Gods Sabbath

284

E NTERING INTO G OD ’ S S ABBATH R EST

The Law of Self-sacrificing Service

When sin entered the universe, the sinful rejected the princi ple of service to others no matter what the cost to self, and chose instead the rule of self-exaltation irrespective of what it would cost others. Since that point in time, each dweller in the uni verse has chosen one or the other of these two principles. As the character of Christ is formed in us, the spirit of self sacrificing love becomes the operating principle of our lives. And as we come to understand the issues in the great controversy, we learn that it is the situation, not God, which demands consider able self-sacrifice in the form of loss, suffering, or even death. When that time comes, we willingly pay the price, knowing that it will bring blessings to others and to ourselves as well. God will never deny His children the high privilege, bless ing, and education obtained by living out the law of self-sacri ficing love. Therefore, when the circumstances arose which provided Job with the opportunity to suffer for the cause he loved, the Lord would not maintain a hedge of protection around him. God would not withhold from His servant the weightiest trust and the highest honor—the gift of fellowship with Christ in His sufferings. It is when these principles are understood that the peace of God within the believer is preserved, no matter how severe the trial that God permits him or her to bear. Therefore, Satan con tinually seeks to rob us of these principles so that he can prevent us from entering into God’s rest.

Unavoidable Suffering

Acceptance of God as the Plan Maker involves the believer’s total trust and submission to whatever the everlasting Father, in His infinite love and wisdom, may elect to send or permit. Of ten, that which the Lord allows His people to suffer is the oppo site from what they would plan for themselves. If God had said to the youthful Joseph, “Sit down and draw up a plan for your future service to Me”, he certainly would not have included a pe-