Steps To Christ

Steps to Christ
Love Beyond Compare

Property of Lay Institute for Global Health Training www.lightingtheworld.org 1
Table of Contents

"#$%& '#() *#+ ,-.//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 0
12) &3..)+& .))$ #* 42+3&1 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 0
+)5).1-.4)//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 6
4#.*)&&3#.////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 7
4#.&)4+-13#. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 8
*-312 -.$ -44)51-.4) ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 8
12) 1)&1 #* $3&435')&235 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 9
"+#:3." ;5 3.1# 42+3&1 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// <
12) :#+= -.$ 12) '3*)//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// <
- =.#:')$") #* "#$///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// >
12) 5+3(3')") #* 5+-?)+///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// @
:2-1 1# $# :312 $#;A1 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// BC
+)D#343." 3. 12) '#+$///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// BB

Steps to Christ
Love Beyond Compare
Gods Love for Man
(Steps to Christ, pages 9-15)

Ways God reveals His love to usGod loves His children. He reveals this love to us 1) through the word of
God and 2) through nature. God is source of everything goodlife, wisdom, and happiness. God is the one
who supplies the daily needs of His children.

We can see Gods love revealed to us in the birds, flowers, trees, the tenderest of family bonds, and more, all
signs that God loves us and wants to make us happy.

The Bible states that God is gracious, longsuffering, abundant in goodness and truth, is merciful, forgives
iniquity, transgression, and sin, is slow to anger, is abundant in lovingkindness, and delights in mercy. (Ex.
34:6, 7; Jonah 4:2; Micah 7:18)
**How do you see Gods love revealed in your life?

The effects of sinThe earth originally was perfect, and man was holy and happy. Sinbreaking Gods law of
lovechanged things. It brought pain, sadness, and death. However, even where sin has brought sorrow to our
earth, Gods love is still seen in the roses adorning the thorn bushes. God uses the difficulties and trials we face
in life to help prepare us for heaven.

Satan has tried to lead men to feel that God is a severe judge and a harsh, exacting creditor who watches the
children of menso that when they make mistakes, He can punish them without mercy.

Jesus response to our plightJesus left glory, the adoration of the angels, and everything that heaven could
offer to come to this earth. While here, He:
1) sought to dispel the evil myths that existed about Godby revealing the true love of God for us. Every soul
was precious to Him.
2) met humanitys needsdoing good, healing, preaching the good news of the gospel. Children loved to be
near Him, since love, mercy, sympathy, and compassion were revealed in every look and act of Jesus.
3) always spoke with love. Even if He needed to rebuke someone, it was done with the greatest tact, kindness,
and love.
4) came to redeem us. He paid our debt with His own bloodsuffered the shame, insult, humiliation, hatred,
the weight of sin, the painful separation from His Father, and the death that we rightly deserved, that we share
the joy and bliss of heavenwhich He deserved.
**How can we practically reveal this type of love to others?

Love without parallel Such love is without a parallel. Children of the heavenly King! Precious promise!
Theme for the most profound meditation! The matchless love of God for a world that did not love Him! The
thought has a subduing power upon the soul and brings the mind into captivity to the will of God. The more we
study the divine character in the light of the cross, the more we see mercy, tenderness, and forgiveness blended
with equity and justice, and the more clearly we discern innumerable evidences of a love that is infinite and a
tender pity surpassing a mother's yearning sympathy for her wayward child. SC 15.

The Sinners Need of Christ

Before sin entered the world, man was perfect. He was in harmony with God, had pure thoughts, holy aims,
and a powerful, balanced mind. He held joyful communion with His Creator.

Sin changed things. As a result of disobedience, man became so weak that it was impossible for him to resist
Steps to Christ
Love Beyond Compare
the power of evil in his own strength. He became a captive of Satan. Selfishness took the place of love. Before
sin, man treasured companionship with God and heavenly beings, but after sin entered, man sought to hide from
God and His presenceand, in an unconverted state, has continued to seek to hide from Gods presence up to
our time. Sinners would not be happy in heavenfor unselfish love reigns supreme there, while self holds the
throne in the unregenerate man. He would feel out of place there, and heaven would be to him a place of
torture. God will not force people to be in heaven who would not be happy there.

We cannot escape the pit of sin into which each of us have fallen by our own effortsno more than a
leopard can change its spots. Education, culture, human choice, will, and effort are all importantbut they
cannot change our hearts. We may do all the right actions, but still have a sin-polluted heart. We may even
come to the mental knowledge and assent that God is wise, just, kind, gracious, tender, and that the law is right,
but knowledge alone cannot change us (The devils also believe, and trembleJames 2:19). Even all of our
efforts to uplift ourselves or others are in vain if we neglect the one true source of help and hope for the human
raceJesus.
**Have you experienced this to be true in your life?

