Commentary on "The Fruit of the Spirit is Truth"

STEVE PITCHER

 

Day 4: Tuesday, March 16, 2010

 

The main point that is made in today’s lesson is that one should serve God from an undivided, whole heart. Sincerity is important in the life of a believer. And it is important to state at this time that, although sincerity is important, it is true that one can be sincere and sincerely wrong. There are sincere atheists. Their sincerity, however, will not avail them in the Day of the Lord. Once one has received Christ, the Lord, one will be able to stand on his day because one is not resting in his sincerity, but in the Lord.

Overall, the comments in today’s lesson are very good.

Here, we must turn to look at an issue contained in the Teacher’s Comments on page 143. Here the lesson author states that, “This concept of knowing truth radically is different from mastering a set of facts. It is relational.” This seems to be a reversal of what was stated on Sunday’s lesson (day two). Recall the lesson stated, “The gospel is not a call to have a relationship with Jesus but to make a commitment to Him.” Why do we find these seeming contradictions within this week’s lesson? Perhaps another comment from the Teacher’s Comments will provide insight.

Following this, on p. 143, we find the following:

People groped in spiritual darkness, so much so that even when they read the Old Testament they could not comprehend it or the One to whom the ancient prophets pointed (2 Cor. 3:14,15).

Let’s take a look at this passage to see what our Lord is trying to teach us. First, read 2 Cor. 3:14-16:

But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they readthe old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one to the Lord, the veil is removed.

This passage is telling us why people “groped in spiritual darkness.” They are turning to the “old covenant. As long as one reads the words of the Old Testament law to determine how one lives in right relation to God, there is a quite literal veil that remains unlifted. When one turns to the Lord Jesus Christ, that veil is removed. One must turn from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant.

How do we know if there is a veil over our hearts? Since we each, individually, respond to the gospel message, perhaps a small challenge would be appropriate at this point in this week’s lessons.

The following one-month challenge helped this writer many years ago, and has been a powerful help in removing the veil that covered my heart.

1. Put away all Ellen White books and any other commentaries or helps.
2. Put away the Old Testament.
3. Get an accepted translation of the New Testament that is different from the one you usually read.
4. Read only the New Testament for one month.
   a. I suggest one or two gospels (Mark and John) then move onto Acts followed by the letters.
   b. After reading through the letters, identify one or more that seem to be reading your heart, and re-read them for a few weeks.

This not a guarantee, but a challenge. Not everyone has a veil over their heart, but anyone can gain a better understanding of the message of Christ and the New Covenant.

It is my prayer that you will do this. After you have completed this challenge, we invite you to contact us at this website, at the following e-mail address: BibleStudiesforAdventists@gmail.com

In the meantime, we will continue with this week’s lessons.

 

Summary

1. We are to believe in and serve God with an undivided heart – all our heart.
2. The lesson author reverses himself on the issue of whether the truth of the gospel is relational or commitment based.
3. People did not grope in spiritual darkness because they read the Old Testament. People are in spiritual darkness because they use the OT law as a guide for how to live in right relation with God, rather than turning to Jesus, who has put us into right relation with God through his work on the cross.
4. If we turn to the Lord Jesus, we can have that veil removed. Once the veil is removed, we will no longer need to explain away the wording of certain scripture passages and the consistency of God’s word will be experienced.
5. Take the challenge to put away everything except the New Testament for one month, and see if there is a veil over your heart that needs to be lifted. If there is, all you need to do is turn to the Lord. He is in the business of removing veils.
6. E-mail us and share how the Lord is working to remove the veil from your heart. Our e-mail address is: BibleStudiesforAdventists@gmail.com

 

GO TO DAY 5

 

Copyright 2010 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised March 9, 2010. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.

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