Being Deceived
 
        Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.  1 Timothy 4:1, 2
 
    Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron" (1 Timothy 4:1, 2).
 
    Satan uses the listless, sleepy indolence of professed Christians to strengthen his forces and win souls to his side.  Many, who think that though they are doing no actual work for Christ, they are yet on His side, are enabling the enemy to pre-occupy ground and gain advantages.  By their failure to be diligent workers for the Master, by leaving duties undone and words unspoken, they have allowed Satan to gain control of souls who might have been won for Christ.
 
    We can never be saved in indolence and inactivity.  There is no such thing as a truly converted person living a helpless, useless life.  It is not possible for us to drift into heaven.  No sluggard can enter there.  If we do not strive to gain an entrance into the kingdom, if we do not seek earnestly to learn what constitutes its laws, we are not fitted for a part in it.  Those who refuse to co-operate with God on earth would not co-operate with Him in heaven.  It would not be safe to take them to heaven.
 
    There is more hope for publicans and sinners than for those who know the word of God but refuse to obey it. (Christ's Object Lessons, 279, 280)
 
Reflection:  The only safety for us is in trusting implicitly and following faithfully the instruction of the Word of God.  We will never enter into heaven calling ourselves Christians but never being like Jesus.  Let's make a decided effort to work and be more like Jesus today.

 Rejection Leads to Withdrawal
 
        And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.  2 Thessalonians 2:11
 
    Terrible were the trials that were to beset the true church.  Even at the time when the apostle was writing, the "mystery of iniquity" had already begun to work.  The development that were to take place in the future were to be "after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish."
 
    Especially solemn is the apostle's statement regarding those who should refuse to receive "the love of the truth."  "For this cause," he declared of all who should deliberately reject the messages of truth, "God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."  Men cannot with impunity reject the warnings that God in mercy sends them.  From those who persist in turning from these warnings, God withdraws His Spirit, leaving them to the deceptions that they love.
 
    Thus Paul outlined the baleful work of that power of evil which was to continue through long centuries of darkness and persecution before the second coming of Christ. (The Acts of the Apostles, 266)
 
Reflection:  As the Bible says, we should study to show ourselves approved to our Lord and we will not need to be ashamed when we rightly divide the Word of truth.  So often we want to believe something because that is what we have been told since we can remember.  We want to defend what the Bible does not defend.  God wants us to study for ourselves and not allow teachers, preachers, friends or family to study for us.  Let's not defend tradition, but defend the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Watch and Be Sober
 
        Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.   1 Thessalonians 5:6
 
    There are in the world today many who close their eyes to the evidence that Christ has given to warn men of His coming.  They seek to quiet all apprehension, while at the same time the signs of the end are rapidly fulfilling, and the world is hastening to the time when the Son of man shall be revealed in the clouds of heaven.  Paul teaches that it is sinful to be indifferent to the signs which are to precede the second coming of Christ.  Those guilty of this neglect he calls children of the night and of darkness.  He encourages the vigilant and watchful with these words: "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.  We are all the children of light, and the children of the day: ye are not of the night, nor of darkness.  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober."
 
    Especially important to the church in our time are the teachings of the apostle upon this point.  To those living so near the great consummation, the words of Paul should come with telling force: "Let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should love together with Him." (The Acts of the Apostles, 260)
 
Reflection:  The watchful Christian is a working Christian, seeking zealously to do all in his power for the advancement of the gospel. (The Acts of the Apostles, 260)

Ceremonial Versus Moral Law
 
        Blotting out the handwriting of ordinance that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.  Colossians 2:14
 
    The ceremonial law was thus given to Moses, and by him written in a book.  But the law of Ten Commandments spoken from Sinai had been written by God Himself on the tables of stone, and was sacredly preserved in the ark....
 
