Waging Love
FIRST QUARTER 2021
SABBATH SCHOOL INSIGHT #11
MARCH 13, 2021
“WAGING LOVE”
Our lesson title is interesting as it reflects the Great Controversy with Satan having waged war against God, the battle of good vs. evil, unselfishness vs. selfishness, truth vs. lies, and ultimately God’s love and His character vs. the hate and jealousy embodied in Satan. Not only is the entire human race at stake but He was willing to risk His Son and the entire universe for each of us and all of us.
The only “weapon” God needed in this battle has always been God’s love, His infinite, totally unselfish agape love because it reflects all aspects of His character—it is who He is, for as scripture tells us (1 John 4), “God is love!”
As we know, the entire universe was created through His amazing love and exists because of His agape love. When we realize that He was giving us everything when He gave us His Son it shows us that His love for us is truly infinite. (John 3:16) “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.”
And the news for the entire human race gets even better, for Christ has won the victory over Satan for every human soul. The free gift of salvation is for all, should we by faith choose to believe it, allow our hearts to be changed, and accept His wonderful gift. As E. G. White expresses in Desire of Ages:
“Christ did not yield up His life till He had accomplished the work which He came to do, and with His parting breath He exclaimed, “It is finished.” John 19:30. The battle had been won. His right hand and His holy arm had gotten Him the victory. As a Conqueror, He planted His banner on the eternal heights. Was there not joy among the angels? All heaven triumphed in the Saviour's victory. Satan was defeated, and knew that his kingdom was lost. DA 758.1
To the angels and the unfallen worlds, the cry “It is finished,” had a deep significance. It was for them as well as for us that the great work of redemption had been accomplished. They with us share the fruits of Christ's victory.” DA 758.2
As we look at Isaiah 55 in this week’s lesson, we see God’s plan of salvation and His promises or covenants meant for all men. As our author points out in Sunday’s lesson: “Ever since God’s promise of a Deliverer to Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:15), there has been only one way to salvation: by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8); “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23)”. This is God’s everlasting covenant with us from the beginning.
So, in Isaiah 55:1 when we are asked to come and get what we need without money and without price, it is because an infinite price has already been paid for us by Christ on the cross. Let’s look at some EGW quotes that might amplify this for us.
Christ’s Object Lessons p. 116-117
“Salvation is a free gift, and yet it is to be bought and sold. In the market of which divine mercy has the management, the precious pearl is represented as being bought without money and without price. In this market, all may obtain the goods of heaven. The treasury of the jewels of truth is open to all. “Behold, I have set before thee an open door,” the Lord declares, “and no man can shut it.” No sword guards the way through this door. Voices from within at the door say, Come. The Saviour’s voice earnestly and lovingly invites us: “I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich.” Revelation 3:8, 18.
The gospel of Christ is a blessing that all may possess. The poorest are as well able as the richest to purchase salvation; for no amount of worldly wealth can secure it. It is obtained by willing obedience, by giving ourselves to Christ as His own purchased possession….
We cannot earn salvation, but we are to seek for it with as much interest and perseverance as though we would abandon everything in the world for it.”
Steps to Christ p. 88-89
“Fill the whole heart with the words of God. They are the living water, quenching your burning thirst. They are the living bread from heaven. Jesus declares, “Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you.” And He explains Himself by saying, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” John 6:53, 63. Our bodies are built up from what we eat and drink; and as in the natural economy, so in the spiritual economy: it is what we meditate upon that will give tone and strength to our spiritual nature”. SC 88.2
The theme of redemption is one that the angels desire to look into; it will be the science and the song of the redeemed throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. Is it not worthy of careful thought and study now? The infinite mercy and love of Jesus, the sacrifice made in our behalf, call for the most serious and solemn reflection. We should dwell upon the character of our dear Redeemer and Intercessor. We should meditate upon the mission of Him Who came to save His people from their sins. As we thus contemplate heavenly themes, our faith and love will grow stronger, and our prayers will be more and more acceptable to God, because they will be more and more mixed with faith and love. They will be intelligent and fervent. There will be more constant confidence in Jesus, and a daily, living experience in His power to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him.” SC 88.3
Desire of Ages p. 661
“Looking upon the crucified Redeemer, we more fully comprehend the magnitude and meaning of the sacrifice made by the Majesty of heaven. The plan of salvation is glorified before us, and the thought of Calvary awakens living and sacred emotions in our hearts. Praise to God and the Lamb will be in our hearts and on our lips; for pride and self-worship cannot flourish in the soul that keeps fresh in memory the scenes of Calvary. DA 661.2
He who beholds the Saviour's matchless love will be elevated in thought, purified in heart, transformed in character. He will go forth to be a light to the world, to reflect in some degree this mysterious love. The more we contemplate the cross of Christ, the more fully shall we adopt the language of the apostle when he said, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14.” DA 661.3
As we continue in Isaiah 55 in verses 8-9, we read: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
How true! How does a finite human being comprehend infinite love, infinite sacrifice and infinite mercy and forgiveness from a God Who truly is LOVE? Only through His love, strength, knowledge and compassion can we begin to understand His sacrifice. E. G. White has some beautiful thoughts as we contemplate our wonderful Creator and Redeemer!
