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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4
fidelity were equaled only by his humility and contrition. Instead of
claiming to be pure and holy, this honored prophet identified himself
with the really sinful of Israel, as he pleaded before God in behalf
of his people: “We do not present our supplications before thee for
our righteousness, but for thy great mercies.” “We have sinned, we
have done wickedly.” And “for our sins, and for the iniquities of
our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach.” He
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declares, “I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and
the sin of my people.” [
Daniel 9:18, 15, 16, 20
.] And when at a
later time the Son of God appeared in answer to his prayers to give
him instruction, he declares, “My comeliness was turned in me into
corruption, and I retained no strength.” [
Daniel 10:8
.]
Those who are truly seeking to perfect Christian character will
never indulge the thought that they are sinless. The more their minds
dwell upon the character of Christ, and the nearer they approach
to his divine image, the more clearly will they discern its spotless
perfection, and the more deeply will they feel their own weakness
and defects. Those who claim to be without sin, give evidence that
they are far from holy. It is because they have no true knowledge of
Christ that they can look upon themselves as reflecting his image.
The greater the distance between them and their Saviour, the more
righteous they appear in their own eyes.
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.” Again he writes to be-
lievers, “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
.] The Jews were commanded to offer in sacri-
fice to God only such animals as were free from disease or blemish.
So Christians are required to preserve all their powers in the best
possible condition for the Lord’s service. Says Peter, “Abstain from
fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” [
1 Peter 2:11
.] The word
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of God will make but a feeble impression upon those whose fac-
ulties are benumbed by any sinful gratification. The heart cannot
preserve consecration to God while the animal appetites and pas-
sions are indulged at the expense of health and life. Paul writes
to the Corinthians, “Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness