Heaven’s Vision. Earth’s Mission. One Standard.

J. Hector Garcia

AMAZING GRACE AT JACOB’S WELL!

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;” – Acts 3:19 (KJV)

ABSTRACT

The story of the Samaritan woman at the well illustrates the transformative power of divine grace, redemption through confession, and the call to extend forgiveness and compassion to all, revealing God’s boundless love that pursues sinners and restores them to wholeness.

DIVINE GRACE BECKONS!

Dear Friends, are you ever overwhelmed by the weight of sin you encounter, or perhaps by the shadows that linger in your own hearts? Do you sometimes question if divine grace can truly penetrate the deepest darkness of human experience? In this essay, we will immerse ourselves in the ageless narrative of the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, found in the Gospel of John. This is no mere historical anecdote, but a vibrant, pulsating testament to the boundless mercy and transformative power of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Through her story, we uncover profound truths about sin, confession, redemption, and our sacred responsibilities to God and our fellow beings. Join me, as we journey to ancient Samaria, to the very wellspring of divine grace, and allow this encounter to reshape our understanding of ministry and discipleship. Prepare to be challenged, comforted, and ignited anew for the work before us! Unity depends on a vital connection with Christ. Christ reveals Himself through personal encounters that expose hidden truths and lead to redemption. Jesus unveils the Samaritan woman’s past with gentle firmness, performing divine surgery to heal her wounded soul. Christ approaches sinners to lead them into light. Proverbs 28:13 declares, He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. James 5:16 commands, Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Ellen G. White explains that confession is always of a specific character; it acknowledges particular sins (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 163, 1900). Sr. White assures that God does not ask us to confess sin in order to make Himself better acquainted with it, but that we may be fitted to be helped of Him (Steps to Christ, p. 37, 1892). The Samaritan woman’s confession becomes the channel through which Christ demonstrates His readiness to forgive and transform. How does this pivotal moment of grace challenge us to embrace vulnerability in our own lives?

REDEMPTION’S TURNING POINT!

The confession of the Samaritan woman at the well marks a pivotal moment where the power of Christ’s revelation transforms personal sin into a testimony of redemption. Unity depends on a vital connection with Christ. Listen closely to the words of our Lord in John 4:16–18 (KJV): “Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.” Imagine the scene: Jesus, with gentle firmness, unveils her hidden past. This is no cruel exposure, but a divine surgery, cutting away the layers of deceit to reveal the wounded soul beneath. And consider Sr. White’s inspired insight in The Desire of Ages (p. 142): “Christ’s approach was not to cast the sinner into darkness, but to lead her into the light of truth.” Ah, friends, this is the heart of our Redeemer! Proverbs 28:13 declares, He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. James 5:16 commands, Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Ellen G. White explains that confession is always of a specific character; it acknowledges particular sins (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 163, 1900). Sr. White assures that God does not ask us to confess sin in order to make Himself better acquainted with it, but that we may be fitted to be helped of Him (Steps to Christ, p. 37, 1892). Her confession was direct, acknowledging the specifics of her life. The woman’s confession, though it exposes her personal failings, becomes the channel through which Christ demonstrates His readiness to forgive and transform. Can you feel the weight of those words, “five husbands… and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband”? This was not a casual conversation; it was a direct confrontation with a life entangled in sin and social stigma. Yet, marvel at the Master’s method! He didn’t condemn; He illuminated. He didn’t ostracize; He invited into fellowship. Her confession, born from this divine encounter, becomes a powerful pivot. It’s the very point where shame transmutes into hope, where isolation gives way to community. Through her vulnerability, Christ demonstrates His radical, relentless love, a love that seeks out the lost, not to judge, but to heal, to restore, to make new. Oh, what grace! Thus, the Samaritan woman’s confession is not merely a recounting of past transgressions but a transformative turning point where personal disgrace is replaced by the hope of a renewed identity in Christ. But how do differing interpretations of sacred law influence our understanding of grace in marriage?

TORAH’S MARRIAGE MYSTERY!

