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Spiritual Giant or Dwarf?, February 14
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse
ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness
in the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 7:1
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The Lord reproves and corrects the people who profess to keep His law.
He points out their sins and lays open their iniquity because He wishes to
separate all sin and wickedness from them, that they may perfect holiness in
His fear and be prepared to die in the Lord or to be translated to heaven....
God will accept nothing but purity and holiness; one spot, one wrinkle,
one defect in the character, will forever debar them from heaven, with all
its glories and treasures.
Most professed Christians have no sense of the spiritual strength they
might obtain were they as ambitious, zealous, and persevering to gain a
knowledge of divine things as they are to obtain the paltry, perishable things
of this life. The masses professing to be Christians have been satisfied to
be spiritual dwarfs. They have no disposition to make it their object to
seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; hence godliness is a
hidden mystery to them, they cannot understand it. They know not Christ
by experimental knowledge.
Ample provisions have been made for all who sincerely, earnestly, and
thoughtfully set about the work of perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Strength, grace, and glory have been provided through Christ, to be brought
by ministering angels to the heirs of salvation. None are so low, so corrupt
and vile, that they cannot find in Jesus, who died for them, strength, purity,
and righteousness, if they will put away their sins, cease their course of
iniquity, and turn with full purpose of heart to the living God. He is waiting
to strip them of their garments, stained and polluted by sin, and to put upon
them the white, bright robes of righteousness; and He bids them live and
not die. In Him they may flourish. Their branches will not wither nor be
fruitless. If they abide in Him, they can draw sap and nourishment from
Him, be imbued with His Spirit, walk even as He walked, overcome as He
overcame, and be exalted to His own right hand.
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