Steps to Christ p. 89
“As we meditate upon the perfections of the Saviour, we shall desire to be wholly transformed and renewed in the image of His purity. There will be a hungering and thirsting of soul to become like Him Whom we adore. The more our thoughts are upon Christ, the more we shall speak of Him to others and represent Him to the world.” SC 89.1
Review and Herald Oct. 22, 1895
“Christ came to our world, sent of God to take human nature upon Him. The mysterious union was to be formed between human nature and the divine nature. Christ was to become a man, in order that He might unfold to men as fully as possible the mysteries of the science of redemption. But the scheme of redemption far exceeds the comprehension of the human mind. The great condescension on the part of God is a mystery that is beyond our fathoming. The greatness of the plan cannot be fully comprehended nor could infinite Wisdom devise a plan that would surpass it. It could be successful only by the clothing of divinity with humanity, by Christ becoming man, and suffering the wrath which sin has made because of the transgression of God's law. Through this plan the great, the dreadful God can be just, and yet be the justifier of all who believe in Jesus, and Who receive Him as their personal Saviour. This is the heavenly science of redemption, of saving men from eternal ruin, and can be carried out through the incarnation of the Son of God, through his triumph over sin and death. In seeking to fathom this plan, all finite intelligences are baffled.” RH October 22, 1895, par. 6.
As the lesson moves on to Isaiah 58, we now begin to look at how God desires that wonderful free gift of salvation to impact our lives and our hearts individually. How do we deal with others and not just family and friends? If Christ and His sacrifice on the cross has truly changed our lives do we have a burning desire to share this good news with others?
E. G. White shares some thoughts on how God is seeking to use every soul whose heart has been reached by His infinite agape love and sacrifice:
Christ Identified with the Suffering
“If the love of God is in the heart, it will surely be revealed in tender love for others. The Lord is honored by our acts of mercy, by the exercise of thoughtful consideration for the unfortunate and distressed. The widow and the fatherless need more than our charity. They need sympathy and watch care, compassionate words, and a helping hand to place them where they can help themselves. All deeds done for those who need help are done to Christ. In our study to know how to help the unfortunate, we should study the way in which Christ worked. He did not refuse to work for those who made mistakes; His works of mercy were performed for every class, the righteous and the unrighteous. For all alike He healed disease and gave lessons of instruction. ST July 14, 1909, par. 10
Those who represent Christ in deeds of kindness and mercy will never know until the day of Judgment what good they have done in seeking to follow the example of the Saviour. In heaven, a book is written for those who interest themselves in the needs of their fellow beings, a book whose record will be revealed in that day when every man will be judged according to the deeds written therein. Then God will repay every act of mercy done to the poor. Those who have regarded the needs of the unfortunate and have had compassion on the needy will hear from His gracious lips the words, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” “Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” ST July 14, 1909, par. 11
Helping Others
““Is not this the fast that I have chosen,” the Lord through His prophet declares, “to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?” And note the inspired promise to those who do all in their power to relieve distress: “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward.” ST July 14, 1909, par. 8
As Christians, we are to have a righteousness that represents the character of Christ. We are to feel for our fellow men the same sympathy and compassion that Christ has felt for us. His sympathy, His love, led Him to redeem us at the cost of His lifeblood. If we would carry out the great principles that He laid down for His followers, we must love our neighbor as ourselves.” ST July 14, 1909
Live in the sunshine of the Saviour’s love.