Sunday
December 2
1. WHICH GARMENT TO WEAR?
a. Explain how the spiritual nakedness of Laodicea has actually had roots throughout human history. Revelation 3:18; Genesis 3:6–10.
“The white robe of innocence was worn by our first parents when they were placed by God in holy Eden. They lived in perfect conformity to the will of God. All the strength of their affections was given to their heavenly Father. A beautiful soft light, the light of God, enshrouded the holy pair. This robe of light was a symbol of their spiritual garments of heavenly innocence. Had they remained true to God it would ever have continued to enshroud them. But when sin entered, they severed their connection with God, and the light that had encircled them departed. Naked and ashamed, they tried to supply the place of the heavenly garments by sewing together fig leaves for a covering.
“This is what the transgressors of God’s law have done ever since the day of Adam and Eve’s disobedience. They have sewed together fig leaves to cover the nakedness caused by transgression. They have worn the garments of their own devising, by works of their own they have tried to cover their sins, and make themselves acceptable with God.
“But this they can never do. Nothing can man devise to supply the place of his lost robe of innocence.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 310, 311.
Monday
December 3
2. LEARNING TO TRUST IN CHRIST’S RIGHTEOUSNESS
a. How did Christ demonstrate God’s righteousness while on earth? Isaiah 42:21. Describe the attitude that permeated His life. Psalm 40:8.
b. Describe the danger we face with regard to righteousness. Judges 21:25.
“Self-righteousness is the danger of this age; it separates the soul from Christ. Those who trust to their own righteousness cannot understand how salvation comes through Christ. They call sin righteousness and righteousness sin. They have no appreciation of the evil of transgression, no understanding of the terror of the law; for they do not respect God’s moral standard. The reason there are so many spurious conversions in these days is that there is so low an appreciation of the law of God. Instead of God’s standard of righteousness, men have erected a standard of their own by which to measure character. They see through a glass darkly and present false ideas of sanctification to the people, thus encouraging egotism, pride and self-righteousness. The doctrine of sanctification advocated by many is full of deception, because it is flattering to the natural heart; but the kindest thing that can be preached to the sinner is the truth of the binding claims of the law of God.”—Faith and Works, pp. 96, 97.
c. What is to characterize our attitude toward ourselves and toward the erring? Isaiah 6:1–7; Ezekiel 9:4.
“In the time of the end the people of God will sigh and cry for the abominations done in the land. With tears they will warn the wicked of their danger in trampling upon the divine law, and with unutterable sorrow they will humble themselves before the Lord in penitence. The wicked will mock their sorrow and ridicule their solemn appeals. But the anguish and humiliation of God’s people is unmistakable evidence that they are regaining the strength and nobility of character lost in consequence of sin. It is because they are drawing nearer to Christ, because their eyes are fixed on His perfect purity, that they discern so clearly the exceeding sinfulness of sin. Meekness and lowliness are the conditions of success and victory.”—Prophets and Kings, p. 590.
Tuesday
December 4
3. TWO WORSHIPPERS
a. What wrong concept of righteousness tarnishes the lives of many who believe they are conscientious Christians? Isaiah 65:2–6; Luke 18:9–12.
“The religion of the Pharisee does not touch the soul. He is not seeking Godlikeness of character, a heart filled with love and mercy. He is satisfied with a religion that has to do only with outward life. His righteousness is his own—the fruit of his own works—and judged by a human standard.
“Whoever trusts in himself that he is righteous, will despise others. As the Pharisee judges himself by other men, so he judges other men by himself. His righteousness is estimated by theirs, and the worse they are the more righteous by contrast he appears. His self-righteousness leads to accusing. ‘Other men’ he condemns as transgressors of God’s law. Thus he is making manifest the very spirit of Satan, the accuser of the brethren. With this spirit it is impossible for him to enter into communion with God. He goes down to his house destitute of the divine blessing.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 151.
b. On the other hand, what heaven-sent comfort is extended to every contrite soul? Luke 18:13, 14; Psalm 51:17.
