God's Love and Justice
Sabbath School Lesson 12
Love and Justice: The Two Greatest Commandments
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Scripture Reading: Philippians 2:6-8 (NIV)
"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!"
When we consider the sacrifice of Christ, we often focus on His suffering on the cross. And rightly so—His crucifixion was excruciating, both physically and spiritually. But have we truly pondered what He gave up even before that?
Before Jesus took on flesh, He existed in the glory of heaven, in perfect unity with the Father. He was not bound by time or space. He was worshiped by angels. He lacked nothing. Yet, in an act of unimaginable love, He chose to leave His divine throne to enter a broken world.
He chose hunger.
He chose weariness.
He chose rejection.
He chose sorrow.
And ultimately, He chose death.
Why? Because God’s love is not passive. It does not merely offer affection from a distance. It moves. It sacrifices. It suffers for the beloved.
Jesus did not merely tell us that God loves us—He demonstrated it in the most radical way possible. Paul reminds us in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
What more could God do to prove His love? If He was willing to leave heaven for us, to suffer for us, to die for us, how can we doubt that He is trustworthy?
Life often brings trials that make us question God’s faithfulness. But when we look at the cross, we see the ultimate proof that God is for us, not against us. If He gave up His Son, what will He withhold from us that is truly good?
Paul reassures us in Romans 8:32, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
If you ever question His care, look to the cross—where He bore the weight of our sin.
If you ever wonder if He can be trusted, look to the empty tomb—where He conquered death itself.
What more could He do?
The answer is nothing. He has given us everything. Let us, then, trust Him with our whole hearts, for His love is proven, and His faithfulness is sure.
Amen.
Scripture Readings: Romans 3:1–4, Isaiah 5:3–4, Revelation 15:3, Revelation 19:1–6
The great controversy between good and evil is not just about humanity’s salvation; it is about God’s character. Satan has accused God of being unjust, of demanding obedience without reason, and of withholding good from His creation. But through Scripture, we see that God’s righteousness is fully vindicated. What more could He have done than what He has already done?
The Charge Against God (Isaiah 5:3–4)
In Isaiah 5, God speaks of Israel as a vineyard that He has tenderly cared for. He asks, “What more could have been done to My vineyard that I have not done in it?” (Isaiah 5:4, NKJV). The picture here is of a loving God who has provided every opportunity for His people to flourish, yet they have rejected Him. This passage echoes the larger cosmic conflict—God has done everything to reveal His love, yet still, many turn away.
The Faithfulness of God Despite Human Unfaithfulness (Romans 3:1–4)
Paul addresses a crucial question in Romans 3: Even if some do not believe, does that nullify God's faithfulness? He answers resoundingly, “Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4). The failure of human beings does not reflect a failure in God’s character. Rather, it demonstrates the reality of free will and the consequences of rejecting Him. God remains just, even when people turn from Him.
The Ultimate Vindication (Revelation 15:3; 19:1–6)
In Revelation 15:3, the redeemed sing, “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!” Similarly, in Revelation 19:1–6, heaven rejoices in the final victory of God’s righteousness. These passages confirm that, in the end, all creation will recognize the justice of God’s judgments. His character will be fully vindicated before the universe.
What More Could He Do?
God has done everything possible to save humanity. He has given His Word, sent prophets, provided His Son as a sacrifice, and extended mercy again and again. What more could He do? The only thing He will not do is force us to love Him. The cosmic conflict is not just about power—it is about trust.
One day, every voice in heaven and earth will acknowledge: “True and righteous are His judgments” (Revelation 19:2). May we choose today to trust in His justice, walk in His truth, and proclaim His righteousness.
Call to Action: Let us remain faithful to the One who has never failed us. Let us declare His goodness and be part of those who will sing His praises for eternity.
More: Lesson 11 What More Could I Have Done?
Text: Matthew 21:33–39; Isaiah 5:4
Have you ever given your very best to someone, only to be met with rejection? Perhaps as a parent, a friend, or a mentor, you poured out love, care, and effort, only to have it disregarded. In today's message, we see this reality not only in human relationships but also in God's dealings with His people.
I. The Vineyard of the Lord (Isaiah 5:1–4)
Isaiah describes Israel as God’s vineyard. He prepared everything for its flourishing:
Yet, despite all this, the vineyard produced wild grapes—fruit of disobedience and injustice. In verse 4, God asks, “What more could have been done to My vineyard that I have not done in it?”
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants (Matthew 21:33–39)
Jesus expands on this imagery in His parable. A landowner (God) plants a vineyard, leases it to tenants (Israel’s leaders), and expects fruit in due season. But when He sends His servants (prophets), they are beaten and killed. Finally, He sends His Son, thinking they will respect Him. Instead, they cast Him out and kill Him.
