Daily Lesson for Monday 23rd of February 2026

There are four different types of “if” statements in Greek, each with different nuances. The one with which Colossians 1:23 begins assumes that the condition is true.

Image © Lifeway Collection at Goodsalt.com

That is, Paul encourages the Colossians with the thought that they will, indeed, continue in the faith. As Paul soon indicates, he has already seen evidence of their faith and steadfastness (Colossians 2:5). Nevertheless, their hope is still conditional on their persisting on the path of faith that they have entered.

This idea of persisting is the meaning of the Greek word translated “continue” (Colossians 1:23, NKJV). It is used of the scribes and Pharisees who continued to demand of Jesus an answer as to what should be done with the woman caught in adultery (John 8:7); also of Peter continuing to knock at the door after Rhoda recognized his voice but left it locked and ran inside to tell the others (Acts 12:16). It is also used by Paul, who encourages Timothy to remain faithful to the doctrinal and practical instructions he has given (1 Timothy 4:16). His meaning here is similar except that it is applied to believers generally.

As we will see in next week’s lesson, Paul is concerned that the Colossians may chase after human-based ways of salvation instead of holding fast to the hope offered by the gospel (see, for example, Colossians 2:8,20-22). The word “grounded” refers to having laid a solid foundation of faith and love based on God’s Word (see Matthew 7:25, Ephesians 2:20, Ephesians 3:17).

Related to this idea is the Greek word translated “steadfast,” referring to an immovable structure and, by extension, to a Christian who cannot be “moved away from the hope of the gospel” (Colossians 1:23). The same word is used in 1 Corinthians 15:58: “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (NKJV).

Contrary to the common belief of “once saved, always saved,” Paul is saying something completely different.

<–Sunday Tuesday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-09-if-you-continue-in-the-faith/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-09-if-you-continue-in-the-faith

Daily Lesson for Sunday 22nd of February 2026

Paul has always painted a dark picture of humanity, at least humanity apart from the righteousness of Christ. And who today, almost two thousand years later, could argue with that sentiment? Someone once said that the one Christian doctrine that doesn’t need to be taken on faith is the sinfulness of humanity.

Image © Lars Justinen at Goodsalt.com

However, since the entrance of sin, God has taken the initiative to reconcile us, as bad as we are, to Himself. That is, from the start, God has worked to solve the problem of sin, even if the solution could be found only in His own death on the cross.

In Eden, He called out to Adam, His masterpiece of creation, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9, NKJV). And today, He continues to seek His one lost sheep—us. He seeks us out one by one. He has a perfect plan to reach us, applying the embryonic gospel promise of Genesis 3:15, putting enmity between us and Satan.

Sometimes the gospel is made so complicated and theoretical that it has little practical meaning for twenty-first-century living. But it’s really quite simple and straightforward.

The gospel has three parts:

First, because we are helpless to save ourselves, Jesus came and died for our sins. (See Romans 5:6-8.)

Second, by accepting His death as ours through faith, repentance, and baptism, we are justified and set free from the condemnation of sin. (See Romans 5:9-11; Romans 6:6-7.)

Third, the life we live now is the result of being united with Christ, experiencing His re-creating power, and His living His life in us. (See 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Galatians 2:20.)

These are not necessarily separate steps or events. They can happen all at once, as soon as we are ready to accept Jesus into our lives. And they can be renewed every day as we give ourselves to Him each morning. Regardless of how each one of us has experienced the saving work of Christ in our lives, the foundation rests always upon the death of Jesus. To that we must always return.

<–Sabbath Monday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-09-reconciled-from-wicked-works/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-09-reconciled-from-wicked-works

Daily Lesson for Sabbath 21st of February 2026

Image © Pacific Press

Read for This Week’s Study

Colossians 1:20-29, Ephesians 5:27, Ephesians 3:17, Romans 8:18, Ephesians 1:7-10, Ephesians 3:3-6, Proverbs 14:12.

Memory Text: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Paul continues the theme of reconciliation, which was so vividly highlighted in Colossians 1:20 (see Lesson 8, Thursday). There he described its cosmic scope, while what follows it becomes personal and individual. Through His death on the cross, Jesus has accomplished reconciliation for everyone and everything, especially human beings, who were alienated from the life of God through sin, but now can be reconciled to Him through faith.

The process of individual reconciliation is unpacked in this week’s passage. As with the cosmic sphere, it happens through the death of Christ. On the individual level, the cross, far from being a passive symbol, becomes an active reality, with God’s love transforming people as they hear the gospel and receive Christ Himself, the hope of glory.

Paul also talks about “the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations” (Colossians 1:26, NKJV). What is this mystery, and what all does it envision—for the individual and for the universe? How does this “mystery” relate to the gospel that Paul has so passionately proclaimed?

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 28.

Sunday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-09-reconciliation-and-hope/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-09-reconciliation-and-hope

Our Sabbath School program has always been linked to the support of the Seventh-day Adventist Mission program. This video provides a little insight into this important work.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/mission-spotlight-for-february-21/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mission-spotlight-for-february-21

Inside Story for Friday 20th of February 2026

Rene Tucaldo is chief financial officer of the 1000 Missionary Movement, whose headquarters in Silang, Philippines, were constructed with the help of a 1996 Thirteenth Sabbath Offering. Read more next week.

Rodel won Rene to Christ by taking him fishing.

Image © Pacific Press

Ellen White says, “Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me’ ” (The Ministry of Healing, p. 143). Rodel practiced Christ’s method: spending time with Rene, ministering to his needs, and winning his confidence. Then Rene followed Jesus.

After Rene returned to Christ, Rodel asked if he could stay at Rene’s house. Rene’s parents weren’t thrilled about having the young Seventh-day Adventist living in their home in the Philippines, but they didn’t say anything. Rodel also encouraged Rene to go back to school, and Rene did.

“I’m waiting for you to graduate, and then I’ll take you to Manila to become a missionary in the 1000 Missionary Movement,” Rodel said.

Rodel had served as a missionary with the 1000 Missionary Movement, an organization that is part of the Adventist Church’s Southern Asia-Pacific Division, when he had first met Rene about a year and a half earlier.

While Rene studied, Rodel lived with him and helped pay for his studies by working together in the rice fields. Rene graduated when he was 23.

Rodel made good on his promise and brought Rene to the headquarters of the 1000 Missionary Movement in Silang, near the Philippine capital, Manila.

But then he had another idea. He said Rene should further his education before becoming a missionary. The two young men enrolled in the Adventist University of the Philippines in Silang. Rene majored in accounting, and Rodel in theology.

It took six years for Rene to graduate. He didn’t receive any support from home. During that time, he married Love Jhoie.

After graduating, he worked as a company accountant for three months. Then he was fired for not working on a Friday night. He claimed the promise of Jeremiah 29:11, “ ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’ ” (NIV). He prayed, “God, I know that You have a plan for me.”

Months passed, and a hospital hired him as an accountant. But then he learned that he could not become a regular employee unless he was baptized into the denomination that owned the hospital. He resigned.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-08-inside-story-losing-two-jobs-over-faith/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-08-inside-story-losing-two-jobs-over-faith