Presenting a Biblical response by concerned former Seventh-day Adventists to the Sabbath School Bible Study Guide.

This website is NOT connected to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The offical Seventh-day Adventist Church website is linked here.

HOME | 2010 | FIRST QUARTER | WEEK 4 | DAY 1 | DAY 2 | DAY 3 | DAY 4 | DAY 5 | DAY 6 | DAY 7

BibleStudiesForAdventistsHead

Commentary on "The Fruit of the Spirit is Peace"

PHIL HARRIS

 

Day 5: Wednesday, January 20, 2010

 

Overview

Today’s lesson centers on having peace in our personal relationships, especially in the privacy of our homes where those closest to us know who we really are.

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. (Heb. 12:14 ESV)

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. (Romans 12:18 ESV)

 

Observations

To get a comprehensive picture of what is implied in the encouragement to “live peaceably with all”; we need to consider the full list of what is said in Romans 12:9-21:

Only our righteous and holy Savior can fulfill the perfect standard this list implies. It is far beyond our ability to perform without the solution anticipated by Jesus in the following passage. Note that Jesus is speaking of his commandments that replace and reach deeper and fuller into our souls than the Mosaic Law could ever do. And why he introduced the promise of the Holy Spirit that makes our compliance possible.

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:15-17 ESV)

 

Summary

  1. In our understanding of our relationship with our Savior and Lord under the New Covenant it is very apparent that the standard of conduct that replaces the Mosaic Law of the Old Covenant is considerably deeper than mere outward compliance to a set of rules. Genuine love that leads to true harmony and peace with both God and all of mankind comes from a perfect source outside of our own sin limited wisdom and strength.
  2. Instead, it is the intent of Jesus Christ is that the Holy Spirit indwell, empower and direct our lives. When this occurs in our lives, the Holy Spirit brings life to our spirit and we are said to be ‘born again’.
  3. Furthermore, the display of changed peaceful people living in harmony with God and mankind attests to the reality of a loving God willing to rescue a sick and dying world.

 

GO TO DAY 6

 

Copyright 2010 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised January 7, 2010. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.

The Sabbath School Bible Study Guide and the corresponding E.G. White Notes are published by Pacific Press Publishing Association, which is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The current quarter's editions are pictured above.

 

Official Adventist Resources

Standard Edition Study Guide Week 4

Teacher's Edition Study Guide Week 4

Easy Reading Edition Study Guide Week 4

Search the Complete Published Ellen G. White Writings

EGW Helps 2010-1
Quarterly 2010-1