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Fundamentals of Christian Education
degree of rest who are bound as slaves to his chariot, for they are
his willing captives; but his enmity is aroused when the message of
mercy reaches his bondslaves, and they seek to wrench themselves
away from his power, that they may follow the true Shepherd. Then
it is that he seeks to bind them with additional chains to hold them in
their captivity. The conflict between the soul and Satan begins when
the captive begins to tug at the chain, and longs to be free; for it is then
that the human agent begins to co-operate with heavenly intelligences,
when faith takes hold on Christ. Then it is that the Stronger than the
strong man armed, is the helper of the soul, and the poor captive is
strengthened by the Holy Spirit to obtain his freedom.
God has a deep and earnest love for every member of the human
family; not one is forgotten, not one is left helpless and deceived to be
overcome by the enemy. And if those who have enlisted in the army
of Christ will put on the whole armor of God, and wear it, they will be
proof against all the assaults of the enemy. Those who really desire
to be taught of God, and to walk in His way, have the sure promise
that if they feel their lack of wisdom and ask of God, He will give
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liberally, and upbraid not. The apostle says, “Let him ask in faith,
nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven
with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall
receive anything of the Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all
his ways.” God is behind every promise, and we cannot dishonor Him
more than by questioning and hesitating, by asking and not believing,
and then by talking doubt. If you do not immediately receive what you
have asked for, will you go on in sullenness and unbelief? Believe;
believe that God will do just what He has promised. Keep your prayers
ascending, and watch, work, and wait. Fight the good fight of faith.
Say to your heart, “God has invited me to come. He has heard my
prayer. He has pledged His word that he will receive me, and He will
fulfil His promise. I can trust God; for He so loved me that He gave
His only-begotten Son to die for me. The Son of God is my Redeemer.”
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it
shall be opened unto you.” “If ye then, being evil, know how to give
good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly
Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?”
The youth who enter and continue their school life with the true
object before them, will not be homesick or disappointed. They will