He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 1 John 2:6.
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…. 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, Judas…. John warred earnestly against his faults; but Judas violated his conscience and yielded to temptation, fastening upon himself more securely his habits of evil….
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.
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.
Conflict and Courage p. 316
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for a friend who is having troubles at work because of standing up for what’s right. JT
—–We need your prayers for a very sad situation. K
—–Please pray for Kathy and family as her mother has passed away. Rose
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Dear Friends,
When I was about 20, I worked in a factory next to a man named Marvin. A few years later he got married and had a little boy. One night, when his little boy was four, their trailer caught on fire. Trailers burn very quickly, but he managed to get his wife and son out with no harm. He took them a safe distance away, instructed them to stay there,and went down to a neighbor’s house to call the fire department.
While he was gone, his wife thought of her glasses. They were very important to her, as she had had cataracts at that young age and without those glasses, she could not see. She knew that their bedroom was near the back door and was sure that she could just sneak into that burning trailer and get the glasses she needed so much. She knew exactly where they were. Telling her little boy to stay right there, she groped her way to the trailer, felt for the back door, and went inside. Her son waited a few moments and then wanting his mommy, followed her.
When Marvin returned, he panicked! They were no where to be seen. He knew exactly what she had done. The trailer was an inferno by this time, but he did not care. He knew he must try to rescue his wife and child. He ran to the back door and flung it open, crawling into the bedroom, he soon found them both—dead. Even though the fire was burning him, he dragged them out of that place. He could not bear to leave them there.
For many months Marvin suffered. His burns were extensive and deep. Eventually he recovered, but his loss stayed with him and from that point his life was filled with wrong decisions that brought him even more pain.
If only his wife had realized that they could have gotten new glasses. They were poor, but that would have been top priority. Surely someone would have donated money for new ones, but, sadly, she did not think of that. She only knew that she needed those glasses desperately. But, those glasses cost her her life. They cost her son’s life.
It is a sad, sad story, but one that is repeated spiritually every day. How often we think the things of this world are of the utmost importance and that our lives would not be worth living without those things. How often they occupy our time, the time that should be spent getting our lives right with God. How often worldly things become our passion, our whole focus in life. It may be sports, it may be TV programs, it may be music, it may even be another person. It is different for different people, but it is as real a danger as that fire was.
“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” 2 Peter 1:10 This should be our first work. He, Who left the glories of Heaven so that we might be saved, promises, “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matt 6:33 This is of the utmost importance. This should be a daily seeking, a daily asking Jesus into our heart, a daily walk with Him.
How easy it is to get entangled in this world’s pleasure and even in its necessities. How easy to get our priorities mixed up, but nothing should be allowed to cause us to put off our decision to accept Jesus into our heart. Behold “now is the accepted time, behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor 6:2
May Jesus have first place in our heart so that all other things will pale in comparison. May we daily choose to serve Him that . May we receive freely of His grace, that we may impart it to others is my prayer.
Rose