Commentary on "Walking in the Light: Turning Away From Sin"

GRACE CARLSON

 

Day 3: Monday, July 13, 2009

 

Overview

Monday's lesson discusses 1 John 1:6-10. It briefly discusses the different issues/beliefs that were circulating among the believers during John's time, and the author breaks them down into 3 main issues: If people claim to have fellowship with God, but walk in darkness they are lying. If people claim they have no sin, then they are deceiving themselves and the truth is not in them. If people say they have not sinned, then they make God to be a liar.

 

Problems

While there are no problems with what the author said in the lesson, there are major problems in the E.G White Notes that correspond to the lesson. The chosen excerpts clearly show the underlying misunderstanding that we are to be obedient to the Ten Commandments, and if not, our salvation is in jeopardy because we are choosing to continue to walk in darkness.

Note the following quotes:

"There are those who profess holiness who declare that they are wholly the Lord's, who claim a right to the promises of God, while refusing to render obedience to His commandments. These transgressors of the law claim everything that is promised to the children of God; but this is presumption on their part, for John tells us that true love for God will be revealed in obedience to all His commandments."--The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 562, 563.

"The epistles of John breathe a spirit of love. But when he comes in contact with that class who break the law of God and yet claim that they are living without sin, he does not hesitate to warn them of their fearful deception."--Review and Herald, February 22, 1881.

"We may pray for sanctification, but whether or not we get it depends on whether we walk in the light, reflecting light to those around us. My brethren and sisters, the salvation of your souls depends on the course that you pursue. If you fail of gaining eternal life, it will be because you have failed to keep the commandments of God."--Review and Herald, July 13, 1905.

The key to understanding the role of the Ten Commandments is to understand that the old testament law was given to the nation of Israel. Some of the laws, like the sacrificial system, were given as guidelines to show how to worship God and atone for sin. Some of the laws, like the Ten Commandments, were give to Israel so that they could know how to obey God. Some of the laws, like the food and clothing rules, were to distinguish the Israelites from the other nations. None of the old testament law is binding to us today. They were only for the nation of Israel.

"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." (Romans 10:4)

"But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor." (Galatians 3:23-25)

"By abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace." (Ephesians 2:15)

Christians are no longer under the old testament law, but rather the law of Christ. 1 Corinthians 9:21 discusses this:

"To those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law."

Matthew 22:37-40 describe what the Law of Christ is, and how it fulfills and encompasses the entire Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament:

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."

The purpose the old testament law was to demonstrate our inability to keep the law, and for our need of a Savior (Romans 7:7-9 and Galatians 3:24). It was never meant to be eternal, or as a universal law for all people. The Ten Commandments must be treated as a unit with the old testament law. If Jesus fulfilled the sacrificial system part of the law, He also fulfilled the rest of it.

And certainly, the Bible is CLEAR that our salvation is dependent upon our faith in the Lord Jesus, and not whether we keep the commandments of God as the E.G. White Notes indicate.

 

Summary:

1. Old Testament Law was given to the nation of Israel.
2. Christians are now under the law of Christ.
3. The entire Old Testament Law was fulfilled at the cross; one cannot separate out the law, it is a unit.
4. Salvation is not dependent upon whether we keep the Ten Commandments, but whether or not we have faith in Jesus Christ to cleanse us from our sins.

 

Copyright 2008 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised July 11, 2009. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.

The Sabbath School Bible Study Guide and the corresponding E.G. White Notes are published by Pacific Press Publishing Association, which is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The current quarter's editions are pictured above.

 

Official Adventist Resources

Standard Edition Study Guide Week 3

Teacher's Edition Study Guide Week 3

Easy Reading Edition Study Guide Week 3

Search the Complete Published Ellen G. White Writings