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Without Spot, May 30
Even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; ...that he
might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or
wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without
blemish.
Ephesians 5:25-27
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We bear the name of Christian. Let us be true to this name. To be a
Christian means to be Christlike. It means to follow Christ in self-denial,
bearing aloft His banner of love, honoring Him by unselfish words and deeds.
In the life of the true Christian there is nothing of self—self is dead. There
was no selfishness in the life that Christ lived while on this earth. Bearing our
nature, He lived a life wholly devoted to the good of others....
In word and deed Christ’s followers are to be pure and true. In this world—
a world of iniquity and corruption—Christians are to reveal the attributes
of Christ. All they do and say is to be free from selfishness. Christ desires
to present them to the Father “without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing,”
purified through His grace, bearing His likeness.
In His great love, Christ surrendered Himself for us. He gave Himself for
us to meet the necessities of the striving, struggling soul. We are to surrender
ourselves to Him. When this surrender is entire, Christ can finish the work He
began for us by the surrender of Himself. Then He can bring to us complete
restoration.
Christ gave Himself for the redemption of the race, that all who believe
in Him may have everlasting life. Those who appreciate this great sacrifice
receive from the Saviour that most precious of all gifts—a clean heart. They
gain an experience that is more valuable than gold or silver or precious stones.
They sit together in heavenly places in Christ, enjoying in communion with
Him the joy and peace that He alone can give. They love Him with heart and
mind and soul and strength, realizing that they are His blood-bought heritage.
Their spiritual eyesight is not dimmed by worldly policy or worldly aims.
They are one with Christ as He is one with the Father.
Think you not that Christ values those who live wholly for Him? Think
you not that He visits those who, like the beloved John, are for His sake in
hard and trying places? He finds His faithful ones, and holds communion
with them, encouraging and strengthening them.—
The Review and Herald,
May 30, 1907
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