2023-Q1-L09

2023-Q1-L09: Beware of Covetousness

Read for This Week’s Study: Isa. 14:12-14, Eph. 5:5, Joshua 7, John 12:1-8, Acts 5:1-11, 1 Cor. 10:13.

Memory Text: “Take heed and beware of covetousness [pleonexias], for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15, NKJV).

Scripture

Luke 12:13. Divide the inheritance with his brother

Luke 12:16-21: And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

In the above parable, the man was inward looking. He was not hurting anyone. He was simply living the life of avarice, and a miserly desire to hoard wealth.

Isaiah 14:12-14 [Lucifer]

Ecclesiastes 2:18-19: I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me, 19 and who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity.

Generosity correlates to greater levels of personal happiness, physical health, lower levels of depression, a sense of purpose and higher interest in personal growth. --The Paradox of Generosity.

C.T. Studd: Only one life 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Covetousness.

Greek, epithumia. passion built on strong feelings (urges). These can be positive or negative, depending on whether the desire is inspired by faith (Luke 22:15; Romans 7:7-8; Galatians 5:24).

Greek, pleoneksia. the desire for more (things), greedy desire to have more, covetousness, avarice: (Luke 12:15; Romans 1:29; Ephesians 4:19; 5:3; Colossians 3:5); lust or evil desire.

Will Rogers: To many people spend money they don't have, to buy things they don't want, to impress people that they don't like.

Covetousness (quarterly definition): ovetousness has been defined as an inordinate desire for wealth or possessions that really don’t belong to you.

10th commandment. Right up there with lying, stealing and murder.

There's more to covetousness than wealth, although temporal values is a big part of it.

Your needs, wants and desires change when you become a Christian. They also change as you mature, and get older, or when circumstances change.

Covetousness. Obsession with something. Wanting something that's not yours. 10th commandment is not only behavior but the thought process.

Covetousness is a hidden sin.

Covetousness is greed.

Covetousness is lack of contentment.

Covetousness cannot be solved humanly speaking; you will need God's help. It is a heart issue that only God can change.

Covet the best gifts.

1 Corinthians 12:31 (MEV [Modern English Version]): But earnestly covet [to be jealous; moved with envy] the greater gifts. Yet I show you a more excellent way.

1 Corinthians 14:39: Therefore, brothers, eagerly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

James 4:2-4: You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Idolatry/Worship

Worship (definition): reverent honor and homage paid to God or a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred. Origin: worth + -ship (condition, character, office, skill).

Idolatry (definition): the worship of someone or something other than God as though it were God.

Difference between overt (golden calf) and subtle (loyalty to something other than God) idolatry.

Difference between 1st and 2nd commandments. 1st: Make only Yahweh your priority. 2nd: Do not make man-made images of God and/or false gods. That is, not only must we not place any imagined god ahead of the Lord, but we must not confine the omnipresent God to an image made with our minds or hands. The 1st is the Who; the 2nd is the How.

Wait. Covetousness is something you desire in your heart that becomes an idol to you. In effect, it takes the place of God. That this want satisfies your desires in the place of God. God ceases to become your desire. Rather than believing that God will satisfy your desire, you believe that "things" will. This is well illustrated in the life of Achan. Achan coveted gold, silver and clothing over what God had promised to give him (and all the Israelites) if he had waited. You see, Satan will give you his best, before God gives you His best. The waiting process is an act of faith in God.

Rise higher. We don't rise higher than our conceptions of holiness. What we contemplate (i.e. worship), that is what we become.

PP 91.2: Men put God out of their knowledge and worshiped the creatures of their own imagination; and as the result, they became more and more debased. The psalmist describes the effect produced upon the worshiper by the adoration of idols. He says, “They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.” Psalm 115:8. It is a law of the human mind that by beholding we become changed. Man will rise no higher than his conceptions of truth, purity, and holiness. If the mind is never exalted above the level of humanity, if it is not uplifted by faith to contemplate infinite wisdom and love, the man will be constantly sinking lower and lower. The worshipers of false gods clothed their deities with human attributes and passions, and thus their standard of character was degraded to the likeness of sinful humanity. They were defiled in consequence. . . .

Contentment

God is sufficient. The temptation to Eve was whether God was telling the truth and whether God had provided all things for her happiness. The temptation before her was whether God was sufficient. It is the same battle in many minds. Will God in my life be sufficient, or will I have to do something on my own to fill the gap. The battle over the idea: God is all I need.

1 Timothy 6:6-10: But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

The above suggests that covetousness is the "root of all kinds of evil."

Philippians 4:11-13: Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Does poverty or riches bring contentment? Answer: no!

