Sanctification of the Whole Man

[devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org]

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       Ellen G. White Estate, Devotional for August 11
       Visit us at http://www.whiteestate.org
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Sanctification of the Whole Man

Be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which 
after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Eph. 4:23, 24. 


The truth must sanctify the whole man--his mind, his thoughts, his heart, his 
strength. His vital powers will not be consumed upon his own lustful 
practices. These must be overcome, or they will overcome him. . . . The 
thoughts need purifying. What might not men and women have been had they 
realized that the treatment of the body has everything to do with the vigor 
and purity of mind and heart. 

The true Christian obtains an experience which brings holiness. He is without 
a spot of guilt upon the conscience, or a taint of corruption upon the soul. 
The spirituality of the law of God, with its limiting principles, is brought 
into his life. The light of truth irradiates his understanding. A glow of 
perfect love for the Redeemer clears away the miasma which has interposed 
between his soul and God. The will of God has become his will, pure, elevated, 
refined, and sanctified. His countenance reveals the light of heaven. His body 
is a fit temple for the Holy Spirit. Holiness adorns his character. God can 
commune with him; for soul and body are in harmony with God. . . . 

God would have us realize that He has a right to mind, soul, body, and spirit--
to all that we possess. We are His by creation and by redemption. As our 
Creator, He claims our entire service. As our Redeemer, He has a claim of love 
as well as of right--of love without a parallel. This claim we should realize 
every moment of our existence. . . . Our bodies, our souls, our lives, are 
His, not only because they are His free gift, but because He constantly 
supplies us with His benefits, and gives us strength to use our 
faculties. . . . He says, "As many as received him, to them gave he power to 
become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.". . . 

Those who are sons of God will represent Christ in character. Their works will 
be perfumed by the infinite tenderness, compassion, love, and purity of the 
Son of God. And the more completely mind and body are yielded to the Holy 
Spirit, the greater will be the fragrance of our offering to Him. 


>From Maranatha - Page 231