SAB:BATH SCHOOL LEsSONS

SENIOR DIVISION

FOURTH QUARTER 1970

Clothed in The Garments of Christ's

Righteousness

(
 FOREWORD
" Only tl,osc who aro clothed in the garments of his l'ighteous-
lless will be able to endure the glory of his presence when h,e ffhaJl
appear with 'power and great glory.' " - RH July 9, 1908. (SD 3G8;
COR 102,103.)
"On Christ's coronation day he will not acknowledge as his an1.
who bear spot or wrinkle or any such thing. But to his faithful ones.
he will give cro.wns of immortal glory. Those who would not that
he should reign ovel' them will see him surrounded by the army- of
the red,eemed, each of whom bears the sign, THE LORD OUR RIGHT'-
BO U8NE8S. ~l'hey will see' the head once crowned with thorns crowned
with a diadem of glory." -RH Nov. 24, 1904.
These thoughts are very deep and important since they lead
Ut> to understand who will be able to endure the glory of His pre-
sence when He shall appear and who will get the crown of life.
The two refel'ences above explain the condition shortly but clearly:
"Only those whl} are clothed in the garments of his righteousneB.S,"
or, in other words, those who bear the sign: "The Lord Our Right-
eousness.' ,
We should seriously thiuk about this question and endeavour
to understand it in ol'der to be able to put 6'n "the garments of His
righteousness." This matter is not fully understood yet. The Lord
calls our attention to this subject through the Spirit of Prophecy:
. ' , The doctrine of justification by faith. has been lost ,~il{ht
oJ' by! many who have professed to believe the third angel's mes-
sage . , ." -RH Aug. 13, 1889. (ISM 360.)
. , . There is not one in one hundred' who understands for
~limselftho Bible truth on this subject (justifiication by faith) that is
80 necessary to our present and eternal welfare . . ' -RH Sep. 3,
1889. (Ibid.)
The purpose of these lesso.ns is to give students a deeper knowledge
of these truths, .-lild lead them to endeavour to understand this subject
for their own benefit, so that we can all be clothed with the gar-
ments of Christ's righteousness.
May our Heavenly Father help these lessons to be a blessing
for both teachers and students.

GENERAL CONFERENCE SABBATH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.

811Jbbath 8chool Lesson Quarterly, "Clothed In The Garments Of Christ's

Righteoll.'lness" for October to December, 1970 is pUblished by the
Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement General Conference. Mailing
Address: 247 Taylor Avenue, Montebello, OA. 90640. USA
 000 000 012 639
GC Archive
................ 11 .. 11 111 11 11.1 111 111 11.11, ••••••••• '1 '1.'1., 111111,.11."'1111111"

Lesson No. 1 &bba.th, October 8, 1970.

THE POS~IBILITY OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH

IN CHRIST
Questions:
1. In what likeness was the first couple created? Gen. 1 :26,27.
NOTE: "Man wa·s to bear God's image, both in outward resemblance
find in character. Christ alone is 'the express· image' (Hebrews 1 :3)
of the Father; but man was fo·rmed in the likeness of God. His nature
was in harmony wiU, the will of God. His mind was ca.pable of com-
prehending divine things. Hig affections were pure; his appetites and
passions were under the control of reason. He was ho-Iy and happy in
bearing the image of God and in perfect obedience to His will. "-PP 45.

2. Wllat did man do later and into what state did he fall? HM. 6:7;
Romans 3 :28.
NOTE: . In the beginning God created man in His own
likeness. He endowed him with noble qualities. Hio mind was
well balanced, and all the powers of his being were harmonious.
But the Fall and its effects have perverted these gifts. Sin has marred
alld well-l1igll oblitcrated tIle image of God in man. " - P P 595.

3. Wllat was the consequence of this? Rom. 6:23 (first part).

4. Did God leave man in 'that state? Job 33:24; Rom. 6:23 (last part)

NO'l'E: "The Son of God, heaven's glorious Commaneler, was touched

with pity fOl' the fallen race. His head was moved with infinite com-
passion .as -the woes of the lost world rose up before Him. But divine
love had conceived a plan whereby man might be redeemed . . "~PP 63.
"As the bow in the cloud l'esultB from the union of sunshine and
shower, so the bow above God's throne represents the union of His
mercy and His justice. To the sinful but repentant soul God says,
Live thou; 'I ha.ve found a ransom.' Job 33:24." -Ed 115.

5. Although the Lord has found a ransom, ue we able 'to stand

before Him and be heirs of salvation just as we are? Matt.
22:11-13; Revelation 21:27.

N O'l'E: . Only those who are clothed in the garments of

his righteousness will be able to endure the glory of his presence
when he shall appea;r with 'powe~' amI great glory.' " -RH July 9,
1908. (SD 368; COR 102,103.) A
-3-
•• •
 "The condition of eternal lif.e is' now just what it always hall
been, - just what it was in Paradise before the fall of our first
parents, - perfect obedience to the law of God, perfect righteous-
ness. If eterna.l life were granted on any condition short of this,
then the happiness of the whole universe would be imperiled. The way
would be open for sin, with all its train of woe and misery, to be im-
mortalized. " -SC 62.
6. Therefore of what should the children of God take heed? I Cor.
10:31.
7. How and through whom are we able to reach this condition?
Matthew 1:23; Romans 7:22-25.
NOTE: " . . . 'l'he theme that attracts the heart of the sinner is
Chn'ist, amI him crucified. On tllfl cross of Calvary, Jesus stands re-
vealed to the world in unparalleled love. Present him thus to the
h'unl!'ering- multitucIef, and the light of his love will win' men from
darkness to Jil!'ht, from transgression to obedience and true holiness.
Beho,lding Jesus upon the cross of Calva.ry arouses th'e eonscience to
Ithe heinous character of sin a·s nothing else can do. It was sin that
caused the death of God's dear Son, and sin is the transgression of
the law. On him was laid the iniauities of us all. The sinner then
eonsents unto the luw that it is good: for he realized that it condemns
hils evil deeds, while he magnifies the ma.tchless love of God in
providing for him salvation through the imputed rig-hteousness of
Him who l{ne'w no sin. in whose mouth th'ere was found no guile. ,. RH
Nov. 22, ]892. (COR 125,126.)
8. How can we come to God? Reb. 11:6; John 3:14-18.
NOTE: I I In like manner you are a sinner. You cannot atone for
your paflt sins: you cannot chanl!'e your heart and make your,seh"
holv. But God promises to do all this for you throug-h Christ. You
believe that nromise. You confess your sina and give yourseh" to
God. You W1Il to serve Him. JuSlt as surely as you do this, God will
fulfill His wO.rd to vou. If you believe the promise, - believe that you
are forgiven and cleansed, - God supplies the fact; you are made
whole. iust as Christ Q'ave the paralytic power to walk when the
man believed that he was healed. It is so if you believe it." -SC 51.

9. How d'leg the Lord Itccept us if we seek mercy through faith

in His Son? John 16:24-~.
NOTE: " . , , The only way in which he (the sinner) Ban attain
to riqhteousness is throug-h faith. By faith he can bring to God the
merits of Christ. ani! the Lord places the obedience of his Son to the
sinner's account. Christ's righteousness is accepted in place of man's
failure, and God receives, pardOlls, justifies, the repentant, believing
soul, treats him as though he were righteous, and loves him as he lo·ves
-4-
his Son. This is how faith is accounted righteousness; . . ." -RH
Nov. 4, 1890. (ISM 367; COR 117.)
10. What is the blessed result of this exercise of faith? Romans
5:1; 3:24.
NOT ~: " . . Faith is the condition upon which God h3S seen fit
to promise pardon to sinners; not that there is any virtue in faith
whereby salvation is merited, but because faith can lay hold of the
merits of Christ, the remedy! provided for sin . . " -RH Nov. 4,
1890. (ISM 366,367; COR 104.)
11. What does Ohrist do .with the sinner Who recognizes his lost
and miser.able condition? Ieala.h 61:10.
NOTE: " . . . Since we are sinful, unholy, we cannot perfectly
obey the holy law . . . But Christ has made a way of escape for us . .
He (Ue(l for us, and now He offers to take our sins llilld give us His
righteousness. If you give yourself to Him, and .accept Him as your
:::laviour, then, sinful as your life may have been, for His sake you
al'e accounted righteous. Ohrist's character stands in place of your
character, and you al'e accepted before God just as if you had not
/linned. " -SO 62.
'" ' . When men see their own nothingness, they are prepared
to hr rIot-her} with the 1·ight.rOllS1WSS of Ohrist.' -R.H, Srpt. 16, Hl02,"
-COR 104.
12. What sign will the saved bear and What will De the fate of those
Who refuse it? Jeremiah 28:6.
NOTE: "On Christ's coronation d.ay he will not acknowledge as
his any who bear spot 01' wrinkle or any such thing. But to his
faithful ones he will give crowns of immortal glory. Those who
would not th.at he sh.ould reign over them will see him surrOUlHled by
the al'my of the redeemed, each of whom bears the sign, THE LORD
OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS . , ." -RH Nov. 24, 1904.

Looson Nc>. 2 Sabbath, October 10, 1970.

THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST MANIFESTED

IN OBEDIENCE
Questions:
1. What appeal does the Lord make to His people through the
pil'ophet? Isa.fah 52:1.
2. How do the- Scriptures refe.r to tiIlese beautifUl garments? Jer.
23:6: Romans 7:12.
-5-
NOTE: "At this time the ehureh is to put on her beautiful gar-
ments - 'Christ our righteousness.' There are dear, deeided dis-
tinetions to be restored and exemplified to the world in holding
aloft the eommandments of God and the faith of Jesus. The beauty
pf holiness is to appear in its native luster in eontrast with the de-
formity and darkness of the disloyal, those who have revolted from the
law of God . . ." -TM 16.
3. Wbiat truth did the Lord send His people in 1888 at the Oonference
held in M'1nneapolis? In w.ha.t is its a.ceep1oa.nce made J¥D1fest?
Revela.tion 18: 1. .
NOTE: "The Lord in His great merey sent a. most preeiou~ message
to His people through Elders Waggoner and Jones. This message
was to bring mo.e prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour,
the saerifiee for ihe sins of the whole world. It presented justimeatioll
throug-h faith in the Surety; it invited the people to reeeive the right-
eousness of Christ, whieh is made manifest in obedienee to all the
rommandments of God . . ." -TM 91,92.
4. In order to be clothed with the ga.nnents of Oh.rist's righteousness,
how far must we respect the Law of G<ld? Jam~s.2:10; Matt. 5:19.
.NOT]]: " . . . Not by one word, not by many words, but by every
word that God has spoken, shall man live. We eannot disrell'9.rd one
word, llOwever trifling it may seem to us, and be safe.. There is not a
commandment of the law that is not for the good and happine~s of man,
both in this life and in the life to eome . . ." -ME 52. .,
I
5. To mat extent does the justice of Christ demand obedienee to HIs
law? Hebrews 4:12; . Mattlhew 5:28.
NOTE: "The righteousness of Christ will not eover one cherished
sin. A man may be a law-brooker in heart: yet if he eommits no out-
ward aet of transgression, he may be regarded by the world as pos-
sessing great integrity. But God's law looks into the aeerets of the
heart. Every aet is judged by the motives that prompt it. Only that
whieh is in aeeord with the prineiples of God's law will stand in the
judgment." -COL 316.
'.' . . In the Sermon on the Mount He showed how its require-
ments extend beyond the outward aets and take eognizanee of the
thoughts and intent~ of the heart." -AA 505. .
6. How did the apostle Paul demonstTate the far-reaching require-
ments of the law? Romans 2.:12,13,17-22.
NOTE: "Paul awelt espeeially upon the far-reaehing daims of God's
law. He showed how it extends to the deep seerets of man's moral
nature and throws a flood of light uRon that whieh has been eoneealed
from the sight and knowledge of men. What the hands may do or the
-6-
tongue may utter -- what the outer life reveals - but imperfectly
shows man '8 moral character. The law searches his thoughts, motives,
and purposes,., The dark passions that lie hidden from the sight of
men, the jealousy,' hatred, lust, and ambition, the evil deeds medi·
tated upon in the dark recesses of the soul, yet never executed for
want of opportunity - all these God's law condemns.'" -AA 424.
7. How did Jesus explain the requirements of th'e Ten Command-
me,nts? Matthew 5:21·24,27-30.
NO'l'E: ".Jesus takes up the commandments separately, and ex,
plains the depth and bl'eadth of their requirement. Instead of reo
moving one jot of their force, He shows how far-reaching their prin.
ciples are, . . ." -DA 310.
8. According to the explanation of Jesus, What is the fulfillment
of the law? Matthew 5:48.
NOTE: "Jesus proceed.ed to show His hearel's what it means to
keep the commandments of God - that it is a reproduction in them·
se:Ives of the charae.ter of Christ. For in Him, God was daHy made
ma nifest before t.hem." -:MB 55.
9. How are those Christians rebuked who do not live according
to tihese principlei:i'? Romans 2:21·24.
NOTE: " . . . ;\. profession of godliness without the living prin·
ciple is as utterly valueless as salt without its saving properties. An
unprincipled professed Christia,n is a bywol'd, a reproach to Christ,
a dis,honor to His name . . ." -'2T 443.
10. What description is given of those who shall be heirs of sal-
vation? 2 corinthians 3:3,2; I Corlnt'hians 4:9 (last part).
NOTE: " . , . A pl'of;ession of Christianity is nothing in the
sight ef God; but true, humble, willing obedience to His requirements
designates the children of His adoption, the recipients of His grace,
the partakers of His great sal:vation. Such will be peculiar, a spectacle
unto the world, to angels, and to men. Th\lir peculiar, holy character
will be discernible, and will distinctly separate them from the wo,rld,
from its affections and lust." -2T 441.

Less<>n No. 3 Sabbath, October 17, 1970

THE PRINCIPLES OF THE TEN COMlVIANDMENTS

Questions:
1. For what purpore WMl< the law given and how can it acc<>mpllsh
its miSllion? Romans 3:20; 7:7,8,13.
-7-
NOTE: " . . . The law was given to convict them of sin, and
l'eveal their need of a Saviour. It would do this as its principles were
applied to the heart by the Holy Spirit . , In the life of Christ
the principles of the law are made plain;. "-DA 308.
2. What is the first commandment and What is implied in it?
Exodus 20: 2,8.
NOTE: "'Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.'
'f Jehovah, the eternal, sel:ll-existent, unereated One, Himself the
Source and Sustainer o.f all, is alone entitled to supreme reverence
and worship. Man is forbidden to give to any other object the first
place in his affections or his service. Whatever we cherish that
tends to lessen our love fo.r God or to interfere with the service
due Him, of that do we make a god." -PP 305.
3. How can things Which are lawful in themselves lead to t,Tans-
gression o.f this co.mmandmen1l? :Mark 4:19.
NOTE: '" And thE' lusts of o.ther things.' These are not necessarily
things sinful in themselves', but something t.hat is made first instead
of the kingdom of God. Whatever ·attracts the mind from God, what-
ever draws the affections away from Christ, is an enemy to the soul."
-Christ's Ofl.ject IJ(,sso.ns page 5,3. .
4. 'What is the second commandment and to What does it refer
nowadays? Exodus 20:41-6.
NOTE: " 'l'he present ,age is one of idolatry, as verily as was
tnat in which Elijah lived.. No outward shrine may be visible; there
may be no image fo.r the eye to rest upon; yet thou8and~ are
f~llowing after the gods of this world - after riches, fame, pleasure,
and the pleasing fables that permit man to follow the inclinations of
the unregenerate h<'art. Multitudes have a wrong co.nception of God
and His attributes, and are as truly serving a false god as were the
worshippers of Baal. . . . " -PK 177.
5. To What does the apostle Paul call our attention in connection
with this commandment? I Corinthians 10:14.
NOTE: "The apostle's words of warning to the Corinthian church
are applicable to ·all time and are especially adapted to our day. By
idolatry he meant not only the wo.rship of idols, but self-aerving,
love of ease, the gratification of appetite and passion. A mere
profession of faith in Christ, a boastful kno.wledge of th.e truth, does
,not make a man a Christian. A religion that seeks only to gratify
the eye, the ear, am) the taste, or that sanctions self·indulgence, is not
the religion o.f Christ:' -AA 317.
6. 'What is the third commandment and how fu-reaching is its
meaning? Exodus 20:7.
N01'E': "This commandment not oniy proliibits taisa oaths and
common swearing, but it forbids Us to use the name of God in a carelcss
manner, without regard to its awful significance, By the thoughtless
mention of God in common conversation, by appeals to Him in tr.ivial
ma tte.rll, and by the frequent and thoughtless repetitJion of Ilis name,
we dishonor Him, 'Holy and reverend is His name.' Psalm 111 :9,
All should meditate upon His majesty, His' purity and holiness, that
the heart may be impressed with, a. sense of His exalted character;
and His ho,ly name should be uttered with reverence and solemnity."
-Patriarchs anel Prophets, pages 306,307.
7. What instructiOn'is given concerning reverence for and repetition
of the holy name of IGod? Matthew 6:7-9.
NO'£E: "May li, 1851, I saw the beauty and loveliness of Jesus.
As I beheld His glory, the thought did not occur to Ille that I shoulll
ever be separated fi'om His presence. I saw a light coming from the
glory tha t encireled the Father, and as it approached near to me,
my body trembled and shook like a leaf. I thought that if it should
come Ileal' me I wfluld be stl'uek out of existenee, but the light passed
me. Then could I have some sense of the great and terrible God
with whom we have to do. I saw then what faint views some have
of the holiness of God, and how much they take His holy and reverend
name ill vain, without realizing that it is God, the great and terrible
God, of whom they are speaking. While praying, many use care'-
],ess anel irreverent expressions, Which. grieve. the tender Spirit of
the Lord and cu,use their petitions to be shut out of heaven." -EW 70.
, 'I saw tha t God's holy name should he used with reverence alld
awe. The words God almighty al'e coupled together and used by some
in prayer in a earelss, thoughtless manner, whieh is displeasing to
Him. Such have no realizing sense of God or the truth, or they
would not speak b~ irreverently of the great and dreadful God, who
.is soon to judge tl)cm in the last day. Said. the angel, 'Couple them not
together; for fearful is His name.' Those who realize the greatness
and majesty of God, will take His name on their lips with holy awe•
.tie dwelleth in l:ghi unapproachable; no man can see Him and live.
I lIaw that these things will have to be under.stood and corrected
beforc thc ehurch can prosper'." -Ibid., page 122.
8. What example of reverence for the holy name of God is given
11.y the being about Hia throne? What. should evan the children
be taugGlt? Isaiah &:1·;3; D&Ut. 6:4-7.
NOTE: ' 'R.evere2Ice, in which the youth who mocked Elisha were
so lacking, is a grace that should be carefully cherished. Every child
should be taught tC' show true reverence for God. Never should His
name be spoken lightly or thoughtlessly. Angels, as they speak it,
veil their faces. vVith what reveren.ce should we, who are fallen and
sinful, take it U])011 our lips!" -PK 236.
 9. What is the foul"lfu commandment and what duty does it requir$
of us? Exodus 20: 8-11.

NOTE: "God requires that His holy day be as sacredly observed now
as in the time of Israel. The command given to the Hebrews should
be l'egarded by 'all Ohristians as an injunction from Jehovah tl} them.
'fhe day before thl' Sabbath should be made a day of preparation,
that everything may be in readiness for its sacred hours. In no case
should OUI' o·wn business be allowed to encroach upon holy time.
God has directed that the sick and suffering be cared for; the
labor required to make them comfortable is a work of mercy, and
JllO violation of the· Sabbath; but all unnecessary work should be
avoidecl. Many carelessly. put off till the beginning of the Sabbath
little things that might have been done on the day of preparation.
This should not he Work that is neglected until the beginning of the
::labbath should remain undone ulitil it is past . . . " -PP 296.

10. How far-reac.hing is the fourth commandment in its requirement&?

Isaiah 58: 13.

NOTE: . . , Those who discuss business matters or lay plans

on the Sab,bath are regarded by God n,s though engaged in the
actual transaction of business. To keep the Sabbath holy, we should
not even allow OUI' minds to dwell upon things of a worldly char-
acter. And the commandment includes all within our gate!> . . ."
-Patriarchs and Prophets, page 307.

11. With w'hat wOird does the fourth. cOlllJlUl,ndment begin and what
is the signifieance of this? Exod'llS 20:8.

NOTE: "At the very beginning of the fourth commandment the

Lo,rd said, 'Remember.'
...:. _ _--:.--:: .3iJI~

"All through the week we are to have the Sabbath in lllind

and be making peparation to. keep it according to the command-
ment. We are not merely to observe the Babbath as a legn,l matter.
We are to understand its spiritual bearing upon all the transactions
of life. All who regard the Sabbath as a sign between them and
God, showing that He is the God whl} sanctified them, 'will represent
the principles of His government. They will bring into daily practice
;the laws of: His kingdom. Daily. it will be their prayer that the
sanctification of the Sahbath may rest upon them. EVel'y day they
will have the companil}nship of Ohrist and will exemplify the per-
fection of His character. Every day their light will dline forth
'to others in good works." -6T 353,354.