Gods power alone can transform and uplift us. Through His death for us, He has bridged the gap which sin
created between heaven and earth. He connects human weakness with the Source of infinite power. Through the
power of God we may be uplifted from the pit of sin to purity, righteousness, holiness, and a likeness to God.
He alone can transform us into His beautiful likeness, and give us a fitness for heaven.
**Share (an experience) how God has transformed your life/habits as you put him first in your life.

The heart of God yearns over his earthly children with a love stronger than death. In giving up his Son,
he has poured out to us all heaven in one gift. The Saviour's life and death and intercession, the ministry of
angels, the pleading of the Spirit, the Father working above and through all, the unceasing interest of heavenly
beings,all are enlisted in behalf of man's redemption. SC 21.

Repentance
How can a sinner become righteous, in harmony with God, and restored from the pit of sin into which he
has fallen? After Jesus death, people asked Peter the same question. His first response was Repent.

But what is repentance? Repentance includes sorrow for sin, and a turning away from it. We shall not
renounce sin unless we see its sinfulness; until we turn away from it in heart, there will be no real change in the
life. SC 23.

Traditional views of repentanceOften people think that they have repented for sinbecause they feel
guilty and are afraid that their wrongdoing will bring suffering and punishment to themnot because they
genuinely repent, sense the enormity of the sin, abhor the evil, and are converted in heart. It is like a child
caught stealing cookies from the candy jar. The child is not sad he/she stole the cookies, but is sad that he/she
was caught and fears the punishment that might come as a result. This kind of repentance is not genuine and
does not lead to Gods forgiveness or restoration.

Gods love leads us to repentanceWhen we see Gods love for us, realize that we need Gods help in our
lives, and yield to His influence, then we become truly convicted that we are sinners. Seeing the love of God,
the beauty of holiness, and the joy of purity, leads a sinner to long for cleansing and restored communion with
heaven.

True repentance is sincere and deep. It does not seek to escape the penalty of sin. It seeks, instead, for
pardon, restoration to harmony and communion with God, for purity of heart, and includes a heartfelt desire to
experience the joy of holiness again. As we draw close to Christ, One ray of the glory of God, one gleam of
the purity of Christ, penetrating the soul, makes every spot of defilement painfully distinct, and lays bare the
Steps to Christ
Love Beyond Compare
deformity and defects of the human character. It makes apparent the unhallowed desires, the infidelity of the
heart, the impurity of the lips. The sinner's acts of disloyalty in making void the law of God, are exposed to his
sight, and his spirit is stricken and afflicted under the searching influence of the Spirit of God. He loathes
himself as he views the pure, spotless character of Christ. SC 28.

We cannot repent on our own. God draws our hearts, and gives us genuine repentance as a gift. As SC p. 28
states You who in heart long for something better than this world can give, recognize this longing as the voice
of God to your soul.

Danger of putting off repentance: Many know better than they do. However, it is a dangerous thing to put
off making things right with God. Many have done this to their eternal loss. Cherished sin cannot enter heaven,
and the sinner that cherishes it thus excludes himself or herself from heaven. Some excuse themselves saying
that they are better than others, but any sin will keep a sinner from spending an eternity of joy with Jesus. Life
is short and uncertain, and any sin that is indulged will overcome us and cause our eternal death. It was but a
small fruit that shut Adam and Eve out of the garden, but by eating that little piece of fruit, mankind sinned
against God and broke His law, thus separating themselves from God, and invited sorrow and death into the
world.

Often people think they can change whenever they choose, but habits of a lifetime are not easily changed.
Even one wrong trait of character, one sinful desire, persistently cherished, will eventually neutralize all the
power of the gospel. Every sinful indulgence strengthens the soul's aversion to God. SC 34.

Satan may tell us that we are too great of a sinner to be forgiven, but we can rejoice that Jesus came to this
world to save sinners. He still calls us, woos us, pleads with us, and patiently waits for us to return to Him. It is
when we most fully comprehend the love of God that we best realize the sinfulness of sin. When we see the
length of the chain that was let down for us, when we understand something of the infinite sacrifice that Christ
has made in our behalf, the heart is melted with tenderness and contrition. SC 35.

Confession
Confession should come from the heartHe who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses
and forsakes them will have mercy. Pr. 28:13. Here God lays out the steps that are necessary for a sinner to
obtain Gods mercy. We need not make pilgrimages or perform penances. After we have repented, God simply
asks us to confess our sins to Him. This type of confession should not simply be a form, something urged
from the sinner, but should be heartfelt and freely expressed, and should result in reformation of the life.

True confession is always of a specific character, and acknowledges particular sins. They may be of such a
nature as to be brought before God only; they may be wrongs that should be confessed to individuals who have
suffered injury through them; or they may be of a public character, and should then be as publicly confessed.
But all confession should be definite and to the point, acknowledging the very sins of which you are guilty. SC
38.

