung the father'~
heart with anguish, but he gave his feelings no expression. By nO
manifestation of:' grief must he seelll to sympathize with sin. 'rho
coug'regation must' not' be led to murlllur against Goel." -pp 361.
10. What does the Lord want to teach us through the attitude
,demanded of Aaron and his other sons? What is the' effect o'f
the false llympathy? What Is promised to' those who are faithfnl?
-19-
NOTE: " . . . In a,llllost evel'~l' wse. wilel'e reproof is necessary
there will be some who entir~ly overloo,k th.e fact that th.e Spirit
of tlte Lord has been grieYed and nis .eause reproach.cd. These will
pity those who deserve{l repl'oof, because persona.l feelings have
iJeen hurt. All this uns.ancUfied sympathy places the sympa.thizers
where they arc sharers in the guilt of the one reproved. In nine
C(lses out of ten if the one r:eproved had· been leU under a sense
,of his wrollgs, he might have :be,~n helped· to sec them :.lIld thereb~
have ueen reformed. But iJ.\ed.dlesolll.e, U1,sanctified symp-ath,izers
place altogt4l:her a wrong consiruction 'upon the 1ll0tiYes of the l'e-
prover and the ntl turc of the rllproo·f·, given, and by sympatliizing
with the aIle reproved IClId him to. feel that !Ie has becn really abused;
and his feelings rise up i-u rebellion,!\gainst the one who has only
done his duty. Tlwse who ftlith.fu'l'lQ' "discharge their unplellsant
duties undeil' :1 sense . of' their accountability to God will I'eeeive
His I.l!essing . . " -aT 359. (5T 679.)

Lesson No. 7 S&bbath, February 13, 1971.

DANGERS TfIA'flMAY::A:FFECt· THE CHURCH
QuelitJrOlii: ;~ ..
1. Of what does the apostle ·wani'. s ·-to beware? What is the
cause of many troubles and:·:·'iimitmltiC6? Hebrews 3:12\13.
NO'l'E: "Many have unsubdued, 'uliliu'mit,Icd hearts, and think morc
of their own little grievances and trials .than of the souls of sinneu·s.
If they had the glory: of" God <in vie-w,<tliey would feel for perishing
souls lIround them; . . ." -EW"-i(2o: .... ~.
- . \
"Many who profesS' the p;a~c o'CClrrlg( and claim to be looking
for His speedy coming., klloW RO,t what h" is to suffer for Christ '9
sake. Their hearts a.re not subdued by grace, a.nd th.ey are not dead
tu self, all is often shown in various \Yay.? At the saill1C time, they
n.re talking of haviIig trials.' But thc principal cause of their trials
is an unllu.bdued hca,rt, which makes self so sensitive that it is
often crossed. If snch could realize what it is to be a humble
funo,wer of Christ, a true Ohrist~all, they would begin to work in
good earnest nnd begin l'lght. 'rhey would first die to self, then be
instant in pra~'er, and check every passion of the heart . . ."
-Ibid., 113.
2. WJtat is said about .gi~ng or re.ce~V1ng prJll¥e Oil." fIatt,*y?
Whose tool. are these' evils? \V1I.4t brought David's life into
jeopa.rdy? Proverbs 2t.:28.; 1 Sa·muel. 18:7-9.
NOTE: "We need to shun "e~'el'ythil\g that would encourage pride
nnd self'swfficiency; therefore ,ve" IIh'QuJd beware o·f giving or re-
ceiving Ela,ttery or praise. It is Satan's work to Hatter. He deals
in f,lattery as well as in accusing and condemna~ion. Thus he seeks
-20-
to ivork the rUIn of the soul. Those WilO give pralBe to llIen al'e
used by Satan as his agents. Let the workers for Chriat direct
every word of praise away from tl~emsplveB.. " -COJ.. 161,162.
3. What will those become who give praise to men?
NOT.E: ' , . 'rhose who give pra<ise to llLen a.re used by Satan
all his agents. ;, COL 161,162.
4. What burden must sometimes be lifted from men and women?
How cautiousJ.y should this be done? How would praise and
flattery hinder this? I C<>rintllians 15: 10; 3:21,5-7.
NOTE: "1 have been shown that great caution should lJe used,
even when it is necessary to hft a. lmrden of oppression from men
und \\'omeH, lest t.hey hXtll to their own wisdom Ullll fuil to make God
thoir only dependence. It is Hot safe to speak in praise of persoJls
or to exaJ<t the ability of a minister of Ghrist. In the day of God,
very many will be weigheu in the balance aHd found want.ing bee-ause
of exalta,tion. 1 would wanl my ba'dhren and sisters never to flatter
persolUI b/:',cause of, their ability, for they cannot bear it. Self is
easily exalted, and, in cOIlBequcnce, pel'sons losc their balance. I
Bay ugain to my berthrell milL sisters: If )'OU 1V0uid have YOUI'
Houis clean from the blood of all mcn, never flatte,r, Ilcver p,raise
the efforts of poor llLortals; for it lllay prove thcir mill . . ."
-3'1' 185.
5. What warning did the Lord send concerning extreme sensitiveness
and related sins?
NOTE: "I saw that the Lord had given you light a·nd experience,
tha t you might Bee the sinfulness of a hasty spirit and control your
passions. So surely as you fail to do this, just so surely you will fail
of everlasting life. You must overcome this disease of the im.agin·
ation. You are extre,mcly sensitive, and if a word is spoken favoring
an opposite course from that which 'yuu havc becn pursuing, you aJ'c
hurt . . ." -2'1' 424-.
6. What should characterize all our actions? How is neglect and
unfaithfulness in seeular things regardeil by the Lord? Col. 3: 23;
I Corinthians 4: 2.
NOTE: "It is the most abhol'l'ent form of selfishness that leads
the wo,rker to neglect the improvcmcllt of time, the care of property,
because, he is Ilot directly under the eye of the master. But do such
workers imagille that their neglects are not noticed, their unf'aithfulne.9s
not recorded f Could their eyes be opened, they would see tha t a
Watcher 1000ks Oil, alld all their carelessnesg is recorded in the books
of heaven." -MYP 228.
7. What does unfaithfulness in the Cause 'of God reveal? How
does the Lord consider our unfaithtUJ.n6ss in spiritual thingS?
Luke 16:10; Matthew 25:21.
-21-
NO'l'E: i, By unfaithfuiness in ev;)n t.he slllaJiest duties, mil ii
robs his Maker of the service which is His duc. '1'his unfuitbfulllcss
reacts upon himself. He fails of gainillg the gracc, the power, tile
force of cha.racter, which ma.y be recei yed through an unreserved
surrender to God. Living apal·t from Chri&t he is subject to Satan's
temptations, and he makes mistakes in his work for the Master. Be-
Call13~ h.e is not guided by right principles in little things, he fails to
o,bey God ill the gl'ea,t matters which ho !'egards as his special work.
The defects cherished in dealing with life's minor detaih pass ill to
1110re important affairs. He acts on the principles to which he has
accustomed himself . .' ." -COL 356.
"Those who are unfaithful to the work of God al'e lacking
in principle; their motives aru not of a ehaJ'acter to lend them
to choose the rig4t ull(lel' aJ] eircums,tanccs. 'rhe servants of God
are to feel alt a.ll time,s that they al'e und.er the eye of their employer.
He who watched the sacrilegious feast of Belsha~~ar is pl'Csent in
all our iusotitutions, in the counting~room of the m,erehant, in the
private workS'llOp; and ihe bloodless hand is as surely recording
your neglect as it recorded the awful judgment of th.e. hlasphemow;
king. Belshazzar's cond,emnation "'as written in wOl1"ds of fire,
'Thou art weighed in the balances, and art f.ound wanting'; 1111d
if you fail to fulfill your God-given obligaMos your condemnation
will be the same." -MYP 229.
8. What· is tJie root of all evil? What should evCTY faithful child
of God do in this connection? 1 Timothy 6:10,11.
NO'l'E: " , Let each of those to whom' are committed s(wred
trusts inquhe: 'How do I moet the in,spection of God~ Is my heart
cleansed from its defilemenH or have its temple courts become
80 desecra:ted, so occupied with buym and se.)]m·s, that Ohrist fill(ls
no room~' The bustle of business, ~co,ntinuous ,,'ilJ dry up spiritu-
ality aJul leave the soul Cluistless . . . . " -5'£ 423.
9. What was Aeha,n's sin? Joshua 7:20',21.
NO'£B: ,( Covetousness is ::Ill evil of gradual development. Achall
had e.herislted g,reed of g:rin unt.il it became a habit, binding him
in fett<>J'os well-nigh impossible to br.:Jak. 'While fostering this evil,
he would h,ave been filled with hOlTor at the thought of· bringing J
disasrtm upon Israel; but his perceptions were deudened by sin, [(lid
when temptation came, he fell an easy proy." -PP 496.
10. How does the enemy endeavour to hinder the progres/,>' of God's
Oause in our individual and the church life?
NO'£E: "I saw that Satan bade his angels lay their sna,res especblly
for those who were looki.llg for Christ's second a·ppearing and keeping
all the commandments of God . ' . Make covetousness and love
of eaTthly tl'easures the ruling traits of their chamctcr. As long
as these traits rule, salvation and gr'acO! stand back. Crowd every
-22--
 attraction nl'ound thelll, and tilCy wlil Le surdy ours. And. 1l0t olliy
are we sure 0.£ them, but their hateful infJuelice will liOt be exercised
to lead o.thers to hea.ven. When ,LIlY shaH attempt to give, put within
them a grudging disposition, that it may be sparingly.'
"I saw that Satan cn.nies out Ius plans well . . . He leads
some in one w·ay a·nd some ill another, nlways taking adVaJltage of
evil trait.s ill t.he hretltren and sisters, excitilig and stilTing up their
natur,a.l besetments. If they are disposed to be selfish llllid covetlJUs,
Satau t.akes his sballd by their side, alid wit.h all his po,,,er seeks t.o
lead t1wm to indulge their besetting sins " - E W 366,267.
11. HoW does the Lord consider it if we act according to the rich
man in the parable? Luke 12:15~Z1.
NO'I'E: ".1<'01' the sake of makiug moneJ', mauy divorce themselves
i'rom God nlLd ignore t.heir etel'l~al ilLterest. They pursue the same
course as the I8cheming, wOl'ldly man, but God is not in this; it.
is an offense to Him. He would have them prompt to devi~e and
execlltte plans; but all business matters should be tl'D.n.&:1cted in
harmony with the gre:1t montl law of God . . ." -5T 428.

