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Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing
by the gospel is preached unto you” (
1 Peter 1:25
). The word of God
is the only steadfast thing our world knows. It is the sure foundation.
“Heaven and earth shall pass away,” said Jesus, “but My words shall
not pass away.”
Matthew 24:35
.
The great principles of the law, of the very nature of God, are
embodied in the words of Christ on the mount. Whoever builds upon
them is building upon Christ, the Rock of Ages. In receiving the word,
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we receive Christ. And only those who thus receive His words are
building upon Him. “Other foundation can no man lay than that is
laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 3:11
. “There is none other
name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12
. Christ, the Word, the revelation of God,—the manifestation
of His character, His law, His love, His life,—is the only foundation
upon which we can build a character that will endure.
We build on Christ by obeying His word. It is not he who merely
enjoys righteousness, that is righteous, but he who does righteousness.
Holiness is not rapture; it is the result of surrendering all to God; it is
doing the will of our heavenly Father. When the children of Israel were
encamped on the borders of the Promised Land, it was not enough for
them to have a knowledge of Canaan, or to sing the songs of Canaan.
This alone would not bring them into possession of the vineyards and
olive groves of the goodly land. They could make it theirs in truth only
by occupation, by complying with the conditions, by exercising living
faith in God, by appropriating His promises to themselves, while they
obeyed His instruction.
Religion consists in doing the words of Christ; not doing to earn
God’s favor, but because, all undeserving, we have received the gift
of His love. Christ places the salvation of man, not upon profession
merely, but upon faith that is made manifest in works of righteousness.
Doing, not saying merely, is expected of the followers of Christ. It is
through action that character is built. “As many as are led by the Spirit
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of God, they are the sons of God.”
Romans 8:14
. Not those whose
hearts are touched by the Spirit, not those who now and then yield to
its power, but they that are led by the Spirit, are the sons of God.
Do you desire to become a follower of Christ, yet know not how
to begin? Are you in darkness and know not how to find the light?
Follow the light you have. Set your heart to obey what you do know of
the word of God. His power, His very life, dwells in His word. As you