“Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”
Paul the apostle, writing in 2 Corinthians 7:1
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”
Paul the apostle to Titus, an apostolic worker, in Titus 2:11-14
“When we yield ourselves to God as a living sacrifice, while holy and acceptable in our standing in Christ we are far from holy in our state. Yet it is only in proportion to our holiness of life and walk in Him that God can work His will in and through us as His instruments. What we are becomes the measure of what we can do, or rather, of what God can do through us. We must be Christlike in inner life if we would be Christlike in outward deed. A holy God needs a holy instrument through which to live His holy life. All that is of self within us hinders the manifestation of Christ within us. Therefore we may expect that the God Who wants a holy instrument for service will, as soon as it is yielded to Him, set His hand to purification. “Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth…” He “child-traineth,” as the work signifies. Once yielded to Him, He lays His hand upon us, not in law but in grace; not in punishment but in purification; not with the wrath of a judge but the love of a Father.”
“Wherefore it is the with the tender love of the Father, solicitous that His purpose of Christlikeness, that there comes upon us that child-training which is the explanation of the furnace, the crucible, and the refining pot. And we ourselves may either greatly aid or sadly hinder His work in this regard. With our will pliant and submissive to Him at all points, very quickly will He carry on His blessed work within us. But with those will stubborn and discordant, equally slow and unsatisfactory will the process.“
James McConkey, in “The Surrendered Life.”
Image via Pixabay.
One Pursuit 
Thank you for this beautiful message from this book. With gentleness, as a Good Father would use, he ensures “that there comes upon us that child-training which is the explanation of the furnace, the crucible, and the refining pot.” We can hinder or help the process of being trained. So true, Timothy! I’m in awe to think of this holy transformation that occurred in my own life. When one realizes the true love of THE Father, it’s a sign of GREATER love when you feel the training and molding of your spirit to be even more holy and Christ-like! I surrender! Happy Labor Day my friend! Stay blessed!
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