Purify Yourselves by Isaac Sanborn

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 16, 1862

Purify Yourselves.

By Isaac Sanborn

"I BESEECH you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world." Rom. xii, 1, 2.

Paul, in speaking of the fall of the first house of Israel, says in chap. xi, 20, Well, because of unbelief they were broken off; and thou standest by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear; for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he spare not thee.

The apostle, feeling stirred at the possibility of the grafts' falling, says, I beseech you to present your bodies holy. It is possible that many brethren and sisters do not give that attention to the apostle's testimony that the greatness of the subject demands. We see that in the Jewish priesthood the priests had to cleanse themselves before they began to minister unto God. See Ex. xxix, 4. And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water, and put on the linen garments. Here every one can see that they had to be physically clean before they could minister before the Lord.

Now contrast with the above what Paul says in Titus ii, 14: Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord; and I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Cor. vi, 17, 18.

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit (or mind), perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. Chap. vii, 1. How few there are who are willing to obey the Lord in the above requirements, but will continue in idolatrous practices; will chew and smoke their filthy tobacco, and wear their jewelry, artificials, and hoops, and still profess that they are commandment-keepers; while the Lord has just said, Cleanse yourselves. We hope such will reform immediately, that they may be reckoned with those of whom Peter speaks in his first epistle ii, 5: Ye also as lively stones are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. See also verse 9.

Now what do those priests have to offer? Paul says, Their bodies a living sacrifice. But are there not a good many who, if we may judge from their acts and words, have reserved their tongues to themselves, and are using them in an unlawful manner, speaking evil of their brethren, while James says, Speak not evil one of another, brethren? James iv, 11. But be ye kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in honor preferring one another. Rom. xii, 10.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil. Eph. vi, 10, 11.

But some act as though Paul had told them to stand against the wiles of their brethren, and go to wrestling against flesh and blood; notwithstanding Paul says in verse 12, For we wrestle not against flesh and blood (and of course not against our brethren and sisters), but against principalities and against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places, or as the margin reads, wicked spirits in heavenly places. O that God may help all to cease their warfare with each other, and go to warring against the Devil, who is making war with the remnant of the woman's seed which keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Rev. xii, 17.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Wherefore laying aside all malice and all guile, hypocrisies, envyings, and all evil speakings, &c., 1 Pet. ii, 1, having done all these things, stand, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

Let every one heed these commands, and peace will be the result among God's people. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

Come, brethren, let us wake up, for the day of the Lord is at hand, and who shall be able to stand? David answers in Ps. xv: He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart: he that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor. Verse 5. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. Now as Paul says in Col. iii, 3, Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, would it not be well for us all who are in the habit of fault-finding, to lay it all aside, and take unto us the whole armor of God, and begin to fight Satan and his evil host. May God help all thus to do, is my prayer. ISAAC SANBORN. Newkirk, Green Co., Wis.