us more useful in God’s service. Then like threads of gold, holiness
will run through our lives, and the angels, beholding our consecration,
will repeat the promise, “I will make a man more precious than
fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.” All heaven
rejoices when weak, faulty human beings give themselves to Jesus,
to live His life.—The Review and Herald, October 1, 1908.
Joy Through Repentance
The conditions of salvation for man are ordained of God. Selfabasement
and cross-bearing are the provisions made for the repenting
sinner to find comfort and peace. The thought that Jesus
submitted to humiliation and sacrifice that man will never be called
to endure, should hush every murmuring voice. The sweetest joy
comes to man through his sincere repentance toward God because of
the transgression of His law, and faith in Jesus Christ as the sinner’s
Redeemer and Advocate.—The Signs of the Times, March 4, 1880. [109]
Chapter 29—The Victorious Life
Peace comes with dependence on divine power. As fast as the
soul resolves to act in accordance with the light given, the Holy Spirit
gives more light and strength. The grace of the Spirit is supplied to
co-operate with the soul’s resolve, but it is not a substitute for the
individual exercise of faith. Success in the Christian life depends
upon the appropriation of the light that God has given. It is not an
abundance of light and evidence that makes the soul free in Christ;
it is the rising of the powers and the will and the energies of the soul
to cry out sincerely, “Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief.”
I rejoice in the bright prospects of the future, and so may you.
Be cheerful, and praise the Lord for His lovingkindness. That which
you cannot understand, commit to Him. He loves you, and pities
your every weakness. He “hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings
in heavenly places in Christ.” It would not satisfy the heart of the
infinite One to give those who love His Son a lesser blessing than
He gives His Son.
Satan seeks to draw our minds away from the mighty Helper, to
lead us to ponder over our degeneration of soul. But though Jesus
sees the guilt of the past, He speaks pardon; and we should not
dishonor Him by doubting His love. The feeling of guiltiness must
be laid at the foot of the cross, or it will poison the springs of life.
[110] When Satan thrusts his threatenings upon you, turn from them, and
comfort your soul with the promises of God. The cloud may be
dark in itself, but when filled with the light of heaven, it turns to the
brightness of gold; for the glory of God rests upon it.
God’s children are not to be subject to feelings and emotions.
When they fluctuate between hope and fear, the heart of Christ is
hurt; for He has given them unmistakable evidence of His love....
He wants them to do the work He has given them; then their hearts
will become in His hands as sacred harps, every chord of which will
send forth praise and thanksgiving to the One sent by God to take
away the sins of the world.
102
Victorious Life 103
Christ’s love for His children is as tender as it is strong. And
it is stronger than death; for He died to purchase our salvation,
and to make us one with Him, mystically and eternally one. So
strong is His love that it controls all His powers, and employs the
vast resources of heaven in doing His people good. It is without
variableness or shadow of turning,—the same yesterday, today, and
forever. Although sin has existed for ages, trying to counteract this
love and obstruct its flowing earthward, it still flows in rich currents
to those for whom Christ died.—Testimonies to Ministers, 518-519.
The Dominating Influence
Remember that in your life, religion is not merely one influence
among others; it is to be an influence dominating all others.—Counsels
to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 489. [111]
Chapter 30—Living Faith
Many who are sincerely seeking for holiness of heart and purity
of life seem perplexed and discouraged. They are constantly looking
to themselves, and lamenting their lack of faith; and because
they have no faith, they feel that they cannot claim the blessing of
God. These persons mistake feeling for faith. They look above the
simplicity of true faith, and thus bring great darkness upon their
souls. They should turn the mind from self, to dwell upon the mercy
and goodness of God and to recount His promises, and then simply
believe that He will fulfill His word.
We are not to trust in our faith, but in the promises of God. When
we repent of our past transgressions of His law, and resolve to render
obedience in the future, we should believe that God for Christ’s sake
accepts us, and forgives our sins.
Darkness and discouragement will sometimes come upon the
soul, and threaten to overwhelm us; but we should not cast away
our confidence. We must keep the eye fixed on Jesus, feeling or no
feeling. We should seek to faithfully perform every known duty, and
then calmly rest in the promises of God.
Do Not Depend on Feeling
At times a deep sense of our unworthiness will send a thrill of
terror through the soul; but this is no evidence that God has changed
[112] toward us, or we toward God. No effort should be made to rein the
mind up to a certain intensity of emotion. We may not feel today the
peace and joy which we felt yesterday; but we should by faith grasp
the hand of Christ, and trust Him as fully in the darkness as in the
light.
Satan may whisper, “You are too great a sinner for Christ to save.”
While you acknowledge that you are indeed sinful and unworthy,
you may meet the tempter with the cry, “By virtue of the atonement,
I claim Christ as my Saviour. I trust not to my own merits, but to the
104
Living Faith 105
precious blood of Jesus, which cleanses me. This moment I hang my
helpless soul on Christ.” The Christian life must be a life of constant,
living faith. An unyielding trust, a firm reliance upon Christ, will
bring peace and assurance to the soul.
Be Not Discouraged
Be not discouraged because your heart seems hard. Every obstacle,
every internal foe, only increases your need of Christ. He came
to take away the heart of stone, and give you a heart of flesh. Look
to Him for special grace to overcome your peculiar faults. When
assailed by temptation, steadfastly resist the evil promptings; say to
your soul, “How can I dishonor my Redeemer? I have given myself
to Christ; I cannot do the works of Satan.” Cry to the dear Saviour
for help to sacrifice every idol, and to put away every darling sin.
Let the eye of faith see Jesus standing before the Father’s throne,
presenting His wounded hands as He pleads for you. Believe that
strength comes to you through your precious Saviour.
