Commentary on "Loving Brothers and Sisters"

STEVE PITCHER

 

Day 7: Friday, August 21, 2009

 

On the last lesson for the week two readings are recommended. First Corinthians chapter 13, the popular passage on love is suggested. That is a great idea. I would recommend reading the passage in a translation with which you are not familiar. The passage has become almost as common as the “Lord's prayer.” The Lord's prayer is often said without real understanding of what is being addressed. This may happen, too, with this reading. Therefore reading it in a way differently than you are familiar may help with the understanding, if the passage has become too static for you.

Secondly, a passage from The Acts of the Apostles, by Ellen G. White is suggested, followed by a couple of quotes from two of her other writings.

It is interesting to note that although scripture works from the Old Testament to the New, showing the way God has used his Law in the history of Israel, finally revealing the solution in the Messiah, Jesus Christ, we see here a great example of the opposite.

Here we are at the end of a week of lessons on the subject of loving brothers and sisters, and we now see, from the pen of Ellen White that the final display of this love is the Law. Some of her comments quoted in the quarterly include:

All this is but a fulfillment of the principle of the law... made manifest in the life of Jesus. His character reveals the true significance of the law, ...the character of the statutes of heaven.

This is simply another example of the obsession with the Law that some have. To some Christians, the Law still stands as always. To others, the Law has been completely abolished. Yet to many Christians, we see the Law as having been fulfilled in Christ for us. The Law still stands, but not for the purposes of demonstrating righteousness, but for bringing death, resulting in a longing for the Savior Jesus who alone can bring new life.

May you turn from the Law, and any other “lesser lights” and rejoice in the newness of life that is available only in Jesus Christ.

 

Summary

1. Passages from scripture and Ellen White are suggested for reading. The passage from 1 Corinthians 13 is excellent. There are problems with the writings of EGW, as has been stated in earlier lessons. If her purpose was to point to the Bible, which alone should be used for doctrine and practice of the Christian, then she must be turned from in order to fully understand the new covenant.
2. This principle is stated in 2 Corinthians 3:14-17:
   • But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. 15 But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; 16 but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

 

 

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