esson six AUGUST 2–8 Growing in Christ “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God’ ” (John 3:3, NKJV). Sabbath AUGUST 2 Joshua A. Cadogan Introduction New Life, New Rules Gal. 2:20 Our heavenly Father gave us life. “The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being” (Gen. 2:7, NKJV). “And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man” (Gen. 2:21, 22, NKJV). The Word of God gives us life. As long as the first couple remained in Gods love, they remained in Eden. But most of us know how they disobeyed His command not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Yet even when they did just that, God continued to extend His love to them and to all who would follow. His ultimate display of love occurred on the cross when His Son Jesus died for the sins of humankind (Rom. 5:8). “By His death on the cross Jesus triumphed over the forces of evil. He who subjugated the demonic spirits during His earthly ministry has broken their power and made certain their ultimate doom. Jesus’ victory gives us victory over the evil forces that still seek to control us, as we walk with Him in peace, joy, and assurance of His love.”* In John 3:3, Jesus says that if we are not born again we “ ‘cannot see the kingdom of God’ ” (NKJV). This rebirth involves being born of the Holy Spirit. It involves being “as newborn babes,” desiring “the pure milk of the word, that [we] may grow thereby” (1 Pet. 2:2, NKJV). Yes, the Word of God gives us life. Just as we first have a physical birth and as newborn babes, we are fed and grow, so we also need the spiritual birth and to be fed by Gods Word so that we can grow in Christ. Such growth is what God desires for us. As we study this weeks lesson, we will be reminded of how God would have His young people transformed by His saving grace as we feed on His Word. As Solomon asked God for wisdom, let us ask God for rebirth in Christ and a great desire to study His Word. CQ Bible Study. ____________ * Seventh-day Adventists Believe . . . , 2nd ed. (Nampa, Idaho: Pacific Press® 2005), p. 149.
Posted on: Sun, 03 Aug 2014 04:33:01 +0000
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