FAULTS & FAILURES OF BIBLE HEROES SERVE AS ENCOURAGEMENT & WARNING, NOT EXCUSE OR JUSTIFICATION

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

FAULTS & FAILURES OF BIBLE HEROES SERVE AS ENCOURAGEMENT & WARNING, NOT EXCUSE OR JUSTIFICATION

TDG 255: Jesus, our Savior, Life Coach, Example, and Standard of character said the following:

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16: 33.

“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even AS I overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.” Rev. 3:21, KJV.

“Inspiration fully records the faults of good men, those who were distinguished by the good favor [grace] of God; indeed, their faults are more fully presented than their virtues [like David, etc.].

“Men whom God favored, and to whom He entrusted grave responsibilities, were SOMETIMES overcome by temptation and committed sin EVEN as we at the present day strive, waver, and frequently fall into error. Their lives, with all their faults and follies are open before us, BOTH for our encouragement and warning.

If they had been represented as without fault, WE, with our sinful nature, might DESPAIR at our own mistakes and failures. But seeing where others struggled through discouragements LIKE our own, where they fell under temptation AS we have done, and YET took heat again and CONQUERED THROUGH THE GRACE OF GOD, we are encouraged in our STRIVING [opposite of ignoring, worse, defending] AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS.

As they, though SOMETIMES beaten back, RECOVERED their ground, and were blessed of God, so we too may be OVERCOMERS in the STRENGTH [the amazing, mpowering grace] of Jesus.” – Patriarchs & Prophets, p. 238.

“The life of Christ’s disciples is to be LIKE His, A SERIES OF UNINTERRUPTED VICTORIES, not seen to be such here [by mortal vision now on earth], but recognized as such in the GREAT HEREAFTER.” – Vol. 6, Testimonies, p. 307/TDG 245.

Such never boast about their success of overcoming their faults and weaknesses but do so quietly because they seek to please God, not their fellow mortals! Bless all, NMF