    The ceremonial system was made up of symbols pointing to Christ, to His sacrifice and His priesthood.  This ritual law, with its sacrifices and ordinances, was to be performed by the Hebrews until type met antitype in the death of Christ, the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.  Then all the sacrificial offerings were to cease.  It is this law that Christ "took...out of the way, nailing it to His cross" (Colossians 2:14).  But concerning the law of Ten Commandments the psalmist declares, "Forever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89)....The law of God is as immutable as His throne.  It will maintain its claims upon mankind in all ages....
 
    While the Saviour's death brought to an end the law of types and shadows, it did not in the least detract from the obligation of the moral law.  On the contrary, the very fact that it was necessary for Christ to die in order to atone for the transgression of that law, proves it to be immutable. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 364, 365)
 
Reflection:  It should make us so happy that we no longer need to perform the ceremonial law.  Christ took that place after His resurrection.  It should make us just as happy that God's Law, the Ten Commandments, will never cease to exist.  What would it be like if there was no law?  Utter chaos would be the result.  God is so good!

Our Creator
 
        For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.  Colossians 1:16
 
    Before the entrance of evil there was peace and joy throughout the universe.  All was in perfect harmony with the Creator's will.  Love for God was supreme, love for one another impartial.  Christ the Word, the Only Begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father,--one in nature, in character, and in purpose,--the only being in all the universe that could enter into all the councils and purposes of God.  By Christ the Father wrought in the creation of all heavenly beings.  "By Him were all things created, that are in heaven,...whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers" (Colossians 1:16); and to Christ, equally with the Father, all heaven gave allegiance.
 
    The law of love being the foundation of the government of God, the happiness of all created beings depended upon their perfect accord with its great principles of righteousness.  God desires from all His creatures the service of love--homage that springs from an intelligent appreciation of His character.  He takes no pleasure in a forced allegiance, and to all He grants freedom of will, that they may render Him voluntary service. (The Great Controversy, 493)
 
Reflection:  As we grow from faith to faith, and love Christ with a voluntary love, we will be saved.  And then we will see Jesus create a new heaven and new earth.  Can you imagine standing there watching Him?  Lets make a commitment today to be there.

 No Need for Sadness and Darkness
 
        Rejoice in he Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.  Philippians 4:4
 
    While the Christian's life will be characterized by humility, it should not be marked with sadness and self-depreciation.  It is the privilege of everyone so to live that God will approve and bless him.  It is not the will of our heavenly Father that we should be ever under condemnation and darkness.  There is no evidence of true humility in going with the head bowed down and the heart filled with thoughts of self.  We may go to Jesus and be cleansed, and stand before the law without shame and remorse....The Christian's life should be one of faith, of victory, and joy in God.  "Whatever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, our faith" (1 John 5:4).  Truly spoke God's servant Nehemiah: "The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10).  And Paul says, "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice."  "Rejoice evermore.  Pray without ceasing.  In everything give thanks: for it is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) (The Great Controversy, 477)
 
Reflection:  As we continue to build a noble character, which consists of thoughts and feelings, we will rejoice in the Lord.  We will have learned to put more trust in the One who saves.  It will give us joy to think about others more than ourselves.  We will begin to see things in such a different way.

Understanding the True Force of the Will
 
        Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, 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.  Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.  Philippians 2:12-15
 
    Everything depends on the right action of the will.  Desires for goodness and purity are right, so far as they go; but if we stop here, they avail nothing.  Many will go down to ruin while hoping and desiring to overcome their evil propensities.  They do not yield the will to God.  They do not choose to serve Him.
 
    God has given us the power of choice; it is ours to exercise.  We cannot change our hearts, we cannot control our thoughts, our impulses, our affections.  We cannot make ourselves pure, fit for God's service.  But we can choose to serve God, we can give Him our will; then He will work in us to will and to do according to His good pleasure.  Thus our whole nature will be brought under the control of Christ.
 
    Through the right exercise of the will, an entire change may be made in the life.  By yielding up the will to Christ, we ally ourselves with divine power.  We receive strength from above to hold us steadfast.  A pure and noble life, a life of victory over appetite and lust, is possible to everyone who will unite his weak, wavering human will to the omnipotent, unwavering will of God. (The Ministry of Healing, 176)
 
Reflection:  Building that noble character is ours to choose and to have.  In fact, it is essential for our salvation.  Let's make the right choices today.

