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Truth Purifies, September 16
Sanctifying Power of the Truth
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the
Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one
another with a pure heart fervently.
1 Peter 1:22
The lily on the lake strikes its roots down deep beneath the surface
of rubbish and slime, and through its porous stem draws those properties
that will aid its development and bring to light its spotless blossom to
repose in purity on the bosom of the lake.
It refuses all that would tarnish and mar its spotless beauty.... Let
the youth be found in association with those who fear and love God;
for these noble, firm characters are represented by the lily that opens its
pure blossom on the bosom of the lake. They refuse to be molded by
the influences that would demoralize, and gather to themselves only that
which will aid the development of a pure and noble character. They are
seeking to be conformed to the divine model.
In the estimation of God a pure heart is more precious than the gold
of Ophir. A pure heart is the temple where God dwells, the sanctuary
where Christ takes up his abode. A pure heart is above everything that
is cheap or low; it is a shining light, a treasure house from which come
uplifting, sanctified words. It is a place where the imagery of God is
recognized, and where the highest delight is to behold his image. It is a
heart that finds its whole and only pleasure and satisfaction in God, and
whose thoughts and intents and purposes are alive with godliness. Such
a heart is a sacred place; it is a treasury of all virtue....
The very thoughts of those whose hearts are pure are brought into
captivity to Christ. They are occupied with thinking how they can best
glorify God.
It will then be as natural for us to seek purity and holiness... as it is
for the angels of glory to execute the mission of love assigned to them.
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