Sabbath Afternoon March 7
Memory Text:
“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” KJV — Colossians 3:14
“In his efforts to reach God's ideal for him, the Christian is to despair of nothing. Moral and spiritual perfection, through the grace and power of Christ, is promised to all. Jesus is the source of power, the fountain of life. He brings us to His word, and from the tree of life presents to us leaves for the healing of sin-sick souls. He leads us to the throne of God, and puts into our mouth a prayer through which we are brought into close contact with Himself. In our behalf He sets in operation the all-powerful agencies of heaven. At every step we touch His living power.” AA 478.2
“God fixes no limit to the advancement of those who desire to be “filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” Through prayer, through watchfulness, through growth in knowledge and understanding, they are to be “strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power.” Thus they are prepared to work for others. It is the Saviour's purpose that human beings, purified and sanctified, shall be His helping hand. For this great privilege let us give thanks to Him who ‘hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.’” AA 478.3
Sunday March 8
Heavenly-Mindedness
Read Colossians 3:1–4. What condition does Paul indicate is necessary for us to be heavenly-minded? What do you think that means?
“He who has determined to enter the spiritual kingdom will find that all the powers and passions of unregenerate nature, backed by the forces of the kingdom of darkness, are arrayed against him. Each day he must renew his consecration, each day do battle with evil. Old habits, hereditary tendencies to wrong, will strive for the mastery, and against these he is to be ever on guard, striving in Christ's strength for victory. AA 476.3
“‘Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth,’ Paul wrote to the Colossians; ‘in the which ye also walked sometime, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.... Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.’ AA 477.1
“The letter to the Colossians is filled with lessons of highest value to all who are engaged in the service of Christ, lessons that show the singleness of purpose and the loftiness of aim which will be seen in the life of him who rightly represents the Saviour. Renouncing all that would hinder him from making progress in the upward way or that would turn the feet of another from the narrow path, the believer will reveal in his daily life mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, forbearance, and the love of Christ. AA 477.2
Monday March 9
End Earthliness
Read Colossians 3:5, 6 (see also Rom. 6:1–7). How do we experience what it means to be dead to self and to earthliness and alive to “those things which are above” (Col. 3:1)?
“At the time of their conversion and baptism the Colossian believers pledged themselves to put away beliefs and practices that had hitherto been a part of their lives, and to be true to their allegiance to Christ. In his letter, Paul reminded them of this, and entreated them not to forget that in order to keep their pledge they must put forth constant effort against the evils that would seek for mastery over them. ‘if ye then be risen with Christ,’ he said, ‘seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.’ AA 475.3
“‘If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.’ 2 Corinthians 5:17. Through the power of Christ, men and women have broken the chains of sinful habit. They have renounced selfishness. The profane have become reverent, the drunken sober, the profligate pure. Souls that have borne the likeness of Satan have become transformed into the image of God. This change is in itself the miracle of miracles. A change wrought by the Word, it is one of the deepest mysteries of the Word. We cannot understand it; we can only believe, as declared by the Scriptures, it is ‘Christ in you, the hope of glory.’ AA 476.1
“When the Spirit of God controls mind and heart, the converted soul breaks forth into a new song; for he realizes that in his experience the promise of God has been fulfilled, that his transgression has been forgiven, his sin covered. He has exercised repentance toward God for the violation of the divine law, and faith toward Christ, who died for man's justification. ‘Being justified by faith,’ he has ‘peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ Romans 5:1.” AA 476.2
“The power of a higher, purer, nobler life is our great need. The world has too much of our thought, and the kingdom of heaven too little. AA 478.1
Tuesday March 10
Renewed in Knowledge
Read Colossians 3:6–11. How does Paul continue with this train of thought?
“Ye are dead to the carnal desires, dead to the fierce, burning passions which consume love and gentleness, kindness and Christian courtesy. It is not enough for the Christian to say, I was once converted. Too many Christians base their faith and hope not on present experience, not on what they now are, but on what they once were when they first professed Christ. Unless conversion brings us into a new state before God, transforming the entire being, what is it good for to us? The man that is born again can say, Old things, the quick and impatient temper, the hate, the envy, revenge, the spirit of retaliation, the pride of heart, all emulation, seeking for supremacy, shall be overcome, shall be emptied out of my heart and not seen in my life. 2LtMs, Ms 2, 1875, par. 10
“Will the converted man and woman have no temptation to speak and act wrong? He will have a tempting devil on his track continually, and he must arm himself with faith and prayer to resist him. There will be a strong undercurrent to work against which is running swiftly to bear him back to his former state of sin, to indulge the natural passions of the unrenewed heart. No heart can be kept pure without being constantly salted with divine grace. No man can remain converted unless he watches unto prayer, keeps his soul firmly united to Christ, trusting in Him every moment, forcing his passage heavenward against the current of sinful indulgences, rowing against wind and tide, using both oars—faith and works. Conversion is putting all our powers to work for the Saviour who has left His majesty, His honor, His riches, and come into the world to save man. He loved him with a love that was infinite. He gave His life for poor, rebellious man. What more could God do for humanity than He has done? What now will man do on his part in his own behalf, and for the salvation of his fellow man, to evidence that he appreciates the sacrifice made and the mercy bestowed upon him? Will he not, in view of this great love and infinite mercy, cling to the Saviour with constant, persevering fidelity?” 2LtMs, Ms 2, 1875, par. 11
What does Paul mean by the “old man” in contrast with the “new man”? See Romans 6:6 and Ephesians 4:22–24.
