1881 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

But remember that while justification is a blessed thing, it doesnot change your nature--you are still a human being, and unlessyou proceed you will never be a spiritual being--never beanything but a human being. You are saved from the wretchedstate of sin and alienation from God, and, instead of being ahuman sinner, you are a human son, and now because you are ason, God speaks to you as such, saying, "My son, give me thyheart:" that is, give yourself, all your earthly powers, will,talents--your all to me (as Jesus hath set us an example) and Iwill make you a son on a higher plane than the human; I willmake you a spiritual being (i.e. a being with a spiritual body)like the risen Jesus--"the express image of the Father's person."If you will give up all of the earthly and consecrate it entirely tome and use it up in my service, I will give you a higher naturethan the rest of your race--I will make you "partakers of thedivine nature"--make you "heirs of God and joint-heirs withChrist; if so be that you suffer with him, that you may be alsoglorified together."--Rom. 8:17.Do you value this prize set before us in the Gospel? Then layaside every weight and run with patience the race, that you maywin it. Works were not called for in lifting you out of sin. No,Jesus did all the works that could be done to that end, and liftedyou by faith to plane N. But now, if you would go further, youcannot go without works: true, you must not lose your faith, elseyou will lose your justification; but being justified you are able(through the grace given unto you by your begetting of theSpirit) to have works, to bring forth fruit; and God demands it.He demands that you shall show your appreciation of the grandprize by giving all that you have and areR274 : page 116for it, not to men, but to God--a sacrifice holy and acceptable tohim--your reasonable service. When you present all these things,say: Lord, how would you have me deliver these things to you?Examine the Word for God's answer and you will probably hearhis voice instructing you to deliver your all to him as Jesus andas Paul did, viz., by "doing good unto all men as you haveopportunity, especially to the household of faith." Serving themwith spiritual or natural food, clothing them in Christ'srighteousness or with earthly raiment, as you may have ability orthey have necessity. Having consecrated all, you are begotten ofthe spirit--you have reached plane M, and now, through thepower given unto you, if you will use it, you will be able to doall of your Covenant and to come off conquerors, and more thanconquerors through (the power or spirit of) him who loved usand bought us with his own precious blood. Thus walking in thefootsteps of Jesus--Ne'er think the victory won,Nor once at ease sit down;