The type of confession not accepted by GodWhen a person sins, the carnal nature seeks to make excuses
for their sin (self-justification). This type of confession is not accepted by God. True repentance leads a person
to take personal responsibility for their sin and to confess it without self-justification, excuses, deception, or
hypocrisy. The attitude of the truly repentant heart will be God be merciful to me a sinner. Lk. 18:13. These
persons will find forgiveness.

God is eager to forgive and cleanse us from sinThe humble and broken heart, subdued by genuine
repentance, will appreciate something of the love of God and the cost of Calvary; and as a son confesses to a
loving father, so will the truly penitent bring all his sins before God. And it is written, If we confess our sins,
he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. SC 41.
Steps to Christ
Love Beyond Compare
Consecration
Repentance and confession insufficientRepentance and confession are essential in restoring man to
harmony with his Creator, but these are not sufficient. We must yield our whole heart, our life, and our all to
God.
God wants us to choose to serve HimGod does not ask for a blind submission to Him. Rather, He appeals to
our reason and our conscience. He wants us to choose to serve Him, to choose to be set free from our bondage
to Satan, to choose to share in the glorious freedom of being the children of God.
Entire surrenderIn giving ourselves to God, we must necessarily give up all that would separate us from
Him. SC 44. Many things draw us away from God: money, the desire for wealth, reputation, worldly honor,
selfish ease, freedom from responsibility, friendships, and more. We cannot give half our heart to God and half
our heart to the world. We are not Gods children at all unless we are His entirely. A person may do all the
right things, but unless the heart is given entirely to God, this religion is worth nothing. When Christ dwells
in the heart, the soul will be so filled with His love, with the joy of communion with Him, that it will cleave to
Him, and in the contemplation of Him, self will be forgotten. Love to Christ will be the spring of action. Those
who feel the constraining love of God, do not ask how little may be given to meet the requirements of God;
they do not ask for the lowest standard, but aim at perfect conformity to the will of their Redeemer. With
earnest desire they yield all, and manifest an interest proportionate to the value of the object which they seek.
SC 44-45.
Is the sacrifice too great? Sometimes individuals may feel like the sacrifice (entire surrender to God) is too
great. But when we consider how much Christ gave for our redemption, then our sacrifice seems so small. What
do we truly give up when we surrender all to Jesus? We give him our sin-polluted heart, for Jesus to purify, to
cleanse by His own blood, and to save by His matchless love. SC 46.
God does not ask us to give up anything that is really best for us. We are told that No real joy can be found
in the path forbidden by Him who knows what is best, and who plans for the good of His creatures. SC 46. The
path of transgression leads to pain and eternal death. God desires for His children to be happy, peace-filled, and
joyful. He accepts us with our wants, imperfections, and weaknesses and not only cleanses us and fits us for
heaven, but also satisfies the deepest heart longings of those who agree to wear His yoke.
Many ask how they can give themselves to God. You desire something better, you want to give yourself to
God, but you are weak in moral power, in slavery to doubt, and controlled by the habits of your life of sin.
Your promises and resolutions are like ropes of sand. You cannot control your thoughts, your impulses, your
affections. The knowledge of your broken promises and forfeited pledges weakens your confidence in your own
sincerity, and causes you to feel that God cannot accept you; but you need not despair. SC 47. Everything
depends on the use of the will. We cannot change our heart or give God our affections, but we CAN choose to
serve Him, and give Him our will. Then God can transform our hearts.
Desires not enoughDesires are good, but they will not fit us for heaven. Many who wish to go to heaven will
not go there, because they do not choose to serve God completely. By yielding our will, our hearts, our
everything to God, we connect ourselves closely with Him. God then give us strength to remain faithful and to
live the new life of faith.

Faith and Acceptance
Believe His promises: When a person realizes that they are a sinner and cannot change their own heart, have
confessed their sins, have turned away from their sins, and have chosen to serve God, then we should go to
God, ask Him to wash our hearts, and give us a new heart. Then we must believe that He does this because He
has promised. SC 50. When the paralytic at Bethesda was told by Jesus to rise, take up his bed, and walk, he
had a choice to make. He could have doubted and would not have received healing, but he chose, arose, and
was healed. In the same way, we are a sinner. We cannot change our hearts, neither should we should we wait
Steps to Christ
Love Beyond Compare
until we feel forgiven, but after we repent, confess, and yield our hearts to Him, we are to believe His promise,
believe that we are forgiven and cleansed, and God will make it reality.

God has promised What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have
them. Mk. 11:24. It is within the will of God to cleanse us from sin, so we can safely claim this promise for
the forgiveness of our sins. We must choose to believe that God grants us forgiveness, and we should thank
Him for His forgiveness, even before we feel forgiven.

