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A New Life (Revival and Beyond)
constantly receiving grace from Him, and Christ accepting gratitude
from us.
When this intimacy of connection and communion is formed, our
sins are laid upon Christ; His righteousness is imputed to us. He was
made sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in
Him. We have access to God through Him; we are accepted in the
Beloved....
It was when Christ was about to take leave of His disciples that
He gave them the beautiful emblem of His relation to believers. He
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had been presenting before them the close union with Himself by
which they could maintain spiritual life when His visible presence was
withdrawn. To impress it upon their minds He gave them the vine as
its most striking and appropriate symbol....
All Christ’s followers have as deep an interest in this lesson as had
the disciples who listened to His words. In the apostasy, man alienated
himself from God. The separation is wide and fearful; but Christ has
made provision again to connect us with Himself. The power of evil is
so identified with human nature that no man can overcome except by
union with Christ. Through this union we receive moral and spiritual
power. If we have the spirit of Christ we shall bring forth the fruit of
righteousness, fruit that will honor and bless men, and glorify God.
The Father is the vinedresser. He skillfully and mercifully prunes
every fruit-bearing branch. Those who share Christ’s suffering and
reproach now will share His glory hereafter. He “is not ashamed to call
them brethren.” His angels minister to them. His second appearing will
be as the Son of man, thus even in His glory identifying Himself with
humanity. To those who have united themselves to Him, He declares:
“Though a mother may forget her child, ‘yet will not I forget thee.
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands.’ Thou art
continually before Me.”
Pruning the Branches
Oh, what amazing privileges are proffered us!
Will we put forth most earnest efforts to form this alliance with
Christ, through which alone these blessings are attained? Will we
break off our sins by righteousness and our iniquities by turning unto
the Lord? Skepticism and infidelity are widespread. Christ asked the