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THE BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW

Lesson 12 for December 17, 2022

Herbert Brown

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Sabbath Afternoon

The role model

Taking care of the body

Taking care of the mind

Taking care of the spirit

Continuous care

The biblical worldview speaks of a constant fight between good and evil, between Christ and Satan. This fight is getting worse as the final events of this world approach. Revelation 13 and Revelation 14 show the moves that Satan and the followers of Jesus are going to do, respectively.

Our sanctification is important to be ready for this fight (1Thess. 5:23).

The book of Revelation speaks of two major “globalizations” prior to the Second Coming of Christ. Revelation 13 describes the globalization of error, when “all the world” will marvel and follow the beast from the sea (Rev. 13:3, 7, 8, 12, 16, NKJV).�“Through the two great errors, the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of spiritualism, the latter creates a bond of sympathy with Rome.” — Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 588

Until these final events unfold, we must remain firm in our belief in all the truth that we have, which includes the nature of humanity and of death, as we seek to be guided by the Holy Spirit with the purpose of being ready for Christ’s glorious appearing.

Sunday

The Model of Jesus

THE ROLE MODEL

“Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.” (Luke 2:52 NLT)

Before beginning His ministry, Jesus grew in four aspects:

We are also called to grew in all the aspects of our being [what Paul called “spirit, soul, and body” (1Thess. 5:23)].

The work of Redemption involves restoring God’s image in humans. Our growth must be oriented towards that, getting ready for the Second Coming when the work will be finally completed.

Jesus was the perfect Human Being, and His growth comprised all basic dimensions of human existence. According to Luke 2:52, “Jesus grew in wisdom [mentally] and stature [physically], and in favor with God [spiritually] and man [socially]” (NIV).“His mind was active and penetrating, with a thoughtfulness and wisdom beyond His years. Yet His character was beautiful in its symmetry. The powers of mind and body developed gradually, in keeping with the laws of childhood. As a child, Jesus manifested a peculiar loveliness of disposition. His willing hands were ever ready to serve others. He manifested a patience that nothing could disturb, and a truthfulness that would never sacrifice integrity. In principle firm as a rock, His life revealed the grace of unselfish courtesy.” — Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, pp. 68, 69.

Read Matthew 4:23 How can the threefold ministry of Jesus — to teach, to preach, and to heal — be carried on by us effectively today?

Matthew 4:23

23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

If we recognize that a human being is an integrated and indivisible person, then we cannot restrict our religion to spiritual matters only. The truth actually embraces our whole being, covers our entire life span, and comprises all dimensions of our life. Our physical and spiritual elements are so powerfully integrated that they really cannot be separated. And though, as fallen beings, we will never be equal to the depiction of Jesus as presented above, we are by God’s grace to emulate it, because, “to restore in man the image of his Maker, to bring him back to the perfection in which he was created, to promote the development of body, mind, and soul” (Ellen G. White, Education, pp. 15, 16) is the work of redemption. This is what God seeks to do in His people as part of the process to prepare them for His return.

Reflection

In contrasting ourselves to Jesus, we could easily be discouraged by the difference. How, then, does focusing on the Cross and what it means protect us from being disheartened by what we see in ourselves compared to what we see in Jesus?

Monday

The Body As a Temple

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TAKING CARE OF THE BODY

“For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:20)

Greek philosophy and gnostic movements influenced the beliefs of Christian Church regarding the separation of soul and body in the first centuries. They concluded that the body should be disregarded, so all the efforts were put into spiritual growth alone.

However, the Bible includes advice on caring for our bodies.

Paul introduced the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit �(1Cor. 3:16-17). John wanted us to live a healthy life (3Jn. 2).

Restoring God’s image includes taking care of our bodies.

The dualistic theory of a mortal body with an immortal soul has generated various theories about the human body. For example, for ancient Greek philosophers, the human body was the prison of the soul, which was liberated by death. In an echo of this pagan concept, many Christians today believe that the body is the temporal housing of the immortal soul, which will be reintegrated with the body at the resurrection. By contrast, pantheists make the human body divine; they believe that God and the universe are one and the same. For them, all things are God and the human body is part of the one single integrated and universal divine substance. Surrounded by conflicting theories on the subject, we must stand firm on what the Bible teaches regarding the nature of humanity.

