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Commentary on "Self-Esteem"
Day 5: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - What God Sees
Overview
“How can we help others take the message in Luke 15 and apply it to themselves? How can we help others realize that Jesus here is talking about them personally?” (Teacher’s Quarterly, Page 108)
Problems
Would that the author had begun here. Luke 15 truly is a powerful statement of our worth in God’s eyes. I really appreciate the author’s approach.
Let me offer a non-Adventist answer to the thought questions in the Overview.
If you want to make real in your life the truth of your worth to God, then settle, once and for all, the finality of the cross and the reality of the resurrection.
At the cross Jesus forever removed sin as the cause of separation between God and humanity. He completely defeated sin by becoming sin for us. Note: Jesus never was sinful. He took to Himself the full measure of punishment that each of us deserves, and then He cried out, “It is finished!”
But the cross was not enough. We were still dead spiritually and we needed to be brought back to life. So, Jesus defeated death in His resurrection. As a result, when we accept Him as our Savior we receive the indwelling Holy Spirit AND forgiveness, a complete, eternal transaction.
There is no more forgiveness to be granted. If there was, then Jesus would need to die again. Therefore, sin never can separate me from God again. Eternal life is eternal! Once given, it never will be taken away.
When you have internalized these truths you will come to understand your true identity and have a proper self-concept.
If you believe that any part of forgiveness and salvation depends on your own performance you never will understand your true identity and you never will have a proper self-concept.
Copyright 2011 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised February 16, 2011. 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 9
Teacher's Edition Study Guide Week 9
