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Commentary on "The Election of Grace"
Day 1: Sabbath Afternoon, September 11, 2010 - Introduction
Overview
Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” KJV
Throughout these lessons there is a tone of doing in order to be pleasing to God, rather than doing because we are already accepted by God.
Observations
The lessons have a sense of gracelessness; much of its instruction is true, but its lifeless affirmations and exhortations are uttered without the hope of salvation or without the help of the Holy Spirit being emphasized.
Motivation is one of the keys to living the Christian life. How many people do you know that have “thrown in the towel”, so to speak, because they have not had complete assurance of their salvation? Those who have not experienced God’s grace cannot live a gracious life.
Today’s lesson begins by neglecting to quote the first verse of chapter twelve which gives the motivation for non-conformation to the world:
Romans 12:1: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” KJV
Paul exhorts the Roman Christians to live for the Lord because they are the recipients of God’s mercies, and he exhorts that in view of all that He has done for them it is reasonable to offer their lives for His service.
It is clear in the Scripture that the standard of obedience is high, yet we are serving because we are saved and not because we hope to be saved. We are not looking at the standard of the perfect life of Christ as something we must hurdle to get to the other side in order to obtain salvation. As the apostle John says, “We love, because He first loved us…” 1 John 4:19 NASU
Summary
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Official Adventist Resources
Standard Edition Study Guide Week 12
Teacher's Edition Study Guide Week 12
Easy Reading Edition Study Guide Wk 12
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