Read 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 and 1 Corinthians 10:31. How can the understanding that our bodies are “the temple of God” and “the temple of the Holy Spirit” positively influence our lifestyle?��

1 Corinthians 6:19

19 Or to do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

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1 Corinthians 10:31

31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

If we recognize that a human being is an indivisible entity, and that religion embraces all aspects of human life, then we should consider our physical health also as a religious duty. We should be guided by the inspired principle, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31, NKJV). But remember that we still live in a world where good people can do their best and yet suffer the consequences of a sinful human nature and a sinful environment. So, we should trust in God and do our best, and we leave the results with God.

The Mind of Christ

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Tuesday

Some people believe that by changing the environment the individual will be transformed. Definitely, we should avoid places and circumstances that can make us more vulnerable to temptation (Ps. 1:1, Prov. 5:1-8). But our problem with temptation and sin can be solved only by the transformation of our own hearts (or minds). Christ touched the core of the issue when He stated, “For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come — sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly” (Mark 7:21, 22, NIV). This means that our minds need to be transformed in order for our behavior to be changed.

Read the following texts: 1 Corinthians 2:16; Psalms 24:3, 4; Romans 12:2; Philippians 4:8; and Colossian 3:2. What does it mean to have the “mind of Christ”?

The Lord had promised that under the “new covenant” He would put His law in the minds of His people and write it on their hearts (Jer. 31:31-33, compare with Heb. 8:8-10, Heb. 10:16). It is no surprise, then, that in the Sermon on the Mount, Christ broadened and deepened the meaning of God’s commandments to the level of thoughts and intentions (see Matt. 5:17-48). So, we can gain victory over temptation only by God’s transforming grace and, at the level of thoughts and intentions, we should claim that promise so that we can stop sinful thoughts.

We will always have sinful natures until Jesus comes. But if we are in Christ, we are fully covered by His righteousness. Although we are not yet perfect, we are considered already perfect in Him (Phil. 3:12-15). “When we are united to Christ, we have the mind of Christ. Purity and love shine forth in the character, meekness and truth control the life. The very expression of the countenance is changed. Christ abiding in the soul exerts a transforming power, and the outward aspect bears witness to the peace and joy that reign within.” — Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 1, p. 337.

TAKING CARE OF THE MIND

“But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16)

Our mind must be transformed to reflect God’s image. Our goal must be to think like Christ does. How can we get there?

First, only the Holy Spirit can do that. He transforms our minds and our feelings (Jer. 31:33; Ez. 36:27).

Second, we need to cooperate. We must feed our minds with the right things (Ro. 12:2; Phlp. 4:8).

Then our characters will shine with purity and love, and our lives will be ruled by humbleness and truth (Ps. 24:3-5; Col. 3:1-2).

Wednesday

The Guidance of the Spirit

The Holy Spirit is God’s powerful Agent who pours out the love of God into our hearts (Rom. 5:5), leads us into a true saving experience (John 16:7-11), guides us into all the truth (John 16:13), and empowers us to fulfill the gospel mission (Acts 1:8). Because it is the Holy Spirit who counteracts the degenerating work of Satan, it is no surprise that Satan tries by all means to distort our understanding of the nature and work of the Holy Spirit. While some deny His personality, others emphasize the gifts of the Spirit over His transforming power.

Read Acts 8:4-24. Simon the sorcerer of Samaria wanted to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit without being regenerated by the Spirit. How is this very same attitude still being manifested in our day?

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TAKING CARE OF THE SPIRIT

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)

Our relationship with God is defined by our spiritual nature. We must let the Holy Spirit work in us. What does He do in us?

If He guides us into all truth, we cannot use Him according to our own desires like Simon the Sorcerer did in Acts 8:18-19. He will always be coordinated with the truth revealed in the Bible. If not, we’re not actually listening to the Holy Spirit.