Contentment is knowing God’s plan for your life, having a conviction to live it, and believing that God’s peace is greater than the world’s problems.

Christians get trapped into a discontented life by adopting worldly goals: more, bigger, and best. The Bible identifies these as indulgence, greed, and pride. For a while after accepting Christ as Savior, there is a peace and a real willingness and desire to commit everything to God. After a while there is a tendency to fall back into the same old routine of desiring and getting more, rationalizing that somehow it is “serving the Lord.” The evidence to the contrary is a lack of peace, a lack of spiritual growth, and a growing doubt about God’s ability to provide.

Stepping down. In today’s society it’s not normal to step down. Once a certain level of income, spending, and lifestyle is attained, most will go into debt in order to maintain that level. Stepping down to an affordable level is considered failure. Yet, contentment can’t be achieved without personal discipline and staying within the lifestyle parameters God has established, based on His provision (Luke 12:15; 16:13-14).

Greed and Fear. In poverty, the issue is usually black and white—you either have it or you don’t. In affluence, the deception is much more subtle, because anxieties and worries are not usually related to the lack of things but rather the loss of things. In essence, most affluent Christians fear they might lose the material things they have acquired. Unless they are so detached from the goods that they must be willing to lose them they won’t find real contentment. That does not necessarily mean that they have to surrender all of their material possessions. It means being willing to do so.

Plan to be content. Establish: reasonable living standard, a habit of giving, setting priorities, a thankful attitude, reject fear, seek God's will, and trust in God's promises.

Notes

Romans 7:7-9 (ESV): What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. 9 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died.

Romans 7:7-9 (Good News Translation): Shall we say, then, that the Law itself is sinful? Of course not! But it was the Law that made me know what sin is. If the Law had not said, “Do not desire what belongs to someone else,” I would not have known such a desire. 8 But by means of that commandment sin found its chance to stir up all kinds of selfish desires in me. Apart from law, sin is a dead thing. 9 I myself was once alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life,

The heart of the fully rebellious. Often the doctor has to cut out the cancer, lose a leg, remove an organ or part of an organ to save the life. In the same way, God has to do the same thing. His strange act is to destroy sin and sinner alike in the second death. But this will not be done in isolation. We will be involved in the judgment; we will be participants; we will be approving.

Life is more important than having the things you want. What is your purpose for existence?

Catholic teaching. Original sin from Adam. That is, we are born sinners. Christ could not have been born from Adam, because he would already have been a sinner. Thus, the Catholics invented the immaculate conception. Altered Genesis 3:15 (Vulgate). In other words, Christ was born "sinless."

7 ages of man: spills, drills, thrills, bills, ills, pills and wills.

SUNDAY. The Ultimate Original Sin?

Isaiah 14:12–14: “How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! 13 You said in your heart,‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’

“Not content with his position, though honored above the heavenly host, he ventured to covet homage due alone to the Creator. Instead of seeking to make God supreme in the affections and allegiance of all created beings, it was his endeavor to secure their service and loyalty to himself. And coveting the glory with which the infinite Father had invested His Son, this prince of angels aspired to power that was the prerogative of Christ alone.” — Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 35.

EGW; 1SG 17.1: And I saw that when God said to his Son, Let us make man in our image, Satan was jealous of Jesus. He wished to be consulted concerning the formation of man. He was filled with envy, jealousy and hatred. He wished to be the highest in heaven, next to God, and receive the highest honors. Until this time all heaven was in order, harmony and perfect subjection to the government of God. . . . Satan was insinuating against the government of God, ambitious to exalt himself, and unwilling to submit to the authority of Jesus. Some of the angels sympathized with Satan in his rebellion, and others strongly contended for the honor and wisdom of God in giving authority to his Son. And there was contention with the angels. Satan and his affected ones, who were striving to reform the government of God, wished to look into his unsearchable wisdom to ascertain his purpose in exalting Jesus, and endowing him with such unlimited power and command. They rebelled against the authority of the Son of God, and all the angels were summoned to appear before the Father, to have their cases decided.

Scripture

Ephesians 5:3-6: But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Colossians 3:3-6: For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you [Greek therefore your members that are on the earth]: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.

1 Timothy 6:6-7: But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and [it is certain] we cannot take anything out of the world.

Notes

Satan and his angels effectively were saying, "We will not have this angel rule over us."

Satan's covetousness was for position and acclamation. Acclamation was associated with pride.

Acclamation definition: loud and enthusiastic approval, typically to welcome or honor someone or something.