The divergent matrimonial customs of the Samaritans, shaped by their unique understanding of the Torah, present a crucial insight into how faith communities interpret sacred law, particularly regarding the complexities of divorce and remarriage in a fallen world. Unity depends on a vital connection with Christ. Consider this against the backdrop of Samaritan society, possibly allowing greater latitude in remarriage. And let us heed the voice of early Adventist pioneer Joseph Bates, who, in Andrews, 1850 (p. 28), declared the absolute need for “scriptural standards to govern community membership.” Integrity in biblical interpretation is paramount, brothers and sisters! Matthew 5:31-32 warns, It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. Matthew 19:9 adds, And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. Sr. White reminds us in The Desire of Ages (p. 479): “The law of God is sacred, but it is not merciless.” Indeed, law must be tempered with mercy. Sr. White further in Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing (p. 60): “The law of God, reaching to the inner life, to the secret purposes and intents of the heart, takes cognizance of sin even before it is acted out.” The law’s depth probes beyond outward actions. Isn’t it fascinating how differing interpretations of sacred texts can shape social practices? The Samaritans, with their own Torah tradition, seemed to navigate the thorny issues of divorce and remarriage with a different lens than their Jewish counterparts. Jesus, in His encounter, stands at the intersection of these legalistic and grace-filled worlds. By engaging with the Samaritan woman about her marital history, He acknowledges the societal realities shaped by these interpretations. Yet, He elevates the conversation beyond mere legal compliance, guiding her—and us—towards a transformative spiritual renewal that transcends human laws and traditions. He honors the law, yes, but He emphasizes the heart, the spirit, the boundless mercy that underpins true faith. Therefore, when viewed through the lens of Jesus’ ministry, Samaritan practices reveal that while sacred law provides essential boundaries for our lives and communities, it is the overwhelming, transforming love of Christ that ultimately defines genuine membership in God’s eternal kingdom. Law is the guide, but love is the compass, leading us home! Yet, how does divine justice intersect with mercy in confronting sin?

CONFRONTATION’S LIBERATING KEY!

Jesus’ direct confrontation with the Samaritan woman about her sin is not a hammer blow of condemnation, but a divinely crafted key, unlocking the door to confession and profound transformation—a breathtaking dance between divine justice and overflowing mercy! Unity depends on a vital connection with Christ. Let the sharpness of truth penetrate as we revisit John 4:18 (KJV): “Thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband.” These words are like a surgeon’s scalpel, precise and penetrating. But observe the manner of the Master! There is no harshness, no scorn, only a clear-eyed, compassionate unveiling of reality. Sr. White, in The Great Controversy (p. 67), illuminates this beautifully: “When Christ addressed the sinner, His words were both a mirror and a light, exposing the sin and simultaneously revealing the path to redemption.” A mirror and a light! What a divine combination! Proverbs 27:5 states, Open rebuke is better than secret love. Hebrews 12:4 reminds, Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. Sr. White expands on this in The Ministry of Healing (p. 470): “The severity that is often manifested toward the erring is the working of unsanctified human nature, not the spirit of Christ.” Harshness is not Christ’s method. Sr. White states in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4 (p. 332): “Kindness, forbearance, long-suffering, and love should be manifested toward the erring. Never should we become impatient, and harsh in our censures.” Kindness and patience must guide our interactions. Brothers and sisters, consider this: The exposure of sin is not God’s final word; it is His loving first step toward healing! Jesus’ method is not about shaming or banishing; it’s about beckoning towards wholeness. He meets the Samaritan woman not on a pedestal of judgment, but in the dust of human frailty, offering her the “living water” – a remedy for her deepest thirst, a balm for her wounded soul. This encounter obliterates the walls of social isolation that had imprisoned her, replacing stigma with the radiant promise of a new life. In this sacred space, the lines blur between sinner and saint, for all are invited, all are welcome, to drink deeply of God’s inexhaustible mercy. Therefore, the confrontation at Jacob’s well stands as a timeless paradigm of divine love in action. It demonstrates how God’s love works by first gently unmasking sin, not to crush, but to liberate, so that it may be confessed, forgiven, and ultimately overcome through the life-altering, redemptive power of Jesus Christ, our Lord! But what ignites the communal witness from personal renewal?

CONFESSION’S MIGHTY ROAR!