-10-
 Lesson N'o. 4 Sabba.1il, October 24, 1~1d.

THE PRINCIPLES OF THE TEN COMMANMENTS (Continued)

Questions:
U. What is the fifth commandment? Exodus 20:12.
NOTE: "Parents are entitled to a degree of love and respect which
is due to no othur person.. God hi,mself, who ha,s placed upon them
a responsibility for the souls committed to t~eir charge, has ordained
. that during the earliel' years of life, parents shall stand in the
~lace of God to their children. And he who rejects the rightful
authority of his pare)J.ts is rejecting the auth,oritYj of God. The fifth
c<>mmandment' requires. childl'en not only to yield l'aspect, submission,
and obedience to tt.eir pa.rents, but also to give them love and tender-
lless, to lighten their cares, to guard their reputation, and to succor
and comfort them iIi old age. It also enjoins raspect for ministers
a<lld rulers and fo'!' all others to whom God has deleg>ated auth.ority."
-Patriarchs and Prophets p. 308.
2. To what commandment has God attached a. promise? Ep!ll. 6:1-3.
NOTE: "OUI' youth profass to be among those who keep the com-
mandments of God, and yet many of them neglect and break the
fifth commandment; and the rich blessing promised to those who
observe this respect, and honor father and mother, cannot be fulfilled
to them. Unless they repent of their sin, and refiOl'm their practicas
,a)ld charactel' through the grace of Christ, they will never enter
into the new earth, upon which they may' live eternally . . .
, 'The youth arc now deciding their own etern'll destiny, and I
would appeal to you to consider the commandment to which God
lIas annexed such a promise, 'that thy days may be long upon the
land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.' Children, do you desire
eternal life? Then respect and honor your paronts . "-MYP
331,332.
3. What is the sixth commandment and what 1& also implied in it?
Exodus 20:13.
NOTE: ' 'An acts of injustice that tend to sh,orten life; the spirit
of hatred and revenge, or the indulgence of any passion that leads
to injurious a,cts toward others, or causes us even to wish them
harm (for 'whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer '); a selfish
neglect of caring for the needy or suffering; all self-indulgence or
unnecessary deprivatioll or excessive labor that tends to injure health
- all these are,. to a greater or less degree, violation of the sixth
commandment." -PP 308.
4. According to Christ, whereby can the sixth commandment be
transgreS6i6d? Ma,tt. 5:21,22 (first put); I John 3:15.
-11-
NOTE: "The Saviour/a. words reveaied to His liearers the fact that,
while they were condemning oth'ers as transgressors, they were them-
selves e,gually guilty; for they were chel'ishing malice- and h.atred.
" , , they (the people) cherished the most hitter hatred of their
Roman oppressors and felt themselves at liberty to hate and de.spise
all other peoples, and even their own countrymen who did not in all
things conf01'm to their ideas. In all this they were violating the law
which declares, 'Thou shalt not kill.' " -MB 55,56.
5. What is the seventh cOmmandment and what are its implicatWiWI'7
Exodus 20:14.
NOTE: "This corr;mandment forbids not only acts of impurity, but
sensual thoughts and desires, or any practice that tends to excite
them. Purity is demanded not only in the outward life but in the
secret intents and emotionS' of the heart . " - p p 308.
6. According to tJJ.e explanation of Jesus, how far-reaching is thJ.&
commandment? Matthew 5:27,28.
NOT];;: " Ohrist, who taught the far-reaching obligatiou of
God declared the evil thought or look to be as truly. san as is the
unlawful deed." -pp 308.
"When the thought of evil is loved and chel'ished, however
secretly, s>1id Je&us, it shows that sin still reigns in the heart. The
soul is still in the gall of bitterness alld in the bond of illiquity , ."
-Mount of Blessings page 60.
7. What is the eighth commandment and what ac'bi<ma does it
condemn? Exodus 20: 15.
NOTE: .• Both pu blic and priva te sins are included in this pro-
hibition. The eighth commandment condemns manstealing and slave
.i.ealing, aud fO:'bids wars of cOliquest. It condemns theft and rohbery.
It demands strict integriy in the minutest details of the affairs of life.
H forbids overrcaching in trade, and requires the payment of just
debts or wages. It declares that every attempt to advantage olH~self
by the iguorance, weakness, or misfortune of another is registered
as fraud in the books of, heaven." -pp 309.
"'Everything that Ohristians do 8hould be as transpal'ent as
the sun.Light. Truth is of God; deception, in everyone of its
myriad forms, is of Satan; and whoever in any way departs from
,the straight line of truth is betraying himself into the power of
the wicked one . , ," -MB 68.
8. What is the ninth COmmandment? What common actions does
it condemn? Exodus 20:16.
NOTE: PaIse spevkiug in any matter, every attempt or purpose to
deceive our neighbour, is here included. Au intention t(} deceive
-la-
is what constitutes falsehood. By a glance of the eye, a motion of
the hand, an expression of the countenance, a falsehood may be
told as effectually as by words. All intentional overstatement, every
hint or insinuation calculated to convey an erroneous or exaggerated
impression, even the statement of facts in such a manner as to mislead,
is falsehood. This precept forbids every effQort to injure our neighbour's
reputation by misrepresentation or evil sUl'mising, by slander or
tale' bearing. Even the intentional suppres.sion of truth, by which injmy
may result to others, isa violation of the ninth commandment. "-pp 309.

9. W'hat did the Saviour say about this·? Matthew 5:37.

NOTE: "These WOI ds condemn all those meaningless phrases and

expletives that border on profanity. They condemn the deceptive
compliments, the evasion of truth, the flattering phrases, the exagger-
ations, tile misrepresontations in trade, that are current in society and
in the business world. They teach th·at no one who tries to appear
what he is not, or whose words do· not convey the rral s9nti.mcnt of his
heart, can be called tJ'Uthful.
" , . . A glance, a 'word, even an intonation of th" voice, may
be vit.al wit.h falsel100d. Even facts may be so stat~d as to· convey
a false impression. And 'whatsoever is more than' il'uth, 'is of the
evil one.' " -MB 68,

10. WlUlot is the tenth cOllul1al1dment? Exodus 20:17.

NOTE: "The tant.h commandment strikes at the ve:'y root of all sins,
prohibiting the selfish desire, from which springs the sinful act. He
who in obedience to God's law refrains from indnlging even a sinful
desire for that which belongs to another will not be guilty of an act
of wrong towal'd his fellow creatures." -PP 309,

11. Having explained the principles of the Ten Conunandments, what

stal1dard did Jesus say we should reach? :Matthew 5:48.

NOTE: "God requires' 'pel'fection of His children. His law is a

transcript of His own character, and it is the standard of r.ll character.
This infinite .stand·urd is presented to all that there may b'3 no mistake
,in regard to the kind of people whom GOd will have to compose
His kingdom. The life of Christ on earth was a perfect expression
of Got's law, and when those who claim to be children of God be-
come Christlike in character, they will be obedient to God's com-
mandments. Then the Lord can trnst them to be of the number
who shall compose the family of heaven, Clothed in the glorious
apparel of Chl'ist's righteousness, they have a place at the King's
fe4.lst. Tltey have a r.ight to. join the blood-washed t.hrong," -Christ's
Ob,ject Lessons page 315.
-13-
Lesson No.5 .Sabbath, October 81, 1970.

TRANSGRESSION OF THE NATURAL LAW IS TRANS-

GRESSION OF THE LAW OF GOD
Questions:
1. What did David say When he saw the wonders at God in creating
the human body? Psalms 139:18,14.
2. What did the apostle Paul say our body 18 and what should we
therefore do with 1t? I Oorinthians 6:19,00.
NOTE: " . . . From eternal ages it was God's purpose that every
created being, from the bright and holy seraph to man, should be
a temple for the indwelling of the C1'6ator'. Because of sin, humanity
ceased to be a temple for God. Darken.ed and defiled by evil, the
heaa·t of man no longer revealed the glOl'y of the Divine One. But
by the incarnation of the Son of God, the purpose of Heaven is ful-
filled. God dwells in humanity, and through saving grace the heart
of man becomes again His temple . . . " -DA 161.
3. Why does the enemy of our SOUls endeavour to diminish the
strength of our body by his temptations? James 1:14,15.
NOT:bl: "The body is the only medium through which the mind
and the soul are developed for the upbuilding of character. Hence
it is that the adversary of souls directs his temptations to the en-
feebling and degrading of the physical powers. His success here
·C'Je:.tns the surrendcy to evil of the whole being. The tendencies of
our physical nature, unless under the dominion of a higher power,
will surely work ruin and death." -MH 130.
4. How does the Lord want to help us through the laws o·f health?
Leviticus 18 :5.
NOTE: "Let it ever be kept before the mind that the great
o,bject of hygienic reform is to secure the highest possible develop-
ment of mind and soul and body. All the laws of, nature - which
are the laws of God - are designed for our good. Obedience to
them will promote our happiness in this life, and will aid us in a
preparation for the life to come." -CD 23.
5. How does the Lord consider any person who hurts himself by
di&regarding the la,ws given for our benefit? John 5:14.
NOTE: "Transgression of physical law is transgresion of the moral
law; for Gael is as truly the author of physical laws as He is the
author of the mOl'al law. His law is written with His own finger
upon every nerve, everY, muscle, every faculty, which has been en-
trusted to man. And every misuse of any part of our organism is a
violation of that law." -COL 347,348" ,
-14-
 6: Wherein 9hould the chlldren of God, therefore, be very ca.ref'u17
I Corinthians 10:31.
NOTE: "All should have an intelligent knowledge of the human
frame that they may keep their bodies in the condition necessary
to do the work of. the Lord. The physical life is to be carefully
preserved a.nd developed that through humanity the divine nature
may be revealed l1l its fullness. The relation of the phY6icai organism
to the spiritual life is one of the most important branches of edu-
Ilation. It .should receive C'areful attention in the home and in the
school. All need to become acquainted with their physical structure
and the laws that control natUTal life. He who remains in willing
~gnorance of the laws of his physic·al being and who violates them
through ignorance is sinning against God. All should place them-
selves in the best rossible l'elation to life and health. OUT habits
should be brought under the control of a mind that is itself, under
the con trol of God." -COL 348.
7. Wha.t a;re the conslequences if we Mfrobey t,'he natural law?
I Corinthians 3:16,17.
NOTE: "God has formed laws which govern our COllstitutions, and
t')leae laws which He has placed in our being are divine, and for
every tl'ansgression there is affixed a penalty, which must sooner
or Jater be realized. The majority of diseases which the human
family have been and still are suffering under, they have created by
ignorance of their own organic laws. They seem indiffel'ent in re-
gard to the matter of 11ealth, and work perseveringly to tear them-
selves to pieces, ·and when broken down and debilitated in body
and mind, send for Ihe doe.tor and drug themselves to death." -CD 19.

