“Self-denial is not about just giving up occasional luxuries, either temporarily or even for good. It isn’t a matter of denying things to myself, but of denying myself to myself. It is to say ‘no’ to self, and ‘yes’ to Christ; to demote self and give first place to Christ”–John Stott, Basic Christianity, 112.
“We only hurt ourselves when we dwell on what has happened to us and fantasize about what it will be like when ‘they’ get punished. Most of all, we grieve the Holy Spirit of God, and this is why we lose our sense of peace. I have come to the conclusion that the primary way we grieve the Spirit in our lives is by fostering bitterness in our hearts. I say this because it is the first thing the apostle Paul mentions after warning us not to grieve the Spirit. ‘And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.’–Ephesians 4:30-32”–R.T. Kendall, Total Forgiveness, 6.
“What is the goal of our battles? The goal is a future where this earth will be covered with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the bottom of the sea. Here on this earth a change of throne will take place, from the prince of darkness to the King of Light. The prince of this world, the prince of darkness, will be dethroned and Jesus, the King, the Prince of Light, the Messiah, will reign”–Corrie ten Boom, Not I, but Christ, 135-6.
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He that is saved continues to be saved, and goes on to be saved from day to day, from every sin and from every form of evil. 1806.583 Our degenerate nature can rot into a still direr putrefaction, but it can never return to purity or sweeten itself into perfection; this is of God and God alone. Sanctification is as much the work of God as the making of the heavens and the earth. 1890.153 Every truth leads towards holiness; every error of doctrine, directly or indirectly, leads to sin. 1890.154 Christ’s prayer is, “Sanctify them through thy Truth.” The more Truth you believe, the more sanctified you will be. The operation of truth upon the mind is to separate a man from the world unto the service of God. Just in proportion as Truth is given up, worldliness and frivolity are sure to prevail. 2144.266 – ?
Blessings