MEMORY VERSE: ‘Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.’ Matthew 5:48.
LESSON AIM: To study what is to be the glorious outcome of Christ’s work of salvation for us.
‘Our heavenly Father claims not at our hands that which we cannot perform. He desires His people to labour earnestly to carry out His purpose for them. They are to pray for power, expect power, and receive power, that they may grow up into the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. Not all members of the church are cultivating personal piety; therefore they do not understand their personal responsibility. They do not realise that it is their privilege and duty to reach the high standard of Christian perfection. Are we looking forward to the latter rain, confidently hoping for a better day, when the church shall be endued with power from on high and thus fitted for work? The latter rain will never refresh and invigorate the indolent, who do not use the powers God has given them. We are in great need of the pure, life-giving atmosphere that nurtures and invigorates the spiritual life. We need greater earnestness. The solemn message given us to give to the world is to be proclaimed with greater fervency, even with an intensity that will impress unbelievers, leading them to see that the Most High is working with us, that He is the source of our efficiency and strength. God has given us talents to be used in the upbuilding of His kingdom. Do we ask ourselves the question, How am I using the talents my Lord has given me? Have you given to God only a feeble, diseased service? Are you using all your powers in an effort to bring the lost sheep back to the fold? There are thousands upon thousands in ignorance who might be warned. Pray as you have never prayed before for the power of Christ. Pray for the inspiration of His Spirit, that you may be filled with a desire to save those who are perishing. Let the prayer ascend to heaven, “God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause His face to shine upon us; that Thy way may be known upon earth, Thy saving health among all nations” (Psalm 67:1, 2).’ In Heavenly Places, page 338.
1. With what words did Jesus conclude His teachings about loving our enemies? Matthew 5:48.
NOTE: ‘God’s ideal for His children is higher than the highest human thought can reach. The living God has given in His holy law a transcript of His character. The greatest Teacher the world has ever known is Jesus Christ; and what is the standard He has given for all who believe in Him? “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48. As God is perfect in His high sphere of action, so man may be perfect in his human sphere. The ideal of Christian character is Christlikeness. There is opened before us a path of continual advancement. We have an object to reach, a standard to gain, which includes everything good and pure and noble and elevated. There should be continual striving and constant progress onward and upward toward perfection of character.’ Counsels to Parents, Teachers & Students, page 365.
2. Were there any human beings that God regarded as perfect? Genesis 6:9. Compare Job 1:1, 8.
NOTE: ‘The world is no more favourable today for the development of Christian character than in Noah’s day. Then wickedness was so widespread that God said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth Me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.... Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God” (Genesis 6:7-9). Yes, amid the corruption of that degenerate age, Noah was a pleasure to his Creator.’ Selected Messages, book 1, page 90.
3. What further indication of Noah’s walk with God are we shown? Genesis 6:22.
NOTE: ‘The testimony in regard to Noah is, “And Noah did according to all that the Lord commanded him.” The path of obedience is the path in which our safety lies; for it is the willing and obedient that shall eat the good of the land. If we keep the commandments of God, we may claim His recorded promises in all their fullness. Many feel so unworthy that like the poor publican they dare not lift up so much as their eyes to heaven. They should encourage faith. We may have an intelligent faith; we may not only say we believe, but we may in meekness and confidence be able to define what we believe, and why we believe as we do. We should exercise living faith, not a blind credulity. All heaven is at the command of those who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus.’ Signs of the Times, March 31, 1890.