FOURTH QUARTER 2021
SABBATH SCHOOL INSIGHT #10
DECEMBER 4, 2021
“REMEMBER DO NOT FORGET”

 

Read for this week’s study: Genesis 9:8-17; Deuteronomy 4:32-39; Revelation 14:12; Deuteronomy 4:9, 23; Deuteronomy 6:7; Deuteronomy 8:7-18; Ephesians 2:8-13.

 

Memory Text: “Remember! Do not forget how you provoked the LORD your God to wrath in the wilderness. From the day that you departed from the land of Egypt until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against the LORD. ” (Deuteronomy 9:7, NKJV).

 

We are told in inspiration that we have nothing to fear for the future, except we forget how we have been led in our past lives. All the work of God is to heal us from the ravages of sin, and His work includes revelations of His character, His truths, His trials to benefit us, His lessons to remember.

 

James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

 

Christianity involves, not only peace and rest, but also focus, vigilance, diligence, study, application, prayer, and a singular eye on Christ, all done through His power, through love, through appreciation of Him and His character, His sacrifice, His faithfulness and love for us.

 

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

1 Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

1Thessalonians 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

 

This effort to be sober, vigilant, watchful, and to continue to remember, are natural when motivated by true faith, when we really believe God and His word.  Matthew 4:4 tells us to live by “every word of God”, and we do so continually, for we need His guidance, His wisdom, His grace, for every decision, every moment of our lives.

 

“You are just as dependent upon Christ, in order to live a holy life, as is the branch upon the parent stock for growth and fruitfulness. Apart from Him you have no life. You have no power to resist temptation or to grow in grace and holiness. Abiding in Him, you may flourish. Drawing your life from Him, you will not wither nor be fruitless. You will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water.”  Steps to Christ, p. 69

 

We are warned of backsliding right prior to the Second Coming. We are warned that worldliness and the cares of this life can swallow up our eternal focus and priority, to stay connected to Christ and all that such a relationship involves.

 

Luke 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

 

One of my favorite hymns is “Watch Ye Saints, with eye lids waking”. We as a people need to remember the parable of the Virgins in Matthew 25, and to be prepared for Christ’s coming, for even the elect are somewhat “asleep.” Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us the secret of victory in the Christian life. “Looking unto Jesus.” To behold the beauty of His character, to fall and stay in love with Him. The Greek language is a continuous tense, the idea of continuing to look to Jesus. In Daniel 6, Darius commended Daniel for serving God “continually.”

 

God often tells His people to remember all the things that He has done for them; to remember His grace for them and His goodness toward them. So much of the Old Testament consisted of the prophets’ telling the people, the Hebrew people, not to forget what the Lord had done for them. But also, most important, they were not to forget what their calling in Him was and what kind of people they were to be in response to that calling. “I will remember the works of the LORD; surely I will remember Your wonders of old” (Psalms 77:11

 

What is our calling? What is the purpose of our existence? Many would state that it is to preach the Everlasting Gospel in the Three Angel’s Messages. I believe that while that is very true, there is a more fundamental truth to first remember and grasp in its significance.

 

Isaiah 43:7 Even every one that is called by My name: for I have created him for My glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

 

God is the Creator of the Universe, and He has created man to reflect His glory, His character. This is man’s destiny, for which the Everlasting Gospel is intended to create in us.

 

2 Peter 1:3 According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

 

Romans 5:2 By Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

 

2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

 

2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, Who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

 

Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

 

2 Thessalonians 2:14 Whereunto He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Romans 9:23 And that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had afore prepared unto glory,

 

Romans 8:29 For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

 

The plan of salvation encompasses much more than merely being forgiven, as wonderful as that is. 1 John 1:9 is clear as to God’s total hope and purpose, and I believe that much of Christianity has truncated the experience to forgiveness only, ‘I’m saved by grace’, without understanding what grace fully is involved with.

 

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

The Bible is clear that the goodness of God leads to repentance. Romans 2:4. When we grasp, fully, what God is offering freely through His grace, we will stand in awe of the unspeakable gift, and “rejoice in the HOPE of the glory of God.” What is grace?

 

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

Grace is 1) Forgiveness or mercy; 2) The power to live a new life, the life of loving faith and obedience.

 

The method of change is “by beholding, we become changed.” Beholding Christ means studying His life in His word, which will lead to conviction, desire, dependence upon God for the grace to change, and the actual working out in the life the goal God has for us. Yes, we have a part to play, in continually choosing to cooperate and to rely upon His grace to say no to sin and yes to Love.

 

Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

 

We “work out” what He has first “worked within.” We obey, moment by moment, and that takes vigilance, watchfulness, thoughtfulness, diligence.

 

2 Peter 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

 

What is the motive?

 

1 Timothy 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, Who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe.

 

2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: (all died).

 

The Legal Justification of all mankind, stemming from unfathomable love, is the motive for us to trust, and obey, out of love.

 

“There is need of constant watchfulness and of earnest, loving devotion, but these will come naturally when the soul is kept by the power of God through faith. We can do nothing, absolutely nothing, to commend ourselves to divine favor. We must not trust at all to ourselves or to our good works; but when as erring, sinful beings we come to Christ, we may find rest in His love. God will accept every one that comes to Him trusting wholly in the merits of a crucified Saviour. Love springs up in the heart. There may be no ecstasy of feeling, but there is an abiding, peaceful trust. Every burden is light; for the yoke which Christ imposes is easy. Duty becomes a delight, and sacrifice a pleasure. The path that before seemed shrouded in darkness becomes bright with beams from the Sun of Righteousness. This is walking in the light as Christ is in the light.” 1SM, 343.

