Transformed by Grace
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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 advance-
ment 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 conse-
crated 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 sanctifica-
tion.”
1 Thessalonians 4:3
. Is it your will also? Your sins may be as