Lesson 6 for August 9, 2014

“Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’” (John 3:5) “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4) “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26) Baptism is the external sign of our life change. However, when we are born in the Spirit, the Spirit transforms our heart and makes us new creatures.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) To be born again involves beginning a new life. Although the work of the Spirit is invisible–like the wind is–, his effects in us are visible to those around us. To be born again is not an instantaneous action. A newborn baby must grow up until he or she becomes an adult. We must gradually grow up until we are made perfect, “to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13) He awakens our conscience. He changes our mind. He subdues every unholy desire. He fills us with the sweet peace of heaven. What does the Spirit do in us?

“It is not a casual touch with Christ that is needed, but it is to abide with Him. He called you to abide with Him. He does not propose to you a short- lived blessedness that is realized occasionally through earnest seeking of the Lord and passes away as you engage in the common duties of life. Your abiding with Christ makes every necessary duty light, for He bears the weight of every burden. He has prepared for you to abide with Him. This means that you are to be conscious of an abiding Christ, that you are continually with Christ, where your mind is encouraged and strengthened.” E.G.W. (In Heavenly Places, February 18) “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” (John 15:4)

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7) What two main things must we do to spiritually grow up and abide in Christ? If we want to abide in Christ, we must know His will and live according to it. We can only do so by constantly studying His Word. We learn to empty our self and to totally depend on Him through prayer.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

“Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’” (Luke 9:23) What does taking up our cross mean? E.G.W. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, page 651; The Faith I Live By, May 25) To take up our cross means to deny ourselves daily. Not just once in a while but every day; not just a part of us but our entire being.

“All are now being tested and proved. We have been baptized into Christ, and if we will act our part by separating from everything that would drag us down and make us what we ought not to be, there will be given us strength to grow up into Christ, who is our living head, and we shall see the salvation of God.” E.G.W. (Counsels for the Church, cp. 42, pg. 236)