8. 'Who only shall enter the kingdom of heaven? To wha.t should

we pay attention? PsaJrns 50:5.
NOTE: " . . . Heaven is a pure and holy place, where none can
enter unless they are refined, spiritualized, cleansed, and purified.
There is a work for us to do for ourselves, and we shall be cap8Jble
of doing it only by drawing strength fl'om Jesus. We should make
'the Bible our study above every o-ther boo·k; we should love it, and
obey it as the voic'c of God. We are to see and to understand His
restrictionS' and requirements, 'thou shalt,' and 'thou shalt not,'
and realize the true meaning of the word of God." -MYP 426.
9. What advice of Paul shOUld we accept wi~ all our hearts?
Romans 12:1.
NO'!',\!;: " . . . We are to give ourselves, to the service of God, and
we should seek to ma'ke the offering as nearly perfect as possible.
God will not be pleased with anything less than the best we can offer.
TllOse who love Him with all the heart, will deshe to give Him the
-15-
hest service of the life, and they will be constaIlitly seeking to bring
every power of their being into harmony with the laws that will
promote their ability to do His will." -pp 352,353.
10. Of mat should we think w1ten we study the purpose and principle.s
of tJ1e Ten Comma,ndments? Romans 9:28.
NOTE: " . . He will not close up the period of probation until the
m'essage shall be more distinctly proclaimed. The law of God is to be
magnified; its claims must be presented in their true, sacred char-
acter, that the peoph may be brought to decide tor or against th,e truth.
Yet the ,"ork will be cut ShOl·t in righteousness. The message of
Ohrist's righteousness is to sound from one end of the earth to
the other to prepare the way of the Lord. This is the glory of God,
w'hich closes the work of the third angel." -6T 19.

Lesson No.6 Sabbath, November 7, 1970.

COMMANDMENT-KEEPERS MAY LACK THE RIGHTEOUS-

NESS OF CHRIST
Questions:
1. In what da,nger ma,y be even those who outwardly fulfill the
requirements of the la,w of God? II CorintaUans 5:8.

2. How does this danger exist for men? P'hil. 3:5,6.

NOTE: "But Israel had not perceived the spiritual nature of the
law, and too often their professed obedience was but a,n observance
of forms and ceremonies, rather than a surrender of the heart to the
sovereignty of love. As Jesus in His ch,aracter and wo,rk repz;esented
to men the holy, benevolent, and paternal attributes of God, and
'Presented the worthlessness of mereJy ceremonial o,bedience, the
Jewish leaders did not receive 01' understand His words. They thought
that He dwelt too lightly upon the requix:ements of the law; and
when He set befo1'e them the very truths that were the soul of
their divinely appointed service, they, looking' only at the external,
accused Him of seeking to oYerthrow it." -MB 76.

3. Wha,t did Paul, after his conveTsion, admit about his previous
"blamelef-sness"? Had it come from G<ld or f'rOm himself?
How did he count it? Pihil. 3:7-9.

4. What does the Word of God say about "our own righteousness"?
Isaiah 64: 6.
-16-
NOTE:." In theIr professed service to God, the .iews were'
really working for self. Theil' righteousness was the fruit of their
own effol'ts to keep the law according to their own ideas and for their
own selfish benefit. Hence it could be no better than they were.
In thcir end"avour to make themselves holy, they were trying to,
brillg a clean thing out of an unclean . 'rhe works of the ~elfish
heart are 'aaan unclean thing;' and' all our l'ighteousness are as
filthy rags.' Isaiah 64:6." -MB 54.

5. Wi'th w'hat worda did Jesus expound this during His sermon
em tihe Mount? Matthew 5:20.
NOTE: "A legal religion is insufficient to bring the soul into l1ar-
mony with God. The hard, rigid orthodoxy of the Pharisees, destitute
of cOlltritio"n, tenderness, or love, was only a stumbling block to
sinners . . , The only true faith is that which, 'wo,rketh by love'
(GalatiaIlS: 5:6) t.o purify the soul. It is 1lJS leaven that transforms
the character." -MB 53.

6. When 'the apostle Paul understood this, what did he endeavour

t,o do? Phil. 3:9.

NOTE: "So we lw ve nothing in oUl'selves of which to boast. We

have no ground for self-exaltation. Our only ground of hope is in
the righteousness oJ Christ imputed to, us, and in that wrought by
His Spirit working in and through us.' I -SC 63.

7. What condition did the Laod.i.cemJ,s likewise develop, and what

waming did the Lord send? Revelation 3:17,18.

N o'r ~: "The testimonies of the Spirit of prophecy which were

received during ~;he years 1887 gave warning of danger. They nawed
ngain and agaln a. specific evil, a deception into which the church
was falling. 'rhat deception was pointed out as the fatal mistake of
i1hfting into foonnalism; the sub.stituhon of forms, ce'reni,ouies,
doctrines, machinerJ', and activites for that heart experience WhICh
comes alone through fellowship with Christ Jesus our Lord. Thl'Ol'gh-
out the entire y'ear this specific. danger was kept before ministers
and people by messages which appeared in the Review and Herald.
-Ghrist Our Righteousnese, page 28.
8. What admonition did the Lord send repeatedly in 1887?
-=-
No'rE: "It is possible to be a forma.), partial believer, and yet be
f,buJJ(l wanting, and lose eternal life. It is possible to practice some
of the Bible injunctions, and be regarded as a Christian, and yet
perish because you are lacking in essential llJualifications that con.-
stitute Christian character "-RH Jan. 11, 1887. (COR 28,29.)
-17-
Two weeks iater i
" . . . '1'he observance of external fo,rms wlll never meet the
great want of the human soul. A mere profession of~ Christ is not
enough to prepare one to stand the test of the JUdgment . . "
~RH Jan. 25 1887. (COR 29.)
After this:
"There is too much formality in the church .
"Those who profess to be guided boy the word of God, may be
familiar with the evidences of their faith, and yet be like the pre-
tentious fig-tree, which flaunted its foliage in the face of the world,
but when searched by the Master, 'was found destitute of fruit. . ."
-RH 1<'eb. 15, 1887. (COR 29.)
'1'wo weeks after this:
. A foYmal round of religious services is kept up; but
where is the lo·ve of Jesus' Spirituality is dying.
'I . . . Shall we meet the minel of the Spirit of God ~ Shall
we dwell more UpOH practical godliness, {l.nd far less upon mech-
anical alTa.Jlgements~" -5T 538,539. (COR 29,30.)
9. WlLat danger appeared among the professed people of God in
Chr.ist's day and still recurs nowadays? John 8:39.
NO'rB: I ' The greatest deception of the human mind in Christ's
day was tha,t a mere assent to the truth constitutes righteo\!sness.
In all human experience a theoretical knowledge of the truth has
been provad to be insufficient for the saving of the soul. It does
,not bring forth the f~'uits of righteousness . " The Pharisees
claimed to be children of Abraham, a,nd boasted of their possession
of the oracles of God; yet these advantages did not preserve them from
self.ishness, malignity, greed for gain, and the barest hypocrisy. They
thought themselvl~s the greatest religionists of the world, but their
so-ca.lIed orthodoxy led them to crucify the LOl'd of glory.
"The same danger still exists . . ." -DA 309.
10. Through whom only and how can 1frle righteoUllness of the law
be fulfilled in us? Romans 8:1-4.
NOTE: I' 'rhe law requires l'ighteousness, - a righteous life, a
perfect character; and this ma,n 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 charaeter. These He
offers as a free gift to all who will receive them. His life stands
fo:r the life of men. Thus they have remission of sins that are
past, through the fo·rbeal·ancll of God. More than this, Christ imbues
men with the attributes of God. He builds up the human ch.aracier
afiter the similitude of the divine character, a goodly f·abric of
spiritual strength and beauty. Thus the very righteousness of the
-18-
Jaw is fulfilled in the believer in Christ. God can 'be just, and
the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.' Rom. 3 :26." '-DA 762.
11. What should we strive to attain and what should we shun?
John 15:4,5.
NOTE: " . . While the graft is outwardly united with the vine,
there ma,y be no vital connection. Then there will b,e no growth or
fruitfulness. So there _,!!lay be an apparent conn,ection with Christ
without a real uniou with Him by faith. ,A profession of religion
places men in the church, but th,e character and conduct show whether
they are ,in connection with Christ . . .", -DA 676.
12. What did the apostle Paul say about h1IUse;Jf after his con-
version? How can this come !trUe in our lives? Galati.ans 2:20.
N'O'l'E: ' I A union with Christ by living faith is enduring; every
other union must perish. Christ first choSe us, paying an infinite
price for our redemption; and the true believer chooses Christ as
first and last, aIDd best in everything. But this union costs us some-
thing. It is a relation o,t utter dependence, to be entered into. b~ a
proud beiIlg, All who form this union must feel their need of the
atoning blood of Christ. They must have a change of h,eart. They
must submit their own will to the will of God. There will be a
struggle with outwM"d and internal obs;tacles>. There must be a
painflul work of detachment, as well as a work of attachment. Pride,
selfishness, vanity, worldliness - sin in all its forms - must be
overcome, if we would enter into, It union with Chrislt. The reason
why many find the Christian life 80 deplorably hard, why they are
so fickle, so variable, is, they try to attach themselves to Christ
without first detaching tltemselve¥l .from these cherished ido:I&"
-RH Dec: 13, 1887. (COR 33,34.)

Lesson No.7 B&bbatJl, November 14, 1970.