No condemnationAfter accepting Gods forgiveness in our lives, it is our privilege to walk before Jesus with
no condemnation. Each day we must give ourselves to God anew.

We may come as we areSome feel that they have to prove to God that they are reformed before they can
claim His blessings, but we are told that Jesus loves to have us come to Him just as we are, sinful, helpless,
dependent. We may come with all our weakness, our folly, our sinfulness, and fall at His feet in penitence. It is
His glory to encircle us in the arms of His love and to bind up our wounds, to cleanse us from all impurity. SC
52. Gods promises are for every repentant sinner. Jesus is merciful, loving, and has the tenderest compassion
for each of His children. No one is so sinful that they cannot find healing, strength, purity, and righteousness in
Jesus. The heart of Jesus yearns over each of His children, he says I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn you. Jer. 31:3. Every longing awakened in the soul to return to
God, is but the tender pleading of His Spirit, wooing, entreating, drawing the wanderer to his Fathers heart of
love. SC 54.

No need to fearWe need not doubt or fear, for Jesus lives to make intercession for His children. As we draw
near to God in repentance, He draws near to us to give us His mercy and forgiveness. He hates sin, but He loves
the sinner, and gave up everything that we might have the possibility of eternal life.

The Test of Discipleship
True Conversion visibly changes a personA person may not know when or how conversion took place; but
if a person is truly converted, their life will change. Their character, pursuits, and habits will become more and
more like Jesus. An unconverted person may live correctly on the outside for selfish motives, and yet be
unchanged by Divine grace. In contrast, a converted person has given their entire heart and warmest affections
to Jesus, and lives each day longing to bear His image, breathe His spirit, do His will, and please Him in all
things. SC 58.
Fruits of conversionA converted person, by faith, follows Jesus in His footsteps, and bears the fruit of
conversionthe fruit of the Spirit. They no longer follow the lusts of the flesh, and come to hate that which
they once loved. True repentance works reformation in the life. When we receive Gods pardoning grace into
our lives, love springs up in our hearts. Love for Jesus makes every duty a delight, every sacrifice a pleasure,
and brightens the Christians pathway. This love is found in the heart where Jesus reigns and it transforms our
character, guides our impulses, controls our passions, enobles our affections, sweetens the life, and blesses all
those we come in contact with.
Two dangers to guard againstNew Christians easily fall into one of two temptations: 1) They try to become
holy by their own works (which is an impossibility to achieve by our own efforts, and can be achieved by the
grace of God alone) or 2) Because of Gods grace, we are released from keeping the law (this is not true faith,
but rather, presumption). Salvation is a free gift of Gods grace, received by faith. When we belong to Jesus, we
become like Him, and our feelings, thoughts, and actions will be in harmony with God and His law. We
joyfully follow in the example of our Lord and Master.
Perfect obedience to law of God the condition of eternal life: If this were not necessary, the security of
heaven would be in danger throughout eternity, since the way would be open for sin, misery, and suffering to
re-enter the universe. Since the fall of Adam, we have fallen natures, and are not able to keep the law of God on
our own. But Christ lived and died to make a way for us, so that if we give ourselves unreservedly to Him, and
Steps to Christ
Love Beyond Compare
accept Him as our Savior, then, regardless of how sinful we have been, God takes our sins and gives us His
righteousness in their place and we are counted righteous before God. God does not stop there; He also
transforms our hearts and lives. Day by day, as we give our hearts and lives entirely to Him, he works in us to
will and to do of His good pleasure. Phil. 2:13.
Two kinds of belief: The devils believe and tremble (James 2:19), but this will not save them, nor will this
kind of belief save us. Rather, we need a belief that leads to the submission of our heart, will, and affections to
Jesus, a faith that works by love and purifies the soul.
The closer we come to Jesus, the more faulty our lives will appear. Closer and closer views of His
perfection manifest ever more clearly our own faults and imperfections. In view of our sinfulness, many are
tempted to become discouraged and give up. However, we must not forget that Jesus came here and died for us
so that we might have life, and He now lives and intercedes for us at the right hand of God. A view of our
sinfulness should drive us to Jesus, and He will reveal His power to pardon and transform our lives into His
beautiful image.

