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The Sanctified Life
Let none imagine that without earnest effort on their part they can
obtain the assurance of God’s love. When the mind has been long
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permitted to dwell only on earthly things, it is a difficult matter to
change the habits of thought. That which the eye sees and the ear
hears, too often attracts the attention and absorbs the interest. But if
we would enter the city of God, and look upon Jesus and His glory, we
must become accustomed to beholding Him with the eye of faith here.
The words and the character of Christ should be often the subject of our
thoughts and of our conversation, and each day some time should be
especially devoted to prayerful meditation upon these sacred themes.
Silencing the Spirit
Sanctification is a daily work. Let none deceive themselves with
the belief that God will pardon and bless them while they are trampling
upon one of His requirements. The willful commission of a known sin
silences the witnessing voice of the Spirit and separates the soul from
God. Whatever may be the ecstasies of religious feeling, Jesus cannot
abide in the heart that disregards the divine law. God will honor those
only who honor Him.
“His servants ye are to whom ye obey” (
Romans 6:16
). If we
indulge anger, lust, covetousness, hatred, selfishness, or any other sin,
we become servants of sin. “No man can serve two masters” (
Matthew
6:24
). If we serve sin, we cannot serve Christ. The Christian will feel
the promptings of sin, for the flesh lusteth against the Spirit; but the
Spirit striveth against the flesh, keeping up a constant warfare. Here
is where Christ’s help is needed. Human weakness becomes united to
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divine strength, and faith exclaims, “Thanks be to God, which giveth
us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (
1 Corinthians 15:57
)!
Correct Religious Habits
If we would develop a character which God can accept, we must
form correct habits in our religious life. Daily prayer is as essential to
growth in grace, and even to spiritual life itself, as is temporal food to
physical well-being. We should accustom ourselves to lift the thoughts
often to God in prayer. If the mind wanders, we must bring it back;
by persevering effort, habit will finally make it easy. We cannot for