Satan didn't want to be second fiddle. Even more, he saw the Son of God receiving great authority which made him jealous.

idolatry. What I covet, I give service and obedience and reverence and homage (special honor and respect). Dedicating one's life to the god they covet. They become a slave to the idol. If it's money, the become a slave to money. If it's power or pleasure, then they sacrifice everything to obtain it.

MONDAY. An Accursed Thing in the Camp. Joshua 7 [The Sin of Achan]

Joshua 6:17-19: The city shall be devoted, even it and all that is in it, to Yahweh. Only Rahab the prostitute shall live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent. 18 But as for you, only keep yourselves from what is devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted it, you take of the devoted thing; so you would make the camp of Israel accursed and trouble it. 19 But all the silver, gold, and vessels of bronze and iron are holy to Yahweh. They shall come into Yahweh’s treasury.

Notes

Rahab in Jericho.

Achan took: bar of gold (weighing 20 shekels), 200 shekels of silver, and a beautiful cloak from Shinar (Babylonian garment).

On seeing the goods, Achan did not decide to obey, he decided to make a judgment for himself. God had already judged those things to be for Himself. To judge otherwise would go against God's judgment and will. God had already said, "These are mine. You can't take them." Achan took the place of God.

Achan waited to the end before being discovered. He was willing to die for what he stole.

PP 496.1: Of the millions of Israel there was but one man who, in that solemn hour of triumph and of judgment, had dared to transgress the command of God. Achan's covetousness was excited by the sight of that costly robe of Shinar; even when it had brought him face to face with death he called it “a goodly Babylonish garment.” One sin had led to another, and he appropriated the gold and silver devoted to the treasury of the Lord—he robbed God of the first fruits of the land of Canaan.

PP 496.2: The deadly sin that led to Achan's ruin had its root in covetousness, of all sins one of the most common and the most lightly regarded. While other offenses meet with detection and punishment, how rarely does the violation of the tenth commandment so much as call forth censure. The enormity of this sin, and its terrible results, are the lessons of Achan's history.

PP 496.3: Covetousness is an evil of gradual development. Achan had cherished greed of gain until it became a habit, binding him in fetters well-nigh impossible to break. While fostering this evil, he would have been filled with horror at the thought of bringing disaster upon Israel; but his perceptions were deadened by sin, and when temptation came, he fell an easy prey.

According to EGW, Achan already had the habit of covetousness. The sight of the goods in Jericho was simply the next step. There is, however, the idea of contemplation. That is, looking at a thing long enough with longing until it excites the desire to take it, as in the case of Eve in the garden.

Immediate response to temptation. Achan's immediate response in contrast to Joseph's immediate response.

TUESDAY. The Heart of Judas.

John 12:1-8 [Mary Anoints Jesus at Bethany] Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound [11.5 ounces] of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

1SG 52.1: Judas was filled with bitter remorse and shame at his treacherous act in betraying Jesus. And when he witnessed the abuse he suffered, he was overcome. He had loved Jesus, but loved money more. He did not think that Jesus would suffer himself to be taken by the mob which he had led on. He thought that Jesus would work a miracle, and deliver himself from them. But when he saw the infuriated multitude in the judgment hall, thirsting for his blood, he deeply felt his guilt, and while many were vehemently accusing Jesus, Judas rushed through the multitude, confessing that he had sinned in betraying innocent blood. He offered them the money, and begged of them to release Jesus, declaring that he was entirely innocent. Vexation and confusion kept the priests for a short time silent. They did not wish the people to know that they had hired one of Jesus’ professed followers to betray him into their hands. Their hunting Jesus like a thief and taking him secretly, they wished to hide. But the confession of Judas, his haggard and guilty appearance, exposed the priests before the multitude, showing that it was hatred that had caused them to take Jesus. As Judas loudly declared Jesus to be innocent, the priests replied, What is that to us? See thou to that. They had Jesus in their power, and they were determined to make sure of him. Judas, overwhelmed with anguish, threw the money that he now despised at the feet of those who had hired him, and in anguish and horror at his crime, went and hung himself.

DA 716.4: He loved the Great Teacher, and desired to be with Him. He felt a desire to be changed in character and life, and he hoped to experience this through connecting himself with Jesus. The Saviour did not repulse Judas. He gave him a place among the twelve. He trusted him to do the work of an evangelist. He endowed him with power to heal the sick and to cast out devils. But Judas did not come to the point of surrendering himself fully to Christ. He did not give up his worldly ambition or his love of money. While he accepted the position of a minister of Christ, he did not bring himself under the divine molding. He felt that he could retain his own judgment and opinions, and he cultivated a disposition to criticize and accuse.

Notes

Judas lost eternal life because of covetousness. He also was a thief.

