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Bible Sanctification Involves Humility and Constant Growth,
December 18
For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the
truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to
be or hears from me.
2 Corinthians 12:6
, NKJV.
The followers of Christ are to become like Him—by the grace of God to
form characters in harmony with the principles of His holy law. This is Bible
sanctification.
This work can be accomplished only through faith in Christ, by the power
of the indwelling Spirit of God.... The Christian will feel the promptings of sin,
but will maintain a constant warfare against it. Here is where Christ’s help is
needed. Human weakness becomes united to divine strength, and faith exclaims:
“Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (
1
Corinthians 15:57
).
The Scriptures plainly show that the work of sanctification is progressive. When
in conversion the sinner finds peace with God through the blood of the atonement,
the Christian life has but just begun. Now he or she is to “go on unto perfection;”
to grow up “unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” ... Peter
sets before us the steps by which Bible sanctification is to be attained: “Giving
all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge
temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness
brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.... If ye do these things, ye
shall never fall” (
2 Peter 1:5-10
).
Those who experience the sanctification of the Bible will manifest a spirit of
humility. Like Moses, they have had a view of the awful majesty of holiness, and
they see their own unworthiness in contrast with the purity and exalted perfection of
the Infinite One. The prophet Daniel was an example of true sanctification. His long
life was filled up with noble service for his Master. He was a man “greatly beloved”
(
Daniel 10:11
) of Heaven. Yet 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.... When at a later time the Son of God appeared, to give
him instruction, Daniel says: “My comeliness was turned in me into corruption,
and I retained no strength” (
Verse 8
)....
There can be no self-exaltation, no boastful claim to freedom from sin, on the
part of those who walk in the shadow of Calvary’s cross. They feel that it was their
sin which caused the agony that broke the heart of the Son of God, and this thought
will lead them to self-abasement. Those who live nearest to Jesus discern most
clearly the frailty and sinfulness of humanity, and their only hope is in the merit of
a crucified and risen Savior.—
The Great Controversy, 469-471
.
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