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Christ Accessible Through His Spirit, November 26
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go
away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you;
but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
John 16:7
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Christ said, “It is expedient for you that I go away.” No one could
then have any preference because of his location or personal contact with
Christ. The Saviour would be accessible to all alike, spiritually, and in
this sense He would be nearer to us all than if He had not ascended on
high. Now all may be equally favored by beholding Him and reflecting
His character. The eye of faith sees Him ever present, in all His goodness,
grace, forbearance, courtesy, and love.... And as we behold, we are
changed into His likeness.
It is impossible for any of us by our own power or our own efforts to
work this change in ourselves. It is the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, which
Jesus said He would send into the world, that changes our character into
the image of Christ; and when this is accomplished, we reflect as in a
mirror the glory of the Lord. That is, the character of the one who thus
beholds Christ is so like His that one looking at him sees Christ’s own
character shining out as from a mirror. Imperceptibly to ourselves, we
are changed day by day from our ways and will into the ways and will of
Christ, into the loveliness of His character. Thus we grow up into Christ,
and unconsciously reflect His image....
Enoch kept the Lord ever before him, and the Inspired Word says that
he “walked with God.” He made Christ his constant companion. He was
in the world, and performed his duties to the world; but he was ever under
the influence of Jesus. He reflected Christ’s character, exhibiting the same
qualities in goodness, mercy, tender compassion, sympathy, forbearance,
meekness, humility, and love. His association with Christ day by day
transformed him into the image of Him with whom he was so intimately
connected. Day by day he was growing away from his own way into
Christ’s way, the heavenly, the divine, in his thoughts and feelings.... His
was a constant growth and he had fellowship with the Father and the Son.
This is genuine sanctification.
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