Lesson No. 8 SlabbatJi, February 20, 1971.

THE NECESSITY OF SELF-EXAMINATION

Questions:
1. What does the apostle Paul say aoout covetouSJless? Whose
example is every selfish, covetous person following? . What will
be t.heir end? Col. 3 :5.
NOTE: "Sata,n and his UlJgels mark all the me.'i'll alld cov'etous art.s
of thooe pel'so,ns n.nd present them to Jesus and His Iwly :lngels, sayillg
reproachfully, "J~hese are Christ's folloll'ers! They ~~re prepnrillg
to be trans·lated!' Satau compares their coursc wit.h passages of
Sc,ripture in which it is plainly rebuke<1 :lnd then taunts the he:wenly
angeLs, sayillg, "l'hese are following Christ and His 'Word! These arc
t.he fruit. of Christ's sacrifice illld rellt'llIptiol}!' Angels turn in dis-
{ gust froul the: scene. Goel l'equires a constau·t doing on the parr-t of
His people; aml when they become wea.ry of well·doing, He hecomes
weary of them. I saw that. He is greatly displeased with the lea.st
mUllifestatioll of selfislwess 0110 the pa.rt of His professed people.
for whom Jesus spared no.t His 011'11 precious lif~. Every selfish,
(·ovet.ous person will fallout by the way. Like Judas, who saId
his Lord, they will sell good prillciples allcl a Itoble, gCicerous dis-
positioll fur a little of earth's gain. All such will be sifted out.
from Gael's people . . ." -EW 268,269.
2. What further warning does the apostle Paul give us against
1ll1is sin which is seldom mentioned ill our times? Eph. 5:3.
-'23-
No'rE: " . . . We are as direetiy forbidden to indulge eovetolis-
ness as was Acha.n to a.ppropria.to the spoils of Jericho. God has
declared it to he idolatry. ,Ve arc warned, "Ye cannot Ecr\'e God
and mammon.' Matthew 6:24. 'Take heed, .uu.l beware of covetous-
ness.' Luke 12:15. 'Let it not be once uamed mnong you.' Bphesians
5 :3. We ha.ve before us the fearful do~m of Achau, of Ju(las, of
Allfln~as and Sapphira. Back of all these we Jia ve that of Lucifer,
the 'son of' the morning,' who, coveting a higher state, forfcited
forever the brightness and blis.s of heaven. And yet, notwithstanding
all these warnings, covetousness abounds.. " -PP 496,497.
3. What does the existence of covetousness a,nd selfislmess in us
testify? Romans 6:16. '
NOTE: "'1'0 WlWill ye yieid ;you.rsel'ves set'va.ntis to obey, bs
servauts ~'e are to whom ye obey.' - If we indulge anger, lust, covet-
ousness, hatred, selJJitlhness, or any other sin, we becon.e servau ts
of sin . ' , -MYP 114.
4. Oan God bless our e1forts in bringing seuls to the truth, while
thooe evils rule in the church?
NOTE: " . . . A ltoJy God will ~lOt In'ing out souls to the truth
to come under such an influence as. has existed in the church. Our
heavenly Father is too wise to hring souls into the truth to be
mold.ed by the in,flueuce of these men who arc unconsecrated in
heart and life. '1'hese men arc not in ha.rmony with the truth. 1'hey
are not in union· with the body, but are drawing off from the church..
They are working at cross purposes with those wholll God is usiltg
to bring souls into the truth." -4'1' 2-38. .
5. What will be the result of cultivating defects of character'!
Revel1ation 21: 27.
NOTE: '" . . . None can C11ter who are grown-up childreu, carrying
with them the disposition, th.e habits, and the charaetea'istics which
pertain to child.ren. If yOll h.ave nurturecl suspicions, criticism, tem-
per, seU-dignity, you can not be a'dmittedj for you would spoH
the feast. All who go in through this door have on the wedding
garmel't, woven in the loom of heaven . . " -The- Review
alld Herald, April 11, 1899. (ISM 110)
6. If the professed children of God do not overcome. their defects
of chaJ:acteiT, how will these a,ppear before them on the day of
judgment?
NOTE: "The gre3!t flay of the execution of God's judgment seemed
to h.ave come. Ten thousand times teal thousand were assembled
beflore a large throne, upon which was seated a person of majestic
appearance. Several books we-re bpfore Him, and upon -the COVQ,1'S
of each was written in letters of /{o;ld, which seemed lIke a burning
flame of fire: 'Ledger of Heaven.' One of these hooks, containing
-the names. of those who claim to believe the truth, was then opelled.
-24-
 Immediately I 10'8t sight of the countless mi Ilions albout the th,rone,
and only those who were professedJ~' children of the light and of
the truth engaged my attention. As these persons were named, one
!Jy 01'0, and thcir guod deeds ment.ioned, .their ('ounton,ances would
light up wi·" a holy joy that was ,reflectel] ill every direction. Bu~
this did not seeUl to rest upon my mind with the greate.-;t force.
"Another boa,1t wa's opened, where~n were recorded the sins of
tho'8e who profess the truth. U 1.der fhe genel'a I heading of selfishness
came every othcr sin. There were also headings oveor every c01umn,
