Lesson 27

Not willing to live with sin, God the father will only dwell with his repentant children after they have made their choice to reject sin and follow in his ways of love. Abraham’s faith was tested by his willingness to sacrifice his son Issac. In a similar way the rest of humanity will be tested by Satan. Those who demonstrate their desire to follow God through their actions will receive eternal life. The knowledge of God’s coming Kingdom is good news for humanity because it displays how and when people will learn about Jesus and have their opportunity to follow him. What they do with their opportunity is up to them. Will they faithfully follow to the best of their ability, or will they turn away from Jesus and follow Satan? For those who are not called by God during this present life, the good news of the Kingdom is that they will have a fair opportunity to accept Jesus as their savior in their future resurrection. For those who accept their calling to follow Jesus during this present life, the good news is that they will be raised to new life as leaders in the Kingdom when Jesus returns. Disciples of Jesus prove their faith by following him. Their actions are tested through Satan’s influence on them. How well do you know and resist Satan? What do you do to combat Satan’s influence? How did Jesus resist him? Would we sin without the influence of Satan? What would it be like without Satan’s influence in the world?

James 2:14-26 King James Version
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.