Growing up into Christ
God helps us grow and mature spiritually. The transformation by which we become children of God is
likened to new birth and to the germination of seed. We cannot change our hearts, but Christ gladly does it for
us, if we surrender our lives to His transforming power.
Growth through abiding in Jesus. As a branch draws nourishment from the vine, so we draw our spiritual
nourishment from Jesus. Separated from Him we wither spiritually, united to Him, we may flourishand may
obtain the power we need to resist temptation, grow in grace, holiness, joyfulness, and usefulness. There is no
step in our Christian walk that we can accomplish without Jesus. It is only by daily, hourly communion with
Him that we may grow in grace.
How do we continue to abide in Christ? We are to continue in our Christian walk in the same way that we
first received Jesus into our lives. Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work.
Let your prayer be, Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy
service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee. This is a daily matter. Each morning
consecrate yourself to God for that day. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His
providence shall indicate. Thus day by day you may be giving your life into the hands of God, and thus your
life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ. SC 70.
A life hid in Christ is a life of restfulnessWe may not feel ecstasy in our walk with God each day, but we
may experience peace and rest in Jesus. Our only hope is in Jesus. By loving Him, copying Him, depending
entirely on Himwe may be transformed into His likeness. As we take the yoke of Christ upon us, we find rest.
Satan endeavors to keep our minds diverted from Christ, to separate us from Him, so that we do not become
transformed into his likeness. However, if we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus we are safe, and day-by-day may be
transformed into His likeness, from glory to glory II Cor. 3:18. His abiding presence in our hearts softens the
heart, subdues the soul, and raises the thoughts and desires toward God and heaven. SC 73.

The Work and the Life


When Gods love fills our lives it will flow out to othersGod is the source of all life, joy, and blessing, and
when our hearts are filled with His love and goodness, we cannot keep it hidden, and it will flow out in
blessings to all we come in contact with. His love in our hearts will be revealed in a longing to bless and uplift
humanity, and will fill us with love, sympathy, and tenderness to all. Those who are the partakers of the grace
of Christ will be ready to make any sacrifice, that others for whom He died may share the heavenly gift. They
will do all they can to make the world better for their stay in it. This spirit is the sure outgrowth of a soul truly
Steps to Christ
Love Beyond Compare
converted. SC 78. If we have tasted of the goodness of God, we will not be able to keep silent, and we will
earnestly desire that others may experience what we have experienced.
When we try to bless others, we will be blessed ourselvesGod could have sent angels to carry His message
of love and mercy to the world, but He chose man, so that we might share the blessings, joy, and the spiritual
uplifting which result from unselfishly sharing Gods love with others. When we endeavor to share with others
the love of God, we will develop a deepened desire to experience more of Gods love ourselves. This will cause
us to pray more and to plead for the salvation of others, and will lead us to study the Bible more deeply. This
will give us a rich, growing Christian experience. The spirit of unselfish labor for others gives depth, stability,
and Christlike loveliness to the character, and brings peace and happiness to its possessor. SC 80. As we work
for the salvation of others we are also working out our own salvation. Just as a person will grow weak from
lack of exercise, so Christians will become spiritually weak if they do not work for Christ.
A debt to othersGod has poured out His love unstintedly to us, and once we have received and experienced
His love and forgiveness in our lives, we have an obligation to share that love with others. God calls for us to
take the gospel everywhere, both in Christian lands and in places where Gods love is not known. In fact, we
are told that if we were awake to our Christian duty, in the place where there is but one worker for God today,
there would be thousands sharing the love of Jesus in places of the world where there is no knowledge of God.
There is work to do for Christ both in foreign countries and in our own homes, towns, and workplaces. Jesus
spent most of His earthly life in humble labor in the home and carpenters shopshowing that in the humblest
of places we may live and work like Jesus.
The humblest and poorest may be a blessing to others. It is not necessary to possess special talents or wait
for great opportunities to work for Jesus. Our daily life may be a great testimony to others. The humblest and
poorest of the disciples of Jesus can be a blessing to others. They may not realize that they are doing any special
good, but by their unconscious influence they may start waves of blessing that will widen and deepen, and the
blessed results they may never know until the day of final reward. They do not feel or know that they are doing
anything great. They are not required to weary themselves with anxiety about success. They have only to go
forward quietly, doing faithfully the work that God's providence assigns, and their life will not be in vain. Their
own souls will be growing more and more into the likeness of Christ; they are workers together with God in this
life and are thus fitting for the higher work and the unshadowed joy of the life to come. SC 83.

