Chapter 245—Power to Obey
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good
pleasure.
Philippians 2:13
.
The grace of God in Christ is the foundation of the Christian’s hope, and
that grace will be manifested in obedience.
Christ is the sympathetic, compassionate Redeemer. In His sustaining
power, men and women become strong to resist evil. As the convicted sinner
looks at sin, it becomes to him exceeding sinful.... He sees that his faults
must be overcome and that his appetites and passions must be subjected to
God’s will.... Having repented of his transgression of God’s law, he strives
earnestly to overcome sin. He seeks to reveal the power of Christ’s grace,
and he is brought into personal touch with the Saviour. Constantly he keeps
Christ before him. Praying, believing, receiving the blessings he needs, he
comes nearer and nearer to God’s standard for him.
New virtues are revealed in his character as he denies self and lifts the
cross, following where Christ leads the way. He loves the Lord Jesus with
his whole heart, and Christ becomes his wisdom, his righteousness, his
sanctification, and his redemption....
The miracle-working power of Christ’s grace is revealed in the creation
in man of a new heart, a higher life, a holier enthusiasm. God says: “A new
heart also will I give you” (
Ezekiel 36:26
). Is not this, the renewal of man,
the greatest miracle that can be performed? What cannot the human agent
do who by faith takes hold of the divine power?
Human effort avails nothing without divine power; and without human
endeavor, divine effort is with many of no avail. To make God’s grace our
own, we must act our part. His grace is given to work in us to will and to
do, but never as a substitute for our effort.... Those who walk in the path of
obedience will encounter many hindrances. Strong, subtle influences may
bind them to the world; but the Lord is able to render futile every agency that
works for the defeat of His chosen ones; in His strength they may overcome
every temptation, conquer every difficulty.
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