Foreword

My Journey to Life provides the keys for living every day with peace of mind, harmony of body and wonderful relationships. As you read through each lesson guide, your daily outlook will be transformed and renewed by the Spirit. We pray you will experience a growing adoration for the greatest Teacher this world has ever known. Let’s begin walking, step-by-step, on the pathway toward a new life together with Jesus. JTL2 1.1

Preface

Jesus is God—all powerful, eternal, without beginning or end. The wonderful mystery of Christ’s incarnation as a babe in Bethlehem is the core of the Christian message and a recurring theme in Scripture. Jesus became a human being in humble circumstances so He could walk and talk with all people, reveal God’s amazing love, and ultimately die in their stead. This gift gives everyone a way to escape death. JTL2 1.2

Step Two—Our Savior

Jesus, our Savior and Forever Friend! “God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly human, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He manifested God’s power and was attested as God’s promised Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins and in our place, was raised from the dead, and ascended to heaven to minister in the heavenly sanctuary on our behalf. He will come again in glory for the final deliverance of His people and the restoration of all things.”—Seventh-day Adventists Believe, p. 43 JTL2 1.3

Bible Discovery:

Isaiah 53:4-6; Daniel 9:25-27; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-3, 14; 5:22; 10:30; 14:1-3, 9, 13; Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 5:17-19; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15-19; Hebrews 2:9-18; 8:1, 2 JTL2 1.4

Further Reading:

Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 19 JTL2 1.5

1. Why do Christians call Jesus their Savior?

Scriptures tell us that everyone has sinned, and the result of sin is death. At His crucifixion, Jesus chose to take the punishment of death that should have been ours. When believers accept Christ as their Savior and Redeemer, they not only enter into a loving relationship with Jesus but are also saved from sin and its punishment. This new life in Christ is symbolized by His resurrection. JTL2 1.6

Furthermore, Jesus came into the world not only to die for our sins but also to live a life of perfect obedience to God’s law. If He had only died for us, we would need to obey in order to be saved. But since He already obeyed on our behalf, His perfect obedience is credited to us. So, we don’t obey to be saved but rather because we are saved (see Ephesians 2:8-10). JTL2 2.1

Bible Discovery:

John 3:14, 15; 11:25, 26; Romans 3:23; 6:4, 23 JTL2 2.2

Further Reading:

Ellen G. White, Bible Echo, January 1, 1893, par. 6 JTL2 2.3

2. When did humanity first need a Savior?

Although created in the image of God to enjoy relational connection with Him forever, Adam and Eve allowed Satan to lead them to mistrust God and defy His command. This disobedience severed the perfect divine-human connection. God initiated reconciliation, promising His children a way to escape death, the result of their sin, through a Savior who would come to ultimately destroy Satan. JTL2 2.4

Bible Discovery:

Genesis 1:26-28; 3:1-7, 15; Isaiah 59:1, 2; Romans 5:12, 18, 19; 6:16 JTL2 2.5

Further Reading:

Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 48.4 JTL2 2.6

3. Where was the Savior born?

About 700 years before the birth of Jesus, the Old Testament prophet Micah wrote that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. Bethlehem was in Judea at the time of Jesus’ birth and today is part of the Palestinian Territories. Jesus became a human being in humble circumstances so He could walk and talk with all people, reveal God’s amazing love to them, and ultimately die in their stead. JTL2 2.7

Bible Discovery:

Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:23; 2:1; Luke 2:4-6, 11; John 7:42 JTL2 2.8

Further Reading:

Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 48.6 JTL2 2.9

4. Did the Savior exist before His birth in Bethlehem?

Yes. Jesus is God—all powerful, eternal, without beginning or end. In Isaiah 9:6 (NIV), Christ is called “Everlasting Father.” The wonderful mystery of Christ’s incarnation as a babe in Bethlehem is the core of the Christian message and a recurring theme throughout Scripture. Jesus’ birth as a helpless baby boy in Bethlehem was to identify with us. He endured the same human frailties as you and me, in order to reestablish a relationship with our heavenly Father. This is the Good News of salvation! JTL2 2.10

Bible Discovery:

John 1:1-3; 5:18; 8:58; 11:25; 17:5, 24; 1 Corinthians 10:1-4; Colossians 1:16, 17; 1 Timothy 3:16; Revelation 1:8 JTL2 2.11

Further Reading:

Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 1, p. 247.3-4 JTL2 2.12

5. Who did Jesus come to save?

All of us! No matter our race, origin, gender, economic status, or past sins, Jesus came to save all that believe on His name. However broken we may be, however estranged from God, Christ wants to heal our hurt and restore us to a loving relationship with Him. JTL2 3.1

Bible Discovery:

Matthew 1:21; Luke 19:10; Romans 10:11, 13; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21; 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 John 2:2; 4:14 JTL2 3.2

Further Reading:

Ellen G. White, Signs of the Times, December 30, 1889, par. 4 JTL2 3.3

6. What does it mean that our Savior “bore our sins and became our substitute?”

Driven by great love, Jesus offered substitutionary atonement for our sins. He who had no sin laid down His life in our place, for all of us have sinned. This sacrifice at the cross of Calvary was why Jesus left a heaven of peace, light and love, to come to a planet where rebellion, darkness and hate reign supreme. “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!” Isaac Watts, When I Survey the Wonderous Cross, SDAH #154 JTL2 3.4