The act of confession, exemplified by the Samaritan woman, is a mighty roar of transformation! It’s a potent engine for personal renewal and a vibrant spark igniting communal witness, forging a glorious pathway from crushing isolation to dynamic, life-giving ministry! Unity depends on a vital connection with Christ. Behold the aftermath in John 4:39 (KJV): “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.” She, once marginalized, now a messenger! Observe her transformed zeal! Leaving her water jar behind—a symbol of her old life—she races back to her town, proclaiming, “Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” (John 4:29, KJV). Sr. White, in The Desire of Ages (p. 211), resounds this truth: “The testimony of a transformed life is the most eloquent sermon that can be delivered to the world.” Indeed, confession births renewal, and renewal bursts forth in powerful witness! Acts 4:20 declares, For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 1 Peter 3:15 instructs, But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. Sr. White in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9 (p. 33) affirms: “Every truly converted soul will feel a longing to impart to others the blessed hope that has been revealed to him.” Transformation naturally leads to sharing. Sr. White emphasizes in Christian Service (p. 7): “Our confession of His faithfulness is Heaven’s chosen agency for revealing Christ to the world.” Our testimonies are divinely appointed tools for evangelism. Can you grasp the sheer audacity of her actions? This woman, once silenced by shame, now becomes a bold herald of the Messiah! Her testimony is not just words; it’s the electrifying resonance of a life utterly changed. Her confession, met by Christ’s forgiveness, catalyzes a complete metamorphosis of her identity. Imagine the heavy chains of guilt shattering with a glorious clang, replaced by a clarion call of faith! This call echoes beyond personal boundaries, rippling through her community, drawing hearts to the very source of healing and hope. Her transformation is not just personal; it is profoundly, contagiously communal. Therefore, personal confession is not a solitary act of contrition, but a seed of life! It transforms into a powerful communal testimony, reminding us that every act of honest disclosure, when bathed in the light of Christ’s forgiveness, can be the genesis from which a mighty forest of faith and witness grows, reaching to the heavens and changing the landscape of lives around us! Yet, how does God’s profound love manifest in our pursuit of the broken?

GOD’S LOVE PURSUES!

The compassionate treatment of the Samaritan woman is a breathtaking revelation of the profound, unfathomable depths of God’s love—a love that relentlessly pursues us in our deepest brokenness, and tenderly restores us to a right relationship with Himself, a love that defies all human measure! Unity depends on a vital connection with Christ. Hear the resounding declaration in Romans 5:8 (KJV): “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Feel the weight of this truth! Divine love is not conditional upon our worthiness; it is a radical, sacrificial act extended to us even in our sin-stained state. Furthermore, Sr. White, in The Great Controversy (p. 153), eloquently writes: “God’s love is so vast and all-embracing that it covers the sins of the world, inviting every soul to come into the redeeming power of the Saviour.” His love, an ocean without shore! John 3:16 proclaims, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 1 John 4:8 states, He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. Sr. White proclaims in God’s Amazing Grace (p. 145): “The love of God is an exhaustless treasure, opening before us vast, unknown resources.” Indeed, His love is an infinite resource for our lives. Sr. White beautifully states in Steps to Christ (p. 9): “The love of God is drawing us toward Him, and only resistance to this love prevents us from coming to Him.” Our choice is to respond to, or resist, His drawing love. Oh, beloved, these sacred truths illuminate a love that is utterly unlike anything the world offers. God’s love is not a reward for good behavior; it is a free gift, poured out lavishly even upon the most undeserving. In Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman, we see this love incarnate. He meets her not with judgment or disdain, but with truth cloaked in grace, seeking not to condemn but to save. This is a love that seeks, pursues, and relentlessly woos us back to Himself. This divine reflection is a trumpet call to the community: to recognize that our inherent worth is not measured by our past transgressions, but by the immeasurable, redeeming power of Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary! Thus, the narrative of the Samaritan woman is not just a story; it is a living, breathing portrait of God’s love—a love that has the power to transmute sin into a powerful testimony, and crushing despair into unshakeable hope, a love that forever alters the landscape of the human heart! How does this love ignite devotion within us?

DEVOTION’S BURNING FIRE!

Recognizing the earth-shattering, life-transforming power of divine love ignites within us a burning fire, compelling us to respond with wholehearted devotion and unwavering obedience to God’s sacred commandments, a response that is both privilege and sacred duty! Unity depends on a vital connection with Christ. Listen to the wisdom of the Psalmist in Psalm 119:105 (KJV): “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” His Word, our guide! And let Sr. White’s urgent admonition in Christ’s Object Lessons (p. 78): “We must not only be hearers of the word but doers also; our lives are to be a living testimony of the gospel.” Not just listeners, but living witnesses! John 14:15 declares, If ye love me, keep my commandments. Deuteronomy 11:1 instructs, Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway. Sr. White in Steps to Christ (p. 60) clarifies: “It is not merely to hear the word of God, but to do it, that is of value.” Action, not just intention, is key. Sr. White further in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5 (p. 513): “Our love to God must not be a mere sentiment, but a living principle, manifested in active service.” Love to God must translate into active service. Sr. White adds in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1 (p. 511): “Consecration to God means far more than many suppose. It means not only outward profession, but an entire surrender of the self to God”. Consecration is total surrender, beyond mere words. Sr. White urges in The Desire of Ages (p. 668): “Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” Our character development hastens His return. In the radiant light of the Samaritan woman’s encounter, our responsibilities toward God crystallize with breathtaking clarity. We are summoned to repentance, to a daily surrender to His will. We are called to allow His Word to be our compass, guiding every thought, word, and deed. And we are tasked with cultivating hearts that overflow with His mercy, reflecting His character to a watching world. This is not a passive acceptance, but an active, relentless pursuit of righteousness—a continual striving to align ourselves with the very heart of Jesus. We must be vigilant sentinels of our spiritual lives, ever alert to complacency, ever open to the renewing, refining work of the Holy Spirit within us. Therefore, our response to God’s boundless, transforming love must be nothing less than committed obedience, heartfelt worship that pours from a transformed soul, and a life that mirrors, in every facet, His wondrous, unmerited grace, a life that becomes a living offering to the One who gave all for us! But how does this love extend to our neighbors in practical ways?

