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Spiritual Giant Or Dwarf?, December 6
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves
from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of
God.
2 Corinthians 7:1
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The Lord reproves and corrects the people who profess to keep His law. He
points out their sins and lays open their iniquity because He wishes to separate all
sin and wickedness from them, that they may perfect holiness in His fear and be
prepared to die in the Lord or to be translated to heaven....
God will accept nothing but purity and holiness; one spot, one wrinkle, one
defect in the character, will forever debar them from heaven, with all its glories
and treasures.
Most professed Christians have no sense of the spiritual strength they might
obtain were they as ambitious, zealous, and persevering to gain a knowledge of
divine things as they are to obtain the paltry, perishable things of this life. The
masses professing to be Christians have been satisfied to be spiritual dwarfs. They
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have no disposition to make it their object to seek first the kingdom of God and
His righteousness; hence godliness is a hidden mystery to them, they cannot
understand it. They know not Christ by experimental knowledge.
Ample provisions have been made for all who sincerely, earnestly, and thought-
fully set about the work of perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Strength, grace,
and glory have been provided through Christ, to be brought by ministering angels
to the heirs of salvation. None are so low, so corrupt and vile, that they cannot
find in Jesus, who died for them, strength, purity, and righteousness, if they will
put away their sins, cease their course of iniquity, and turn with full purpose of
heart to the living God. He is waiting to strip them of their garments, stained and
polluted by sin, and to put upon them the white, bright robes of righteousness; and
He bids them live and not die. In Him they may flourish. Their branches will not
wither nor be fruitless. If they abide in Him, they can draw sap and nourishment
from Him, be imbued with His Spirit, walk even as He walked, overcome as He
overcame, and be exalted to His own right hand.
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