Sunday
June 30
1. AN EPISTLE WITH A PURPOSE
a. To whom—and why—is this epistle addressed, and how is it all made possible? 2 Peter 1:1.
“What a grand theme this is for contemplation—the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Contemplating Christ and His righteousness leaves no room for self-righteousness, for the glorifying of self. In this chapter there is no standstill. There is continual advancement in every stage of the knowledge of Christ.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, p. 942.
b. As we genuinely, fervently seek God in His Word, what rewards abundantly flow into our hearts? 2 Peter 1:2.
“If man lays hold of the divine nature, working upon the plan of addition, adding grace to grace in perfecting a Christian character, God will work upon the plan of multiplication. He says in His word: ‘Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.’ ”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 148.
Monday
July 1
2. THE BLESSING OF KNOWING GOD
a. What blessed assurance comes to every one of us—and is especially welcome in hard times? Jeremiah 24:7; Job 22:21–23, 29.
“Our hope is to be constantly strengthened by the knowledge that Christ is our righteousness. Let our faith rest upon this foundation, for it will stand fast forever. Instead of dwelling upon the darkness of Satan and fearing his power, we should open our hearts to receive light from Christ and to let it shine forth to the world, declaring that He is above all the power of Satan, that His sustaining arm will support all who trust in Him.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 742.
b. As we become more and more acquainted with Jesus, what are the results? Hosea 13:4; Ephesians 3:17–19.
“The meager views which so many have had of the exalted character and office of Christ have narrowed their religious experience and have greatly hindered their progress in the divine life. Personal religion among us as a people is at a low ebb. There is much form, much machinery, much tongue religion; but something deeper and more solid must be brought into our religious experience.”—Ibid., p. 743.
“Said Jesus: ‘The Father Himself loveth you.’ If our faith is fixed upon God, through Christ, it will prove ‘as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; whither the Forerunner is for us entered.’ It is true that disappointments will come; tribulation we must expect; but we are to commit everything, great and small, to God. He does not become perplexed by the multiplicity of our grievances nor overpowered by the weight of our burdens. His watchcare extends to every household and encircles every individual; He is concerned in all our business and our sorrows. He marks every tear; He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. All the afflictions and trials that befall us here are permitted, to work out His purposes of love toward us, ‘that we might be partakers of His holiness’ and thus become participants in that fullness of joy which is found in His presence.
“ ‘The God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.’ But the Bible in strongest terms sets before us the importance of obtaining a knowledge of God.”—Ibid., p. 742
Tuesday
July 2
3. SEEKING AND FINDING
a. Describe the state of today’s world. 1 John 5:19. Nonetheless, how much has God given in His word? 2 Peter 1:3.
“It is Satan’s constant study to keep the minds of men occupied with those things which will prevent them from obtaining the knowledge of God. He seeks to keep them dwelling upon what will darken the understanding and discourage the soul. We are in a world of sin and corruption, surrounded by influences that tend to allure or dishearten the followers of Christ. The Saviour said: ‘Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.’ Many fix their eyes upon the terrible wickedness existing around them, the apostasy and weakness on every side, and they talk of these things until their hearts are filled with sadness and doubt. They keep uppermost before the mind the masterly working of the archdeceiver and dwell upon the discouraging features of their experience, while they seem to lose sight of the heavenly Father’s power and His matchless love. All this is as Satan would have it. It is a mistake to think of the enemy of righteousness as clothed with so great power, when we dwell so little upon the love of God and His might. We must talk of the mightiness of Christ. We are utterly powerless to rescue ourselves from the grasp of Satan; but God has appointed a way of escape. The Son of the Highest has strength to fight the battle for us, and ‘through Him that loved us’ we may come off ‘more than conquerors.’ ”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, pp. 740, 741.
b. How does spiritual victory directly relate to an earnest seeking of greater knowledge of God? Proverbs 9:10; 15:14 (first part).