A Knowledge of God


God still speaks to His children todayThrough nature, through providential workings, through the influence
of the Spirit of God on our heart, and through the Scriptures, God speaks to us.
Nature: God speaks to us continually through the things of His creation. While Jesus was here on earth, He
illustrated many of the most precious truths of the gospel though the things of nature. God loves the beautiful,
and He filled the earth with many beautiful flowerswhich illustrate the beauty of character, the purity, and the
simplicity that God would have us seek. Gods created works are filled with lessons of obedience and trust for
those who will listen. The same God that upholds galaxies, cares for the little brown sparrow, also tenderly
cares for each of His earthly children. If we would but fully believe this, all undue anxieties would be
dismissed. Our lives would not be so filled with disappointment as now; for everything, whether great or small,
would be left in the hands of God, who is not perplexed by the multiplicity of cares, or overwhelmed by their
weight. We should then enjoy a rest of soul to which many have long been strangers. SC 86. The beautiful
things of nature also lift our minds to the glories of our heavenly home and bring us hope and courage in our
earthly journey.
Providential workings and the influence of the Spirit on the heart: If our hearts are open to His guidance,
we may learn precious lessons about God and His will for our lives through the workings of His providence and
through the still, small voice of God to our hearts.
The Word of God: God speaks to His children through the Word of God. In His Word we see His character
Steps to Christ
Love Beyond Compare
revealed, study His dealings with men, and learn more about the great work of redemption.
We can study the stories of men and learn from their experiences: their struggles, failures, and discover how
they conquered through the grace of Christ. Their experiences may encourage us to conquer through Gods
power as well.
The Scriptures reveal ChristHim in whom all our hopes of eternal life are centered. Through their
study we may come to know Jesus better, and He will quench our thirst and satisfy our hunger.
The story of redemption should be carefully studied and thought upon. As we think upon the theme of
redemption, it will strengthen our faith and love, our prayers will become more fervent and acceptable
to God, and we will have an ever-deepening Christian experience.
As we meditate upon the perfection of the Saviour, we shall desire to be wholly transformed, and
renewed in the image of His purity. There will be a hungering and thirsting of soul to become like Him
whom we adore. The more our thoughts are upon Christ, the more we shall speak of Him to others, and
represent Him to the world. SC 89.
We cannot safely take the opinion of any person as truth in regard to the meaning of the word of God.
We need to diligently study the Scriptures for ourselves, comparing Scripture with Scripture. Hasty
reading will give but little benefit; however, when a person studies a passage until its significance and
relation to the plan of salvation become clear, it is of far more value. Some passages are easily
understood, while with others the meaning is not so easily evident. Therefore it is important to research
carefully, and prayerfully reflect on the meaning of each verse. If Gods Word were studied as it
should be, men would have a breadth of mind, a nobility of purpose that is rarely seen in these times.
SC 90.
We should keep our Bible with us as much of the time as possible, reading it when we have
opportunity, and memorizing its precious passages.
Prayer for Gods guidance before studying the Scriptures is essential. We are told that angels from the
world of light will be with those who in humility of heart seek for divine guidance. SC 91.

The Privilege of Prayer


Prayer a privilege and a necessityBible study, nature, providences in our daily lives, and the Holy Spirit are
all essential, but these do not supply all that we need for spiritual life and growth. We also need to pray, to
commune with our Heavenly Father. God desires for us to come and open our heart to Him as we would open
it to a friend. God knows what is in our hearts before we pray, but prayer prepares our hearts to receive Him,
His help, and His blessings.

Jesus our example in prayerWhen Jesus was on earth He prayed frequently to His heavenly Father for fresh
strength, comfort, and joy. Prayer gave Him strength to be victorious, and it will give us strength as well. He
taught His disciples to present their daily needs to God, and promised that those prayers would be heard. His
counsel and promises are for us as well (if the conditions are met). God eagerly waits to pour out His rich
blessings on those who pray. Satan easily overcomes those who simply neglect the privilege of prayer. Why
should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray, when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock
heavens storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence. SC 94. Satan knows that
we may obtain grace and power to resist temptation through prayer, and does all he can to keep us from
praying.

Conditions for answered prayer:
1. Feel our need of help from God
2. AskGod wants us to actually express our needs/desires to Him
3. Must not hold onto any sin (or God will not hear our prayers)
4. Have faith that God hears and answers prayer
5. Be patient for Gods timing in answering our prayers
6. Express our hearts desires to Him with humble, trusting hearts
Steps to Christ
Love Beyond Compare
7. Sincerity
8. A spirit of love and forgiveness in our own hearts for others who have wronged us
9. Perseverance in prayer
10. Earnestness in prayer
11. Thankfulness
12. Diligence
13. Secret prayer, family prayer, and public prayer are all important, but secret prayer is essential. Secret
prayer is the life of the soul, the way in which we gain strength for the conflict against Satan. Here we
may pour out to God what is on our hearts, and the God which sees in secret, will reward us openly.
14. Pray as we go about daily duties. Satan cannot overcome him whose heart is thus stayed on God. SC
99. There is no place where we cannot pray to God. Even though our surroundings may be less than
ideal, yet we may live, through prayer, as in the pure air of heaven.
15. Ask in Jesus name. This means to pray in the mind and spirit of Jesus as we believe His promises, rely
on His grace, and work His works. SC 100.

God will answer our prayers in the best way possiblesometimes we think we know how God should
answer our prayers, but God sees the end from the beginning, and only He knows what is truly best for us. We
would gladly choose His way for our life if we could see things as they really are in this life and in the
perspective of eternity. God will answer sincere prayers in the very way which He sees will be for our highest
good.

