Torch, Summer 1995

l we do not give ourselves to the doesn't justify our sinfulness , or pursuit of holiness- developing excuse our sins. It simply patterns which avoid evil and recognizes the true power source establishing patterns of for change in our lives . It stops us righteousness . It does mean we from believing we have arrived cannot accomplish growth in because of what we ' ve done (or holiness merely through self- not done), and rejoices that we effort. The performance treadmill have progressed, because of what for sanctification never makes Christ has done in us. We don 't forward progress . It only change ourselves , but we are produces frustration as we fail. changed. The transformation of We will never become pure our hearts and the placement of a through more discipline. We desire to do what's right- these require a change of heart; a basic are acts of God . By the death of change of disposition towards Jesus He has claimed us and made God and towards His law. This us a people zealous for good stops us from depending on deeds (Titus 2: 14). The power of ourselves, restrains us from our ongoing cleansing is found in comparing ourselves to others , the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7). It and causes us to cry out, "Create is now, by virtue of this work, that ~=--------.., believers may attain in me a pure heart, 0 God" (Psalm 51: 1Oa). Approaches to purity which only examine the outside underestimate the extent of our uncleanness. Attempts to become pure through self-improvement misidentify the means of our purification. We are not only saved for eternity by God's grace, but we are changed in the present as well. This doesn't mean we don't care about behaviors. It to purity (1 John 3:3 ,6) . The threat of Sand Creek 's water being . . impure is a disappointment to me. Though it is very beautiful, it is intended to do more than look good. It is supposed to quench thirst and provide needed refreshment for my body. How much more disappointing is the fact that we, people created in the image of God, are impure. That impure heart has separated us from the Creator and rendered us incapable of fulfilling our purpose . But there is hope. There is a cleansing available which purifies our hearts, and enables us to produce fruits of true righteousness . Then the beauty of pure lives-sincere love, authentic relationships , integrity, moral cleanness-will be a demonstration of the heart 's purity, observed, accepted and rewarded by God Himself, the one who examines our hearts (Jeremiah 17:10; Proverbs 15 :26) . "' The New Bible Dicrionary. Tyndale House Publishers. Wheaton, IL. 1982. 2nd edition . Tom Hutchison is returning to Cedarville College this year to become assistant professor of Christian education in the Department of Biblical Education. Hutchison is a 1980 Cedarville graduate who also earned an M.Div. from Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary and has completed all coursework for his doctorate at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He has been an associate pastor at Garfield Baptist Church in Milwaukee since 1987, working with youth and Christian education . Patient Physician Receives Transplant Dr. Kent Amstutz, interviewed in the recent TORCH article, "A Patient Physician, " underwent successful liver transplant surgery in July. The article told of Dr. Amstutz' experience of waiting for a transplant. Interviewed this spring, he shared, "We can 't control the future , so why not trust the sovereign God of the universe? ...Even in the ups and downs and anxieties, underneath there is peace and joy and hope- as you wait on him. " The Amstutz family is rejoicing in God 's blessing and Kent 's improving health. Torch 9