The Raymer enterprise., 1913-11-20

k-N III inc experience
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 good time 10
consider some Of the ways In which
he does IT,
l. He retines US by the example of
that son. He sets him before US in
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 reviing 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, II
we posses his spirit at all, what a
refining and purifying power there is
In the story Of his life!
2. He retines US by his prov1dences.
How wisely. how patiently. and how
lovingly God deals with us every one,
and how universally is 1t true as David
said, that his "gentleness" makes Us
great q Samuel 22:36). Whom the
Lord loveth 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 provi.
dences as well 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" duke 5:S).
What do you know of this experience?
3. He refines US by his word. We
recall the testimony OF the psalmist
J THY word have | hid in my heart
that | might not sin against Thee,
! psalm ll9:1D. The intercessory
prayer OF Christ for his disciples
"Sanctify them through thy truth, thy
word Is truth" John l7:l7J. The
teaching OF Paul 10 the Romans, where
no says t6:l7, lS) 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
ye became the servants OF righteous
ness" Where could we find a 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 toctrine.'
as Paul calls II, the message OF the
gospel. This We obeyed, we believed
In him OF whom II spake, and we be
gan TO Inquire about his will and tc
seek TO do II. Immediately thereupon
and In SO far, we became free from
sin. No longer did It continue TO holt
the old power over us. but instead We
became servants OF righteousness.
Like our holy exemplar, We could say
Il delight TO do thy WILL oh. God!"
4, He refines US by his spirit. Tn,
holy spirit is a divine person, tht
same as the father and the son. ant
he dwells within every true believer IL
Jesus Christ. II any man have moi
the spirit OF Christ, he is none o.
his tRomans So. His office work II
the believer Is to sanctify bin, Il
lead and suide him into all trutl. ant
TO take the things OF Christ and show
them unto him John 1913. lD. o.
course, this means that he uses tn,
Bible, the word OF God, and hence tn,
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 suct
case! BE not deceived: say,
Paul to the Christians at Cornith
neither fornicators. nor idolators, MOI
adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abuser,
OF themselves with mankind, no.
thieves, nor coyetous. nor drunkards
nor revilers, nor extortioners. shall In
herit the kingdom OF God. And sucl
were some OF YOU but ye are washed
but ye are sanctifled. but ye are justi
fed in the name OF the Lord Jesus
and by the spirit OF our God" q Cor
6:9.lD. What a testimony, and ye
how often has II been repeated in th,
history OF the saints from that da,
until this! Verify. God Is a refine
and purifier. Let US trust him, LIE
US obey his word Let US follow tn
example OF Jesus Christ. and wal
even as he walked" Let US yield ou,
selves to his spirit, that he may b
gloritied In us. Let the year that I
Just ahead OF US, II We live, and II tn
Lord tarries. be one In which
"our gold shall shine ou, with a richie
glow.
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