Judas loved Jesus, but loved money more. The same could be said of the rich, young ruler. He desired eternal life, but he desire his riches more.

WEDNESDAY. Ananias and Sapphira. Acts 5:1-11 [Ananias and Sapphira].

Acts 4:34-37: There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.

AA 76.1: In the case of Ananias and Sapphira, the sin of fraud against God was speedily punished. The same sin was often repeated in the after history of the church and is committed by many in our time. But though it may not be attended by the visible manifestation of God's displeasure, it is no less heinous in His sight now than in the apostles’ time. The warning has been given; God has clearly manifested His abhorrence of this sin; and all who give themselves up to hypocrisy and covetousness may be sure that they are destroying their own souls.

Notes

Barnabas sells a piece of property.

Ananias/Sapphira lied to God/Holy Spirit. Covetous and lying. Failed in truthfulness (9th cmd) and covetousness (10th cmd).

When God manifests Himself more fully, there is more accountability. For example, in the Exodus, the rebellious would often be killed, while on other occasions God will just "wink".

Peter gave both Ananias and Sapphira a chance to repent from committing a lie.

The punishment was severe in order to stop hypocrisy dead in its tracks. This was especially important for the early church.

THURSDAY. Overcoming Covetousness. 1 Corinthians 10:13.

1 Corinthians 10:13: No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

“Constant, self-denying benevolence is God’s remedy for the cankering sins of selfishness and covetousness. . . . He has ordained that giving should become a habit, that it may counteract the dangerous and deceitful sin of covetousness. Continual giving starves covetousness to death.”—Ellen G. White, The Adventist Home, p. 370.

Notes

Covetousness has Satanic origins.

A good dose of thanksgiving and praise will help in overcoming covetousness.

1 John 2:15. Do not love the world.

FRIDAY. Further Thought: In the conquest of Jericho, Achan was not the only man carrying silver and gold back to the camp of Israel. Joshua had told the men to bring back the silver and gold and vessels of brass and iron to the treasury of the house of God (Josh. 6:19, 24). Everything else was to be burned. Achan, however, was the only man to keep something for himself. “Of the millions of Israel there was but one man who, in that solemn hour of triumph and of judgment, had dared to transgress the command of God. Achan’s covetousness was excited by the sight of that costly robe of Shinar; even when it had brought him face to face with death he called it ‘a goodly Babylonish garment.’ One sin had led to another, and he appropriated the gold and silver devoted to the treasury of the Lord — he robbed God of the first fruits of the land of Canaan.” — Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 496.

APPENDIX

Two section; two aspects of the plan of salvation: To reveal the character and principle sof lawlessness

DA 758.2 - 759.2: To the angels and the unfallen worlds the cry, “It is finished,” had a deep significance. It was for them as well as for us that the great work of redemption had been accomplished. They with us share the fruits of Christ's victory.

Not until the death of Christ was the character of Satan clearly revealed to the angels or to the unfallen worlds. The archapostate had so clothed himself with deception that even holy beings had not understood his principles. They had not clearly seen the nature of his rebellion.

It was a being of wonderful power and glory that had set himself against God. Of Lucifer the Lord says, “Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.” Ezekiel 28:12. Lucifer had been the covering cherub. He had stood in the light of God's presence. He had been the highest of all created beings, and had been foremost in revealing God's purposes to the universe. After he had sinned, his power to deceive was the more deceptive, and the unveiling of his character was the more difficult, because of the exalted position he had held with the Father.

God could have destroyed Satan and his sympathizers as easily as one can cast a pebble to the earth; but He did not do this. Rebellion was not to be overcome by force. Compelling power is found only under Satan's government. The Lord's principles are not of this order. His authority rests upon goodness, mercy, and love; and the presentation of these principles is the means to be used. God's government is moral, and truth and love are to be the prevailing power.

It was God's purpose to place things on an eternal basis of security, and in the councils of heaven it was decided that time must be given for Satan to develop the principles which were the foundation of his system of government. He had claimed that these were superior to God's principles. Time was given for the working of Satan's principles, that they might be seen by the heavenly universe.

Second aspect: To prove that the law could be kept

DA 761.2 - 762.4: Satan saw that his disguise was torn away. His administration was laid open before the unfallen angels and before the heavenly universe. He had revealed himself as a murderer. By shedding the blood of the Son of God, he had uprooted himself from the sympathies of the heavenly beings. Henceforth his work was restricted. Whatever attitude he might assume, he could no longer await the angels as they came from the heavenly courts, and before them accuse Christ's brethren of being clothed with the garments of blackness and the defilement of sin. The last link of sympathy between Satan and the heavenly world was broken.