a.nd underne::lth these, opposite ea.eh name, were ,reconled, in their l
l'.espective CO,]UDlllS, the lesser sins.
"Under covetousness came falsehood, theft, robbery, frlilHI, ll1ld
avarice; unde,r ambition came pride IIIH] extravag'::IJ1Ce; jealous~'
stuod at the he~d of malice, envy, and hatred; alHI intemper&.nce
headed a long list of fearful crimes, such as lasciviousne.ss, ad.ultery,
indulgence o,f a~lima.J pass'ions, etc. As I beheld I was filled with in-
expressible anguish and exclaimed: ',"Vho cau be saved ~ who will etand
justified before God ~ whose J'obes are spotless~ who are faultlees
in the sigllt of a pme and holy God l'
., As the Holy One upon the throne slowly turned the lerwes
of the leilgew, a'nd His eyes r('sted for a moment upon i:](lividuals,
His glance seemed to burn into thei.!' very souls, and (It the sa.me
moment every word and action of' their lives passclI before theu'
minds as clearly as though tra.ccd hefo.re t,heir vision in lotlc,'[[ of
fire. Trembling sl'ized t1lcm, amI their faces tllrned p:1·lc . , ."
--4T 384,385.
7. What advice does the apostle Peter give us? 1 Peter 5:6.
NOTE: " . , . All ha,ve natural traits whieh must be cultiva~ed
or repressed, as they shall help or hinder in o.btaining a growtll in
graee, a depth of religious experiellce." -5T 423.
8. What should we do, according to the words of Pa.ul? 2 Cor. 13 :5.
1',v OTE: " . . , The child of Go II must Ge~lI'ch out the sin which
he has petted and indulged himself in, ~nd permit God to ent it
out of his heart. He must ove,rcome tha:t one sin; for it is llOt ,I
trifling nlk'ltter in the sight of God." -MYP 91.
9. Is it easy for a person to know himself? What danger may
exist in the process of self-ex:amin.ation? J~. 17:9; 2 Cor. 10:12.
NO'rB: " .' . . It is difficult for us to udel'stand ourselves, to have
" a concet knowledge of OUI' o·wn eharartel's. Th'e word of Ged is plaill,
hut often the"c is an errol' in applying it to one's self. Th2re is
Iiahility to self-i1ere,pt.iOll :lnd (,0 think its wal'nings fllHI rcpl'00f3 do
l'Ot nH'[l] I me . , ." -5T 332.
10. In the light of what standard sllould we search our hearts?
:ffow should we do it? 2 Corinthians 10:13.
NO'l'E: "'1'he Bible is full, clear, and explicit; the character of tho
tnw disciple of Christ is marked out with exactness. We must search
the Scriptures with humblc h.cad.s, tre~nbling at the word of the Lord,
if we would not be in any way deceived in l'egard to OUl" true char-
acter, There must be persevC'ring effort to overcome selfishness
:lnd self-confidence. Self-examination Blust be thorough, that there be
110, d:lJlger of: sclf"deception, A little catechizing of self on special
occasions is not sufficient. Dail)' examine ,the foundation of your h,ope,
an{] R.ee whcther you al'C in(lcc[] in tho> lo\'e of Christ. Deal truly
with your own hc·arts, faT you ca.nnot affonl to run any risk here.
Count the cost o,f being a wholchcart·e(l Christian, alld then gird on the
a.rmor. Study the Pattern; look t·o Jesus, and be like Him. Your
]Jeace of mind, your hope of eternal salvation, depend on faithful·
l,ess in this work. As ChristilUls we arc less thorough in self-
('~,nmination than in anyt.hing- elsel; it is no won.der, then, th,a,t we
mnke such slow advancl'BlPll,t in understandillg self." -5'1' 332,333.
"'l'h('l'e is a neccssit,)' fo,r close" C'xpmination, :l!nd t.o closely
invl'S'1;igaJc in the light of Goel's wonl, Am I sound, 01' am I l'otten.,
at heart? " "-MYP 83,
" Dca] truly with ~'our own souls. SNl1'ch ca,rcfully , ."
-Ill.iel" S4.
11. With what purpos'e should we examine ourselves? Ps. 139:23,24.
?IT 0'1'1'; : "W c should not t,')' to ll'sscn OUl' guilt by excusing sin. We
lllUst, ac(,l'pt Go(l '8 l'Stilllfl.tC of Sill, and that is heavy indeed . "
-Mollnt of Blc13sings 116'.

Lesson No.9 Sabbath, February '1:7, 1971.

TRANSFORMATION OF CHARACTER
Questions:
1. What is charaoteo:?
NOTE:" "True l'haracter is fl quality of the soul, J'evealing
it~~'elf ill the conduct." .,-CG Hi1.
2. What character will enable us to enter t.he kingdom of God?
Revelation 14:1.
NOTE: "A char,act.ol' fo,rl11ed Recording to the divine likeness is
~;he only t.l'casure tlmt II'C call talw f"om this worl(l to tho next.
Those ~vho al'O uudel' thl' instmction of Christ in this wodd will
t"l,c C"CI'V divine attainment \\'ith thclll to the hea,-enly m:lll&iOllS.
And ill h~a'vl'll \I'e c11'(' ('ontilLually h, il,npl'ovl', Hall' import,ant, tht'll,
;R ,hl'· Ile\'cloplllC'llt of "hnl,,,rtcl' ilL tJ,iH lif<'," --COL :IB2.
 3. What will be' the destiny of those whtlse character does not
come up to the level established b¥ God? Mat. 25 :8-10.
NOTE: " . . . 'fhey do not kno\\' God. They have not studied
His cha.racter; they llave not held comllltlllion "'ith Him; "
-Christ's Object I,essons 411.

