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Schemes of Satan, July 30
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a
roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
1
Peter 5:8
.
It is unsafe to trust to feelings or impressions; these are unreliable
guides. God’s law is the only correct standard of holiness. It is by this
law that character is to be judged. If an inquirer after salvation were to
ask, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” the modern teachers of
sanctification would answer, “Only believe that Jesus saves you.” But
when Christ was asked this question He said, “What is written in the
law? how readest thou?” And when the questioner replied, “Thou shalt
love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbour as thyself,”
Jesus said, “Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.”
Luke
10:26-28
.
No value is attached to a mere profession of faith in Christ; only the
love which is shown by works is counted genuine. Yet it is love alone
which in the sight of Heaven makes any act of value....
The hidden selfishness of men stands revealed in the books of
heaven.... Sad is the record which angels bear to heaven. Intelligent
beings, professed followers of Christ, are absorbed in the acquirement
of worldly possessions or the enjoyment of earthly pleasures. Money,
time, and strength are sacrificed for display and self-indulgence; but few
are the moments devoted to prayer, to the searching of the Scriptures, to
humiliation of soul and confession of sin.
Satan invents unnumbered schemes to occupy our minds, that they
may not dwell upon the very work with which we ought to be best
acquainted. The archdeceiver hates the great truths that bring to view an
atoning sacrifice and an all-powerful Mediator. He knows that with him
everything depends on his diverting minds from Jesus and His truth.
Those who would share the benefits of the Saviour’s mediation
should permit nothing to interfere with their duty to perfect holiness in
the fear of God.
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