(J. R. Miller, "In His Steps" 1897)
"Religion that God our
Father accepts as pure
and faultless is this--
to keep oneself from being
polluted by the world."
James 1:27
Holiness means separation unto God.
The life which belongs to Christ--
must be kept from sin. The hands
which are held up in prayer--
must not touch any unclean thing.
The lips which speak to God,
and sing His praise--
must not be stained by any
sinful or bitter words.
The heart which is the dwelling
place of the Holy Spirit--
must not open to any thought
or affection which would
defile God's temple.
The feet which Christ's
pierced hands have washed--
must not walk in any of sin's
unhallowed paths. A Christian's
life must be holy.
Unholiness is very subtle.
It creeps in when we are not
aware. It begins in the heart.
At first it is but a thought,
a moment's imagination,
a passing emotion, or a desire.
Hence the heart should be kept
with unremitting diligence.
Only pure and holy thoughts
should be entertained.
It is in the thoughts, that
all acts begin. All acts
are first thoughts. Our thoughts
build up our character,
as the coral insects build
up the great reefs.
"As a man thinks in his heart--
so is he." (Proverb 23:7)
If we are to keep ourselves
unspotted from the world,
as we pass through
its foul streets--
we must see to it that
no unholy thing is for
a moment tolerated
in our heart!
A crime stains one's
name before the world;
a sinful thought or
desire stains the soul
in God's sight, and
grieves the divine
Spirit within us!
"Above all else, guard
your heart, for out of it
are the issues of life."
Proverbs 4:23
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