THE RIGIITEOUSNESS OF emusT AND ITS SPOTLESS
NATURE
Quemons:
1. With what did JellUS, in His pa,rable, liken the kingdom of God?
Matthew 22:2-
2. How should those who accepted the lnv11lat.ion have come to
the wedd.ing? Matthew 22:11.
NOTE: "The parable of the wedding garment opens befo,re us a
lesson of the highes,t consequence. By the marriage is represented the
union of humanity with divinity; the wedding garment represents
-19-
tIle cilaracter whicil ail must possess, who sl13.di be accounted fit guests
i~ol' the wedding." -COL 307.
3. Were the wedding garments the property of the guests or W8I1'8
1fuey given them? Isa.iah 61:10'. .
NO'I.'E: " . . , For every guest at the feast there had b/len pro·
vided a wedding garment. 'I.'his garment Wl!lS a gift from the king.
By wearing it the guests showed their resped for the giver of the
fleast, But one man was clothed in his common citizen dress. He had
l1efuscd to make the preparation required by the king. The garment
providcd for him at great cost he disdained to w~r. Thus he in-
sulted his lord . , ." -COL 309.
4. What does the wedd.ing garment represent? What does the
True Witness offer the Laodicaans? Revelation 3:18.
NOTE: ' 'By the wedding garment in the parable is represented
the pure, spotless character which Christ's true followers will possess.
'1'0 the chlll'ch it is given 'that she should be all'wyecl in fine linen,
clean alld white,' 'not having spot, or wrinkle, or allY such thing.'
Rev. 19 :8. The fine linen, Says the Scripture, r is the righteousness
of saints.' Eph, 5:27. It is the righteousn.ess of Christ, His own
unblemished ohm'acter, that through faith is imparted to aU who
receive Him as their personal Saviour." -COL 310.
r r Only the covering whieh Christ Himself has provided can make
us meet to appear in God's presence. 'fhis coverin.g, the robe of
His own righteousness, Christ will put upon every repen'ting, be-
lieving soul. 'I counsel thee,' He s.ays, 'to buy of Me . . white
Il'aiment, th-at thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy
nakedness do not appeal'." Rev, 3 :18." -:-Ibid., p. 31L
5 What part do we have in this and what is our duty? Rom.
6:11-13; Colossia.ns 3:12,14; Revelation 19:8.
NO'fB: "Before the believer is held out ·the wonderful possibility
of being like Christ, o'bedient to all the principles of; the law. But
of himself man is utterly: unable to reach this condition. The holiness
that God's word declares he must have befo-re he can be saved is
the l'esult of the working of divine gra.ce as he bows in submission
to the discipline of. restraining inHuences of the Spirit of truth. Man's
obedience can be made perfect only by the incense of Christ's right-
eousness, which fills wiih divine fragrance every aet of obedience.
The part of, the CJll'istian is to persevere in overcoming every fault.
Constantly he is to pray to th.e Saviour to heal th.e disorders of his sin-
sick soul. He has not the wisdom or the strength to overcome; these
belong to the Lord, and He bestows them on those who in humiliation
and contrition seck Him for help." -AA 532.
6, Who is represented by the man that went to the marriage fea,st
without a wedding garment? Matthew 22:11.
-20-
NOTE: "1'he man who came to the feast without a wedding gurneut
represents the condition of many in our world today. They profcss to
be Christians, and lay claim to t,he blessings and privileges of the
gospel; yet they feel no need of a tra.nll'fol'mation of, character. They
have never felt trul; repentance for sin. They do not realize their
need of Christ or exercise faith in Him. They have not overcome their
hereditary or cultivated tendencies to wrongdoing. Yet they think
that they are good enough in themselves, and they rest upon their
own merits' instead of trusting in Christ. Hearers of the -word, they
come to the banquet, but they have not put on the robe of Christ'll
righteousness." -COL 315.
7. What sIhould we think of when we study the meaning of the
wedding gitrment? Hebrews 12:14.
NOTE: " . . . Moral perfection is required of all. Nevel' should we
lower the standard of righteousness in order to accommodate inherited
or cultivated tendencies to> wrongdoing. We need to understand
that imperfection of character is sin. All righteous attributes of ch,ar-
acter dwell in God 'as a perfect, har'monious whole, and everyone who
receives ClH'iElt as a persona,l Saviour is privileged. to possess these
attributes. " -COL 330.
" . , One ddect, cultivated instead of being overcome, makes
the man imperfect, and closes against him the gate of the Holy City.
He who enters hen ven must have a charactel' that is without spot
or wrinkle or any such thing. Naught that defilet4 can ever enter
there. In all the redeemed host not one (lefect will be seen.' '-MYP 144.
8. What characterizes the judgment of God? W1l.at should we under
stand in His loving character? Pll. 89:14; I John 4:16.
N 0'1'.1<;: ' , God is love. He has shown that love ill the gift of Chyist . .
But the love of God (loes not lead Him to excuse sin. He did not
excuse it in Satan; H.e did not excu.s.e it in Adam or in Cain;
nor will He excuse it in any other of the children of men. He will
not connive at our sins or overlook our defects of charlliCter. He expects
us to overcome in His name." -COL 316.
9. Since we are aware of all this, how sil.ould we rn;ake use of our
time of probation? Phil. 2:5-8,12,13; Heb. 12:28,29.
NOTE: "Mercy and truth a.re promised to the humb~e and penitent,
bU,t judgments a,rc prepared for th.e sinful and rebellious. 'Justice
and judgment aJ'e the habitation of Thy throne.' A wicked and
adulterous people will not escape the wrath of God and the punish-
ment they have justly earned. Man h'as fallen; and. it will be the
work of' a. lifetime, be it longer or shorter, to recover fro>m that fall,
and regain, through Christ, the image of the divine, which he lost
by! sin and continued transgression. God requires a thorough tr:tns-
1'0flnation of soul, body, and spirit in ol'der to ·regain the estate lost
through Adam . " - 2 T 448.
-11-
Lesson No. g Babba.th, November 21, 1916.
THE NEED TO ADMIT AND OVERCOME OUR DEFECTS
OF CHARACTER
Questions:
1. In order to be able to put on her beautiful garments, what should
Jerusalem do first? Isaiah 52:Z.
2. Does the righteousness of ChIist cloak our delfects in c:haracter?
What does true conversion mean? M;l.tt. 13:30,47-49.
NOTE: " . . . When the mission of the gospel is completed, the
Judgment will 'accomplish the work of sepa,ration . . . Therefore Christ
lifts the veil from tho future and bids all to behold that it is character,
no,t position, which. decides man's destiny." -COL 122,123.
" . . The righteousness .of Christ is not a cloak to cover un-
confessed and unforsaken sin; it is a principle of life that transfo'rms
the character· and controls the conduct. Holiness' is wholeness for God;
it is the entire surrender of heart and life to th£ indwelling of: the
principles of heaven." -DA 555,556.
3. What did the Lord do with Joshua before He could clothe ihim witlh
"change of raiment"? Zecl1a.riah 3: 3,4.
NOT E: " . . . The Father beholds not your faulty character, but
He sees you as clothed in My perfection . . ." . -DA 357.
4. In What danger are ninety-nine per cent of those who study the
truth of JUstification by Faith? How shOUld we begin this 'work?
Ephesians 4:20-22; II Corinthtal18 13:5; Galatians 6:4.
NOT£}: " . . . There is n~t one in one hundred who understands. for
hImself the Bible truth on this subject (justifica,tion by faith) that is
so necessary to our present Hnd etel'llal welfare . . ." -RH Sep. 3,
1889. (OOR 87.)
"TheTe are person.s in the church who are not converted, and
who "'ill 110'1: unite in earnest, prevailing prayer. We must ent.er
upon the work indiVIdually. We must pray more and talk less. In-
iquity aboun.ds, and the people must be taught not to be satisfied
with a form of godliness without the spirit and powe,r. "RH
Man'ch 22, 1887. (COR 31.)
5. What was the purpose of the Lord in sending the letters and
warnings to some churc:hes or person? CoL 4.: 18.
NOTE" . . I was then directed to bring out genC'l'al principles,
in speaking and in writing, and at the same time specify the dangers
errors, and sins of some individuals, that all might be warned, repro,ved
and counseled. I saw that all Slhould search th.eir own h.earts and
Hves ciosely to see if they had not m'ade the same mistakes for which
others were corrected .and if the W'aiI"Ilings given foo: othen did not
apply to their own cases. If: so, they should feel that the counsel and
reproofs were given especially for them and llhould make as practical
an lIIpplication of them as though they: were especially addressed to
themselves.
•• . . . God dcs.igns to test the faith of all who claim to be
foJlowers of Christ. He will test the sincerity of the prayers of all
those who· claim to earnestly desire to know their duty. He will make>
dluty plain. He wil; give all an airnple opportunity to develop what
is in their hearts . . ." -2T 687.
6. Of what should every soul think during his self-examination?
What does the Lord dO? He'brewl 4:12,13.
NOTE: •• When tho; thought of evil is' loved and ch.erished, however
Slecretly, said Jesus, it shows that sin still reigns in the hea.rt. "
Mount of Blessings page 60.
" . . The Lord me'rcifully sends rays of light to show man his
'true. condition. If he will not walk in th.e light he manifests a pleasure
in d.arlOless .. . . ." -2T 448,449.
7. Wllose lives are before us as examples of tl'ans.fonna.tion of
ch,aracter? Luke 6:13·1&.
NOTE: "All the disciples had serious faults when Jesus called them
to His service . . ." -DA 295.
"The apostles differed widely in habits and disposition. 'l'h.ere
were the pUblican, Levi-Matthew, and th.e fiery zealot Simon, the
uncompromising hater of the authority of Rome; the genel'ous, impulsive
Peter, and the mean·spirited Judas; Thomas, truehearted, yet timid
and fearful, Philip, slow of hiCart, and inclined to doubt, and the am-
bitious, outspoken sons of Zebedee, with their brethren. These were
br()\.lght together, with their different faultS, all with inherited and
cultivated tendencies to eVil; but in and through Christ they were
'to dwell in the fHmi~' of God, leaJ1"ning to become one in faith, in
d:oc:trine, in spirit.. . ." -Ibid., pag'e 296.

8. What is revealed to us of the cha,racter of Pe't6T7 Matthew 26:31-33.

NOTE: "When Plter said he would follow his Lo.rd to prison and to
death, he meant it, every word of it; but he did not know himself.
Hidden in his, heart were elements of evil that cirwmstances would fan
into life. Unless he was made conscious of his danger, these would prove
his eternal ruin. The Saviour saw ill him a self-love and assurance
that would overbear' even his love for Christ. Much infirmity, of un-
mortified sin, carelessness of spirit, ullsancti.f;'ied temper, heedlesS!-
ness in entering irto temptation, had been revealed in his' experi-
ence "-DA 673.
-23-
 9. 'What IS' revealed concernfu.r the a,posiie john? :Mark 8:11.
N UTE: " . . Even John, who came ill;to ('}osest association with the
meek and lowly One, was not himself lUl.turally meek and yjielding.
He and his brother were called 'the sons of thun.der.' While they
were with Jesus, any slight shown to Him aroused their indignation
MId combativeness. Evil temper, re'venge, the spirit of criticism, were
all in the beloved disciple. He was proud, lwd ambitious to be first
in the kingdom of God. . . " -DA 295.