" . . . When st.:ntled from their le,thurgy, they discel'll theiJ'

rlestHution, and entreat othel's to suppl~' t.hei,' lack; hut in spiritual
things no, man can make up another's deficiency. The grace of
Gorl has been freely Offel'l'd to every soul. 'J'he message of the gospl'l
ha's beell he,r,alderl, 'Le,t him that is athirst cOllle. And whosoevel' w'ill,
let him tal(O the water of life freel~·.' R,ev. 22:17. But chamet(',· is
H.Ot trflllsferable. No man can b('!ieve for aJlothel'. No mUll clln
l'l'ceive the SpiJoit for ~noth('r. No nmn cfln impllrt to 'Illothel' th('
ChllI'll cter wllich is the fruit of the Spirit's wol'idng , , ."
Ibid., pp. 411,412,
'IOn Christ's corollatioll rby he will nM. acknowledge ns llis
any who hem' spot or wrinkle 0,1' any such thing. Hut to his fllithful
Olles he will give crowns of' immOl·tlll glor}' . " -The Revil'w
llllfl Hemlu, Nay. 24, l!'l04. (SD 347; COR 103.)

4. Are we left alone in Our effort to reach this level of character'!

Wllen SllOUld we reacll it? 2 Pete,r 1: 3,4; 2 Cor. 6: 1,2.
NO'I' I~: ,. Ou!' time belongs to Goil , . " --COL 342.
'I . , 'We have 110 time to waste, no time to Ol'votc to llelfish
plellsure, no time for the indulgence of sill. It is' now that we are
to forlll eh:wacters for the futul'e, irnmorta-l life. It is noll' that we
:Ire to prepare fm- the searehing judgment." -Ihid.
"There will be no futm'e probation in which to prepare for
l'ternity. It is in this life thll.t we, a,re to put on the I'obe of
Christ's righteousness. This is OUl' on'I~' opportunity to fOI'IJl char-
acters fo,r the home whieh Chl'iat hilS mllde l'('od,y for those who ohey
His commnndments.'· ·-Ibid.., 319.

r)
5. Will death have any power over character? Will Christ change
characters at His coming? Revelation 22:11,12.

KOTE: "It is n solemlL thing to die, out a faJ' more solemn thing
to live. EYer)' thought nnd wOl'(l n,nd rleed of om' lives will meet
us ngnin. Whllt we Illnk(' of ollrselves i.n pl-o·batio,n,ary time, that
we lHllSt !'elllnin to :Ill etel'llit~·. Dt'nth bJ'ings dissolution to the
hr,dy, but mnl<es no chn,nge, in the charaetel'. 'fne coming of Christ
rloes 1101' Cho:lJlg'e O>UI' ehnTndel's; i.t onl~· fix('s them f01'('\,el' beyourl
n1l chllng('," -5T ·166.
6. How does transformation of character take place? Phil. 2:12.
NOTE: " . . . Christ has given us no assurance that to attain
perfection of character is a·n easy matte'r. A noble all-round char-
ncter is not inherited. It does not come to us by 'accident. A noble
character is earned by individual effort through the merits and
grace of Christ. God gives the talents, the power of t.he mimi; we form
the character. It is formed b~' hard, stern battles with self. Conflict
after conflict must be waged aga.inst ll'ereditary tendencies. We
shall ha,ve to criticize ourselves closely, and allow not one unfavorable
trait to remain lIncor,rected." -COL 331.
7. What is instrume~tal in developing character?
NO'£E: I I CINt-racter does not come by chance. It is not dete.rmined
by one outburst of temper, one step in the wrong direction. It is tJle
repetition ooli the act that ca:uses it to be.come habit, and molds tlie
character either for good or for evil. Right chara.cter·s can be fonneu
(\nly by persevering, ulJltiring effort, by improving every intrusted
talent and 0apability to tIle glory of God . . ." -MYP 163.
"Never lInde~'rate the importauce of little things. Little things
SU1)ply the [Ic,tual discipline of life. It is by them that the soul '11
t.1·a.ined that it may grow into the likeness of Christ, OJ' bea.r the
li~,elless of evil . . "·-Ibid., 202.

8. Will the 'often repeated excuse, "But that is the way I am,"
help anyone? 1 Peter 1 :14,15,
NO'I'E: "Let no one say, J (':Jnnot l'eme(l~' my de-fects of character.
If you eome to this decisiolJ, you will ,'ertainly fail of obtaining ever-
lasting life. The impossibility lies in your own will. If you will not,
then you can not overcome. '£hc real diffieulty a.rises from the
c!ol'l'uption of an unsametified heart, ::llId an unwillingness to 8ubmit
to the eontrol of God." -COL 331.
9. Since the righteousness of Christ does not cloak any cherts-hed
Bin, What work is to be accomplished in those who accept the
meS'Sage of justification by faith?
NOTE: "NO'w jf it be true that justificatio.n hy faith is 't.he thil'd
a.ngctl's message in verit.,v,' - in fact., in reality, .- it must be that
the genuine undel'standing and a.ppl'opl'iation of the third :lngel'R
hes-sage is designed to (10 For and ill those who l'eceivfl it, the full
work "f ;iustificatioll hy faith . . . " -Chl'is,t Our Righteousness, 65.
10. What does he reveal who aoes not develop his charactllT? Mark
4:26-28.
NOTE: "The gel'llljni:1~jon of the seed l'epresl'<llt.S the Legil1ning
of spiritual life, and the (levelopmellt of t.he plant is it figure of the
developnellt of diameter. '['}I('rc cal' he. no life without ,{rowtll. The
. l:mt :nust either grow ".1' die. ..~s its ~ro,w(h is silent :lud imperceptible,

-p8-
but continuous, so is th,e growth of chal'acter. At every stage of
developmellt our life may be perfect; yet if God's purpose for us is
fulfilled, there will be constant advancement." -Ed 105,106.

Lesson No. 10 Sabbath, March 6, 1971.

HELPS FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF CHARACTER

Queat.ions :

FAITH
1. According to the words of Peter, God "hath given unto us all
things," through whic3J. we can "be partakers of the divine
nature/' what is one of the gifts of God? 2 Petell' 1:5; He,b.11:5,6.

NOTE: " , . , In the midst of a world by its ini,lJJllitJ' doomed to

destruction, Enoch lived a life of such close couull,union with God
that he was not permitted to fall under the powel' of death, 'l'he godly
chara.der of this prophet rep'l'eSell,ts the state of h,o,liness which l1lus,t
be attained by those who shall be 'redeemed from £lIe eal·th' (Heve-
lation 14:3) at the time of Christ's seeond advent. 'l'hen, as in the
world before the Flood, .iniquity will prevail. I!'ollowing the promptings
of their eO'lTupt hearts :md the tea10hings of a deceptive philosophy,
men will rebel against the authority of Heaven. But like Enoch,
God's people will seek f;or purity of hea.rt and conformity to His
will, until they shall reflect the likeness of Christ . . ." -pp 88,89.
"Through faith ill Christ, cvery deficiency of char,acter I1my
be 8upplied, every defilement cleansed, cvery fault conected, cvery
eJl.cellence developed." -Ed 257.

