Post Info TOPIC: Dying every day
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Dying every day
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Paul's sanctification was a constant conflict with self.  "I die daily," he said.  Every day his will and his desires conflicted with duty and the will of God.  But instead of following inclination, he did the will of God, however unpleasant and crucifying to his nature.  If we would press forward to the mark of our high calling in Christ Jesus, we must show that we are emptied of all self, and supplied with the golden oil of grace.  God is dealing with us through his providence.  From eternity he has chosen us to be his obedient children.  He gave his Son to die for us, that we might be sanctified through obedience to the truth, cleansed from all the littleness of self.  Now he requires of us a personal work, a personal self-surrender.  We are to be controlled by the Holy Spirit.  God can be honored only when we who profess to believe in him are conformed to his image.  We are to represent to the world the beauty of holiness, and we shall never enter the gates of the city of God until we perfect a Christlike character.  If we, with trust in God, strive for sanctification, we shall receive it. Then, as witnesses for Christ, we may make known what the grace of God has wrought in us.  {YI, August 24, 1899 par. 3} 



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The life of the apostle Paul was a constant conflict with self.  He said, "I die daily."  1 Corinthians 15:31.  His will and his desires every day conflicted with duty and the will of God.  Instead of following inclination, he did God's will, however crucifying to his nature.  {MH 452.4} 

At the close of his life of conflict, looking back over its struggles and triumphs, he could say, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day."  2 Timothy 4:7, 8.  {MH 453.1} 

The Christian life is a battle and a march.  In this warfare there is no release; the effort must be continuous and persevering.  It is by unceasing endeavor that we maintain the victory over the temptations of Satan.  Christian integrity must be sought with resistless energy and maintained with a  resolute fixedness of purpose.  {MH 453.2} 

No one will be borne upward without stern, persevering effort in his own behalf.  All must engage in this warfare for themselves; no one else can fight our battles.  Individually we are responsible for the issues of the struggle; though Noah, Job, and Daniel were in the land they could deliver neither son nor daughter by their righteousness.  {MH 453.3}



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Amen 



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"No one else can fight our battles".

Nice to know we are on the winning side, and our Commander will come to our aid if we keep our eyes on him. smile



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There is no such thing as an instantaneous sanctification.  It is an every-day work.  Says Paul, "I die daily" (1 Corinthians 15:31).  He received a conversion daily to God.  As the truth and Spirit of God revealed to him the defects in his character, he put away his wrong, died to self, and cleansed himself "from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 7:1) ... {UL 231.3} 



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The Lord requires us to be submissive to His will, subdued by His Spirit, and sanctified to His service.  Selfishness must be put away, and we must overcome every defect in our characters as Christ overcame.  In order to accomplish this work, we must die daily to self.  Said Paul: "I die daily."  He had a new conversion every day, took an advance step toward heaven.  To gain daily victories in the divine life is the only course that God approves.  The Lord is gracious, of tender pity, and plenteous in mercy.  He knows our needs and weaknesses, and He will help our infirmities if we only trust in Him and believe that He will bless us and do great things for us.  {4T 66.4} 



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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.  {AA 558.1} 



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When Jesus speaks of the new heart, he means the mind, the life, the whole being.  To have a change of heart is to withdraw the affections from the world, and fasten them upon Christ.  To have a new heart is to have a new mind, new purposes, new motives.  What is the sign of a new heart? -- A changed life.  There is a daily, hourly dying to selfishness and pride.  {YI, September 26, 1901 par. 5}

Some make a great mistake by supposing that a high profession will compensate for real service.  But a religion which is not practical is not genuine.  True conversion makes us strictly honest in our dealings with our fellow men.  It makes us faithful in our every-day work.  Every sincere follower of Christ will show that the religion of the Bible qualifies him to use his talents in the Master's service.  {YI, September 26, 1901 par. 6} 



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