Page 236 - Maranatha (1976)

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High Spiritual State Attainable, August 5
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you
faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.
Jude 24
.
Christ was obedient to every requirement of the law....
By His perfect obedience He has made it possible for every human
being to obey God’s commandments. When we submit ourselves to Christ,
the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind
becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him;
we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garment
of His righteousness. Then as the Lord looks upon us He sees, not the
fig-leaf garment, not the nakedness and deformity of sin, but His own robe
of righteousness, which is perfect obedience to the law of Jehovah.
Through the plan of redemption, God has provided means for subduing
every sinful trait, and resisting every temptation, however strong.
The strongest temptation is no excuse for sin. However great the pres-
sure brought to bear upon the soul, transgression is our own act. It is not in
the power of earth or hell to compel any one to sin. The will must consent,
the heart must yield, or passion cannot overbear reason, nor iniquity triumph
over righteousness.
If you will stand under the bloodstained banner of Prince Emmanuel,
faithfully doing His service, you need never yield to temptation; for One
stands by your side who is able to keep you from falling.
We need not retain one sinful propensity.... [
Ephesians 2:1-6
quoted.] ...
As we partake of the divine nature, hereditary and cultivated tendencies
to wrong are cut away from the character, and we are made a living power
for good. Ever learning of the divine Teacher, daily partaking of His nature,
we cooperate with God in overcoming Satan’s temptations. God works, and
man works, that man may be one with Christ as Christ is one with God.
Then we sit together with Christ in heavenly places. The mind rests with
peace and assurance in Jesus.
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