12. Who is the one who can make the heart perfect before God? Hebrews 13:20-21; 1 Peter 5:10-11.
NOTE: ‘Paul wrote to these brethren as “saints in Christ Jesus;” but he was not writing to those who were perfect in character. He wrote to them as men and women who were striving against temptation and who were in danger of falling. He pointed them to “the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep.” He assured them that “through the blood of the everlasting covenant” He will “make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ.” Hebrews 13:20, 21.’ Ministry of Healing, page 167.
13. How complete does the Lord want to make the work of salvation? 1 Thessalonians 5:23.
NOTE: ‘“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” The work of salvation is a work of co-partnership, a joint operation. No man can work out his own salvation without the aid of the Holy Spirit. The co-operation of divine and human forces is necessary for the formation of right principles in the character. Man is to make the most strenuous efforts to overcome the tempter, to subdue natural passions; but he is wholly dependent upon God for success in the work of overcoming the propensities that are not in harmony with correct principles. Success depends wholly upon willing obedience to the will and way of God. Character develops in accordance with conformity to the divine plan. But man must work in Christ’s lines. He must be a labourer together with God. He must submit to God’s training, that he may be complete in Christ.’ Review & Herald, May 28, 1908.
LESSON INSIGHT: ‘In the East the former rain falls at the sowing time. It is necessary in order that the seed may germinate. Under the influence of the fertilising showers, the tender shoot springs up. The latter rain, falling near the close of the season, ripens the grain, and prepares it for the sickle. The Lord employs these operations of nature to represent the work of the Holy Spirit. As the dew and the rain are given first to cause the seed to germinate, and then to ripen the harvest, so the Holy Spirit is given to carry forward, from one stage to another, the process of spiritual growth. The ripening of the grain represents the completion of the work of God’s grace in the soul. By the power of the Holy Spirit the moral image of God is to be perfected in the character. We are to be wholly transformed into the likeness of Christ.’ Ye Shall Receive Power, page 25.
‘Read the prayer of the inspired apostle, for us: “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ.” Hebrews 13:20, 21. So then whatever of good there is in any individual is the direct result of the working of God in the soul, Christ dwelling in the heart by faith, and to Him is all the glory due. Not only are we dependent upon God for the good that may be manifested in our lives, for the power to rise in the scale of morality, but we are dependent on Him for the very desire to rise. Says the apostle: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12, 13.’ E. J. Waggoner: Signs of the Times, November 30, 1888.