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Without Spot, September 14
Even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; ... that he
might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle,
or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Ephesians 5:25-27
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We bear the name of Christian. Let us be true to this name. To be a Christian
means to be Christlike. It means to follow Christ in self-denial, bearing aloft His
banner of love, honoring Him by unselfish words and deeds. In the life of the true
Christian there is nothing of self—self is dead. There was no selfishness in the
life that Christ lived while on this earth. Bearing our nature, He lived a life wholly
devoted to the good of others....
In word and deed Christ’s followers are to be pure and true. In this world—a
world of iniquity and corruption—Christians are to reveal the attributes of Christ.
All they do and say is to be free from selfishness. Christ desires to present them
to the Father “without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing,” purified through His
grace, bearing His likeness.
In His great love, Christ surrendered Himself for us. He gave Himself for us to
meet the necessities of the striving, struggling soul. We are to surrender ourselves
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to Him. When this surrender is entire, Christ can finish the work He began for us
by the surrender of Himself. Then He can bring to us complete restoration.
Christ gave Himself for the redemption of the race, that all who believe in Him
may have everlasting life. Those who appreciate this great sacrifice receive from
the Saviour that most precious of all gifts—a clean heart. They gain an experience
that is more valuable than gold or silver or precious stones. They sit together in
heavenly places in Christ, enjoying in communion with Him the joy and peace
that He alone can give. They love Him with heart and mind and soul and strength,
realizing that they are His blood-bought heritage. Their spiritual eyesight is not
dimmed by worldly policy or worldly aims. They are one with Christ as He is one
with the Father.
Think you not that Christ values those who live wholly for Him? Think you not
that He visits those who, like the beloved John, are for His sake in hard and trying
places? He finds His faithful ones, and holds communion with them, encouraging
and strengthening them.
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