 

If any man be in Christ, He is a new creature.  2 Corinthians 5:17.

 

Why do we forget? Of course, we have been harmed by sin, even in our intellectual abilities, which is why we need constant study and exposure to light and truth. There is also, however, another spiritual problem, which I believe seriously impedes our growth. There is a strange power in us resisting the very grace God offers. What is that power? It, of course, is the sinful nature, which has at its center self, pride, selfishness.

 

The Laodicean message is a warning of self-righteousness. Laodicea is described, ultimately, as “naked” as a result of complacency, self-satisfaction, independence from totally dependency on Christ and His righteousness.

 

Either God or Satan Controls — “Satan takes control of every mind that is not decidedly under the control of the Spirit of God.”—Letter 57, 1895 (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 79).

 

If we are not converted, we would be absent of the robe of Christ’s Righteousness, and thus “naked.” The Laodicean warning is that Satan will take full control of those who are not decidedly under the control of the Spirit of God. When we see the sad reality in Revelation 13 that the “whole world will wonder after the beast” we see the ultimate fulfillment of that tragic warning.

 

“Beware of procrastination. Do not put off the work of forsaking your sins and seeking purity of heart through Jesus. Here is where thousands upon thousands have erred to their eternal loss. I will not here dwell upon the shortness and uncertainty of life; but there is a terrible danger—a danger not sufficiently understood—in delaying to yield to the pleading voice of God's Holy Spirit, in choosing to live in sin; for such this delay really is. Sin, however small it may be esteemed, can be indulged in only at the peril of infinite loss. What we do not overcome, will overcome us and work out our destruction.” Steps to Christ, p. 13.

 

With all of these thoughts, the importance of remembering what God has done, who He is, what He desires and thus promises, becomes of paramount importance.

 

I once was given the blessing of conducting a communion service in the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem. As we did so, a huge rainbow formed overhead, a memory I will always treasure, for I felt God’s presence in a special way. As our lesson says, the rainbow is one way God reminds us of His promises to us. God doesn’t need the rainbow to remember His promise and His covenant. He just spoke in language that humans could understand. If anything, the rainbow is for us, as humans, to remember God’s promise and covenant not to destroy the world again by water. In other words, the rainbow was to help people remember this special covenant that God had made; each time the rainbow appears, God’s people would remember, not only God’s judgment upon the world for its sin but also His love for the world and His promise not to flood it again. We are to learn that God’s word, and promises are true, a “learning” that results in living out those principles moment by moment in our lives.

 

The Lord didn’t do all those things, as well as for Israel, for no purpose. He had redeemed His people, keeping His end of the covenant that He had established with them. They were freed from Egypt, about to enter the Promised Land. God did His part; they were now called on to do theirs, which was, simply, to obey. The Final Generation is described as those who “keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” The word “keep” involves much more than to obey. It has to do with comprehending, appreciating, and remembering the faithfulness of Jesus, and the eternal nature of His law, which reflects His character.

 

Deuteronomy 4:9 Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren.

 

Several principles are mentioned here. We are to take heed, take watch over ourselves, so that we do not forget. We are also to “teach” God’s word, for I have learned that the best way to remember God’s truths is to share them, with loved ones, and then with the world.

 

“The hidden selfishness of men stands revealed in the books of heaven. There is the record of unfulfilled duties to their fellow men, of forgetfulness of the Saviour's claims. There they will see how often were given to Satan the time, thought, and strength that belonged to Christ. Sad is the record which angels bear to heaven. Intelligent beings, professed followers of Christ, are absorbed in the acquirement of worldly possessions or the enjoyment of earthly pleasures. Money, time, and strength are sacrificed for display and self-indulgence; but few are the moments devoted to prayer, to the searching of the Scriptures, to humiliation of soul and confession of sin….

 

Satan invents unnumbered schemes to occupy our minds, that they may not dwell upon the very work with which we ought to be best acquainted. The archdeceiver hates the great truths that bring to view an atoning sacrifice and an all-powerful mediator. He knows that with him everything depends on his diverting minds from Jesus and His truth.” CHIS, 184

 

“The hot summer sun, that strengthens and ripens the hardy grain, destroys that which has no depth of root. So, he who “hath not root in himself,” “dureth for a while”; but “when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.” Many receive the gospel as a way of escape from suffering, rather than as a deliverance from sin. They rejoice for a season, for they think that religion will free them from difficulty and trial. While life moves smoothly with them, they may appear to be consistent Christians. But they faint beneath the fiery test of temptation. They cannot bear reproach for Christ's sake. When the word of God points out some cherished sin, or requires self-denial or sacrifice, they are offended. It would cost them too much effort to make a radical change in their life. They look at the present inconvenience and trial, and forget the eternal realities.” CSA, 20

 

The good news is that there is hope for Laodicea. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to give us, and then to cleanse us, to make us fully what He longs to give us.

 

“Habits of negligence should be resolutely overcome. Many think it a sufficient excuse for the grossest errors to plead forgetfulness. But do they not, as well as others, possess intellectual faculties? Then they should discipline their minds to be retentive. It is a sin to forget, a sin to be negligent. If you form a habit of negligence, you may neglect your own soul's salvation and at last find that you are unready for the kingdom of God.” COL 358.

 

If we remember that God is good, love, holiness, righteousness, and One desiring to continually bless, we will make Him our priority, our life, our health, our wisdom, our righteousness, and we will not forget, for we seek to always do those things that please Him. I call to you, today, to recommit your lives, fully, in total surrender, to the One who loves you with an undying love, to walk with Him continually, for in doing so, you will remember, and you will find the fulness of all God desires for us. If we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Can two walk together, unless they be agreed?

 

~Pastor Thomas Cusack