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Testimonies for the Church Volume 1
Ephesians 5:25-27
: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ
also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify
and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 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.”
Here is Bible sanctification. It is not merely a show or outside
work. It is sanctification received through the channel of truth. It is
truth received in the heart, and practically carried out in the life.
Jesus, considered as a man, was perfect, yet He grew in grace.
Luke 2:52
: “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor
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with God and man.” Even the most perfect Christian may increase
continually in the knowledge and love of God.
2 Peter 3:14, 18
: “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for
such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without
spot, and blameless.” “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever.
Amen.”
Sanctification is not the work of a moment, an hour, or a day. It is
a continual growth in grace. We know not one day how strong will be
our conflict the next. Satan lives, and is active, and every day we need
to cry earnestly to God for help and strength to resist him. As long
as Satan reigns we shall have self to subdue, besetments to overcome,
and there is no stopping place, there is no point to which we can come
and say we have fully attained.
Philippians 3:12
: “Not as though I had already attained, either
were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that
for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”
The Christian life is constantly an onward march. Jesus sits as a
refiner and purifier of His people; and when His image is perfectly re-
flected in them, they are perfect and holy, and prepared for translation.
A great work is required of the Christian. We are exhorted to cleanse
ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness
in the fear of God. Here we see where the great labor rests. There is a
constant work for the Christian. Every branch in the parent vine must
derive life and strength from that vine, in order to yield fruit.
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