Sunday
December 25
1. LOVE NEVER FAILS
a. What is written about love compared to other gifts, and what is one of its basic qualities? 1 Corinthians 13:8; Romans 12:9.
“Paul would have us distinguish between the pure, unselfish love which is prompted by the spirit of Christ, and the unmeaning, deceitful pretense with which the world abounds. This base counterfeit has misled many souls. It would blot out the distinction between right and wrong, by agreeing with the transgressor instead of faithfully showing him his errors. Such a course never springs from real friendship. The spirit by which it is prompted dwells only in the carnal heart. While the Christian will be ever kind, compassionate, and forgiving, he can feel no harmony with sin. He will abhor evil and cling to that which is good, at the sacrifice of association or friendship with the ungodly. The spirit of Christ will lead us to hate sin, while we are willing to make any sacrifice to save the sinner.”–Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 171.
b. Mention a few more characteristics of Christian love. Romans 12:10, 11.
“Religion is not designed merely to prepare us for admission into heaven; one object is to fit us for the proper discharge of the duties of daily life.”–The Bible Echo, June 1, 1887.
Monday
December 26
2. “REJOICE IN THE LORD”
a. How are we to “rejoice in the Lord”? Philippians 4:4; Psalm 31:7.
“Whatever your disposition may be, God is able so to mold it that it will be sweet and Christlike. By the exercise of living faith you can separate from everything that is not in accordance with the mind of God, and thus bring heaven into your life here below. Doing this, you will have sunshine at every step. When the enemy seeks to enshroud the soul with darkness, sing faith and talk faith, and you will find that you have sung and talked yourself into the light.”–Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, pp. 233, 234.
b. What are we admonished to do amid trials and persecutions? Romans 12:12.
“In the heart of Christ, where reigned perfect harmony with God, there was perfect peace. He was never elated by applause, nor dejected by censure or disappointment. Amid the greatest opposition and the most cruel treatment, He was still of good courage. But many who profess to be His followers have an anxious, troubled heart, because they are afraid to trust themselves with God. They do not make a complete surrender to Him; for they shrink from the consequences that such a surrender may involve. Unless they do make this surrender, they cannot find peace.
“It is the love of self that brings unrest. When we are born from above, the same mind will be in us that was in Jesus, the mind that led Him to humble Himself that we might be saved. Then we shall not be seeking the highest place. We shall desire to sit at the feet of Jesus, and learn of Him. We shall understand that the value of our work does not consist in making a show and noise in the world, and in being active and zealous in our own strength. The value of our work is in proportion to the impartation of the Holy Spirit. Trust in God brings holier qualities of mind, so that in patience we may possess our souls.”–The Desire of Ages, pp. 330, 331.
Tuesday
December 27
3. “LOVE YOUR ENEMIES”
a. How should Christians treat their enemies? Matthew 5:43–47; Romans 12:14.
b. When tempted to avenge ourselves, what should we bear in mind? Romans 12:17–21.
“We cannot afford to let our spirits chafe over any real or supposed wrong done to ourselves. Self is the enemy we most need to fear. No form of vice has a more baleful effect upon the character than has human passion not under the control of the Holy Spirit. No other victory we can gain will be so precious as the victory gained over self.
“We should not allow our feelings to be easily wounded. We are to live, not to guard our feelings or our reputation, but to save souls. As we become interested in the salvation of souls we cease to mind the little differences that so often arise in our association with one another. Whatever others may think of us or do to us, it need not disturb our oneness with Christ, the fellowship of the Spirit. ‘What glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God’ (1 Peter 2:20).
“Do not retaliate. So far as you can do so, remove all cause for misapprehension. Avoid the appearance of evil. Do all that lies in your power, without the sacrifice of principle, to conciliate others. ‘If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift’ (Matthew 5:23, 24).
“If impatient words are spoken to you, never reply in the same spirit. Remember that ‘a soft answer turneth away wrath’ (Proverbs 15:1). And there is wonderful power in silence. Words spoken in reply to one who is angry sometimes serve only to exasperate. But anger met with silence, in a tender, forbearing spirit, quickly dies away.
