Hello All,
(Just a general disclaimer that I must insert here at the beginning. I am but a lay person, like most of you. And these weekly “thoughts” are but my own. Not the definitive word on this or any topic. Just my own conclusions derived from my own study and faith in God. The greatest hope I have for these weekly “thoughts” is to have them be a springboard for further study on your part. Not to be a weekly treatise to be blindly accepted. So, please read them with this intent, this motive in mind).
This week’s lesson from “The Adult Sabbath School Guide” is titled “The New Testament Hope”. It should come as no surprise to those who read these weekly “thoughts”, that I have a real issue with promoting “eternal life” as the motivator for mankind to follow God. And I have a real issue with the idea that it is “the New Testament Hope”. I maintain that this is not the case at all. I maintain that the real motivation for all God’s faithful for all time, is to “always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). We can quote certain texts to support the inferior motivation of “hope of eternal life”. But if we read Scripture widely and in-depth, it becomes clear that “The New Testament Hope” or motivation, is to actually love, to be freed from loveless-ness (sin), and to be with Him who “is love” (1 John 4:8,16). Hope of reward (hope of eternal life) holds no charm for God’s faithful children. It is the hope of being full of other-centered love and the hope of being with Him who is love.
Again, this is not just splitting theological “hairs”. This is the difference between self-centeredness versus other-centeredness. The difference between sin versus righteousness. The difference between loving self versus loving God. The difference between death versus life. In “Patriarchs and Prophets pg. 523” EGW states, “To engage in His service merely from hope of reward or fear of punishment would avail nothing. Open apostasy would not be more offensive to God than hypocrisy and mere formal worship.” This is how contrary to God is the idea of “hope of eternal life”. EGW calls this hypocrisy. It is the same as loving someone for your own sake (talk about “using” someone!!). And God will call that “hope of eternal life” in the last day, lawlessness (or loveless-ness). It is akin to doing all the right things for the wrong reason (for God, your motive is everything). He will say, “‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Matthew 7:23).
Perhaps a Christian’s highest calling is found in the book of Job. In the end of that marvelous book, God decries Job’s friends with these words… “you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.” (Job 42: 7,8). Job spoke of God what is right. This may be one of God’s highest commendations. One for which we would covet; because we are to “covet earnestly the best gifts” (1Corinthians 12:31). Speaking of (the Father) that which is right needs to be every Christian’s primary goal. Our Father has been misunderstood, His character maligned. And we, His true children, need to present Him aright to His children who know Him not. Else they will ever stay away from Him who is life… and die as a result.
God presents to us, His children, a worthy goal. Loving our brothers and sisters. This worthy goal is what gives our life meaning and joy. Even with setbacks, this worthy goal will sustain us and motivate us. It will even sustain us like it did Christ, “who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2). Eternal life held no charm for Christ. Love for sinners was his worthy goal… and it sustained Him and gave Him joy. As it will for us, too.
Let us follow our Lord. Let us frame our life around the worthy goal of love. Let us not think of eternal reward. Let us think on the “Lover of our souls”. Our hope is to ever be with Him!! That will give us motivation to last a lifetime… and beyond.
With brotherly love,
Jim