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In what, then, are justification and sanctification alike? (a) Both proceed originally from the free grace of God. It is of His gift alone that believers are justified or sanctified at all. (b) Both are part of that great work of salvation which Christ, in the eternal covenant, has undertaken on behalf of His people. Christ is the fountain of life, from which pardon and holiness both flow. The root of each is Christ. (c) Both are to be found in the same persons. Those who are justified are always sanctified, and those who are sanctified are always justified. God has joined them together, and they cannot be put asunder. (d) Both begin at the same time. The moment a person begins to be a justified person, he also begins to be a sanctified person. He may not feel it, but it is a fact. (e) Both are alike necessary to salvation. No one ever reached heaven without a renewed heart as well as forgiveness, without the Spirit’s grace as well as the blood of Christ, without a meetness for eternal glory as well as a title. The one is just as necessary as the other.
J.C. Ryle

No growing occurs, however, without the realization that we cannot progress in our faithfulness to God without the supernatural work of the Spirit. This acknowledgment keeps us from pride in our maturity, or from too hasty judgment of others’ spiritual condition. For instance, I can be tempted to take pride in my parenting by virtue of my children’s wonderful record of scholarship and conduct. However, I may learn upon my entry into heaven that the reason God so blessed me was that my faith was too weak to have persevered with the more troubled children of other Christian parents (whom I too frequently judge for the apparent failings). The challenges of raising a child are as much for the sanctification of the parents as they are for the benefit of the child. Perhaps this is the reason that childbearing and rearing come so early in our adult life cycle. Growing families are God’s pressure cooker to mature many of us quickly for the spiritual trials that he knows are ahead. Only the Spirit knows what is best for the spiritual nurture of each individual, and he matures us by means natural and supernatural that will be fully revealed to us only in glory. Our cause for rejoicing now, however, is faith that our union with Christ makes available to us the work of the Spirit that enables us to change.
Bryan Chapell

    • Rice Pilaf with Japanese Mushrooms

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    CATEGORY CUISINE TAG YIELD
    Grains Japanese Pasta 5 Servings

    INGREDIENTS

    1 c Boiling water
    1 oz Dried shiitake mushrooms
    3/4 c Wild rice, uncooked
    1 tb Dark sesame oil
    1/2 c Chopped onion
    3/4 c Long-grain rice, uncooked
    3 tb Low-sodium soy sauce
    5 ts Sesame seeds, toasted

    INSTRUCTIONS

    Combine water and mushrooms; cover and let stand 20 minutes. Drain,
reserving mushroom liquid; add water to reserved liquid to yield 3 cups.
Discard mushroom stems. Thinly slice mushroom caps; set aside.
Rinse wild rice in 3 changes of hot water; drain. Heat oil in a saucepan
over medium heat until hot. Add mushroom and onion; saute 5 minutes or
until tender. Add reserved mushroom liquid; bring to a boil. Stir in wild
rice.
Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 40 minutes. Stir in long-grain rice; cover
and simmer 20 minutes or until tender. Remove from heat; stir in soy sauce.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Yield: 5 servings (serving size: 1 cup).
Per serving: 229 Calories; 5g Fat (18% calories from fat); 6g Protein; 43g
Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 298mg Sodium
Recipe by: Cooking Light, June 1994, page 120
Posted to MC-Recipe Digest V1 #418 by igor@digex.net on Jan 28, 1997.

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