COMPASSION’S RADICAL CALL!

The radical, relentless love and forgiveness that Christ so powerfully demonstrated to the Samaritan woman explodes beyond the boundaries of our individual relationship with God, forcefully mandating that we treat each and every neighbor—regardless of background or past—with overflowing compassion, profound understanding, and active, sacrificial kindness! Unity depends on a vital connection with Christ. Embrace the royal law proclaimed in James 2:8 (KJV): “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Love, the royal decree! And let Sr. White’s timeless wisdom in The Ministry of Healing (p. 115) resonate in your soul: “The love of Christ should be the spirit that governs all our relations with others; it should be seen in acts of compassion, mercy, and self-sacrifice.” Love in action, not just in word! Leviticus 19:18 commands, Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD. Matthew 5:44 urges, But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. Sr. White in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9 (p. 189) connects love for God and neighbor: “Only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially.” Love for neighbor is rooted in love for God. Sr. White emphasizes in The Desire of Ages (p. 503): “Christ’s example in living, suffering, and dying for humanity, reveals how we are to love one another.” Christ’s sacrificial love is our model for loving others. Sr. White further emphasizes in Christ’s Object Lessons (p. 293): “We are never to pass by suffering humanity without seeking to impart to them the consolation of Christ’s love.” Active outreach to the suffering is our duty. Sr. White connects this love to ministry in The Ministry of Healing (p. 104): “The Saviour’s example is to be our example. His unselfish love is to be the basis of all our efforts in behalf of humanity.” Christ’s selfless love is the foundation of our ministry. Reflecting on the Samaritan woman’s journey—from the depths of isolation to becoming a joyful proclaimer of Christ’s truth—we see a profound pattern emerge: genuine transformation compels outreach. Our responsibilities toward our neighbor are not limited to sharing the gospel message, crucial as that is. They demand the tangible, daily demonstration of Christ’s love. This means truly listening to the unheard, genuinely caring for the brokenhearted, and actively engaging in acts of service that alleviate suffering and uplift the downtrodden. It’s a sacred call to bridge divides, to dismantle prejudices, to meet our communities with empathy, and to be living, breathing witnesses of the boundless redemption we ourselves have received. In essence, our conduct toward every neighbor, near and far, must be a mirror reflecting the forgiving, inclusive, transformative love of Christ. Let us be bridge builders, not wall builders, forging unbreakable bonds of mutual support, unwavering understanding, and transformative spiritual upliftment, until His kingdom comes and His will is done on earth as it is in heaven! But how does this narrative mirror our own souls in final reflections?

SOUL’S LIVING MIRROR!

Dear Friend, the narrative of the Samaritan woman is not just an ancient story; it’s a living mirror reflecting our own souls. Unity depends on a vital connection with Christ. Her raw exposure of sin, her courageous confession, invites each of us to introspect: Where are we withholding confession? Where are we clinging to isolation when community beckons? We are powerfully reminded that no transgression casts too long a shadow for the redeeming power of Christ to overcome. Even in our darkest moments of despair, God’s loving outreach is not just a distant possibility; it’s an ever-present reality, reaching for us, yearning for us to turn and be healed. This sacred account is a dual mandate: first, to pursue personal transformation through fearless, honest confession; and second, to extend that same boundless grace outward, becoming vessels of His mercy to a world desperately in need of hope. Our ministry finds its deepest resonance when we allow the truth of God’s Word to first transform us from the inside out. Only then can we become authentic instruments of His healing in our fractured communities. Let us, therefore, approach our sacred calling with renewed zeal, armed with our personal testimonies as beacons of unwavering hope—lights that dispel the encroaching darkness and beckon lost souls into the safe, saving embrace of our Saviour. Romans 12:2 exhorts, And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Sr. White in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5 (p. 513): “Our love to God must not be a mere sentiment, but a living principle, manifested in active service.” Love to God must translate into active service. Sr. White urges in The Desire of Ages (p. 668): “Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” Our character development hastens His return. Are we ready to embrace this challenge, to embody this grace, and to become true reflections of Christ’s love in a world yearning for authenticity?

