Sunday
July 31
1. THE GLORY OF THE OLD DISPENSATION
a. What should we learn from the way Moses became a partaker of the divine nature? Exodus 33:18–20; 34:4–8, 28, 35; 2 Corinthians 3:18.
“Many of our brethren and sisters do not discern the wondrous things that are to be seen in God’s law. They have not beheld that which was revealed to Moses. . . .
“To Moses, the character of God was revealed as His glory. In like manner, we behold the glory of Christ by beholding His character.”—Manuscript Releases, vol. 9, p. 296.
“It was the heavenly light streaming from Calvary, no less than the glory of the law of God, that shed such a radiance upon the face of Moses.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 330.
b. Why were the people frightened by Moses’ face? Exodus 34:30.
“[The people of Israel] could not endure the heavenly light, which, had they been obedient to God, would have filled them with joy. There is fear in guilt. The soul that is free from sin will not wish to hide from the light of heaven.”—Ibid.
Monday
August 1
2. THE GLORY OF THE NEW DISPENSATION
a. How are we to share the experience of Moses, becoming partakers of Christ? Hebrews 3:14; Philippians 2:5; 1 Corinthians 2:16 (last part).
“The glory reflected in the countenance of Moses illustrates the blessings to be received by God’s commandment-keeping people through the mediation of Christ. It testifies that the closer our communion with God, and the clearer our knowledge of His requirements, the more fully shall we be conformed to the divine image, and the more readily do we become partakers of the divine nature.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 330.
b. What will be the result as we behold the glory of the Lord? 2 Corinthians 3:18; 4:6.
“Thousands have set the Lord before them, and by beholding have been changed into the same image.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 133, 134.
“It is sin that darkens our minds and dims our perceptions. As sin is purged from our hearts, the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, illuminating His word and reflected from the face of nature, more and more fully will declare Him ‘merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth’ (Exodus 34:6).
“In His light shall we see light, until mind and heart and soul are transformed into the image of His holiness. . . .
“As His goodness, His mercy, and His love are dwelt upon, clearer and still clearer will be the perception of truth; higher, holier, the desire for purity of heart and clearness of thought. . . . Truth is so large, so far-reaching, so deep, so broad, that self is lost sight of. The heart is softened and subdued into humility, kindness, and love.”—Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 322.
c. How is this experience to be seen with special force in the last days? Revelation 18:1.
“Servants of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, will hasten from place to place to proclaim the [great work of the gospel] message from heaven.”—The Great Controversy, p. 612.
Tuesday
August 2
3. THE WORKING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN US
a. Give practical examples showing how we are to contem plate the glory of Christ. Colossians 3:1, 2; Philippians 4:8. As our mind is stayed on the Lord, how does the Holy Spirit work in us?
“It is the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, which Jesus said He would send into the world, that changes our character into the image of Christ; and when this is accomplished, we reflect, as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord. That is, the character of the one who thus beholds Christ is so like His, that one looking at him sees Christ’s own character shining out as from a mirror. Imperceptibly to ourselves, we are changed day by day from our own ways and will into the ways and will of Christ, into the loveliness of His character. Thus we grow up into Christ and unconsciously reflect His image.”—In Heavenly Places, p. 337.
b. What does the Holy Spirit do in us with our consent and cooperation? Romans 8:11–13; 2 Thessalonians 2:13.
“The sanctification of the soul by the working of the Holy Spirit is the implanting of Christ’s nature in humanity. Gospel religion is Christ in the life—a living, active principle. It is the grace of Christ revealed in character and wrought out in good works. The principles of the gospel cannot be disconnected from any department of practical life. Every line of Christian experience and labor is to be a representation of the life of Christ.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 384.
“The work of gaining salvation is one of copartnership, a joint operation. There is to be cooperation between God and the repentant sinner. This is necessary for the formation of right principles in the character. Man is to make earnest efforts to overcome that which hinders him from attaining to perfection. But he is wholly dependent upon God for success. Human effort of itself is not sufficient. Without the aid of divine power it avails nothing. God works and man works. Resistance of temptation must come from man, who must draw his power from God.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 482.
Wednesday
August 3
4. WHAT IS TRUTH?
a. What is the truth by which we are sanctified? John 14:6; 17:17, 19; Psalm 119:142.
“Christ, His character and work, is the center and circumference of all truth. He is the chain upon which the jewels of doctrine are linked. In Him is found the complete system of truth.
“Those who walk in obedience will know what truth is. . . . In order to know the truth, we must be willing to obey. Those whose affections are placed on the world are not willing to give up their plans for the plans of Christ. They walk in darkness, not knowing whither they go.
“The precious light of truth flashes upon the pathway of everyone who seeks for it.”—Our High Calling, p. 16.
“God reaches for the hand of faith in us to direct it to lay fast hold upon the divinity of Christ, that we may attain to perfection of character.
“And how this is accomplished, Christ has shown us. By what means did He overcome in the conflict with Satan? By the word of God.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 123.
b. How does Christ come to us (with the law of God or without it)? Psalm 40:7, 8. And what does He demand from us? Luke 11:28; Matthew 22:36–40; Hebrews 5:9.
“The law demands perfect obedience. ‘Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all’ (James 2:10). Not one of those ten precepts can be broken without disloyalty to the God of heaven. The least deviation from its requirements, by neglect or willful transgression, is sin, and every sin exposes the sinner to the wrath of God. Obedience was the only condition upon which ancient Israel was to receive the fulfillment of the promises which made them the highly favored people of God; and obedience to that law will bring as great blessings to individuals and nations now as it would have brought to the Hebrews.
“Obedience to the law is essential, not only to our salvation, but to our own happiness and the happiness of all with whom we are connected.”—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 218.
Thursday
August 4
5. VICTORY OVER THE WORLD, THE FLESH, AND THE DEVIL
a. With the law of God in His heart (Psalm 40:8; John 15:10), how did Christ face the tempter? John 14:30.
“There was in [Jesus] nothing that responded to Satan’s sophistry. He did not consent to sin. Not even by a thought did He yield to temptation. So it may be with us.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 123.
b. United with Christ (John 15:4; 1 John 3:24), with God’s law in our heart (Hebrews 8:10), how are we armed to resist temptation? James 4:7.
“Man must work with his human power, aided by the divine power of Christ, to resist and to conquer at any cost to himself. In short, man must overcome as Christ overcame. And then, through the victory that it is his privilege to gain by the all-powerful name of Jesus, he may become an heir of God and joint heir with Jesus Christ. This could not be the case if Christ alone did all the overcoming. Man must do his part; he must be victor on his own account, through the strength and grace that Christ gives him.”—Testimonies, vol. 4, pp. 32, 33.
c. What reveals our union with Christ? Galatians 5:22–25; Romans 8:3, 4. Then, what promise belongs to us? Romans 8:16, 17.
“Those that overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil, will be the favored ones who shall receive the seal of the living God.”—Testimonies to Ministers, p. 445.
Friday
August 5
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. When and how was the divine presence manifested through Moses?
2. How will Moses’ experience be repeated during the latter rain?
3. What shows whether or not we are imbued with the Holy Spirit?
4. Where does Scripture show that no one can truly accept Christ while rejecting His law or truly accept His law while rejecting Him?
5. What evidence convinces others that the Spirit of Christ lives in us?