Subject Presented in 1883
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your sins, do not devote all your powers to mourning over them, but
look and live. Jesus is our only Saviour; and although millions who
need to be healed will reject His offered mercy, not one who trusts
in His merits will be left to perish. While we realize our helpless
condition without Christ, we must not be discouraged; we must rely
upon a crucified and risen Saviour. Poor, sin-sick, discouraged soul,
look and live. Jesus has pledged His word; He will save all who come
unto Him.
Come to Jesus, and receive rest and peace. You may have the
blessing even now. Satan suggests that you are helpless, and cannot
bless yourself. It is true; you are helpless. But lift up Jesus before him:
“I have a risen Saviour. In Him I trust, and He will never suffer me to
be confounded. In His name I triumph. He is my righteousness, and
my crown of rejoicing.” Let no one here feel that his case is hopeless;
for it is not. You may see that you are sinful and undone; but it is
just on this account that you need a Saviour. If you have sins to
confess, lose no time. These moments are golden. “If we confess our
sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness” (
1 John 1:9
). Those who hunger and thirst
after righteousness will be filled; for Jesus has promised it. Precious
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Saviour! His arms are open to receive us, and His great heart of love
is waiting to bless us.
Some seem to feel that they must be on probation and must prove
to the Lord that they are reformed, before they can claim His blessing.
But these dear souls may claim the blessing even now. They must have
His grace, the Spirit of Christ, to help their infirmities, or they cannot
form a Christian character. Jesus loves to have us come to Him, just as
we are—sinful, helpless, dependent.
Repentance a Gift of God
Repentance, as well as forgiveness, is the gift of God through
Christ. It is through the influence of the Holy Spirit that we are
convicted of sin, and feel our need of pardon. None but the contrite
are forgiven; but it is the grace of God that makes the heart penitent.
He is acquainted with all our weaknesses and infirmities, and He will
help us.