Lesson 7 for August 16, 2014

John 13:34

“how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38) Jesus was always showed a lovely and constant willingness to serve others, from His childhood to the cross. He never put His own needs first. Constant love and mercy were the principles supporting all His actions: “having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” (John 13:1) The main principles that moved Him and that He wants us to follow are: 1.Loving your neighbor. 2.Loving service. 3.Love your enemies.

“Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12) Jesus quoted the old commandment —love your neighbor— several times. He lived according to that commandment. The Jews thought only Jews (or our friends) are our neighbor, so Jesus told the “Good Samaritan” story to reprove that idea. He taught us to love all men and women by using the “golden rule” (Mt. 7:12). We must treat others as we want to be treated.

“It is not talk, it is not profession, or claims to piety and godliness, that are of value with God, but it is the work of righteousness that reveals a Christlike character. To obey the law of God means to be quick to see the necessities of our fellow beings, and quick to help them without stopping to inquire, Do they believe the same doctrines that I believe? To obey God’s law means to act as God’s helping hand in relieving the necessities of suffering humanity, no matter what the religious belief of those in need. Those who do this work, and who are loyal to the principles of God’s truth, are living the gospel.” E.G.W. (The Review and Herald, April 9, 1908)

“For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.” (Matthew 25:35-36) Loving service was a main characteristic of the ministry of Jesus. He had compassion for the people and always tried to lighten their burdens. Taking care of the needs of others must also be a main characteristic of every believer’s life.

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44) How should we treat our enemies? Do good deeds to them Those who show a hostile attitude Speak well of them Those who offend us with their words Intercede with God on their behalf Those who take advantage of us When we love our enemies, we are living above the low standards of this wicked world. That way we show our close communion with our heavenly Father.

“He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” (1 John 2:6) We can love our enemies because God loved us first, even though we were His enemies (Rom. 5:10). The more we realize and experience the Lord’s love for us, the more His love will flow from us to others, even to our enemies. Our daily need is not only to accept Christ’s death for us again but also to surrender our will to Him and abide in Him. In the way Jesus Himself did not seek His own will but the will of the Father (John 5:30), so we need to depend on Jesus and His will. For without Him, we can do nothing.

“As we pass through life, there come to us many opportunities for service. All around us there are open doors for ministry. By the right use of the talent of speech, we may do much for the Master. Words are a power for good when they are weighted with the tenderness and sympathy of Christ. Money, influence, tact, time, and strength—all these are gifts entrusted to us to make us more helpful to those around us, and more of an honor to our Creator.” E.G.W. (This Day with God, February 29)