Chapter 3—Sermon at Petaluma, California,
Campground
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Commenting on Peter’s ladder of Christian virtues (
2 Peter 1:5-7
),
Ellen White says, “in the Christian life we are to work upon the plan of
addition. If we are faithful in working on this plan, God works for us
on the plan of multiplication.” (Italics supplied.) Here God’s prophet
is reflecting heaven’s optimism about the potential for change and
growth in human beings. God stands ready to do his part, but “God is
watching intently to see what kind of timbers parents and children put
into their character building.”
Did you know that before Christ came to earth to represent the
Father, Satan was actually convinced that the whole world would
eventually join him? And he had plenty of evidence upon which to
base this belief. Satan had subtly convinced most men and women that
God’s law was unreasonable and impossible to keep. And those who
did try to obey made the law a burden, and by so doing misrepresented
God. Then Jesus came as living law: His life contrasted markedly
with lawless individuals on the one hand, and legalists on the other. In
this selection Ellen White suggests that a Christian life, imaginatively
lived, will reveal the wisdom of God’s law
.
Second
Peter 1
summarizes the educational philosophy of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church. Adventists define education as a pro-
cess of preparing for service in heaven, as well as for service in this
present world. It is interesting to note that the philosophy of discipline,
the ideas on the punishment of children, reveal one’s
fitness for heaven.
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In this reading Ellen White develops a related point: The role facial
expressions play in educating and disciplining children
.
There is considerable material on temperance in this selection.
Note, for instance: “We are to practice temperance on every point
[why?]; For we need all the brain nerve-power that it is possible for us
to have in order that we may be able to resist Satan’s temptations.” It is
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