Nothing too great or small for God Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears
before God. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. He who numbers the hairs of your head is not
indifferent to the wants of His children. The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. James 5:11. His heart of
love is touched by our sorrows and even by our utterances of them. Take to Him everything that perplexes the
mind. Nothing is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds, He rules over all the affairs of the universe.
Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice. There is no chapter in our
experience too dark for Him to read; there is no perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel. No calamity can
befall the least of His children, no anxiety harass the soul, no joy cheer, no sincere prayer escape the lips, of
which our heavenly Father is unobservant, or in which He takes no immediate interest. He healeth the broken
in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. Psalm 147:3. The relations between God and each soul are as distinct
and full as though there were not another soul upon the earth to share His watchcare, not another soul for whom
He gave His beloved Son. SC 100.

A life of prayer and serviceGod does not ask us to become monks or hermits, or to devote all our life to
prayer. In fact, we are told that if we only pray, we will soon cease to pray or our prayers will become dry and
formal. Instead, we are to spend time alone with God in prayer, and then go out to share Gods love and grace
with a dying world. As we share with others, we gain subject matter for prayer. As Christians we should
associate together, encouraging one another in the service of God. If we thought and talked more of Jesus, and
less of self, we should have far more of His presence. SC 102.

Praise and thankfulnessIn our prayers and devotional times, we should not simply include asking and
receiving, but our prayers should be filled with praise and thankfulness for His mercies and blessings to us. God
gave His life for us, is full of mercy, and tenderly cares for His children. As such, we should return thanks to
Him for the blessings that He daily gives us. The soul may ascend nearer heaven on the wings of praise. SC
104.

What to Do With Doubt
(Steps to Christ, pages 105-113
There are mysteries in the Bible too deep for humans to understandSatan uses this to cause many
(especially new Christians) to doubt and question the validity of the Scriptures. God gives us abundant evidence
on which to base our faith, but He never removes every possible doubt. Day by day we may know as much of
Steps to Christ
Love Beyond Compare
His purposes as it is good to know; and beyond this we must still trust the hand that is omnipotent, the heart that
is full of love. SC 106. We will never understand either God or His word completely. How sin entered this
world, how Jesus became a man, conversion and spiritual growth, and the resurrection are just a few of the
subjects in the Bible that are too difficult for the human mind to fully comprehend. Even throughout nature are
many things we cannot understand. Instead of leading us to doubt the truth of the Scriptures, these mysteries
should establish our faith in God and in the Scriptures, as evidences of the greatness, majesty, and wisdom of
God and a mind far more powerful than humans will ever possess.

Biblical truths progressively revealed to the Christianwe cannot understand everything in Gods word at
once. As we study the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit will help us to understand it correctly. We are to study the
Bible for ourselves. Bible study will strengthen and elevate the mind; however, to understand it rightly, we
must come with the simplicity and faith of a little child, a readiness to learn, and we must plead for the help of
the Holy Spirit. As we come to the Word with a sense of humility and holy awe, acknowledging that Someone
greater than us inspired its truths, God will reveal the truths of His word to us. We must also pray earnestly for
Divine guidance, open the word with reverence, and fix our thoughts and affections on Christ; if we fail to do
this, the very study of the Bible may deepen our doubts and drive us away from Christ, for God will not be able
to safely guide us into all truth. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine. John
7:17.

Love of sin the cause of most doubt and skepticismthe proud, selfish, sin-loving heart does not welcome
the teachings and restrictions of the word of God. People frequently endeavor to evade the requirements of
Scripture by questioning its authority. However, if we accept the Scriptures as the voice of God to our soul, and
faithfully follow the truths He reveals, He will continue to unfold day by day a little more of the Scriptures
which were previously too difficult for us to understand. The path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines
ever brighter unto the perfect day. Pr. 4:18.

Our own experience with God most powerful means for dispelling doubtGod invites us to prove for
ourselves the reality of His Word, the truth of His promises. SC 111. As we claim His promises, live a
surrendered life to Him, and experience His answers to our prayers, our doubts and darkness will disappear, our
wants will be supplied, the hunger of our soul will be satisfied, and we will see the Bible in a new lightas the
revelation of God to our hearts.

In the hereafter, all which has perplexed us in the providences of God will then be made plain; things hard to
be understood will then find an explanation; and where our finite minds discovered only confusion and broken
purposes, we shall see the most perfect and beautiful harmony. SC 113.

Rejoicing in the Lord


Children of God should make His service attractiveAs representatives for God on earth, we have the
privilege and responsibility of revealing His goodness, mercy, and love to a world in darkness. Many may not
read the Bible or attend church, but they may see Jesus love revealed to them through our daily lives.
Christians who are gloomy and sad, who complain and grumble, falsely represent Christ to the world.