Bible Discovery:

Isaiah 53:5, 6, 10, 12; John 1:29; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24; Revelation 5:9, 10 JTL2 3.5

Further Reading:

Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 753.1-2 JTL2 3.6

7. What is the importance of Jesus’ resurrection?

Without the Savior’s resurrection, we would be without hope! Christ’s resurrection guarantees that those who believe in Him will also be resurrected at His coming and enjoy eternal life. The believer in Christ celebrates His resurrection at the time of his or her baptism, symbolizing the death of the old life and coming up to new life in Christ. JTL2 3.7

Bible Discovery:

John 11:25; Romans 6:3-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-6, 14, 20 JTL2 3.8

Further Reading:

Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 1, p. 343.2 JTL2 3.9

8. Is Jesus the only Savior, or can there be others?

Only in Jesus do we find the perfect blend of justice and mercy. The law of God demands justice for sin (death) and the grace of God requires mercy (life). In Jesus, the crucified Savior, these two attributes are uniquely blended and provide the only way for humanity to be reconciled forever to God. JTL2 3.10

Bible Discovery:

Acts 4:12; 13:23; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 5:23; 1 Timothy 4:10; 1 John 4:14; Revelation 5:2, 5 JTL2 3.11

Further Reading:

Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 175.4 JTL2 3.12

9. Will we ever see the Savior?

Yes, most certainly! The Second Coming of Jesus is the “blessed hope” of every believer, as it was for the apostles and early Christians. The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, attest hundreds of times to Christ’s return. Today we fellowship with Jesus by faith but soon it will be forever face-to-face. JTL2 4.1

Bible Discovery:

1 Corinthians 1:7-9; John 14:3; Titus 2:13; Philippians 3:20; 1 John 3:1-3 JTL2 4.2

Further Reading:

Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 37.2 JTL2 4.3

10. In what sense is the Savior both our Intercessor and High Priest?

The work of atonement (at-one-ment) is accomplished both by the death of Jesus on the cross and His intercessory ministry in heaven’s sanctuary. Working as our intercessor, Jesus applies the benefits of His complete atoning sacrifice on the cross to reconcile humans to God. Just as the Old Testament priests provided access to God through the priests, so Christ in His High Priestly function provides the repentant sinner immediate access to God through His ministry as Intercessor and Mediator. JTL2 4.4

Bible Discovery:

Leviticus 4:35; Romans 5:18; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 4:14-16; 8:1, 2; 9:28; 10:10-14 JTL2 4.5

Further Reading:

Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 421.3 JTL2 4.6

11. What if I reject Jesus as my Savior?

Though Jesus pursues the sinner with the tenacity of a patient and loving father, ultimately He allows each individual to “Choose you this day whom you will serve.” Jesus did all He could to demonstrate His love for humanity when He willingly laid down His life at Calvary. He paid the price for our sins. If we reject that free gift of grace, then we must experience eternal death. JTL2 4.7

Bible Discovery:

1 Chronicles 28:9b; Matthew 25:46; John 3:36; 8:24; 2 Peter 3:10-15 JTL2 4.8

Further Reading:

Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, p. 124.1 JTL2 4.9

12. How can I accept Jesus as my Savior?

If you long for peace and freedom from guilt, tell Jesus! You can talk to Him as you would an earthly friend, through prayer. Acknowledge yourself as a sinner in need of grace and ask Him to forgive you and cover your wrongdoing with His goodness and righteousness. Tell Him you believe His death on the cross paid for your sins. In the name of Jesus, pray Psalm 51:10; morning, noon, and night. “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” He will hear your prayer and will change your life forever! JTL2 4.10

Bible Discovery:

Psalm 51:10; John 1:12, 13; 3:14-16; 1 John 5:10-13 JTL2 5.1

Further Reading:

Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 175.5 JTL2 5.2

Reflection…

Jesus, the divine Son of God, took on our humanity. He came to this world as a baby, grew to manhood and experienced the same temptations we face. He suffered and died on the cross of His own free will, to provide those who trust in Him a way of escape from sin and its consequences. We may be broken; we may feel there’s no hope for us, yet God longs to heal our hurting hearts and restore us, through Jesus’ ultimate gift of grace. JTL2 5.3

Next Step…

Perhaps you feel that you’ve made too many mistakes for God to save you—that you’re just not good enough to deserve His love. You are not alone! There are many who feel this way. But there’s good news! The Bible tells us that this is the first step in salvation, the process by which Christ restores us to a relationship with Him. Let’s explore the topic of salvation in our next step. JTL2 5.4

Discussion Questions

1. Why is a Savior necessary?
2. In what ways is Jesus also Lord?
3. How do I accept Jesus as Savior?

Further Reading

Official Adventist Website: https://www.adventist.org/life-death-and-resurrection-of-christ JTL2 5.5

Contact Information

Ellen G. White Estate: mail@whiteestate.org JTL2 5.6

Request a personal Bible study: https://www.bibleschools.com/en/personal-studies JTL2 5.7

Visit your local Seventh-day Adventist Church: https://www.adventistlocator.org JTL2 5.8

Online prayer room: https://www.wepray.mobi JTL2 5.9