2. According to Paul, whereby can we be successful in our Christian

life? GaJ.atiaJul 5: 6.
NOTE: " . . . You are to maill t'u.ill this connection with Christ
by faith and the continual sUl'l'ender of your will to Him; and BO
lang as you do this, He will work in you to will and to do according
to His good pleasurc . . . 'l'hen with Christ wOil'king in you, you
will manifest the samc spirit and do the !tame good works - works of
righteousness, obe,dience,." -SC 6'2,63.
"When we speak of faith, th,ere is a distinctiou that should
be borne in min,d . . . Wh.er'e there is 110,t only a belief in God '8
word, but a submission of the will to Him; wh.ere the heart is
yielded to Him, the affectiolls hxed upon Him, thCil'e is faith - faith
th,at works by lo,ve Rnd purifies the soul "-Ibid.
-29-
 3. What is heaven's ordained mean& of SUCC61J8 in the development
of a Christian character? 1 ThesSalonians 5:17.
NOTE: "PTayer is heavon's ord·aillod means of succcss in thc con-
flict with sin and the developm.ent of Christian clml'acter. '1'h.o
divine influences thwt come in answer to the prayer of faith will
accomplish in the. soul of the suppliant all for which he pleads. For
the pardon of sin, for the Holy Spirit, for a Christlike temper, I'OI'
wisdollll and strength to do His work, for any gift He has promised,
we may ask; Mld the promise is, 'Ye shall receive.'" -AA 564.
4. How should we pray if we want. to have success in our Christian
lives? Matthew 6:6.
NOTE: "'1'he Lord speaks; enter into your closet, al\lI in silence.
eloiInmune with your own heart; listen to the voice o·f truth <WId
conscience. Nothing will give such cloler views of self as secret
p.rayer. He who seeth in secret and knowet.h all things will Cll-
lighten your understanding .and answer your petitions . . ."
5T 163.
" . . . It is in UlC moull t with Go·d - the secret place of COlli-
Ilmnion - that we are to cOlltempla.te His glorious ideal for humanity.
Thus we shaH be enabled so to fashion OUl' character-building that
to Us may be fulfilled the promise, 'I will dwell in them, and walk
in them; and I will be their God, and they s·hall be My people,' "
-GW 254.
THE WORD OF GOD
5. What other means is ordamed by heaven for the building up
of our characters? 2 Timothy 3:16,17.
NOTE: " . . '1'hc Scriptures IlJrc the great agency in the trans-
formaltion of character. Christ pr.a~'ed, 'Sanctify them t.hrough Thy
t.ruth; '1'hy word is truth.' Jo·hn 17:17. If Sltudied and obeyecl,
the \YO-I'd of God works in tho heart, subduing every unholy attri-
bute. '1'he Holy Spirit comes to convict of sin, and the faith that
springs up in the heart works by lo·ve· to Chri&t, conforming us in
body, soul, a.nd spirit to His own image . . ." -COL 100.
6. What power is contained in the word ot God to transform
those who receive it? Eccl. 7:12 (last part); John 6:63 (last part)
17:3.
NOTE: "The creative energy that called the wo-l'lds into existence
is in the word of God. '1'his wo.rd imparts power; it begets life·.
E'very command is a, promise; a,eeepted by the will, received into
the soul, it bl'ings with it the life of: the Infinite One. It transforms
the nature and re-creates the soul in the image of God." -Ed 126.
-36-
 'f. To Whom and to what did the apostle Paul conunend' the be-
What is the word of God able to do in our behalf?
lievElIrs'?
Acts 20:32.
;'\ U'l'b: ' 'Let us ma'ke God's holy wonl our study, Lrl11ging its lwly
}Jrlll,Cipws bito our !lves. Let us walk oetoJ'e Gael III weeKlless I1nu
.uuim.uty, daily conectlllg our taults. Let us not by selfish pl'ide
separa te the soul frum (joel. UheriSll not a feellng of lofty supremacy,
tlllllkmg yuurselt better thall others. . Let him tha,t tlllnketh he
stalidetll take need Jest !l.e fUll.' .l:'eace allcl rest will come to you as
you ba'lllg your 11'111 mto suoJectioll to tne wJll of Uhrist. Then the
lOve of Uhrist will l'ule m tile heart, bl'lnglllg in,to captivity to the
~avivur the secret springs at actioll. '1'he nasty, ea<S'ily l'oused tempeJ'
will he sooth.ed and subdued by the oil of Uhrist's grace. 'l'he sense
of sins forgiven will bring that p0ace that passeth all tlndel·standing.
'1'here will be all eanlest stl'iving to overcome all that is opposed
to Christian perfectioll. Variance will disappear. He who, Ollce found
fault with those around him will see that far grea,ter faults exist
in his own cha<1'acter." -MY I' 73.
THOUGHTS
8. W~t should we carefully keep in order to advance in sancti-
fica.tion? Pil'overbs 4:23.
NOTE: " ' . As man 'thinke,th in his heart, so is he.' Pro-
verbs 23 :7. '1'he heart must be rcnewed by divine grace, 01' it will
be in vain to seek for purity of life , , ." -1'1' 460.
" , , . Upright principles and pmc sentiments, cultiva,ted and
practiced, form a cllaraeter after the di\'ine similitude . , . ,. -TM 120.
9. According to the words of PaUl, why is it necessary to change our
way of thinking? Romans 12:2.
NOTE: ' 'As a man 'thinketh in his heart, so is he.' MallY though,ts
make up the unwritten history of a single. day; and th,esC} thoughts
have much to do with the form.ation of character. Our thoughts Ul'e
to be strictly guarded; for one impure thought makes 3i deep im-
p.ression on the soul. An evil thought leaves an evil impress on the
m,ind. If the thoughts are" pure and holy, the man is better for lliaving
cherished them . , ," -M:YP 144.

10. Upon what should our minds dwell? Phil. 4:8.

-31-
1.esson No. 11 ~abbath, March i3, 1971.
TO GROW IN GRACE
Qu,MtIioIIIt:
KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
1. What did the Saviour say was the prerequiaite tor eternal life?
What is the effect of this knowledge? John 17:3.
NO'l'E:' "The knowledge of God as revealed in CIll'ist is the know-
ledge that all who are saved must have. 'rIlls is the knowledgc
that works transfonnation of cha,rade.r. Received into the life, it
will re-croote the soul in the image of Christ. '1'I1'1s is the knowledge
tha.t God invites ills childl'cn to receive, beside which all else is
vanity and no,tmngne·ss." -AA 475.
2. What is God's cOllunand to His children? How can we develop
holiness? 1 Peter 1: 15,16.
NOTE: "God has cummauded us, 'Be ye holy; for I alll ho·ly;' ~wd un
insjpired ap<\stle declaJ'es that without holiness 'no man sha,H see
the Lord.' Holiness is agreement with God. By sin the image
of; God in man has been ma,rred and well-nigh obliterated; it is
the work of the gospel to l'estorc thalt wInch has been lost; and
we al'e to co-operate with the divine agenc)' ill this wor.k. And
how can we coone into harlllouy with God, how shall we receive
His iikmlCss, unless we obtain a Iwo\\-ledgc of Him 1 It is this
knowledge that Clu'ist came into the world to reveal unto us."
-5'1' 743. .
• _ " _ ..... .u..JI ...... ~" __ ~ .... 'R_. .; , .. ,".

·'3:"-'- Townom' doeS-::iht"'apostle"- P~~i . ~i{~~-a.ttenti~ri? -, What 'i~'

the result if we follow his instructions? Hebrews 12:2.

NOTE: . Our daily and hourly work is set fOl'th ill the
wo.rds of the a.postle: 'Lookiug unto Jesus the Autho,r and 1''inisher
uf our faith.' 'While doing this OUT minds become clearer and our
fa,ith strouger, and our hope is coufirmed; we are so eugrussed
with the view of His purity an,d loveliness, aud the sacrifice Hc
has made to bring us into agl'eement with God, tha.t we have no
disposition to spo:lk of doubts and discouragelllcl.lt&" -5'1' 744.
"Brethron and sisters, it is by ueho,ldillg that we become changed.
By dwelling upon the love of God :.Ind our Sa.viour, by contemplating
the perfection of the dlvine character and claiming the righteous'
ness of Christ as ours by faith, we GJ'e to be transformed in to the
s,ame image ' . . " -Ibid.

