Chapter 283—A Continual Work
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification.
1 Thessalonians
4:3
.
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....
The Christian life is constantly an onward march. Jesus sits as a refiner
and purifier of His people; and when His image is perfectly reflected 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.
None are living Christians unless they have a daily experience in the
things of God and daily practice self-denial, cheerfully bearing the cross and
following Christ. Every living Christian will advance daily in the divine life.
As he advances toward perfection, he experiences a conversion to God every
day; and this conversion is not completed until he attains to perfection of
Christian character, a full preparation for the finishing touch of immortality....
Religion is not merely an emotion, a feeling. It is a principle which
is interwoven with all the daily duties and transactions of life.... It is
continuance in well-doing that will form characters for heaven.
We must live for Christ minute by minute, hour by hour, and day by day;
then Christ will dwell in us, and when we meet together, His love will be in
our hearts, welling up like a spring in the desert, refreshing all, and making
those who are ready to perish, eager to drink of the waters of life.
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