Living Faith
103
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.
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Contemplation of Christ
By faith look upon the crowns laid up for those who shall over-
come; listen to the exultant song of the redeemed, Worthy, worthy is
the Lamb that was slain and hast redeemed us to God! Endeavor to
regard these scenes as real. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, in his
terrible conflict with principalities and powers, and spiritual wicked-
ness in high places, exclaimed, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and
the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.” The Saviour of
the world was revealed to him as looking down from heaven upon him
with the deepest interest; and the glorious light of Christ’s countenance
shone upon Stephen with such brightness that even his enemies saw
his face shine like the face of an angel.
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 of the Lord. Pride and love of the world will lose
their power as we contemplate the glories of that better land so soon
to be our home. Beside the loveliness of Christ, all earthly attractions
will seem of little worth.