Assignment Answers

1. Grace is a “thing” God gives to fallen human beings who wish to be restored to the image of God.  Grace has existence.  It is as real as the air we breathe.  It comes through a number of channels, in response to expressed faith.

   For a sample of statements appearing in the Spirit of Prophecy materials see entries Number 10-24 above under 1 Tim 1:20.

2. Grace does not appear; the salvation, the results of grace, are however apparent.  Sotarios is functioning here as part of a phrase – – the grace of God bringing salvation (sotarios) to all men, has appeared.  The salvation, the changed men, has appeared.
3. The results of grace, the salvation viewed which is the subject of verse 11, is the instructor of verse 12.
4. “That,” hima, in verse 12 gives the reason for the instructing – – the revelation, in order that we might know a proper life can be lived now, in this age, and in order that we might live that life now.
5. Verse 12 set 2 points before us – – the kind of life we should live, and the opportunity to live that life which exists for us now; verse 13 adds the life orientation of one living the life of verse 12 – – expecting the return of Jesus.
6. The answer to the question is controversial – – therefore I would like to present some quotations from Mrs. White.
   

   “By his Holy spirit he writes his law in the heart.

   Thus divine relationship is renewed between God and man.  “’I will be to them a God.’” He says, “’and they shall be to me a people.’  There is no attribute of my nature that I will not freely give in order that man may reveal my image.”  When we allow God to work his will in us, we shall harbor no sin.  In the refining furnace all dross will be consumed” (4 RH 422).

   “Through faith in Christ obedience to every principle of the law is made possible. . . . “ (6SDABC 1077).

   “Perfect obedience to His commandments is the evidence that we love God, and are not hardened in sin” (6SDABC 1079).

   “Man, fallen man, may be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that he can “prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  How does he prove this?  By the Holy Spirit taking possession of his mind, spirit, heart, and character.  Where does the proving come in?  “We are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.”  A real work is wrought by the Holy Spirit upon the human character, and its’ fruits are seen.
                   Just as a good tree will bear good fruit, so will the tree that is actually planted in the Lord’s garden produce good fruit unto eternal life.  Besetting sins are overcome; evil thoughts are not allowed in the mind; evil habits are purged from the soul temple.  The tendencies which have been biased in a wrong direction are turned in a right direction.  Wrong dispositions and feelings are changed, new principles of action supplied, and there is a new standard of character.  Holy tempers and sanctified emotions are now the fruit borne upon the Christian tree.  An entire transformation has taken place.  This is the work to be wrought.
                   We see by experience that in our own human strength, resolutions and purposes are of no avail.  Must we, then, give up our determined efforts?  No; although our experience testifies that we cannot possibly do this work ourselves, help has been laid upon One who is mighty to do it for us.  But the only way we can secure the help of God is to put ourselves wholly in His hands, and trust Him to work for us.  As we lay hold of Him by faith He does the work.  The believer can only trust.  As God works, we can work, trusting in Him and doing His will (MS 1a, 1890)”  (6SDABC 1080).

7. The realized work of Christ in the life.
8. Do your work with authority, as one who knows he is ordained to work for God; ignore the critics.

1 Timothy & Titus: intro | lesson 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13