For where sin abounds, grace doth much more abound !
“By sin (doubt, fear & faithlessness) we have been severed from the Life of God. Our souls are palsied. Of ourselves we are no more capable of living a holy life than was the impotent man capable of walking. There are many who realize their helplessness, and who long for that spiritual Life which will bring them into harmony (close union, fellowship) with God; they are vainly striving to obtain it. In despair they cry, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from this body of death?” Romans 7:24
“By sin (doubt, fear & faithlessness – Romans 14:23), we have been severed from the Life of God . . . !”
“And this Life is in His Son !” I John 5:11-12
“For that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled . . . of the Word of Life ! For the Life (of God – Divinity) was manifested, and we have seen It, and bear witness, and shew unto you that Eternal Life which was with the Father, and has been manifested unto us . . . .” I John 1:1-2
“And this is Life Eternal, that they might know Thee, the Only True (faithful, Verity) God, and Jesus Christ Whom Thou has sent !” John 17:3 “For he that cometh to God (Jehovah, Yehuwah), must believe that He is (I AM) and that He is a Rewarder of all those that diligently seek Him . . . !” Hebrews 11:6
For “I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye Me in vain: for I the LORD (Yehuwah) speak righteousness, I declare (command, promise) things that are upright and righteous !” Isaiah 45:17-19 & 63:1
Let these desponding, struggling ones look up. The Saviour is bending over the purchase of His blood, saying with inexpressible tenderness and pity, “Wilt thou be made whole?” He bids you (______) arise in health and peace. Do not wait to feel that you are made whole. Believe His Word, and it will be fulfilled ! ref: Isaiah 52:1-3
Put your will on the side of Christ. Will to serve Him, and in acting upon His Word (by faith in His promise) you will receive strength. Whatever may be the evil practice, the master passion which through long indulgence binds both soul and body, Christ is able and longs to deliver. He will impart Life to the soul that is “dead in trespasses.” Ephesians 2:1. He will set free the captive that is held by weakness and misfortune and the chains of sin.” – Desire of Ages p.203
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled !” Matthew 5:6. For “I that speak in righteousness, Am mighty to save (deliver, set free, rescue, heal and make you whole again) !” Isaiah 63:1 “For the Words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are Life !” John 6:63
“When temptations assail you, when care and perplexity surround you, when, depressed and discouraged, you are ready to yield to despair, look to Jesus (Yehushua), and the darkness that encompasses you will be dispelled by the bright shining of His Presence. When sin struggles for the mastery in your soul, and burdens the conscience, look to the Saviour. His grace* (G5485) is sufficient to subdue sin. Let your grateful heart, trembling with uncertainty, turn to Him. Lay hold on the hope set before you. Christ waits to adopt you into His family. His strength will help your weakness; He will lead you step by step. Place your hand in His, and let Him guide you.
Never feel that Christ is far away. He is always near. His loving Presence surrounds you. Seek Him as One Who desires to be found of you. He desires you not only to touch His garments, but to walk with Him in constant communion . . . !”
– The Ministry of Healing, pp. 84, 85).
“The power of faith (simply trusting God’s Word, that He will do just as He has promised you), is shown by the miracle that Christ performed in healing the child possessed with a deaf and dumb spirit. “Master,” the father said to Jesus, “I have brought unto Thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; and wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him; . . . and I spake unto Thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.”
Jesus asked, “How long is it ago since this came unto him?” The father told the story of long years of suffering, and, then, as if he could endure no more, exclaimed, “If Thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.” “If Thou canst.” Even now the father questioned the power of Christ.
Jesus answered, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” There is no lack of power on the part of Christ; the healing of the son depends on the father’s faith (in God’s Promised Word – ref: Psalm 107:20, Psalm 103:1-5 & Isaiah 53:4-6 & 55:6-13).
With a burst of tears, realizing his own weakness, the father casts himself upon Christ’s mercy, with the cry, “Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief.” Jesus turns to the suffering one, and says (and His Word is with power – Luke 4:32-36, 5:12-13 & Matthew 8:16-17), “Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.”
There is a cry, an agonized struggle. The demon, in passing, seems about to rend the life from his victim. Then the boy lies motionless, and apparently lifeless. The multitude whispers, “He is dead.” But Jesus takes him by the hand, and, lifting him up, presents him, in perfect soundness of mind and body, to his father. Father and son praise the name of their Deliverer. The multitude are “amazed at the mighty power of God,” while the scribes, defeated and crestfallen, turn sullenly away.
“If Thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.” How many a sin-burdened soul has echoed that prayer. And to all the pitying. Saviour’s answer is, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” Matthew 9:23
It is faith that connects us with heaven, and brings us strength for coping with the powers of darkness. In Christ, God has provided means for subduing every sinful trait, and resisting every temptation, however strong. But many feel that they lack faith, and therefore they remain away from Christ. Let these souls, in their helpless unworthiness, cast themselves upon the mercy of their compassionate Saviour.
Look not to self, but to Christ. He Who healed the sick and cast out demons when He walked among men, is the same Mighty Redeemer today. Faith comes by the Word of God. Then grasp His promise, “Him that cometh to Me I will in nowise cast out.” Cast yourself at His feet with the cry, “Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief.”
“If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed,” said Jesus (Yehushua), “ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove.” Tho the grain of mustard seed is so small, it contains that same mysterious life principle which produces growth in the loftiest tree. When the mustard seed is cast into the ground, the tiny germ lays hold of every element that God has provided for its nutriment, and it speedily develops a sturdy growth. If you have faith like this, you will lay hold upon God’s Word, and upon all the helpful agencies He has appointed. Thus your faith will strengthen and will bring to your aid the power of heaven. The obstacles that are piled by Satan across your path, tho apparently as insurmountable as the eternal hills, shall disappear before the demand of faith. “Nothing shall be impossible unto you !“
Not because we see or feel that God hears us are we to believe. We are to trust His Promises (for it is impossible for Deity to lie – ref: Titus 1:2 & Hebrews 6:17-18 & Isaiah 55:8-12). When we come to Him in faith every petition enters into the heart of God. When we have asked for His Blessing(Galatians 3:14, Hebrews 6:13, Acts 3:25-26 & Titus 3:4-6), we should believe that we receive it, and thank Him that we have received it. Then we are to go about our duties, assured that the blessing will be realized when we need it most. When we have learned to do this, we shall know that our prayers are answered. God will do for us “exceeding abundantly,” “according to the riches of His glory,” and “the working of His mighty power.” Ephesians 3:16-20, 1:19 & I Thessalonians 2:13
– Signs of the Times, January 20, 1904