the acts of the apostles-第85部分
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conflict； that we shall overcome。 We know not one day how strong will be our
conflict the next。 So long as Satan reigns； we shall have self to subdue；
besetting sins to overcome； so long as life shall last； there will be no
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stopping place； no point which we can reach and say； I have fully attained。
Sanctification is the result of lifelong obedience。
None of the apostles and prophets ever claimed to be without sin。 Men who
have lived the nearest to God； men who would sacrifice life itself rather
than knowingly commit a wrong act； men whom God has honored with divine
light and power； have confessed the sinfulness of their nature。 They have
put no confidence in the flesh； have claimed no righteousness of their own；
but have trusted wholly in the righteousness of Christ。
So will it be with all who behold Christ。 The nearer we come to Jesus； and
the more clearly we discern the purity of His character； the more clearly
shall we see the exceeding sinfulness of sin； and the less shall we feel
like exalting ourselves。 There will be a continual reaching out of the soul
after God； a continual； earnest； heartbreaking confession of sin and
humbling of the heart before Him。 At every advance step in our Christian
experience our repentance will deepen。 We shall know that our sufficiency is
in Christ alone and shall make the apostle's confession our own： 〃I know
that in me （that is； in my flesh；） dwelleth no good thing。〃 〃God forbid that
I should glory； save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ； by whom the
world is crucified unto me； and I unto the world。〃 Romans 7：18； Galatians
6：14。
Let the recording angels write the history of the holy struggles and
conflicts of the people of God； let them record their prayers and tears； but
let not God be dishonored by the declaration from human lips； 〃I am sinless；
I am
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holy。〃 Sanctified lips will never give utterance to such presumptuous words。
The apostle Paul had been caught up to the third heaven and had seen and
heard things that could not be uttered； and yet his unassuming statement is：
〃Not as though I had already attained； either were already perfect： but I
follow after。〃 Philippians 3：12。 Let the angels of heaven write of Paul's
victories in fighting the good fight of faith。 Let heaven rejoice in his
steadfast tread heavenward； and that； keeping the prize in view； he counts
every other consideration dross。 Angels rejoice to tell his triumphs； but
Paul makes no boast of his attainments。 The attitude of Paul is the attitude
that every follower of Christ should take as he urges his way onward in the
strife for the immortal crown。
Let those who feel inclined to make a high profession of holiness look into
the mirror of God's law。 As they see its far…reaching claims； and understand
its work as a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart； they will
not boast of sinlessness。 〃If we；〃 says John； not separating himself from
his brethren； 〃say that we have no sin； we deceive ourselves； and the truth
is not in us。〃 〃If we say that we have not sinned； we make Him a liar； and
His word is not in us。〃 〃If we confess our sins； He is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins； and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness。〃 1 John
1：8； 10； 9。
There are those who profess holiness； who declare that they are wholly the
Lord's； who claim a right to the promises of God； while refusing to render
obedience to His
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commandments。 These transgressors of the law claim everything that is
promised to the children of God； but this is presumption on their part； for
John tells us that true love for God will be revealed in obedience to all
His commandments。 It is not enough to believe the theory of truth； to make a
profession of faith in Christ； to believe that Jesus is no impostor； and
that the religion of the Bible is no cunningly devised fable。 〃He that
saith； I know Him； and keepeth not His commandments；〃 John wrote； 〃is a
liar； and the truth is not in him。 But whoso keepeth His word； in him verily
is the love of God perfected： hereby know we that we are in Him。〃 〃He that
keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him； and He in him。〃 1 John 2：4； 5；
3：24。
John did not teach that salvation was to be earned by obedience； but that
obedience was the fruit of faith and love。 〃Ye know that He was manifested
to take away our sins；〃 he said； 〃and in Him is no sin。 Whosoever abideth in
Him sinneth not： whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him； neither known Him。〃 1
John 3：5； 6。 If we abide in Christ； if the love of God dwells in the heart；
our feelings； our thoughts； our actions； will be in harmony with the will of
God。 The sanctified heart is in harmony with the precepts of God's law。
There are many who； though striving to obey God's commandments； have little
peace or joy。 This lack in their experience is the result of a failure to
exercise faith。 They walk as it were in a salt land； a parched wilderness。