“Christ has pledged Himself to be our substitute and surety, and He neglects no one. He who could not see human beings exposed to eternal ruin without pouring out His soul unto death in their behalf, will look with pity and compassion upon every soul who realizes that he cannot save himself.
“He will look upon no trembling suppliant without raising him up. He who through His own atonement provided for man an infinite fund of moral power, will not fail to employ this power in our behalf. We may take our sins and sorrows to His feet; for He loves us. His every look and word invites our confidence. He will shape and mold our characters according to His own will.”—Ibid., p. 157.
“When we contemplate His purity and excellence, we shall see our own weakness and poverty and defects as they really are. We shall see ourselves lost and hopeless, clad in garments of self-righteousness, like every other sinner. We shall see that if we are ever saved, it will not be through our own goodness, but through God’s infinite grace.”—Ibid., p. 159.
Wednesday
December 5
4. IMPUTED AND IMPARTED
a. How is Christ’s righteousness imputed to us? Romans 3:23–26; 5:17–19.
“We have no righteousness of our own with which to meet the claims of the law of God. But Christ has made a way of escape for us. He lived on earth amid trials and temptations such as we have to meet. He lived a sinless life. He died for us, and now He offers to take our sins and give us His righteousness. If you give yourself to Him, and accept Him as your Saviour, then, sinful as your life may have been, for His sake you are accounted righteous. Christ’s character stands in place of your character, and you are accepted before God just as if you had not sinned.”—Steps to Christ, p. 62.
b. What else is Christ willing to do in and through us—and how does this occur? Galatians 2:20; John 16:13 (first part).
“Christ changes the heart. He abides in your heart by faith. You are to maintain this connection with Christ by faith and the continual surrender of your will to Him; and so long as you do this, He will work in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure. . . . With Christ working in you, you will manifest the same spirit and do the same good works—works of righteousness, obedience.”—Ibid., pp. 62, 63.
“When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His righteousness. Then as the Lord looks upon us He sees, not the fig-leaf garment, not the nakedness and deformity of sin, but His own robe of righteousness, which is perfect obedience to the law of Jehovah.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 312.
“The victory is not won without much earnest prayer, without the humbling of self at every step. Our will is not to be forced into cooperation with divine agencies, but it must be voluntarily submitted.”—The Signs of the Times, May 18, 1904.
“Jesus wants us to exercise simple faith, that we may have His virtue. If we will only give the touch of faith, the light, the glory, and the power of God will be imparted unto us.”—Ibid., June 10, 1889.
Thursday
December 6
5. CLOTHED AS OVERCOMERS
a. How does Christ illustrate the vital importance of putting on the garment He provides? Matthew 22:1–4, 11–14. Explain what is the meaning for us.
“The man who came to the feast without a wedding garment represents the condition of many in our world today. They profess to be Christians, and lay claim to the blessings and privileges of the gospel; yet they feel no need of a transformation of character. They have never felt true repentance for sin. They do not realize their need of Christ or exercise faith in Him. They have not overcome their hereditary or cultivated tendencies to wrongdoing. Yet they think that they are good enough in themselves, and they rest upon their own merits instead of trusting in Christ. Hearers of the word, they come to the banquet, but they have not put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 315.
b. Describe the real life in Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 2:12, 13.
“God wishes us to have the mastery over ourselves. But He cannot help us without our consent and cooperation. The divine Spirit works through the powers and faculties given to man. Of ourselves, we are not able to bring the purposes and desires and inclinations into harmony with the will of God; but if we are ‘willing to be made willing,’ the Saviour will accomplish this for us.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 482.
“The white raiment is purity of character, the righteousness of Christ imparted to the sinner. This is indeed a garment of heavenly texture, that can be bought only of Christ for a life of willing obedience.”—Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 88.
Friday
December 7
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What is the spiritual meaning of “nakedness”?
2. How are we in danger of manufacturing modern-day, “fig-leaf” garments?
3. Explain the contrast between the Pharisee and the publican.
4. What is the difference between imputed and imparted righteousness?
5. How much does the white raiment cost?