Yet Satan was not then destroyed. The angels did not even then understand all that was involved in the great controversy. The principles at stake were to be more fully revealed. And for the sake of man, Satan's existence must be continued. Man as well as angels must see the contrast between the Prince of light and the prince of darkness. He must choose whom he will serve.

In the opening of the great controversy, Satan had declared that the law of God could not be obeyed, that justice was inconsistent with mercy, and that, should the law be broken, it would be impossible for the sinner to be pardoned. Every sin must meet its punishment, urged Satan; and if God should remit the punishment of sin, He would not be a God of truth and justice. When men broke the law of God, and defied His will, Satan exulted. It was proved, he declared, that the law could not be obeyed; man could not be forgiven. Because he, after his rebellion, had been banished from heaven, Satan claimed that the human race must be forever shut out from God's favor. God could not be just, he urged, and yet show mercy to the sinner.

But even as a sinner, man was in a different position from that of Satan. Lucifer in heaven had sinned in the light of God's glory. To him as to no other created being was given a revelation of God's love. Understanding the character of God, knowing His goodness, Satan chose to follow his own selfish, independent will. This choice was final. There was no more that God could do to save him. But man was deceived; his mind was darkened by Satan's sophistry. The height and depth of the love of God he did not know. For him there was hope in a knowledge of God's love. By beholding His character he might be drawn back to God.

Through Jesus, God's mercy was manifested to men; but mercy does not set aside justice. The law reveals the attributes of God's character, and not a jot or tittle of it could be changed to meet man in his fallen condition. God did not change His law, but He sacrificed Himself, in Christ, for man's redemption. “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.” 2 Corinthians 5:19.

The law requires righteousness,—a righteous life, a perfect character; and this man has not to give. He cannot meet the claims of God's holy law. But Christ, coming to the earth as man, lived a holy life, and developed a perfect character. These He offers as a free gift to all who will receive them. His life stands for the life of men. Thus they have remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. More than this, Christ imbues men with the attributes of God. He builds up the human character after the similitude of the divine character, a goodly fabric of spiritual strength and beauty. Thus the very righteousness of the law is fulfilled in the believer in Christ. God can “be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Romans 3:26.

God's love has been expressed in His justice no less than in His mercy. Justice is the foundation of His throne, and the fruit of His love. It had been Satan's purpose to divorce mercy from truth and justice. He sought to prove that the righteousness of God's law is an enemy to peace. But Christ shows that in God's plan they are indissolubly joined together; the one cannot exist without the other. “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” Psalm 85:10.

By His life and His death, Christ proved that God's justice did not destroy His mercy, but that sin could be forgiven, and that the law is righteous, and can be perfectly obeyed. Satan's charges were refuted. God had given man unmistakable evidence of His love.

Repopulate Heaven

15LtMs, Lt 91, 1900, par. 3: God created man for His own glory, that after test and trial the human family might become one with the heavenly family. <And to every man is given his work to receive the mind of God.> It was God’s purpose to repopulate heaven with the human family, if they would show themselves obedient to His every word. Adam was to be tested, to see whether he would be obedient <as the loyal angels> or disobedient. If he stood the test, his instruction to his children would have been only of loyalty. His mind and thoughts would have been as the mind and thoughts of God. He would have been taught by God as His husbandry and building. His character would have been molded in accordance with the character of God.

The vindication of the character of God by the people of God.

Matthew 5:16: In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that[a] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

John 15:8: By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

Ephesians 1:12: so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

Isaiah 48:11: For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name[a] be profaned? My glory I will not give to another.

Ezekiel 39:26-27:

EGW

PP 68.2: But the plan of redemption had a yet broader and deeper purpose than the salvation of man. It was not for this alone that Christ came to the earth; it was not merely that the inhabitants of this little world might regard the law of God as it should be regarded; but it was to vindicate the character of God before the universe. . . . The act of Christ in dying for the salvation of man would not only make heaven accessible to men, but before all the universe it would justify God and His Son in their dealing with the rebellion of Satan. It would establish the perpetuity of the law of God and would reveal the nature and the results of sin.

14LtMs, Lt 44, 1899, par. 12: It is yours to refuse or accept the invitation, “Come, for all things are now ready.” [Luke 14:17.] You may accept the truth or you may place yourself in a position where the truth cannot reach you. The Lord calls upon you to vindicate his law, not only by precept, but by example. Give your heart to God as a New Year’s gift. Make no halfway surrender. Decide now and forever that you can no longer serve God and mammon. Take the Word of God as it reads, and say, This shall be my Counsellor.

The world glorifies the ungodly. We are to glorify God.

Notes

Welch's Grape Juice. Children's story, first part of worship service.