New to Grafted To Grow and not sure were to begin?
Do you know God and the power of His love, as revealed in Christ?
God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8.
And if God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all,
how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:31, 32.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come;
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38, 39.
Nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus
In what does the Lord delight?
Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
How is His mercy continually manifested?
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Is His mercy limited to any special class?
Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
How great was the sacrifice of God for us?
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
How has humankind repaid Him for His love in creating them and giving them all things?
Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.
While all were in this condition, how did God further show His love to them?
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Of what may we be assured?
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
What is first extended to us?
I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
What is thus brought to us?
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;
What is the condition of justified people?
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
What do we thus become?
That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
What is evidence that we are the children of God?
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
Is there any difference between the love of the Father and that of the Son?
I and my Father are one.
Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
Into what relationship to God does His love bring us, if we accept it?
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
What is given us to show that we are sons?
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear;
but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
What does the Holy Spirit beget in the hearts of those who receive Him?
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
If the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, what effect will it have?
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
How much must we love one another?
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
What exhortation to us is based upon Christ's love for us?
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour.
If we have the love of God, will we love only those who love us?
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. We love him, because he first loved us.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
Did God love us because of any good that we had done?
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared; Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience;
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us; Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus;
Why does God thus send his blessing upon us?
Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities
What alone should prompt all our acts?
For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead;
In what other way is God's love manifested to His people?
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
What may we confidently expect from the fact that God so loved us as to give Christ to die for us?
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
What is God's love for his children able to do when enemies rise up against them?
Nevertheless the Lord thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the Lord thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the Lord thy God loved thee.
If we appreciate this loving-kindness what will we do?
How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
How enduring is God's love to us?
The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.
Can anything turn aside the love of God for those who trust him?
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come;
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Then, trusting in his love, how confident may we be of victory
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
What must be the final result, if faithful?
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
What will this hope lead us to do?
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
What made this hope a living one?
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead;
What is included in it?
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you;
Is there power to keep us faithful?
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy; To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
How is this help obtained?
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Unto whom will the saints of God ascribe universal praise both here and in eternity?
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood;
And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
There must be in the experience - the faith that works by love and purifies the soul.
You will have trials and disappointments, but nothing need separate you from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus your Lord.
The love of God is an infinite love, and when you are about to distrust that love, look to Calvary's cross.
Does not this speak to you of the infinite compassion of your Heavenly Father?
He that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all, shall He withhold from you anything that is for your highest interest and best good?
God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
The love of Christ will subdue the carnal propensities.
The truth not only bears within itself the evidence of its heavenly origin but proves that by the grace of God's Spirit it is effectual in the purification of the soul.
The truth as it is in Jesus, will be our salvation. And if the spirit of truth is in our hearts, it will shine through our words and actions.
You are to reach the high standard of the law of God. Christ is your example.
Lessons on The Life Of Christ, 1890, Bible Students Library
5T 1889; MH 66; RH, June, 1888- The Ellen G. White Estate
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Give to Christ your guilt and fear today. He can satisfy the craving of your heart. Believe the Son of God.