Satan loves to make the Christian life appear gloomy and sadhe loves to see us mistrust God, and doubt
His willingness and His power to save us. Satan wants us to think that God will harm us by His providences and
that the Christian life is difficult, toilsome, and gloomy. Many Christians think frequently about their mistakes,
failures, and their disappointments. This causes them to become sad and discouraged. I dreamed that I was in a
garden, and one who seemed to be the owner of the garden was conducting me through its paths. I was
gathering the flowers and enjoying their fragrance, when this sister, who had been walking by my side, called
my attention to some unsightly briers that were impeding her way. There she was mourning and grieving. She
was not walking in the pathway, following the guide, but was walking among the briers and thorns. "Oh," she
Steps to Christ
Love Beyond Compare
mourned, "is it not a pity that this beautiful garden is spoiled with thorns?" Then the guide said, "Let the thorns
alone, for they will only wound you. Gather the roses, the lilies, and the pinks. SC 116-117.

Focus on the goodness of GodIf we only look on the briars and thorns (the trials and problems in life) we
will be wounded by them, but if we focus on the blessings of God, which, like beautiful flowers, adorn our
lives, we may have lives filled with joy and happiness. If we focus on the sad things we will become
discouraged and will shut out the light of God from our hearts and bring sadness into the lives of those we
associate with. Instead, we should focus our attention on the evidences of Gods love, and let our mind dwell
on the sacrifice Jesus made for us: His incarnation, life, death, and resurrection; how Jesus uplifts man from his
fallen condition; and the hope of spending eternity with God.

We dishonor God and harm our own soul and others by doubting Gods loveAll face difficulties in life,
and God invites us to bring these burdens to Him, rather than telling them to other weak and fallible human
beings. Make it a rule to never utter one word of doubt or discouragement. SC 119. We sadden and dishonor
God when we doubt His love and we bring harm to ourselves and to others when we think and express doubt.
When we talk about doubt, it will strengthen in our own hearts and is like a seed in the heart of the listener. We
may recover from the doubts expressed, but the other person may be permanently injured, and it may be
impossible to undo the damage caused by a word of doubt. How important, then, that we only speak words of
courage and faith. There is many a brave soul sorely pressed by temptation, almost ready to faint in the
conflict with self and with the powers of evil. Do not discourage such a one in his hard struggle. Cheer him with
brave, hopeful words that shall urge him on his way. SC 119.

Christ was not gloomyMany think that Jesus lived a stern life with no joy, warmth, or sunniness. It is true
that He carried the weight of the sins and woes of the world on His shoulders, that He was not involved in
levity, joking, and partying, that he was deeply serious and earnest; however, in his life He carried rest, peace,
joy, gladness, and love wherever He went. He is to be our example.

Christians not to focus on the unkind acts of othersAll have faults and make mistakes, and Christ calls
upon us to banish the unkind and unjust acts of others from our mind, or else we will not be able to love them as
Jesus does. Instead He encourages us to cultivate humility, self-distrust, and patient tenderness in our dealings
with others.

Borrowing trouble from the futureEvery day we will meet challenges and perplexities, and many add to
these challenges by worrying about tomorrow. Instead of focusing on the blessings that God gives each day,
they worry and fret over what may come to them. When something unpleasant occurs, however small it may be,
it causes them to fret and complain and separates them further from Jesus. When we face challenges, we should
not become discouraged. Rather, we should give our problems to God, and pray, remaining calm and cheerful.
We should do all we can to prevent loss, but, after we have done all we can through the strength of Jesus, we
are accept the results cheerfully. God does not want us to worry and be burdened with care. It is true that we
will meet trials and dangers in life, but He promises to be there and protect us from the evil one. If God cares
for the little birds and gives the flowers their beauty, how much more will He care for beings He has created in
His own image.

Joy found in ChristWhen we seek for happiness through selfish means, it passes away, and the person feels
lonely and sad; but those who serve God unreservedly will find joy and satisfaction while here on earth, and
may look forward to heaven, the blessed home of peace. We should keep fresh in our memories the ways that
God has helped us, for this will give us strength for the remainder of our earthly journey. Even though we will
meet more problems in the future, as we look back on how God has helped us in the past, it will give us courage
to meet the challenges. And we can look with hope to the day when the pearly gates will be thrown open and
we will be welcomed home by the King of the universe. In view of the heavenly reward what will a man give
in exchange for his soul. Matt. 16:26. Heaven will be cheap enough. EW 17.

Materials for this handout were gleaned from the book Steps to Christ, by Ellen G. White.

Steps To Christ

Загружено:

Сведения о документе

Оригинальное название

Авторское право

Доступные форматы

Поделиться этим документом

Поделиться или встроить документ

Параметры публикации

Этот документ был вам полезен?

Это неприемлемый материал?

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

Steps To Christ

Загружено:

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

Steps to Christ

Love Beyond Compare

Вам также может понравиться