“A knowledge of God is the foundation of all true education and of all true service. It is the only real safeguard against temptation. It is this alone that can make us like God in character.
“This is the knowledge needed by all who are working for the uplifting of their fellow men. Transformation of character, purity of life, efficiency in service, adherence to correct principles, all depend upon a right knowledge of God. This knowledge is the essential preparation both for this life and for the life to come.”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 409.
Wednesday
July 3
4. EXCEEDINGLY GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES
a. What might we be sadly underestimating in our Christian life? 2 Peter 1:4.
“If we would escape having a sickly experience, we must begin in earnest without delay to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. There are many who give no decided evidence that they are true to their baptismal vows. Their zeal is chilled by formality, worldly ambition, pride, and love of self. Occasionally their feelings are stirred, but they do not fall on the Rock, Christ Jesus. They do not come to God with hearts that are broken in repentance and confession. Those who experience the work of true conversion in their hearts will reveal the fruits of the Spirit in their lives.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 155.
“When we are securely anchored in Christ, we have a power that no human being can take from us. Why is this? Because we are partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust, partakers of the nature of Him who came to this earth clothed with the habiliments of humanity, that He might stand at the head of the human race and develop a character that was without spot or stain of sin.
“Why are many of us so weak and inefficient? It is because we look to self, studying our own temperaments and wondering how we can make a place for ourselves, our individuality, and our peculiarities, in the place of studying Christ and His character.”—Ibid., vol. 9, p. 187.
b. What change occurs in us when we really grasp these promises? Romans 3:31; 8:14.
“As Christians we have pledged ourselves to realize and fulfill our responsibilities, and to show to the world that we have a close connection with God. Thus through the godly words and works of His disciples, Christ is to be represented.
“God demands of us perfect obedience to His law—the expression of His character. . . . This law is the echo of God’s voice, saying to us, Holier, yes holier still. Desire the fullness of the grace of Christ; yea, long—hunger and thirst—after righteousness. The promise is, ‘Ye shall be filled.’ Let your heart be filled with an intense longing for this righteousness, the work of which God’s Word declares is peace, and its effect quietness and assurance forever.
“It is our privilege to be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”—Bible Training School, February 1, 1904.
Thursday
July 4
5. AMAZINGLY SET APART
a. Explain God’s will for every child of humanity. John 17:17; Psalm 119:151.
“God requires of us conformity to His image. Holiness is the reflection from His people of the bright rays of His glory. But in order to reflect this glory we must work with God. The heart and mind must be emptied of all that leads to wrong. The Word of God must be read and studied, with an earnest desire to gain from it spiritual power. The bread of heaven must be eaten and digested, that it may become a part of the life. Thus we gain eternal life. Then is answered the prayer of the Saviour, ‘Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy Word is truth.’
“The angels can not take our places; but they stand ready to cooperate with us in drawing souls to Christ; and they are soliciting us to work in fellowship with them.”—Bible Training School, February 1, 1904.
“God has plainly stated that He requires us to be perfect; and because He requires this, He has made provision that we may be partakers of the divine nature. Only thus can we gain success in our striving for eternal life. The power is given by Christ.”—Ibid.
b. What is God’s call to us right now? 2 Corinthians 6:15–18; 7:1.
“The Creator of the universe addresses you as an affectionate Father. If you separate from the world in your affections, and remain free from its contamination, escaping the corruption that is in the world through lust, God will be your Father, He will adopt you into His family, and you will be His heir. In place of the world, He will give you, for a life of obedience, the kingdom under the whole heavens. He will give you an eternal weight of glory and a life that is as enduring as eternity.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 44.
Friday
July 5
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. From where does greater faith come?
2. What may I have failed to fully appreciate about God’s love for me?
3. How have today’s “trees of knowledge of good and evil” distracted me?
4. What will happen if I am securely anchored in Christ as never before?
5. According to this lesson, how can my flawed character be perfected?