The Search: Part 2

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FRIDAY

September 3

Further Study:  

Read Ellen G. White, “Later English Reformers,” pp. 261, 262, in The Great Controversy; “Faith and Works,” pp. 530, 531, in The SDA Encyclopedia; Ellen G. White Comments, pp. 1099, 1100, in The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 1. “There is an election of individuals and a people, the only election found in the word of God, where man is elected to be saved. Many have looked at the end, thinking they were surely elected to have heavenly bliss; but this is not the election the Bible reveals. Man is elected to work out his own salvation with fear and trembling. He is elected to put on the armor, to fight the good fight of faith. He is elected to use the means God has placed within his reach to war against every unholy lust, while Satan is playing the game of life for his soul. He is elected to watch unto prayer, to search the Scriptures, and to avoid entering into temptation. He is elected to have faith continually. He is elected to be obedient to every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, that he may be, not a hearer only, but a doer of the word. This is Bible election.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, pp. 453, 454. “No finite mind can fully comprehend the character or the works of the Infinite One. We cannot by searching find out God. To minds the strongest and most highly cultured, as well as to the weakest and most ignorant, that holy Being must remain clothed in mystery. But though ‘clouds and darkness are round about Him: righteousness and judgment are the foundation of His throne.’ Psalm 97:2, R.V. We can so far comprehend His dealing with us as to discern boundless mercy united to infinite power. We can understand as much of His purposes as we are capable of comprehending; beyond this we may still trust the hand that is omnipotent, the heart that is full of love.”—Ellen G. White, Education, p. 169.

Discussion Questions:

Certain Christians teach that, even before we were born, God chose some to be saved and some to be lost. If you happened to have been one of those whom God, in His infinite love and wisdom, preordained to be lost, then no matter the choices you make, you are doomed to perdition, which many people believe means burning in hell for eternity. In other words, through no choice of our own, but only through God’s providence, some are predestined to live without a saving relationship with Jesus here in this life, only to spend the next one burning forever in the fires of hell. What’s wrong with that picture? How does that view contrast with our understanding of these same issues?      How do you see the Seventh-day Adventist Church and its calling in the world today paralleling the role of ancient Israel in its day? What are the similarities and the differences? In what ways are we doing better? Or are we doing worse? Justify your answer.

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		I N S I D E Story
		The Search: Part 2 by CREPIN AGBODEDJI I was happy to learn that Alexander, the man living in my uncle's house, was a Christian. I asked him many questions about God, and we began praying together. I was careful not to let my uncle know of my interest in God, fearing he might kill me. One night I dreamed that a man with an animal's face was trying to choke me. I tried to call on Jesus, but I couldn't speak. But when I said "Jesus" in my heart, the wind blew this man away. I woke up. When I told Alexander my dream, he said that God was calling me. "You must give your life to God," he said. But I was afraid afraid of my uncle and afraid of the devil. Then I broke out with hives all over my body. I thought I got the hives because I was praying, so I stopped praying. But the hives got worse. My aunt took me to a voodoo priest to be cured, but he wanted money, and I had none. I returned home unhealed. "Why do you go to the voodoo priest?" Alexander asked. "Let's pray to God. He will heal you for free." We prayed, and the next day the hives were gone. The evangelist invited me to go to church with him, and I agreed, though I was still afraid. The church was different from any I had visited, and I told my cousins about it. They wanted to attend the next Sabbath, so we all went together. My uncle was furious when he found out that we had gone to church. He warned me that the voodoo gods would punish me. But suddenly I was no longer afraid. I told my uncle, "Let me try the Christian religion," I suggested. "If I fail, I will come back to voodoo." "OK," he said. "But when you suffer, don't come to me." I continued worshiping with Alexander and attending church with him. Within six months I was baptized. My uncle had warned me that I wouldn't be able to find work unless I worked on Saturday too. But after my baptism I found more work than I could handle. My uncle doesn't bother me about my faith anymore. He sees that God is blessing me. He won't let me speak to his sons though, or let them visit the Seventh-day Adventist church with me. So I show them through my life that I am a happy Christian. Your mission offerings are helping free the people of Benin from the devil's control. Thank you for all that you do. Crepin Agbodedji shares his faith in Cotonou, Benin.
		Produced by the General Conference Office of Mission Awareness. email:   info@adventistmission.org  website:  www.adventistmission.org