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From Here to Forever
that we must trust the Hand that is omnipotent, the Heart that is full
of love.
God will never remove all excuse for unbelief. All who look
for hooks to hang their doubts upon will find them. And those who
refuse to obey until every objection has been removed will never
come to the light. The unrenewed heart is at enmity with God. But
faith is inspired by the Holy Spirit and will flourish as it is cherished.
No man can become strong in faith without determined effort. If
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men permit themselves to cavil, they will find doubt becoming more
confirmed.
But those who doubt and distrust the assurance of His grace
dishonor Christ. They are unproductive trees that shut away the
sunlight from other plants, causing them to droop and die under
the chilling shadow. The lifework of these persons will appear as a
never-ceasing witness against them.
There is but one cause for those to pursue who honestly desire
to be freed from doubts. Instead of questioning that which they do
not understand, let them give heed to the light which already shines
upon them, and they will receive greater light.
Satan can present a counterfeit so closely resembling the truth
that it deceives those willing to be deceived, who desire to shun the
sacrifice demanded by the truth. But it is impossible for him to hold
under his power one soul who honesty desires, at whatever cost, to
know the truth. Christ is the truth, the “Light, which lighteth every
man that cometh into the world.” “If any man will do his will, he
shall know of the doctrine.”
John 1:9
;
7:17
.
The Lord permits His people to be subjected to the fiery ordeal
of temptation, not because He takes pleasure in their distress, but
because this is essential to their final victory. He could not, con-
sistently with His own glory, shield them from temptation, for the
object of the trial is to prepare them to resist all the allurements of
evil. Neither wicked men nor devils can shut out God’s presence
from His people if they will confess and put away their sins and
claim His promises. Every temptation, open or secret, may be suc-
cessfully resisted, “not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit,
saith the Lord of hosts.”
Zechariah 4:6
.
“Who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which
is good?”
1 Peter 3:13
. Satan is well aware that the weakest soul