May 20, 2020
FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
GOD’S LAW OF LOVE: GUIDE OF LIFE THAT COMES FROM HIM
“Love, the basis of creation and redemption, is the basis of true education.”
“This is made plain in the law that God has given as the guide of life. The first and great commandment is: ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.’ Mark 12:30.”
“To love Him, the Infinite, the Omniscient One, with the whole strength and mind and heart, means the HIGHEST development of every power. It means that in the whole being—the body, the mind, as well as the soul—the image of God is to be restored.”
“Like the first is the second commandment, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.’ Mark 12:31. The law of love calls for the devotion of body, mind, and soul to the service of God and our fellow men. And this service, while making us a blessing to others, brings the greatest blessing to OURSELVES.”
“Unselfishness underlies all true development. Through unselfish service we receive the highest CULTURE of every faculty.” E.G.White, Counsels to Teachers & Parents, p. 32.
“Satan represents God’s law of love as a law of selfishness. Satan declares that it is impossible for us to obey its precepts. The fall of our first parents, with all the woe that has resulted, he charges upon the Creator, leading men to look upon God as the author or sin, and suffering, and death.”
“Jesus was to UNVEIL this deception. As one of us He was to give an EXAMPLE OF OBEDIENCE. For this He took upon Himself our NATURE, and passed through our EXPERIENCES. ‘In all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren.’ Heb. 2:17.”
“If we had to bear anything which Jesus did not endure, then upon this point Satan would represent the power of God as insufficient for us.”
“Therefore Jesus was ‘In all points tempted like as we are.’ Heb. 4:15. He endured EVERY trial to which we are subject. And He exercised in His own behalf no power that is not FREELY offered to us.”
“As man, He met temptation, and OVERCAME in the strength GIVEN Him from God. He says, ‘I delight to do Thy WILL, O My God: yea, Thy LAW is within My heart.’ Ps. 40:8.”
“As He went about doing good, and HEALING all who were afflicted by Satan, He made plain to men the CHARACTER OF GOD’S LAW and the nature of His service. His LIFE testified that it is possible for us also to OBEY the law of God.” Ibid, Desire of Ages, p. 24.”
From the beginning to the end of all things, which is “nearer than we first believed,” there have ever been two classes of people—“the children of disobedience” also called “the children of darkness” in contrast to “the children of obedience” also called “the children of light.” It is your choice to be found in one or the other class. So “choose ye this day whom ye will serve.” NMF