4. WluI.t condition did the foolis!h virgins reach, and why? Mat.
25:2,3.
-32-
NOTE: " . . . They do not. know God. 'l'lley have not studied
His eharacter; they Ik1ve ]Iot held communion with Him; therefore
,they do not know how to trust, how to look and Jive. 'rheir service
to God degenerates int.o :I fo.rm . . . " -COL 411.
5. Why is it that many are unable to behold ®d? Ps. 50:21.

No'rE: I I . . • Selfil\hness prevpllts us from beholding God. The

Relf-seeking spil'it ;judges of Gorl as alfogpther such a olle as Hse]f
--Des.ire of Ages 302.
6. What did our Saviour say in His s&rmon on the mount about the-
pure in hea.rt? :Mlatthew 5: 8.
NO'fE: " 'rhe purl' ill hpart SCI' God ill a nm\' allCl ende.aring
Telat.ioll, as t.heir l~edeel1ler; Illld while they discea'n thp purit.y and
lov·elilless· of His charade,', they 10]lg to ref'lect. His image . . . "
-ME 2&.

THE WORK OF GOD'S GRACE

7. Throug-h what pa.rable did Christ show the work of His grace
in the Imman hea.rt? Matthew 13: 33.
NO'l'E: " . . . But in the Saviour's pal'ahlo, loavon is usprl to ]'op"o-
SOIl'!' t.he kingdom of heav('n. It ilIust.ratI's tll(' quickealing', assimiJ,ating
powo.r of t.he gTa('e of God." -COL 96.
I I But man. (':I 11IIot tnlllsf'onn himsolf by the pxereise o.f his will.
He possesses 110 power by which t.his cha,nge can be offected. TIle
leaven - some,thing \\·ltolly from wit.hout - must. he put. into the
meal before the desired change c.an be wrought in it. So the g.ra.ce
of God must be received by the s,inner before he Cal] he fitted for
the kingdom of gIOl·y. All the cultme and education which the world
can give- will f;ail of makiJlg a rlegradecl child of sin a child of he.aven.
'rhe renC'd.ng enel'gy must eome from God. "-Ibid.
8. How did the apostle recognize the influence of Gild's' grace upon
his heart? 1 Corinthians 15:10.
NOTE: "None are so vile, none have fallen so low, as to be beyond
the working of this power (God's gra.ce). In all who will submit
th'ems€lves to the Hal)· Spirit. a new principle of life is to be im-
planted; the J,ost. image of God is to be resto.red in IlUmanity."
-Christ. 's Object LCRSOlIS 96.
9. Why is there no change in many who profess to believe the
.Truth? Reve\ation 3: 1.
No'rE: "Oft.en the question 1I"ises, 'Why, then, are there so many,
claiming to hl'lieve God's wo.rd, in whom thct'e is not seen a reforma,tion
ill words, in spirit, and in characted Wh~· afe theTe so many who
-33-
oonno·t beax opposition to their purposes all(l plans, who manifest
fun unholy temper, and whose wo,rds are harsh, overbearing, and
pas&ionate;~ There is seen in their lives the same love of seJf, the
sallJe selfish indulgence, thc sa.me tempe'r and h.asty speech, thllit is
~een ill tho life of the worltlJiJlg. '1'lIcre i~ the same sensitive pride,
the same yielding to natural inclina,won, the game perver~ty of
character, as if the truth were wholly unkn().wll to them. The roosolll
is tha\t they are not converted. They have not hidden the leaven
of trutlJ in the heart. It has not had opportunity to do its work.
Thein' na.t'llit'al I!l.nd cultivated teln'dencies. <to evil . have not been
submitted to its transforming POWed·. Their lives reveal the absence
of the grace of Christ, an unbelief in His power to transform the
character." -COL 99,100.
10. What change does tlhe leaven of truth work, through the grace
of God, in the hearts of those who receive it? Eph. 2:1·5.
NOTE: "Received into the heart, the leaven of truth will regulate the
desires, purify the though.ts, and sweeten the disposition. It quickens
the faculties of the mind and the energies of th.e soul. It enla.rges
the ca'pacity for feeling, fOil' loving." -COL 101.
"The leaven of truth wO'J'ks a ch·a.nge in the whole man, making
the coarse refined, the rough ge.nt!o, the selfish generous. By it
the impure a.J'c cleansed, washed in the blood of the Lamb. Through.
its life-givin.g power it brings all there is. of: mind and soul and
strength into harmony with the d'ivine life. Man with his hum.an
n:l,ture becomes a partakel' of divinity. Christ is honored in excellence
and perfection of character. As these cha·nges are effected, angels
breoak f'orth in rapturous song, an.d God and Christ rejoice over souls
fbshioned after th(' divine similitude." -Ibid., 102.

Lesson No. 12 Sabbath, March 20, 1971.

THE PROCESS OF TRANSFORMATION OF CHARACTER

Questions:
1. According to PaUl, ~at is our task to make it possible for God
to work out OUr salvation? Phil. 2:12,13.
No'r:E: "'1'he 1I'0rk of gnining snlvation is one of eo-partnership, il
joint opera.tim\' 'rhere is t.o be cQ-operation between God and the re-
penta.nt sinneJ·. This is neeessilry for the formation of J'ight principles
in th.e charader.. Man is to make earnest efforts to overcome th.at which
hinders him from attaining t.o perfection. But he is wholly dependent
upon God for success. Human effort of itse·lf 1S not Bufficient_ Wit.hout
the aid of divine power it [wails no:thing. God works and ma.n
-34-
works. Re~istance of temptation must come from man, who mUll,t
draw his power from God. On the one side there is infinite wisdom,
compassion, and power; on the other, weakness, sinfuhiess, absolute
helplessness." -AA 482.
2. If we do not serve God voluntarily, can the efforts of heaven in
our behalf be effective? What does the LO!"d ask of us? Provo
23 :26; Romans 12:1.
NOTE: I I He "'ho determincs to cnter t.hc spiritual kingdom will
find that all the po\vers and passions of an uuregenerate nature,
oacked by the forces of the kingdom of darkness, are arrayed against
him. Se1fishne.ss and pl'ide will make a stand against anything that
would show them to, be sinful. We cannot, of ourselves, conquer the
evil desires all,d habits that strive for the mastery. We cannot over·
come the mighty foe who holds us in his tlll'all. God alone can give
us the vic:t;o,ry. He desires us to have t.he mastery over ourselves,
our own will and wayS'. But He cannot work ilL us without our
consent :md co·operation. The divine Spil'lt wo,rks through the
faculties and powers given to ma.n. Our energies a.re required to
co·ope.rate with God.
I I T'he vietO'IT is not won without much earnest prayer, without
tne humbling of self nit, every step. Our will is not to be fo,rced
into eo·operation with divine agencies, but it must be voluntarily
submitted. Were it possible to fOl'ce upon you with 0 hundredf01d
gIl'eater intensity the influence of t.he Spirit of God, it would not
make. you a. Chri6t.ian, a fit subject for henven. The stronghold of
Satan would Il0t be bd'oken. The ...v ill must be placed on the side
oil' God's will. You are not ab~e, of' yourself, to· bring your pur·
poses and desires (lnd inclinations int.o submission to the will of
God; but if yo,u are 'willing to be made willing,' God will accomplish
the wOI'k for you, . , . ." -MB 141,142.

