Chapter 76—Accessible to All
In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of
him.
Ephesians 3:12
.
Many who are sincerely seeking for holiness of heart and purity of
life seem perplexed and discouraged.... 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.
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 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 precious blood of Jesus,
which cleanses me. This moment I hang my helpless soul on Christ”....
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.... 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....
If we would permit our minds to dwell more upon Christ and the heavenly
world, we should find a powerful stimulus and support in fighting the battles
121