Pure in Heart and Life

John was a teacher of holiness, and in his letters to the church he laid down unerring rules for the conduct of Christians…. 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….

There are those who profess holiness, who declare that they are wholly the Lord’s, who claim a right to the promises of God, while refusing to render obedience to His commandments. These transgressors of the law claim everything that is promised to the children of God; but this is presumption on their part, for John tells us that true love for God will be revealed in obedience to all His commandments. It is not enough to believe the theory of truth, to make a profession of faith in Christ…. “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments,” John wrote, “is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” …

John did not teach that salvation was to be earned by obedience; but that obedience was the fruit of faith and love…. If we abide in Christ, if the love of God dwells in the heart, our feelings, our thoughts, our actions, will be in harmony with the will of God….

There are many who, though striving to obey God’s commandments, have little peace or joy. This lack in their experience is the result of a failure to exercise faith. They walk as it were in a salt land, a parched wilderness. They claim little, when they might claim much; for there is no limit to the promises of God. Such ones do not correctly represent the sanctification that comes through obedience to the truth. The Lord would have all His sons and daughters happy, peaceful, and obedient. Through the exercise of faith the believer comes into possession of these blessings. Through faith, every deficiency of character may be supplied, every defilement cleansed, every fault corrected, every excellence developed.
Conflict and Courage p. 359
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for a family member who is having a lumpectomy tomorrow. Pray that it is benign. Vicki
—–I have peripheral neuropathy in both feet from a back injury. The numbness is working up my right leg. This makes driving very hard for me because I can’t feel how hard I’m stepping on the brake. Please pray that this stops. I do not want to lose my driver’s license but I’m afraid this could be a safety problem. I’ll lose my independence if I’m unable to drive. I’m 76 years old and enjoy being able to drive whenever I need to. Thank you all. Charlie
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Dear Friends,

Photos and videos of the terrible destruction caused by the earthquake in Mexico and the destruction from the hurricanes in the Caribbean are being shown daily on TV and on the Internet. Our hearts go out to those people. How often we feel like our life is being shaken apart by an even stronger earthquake. How many times we feel as if we are in a hurricane from the onslaughts of the evil one who “as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 Yet, through all the troubles and trials, we have the promise, “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.” Isa 59:19

When things go terribly wrong in life and it seems that no one cares or understands, there is Someone Who is our Helper. “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble, and he knoweth them that trust in him.” Nahum 1:7 When those about us abuse us, circulate falsehoods about us, and do all within their power to destroy us, we have a Strong Deliverer. Our Dear Saviour says, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.” Rom 12:19 We may not see that “repaying” right away, but it will come nonetheless.

When those we love forsake us or turn against us, we have the assurance, “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.” Ps 27:10 When the evil one uses those near to us to bring in doubts and confusion and we know not which path to take, our Good Shepherd says, “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” Isa 30:21 “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Ps 32:8

When we see those who have wronged us suffering need, we are to be merciful to them. Paul advises, “if thine enemy hunger, feed him, if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Rom 12:20, 21 Our Merciful Redeemer commands, “Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you! , and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smites thee on the one cheek offer also the other, and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee, and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again, and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged! : condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Luke 6:27-38

May we, when overwhelmed with troubles and trials, cling to God’s promise, “Fear thou not, for I am with thee: be not dismayed, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing, and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of naught. For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not, I will help ! thee.” Isa 41:10-13

Rose