292
Selected Messages Book 1
a sin is left unconfessed to confront the sinner in the day of final
account; better far to confront your sins now, to confess them and put
them away, while the atoning Sacrifice pleads in your behalf. Do not
fail to learn the will of God on this subject. The health of your soul
and the salvation of others depends upon the course you pursue in
this matter. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of
God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon
him: for he careth for you” (
1 Peter 5:6, 7
). The humble and broken
heart can appreciate something of the love of God and the cross of
Calvary. Ample will be the blessing experienced by him who meets
the condition by which he may become a partaker of the favor of God.
Call for Surrender
We are to surrender our hearts to God, that He may renew and
sanctify us, and fit us for His heavenly court. We are not to wait for
some special time, but today we are to give ourselves to Him, refusing
to be the servants of sin. Do you imagine you can leave off sin a little
at a time? Oh, leave the accursed thing at once! Hate the things that
Christ hates, love the things that Christ loves. Has He not by His death
and suffering made provision for your cleansing from sin? When we
begin to realize that we are sinners, and fall on the Rock to be broken,
[328]
the everlasting arms are placed about us, and we are brought close
to the heart of Jesus. Then we shall be charmed with His loveliness,
and disgusted with our own righteousness. We need to come close
to the foot of the cross. The more we humble ourselves there, the
more exalted will God’s love appear. The grace and righteousness of
Christ will not avail for him who feels whole, for him who thinks he is
reasonably good, who is contented with his own condition. There is
no room for Christ in the heart of him who does not realize his need
of divine light and aid.
Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven” (
Matthew 5:3
). There is fullness of grace in God, and we
may have His spirit and power in large measure. Do not feed on the
husks of self-righteousness, but go to the Lord. He has the best robe to
put upon you, and His arms are open to receive. Christ will say, “Take
away the filthy garments from him, and clothe him with a change of
raiment.”