Page 144 - TH200 Abundant Life A4 Final

Abundant Life in the Son: A Study of Salvation

The next step is to pursue holiness. We are solemnly warned that
without a holy life we cannot see God (Hebrews 12:14). The pursuit
of holiness will lead us to the Word of God, for it will reveal the
state of our hearts and point out the remedy for failure (John 17:17).
The preached Word also has its part in pointing out the need of
holiness (Ephesians 4:11–13) and challenging believers to pursue it
(1 Peter 1:15–16).

The surrender of our life to God is the supreme condition for practical
sanctification (Romans 6:13, 19–22; 12:1). To surrender completely to
God means that a person separates oneself to “be an instrument for
noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any
good work” (2 Timothy 2:21).

Another means God uses to purify is affliction (Hebrews 12:10–11;
Psalm 119:67, 71). God sometimes permits painful experiences to
overtake us. Yet when these times of difficulty are over, we see that
they have quietly produced the fruit of real goodness in us as we accept
them in the right spirit. God does it, the writer says, “for our good, that
we may share in his holiness” (Hebrews 12:10).

Sanctification brings about increasing victory over sin. This in turn
results in greater power in life and greater fruitfulness. But we must
cooperate in maintaining the spiritual progress. We must abide in
Christ in obedience and devotion. Sanctification involves a continuing
relationship with a living person, Jesus Christ. As we remain in fellowship
with Him, we continue to progress in sanctification.

A little chorus that we sometimes sing expresses what happens as
we allow God’s Spirit to take control of our lives and change us into the
image of Christ. Let’s make this our prayer to conclude this chapter.

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All His wonderful passion and purity.
O, thou, Spirit divine,
All my nature refine,
Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.

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