Sunday
January 15
1. CHERISHING PRESENT TRUTH
a. What is faith, and how are we to develop it? Hebrews 11:1; Romans 10:17.
b. What must we realize about the heavenly light sent to guide us? Proverbs 4:18.
Greater light shines upon us than shone upon our fathers. We cannot be accepted or honored of God in rendering the same service, or doing the same works, that our fathers did. In order to be accepted and blessed of God as they were, we must imitate their faithfulness and zeal, improve our light as they improved theirs, and do as they would have done had they lived in our day. We must walk in the light which shines upon us, otherwise that light will become darkness. God requires of us to exhibit to the world, in our character and works, that measure of the spirit of union and oneness which is in accordance with the sacred truths we profess and with the spirit of those prophecies that are fulfilling in these last days. The truth which has reached our understanding, and the light which has shone on the soul will judge and condemn us, if we turn away and refuse to be led by them.-Testimonies, vol. 1, pp. 262, 263.
Monday
January 16
2. WALKING IN THE PRESENT TRUTH
a. What happens when we walk in the light that Christ has shown upon our pathway? 1 John 1:7. Why will this make His people distinct from others?
Sin and holiness can make no compromise. The Bible contains no sanction of ungodliness, no sweet words of forbearance and charity for the persistently impenitent. Jesus came to draw all men unto Himself, and His followers must walk in the light of His glorious example, at whatever sacrifice of ease or reputation, at whatever peril of property or life. In this way only can they fight the good fight of faith.-Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 624.
b. Why does God appeal to us so strongly to cherish the present truth today? Colossians 1:27.
If God gives light, you must walk in the light and follow the light. Light is flashing from the throne of God, and what is this for? It is that a people may be prepared to stand in the day of God. You who have devoted time and money to the adornment of your apparel and to the decoration of your homes, I would ask you, 'Is Christ formed within you the hope of glory?' It is too late in the day to be taken up with the frivolous things of the world-too late for any superficial work to be done. It is too late in the day to cry out against men for manifesting too much earnestness in the service of God; to say, 'You are excited; you are too intense, too positive.' It is too late to caution your brethren in studying the Bible for themselves, because they may be deceived by errors. We know falsehoods are coming in like a swift current, and that is just the reason why we want every ray of light that God has for us, that we may be able to stand amid the perils of the last days.-The Review and Herald, March 4, 1890.
c. What environment has God designed to strengthen us in our understanding and practice of present truth? Malachi 3:16; 1 Timothy 3:15.
The church is God's appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world.-The Acts of the Apostles, p. 9.
Tuesday
January 17
3. PRESSING TOGETHER
a. What does Christ plan for His church, and how is it achieved? John 17:17-21.
The last prayer that Christ offered for His disciples before His trial was that they might be one in Him. Satan is determined that this oneness shall not be, for it is the strongest witness that can be borne that God gave His Son to reconcile the world to heaven. But the union for which Christ prayed must exist among God's people before He can bestow on the church the enlargement and power that He longs to bestow on it.
Unity should be recognized as the element of preservation in the church. Those who are united in church capacity have entered into a solemn covenant with God to obey His word, and to unite in an effort to strengthen the faith of one another. . . . But God cannot make them one with Christ and with one another unless they are willing to give up their way for His way."-The Review and Herald, May 12, 1903.
b. What attitude toward each other will promote unity in the church? John 3:30.
Think just as little upon yourself as possible. Think evils of no man. Christ's followers must walk in the light of His glorious example, and at whatever cost or labor or suffering, must maintain the purity of the soul and spirit through the grace of Christ, yielding complete allegiance to the reformatory doctrines of the gospel of Christ, without mingling self with the work. Keep self subdued, and keep Jesus ever lifted up, and push the triumphs of the cross of Christ. Let it be your work while life shall last to extend the borders of His kingdom, and wage a daily war against all sin and ungodliness, whatever others may think of you. The matter of what others think of you must be left in the hands of God. He is acquainted with the inwardness of every life, the motives of every action, the foundation of every character. Our work is to push the reform committed to us in the spirit of unvarying kindness and tenderest love. Self is not to be made prominent at any time; there is to be no seeking after supremacy. God knows this has nearly ruined the purity and success of the church, and hindered the triumph we might have had. Reformers are to work only in Jesus. Self is not to appear.-The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, pp. 969, 970.
Wednesday
January 18
4. THE BASIS OF THE CHURCH
a. Why does God have a separate and distinct church today? Isaiah 8:13-20.
The masses of the people turn away their ears from hearing the truth and are turned unto fables. The apostle Paul declared, looking down to the last days: 'The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine' (2 Timothy 4:3). That time has fully come. The multitudes do not want Bible truth, because it interferes with the desires of the sinful, world-loving heart; and Satan supplies the deceptions which they love.
But God will have a people upon the earth to maintain the Bible, and the Bible only, as the standard of all doctrines and the basis of all reforms. The opinions of learned men, the deductions of science, the creeds or decisions of ecclesiastical councils, as numerous and discordant as are the churches which they represent, the voice of the majority-not one nor all of these should be regarded as evidence for or against any point of religious faith. Before accepting any doctrine or precept, we should demand a plain 'Thus saith the Lord' in its support."-The Great Controversy, pp. 594, 595.
b. What is to be the constant attitude of all sincere followers of Christ whether or not they have already become church members? Jeremiah 15:16.
With a mind free from prejudice, search the Word carefully. If, as you read, conviction comes and you see that your cherished opinions are not in harmony with the Word, do not try to make the Word fit these opinions. Do not allow what you have believed or practiced in the past to control your understanding. Open the eyes of your mind to behold wondrous things out of the Word.-The Signs of the Times, October 3, 1906.
c. What is to be the experience of every reformer? 2 Peter 3:18; Psalm 119:130.
Thursday
January 19
5. A POWERFUL TRUTH
a. What danger confronts the professed people of God today just as when the Lord described a similar situation to His prophet Ezekiel? Ezekiel 33:32.
Some are in danger of hastening to the conclusion that because they hold firmly to the doctrines of the truth, they are actually in possession of the blessings which these doctrines declare shall come to the receiver of truth. Many keep the truth in the outer court. Its sacred principles have not a controlling influence over the words, the thoughts, the actions. They do not possess the faith which works by love and purifies the soul. An assent to the truth may quiet the conscience, but let every believer inquire, 'Does my faith make me a daily, hourly follower of Christ? Has it a sanctifying influence on my soul? Can I say, The gentleness of Christ has made me great?' A faultless creed and a carnal life are too often found together in professed believers. To be a means to a saving end, the word of God must be intelligently and practically understood and obeyed.-The Review and Herald, October 1, 1901.
b. In view of this peril, what should be the burden of our heart? 2 Peter 1:10-12.
Christianity has a much broader meaning than many have hitherto given it. It is not a creed. It is the word of Him who liveth and abideth forever. It is a living, animating principle that takes possession of mind, heart, motives, and the entire man. Christianity-oh, that we might experience its operations!-Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 421, 422.
Friday
January 20
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What does present truth have to do with church fellowship?
2. What can we do to promote more genuine love and unity among us?
3. Why are the Scriptures so important, and how should they be affecting us?