PRAYER AND SERVICE CULTIVATED!

In practical terms, this calls us to cultivate a life saturated in prayer, steeped in diligent study of Scripture, and overflowing with humble, selfless service. Unity depends on a vital connection with Christ. It demands that we intentionally build relationships marked by radical understanding, relentless forgiveness, and unwavering support. And it compels us to actively strive to create environments within our churches and communities where truth and grace are not opposing forces, but inseparable twins, working in perfect harmony. Our transformed witness, born from confession and bathed in grace, becomes an unstoppable force against the divisive powers of this world and the suffocating grip of despair. When we dare to live out the timeless principles exemplified in that life-altering encounter at Jacob’s well, we not only bring profound honor to God, but we also become living, breathing testimonies of His transformative love to all people, regardless of their background or the weight of their past transgressions. Matthew 6:6 instructs, But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. James 5:16 adds, Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Sr. White in Christ’s Object Lessons (p. 78): “We must not only be hearers of the word but doers also; our lives are to be a living testimony of the gospel.” Not just listeners, but living witnesses! Sr. White clarifies in Steps to Christ (p. 60): “It is not merely to hear the word of God, but to do it, that is of value.” Action, not just intention, is key. But what profound illustration does this timeless story offer?

LOVE’S TRANSFORMING ILLUSTRATION!

The timeless story of the Samaritan woman at the well is more than just a captivating narrative; it’s a profound, life-altering illustration of the transformative power of Christ’s boundless love. Unity depends on a vital connection with Christ. It is a love that doesn’t flinch from exposing sin, but does so with a heart overflowing with compassion, ultimately inviting confession and ushering in glorious redemption. Through our careful examination of this sacred text, we have witnessed how deeply ingrained cultural practices and seemingly rigid interpretations of divine law can be gloriously transcended by the overwhelming grace of God. Jesus’ compassionate confrontation with this woman was not an end in itself, but a divine catalyst, setting the stage for a breathtaking new beginning, forever reminding us that true membership in God’s eternal community is not built on flawless perfection, but firmly founded on sincere repentance and ongoing spiritual renewal. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Colossians 1:14 affirms, In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Sr. White in Patriarchs and Prophets (p. 314): “God had chosen Israel as His peculiar people, to preserve His truth in the earth.” Sr. White in The Desire of Ages (p. 27): “The Lord had made the Israelites the depositaries of sacred truth, to be given to the world.” But what precious truths have we unearthed in this study?

TRUTHS UNEARTHED!

We have unearthed precious jewels of truth: that God’s love shines brightest in His unwavering willingness to forgive even the most publicly shamed and seemingly irredeemable sinner. Unity depends on a vital connection with Christ. We have affirmed that our sacred responsibilities toward God demand not passive agreement, but an active, obedient, wholehearted pursuit of holiness in every facet of our lives. And we have rediscovered that our fundamental duty to our neighbor is a resounding call to compassion, practical outreach, and a relentless demonstration of the same grace that has transformed our own hearts. May this profound study not remain confined to the pages of this essay, but may it ignite within each of us a burning desire to examine our own lives, to confess our hidden sins, and to wholeheartedly embrace the boundless hope and transformative renewal offered freely by Jesus Christ, our Lord. As we do, may we go forth from this study not just as informed members of the community, but as living, breathing beacons of light in a world increasingly darkened by despair, becoming unwavering, tangible testimonies to the enduring, life-altering promise of divine redemption. Ephesians 1:7 declares, In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. Romans 3:24 adds, Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Sr. White in Patriarchs and Prophets (p. 314): “God had chosen Israel as His peculiar people, to preserve His truth in the earth.” Sr. White in The Desire of Ages (p. 27): “The Lord had made the Israelites the depositaries of sacred truth, to be given to the world.” But what assurance does grace provide in our struggles?

GRACE’S UNWAVERING ASSURANCE!

Let us depart with the unwavering assurance that no past sin, no present struggle, can ever outweigh the immeasurable, all-conquering, redeeming power of our Saviour’s grace. And may our lives, from this day forward, continually and faithfully reflect the matchless love, boundless mercy, and unwavering truth of our Almighty God. May the life-giving, “living water” of Christ perpetually refresh every parched soul we encounter, and may our confessions, both spoken and lived, become steadfast stepping stones leading us and those we serve into an ever-deepening, ever-joyful fellowship with our Creator and with one another, until we gather together in His eternal kingdom. Amen.

Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

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