“Great responsibility comes to those who have been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Strive to understand the meaning of the words, ‘Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.’ In the new life upon which you have entered, you are pledged to represent the life of Christ. Having put on the new man, ‘which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him,’” 19MR 236.1
“Those who choose to become members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King, must reveal their choice by bringing their words and actions into harmony with the principles they advocate. My brother, my sister, is the kingdom of God enthroned in your heart by Christ’s presence abiding there? Or is self still a controlling power within? Whose subject are you? If a selfish spirit continues to keep you out of Christ’s service, pray, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.” 18MR 105.1
Wednesday March 11
Character of the new Life
Read Colossians 3:12–14. How are believers described, and how do you think it relates to the qualities they are to “put on”?
“The words are straight, plain, and unvarnished. No one need walk into the trap that Satan has placed for the feet of the unwary. Let those who desire to be like Christ pray in faith and watch unto prayer, and then, believing, sing their songs of praise and thanksgiving. 20LtMs, Lt 225, 1905, par. 13
“The Lord Jesus sees His professed believers associated together in church capacity, but not all of them have the truth. Not all of them are obedient to the commandments. In many cases there are those who are backsliders. If these had followed on to know the Lord, they would have discerned the intensity of the love that God has for every soul. “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” “God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned, but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every man that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds shall be reproved, but he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” [John 3:16-21.] 20LtMs, Lt 225, 1905, par. 14
“What a work is before us. We cannot see the end from the beginning. We must follow on to know the Lord, step by step. He is leading us, and He will give us increased light. 20LtMs, Lt 225, 1905, par. 15
“There are those who need to make a decided change in their lives. They have not been following the way of truth and righteousness. Their interest in God’s work has abated and their devotion gone, because they have not walked in the counsel of God, but in many respects have followed in the tread of the world. They have not kept their thoughts pure, clean, and holy. They are not surrounded with that fragrant spiritual influence that would mark them as those who love God and keep His commandments. 20LtMs, Lt 225, 1905, par. 16
“They may recover themselves from the snare of the enemy if they will realize that they are transgressing the law of God, and will show repentance toward God and Jesus Christ. When their spiritual perceptions are revived, they will see that they have not honored God as His law requires them to. God says to them, Your perceptions need the refinement of divine grace, that they may be cleansed from every stain of impurity in thought, word, or deed.” 20LtMs, Lt 225, 1905, par. 17
Thursday March 12
Living the New Life
Read Colossians 3:16, 17. What specifically enables Christ to be in control, and what role does music play in all this?
“The old sinful life is dead, the new life entered into with Christ by the pledge of baptism. Practice the virtues of the Saviour’s character. Let His word “dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him” [verses 16, 17]. 19MR 236.2
“These things are to be presented in the churches. Love, compassion, and tenderness are to be revealed amongst us. Put on, as the elect of God, mercy and kindness. The sins that were practiced before conversion are to be put off with the old man. With the new man, Christ Jesus, are to be put on “kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.” 19MR 236.3
“Those who have risen with Christ to walk in newness of life are the elect of God. They are holy unto the Lord, and are acknowledged by Him as his beloved. As such, they are under solemn covenant to distinguish themselves by showing humility of mind. They are to clothe themselves in garments of righteousness. They are separate from the world, from its spirit, its practices, and they are to reveal that they are learning of Him who says, “I am meek and lowly in heart.” If they realize that they have died with Christ, if they keep their baptismal vow, the world will have no power to draw them aside to deny Christ. If they live the life of Christ in this world, they are partakers of the divine nature. Then, when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, they also will appear with Him in glory. 19MR 236.4
“The people of God are to love as brethren and sisters. They are to be kind and courteous. They are to forgive one another as Christ has forgiven them. They are to follow His example in all things; for their life is hid with Him in God. My brethren and sisters, consider the possibilities of such a life. Christian unity is a grand and wonderful thing. Strive for it. ‘As He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.... Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever’[1 Peter 1:15, 22, 23].” 19MR 237.1
Friday March 13
Further Thought
“My brethren and sisters, will you not heed this appeal? As it is read to the members of the several churches by the one who shall stand in my stead, because I cannot be with you personally, let the believers respond. Bow before God, and make confession of your backsliding. In humility accept the words of Christ, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” [Matthew 16:24]. “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” [Matthew 11:29, 30]. 19MR 237.2
“We need to work unitedly and with Christ, that we may not be drawn away from the faith. In the night season I was speaking these words to the churches of Melbourne, impressing upon them the need of preparing for the coming of Christ. We need to be very earnest now; for much time has been lost because our lives have not been hidden with Christ in God. As I presented these things, the deep movings of the Spirit of God were felt, and light came into the meeting. Humble confessions were made. Some who at first had seemed to be indifferent, broke down, and confessed their sins, and a reformation was begun. 19MR 238.1
“I write these things to you because I believe it will be the means of helping you out of darkness into the light.—Letter 32, 1907.” 19MR 238.2