Chapter 59—Power of Example In the epistle of Paul to Titus, chapter 2:13, 14, we read: “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” This great work is to be performed for those only who are willing to be purified, willing to be peculiar, and who manifest a zeal in good works. How many shrink from the purifying process! They are unwilling to live out the truth, unwilling to appear singular in the eyes of the world. It is this mingling with the world that destroys our spirituality, pureness, and zeal. Satan’s power is constantly exercised to stupefy the sensibilities of God’s people, that their consciences may not be sensitive to wrong, and that the sign of distinction between them and the world may be destroyed. {1T 274.3}

I Paulus' brev til Titus, kapitel 2,13.14 læser vi: »I forventningen om det salige håb og den store Guds og vor frelsers Jesu Kristi herlige tilsynekomst, han, som hengav sig selv for os, for at løskøbe os fra al vor lovløshed og rense sig et ejendomsfolk, der er ivrigt efter at gøre gode gerninger.« Dette store arbejde skal udføres for dem som vil lade sig rense, villig til at blive noget særligt og som viser en nidkærhed i gode gerninger. Hvor mange unddrager sig dog ved renselsesprocessen! De vil ikke praktisere sandheden, vil ikke vise sig som noget særligt i verden. Det er denne sammenblanding med verden der ødelægger vore åndelighed, renhed og nidkærhed. Satans kraft udøves hele tiden (275) for at bedrøve Guds folks følsomhed, så deres samvittighed ikke kan være følsom over for fejl og at tegnene på forskel mellem dem og verden kan blive ødelagt.