10. What was the character of judas like? Matthew 8:19,20,

NU'I.'E: " . . . With great earnestness MId apparent sincerity he

declared, 'Master, I will follow Th,ee withersoover Thou goest. ' Jesus
neither repulsed nor welcomed him, but uttered only the mournful
w(lords; ''I.'he foxes have hole'l, and the birds of the IOdr have nests;
but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head.' Ma,tt. 8:19,20.
Judas believed Jesus to be the Mes5ia.h; and by joining the apostle,s,
he hoped to SCCUl'e a high position in the new kingdom . ." -DA
293, 294.
" . The Saviour read the heart of; Judas; He knew the
depths of iniquity to which, unless' delivered by the grace of God,
Judas would sink . . . If he would open his heart to Christ, divine
grace would banish the demon of selfishness, and even Judaa might
become a subject of the kingdom of, Godl.' , -Ibid<., p. 294. .

" Instead of wa,lking in the ligl!t., Judas chosc to retain his defects.
l']vil desires, revengeful passions, dm'k and sullen thoughts, were
Cjherished, until Satan ha.d full control of thc man. Judas became
a representative of, the enemy of Christ." -Ibid., page 295.

11. Whom do the two last mentioned disciples represent?

N UTE: "J ohn and Judas are represcntatives of those who profess
to he Christ's followers. Both these disciples had the same OppOIr-
tunities to study and follow the divine Pattern. Both were elosely
associa:ted with .TeBus and were privileged to listen t(lo His teaching.
Each possessed serious defects of ch~acter; and each had access to the
divine grace that transfJorms charaeter. But while one in humility
was learning of Jesus, the other revealed that he was not a doer o,f
the word, but a hearer only. One, dalily dying to self and ovecoming
sin, was sanctified through the truth; the other, resisting the tra.ns-
fforming po,wer of grace and indulging selfish desires, was b,rought
into bondage to Satan." -AA 558,.
" . . . John warred eaTnestly against his faults; but Judas
violated his conscience and yielded .to temptation, fastening upon him-
self securely his habits of evil " - Ibid.
Lesson No. 9 Sabbath, November 28, 1970.

PARTAKERS Of ms HOIJNESS
Questions:
1. What mts man like when created in. the beginning; and how is
Adam identified? Geneais 1:26,27; Luke 3:38.
NOTE: " . . The genealogy of our race, as given by inspiration,
traces hac:k its origin, not to a line of developing germs, mollusks, Billd
quadrupeds, but to. the great Creator. Though formed from the dust,
Adam was 'the son of God.' " -pp 45.
2. Wbat ohange took place in man after his fall? Col. 1:21; E~, 2:3;
Romans 1:1~18,
NOTE: " , , , When man transgressed the divine 1aw, his nature
bec·.arne evil, and he was in harmony, and not at variance, with Satan.
There exists natur.ally no enmity b~tween sinful man and the originator
of sin. Both became evil through apoSitasy , . ." -GC 505.
3, What did God, ill. His incomparable love towards man, do? Gen. 3:15.
NOTE: "God dedares; 'I will put enmity.' This enmity is not
naturally entertainea. .. Had not God specially interposed, Satan and
man would ha.ve ent-ered into an alliance against Heaven; and instead
o·f che,rish,ing enmity .against Satan, the whole human family would
have been united in opposition to God." -GC 505.
"It is the grace that Christ implants in the soul which creates
in ma11 enmity against Satan. Without this converting grace and
renewing power, man would continue the captive of 8atan, a servant
ever ready to, do his bidding. But the new principle in the soul creates
conflict where hitherto had been peace. The power which Christ im-
parts enables ma:n tC' resist the tyrant and usurper. Whoever is seen
to abhor sin instead of loving it, whoever resists and cOll,<jJuers those
passions that have held sway within, displays the operation of a
principle wholly from above." -Ibid., page 506.
4. :what does nmn become again through Chri&t? I John 3:1,2,
NOTE: " . . . As the inspired apostle John beheld the height, the
depth, the breadth of the Father's love toward the perishing l'ace,
he was filled with .'ldoration and reverence j and, £a.iling to find
suitable language in which to express the gl'eatness and tenderness
of this love, he called upon the wol'1d to b,ehold it . . . What a value
this places upon man! Through transgression the sons of man become
suhjects: of Satan. Through faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ
the sons of Adam may become the so.ns of God. By assuming human
nature, Christ' elev,ates humanity. Fallen men are placed where,
through connection with Christ, they may indeed become worthy of
the name "sons of God.' " -SC 15. .
 5'. What is God's purpose for Hill children? n Corinthians 4:6.
NOTE: "All the light of the past, all the light which shin&jj in
the present and reaches fOl'th into the future, 3JS revealed in the
word of God, is for every soul who will receive it, The glory of
this light, which is the very glol'y of the character of Christ, is to,
be manifested in tho individual Ch.risttian, in the family, in the church,
in the ministry of the word, and in every ins,titution established by
God's people , " They are to be types of the saving power of the
truths of the gospel. They 3Jre agencies in the fulfillment of God's
great purpose ior the human r.ace." -6T 11.
" . , , By beholding th.e goodness, the mercy, the justice, and
the love of God revealed in the chure-h, the world is to have a repre-
sentation of His charooter. "-Ibid., page 12.
6. What is the main theme of all Bible tru'ths? Colossians 1:27.
NOTE: II'The central theme of the Bible, the theme about which every
other in the wlwle book clusters, is the reclemption plan, the I'estoration
in the lluma,n soul of the image of God. From the first intimation of
hope in the sen'tence pl'onounced in Eden to that last glorious promise
of the Revelation, IThey shall see His face; and His name !lhall
be in their fOI'eh.oods· (Rievelation 2'2:4), the burden of eve;ry book
and every pass·arge of the Bible is the unfolding of this wondrous theme
- man's' uplii;:ting, - the power of God,. 'which giveth us the Victor;
through our Lo,rd Jesus Christ.' I Corinthians 15 :57." -Ed 125, 126.
7. How does God perform this work? At what do the angels wonder?
Ephesians 1:19; 4:11-13; 3:10.
NOTE: " . . . The world is It workshop in which, t1u'ough the
co-operation of human and divine agencies, Jesus is ma.king experiments
by His grace and divine mercy upon human hea,rts. Angels are amazed
as they behold the tra:nsform.ation of character brought anout in those
who yield themselves to God, and they express their joy in songs of
rapturous praise to God and to the Lamb . , ," -TM 49,50.
8. What means does the Lord use in order to work His holiness in
us? Hebrews 12:9.10.
NOTE: "The trials of life are God's workmen, to I'omove th.e im-
purities and roughness f1'om our charooter. Their hewing, squaring,
and chiseling, their burnishing and polishing, is a painful process;
it is hal'd to be prossed down to the grinding wheel. But the stone
is brought forth prepared to fill its placil in the heavenly temple.
Upon no useless material does the Master bestow such careful, thorough
work. Only, His precious stones a,re polished after the similitude
of a palace." -MB 10.
9. What was the purpose of the Saviour in presenting to the young
man the "one thing" he "lacked"? Mark 10:17-22.
-26-
NOTE: •• . . . Only one thing he lacked, but that was a vital prin.
ciple. He needed the love of God in the BOuI. This lack, unle.ss
supplied, would prove fatal to him; his whole nature would become
corrupted. By indulgence, s.eIfishness would strengthen . ." -DA 519.

10. WitaJ. what feeling should we obey the "Fatlh.er of Spirits"?

Whose example should we follow in this connection? What kind
of obedience is of no avail? Ps. 40:8; John 6:38.

NOTE: "All true obedience comes from the he~.rt. It was heart
work with Christ. And if we consent, He will so identify Himself
with our thoughts and aim.s, so blend our hearts and minds into
wnformity to His will, thart when obeying Him we shall be but
carrying out our own impulses. The wUI refined and sanctified,
will find its highest delight in doing His service. When we know
God as it is our privilege tC' know Him, (·ur life will be a life of
continual obedience. Through:m appreciation of the character of
()luist, through communion with God, sin will become hateful to
us. " -DA 668.

,, God does not force the will of His creartures. He cannot

accept an homage that is not willingly and intelligently given. A mel'C
forced submission would prevent all real development of mind or char-
acter; it would make man a mere arutomaton. Such is not the purpose
of the Creator. He desires that man, the cro·wning work of His creative
power, sha.ll reach the highest possible development . . ." -SC 43,44.

11. What doE'S the sincere and earnest Ohristian do and how does he
live his life of faith? Hebrews. 12:1,2.

NOTE: ., None should go along shrinking and trembling, under con-

tinual doubt, sowing their path with complainings; but all should
look up to God and see His goodness and r'J,j0-1Ce in His love. Summon
all your powers to look up, not dOown alt YOUI' difficulties; then you
will never f'aint by the way. You will soon sce Jesus behind the cloud,
rcac.hing out His h'and to help you; aJld all you have to do is, to give
Him your hand in simple faith and let Him lead you. As you become
trustful you will, through faith in Jesus, become hopeful . . . A
gl'eat name among men is as letters tra.ced in sand, but a. spotless char-
acter will endure to all eternity. God gives you intelligence and a
re,asoning mineI, whereby you may grasp His promises; and Jesus
is ready to help you in forming a strong, ~Yl11metrical character. Those
who possess such a character need never become discouraged bec·ause
they have not success in worldly affairs. 'rhey t are the light of the
world.' Satan C>lbnnot de8ltroy or make I)f none- effect the light that
shineBl iorth from them." -5T 578,579.

-27-
 Lesson No. 10. Sa.bbath, December 5, 1970.