This parable is a striking response to Isaiah 5:4. What more could God do? He sent prophet after prophet, warning, calling, pleading. And ultimately, He sent His Son.
The Greatest Gift Rejected
This parable foreshadows Christ’s rejection. Though He came in love, He was despised and crucified. Yet, even in rejection, God’s purpose was not defeated. Christ became the chief cornerstone (Matthew 21:42), the foundation of salvation.
What more could God do? He has done it all—He has given us creation, His Word, His prophets, and ultimately, His Son. Yet, the question now turns to us: How will we respond? Will we, like the wicked tenants, reject Him? Or will we surrender our lives to the rightful Owner of the vineyard?
May we give Him the fruit of faith, love, and obedience, for He has done everything to bring us to Himself.
Amen.
More: Lesson 11 What More Could I Have Done?
Isaiah Vineyard Allegory
"Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:
And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.
And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.
What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?"
Isaiah is the one speaking, but he presents this passage as a song or parable from God. The "wellbeloved" refers to God, specifically in His role as the owner of the vineyard.
Isaiah is speaking about Israel and Judah, symbolized by the vineyard. The passage is a prophetic allegory describing God's relationship with His people.
The vineyard owner (God) took great care in cultivating the vineyard:
Instead of producing good grapes (righteousness and justice), the vineyard produced wild, bitter grapes (corruption, injustice, and sin). This represents Israel’s failure to live up to God's expectations despite His care and blessings. Because of this failure, God will bring judgment upon His people, as detailed in the following verses.
More: Lesson 11 What More Could I Have Done?
Brothers and sisters, today we will reflect on the victory of Christ over the accusations of the devil. Our adversary seeks to condemn us, but through Christ, we have redemption, righteousness, and ultimate victory. Let us turn to Romans 3:23–26, Romans 5:8, and Revelation 12:10–12, connecting them with the first promise of redemption in Genesis 3:15.
The Universal Problem of Sin
Romans 3:23 declares, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." No one is exempt; we have all failed. The devil, as the great accuser, stands ready to use our sins against us. But God, in His grace, does not leave us in our fallen state. Verse 24 continues, "and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
Christ, the Answer to the Devil’s Accusations
The devil seeks to accuse us before God, as we see in Revelation 12:10: "For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down." Yet, Romans 5:8 gives us a powerful truth: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Christ's death and resurrection stand as the ultimate defense against the devil’s charges. Through His blood, we are justified, and His righteousness covers our sin.
The Fulfillment of Genesis 3:15
From the beginning, God promised a Savior who would crush the serpent's head (Genesis 3:15). Revelation 12:11 declares, "They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony." The blood of Christ is the fulfillment of that promise—it destroys the power of the accuser and secures our place in God’s kingdom.
Our Response: Living in Victory
Revelation 12:12 tells us to rejoice because the devil’s time is short. He knows he is defeated, and though he may try to deceive and discourage, we stand firm in Christ’s victory. Let us walk boldly, knowing that Christ has secured our salvation, and let us share this truth with the world.
Christ has silenced the devil’s accusations through His atoning work. We are no longer condemned but justified, no longer accused but victorious. Let us live as people redeemed by His grace, proclaiming His triumph until He returns. Amen!
More: Lesson 11 What More Could I Have Done?
John 18:37 (KJV) says:
"Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice."
In this verse, Jesus makes it clear that His mission is to bear witness to the truth. This directly counters the deceptions of the enemy, who is described in Scripture as the "father of lies" (John 8:44). Satan seeks to distort reality, leading people away from God through falsehood and deception. Jesus, on the other hand, proclaims and embodies the truth, revealing God's character, His plan of salvation, and the true nature of reality. His life, teachings, death, and resurrection expose and defeat the lies of sin, showing the way to eternal life.
By declaring that those who are "of the truth" hear His voice, Jesus emphasizes that people must choose to accept the truth He brings. His followers recognize and respond to His words, while those who reject Him remain trapped in deception.
When Jesus affirms His kingship, He redefines what it means to be a king. Unlike earthly rulers who assert power through force and political control, Jesus’ kingship is based on truth, love, and spiritual authority. His kingdom is "not of this world" (John 18:36), meaning it operates by different principles—righteousness, peace, and submission to God's will.
Jesus' kingship means:
Ultimately, John 18:37 reveals that Jesus came to expose the enemy’s lies, proclaim the truth, and establish His eternal kingdom. Those who follow Him submit to His rule and walk in the truth He reveals.
More: Lesson 11 What More Could I Have Done?