Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Reflections on "My Utmost" November 20 Part II

"Compared with the miracle of the forgiveness of sin, the experience of sanctification is slight. Sanctification is simply the marvellous expression of the forgiveness of sins in a human life, but the thing that awakens the deepest well of gratitude in a human being is that God has forgiven sin. Paul never got away from this. When once you realize all that it cost God to forgive you, you will be held as in a vice, constrained by the love of God."

Sanctifications does not even come from us, but from Christ formed in us (cf Galatians 4:19):

"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification" (1 Corinthians 1:30)

Christ Himself is our Sanctification!

As for the love of God constraining us, this follows from the blessed redemption and union from salvation:

"For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

"And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again." (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

Here, the idea of not living "unto themselves" indicates living in our strength. He wills in us what is worthy to desire, and effects in us the strength to accomplish it.

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