QuR DEFICmNCIES OF CHARACTER

Questions:
1. In what condition does God accept men? Luke 15:1,2.
No'rE: "God tak~", men as they are, with the human elements in
their charader, and trains them for His service, if they will be dh-
ciplined and learn of Him. They are not chosen because they are
perfoot, but notwithstanding their imperfections that through the
knowledge and pra.ctice of the truth, through the grace of Christ,
they may become transformed into Hi.s image." -DA 294.
2. W1lat has beeJ:l manifested in God's chosen people in every
age? GeneSiis 12:11"13; Ps. 106:32,33; 69:&. .
NOTE: "In all who have been chos:en to accomplish a work for
GO{] the human element is seen. Yet they have not been men of
, stereotyped h.abits am-d character, who werc mtisfied to remain in that
condition. They eal'llestly desil'ed to obtain wisdom from God and to
leal'll to work for Him . . ." -PP 248.
3. Sdnce the righteousness of Ohrist does not clo·ak our defects of
oha.racter, of what should we take heecl? Gal. 6:4; Eph. 4:22;
Phil..3: 19,14.
No'rE: •• . . . In or'de,r to receive God'13 help, mRll must realize
his weakness and defici&ncy; he lIiust .tpply his own mind to the
great change to be wrought in himselfi; he must be aroused to earnest
and persevering prayer and effort. Wrong habits and customs must be
shaken off; and it is only by dete.rmined em]oovoul" to COlTect thiese
errors .and to conform to right principles j,hat the victory can bc
gninecL . . ," -PP 248.
4. Where should this work begin? Prov. 4:23; Mal. 4:5.6.
NOTE: • •The restoration and upHfting of humanity begins in the
home. 'rhe work of parents underliC13 eve·ry other. Society is com-
posed of families, and is what the heads of' families make it. Out of
the heart are 'the issues o·f life' (Proverbs 4:23); and the heart
of the community, of the church, an.d of' the Ilation is the household "
-Ministry of Healing page 349.
5. Wha.t is said of many Sabbl\othkeeping families?
'No'rE: " . . I was shown that me'I'ely observing the Sabbath nnd
pr·ay\ing morning and evening are not positive evidences that we are
Chl·istians., These QutwllJrd forms may all be strictly observed, and
yet true godliness be lacking . . , All who profess to be Christ's
follpwerBi 13hould ha.ve command of their own spirit, not allowing
themsefves to speak fretfufIy or impatielltfy . " There ate inailr
such miserable families all through, the r'anks of Sabbathkeepel's. Angels
bear the shameful tidings to heaven, and the recording angel makes
a record of it all." -1T 305,306.
6. Of what should every member of a Christian family think?
ROmans 14:7.
NOTE: '" None of us liveth to lrimself.' The character will mani-
fest itself'. The looks, the tone of the voice, the actions, - all
have their influence in making or marring the happiness o,f the
domeatic circle. They are molding the temper amd charader of
'the children; they are inspir'ing or tending to destroy confidence
and love. All are made either better or worse, h,appy <>r miser-
ab.Je, by these influences. We owe our families the knowledge of
the word brought into practical life. All that it is possible fo,r
us to be to purify, enlighten, comfort" and encourage thoS'8 con-
nected with us in family relation should he done." -7T 50.

7. What would be the result if there were more eunest and sincere
religion in our homes?
NOTE: "Home re'ligion is greatly needed, and our words in the home
&hould be o.f a right character, or our testimonies in the church will
amount to nothing. Unless you manifest meekness, kindness, and
courtesy in your home, your l'eligion will be in vain. If th.ere were
mOl"e genuine, home l'eligion, thel'e would be more power in the church."
-Messages to Young People, page 327.
8. What do acts of complaining and anger testify in a family? What
is the re5Ult? James 3:14·16'.
NOTE: " . . . Unk~ndness, complaining, and angel' shut Jesus from
the dwelling. I saw that angels of God will flee from a house where
there a're unpleasant words, fretfulnel"ls, and strife." -IT 307.

9. What is decisive in establiSihing the well-being o'! a family circle?

Proverbs 25:15; 29:22; 15:1.
NO'rl'}: " , . , Often it is our own attitude, the atmosphere that
surrounds ourselves, which dete,rmines what will be nwealed to us in
anoth'er. 'rhere are many who regard the expression of love as a
weakness, and they maintain a reserve that repels others. This
spirit checks the current of s~'mpathy , . ." -MH 360.
10. Of what should we think and for what should we incessantly
implore God? Psalms 119:117,133,.
NOTE: " . . . There is not a.n impulse of our nature, not a faculty
of the mind or an inclinaotion of the heart, but needs to be, moment
by mome.nt, under the control of the Spil'it of God,. There is not
-29-
a hfeS81ng which God bestows upon mail, ilOr a trial which He per-
mits to befalL him, but Sa.lian b(}th can and will seize upon it to tempt,
to harass Mld destroy the soul, if we give him the least advantage.
Therefore however great one's spiritual light, however much he. may
enjoy of the divine f<a.vor and blessing, he should ever walk h,umbly
bef'ore the Lord, pleading in faith that God will direct every thought
and control every impulse.
," All who profess' godliness al1'e und,er the most sacred obligation
to guard the spirit, and to exercise self-control under the greatest
provocation . . ." -pp 421.

Lesson No. 11 Sabbath, December 12, 1970

DEFECTS OF CHARACTER IN THE FAMILY

Questions:

1. How should husbands behave towards their wives. according to

the instructions of the Lord? I P~er 3:7.

No'rE: I' . . . He .sliould not. come to his home with a clouded

bl'ow, but should with his presence bring sunlight into the family,
,and sJlOuld encoul'age his wife to look up and believe in God. Unitedly
they can claim the promises oJ God and bring His rich blessing into
the fpmily . . . " -IT 307.
2. What example did OUr Saviour give about the tone used in
speaking? Psalms 45:2.
3. About What should we be very cautious in tale family circle?
What Will be. the result if we do not overcome this point of
oharacter? EphesfuJ!.s 4:31.
NOT E: I I The husband and father who is morose, selfish, and over-
bearing, is not only unhappy himself, but he casts gloom upou all
the inmates of his home. He· will reap the result in seeing his
wife dispirited amI sickly, and hischildrcn IDarred with, his own un-
lovely temper." -MH 374,375.
4. From whence come fightings? James 4:1.

NOTE: "Brother M: From what was shown me, there is a great

work to be a<ccomplislmd for you before you can be accepted in 'the
sight of God. Self is too pl·oroin.ent. You possess II. hasty, passionate
temper, and are arbitrary and overbearing in you family . . Brother
M, you censure your wife, you are dicta,torial, and do not have th<a.t
lo,ve which you should have. She dreads y,our oppressive spirit, .

--30-
 (, , . , y' au do not take a coUrse to be loved. You are an
extremist. You are severe, exacting, arbitrary, to your childl'en.
You talk the truth to them, bllt do, not cany its pr~nciples into your
everyday life. You are not patient, forbearing, alid forgiving. You
have so long indulged your own spirit, you al'e so ready to ill into
a passion if provoked, that it looks exceedingly doubtful wheth.er
you will madce effo,rts sufficient to meet the mind of' Christ "
-2'1' 84,85.
5. Does Heaven accept such a religion? James 1:26.
NOTE: "Angels of God will not a.bide in your family until there
is a different order of things . " If any man seemeth to be
religious, and hridleth not his tongue, that man's religion is vain.
TI'eat your family in a manner that Heaven can approve, and so tha,t
peace may he in your dwelling , . " -2'1' 86.
6, If we, as professed ChriSitians reveal th,ese a.efects of char-
acte}', what influence will our testimony have upon our children
and outsiders? James 3:14.
NOTE: " , , Your children have had your bad e~ample before them;
you have blamed, aJlld censured, and manifested a passionate spirit
at home, while you would, ::Lt the same time, addreas the throne of
'gt'ace, attend meeting, and be-ar testimony in favor of the truth,.
'rhese exhibitions have led your children to despise you aalCi the
truth you profess. They have no confidence in your CIll'istianity.
They helieve you to be a hypocrite, and it is true that ,you are
a sadly deceived man. You can no more' ente,r h,elWen without a
Ithorough change than could Simon Magnus, who thought th,at the
Holy Gho'st could be bought with money . , " -2'1' 86'.
7. What' should all those bear in mind who read these warnings?
Jel'emiah 17:9,10.
NOT.E;,: , Your wOl'ks are to hear the illSpection of the judgment.
Will you deal truly with your own soul' Do not deceive yourself.
Oh, remember Ithat God is not mocked! Those who possess ever'
1a.sting life will have all they catll do to set their houses in order.
They must commence a,t their own hearts and follow up the work until
victories, earnest victOTies, are gained. Self mUfllt die, and Christ
must live in you and be in you a 'well of witel' springing up into ever-
lasting life. You now have preCIOUs hours, of probation granted you
to form a. right cha.racter evon at your advanced :lIge . . . " -2'1' 88.
" , ' Break your heart before God, aJId know that it is im-
possible £'0,1' you to deceive the. ho,ly' angels. Your words an,d acts
are all open to their inspection. Your motives and the intents and
and pmposes of your heart stand revealed to, their gaze . ." -Ibid., 87.
8. What shGuld we do to overcome our sinful traits of character?
Jea:em1a1l 4:3,4.
-al-
MOTE: "T1H~ work now before you must commence in your fa.miJ'y.
You have tried hard to improve outw3lrdly; but the work has been
too much on the surface, an outside work and not a work of the heart.
~et your hea·rt in order, humble yourself before God, lUld implore His
gra.ce to help you "-2'1' 87.
"The garden of the hea·rt must be cultivated. 'fhe sl>il must be
broken up by deep 1'epentance for sin. Poisonous, Satanic pl~nts must
be· uprooted. The soil once overgrown by th.orns. can be reclaimed only
by diligent labor. So the evil tendencies of the. natural heart ealll b2
overcome only by earnest effort in the name and strength of Jesus . .
This work He deSlires to accomplish for us, and He asks us to eo'
operate Witll Him. ,. -COL 56.
9. What should we ask the Lord? What are we deciding now?
Psalms 139: 23,24-.
N"O'1'E: "If you lose heaven, you lose everything; if you g~in
heaven, you gain everything. Do not make a mistake in this matter,
1 implore you. Etel'llal interests are here involved. Be thorough
:Mu,y. the God of all grace so enlighten your understanding th,at you
mllY discern etenwl things, t.hat by the light of trutll your own errors,
which are many, may be discovered to you just as they ano, that you
may make the necessary effort to put them a"iva.y, and in the place of
'tIlls evil, bitter f:l'Uit may hring forth fl'Uit which is precious U11;to
etel'llal life. 'By their ftuit,s ye shall know them.' Every tree is
known by its fruit. What kind of fruit shall henceforth be f;ound
upon this tree~ 'fhe fruit you bear will d~termine whether you arll'
a good tree, 01' one of which Christ shall say to His angel: 'Cut
it down; why cumbereth it the ground'l' '.' -2T 88,89.

Lesson No. 12 Sabbath, December, 19, 1970.