3. What did PaUl do in order to reach the level required by G<ld?

1 Corinthians 15:10; 9:25·27; Col. 1:28,29.
NOTE: "The work of transforming fl'om holiness to holiness
is n con,t.inuous one. Day by day God labors for man's sanctification,
and man is to co·opera,te wit.h Him, putting forth pel'severing effoJ,ts
in t.he cultivation of l'ight habits. He is to add grace t.o grace; and
os he thus works on t.he plan of aildition, Gorl works for him on the
plan of muHiplieation , . . " -AA 532.

4. How long is the present conflict going to last? Is it enough

if we make efforts once in a while? 2 Tim. 2:22; Tit. 2:2,3.
NOTE: "Sanctification is not the work of a moment, an haul', a day,
Gut o·f 11 lifotime. It is not gaineil hy a' happy flight of feeling, but
is the result of constantly dying to Slll, and constantly living for Christ.
-3(j-
Wrongs cannot he righ.ted 1101' reformations wrought in the char-
acter by feeble, itermittent efforts. It is only by long, persevering
effort, sore discipline, and stern conflict, that we S\hall overcome.
We know not one day how strong will he OUl' cO'l1flict the next. So
lomg flS Satan reigns, we sha.1l have self to subdue, besetting sine
to overr.ome; so' long as life shall last, there wi]] be no stoppin-g
plaClll, 110 point which we ca:l1 I'each, and say, I h,qvp- fnlly attained.
Aanctifiration is the result of lifelong o,bedience." -AA 560,561.
"It is not only at the beginning of the Christian life that this re-
l1tlllciation of self i", to be made. At every advance step heavenward it
is to be renewed . , " -COL 159,160.
5. What invitation does the LO!:'d extend to us so that His 'trans-
fonning grace can be manifested in us? Matthew 16:24.
NOTE: "TJle only hope for us if we would overcome is to unite
am' will to God's will and work in co-opel'ation with Him, hour by
hour and clay by da,y . . ATe we willing to have OUT wiJ1 brought
into pel'fect confoil'lnity to the will of God ~ Until we are willing,
the tranSlforming g"ace of Go{l callnot he mallifest npon us." -MB 143.
6. Has God done everything in behalf of His people so that they
might be able to bear the f\"uits of the S'Pirit in a Ohristlike
character? Isaiah 5:4.

7. Through the Refonnation, God has led His remnant people back
to pure and whole truth. Is this enough? What is necessary to
\U<ccomplish 'bhe work whiclh God has given us? Eph. 5 :14.
NO'l'E: "A l'eviv(J] anr) a refOl'mation must take 1)]ace, under the
mini&tration of the Ho]y Spirit. Revival alld refol'mation are two
dLfferent things. Revival Si~lifies a renewal of spiritual life, a
quickening of the powel's of mind anrl heart, a resunection from
spiritual death. Reformation signifies a reorganization, a cha.uge
in ideas and theO'ries, habits' and pT'3ctices. Refo1'maltion will not bring
forth the good fTuits of l'ighteouslless unless it is connected with
the revival of the Spirit. Revival alld Tefol'lnation are to do their
appo~nte,d work, and in doing this -\\,ol'k they must b]end." -The
Review and I-IerG]d, Feb, 25, 1902. (ehS 42; ISM 128; COR 121.)
8. What vision was given through the Spirit of Prophecy? What
revival do we need?
NOTE: "I had written thus far when I lost consriousness, and I
seemed to be witnessing a scene in Battle Creek.
"We were assembled in the auditorium . . .
"One '3.rose fl'ol11 his bowed position a·nd said that in the past
,lie ha.d not b€;C'n in union with certain 011es and had felt no ]o-ve
for them, but that now he saw himself as he was. vVit.h great solemnity
-36-
he repeated the message to the Laodico:ln church: '" Because tho·u
Ilayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and ha.ve need of nothing,"
In my sel~'su.fficiency this is just the way I felt,' he said, '" And
knowest no,t that thou art wretched, alld miserable, and poor, and
bJind, and naked." I now see that this is my condition. My eyes
are opened. My spirit has been hard and unjust. I thought myself
righteous, but my heart is broken, and I see my need of the pl'ecious
cou1lllel of the One who has seaJl:ched me through and through. Oh,
how gracious and compassionate and loving are the words, "I counsel
thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich;
and white raiment, that thou may~st be clothed, and that the shame
of thy nakedness do not appear; and annoint thine eyes with eyesalve,
that thou mayest see.'" Revelation 3:17,18.
"The speakeI' turned to those who ll'3.d been p~aying, and s",id:
'We have something to do. We must confess our sins, and humble
our hearts before God.' He made heartbroken confess,ions and then
stelpped up to seveml of the brethren, one after another, and ex-
tended his hand, asking forgiveness. Those to whom he spoke Spl'aug
to their feet, making confession and asking fOTgiveuess, and they fell
upon one another's necks, weeping. " -8T 104,105.

"N 0 one seemed to be to·o proud to make heal,tfelt confession,

an.d those who led in this work were the ones who had influence,
but had not before had cour'age to confess th.eir sins." -Ibid.
9. What is to take place in our days? W~at will be the result?
NOTE: "Th,e time has COllle for a thorough reformation to take
place. When this l'efoI'mation begins, the spil'lt of prayer will actuate
evel'y believer and will banish £.rom the church the spirit of discord
and lltrife. 'l'hose who have not been living in Ohristian fellowship
will draw close to one anothel', One member working in right line-s wi1.l
lead oth.er members to unite with him ill maklllg intercession fOl' the
revelation of the Holy Spirit. 'fhere 'will be no .confusion, be.cause
all will be in harmony with the mind of the Spirit. The bal'l'iers separ-
a ting believe,r from believel' will be hroken down, amd. God's sel'van ts
will speak the same things. 'fhe Lo'rd will co-operate with His
servants. All will p.ray un(lerstandingly tue prayer that Ohrist
taught His sevantSl: "l'hy kingdom come. Thy will be done in
e,arth, a.s it is in heaven.' Matthew 6 :10." -/S'f 251.

10. What condition must soon be reached by the, church that 1S

now militant, def6lllding the tmth of Christ? Isaiah 61: 10.

NOTE: uNow the church is militant. No,w we are confronted with

a world in dal'kness, almost wholly given over to idolatry. But
the uay is cOllling when the bnttj(' will have been fought, tno victory
won. Th,e will of God is to be d'one on Cal'th as it is dOlle in
--37-
11eaveil. The nations. of the saved wlll iOlOW llO otl1er iaw tha~l tile
law of heaven. All will be a happy, united family, clothed with the
garments of praise aJld thadlksgiving - the roDe of Christ's right-
eousness. All nature, in its surpassing l(weliness, will offer to God
a tribute of praise and adora:tioll. 'i.'hc world will be bathed in the
1~ght of hea,ven. The light of the moon will be as the light of the
sun) and the light of the Bun will be sevenrolel grea.ter than it is
now. The years will mo,ve on in gladness. Over the scene the lUorning
staTs will sing together, and the sons of God will shout fIor joy,
wnue God and Christ will unite in proclaiming, 'There shaU be no
more sin, neither Biha.!l there be allY more death.'" -MH 504, 506.
11. What will the Father behold in the chuacter of those who ha,ve
conquered? Revelation 22:4.
NOTE: " . . . Oh, the wonders of redeeming love! the rapturc
of that hour when the infinite Fath,er, looking upon the ranso,med,
shall beho,ld His image, sin's discord banished, its blight removed,
and the human once more in harmony with the divine!" -GC 646.

