the acts of the apostles-第105章
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heard everywhere；
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especially from those who profess sanctification。 But true charity is too
pure to cover an unconfessed sin。 While we are to love the souls for whom
Christ died； we are to make no compromise with evil。 We are not to unite
with the rebellious and call this charity。 God requires His people in this
age of the world to stand for the right as unflinchingly as did John in
opposition to soul…destroying errors。
The apostle teaches that while we should manifest Christian courtesy we are
authorized to deal in plain terms with sin and sinners； that this is not
inconsistent with true charity。 〃Whosoever committeth sin；〃 he writes；
〃transgresseth also the law： for sin is the transgression of the law。 And ye
know that He was manifested to take away our sins； and in Him is no sin。
Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not： whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him；
neither known Him。〃
As a witness for Christ； John entered into no controversy； no wearisome
contention。 He declared what he knew； what he had seen and heard。 He had
been intimately associated with Christ； had listened to His teachings； had
witnessed His mighty miracles。 Few could see the beauties of Christ's
character as John saw them。 For him the darkness had passed away； on him the
true light was shining。 His testimony in regard to the Saviour's life and
death was clear and forcible。 Out of the abundance of a heart overflowing
with love for the Saviour he spoke； and no power could stay his words。
〃That which was from the beginning；〃 he declared； 〃which we have heard；
which we have seen with our eyes；
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which we have looked upon； and our hands have handled； of the Word of life；
。 。 。 that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you； that ye also
may have fellowship with us： and truly our fellowship is with the Father；
and with His Son Jesus Christ。〃
So may every true believer be able； through his own experience； to 〃set to
his seal that God is true。〃 John 3：33。 He can bear witness to that which he
has seen and heard and felt of the power of Christ。
（557）
Chapter 55
Transformed by Grace
In the life of the disciple John true sanctification is exemplified。 During
the years of his close association with Christ； he was often warned and
cautioned by the Saviour； and these reproofs he accepted。 As the character
of the Divine One was manifested to him； John saw his own deficiencies； and
was humbled by the revelation。 Day by day； in contrast with his own violent
spirit； he beheld the tenderness and forbearance of Jesus； and heard His
lessons of humility and patience。 Day by day his heart was drawn out to
Christ； until he lost sight of self in love for his Master。 The power and
tenderness； the majesty and meekness； the strength and patience； that he saw
in the daily life of the Son of God； filled his soul with admiration。 He
yielded his resentful； ambitious temper to the molding power of Christ； and
divine love wrought in him a transformation of character。
In striking contrast to the sanctification worked out in the life of John is
the experience of his fellow disciple；
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Judas。 Like his associate； Judas professed to be a disciple of Christ； but
he possessed only a form of godliness。 He was not insensible to the beauty
of the character of Christ； and often； as he listened to the Saviour's
words； conviction came to him； but he would not humble his heart or confess
his sins。 By resisting the divine influence he dishonored the Master whom he
professed to love。 John warred earnestly against his faults； but Judas
violated his conscience and yielded to temptation； fastening upon himself
more securely his habits of evil。 The practice of the truths that Christ
taught was at variance with his desires and purposes； and he could not bring
himself to yield his ideas in order to receive wisdom from heaven。 Instead
of walking in the light； he chose to walk in darkness。 Evil desires；
covetousness； revengeful passions； dark and sullen thoughts； were cherished
until Satan gained full control of him。
John and Judas are representatives of those who profess to be Christ's
followers。 Both these disciples had the same opportunities to study and
follow the divine Pattern。 Both were closely associated with Jesus and were
privileged to listen to His teaching。 Each possessed serious defects of
character； and each had access to the divine grace that transforms
character。 But while one in humility was learning of Jesus； the other
revealed that he was not a doer of the word； but a hearer only。 One； daily
dying to self and overcoming sin； was sanctified through the truth； the
other； resisting the transforming power of grace and indulging selfish
desires； was brought into bondage to Satan。
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Such transformation of character as is seen in the life of John is ever the
result of communion with Christ。 There may be marked defects in the
character of an individual； yet when he becomes a true disciple of Christ；
the power of divine grace transforms and sanctifies him。 Beholding as in a
glass the glory of the Lord； he is changed from glory to glory； until he is
like Him whom he adores。
John was a teacher of holiness； and in his letters to the church he laid
down unerring rules for the conduct of Christians。 〃Every man that hath this
hope in him；〃 he wrote； 〃purifieth himself； even as He is pure。〃 〃He that
saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk； even as He walked。〃 1
John 3：3； 2：6。 He taught that the Christian must be pure in heart and life。
Never should he be satisfied with an empty profession。 As God is holy in His
sphere； so fallen man； through faith in Christ； is to be holy in his sphere。
〃This is the will of God；〃 the apostle Paul wrote； 〃even your
sanctification。〃 1 Thessalonians 4：3。 The sanctification of the church is
God's object in all His dealings with His people。 He has chosen them from
eternity； that they might be holy。 He gave His Son to die for them； that
they might be sanctified through obedience to the truth； divested of all the
littleness of self。 From them Her requires a personal work； a personal
surrender。 God can be honored by those who profess to believe in Him； only
as they are conformed to His image and controlled by His Spirit。 Then； as
witnesses for the Saviour； they may make known what divine grace has done
for them。
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True sanctification comes through the working out of the principle of love。
〃God is love； and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God； and God in him。〃
1 John 4：16。 The life of him in whose heart Christ abides； will reveal
practical godliness。 The character will be purified； elevated； ennobled； and
glorified。 Pure doctrine will blend with works of righteousness； heavenly
precepts will mingle with holy practices。
Those who would gain the blessing of sanctification must first learn the
meaning of self…sacrifice。 The cross of Christ is the central pillar on
which hangs the 〃far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory。〃 〃If any
man will come after Me；〃 Christ says； 〃let him deny himself； and take up his
cross； and follow Me。〃 2 Corinthians 4：17； Matthew 16：24。 It is the
fragrance of our love for our fellow men that reveals our love for God。 It
is patience in service that brings rest to the soul。 It is through humble；
diligent； faithful toil that the welfare of Israel is promoted。 God upholds
and strengthens the one who is willing to follow in Christ's way。
Sanctification is not the work of a moment； an hour； a day； but of a
lifetime。 It is not gained by a happy flight of feeling； but is the result
of constantly dying to sin； and constantly living for Christ。 Wrongs cannot
be righted nor reformations wrought in the character by feeble； intermittent
efforts。 It is only by long； persevering effort； sore discipline； and stern
conflict； that we shall overcome。 We know not one day how strong will be our
conflict the next。
