800 - Sabbath School - 13.Oct Tue

That You May Prosper
Throughout the Bible, we hear of other outcomes of knowing—and
obeying—God’s law.
Read Joshua 1:7, 8. What was the Lord saying to Joshua, and how do
the principles found there apply to us today?
The Lord tells Joshua as he enters into Canaan: “Only be strong and very
courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which
Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand
or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go” (Josh. 1:7, NKJV).
This notion of success as a by-product of obedience may seem con-
trary to the way success is measured in our world today. Many today
believe that the marks of success are innovation, creativity, and self-
reliance. To succeed in a particular industry often requires extraordi-
nary talent and risk-taking.
However, in God’s eyes success requires a different set of resources.
Read Revelation 12:17, 14:12, Romans 1:5, 16:26, James 2:10–12.
What are these verses saying to us, today, about obedience to God’s
law? That is, even if we are not saved by obeying God’s law, why is
it so important that we still keep it?
Old Testament, New Testament, Old Covenant, New Covenant—it
doesn’t matter: as Bible-believing Christians we are called to obedience to
God’s law. Violation of the law, also known as sin, can lead only to pain,
suffering, and eternal death. Who hasn’t learned for themselves, or seen
for themselves, the results of sin, the results of violation of God’s law? Just
as ancient Israel would prosper by obeying God’s law (even though they
needed grace, as well), it’s no different for us today either. Hence, as part
of Christian education we need to keep God’s law as a central component
of what it means to live by faith and trusting in God’s grace.
What has been your own experience with the consequences of
sin? What have you learned that you could share with others so
that, perhaps, they might not make the same mistakes?