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Commentary on "The Fruit of the Spirit is Kindness"
Day 3: Monday, February 1, 2010
Overview
In Monday’s lesson, we are introduced to the case of David manifesting loving kindness to Mephibosheth, somebody who, as the son of the former King Saul, was a potential rival to the throne. Still, because David experienced God’s grace, he gave to Mephibosheth what he had received: unmerited favor. The same truth is exemplified in the life of the woman who was forgiven by Jesus, and the point that our author is making consists, rightfully, in showing that we love and accept others because God first loved us. He has stated correctly: “How important, then, that we keep the Cross and what it means to us, individually, before us at all times.”
Observations
The question raised at this point is related to the context and meaning of what the cross signifies for our author and his Adventist readers. If the atonement was not finished at the cross and the final atonement which happens at the end of the investigative judgment depends on somebody’s right conduct, how is the love of such people the response of a grateful heart to what Christ has done once for all in His sacrifice? If forgiveness—future forgiveness, at least—depends on right behavior and is contingent on somebody’s progress in sanctification, how can somebody’s deeds properly be called an answer to God’s love? Only if forgiveness, justification, and cleansing of all sins is independent of human behavior, independent of what somebody was, is, or will ever be—only then can a person love others and God supremely. Only then a person’s kindness follows the manifestation of God’s love. The investigative judgment turns God’s love upside down and construes a scheme in which God’s ultimate manifestation of love toward somebody depends on that individual’s love and dedication and effort.
Missing from the picture is the fact that in justification not only our past sins but also our future sins are wiped out. In such conditions, however wonderful the words that our author put in today’s lesson, his expectation that his readers should love others because Jesus loved them and be kind to others because God was kind toward them is an impossible task. Given the context of the investigative judgment in which his readers operate, there is no chance a person can achieve the kindness and love expected of them. Only by accepting that not only their past but also their future sins are justified by Jesus’ completed atonement can a person finally experience the love and kindness of Jesus becoming manifest in their lives.
Summary
GO TO DAY 4
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