What is needed today is practical Christianity, not merely for a day or a year, but for a lifetime. The man who professes to be a Christian, and yet reveals in his life no practical godliness, is denying Christ. Opposite his name in the books of heaven are written the words, Unfaithful steward.
How is the world to be enlightened, save by the lives of Christ’s followers? You profess to believe in Christ, to be a follower of His. Do you do His works? Can the world see plainly that you have been with Jesus, and learned of Him? How are unbelievers to know that you belong to Christ if you show no zeal in His service, but instead cherish worldly ambition and follow worldly plans? …
There are many whose lives are but a pretense of godliness. They are a law unto themselves, and they always will be, unless the grace of Christ subdues their hearts. They lift up their souls unto vanity, and God has no use for them in His service.
Our sanctification is God’s object in all his dealing with us. He has chosen us from eternity that we might be holy. Christ gave Himself for our redemption, that through faith in His power to save from sin, we might be made complete in Him. …
As Christians we have pledged ourselves to fulfil the responsibilities resting on us, and to show to the world that we have a close connection with God. Thus, through the good words and works of His disciples, Christ is to be represented and honored.
God expects of us perfect obedience to His law. This law is the echo of His voice, saying to us, Holier, yea, holier still. Desire after the fulness of the grace of Christ, yea, long – hunger and thirst – after righteousness. The promise is, “Ye shall be filled” (Luke 6:21). Let your heart be filled with a longing for this righteousness, the work of which God’s word declares to be peace, and its effect quietness and assurance forever.
God has plainly stated that He expects us to be perfect, and because He expects this, He has made provision for us to be partakers of the divine nature. Only thus can we gain success in striving for eternal life. The power is given by Christ. “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name” (John 1:12).
God’s people are to reflect to the world the bright rays of His glory. But in order for them to do this, they must stand where these rays can fall on them. They must co-operate with God. The heart must be cleansed of all that leads to wrong. The word of God must be read and studied with an earnest desire to gain from it spiritual power. The bread of heaven must be eaten and assimilated, becoming part of the life. Thus we gain eternal life. Thus is answered the prayer of Christ, “Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth” (John 17:17).
This is the will of God, even your sanctification. Is it your will that your desires and inclinations shall be brought into harmony with the divine mind? The Review and Herald, January 28, 1904.