FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
July 12, 2021
THE HOPE THAT LEADS TO THE WORK OF PURIFICATION
“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as He is pure.” 1 John 3: 3, KJV. As to what specific hope is herein referred to, see verses 1 and 2.
“Here is a work for man to do. He must face the MIRROR, God’s law, discern the defects of his moral character, and put away his sins [not cherish, excuse, belittle, or excuse], washing his ‘robe of character’ in the blood of the Lamb [by ‘faith the works by love’ and purifies the soul, Gal. 5:6].
“Envy, Pride, Malice, Deceit, Strife, and Crime will be cleansed from the heart that is a recipient of the love of Christ and that cherishes the ‘hope of being made like Him when we shall see Him as He is.’ The religion of Christ [not of the ‘Church’ or the world] REFINES and DIGNIFIES it’s possessor, whatever his associations or stations in life may be.
“Men who become ENLIGHTENED CHRISTIANS rise above the level of their FORMER character into GREATER mental and moral strength. Those fallen and degraded by sin and crime MAY, through the merits of the Savior, be EXALTED to a position but ‘little lower than that of angels.’
“But the INFLUENCE of the Gospel Hope will not lead the sinner to look upon the salvation of Christ as a matter of FREE GRACE while he CONTINUES to live in transgression of the law of God. When the light of truth dawns upon his mind and he fully understands the REQUIREMENTS of God and fully realizes the EXTENT of his transgressions, he will REFORM his ways, become LOYAL to God through the strength OBTAINED from his Savior, and lead a NEW and PURER life.”(E. G. White, 4T 294-5).
“We have a work to do to FASHION the character AFTER the divine Model [cf. 1 Pet. 2:21-24]. All wrong habits must be given up. The IMPURE must become PURE in heart; the SELFISH must put away his selfishness, the PROUD must get rid of his pride; the SELF-SUFFICIENT man must overcome his self-confidence, and realize that he is NOTHING WITHOUT CHRIST. We must have a LIVING connection with God.”- Ibid, RH, Nov. 17, 1885. (See GAG 232). Bless all, NMF