Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

322 Testimonies for the Church Volume 1[340][341]Ephesians 5:25-27: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christalso loved the church, and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctifyand cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He mightpresent it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, orany such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”Here is Bible sanctification. It is not merely a show or outsidework. It is sanctification received through the channel of truth. It istruth received in the heart, and practically carried out in the life.Jesus, considered as a man, was perfect, yet He grew in grace.Luke 2:52: “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favorwith God and man.” Even the most perfect Christian may increasecontinually in the knowledge and love of God.2 Peter 3:14, 18: “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look forsuch things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, withoutspot, and blameless.” “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of ourLord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever.Amen.”Sanctification is not the work of a moment, an hour, or a day. It isa continual growth in grace. We know not one day how strong will beour conflict the next. Satan lives, and is active, and every day we needto cry earnestly to God for help and strength to resist him. As longas Satan reigns we shall have self to subdue, besetments to overcome,and there is no stopping place, there is no point to which we can comeand say we have fully attained.Philippians 3:12: “Not as though I had already attained, eitherwere already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend thatfor which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”The Christian life is constantly an onward march. Jesus sits as arefiner and purifier of His people; and when His image is perfectly reflectedin them, they are perfect and holy, and prepared for translation.A great work is required of the Christian. We are exhorted to cleanseourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holinessin the fear of God. Here we see where the great labor rests. There is aconstant work for the Christian. Every branch in the parent vine mustderive life and strength from that vine, in order to yield fruit.