(Lesson 2, Sabbath, Nov. 3.) 1. WHAT is done for us through the great promises of God?
"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:4. 2. Because of this, what are we to do?
"And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity." Verses 5-7. 3. What is the foundation of all graces? Verse 5. 4. What is the first thing that faith accomplishes for us?
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Rom. 5:1. 5. Being justified by faith, what do we become?
"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." Gal. 3:26. 6. Having become children of God, may we settle down in self-satisfaction?
"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children." Eph. 5:1. 7. What must we do?
"And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor." Verse 2. 10. Having been justified, how alone can we remain in that state?
"Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith." Hab. 2:4. 11. What does true faith always do?
"But faith which worketh by love." Gal. 5:6, last clause. 12. How alone can faith be shown to be perfect?
"Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was made perfect?" James 2:21, 22. 13. What is said of a faith from which no works proceed?
"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." Verses 17, 26. 14. What is to be added to faith? 16. What knowledge must be added?
"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God." Col. 1:9, 10. 17. What is the nature of this knowledge?
"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." James 3:17. 18. What will be the result if we do not obtain this knowledge?
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Hosea 4:6, first clause. 19. What must be added to knowledge? 20. In what respect must we be temperate?
"And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible." 1 Cor. 9:25. 21. What is the meaning of temperance?—Mastery of self; self-control. See 1 Cor. 9:27. 22. Does religion have anything to do with one's eating and drinking?
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor. 10:31. 23. If a man eats and drinks simply for the gratification of his appetite, what does he worship?
"For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ; whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things." Phil. 3:18, 19. 25. How are we to glorify God?
"For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Cor. 6:20. 26. What will be the fate of those who give themselves up to indulgence in appetite?
"And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares." Luke 21:34. See also Phil. 3:18, 19.