Conversions—Fake or Real
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tion of the infinite purity and holiness of God or of what they must
become who shall be in harmony with His character; because he has
no true conception of the purity and exalted loveliness of Jesus, and
the malignity and evil of sin, that man can regard himself as holy.
The greater the distance between himself and Christ, and the more
inadequate his conceptions of the divine character and requirements,
the more righteous he appears in his own eyes.
Sanctification—Total Commitment
The sanctification set forth in the Scriptures embraces the entire
being—spirit, soul, and body. Paul prayed for the Thessalonians that
their “whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (
1 Thessalonians 5:23
). Again he
writes to believers: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies
of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable
unto God” (
Romans 12:1
). In the time of ancient Israel every offering
brought as a sacrifice to God was carefully examined. If any defect
was discovered in the animal presented, it was refused; for God had
commanded that the offering be “without blemish.” So Christians are
[17]
bidden to present their bodies, “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto
God.” In order to do this, all their powers must be preserved in the best
possible condition. Every practice that weakens physical or mental
strength unfits man for the service of his Creator.
And will God be pleased with anything less than the best we can
offer? Said Christ: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart.” Those who do love God with all the heart will desire to give
Him the best service of their life, and they will be constantly seeking
to bring every power of their being into harmony with the laws that
will promote their ability to do His will....
A Changed Life
The world is given up to self-indulgence. “The lust of the flesh,
and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” control the masses of the
people. But Christ’s followers have a holier calling....
To those who comply with the conditions, “Come out from among
them, and be ye separate, ... and touch not the unclean,” God’s promise