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Our Example in Obedience, May 2
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for
us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did
no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.
1 Peter 2:21, 22
.
Before us is held out the wonderful possibility of being like Christ—
obedient to all the principles of the law of God. But of ourselves we are
utterly powerless to attain to this condition. All that is good in man comes
to him through Christ. The holiness that God’s Word declares we must
have before we can be saved is the result of the working of divine grace
as we bow in submission to the discipline and restraining influence of the
Spirit of truth.
Man’s obedience can be made perfect only by the incense of Christ’s
righteousness, which fills with divine fragrance every act of true obe-
dience. The part of the Christian is to persevere in overcoming every
fault. Constantly he is to pray to the Saviour to heal the disorders of his
diseased soul. He has not the wisdom and strength without which he
cannot overcome. They belong to the Lord, and He bestows them on those
who in humiliation and contrition seek Him for help.
The work of transformation from unholiness to holiness is a continu-
ous work. Day by day God labors for man’s sanctification, and man is to
cooperate with Him by putting forth persevering efforts in the cultivation
of right habits....
God will more than fulfill the highest expectations of those who put
their trust in Him. He desires us to remember that when we are humble
and contrite, we stand where He can and will manifest Himself to us.
He is well pleased when we urge past mercies and blessings as a reason
why He should bestow on us higher and greater blessings. He is honored
when we love Him and bear testimony to the genuineness of our love by
keeping His commandments. He is honored when we set apart the seventh
day as sacred and holy. To those who do this, the Sabbath is a sign, ...
God declares, “that I am the Lord that sanctify them” (
Ezekiel 20:12
).
Sanctification means habitual communion with God. There is nothing so
great and powerful as God’s love for those who are His children.
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