Basic HTML Version
330
The Ministry of Healing
Minds that have been given up to loose thought need to change.
“Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for
the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus
Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to
the former lusts in your ignorance: but as He which hath called you
is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is
written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:13-16
.
The thoughts must be centered upon God. We must put forth
earnest effort to overcome the evil tendencies of the natural heart.
Our efforts, our self-denial and perseverance, must be proportionate
to the infinite value of the object of which we are in pursuit. Only
by overcoming as Christ overcame shall we win the crown of life.
The Need of Self-Renunciation
Man’s great danger is in being self-deceived, indulging self-
sufficiency, and thus separating from God, the source of his strength.
Our natural tendencies, unless corrected by the Holy Spirit of God,
have in them the seeds of moral death. Unless we become vitally
connected with God, we cannot resist the unhallowed effects of
self-indulgence, self-love, and temptation to sin.
In order to receive help from Christ, we must realize our need.
We must have a true knowledge of ourselves. It is only he who
knows himself to be a sinner that Christ can save. Only as we see
our utter helplessness and renounce all self-trust, shall we lay hold
on divine power.
It is not only at the beginning of the Christian life that this
renunciation of self is to be made. At every advance step heavenward
it is to be renewed. All our good works are dependent on a power
outside of ourselves; therefore there needs to be a continual reaching
out of the heart after God, a constant, earnest confession of sin and
humbling of the soul before Him. Perils surround us; and we are
safe only as we feel our weakness and cling with the grasp of faith
[456]
to our mighty Deliverer.