“Under a storm of stinging, faultfinding words, keep the mind stayed upon the word of God. Let mind and heart be stored with God’s promises. If you are ill-treated or wrongfully accused, instead of returning an angry answer, repeat to yourself the precious promises: ‘Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good’ (Romans 12:21).”–The Ministry of Healing, pp. 485, 486.
Wednesday
December 28
4. NEW HEAVENS AND A NEW EARTH
a. What admonition comes to us in view of what is soon to come upon this earth? 2 Peter 3:10–13.
“Knowing this, what manner of persons ought we to be? Shall we exalt human wisdom and point to finite, changeable, erring men as a dependence in time of trouble? or shall we exemplify our faith by our trust in God’s power, revealing the net of false theories, religions, and philosophies which Satan has spread to catch unwary souls? By thus doing the word of God, we shall be lights in the world; for if the word of God is practiced, we show to all those who come within the sphere of our influence that we reverence and respect God, and that we are working under His administration. By a humble, circumspect walk, by love, forbearance, long-suffering, and gentleness, God expects His servants to manifest Him to the world.
“God requires those to whom He has given sacred trusts to rise to the full height of their responsibilities. Man is placed here in the world on test and trial, and those who are given positions of trust must decide whether they will exalt self, or their Maker; whether they will use their power to oppress their fellowmen, or to exalt and glorify God.”–Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 281, 282.
b. How does the Bible describe the new heavens and the new earth? Revelation 21:1–5; Isaiah 65:17.
“ ‘Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him’ (1 Corinthians 2:9). Only through His word can a knowledge of these things be gained; and even this affords but a partial revelation. . . .
“No tree of knowledge of good and evil will afford opportunity for temptation [in the Holy City]. No tempter is there, no possibility of wrong. Every character has withstood the testing of evil, and none are longer susceptible to its power.
“ ‘To him that overcometh,’ Christ says, ‘will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God’ (Revelation 2:7). The giving of the tree of life in Eden was conditional, and it was finally withdrawn. But the gifts of the future life are absolute and eternal.”–Education, pp. 301, 302.
Thursday
December 29
5. THE NEW JERUSALEM
a. How does John describe the New Jerusalem? Revelation 21:9–26.
b. Who will be there and who will not be there? Revelation 21:27; 22:14, 15.
“The whole wicked world stand arraigned at the bar of God on the charge of high treason against the government of heaven. . . .
“It is now evident to all that the wages of sin is not noble independence and eternal life, but slavery, ruin, and death. The wicked see what they have forfeited by their life of rebellion. The far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory was despised when offered them; but how desirable it now appears. ‘All this,’ cries the lost soul, ‘I might have had; but I chose to put these things far from me. Oh, strange infatuation! I have exchanged peace, happiness, and honor for wretchedness, infamy, and despair.’ All see that their exclusion from heaven is just. By their lives they have declared: ‘We will not have this Man [Jesus] to reign over us’ (Luke 19:14).”–The Great Controversy, p. 668.
c. What should be our constant prayer in view of Christ’s promise to come again soon to gather His faithful, final remnant? Revelation 22:16–20.
“[Revelation 22:16–18, 20 quoted.] We see from these words the necessity of sacredly cherishing every ray of light that the Lord Jesus sends to His church on the earth. The efficiency of any church depends upon its entire consecration. The church is not to conform to any one man’s mind or judgment or will, or depart in the slightest particular from the teachings of the Word.”–Australasian Union Conference Record, October 7, 1907.
“On rocky Patmos the beloved disciple hears the promise, ‘Surely I come quickly,’ and his longing response voices the prayer of the church in all her pilgrimage, ‘Even so, come, Lord Jesus’ (Revelation 22:20).”–The Faith I Live By, p. 348.
Friday
December 30
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Explain the difference between human love and God’s love.
2. What is the true source of Christian happiness?
3. How can we love our enemies?
4. What kind of people should we be as we await our Lord’s return?
5. Describe the New Jerusalem and explain how we can be there.