Transformed by Grace
371
Let the recording angels write the history of the holy struggles and
conflicts of the people of God; let them record their prayers and tears;
but let not God be dishonored by the declaration from human lips, “I
am sinless; I am holy.” Sanctified lips will never give utterance to such
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presumptuous words.
The apostle Paul had been caught up to the third heaven and had
seen and heard things that could not be uttered, and yet his unassuming
statement is: “Not as though I had already attained, either were already
perfect: but I follow after.”
Philippians 3:12
. Let the angels of heaven
write of Paul’s victories in fighting the good fight of faith. Let heaven
rejoice in his steadfast tread heavenward, and that, keeping the prize in
view, he counts every other consideration dross. Angels rejoice to tell
his triumphs, but Paul makes no boast of his attainments. The attitude
of Paul is the attitude that every follower of Christ should take as he
urges his way onward in the strife for the immortal crown.
Let those who feel inclined to make a high profession of holiness
look into the mirror of God’s law. As they see its far-reaching claims,
and understand its work as a discerner of the thoughts and intents of
the heart, they will not boast of sinlessness. “If we,” says John, not
separating himself from his brethren, “say that we have no sin, we
deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” “If we say that we have
not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” “If we
confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:8, 10, 9
.
There are those who profess holiness, who declare that they are
wholly the Lord’s, who claim a right to the promises of God, while re-
fusing to render obedience to His commandments. These transgressors
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of the law claim everything that is promised to the children of God;
but this is presumption on their part, for John tells us that true love for
God will be revealed in obedience to all His commandments. It is not
enough to believe the theory of truth, to make a profession of faith in
Christ, to believe that Jesus is no impostor, and that the religion of the
Bible is no cunningly devised fable. “He that saith, I know Him, and
keepeth not His commandments,” John wrote, “is a liar, and the truth
is not in him. But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of
God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him.” “He that keepeth
His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him.”
1 John 2:4, 5
;
3:24
.