Reflection

Why is it so important, morning after morning, to pray ourselves into an openness to the Holy Spirit’s leading in our lives?

Thursday

Ready for His Appearing

We live in a frenetic world with too many artificial needs and eye-catching distractions. If we are not careful, these can take all our time and pervert our priorities. This is not just another byproduct of our globalized cyber world; Christians in every age, to one degree or another, have to be on guard against Satan’s attempts to distract them from what really matters in this life.��Who, if not careful, is not in danger of looking away from the Lord and dwelling on worldly, carnal things, things that, in the end, cannot ultimately satisfy us, and that, in the end, can lead to our spiritual ruin?�

Read 2 Peter 3:14 and 1 John 3:1-3. What difference do you see between preparing ourselves for the Second Coming and being ready for that glorious event?�

CONTINOUS CARE

“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” (Matthew 24:42)

There are many references to watching and preparing for the Second Coming in the New Testament. This is a process of continuous purification towards perfection (Mt. 24:13, 42; 1Co. 1:7-8; Phlp. 1:6; Heb. 6:11-12; James 1:4; Rev. 2:6).

We must always be ready to defend ourselves against Satan’s attempts to distract us from our hope.

Unless one is continually growing in grace, and pressing on ahead in faith, the tendency would be to fall away, to become hardened, skeptical, cynical, even disbelieving.

Don’t let a day pass by without praying, studying the Bible, and being in communion with Jesus.

Reflection

How can you, today, be ready for the return of Jesus were He to return today? Discuss your answer in class on Sabbath?

Friday

Further Thought:

“The great controversy is nearing its end. Every report of calamity by sea or land is a testimony to the fact that the end of all things is at hand. Wars and rumors of wars declare it. Is there a Christian whose pulse does not beat with quickened action as he anticipates the great events opening before us? The Lord is coming. We hear the footsteps of an approaching God.” — Ellen G. White, Maranatha, p. 220.

“Live the life of faith day by day. Do not become anxious and distressed about the time of trouble, and thus have a time of trouble beforehand. Do not keep thinking, ‘I am afraid I shall not stand in the great testing day.’ You are to live for the present, for this day only. Tomorrow is not yours. Today you are to maintain the victory over self. Today you are to live a life of prayer. Today you are to fight the good fight of faith. Today you are to believe that God blesses you. And as you gain the victory over darkness and unbelief, you will meet the requirements of the Master, and will become a blessing to those around you.” — Ellen G. White, Signs of the Times, October 20, 1887

“The Lord is soon to come, and we must be prepared to meet Him in peace. Let us be determined to do all in our power to impart light to those around us. We are not to be sad, but cheerful, and we are to keep the Lord Jesus ever before us. … We must be ready and waiting for His appearing. Oh, how glorious it will be to see Him, and be welcomed as His redeemed ones! Long have we waited, but our faith is not to become weak. If we can but see the King in His beauty, we shall be forever and forever blessed. I feel as if I must cry aloud, ‘Homeward bound.’ We are nearing the time when Christ will come with power and great glory, to take His ransomed ones to their eternal home.” — Ellen G. White, Heaven, pp. 165, 166.

“It is positively necessary for those who believe the truth, to be making continual advancement, growing up into the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. There is no time for backsliding and indifference. Each one must have a living experience in the things of God. Have root in yourselves. Become grounded in the faith, so that having done all you may stand, with unwavering confidence in God.”

E. G. W. (Sons and Daughters of God, November 21)

Reflection

*How can the notion of the person — body, soul, and spirit as an indivisible whole — help us better understand the all-encompassing scope of religion and the importance of our personal lifestyle?

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*All true revivals and reformations are theocentric (centered in God) and never anthropocentric (centered in human behavior). How does the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (see Luke 18:9-14) illustrate this principle?

Reflection

In class, discuss your answer to Thursday’s final question. How can you know if you are ready, and can you have assurance without being presumptuous?

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