REMEMBER IT IS THIRTEENTH SABBATH NEXT WEEK

Lesson No. 13 Sabba1:lh, March 27, 1971.
GOD'S PURPOSE FOR IDS PEOPLE IN TIDS WORLD
Questions:
1. H,ow did Satan accuse the almighty God before the angels and
also before men? Mat~ew 25:24.

NOTE: "]<'rOlll tlw lJeginniug it has been Satan's studied pkLn

to CllJuse men to. forget Goel, that he might secure them to himself.
Hence he has sought to misrepresent the character of God, to lead
men to cherish a false conception of Him . . " - 5 T 738.
2. W',hat is God's purpose for. His church? Ephesians 3:10.
NOTE: " . . . J"roUl the beglllning it has bee.n God's plan' that
thTough His church shall be ref'!ected to the wodd His fullness amI
His sufficiency. '1'he mem bel'S of the church, tJl·ose whom He has
called out of darkness into His marvelous light, are to show forth
His glory. '1'he church is the repository of the riches of the g,race
of Ohrist; and through the church will eventually be made manifest,
€IV en to 'the principalities and powers in heavenly' places,' the final
and full display of the Jove of God. Ephesi·a.ns 3 :10." -AA 9.
"Even th.ese words fail of express,ing the greatness and the
glo.ry of God's purpose to be accomplished through His people. Not
to this world only lint to thc universe aTe we to make manifcst the
pl'inciples of His kingdom . . " -6'1' 13.
-38-
 3. What did Moses ask 'of God? What was God's purpose for Rls
people as revealed to Moses? Ex. 33:18,19.
. TOTE: "It waR the priYilege of the Jewish llat.ion t·o represellt
the charadeI' of God as ilt had been reveliled to Moses. In answer
to the pr(l,yer of Moses, 'Show me Thy glory,' the Lord promised, 'I
will .make all My goodness pass before thee.' Ex. 33 :18,19. 'And the
Lo'rd passed hy before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, the Lord God,
m~'c.itul and gracious, longsuffering, and abplldant in goodness and
truth, keeping me,l'cy fo,r thous{\,nds, f:orgiving iniquity and tra.ns-
gres!lion and sin.' Ex. 34:6,7. This. was the fruit that God desh'ed
from His people. In the purity of their ehal'acte,rs, ill the holiness
of their lives, in their mercy and loving-kindness and compassion,
they were to show tha't 'the law of the LOl'd is perfect, converting
the soul.' Ps. 19:7." -·COL 285,286.
4. How was the world-wide manifestation of God's glory revealed
to rSMah? Isaiah 6:1-3; 35:1,2.
NOTE: " . . . God's glory, His chal'acteJ', His merciful kindness
and tendel' love - that which Moses had pleaded in beh,alf of Isra'el
- were to be revealed to all mankilld. An(1 this pl'omise of Jehovah
wa's made doubly sure; it was confirmed by an o,a,th. As surely as
God lives and reigns, His glory should be declared' among the heathen,
His wonders among all peop1('.' Ps'aIm 96:3." -PK 313.
5. What effect did the bel1lolding of God's glory have on the
prophet? ISaiah 6:7; 57:15.
NOTE: "In beholding his God, the pro.phet., like Snul of Tarsus
at the gate of Damascus, hn.d not only 'been given a view of his own
unworthine.ssi the-J'e uad come to his humbled heart the assurance
of forgiveness, full and free; a11(1 he had arisen a, changed man.
He had seen his Lord. He had caught a glimpse of the loveliness
of the divine character. He could test.ify of the transformaltion
wrought thl'OUg~1 beholding Infinite Love . . ,." -PK 314.
6. How did our Saviour firiish the work which His Father had
given Him to do? John 17:4.
NOTE: "Ohrist c·ame to l'eveal God to the world as a God of love,
full ad' mercy, tendeJ'l1Css, and eompassion. The thick daJ'101ess with
which Satan h,ad cll(leavoUl:ed to enshroud the throne of Deity was
swept a,way by the w01'ld's Redeemer, and the Father was again
manifes!t to men as the light of life.
" . . . Christ declares Hims01f to be sent into the world lIS a
l'epJ·esent.ntive of the Fat-hpr. In His nobildty o·f ch/uader, in His
men'cy and tender pi\ty, in His love and goodness, He stands before
us a.s the embodiment. of divine perfection, the image of the invi8libJe
God." -5T 738,739.
-3~-
 7. What was God's purpose tlu'ough His disciples after Christ's
Ctscension to the Father? John 17 :10.
NOTE: " . , . Th e Saviour wa R deeply a.nxious fo'f His disciples
to understand for what purpose His divinity was united to humanity.
He came to the wo>rld to display the glory of God, that man might
be uplifted by its restoring power. God was manifested in Him
that He might be manifested in them. Jesus reve3!led no qualities,
and exercised no po,wers, that men may not have through faith in
Him. His perfect humanity is that which all His followers m.ay
pos;sess, if they will he in subje.ction to God as He was." -DA 664.
8, How is the final work of the plan of salvation de!fcribed? R.eve-
lation 18:1.
NOTE: " . . . the loud cry of the third angel has already begun
in the revela,tion of the righteousness of Christ,' the Sin-pM'doning
Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose
glory shall fill the whole earth . . ." -The Review and Herald,
November 22, 1892. (ISM 363; COR 56.)
" . . . The message of Christ's righteonsneBs is to sound fro>m
tllle elld of the ea.rth to the other to prepare the way of the Lord.
This is the glory of God, which closes the work of the thil'd angel."
--Testimonies, Vol. 6, 19:
9. How is this glory to be manifested in us? Mat, 5:16,
,NOTE: " . . . 'rhe glo,ry of this light, which is the very glol'y
of the ehal'actel' of Christ, is to be manifested in the individual
Christiall, in the family, in the church, in the ministry of the word,
and in every institution established by God's people. All these the
Lord d,esigns shall be symbols of wha.t can be done for the world.
They aI'e to be types of the saving powel' of the truths of the gospel.
They are agencies in the fulfillment of God's great purpose for the
huma,n race." -6T 11.
10. With the light of justification by flaith shining upon us, what
should we do to secure our salvation? 'IsaiaJ1 55:6,7.
NOTE: "We Me Ii ving in an impCJ'l'tant period of this earth's
hi}Jto,ry; and with the light of truth shining upon us,' We cannot
110W be excused for a moment in meeting a low standard. As co-
workers with CIll'iStt, we are privileged to share with. ChI'ist in His
suffering. We are to look at His life, study His character, and copy
the patten!. What Christ was in His perfect humanity, we must be;
for we must form eharactCl's for etemity." -TM 173.

Printed By Religious Li bel'ty Publishing Associatio,I],

103 Hl1rrow Ro~d, Aulm1'l1, N,S:W, ,A.ustralill. 2H4