DEFECTS OF CHARACTER IN THE FAMILY (Continued)

Questions:
1. What does .Sa~n do? 1 Pet.ar 5:8.
NOTE: ' 'While lIlen are ignorant of his devices, this vigilant foe
(Satan) is upon their track every moment. He is intru.ding his
presence ill every department of the household, in eve1'y street of
our cities, in the churches, in the national councils, in the courts
of justice, perplexing, d.eceiving, seducing, evel'ywhere ruining the
souls:l.nd bodies of men, womell, and children, b:reaking up families,
Bowing hatreel emulation, strife, sedition, murder. And the Christian
world seem to rega'rd these things as though God had appointed them
and tltey must crist." --GO 508.
 2. Can Satan Muse dome~tic trQubles throu~ human. agents? Pro·
verbs 25:24-.
NOTE: " I have also been, shown that there is often a great faiilure
on the part of the wife. 8he does not put forth strong efforts to
control her o.wn spirit and m~ke home' ha,ppy. Ther'e is often fl·et·
fulnesEi and unne:cessary complaining on her paa't. The husband comes
home from his labor weary and perplexed, and meets a clouded brow
instead of cheel'ful, encom'aging words. He is but human, and his
adIections become weaned from his wife, he loses the love of his
home, his pathway is darkened, a,nd his courage destroyed. "
-1 Testimonies, 307.
3. What instnlction was given to women? Titus 2:4,5.
4. How is a diligent woman described? Of what do some women
lose sight? l'iroVerbs 31 :27.
NOTE: " Sister :M is slack and untidy, in her house. She
h3JS not the elements of order and neatness in her o,rganization.
(She) doe.~ not do what she might to correct her wrong habits, which
make home distasteful and disagreeable." -2T 84.
"Deal' Sister 0: I think you are not happy. In seeking fo,r
somlil great work to do, you overlook pres'ent duties lying directly
in your path. You are not happy, beca.use you al'e looking above
the little everyday duties of life for some higher and greater work
to do. You are restless, uneasy., and dissatisfied. You love to dictate
better than you love to perform. You love better to tell others what
to do than with l'ea;dy cheerfulness to take hold and do yourself."
-3Testimonies 79. '
5. What warning was given a sister who wanted to perform a great
work instead of fulfilling her COlUInon home duties?
NOTE: "You murmur at your lot, thus making those around you
unhappy and meeting with a great loss youroolf. 'You ma.y never
be called to do· a work which will bring you before the public. But
all the work we do th,at is necessary, to be done, be it washing diShes,
se1tting ta.bles, waiting upon thel sick, cooking, o,r wa13hing, is of moral
importance; and until you caal cheerfully and happily take up these
duties are not fitted for greater and higher duties . '.. Woman in
her home, doing the' simple duties of Iif'e that must be done, -can and
should exhib,it faithfulness, obedience, and love as sincere as angels
in their sphere . . ." -3T 79,80.
6. What causes a great loss individually and in the home life?
What hurts man very much? What should we overCOme.? Prov.
25:24; James 3:5,6; Poverbs 16:32.
NOTE: "Sister L, you have a great ba.ttle before you in order to
Overcome. You have let self keep the victo)·y. Your stubborn will
is the greatest enemy you h,ave. You have an ullimbdlle'd temper,
and do not control your tongue. The la,ck of self-control 'has been
a great injury to, yourself and to your family. Happiness, quietude,
and peace have abode in your dweBing but'a short period at a, 'time..
If your will is crossed you lU'e easily irritated, and then you speak
a:n.d a,d as though ,a demon had possession o,f you. Angels turn from
the scene of discord where angry words ar'e exchangell. Many times
have you dl'iven the precious, heavenly angels from your family by
the indulgence of passion." -2T 78,79"
7. How does a sincere and God-fearing woman speak? What doe$
a selfish woman wislh? Proverbs 31:26.
NOTE: " , , . My sister, these noble, qualities can never b,e com-
municated to other minds unless they first exis,t in your own. That
contentmelllt of mind, that affection, gentleness, and, sunniness of temper
,"llJich will rea,ch eve.I'y heart, will reflect upon you what your h'eal't
gives to otherS!. If Christ does no,t reign in the hea.rt, there will be
discontent and moral deformity, Selfishnless will require of othea's
that which we are unwilling to give them, If Christ is not in the
heart, the character will be unlovely." -3T 80,81.
8, What other duty Is imposed on women? Col. 8:18.
NOTE: " , . Some have asked the question, Must I be on my guard
a·nd feel a restraint upon me continually~ I have been shown that
we have a great work bef,ore us to search our own hearts, and watch
ourselves with jealous care. We should . learn wherein we fail, a.nd
then guard oursiClves upon that point. We must have perfect control
over our own spirit . . ," -IT 308.
9. Wh.at should every member of the family do? I Peter 5:8,9.
NOTE: " , , It is impo'rtant to. close every dool' possible, agamst
the entranc'e of Satan. -,It is the privilege of ev'ery family so to live
that Satan caill take no adv'antage of anything they may say 01' do,
'to tear one another do,wn. Every member of the family should beaI'
in mind that all have just as much as they can do to resist our wily
foe, 'and wi;th earnest prayers and unyielding fmth each must rely
upon the merits of the blood of Christ and cla,im His saving strength."
-1Testimonies 309.
10. How shall peace in the family circle be preserved? What diVine
standard was given each spou~~? I Peter 3:1-6; Ephesians 5:21.
N;O'l'E: " . ' . The husband is the head of the family, as Christ
is the head of! the church; aud any course which the wife may pursue
to lessen his influence and lead him to come down from that digui-
fied, responsible position is displeasing to God. It is, the duty of
the wife to yield her wishes' and wHl to her husband. Both should
be yie,lding, but the wOI'd of God gives preference to the judgment
of the husband. And it will not detract from the diguity of the
-il~
wife to yield to him whom she h'as chosen to be her couns;elor,
advaaer, and protector. The husband S'hould maintain his position
in his family with all meekness, yet with decision . . . " -IT 307,308.
REMEMBER THE THIRTEENTH SABBATH OFFERING
PLAN AHEAD TO HELP' IN THE FOREIGN MISSIONS

Less(}n No. 13 Sabbatll, December 26, 1970.

DEFECTS OF CHARACTER IN THE FAMILY (Conclusfon)

Questions:
1. What should parents ask and what 9hould they endeavour to do?
Judges 13,:12.
NOTE: "Not until parents themselves walk in the la.w of the Lord
with perfect hearts will they be pre'Pared to command their children
after them. A reform.a;tion in this respect ill needed - a reformation
which sha:ll be deep and bil'oad. Parents need to reform; ministers
need to reform; they need God in their householjds. If th.ey would
see a differe·nt state of things, they must bdng His word into their
families and m.ust make it their counselor . . ." -PP 143.
2. What mistakes do parents often make in upbringIng their chlldren?
Ephoo1.am 6: 4-.
~OTE: " . . . Do not treat your children only with sternness, for-
getting your own ehildllOod, and forgetting th!lJt they are but children.
Do not e·xpeet them to be· perfJ6ct or try to make them men and women
in then acts at once . . . . ,. -IT 387.
"Some parents raise mu.ny a storm by theil' lack of self-control.
InSJtead of kindly asking the childxen to do this or t.ha:t, they order
them in a scolding tone, and at the same time ce·nsme or reproof is
on th:eir lips which the children have no,t merited " " -Ibid.,
pageS' 384,385.
3. What other mistakes are (}ften made? 1 Samuel 2: 23,24.
NOTE: " . . . If professorB of religion, instead of putting forth
eanJJeB,t, perS'istent, and painstaking effort to bring up a well-ordered
household as a. witness to· the ben'efits of.' fa~th in God, are lax in
'their government and ind,ulgent to the evil .desiresof their children,
they are doing as did Eli, D.nd are bringing disgrace on the cause
of Christ and l'uin upon themselves and. their householdll> . "
-PaMiarchs and Prophets page 579.
4. What unfaithfulness on the part of parents, in upbringing their
children. keeps the Lord away from His people? What behaviour
llrhould be witnessed in t.he house of the Lord? Habakkuk Z:20.

-?9-
NOTE: "The house of God is often' desecrated, llJIld the Sabbath
violated by Sabbath-believers' .children. In some cases they are
even allowed to run about the house, play, talk, and manifest theix
evil tempers in the very meetings wh.ere the saints should wor!lhip
God in the beauty of holiness . . , This is enough to bring God's
displeasure ollnd shut His' presence from our R;8semblies." -RH Sep·.
19, 1854. (CG 540.) .
5. 'What will many p,arents hear on the day of judgm~t because
of their neglect in upbringing their children? Daniel 5:27.
NOT.J!}: "When you stand before the great white tl11'one, then your
work will appeal' as it is. The books are opened, the reco,rd 0'( every
hfe marle kn~wn. Many in thalt vast company are unprepa,re(l f;or
th,e revel,a,tions made. Upon the ears of SOllle the worda· will fall with
sta,rtling distinctness, 'We:ighed ill the balance, and found wanting.'
To m.alllY pa.rents the Judge will say in that day, 'You h.ad My Wkl'rd,
pklinly setting forth your duty. Why have you not O'beyed its teach-
ings' Knew ye nO't tha,t it was the voice of God' Did I no,t bid
you search the Scriptures, that you might not go astra,y' You have
not only ruined YOUl' ow:n souls, but by your pretensions to godliness
you have misled many othea·s'. You ha,ve no part with Me. De'part;
depart.' " -CG 568,569.

6. 'What promise is given to call1dren and under what condit1(ln?

Ephesians 6:1-3. But, at the same time, what token of the Ja.st
days do many ohildren of believers fUlfill? 2 Timothy 3:2.

7. Does Heaven notice the behaviour of children towards' their

parents Proverbs 12:1,16.

NO'l'.J!}:"You have a fearful record of the past year, which is laid

open to the view of the Majesty of healVeIL and the myriads of pure,
sinless angels. Your though,ts and acts, your deSiperate and_unsanctified
fe~,]jngs may have been con.cealed from mOTtals; but remember, the
most tr.ivia,l acts of your life are open to the view of God. You have
a spotted l'eco1'(l in Heaven. The sins you have committed are all
registered there." -MYP 75.

8. In the Old Testament, what severe punishment was provided for

one wlho cursed his father or mot;her? Leviticus 20:8,9.

9. What should young people keep in mind? Colossians 3:20.

NO'l'E: "The youth are :now (leciding their own etel'na,l destiny, and
I would appeal to you to consider the commandment to which God
has annexed such a promise, 'tha,'t thy d,ays may be long upon the
land which the L@rd thy God giveth thee.' Children', do you desire
eternal life~ Then respect ailld honor your parents . . . " -MYP 332.

10. How long do children have a duty towards their pa.rents?

NOTl!:: " . . 'Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days
may. be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. This
is the first commandment with promise. It is binding upon childhood
and youth, upon the middle-aged and the aged. Th.ere is no period
in life when children are excused from hono<ring their parents. This
solemn obligation is binding upon every son and daughter, and is one
of the conditions to their pI'olonging their lives upon the land which
the Lord will give the faithful. This is not a: subject unworthy of
obedienCE!!. If you o·bey you shall live long in the Land which the Lord
YOUI' God gives you. If you disobey you shall not prolong your life
in that land .. " -2T 80,81.

Printed By
Religious Liberty Publishing Association
43 HCIfI'ow Road~ J\~urn~ N. S. W, Austr<d1q,