They claim little； when they might claim much； for there is no
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limit to the promises of God。 Such ones do not correctly represent the
sanctification that comes through obedience to the truth。 The Lord would
have all His sons and daughters happy； peaceful； and obedient。 Through the
exercise of faith the believer comes into possession of these blessings。
Through faith； every deficiency of character may be supplied； every
defilement cleansed； every fault corrected； every excellence developed。
Prayer is heaven's ordained means of success in the conflict with sin and
the development of Christian character。 The divine influences that come in
answer to the prayer of faith will accomplish in the soul of the suppliant
all for which he pleads。 For the pardon of sin； for the Holy Spirit； for a
Christlike temper； for wisdom and strength to do His work； for any gift He
has promised； we may ask； and the promise is； 〃Ye shall receive。〃
It was in the mount with God that Moses beheld the pattern of that wonderful
building that was to be the abiding place of His glory。 It is in the mount
with Godin the secret place of communionthat we are to contemplate His
glorious ideal for humanity。 In all ages； through the medium of communion
with heaven； God has worked out His purpose for His children； by unfolding
gradually to their minds the doctrines of grace。 His manner of imparting
truth is illustrated in the words； 〃His going forth is prepared as the
morning。〃 Hosea 6：3。 He who places himself where God can enlighten him；
advances； as it were； from the partial obscurity of dawn to the full
radiance of noonday。
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True sanctification means perfect love； perfect obedience； perfect
conformity to the will of God。 We are to be sanctified to God through
obedience to the truth。 Our conscience must be purged from dead works to
serve the living God。 We are not yet perfect； but it is our privilege to cut
away from the entanglements of self and sin； and advance to perfection。
Great possibilities； high and holy attainments； are placed within the reach
of all。
The reason many in this age of the world make no greater advancement in the
divine life is because they interpret the will of God to be just what they
will to do。 While following their own desires； they flatter themselves that
they are conforming to God's will。 These have no conflicts with self。 There
are others who for a time are successful in the struggle against their
selfish desire for pleasure and ease。 They are sincere and earnest； but grow
weary of protracted effort； of daily death； of ceaseless turmoil。 Indolence
seems inviting； death to self repulsive； and they close their drowsy eyes
and fall under the power of temptation instead of resisting it。
The directions laid down in the word of God leave no room for compromise
with evil。 The Son of God was manifested that He might draw all men unto
Himself。 He came not to lull the world to sleep； but to point out the narrow
path in which all must travel who reach at last the gates of the City of
God。 His children must follow where He has led the way； at whatever
sacrifice of ease or selfish indulgence； at whatever cost of labor or
suffering； they must maintain a constant battle with self。
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The greatest praise that men can bring to God is to become consecrated
channels through whom He can work。 Time is rapidly passing into eternity。
Let us not keep back from God that which is His own。 Let us not refuse Him
that which； though it cannot be given with merit； cannot be denied without
ruin。 He asks for a whole heart； give it to Him； it is His； both by creation
and by redemption。 He asks for your intellect； give it to Him； it is His。 He
asks for your money； give it to Him； it is His。 〃Ye are not your own； for ye
are bought with a price。〃 1 Corinthians 6：
19； 20。 God requires the homage of a sanctified soul； which
has prepared itself； by the exercise of the faith that works by love； to
serve Him。 He holds up before us the highest ideal； even perfection。 He asks
us to be absolutely and completely for Him in this world as He is for us in
the presence of God。
〃This is the will of God〃 concerning you； 〃even your sanctification。〃 1
Thessalonians 4：3。 Is it your will also？ Your sins may be as mountains
before you； but if you humble your heart and confess your sins； trusting in
the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour； He will forgive and will
cleanse you from all unrighteousness。 God demands of you entire conformity
to His law。 This law is the echo of His voice saying to you； Holier； yes；
holier still。 Desire the fullness of the grace of Christ。 Let your heart be
filled with an intense longing for His righteousness； the work of which
God's word declares is peace； and its effect quietness and assurance
forever。
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As your soul yearns after God； you will find more and still more of the
unsearchable riches of His grace。 As you contemplate these riches you will
come into possession of them and will
