atoning blood, and as God views him over he stands
"holy and unblamable and unreprovable in his sight." Halleluiah! Read Col.
1:21, 22. The redemption obtained through the blood of Jesus is perfect
and complete. It makes us "complete in him." Col. 2:10. Dear reader, this
moment, with open heart before the all-seeing eye of God, does the Spirit
witness clearly to your soul that you are "holy and without blame before
him in love?" To be like Jesus includes only his holy nature. We are not
to be like him in power to forgive sins, but in a holy life. We are to be
thus like him in this present life; "because as he is, so are we in this
world." 1 John 4:17. In this world, we are to be like him in holiness.
"But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of
conversation; because it is written, 'Be ye holy; for I am holy.' " 1 Pet.
1:15, 16. God predestinated that we should be like him. He is holy,
therefore he calls the believer unto holiness.
When we are restored to the holy nature of God it will be our nature to be
as merciful as he is merciful. "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father
also is merciful." Luke 6:36. The mercy of God consists in showing favor
unsolicited; in bestowing blessings upon the ungrateful. God in his mercy
gave his Son to die for a wicked world. When we are made partakers of the
divine nature, we go about showing favor and kindness to all; though men
scorn us, revile us, and trample us down without mercy, we eagerly seize
every opportunity to do them good.
With respect to the principles of Christianity we are, when fully
redeemed, perfect as our Father in heaven. "Be ye therefore perfect, even
as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Mat. 5:48. By reading the
contexts we find he is speaking of love. When fully saved there is naught
in our heart but love, loving just as God loves. Such love enables us with
joy to show kindness to our enemies, to feed them when they are hungry,
and give them drink when they thirst. Rom. 12:20.
When we are fully saved we are like the Lord in purity: "And every man
that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." 1 John
3:3. Every crimson stain of sin is cleansed away and we are whiter than
the snow. The evil nature incurred by Adam's sin is perfectly destroyed
and we are made as pure as though there had never been a sin in this
world.
We will be like our Creator and Redeemer in righteousness: "Little
children, let no
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