The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1913-11-21

OF every individu-
al Christian believer in the present
time God is refining and purifying
every one of us who is truly his
through faith in his dear son; and
the close OF the old year and the open
ing OF new one. Is a good time to
consider some of the ways In which
he does It.
l. He refines us by the example OF
his word as one who was always we'll
pleasing in his sight. Obedient to his
earthly parents, faithful as a work
man at his bench, content in poverty
and obscurity, meek and lowly in
heart, kind and tender TO his fellow
men. reviled, but reviling not again,
trustful, hopeful, loving, holy always
and without sin-as we gaze upon him
in his inspired portraiture in the gos-
pels, how We long to be like him, IL
we posses his spirit at all, what a
refining and purifying power there is
in the story of his life!
2. He refines us by his providences.
IlON WlStiys INV pdllthlty, aha hoW
lovingly God deals with us every one,
and how universally is it true as David
said, that his "gentleness" makes US
great q Samuel 22:36). Whom the
Lord loyeth he chasteneth' (Heb.
1870, but think what this Christening
has meant to all who have served him
Jacob, Moses, David, Daniel, Paul!
But these are joyous provl
dences as we'll as grievous ones, and
they are refining and purifying too. 1t
was the great draught of fishes which
Peter did not expect, that caused him
to cry out: Depart from me, for | am
a sinful man, Oh, Lord (Luke $50.
What do you know of this experience?
3. He refines us by his word. We
recall the testimony of the psalmist,
Thy word have | hid in my heart,
that I might not sin against Thee
psalm 119:1D. The intercessory
prayer of Christ for his disciples,
"Sanctify them through thy truth, thy
word is truth" John 17:17). The
teaching of Paul to the Romans, where
he says (6:17, 1S) God be thanked.
that ye were the servants of sin, but
yet have obeyed from the heart that
form of doctrine which was delivered
you. Being then made free from sin,
We became the servants of righteous
ness" Where could we find clearer
statement of the refining power of the
word of God? First, by nature, we
were servants of sin. Then, we heard
the word of God, the form of doctrine,
as Paul calls 1t, the message OF the
gospel. This we obeyed, we believed
in him of whom it spake, and we be-
gan TO inquire about his will and TO
seek to do it. Immediately thereupon,
and in SO far, we became free from
sin. Nc .bnger did it continue TO hold
! the Ok Jower over us, but instead we
! became servants of righteousness.
! Like our holy exemplar, we could say
II delight to do thy will. oh, God!"
4. He refines us by his spirit. The
holy spirit is a divine person, the
same as the father and the son, and
he dwells within every true believer IN
Jesus Christ. IF any man have moi
| the spirit of Christ, he is none o.
his" (Romans SO. His office work il
the believer is to sanctify him, tC
lead and guide him into all truth, anC
TO take the things of Christ and show
them unto him John 16: 13, 14). o
course, this means that he uses th'
Bible. the word of God. and hence thu
necessity that in all our reading ant
study OF that word, we be continual.
in prayer for the spirits aid. But
oh. what wonders he works in sucl
a case! BE not deceived; say
Paul. TO the Christians at Cornith
neither fornicators, nor idolators, no
adulterers. nor effeminate. nor abuser
OF themselves with mankind. no
thieves, nor covetous. nor .drunkards
nor revilers. nor extortioners. shall In
herit the kingdom OF God. And sue
were some OF you: but We are washed
butaye are sanctified. but ye are just
fed I'm the name OF the Lord Jesu.
and by the spirit OF our God" Il Col
e:e.11). What a testimony, and ye
how often has II been repeated In tn
history of the saints from that da
until this, Verify. God is a refine
and a purifier. Let us trust him. Ia
US obey his word. Let US follow th
example OF Jesus Christ, and wal
even as he walked" Let us yield on
selves TO his spirit, that he may }
glorified in us. Let the year that
just ahead OF us. IL we live, and IL Il
Lord tarries, be one In which
..our gold shall shine out with rich
As II mirrors a Form above.