August 12

Read: I John 3:1-3

We are children of God now, beloved; what we are to be is not apparent yet, but we do know that when he appears we are to be like him (I John 3:2, Moffatt).

We Must Not Surrender To Discouragement

What attitude shall I take when, after I have been sanctified, I discover in myself conduct that is less than Christlike? The normal reaction is discouragement. When I see some glorious manifestation of grace in the life of another sanctified Christian, I am tempted to say, “I guess I must be mistaken about my own experience. If I really had the Holy Spirit in my heart, I too would manifest perfect love that way.” But to yield to this temptation is to cripple the faith upon which our continuing sanctification depends. If persisted in, such doubts blight our faith and will destroy our souls.

We are hard pressed at times to know what minimum Christian behavior is consistent with entire sanctification. In these hours we must never forget that God’s plan is for us to grow in the perfection of Christian conduct. Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit as the Comforter, or Strengthener. One purpose for His coming is to make us stronger Christians tomorrow than we have been today.

God overlooks much weakness in a spiritual babe — even a Sanctified babe! But there is one unchanging principle governing our relationship to God in the life of Christian holiness: He overlooks more shortcomings in the early sanctified life than later on. God expects us to grow in grace. We may not be very good representatives now, but if we belong wholly to God today, there is bright prospect for tomorrow.

Hope For Today

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him (I John 3:2).