The Mind of Christ
 
        Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 2:5
 
    "Learn of Me," says Jesus; "for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest."  We are to enter the school of Christ, to learn from Him meekness and lowliness.  Redemption is that process by which the soul is trained for heaven.  This training means a knowledge of Christ.  It means emancipation from ideas, habits, and practices that have been gained in the school of the prince of darkness.  The soul must be delivered from all that is opposed to loyalty to God.
 
    In the heart of Christ, where reigned perfect harmony with God, there was perfect peace.  He was never elated by applause, nor dejected by censure of disappointment.  Amid the greatest opposition and the most cruel treatment, He was still of good courage.  But many who profess to be His followers have an anxious, troubled heart, because they are afraid to trust themselves with God.  They do not make a complete surrender to Him; for they shrink from the consequences that such a surrender may involve.  Unless they do make this surrender, they cannot find peace.
 
    It is the love of self that brings unrest.  When we are born from above, the same mind will be in us that was in Jesus, the mind that led Him to humble Himself that we might be saved. (The Desire of Ages, 330)
 
Reflection:  What a thought!  Christ was never elated by applause, nor dejected by censure or disappointment.  As we draw closer to Christ and continue to develop our character, we will realize more and more that it is not about us, but Christ.

We Fight Against Principalities in High Places
 
        For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Ephesians 6:12
 
    A noble character is not the result of accident; it is not due to special favors or endowments of Providence.  It is the result of self-discipline, of subjection of the lower to the higher nature, of the surrender of self to the service of God and man....
 
    The body is a most important medium through which the mind and the soul are developed for the upbuilding of character.  Hence it is that the adversary of souls directs his temptations to the enfeebling and degrading of the physical powers.  His success here often means the surrender of the whole being to evil.  The tendencies of the physical nature, unless under the domination of a higher power, will surely work ruin and death.  The body is to be brought into subjection to the higher powers of the being.  The passions are to be controlled by the will, which is itself to be under the control of God.  The kingly power of reason, sanctified by divine grace, is to bear sway in the life.  Intellectual power, physical stamina, and the length of life depend upon immutable laws.  Through obedience to these laws, man may stand conqueror of himself, conqueror of his own inclinations, conqueror of principalities and powers, of "the rulers of the darkness of this world," and of "spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12). (Prophets and Kings, 488)
 
Reflection:  Whatever we do, let's do it to the glory of God.  Good things hardly ever come easy; Satan will make sure of that.  But with God all things are possible.  The watchword for today is, "Get thee behind me Satan!"  Don't take your eyes off the Lord.

Marriage a Foretaste of Heaven
 
        Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so [let] the wives [be] to their own husbands in every thing.  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.  Ephesians 5:21-25
 
    Though difficulties, perplexities, and discouragements may arise, let neither husband nor wife harbor the thought that their union is a mistake or a disappointment.  Determine to be all that it is possible to be to each other.  Continue the early attentions.  In every way encourage each other in fighting the battles of life.  Study to advance the happiness of each other.  Let there be mutual love, mutual forebearance.  Then marriage, instead of being the end of love, will be as it were the very beginning of love.  The warmth of true friendship, the love that binds heart to heart, is a foretaste of the joys of heaven....
 
    Let each give love rather than exact it.  Cultivate that which is noblest in yourselves, and be quick to recognize the good qualities in each other.  The consciousness of being appreciated is a wonderful stimulus and satisfaction. (The Ministry of Healing, 360, 361)
 
Reflection:  God instituted family, not man, and He designed that husband and wife work as a team.  If you want to grow in your marriage, you need to grow as an individual.  Get your spouse something special like flowers or a card, but don't wait until it is a known special day like a birthday.  Call it a "just because" day, "just because I love you."  As you do this consistently you will see a difference.