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Union With Christ, August 27
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh,
to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Romans 13:14
.
To effect the salvation of men, God employs various agencies. He speaks to
them by His word and by His ministers, and He sends by the Holy Spirit messages
of warning, reproof, and instruction. These means are designed to enlighten the
understanding of the people, to reveal to them their duty and their sins, and the
blessings which they may receive; to awaken in them a sense of spiritual want,
that they may go to Christ and find in Him the grace they need....
Every individual, by his own act, either puts Christ from him by refusing
to cherish His spirit and follow His example, or he enters into a personal union
with Christ by self-renunciation, faith, and obedience. We must, each for himself,
choose Christ, because He has first chosen us. This union with Christ is to be
formed by those who are naturally at enmity with Him. It is a relation of utter
dependence, to be entered into by a proud heart. This is close work, and many
who profess to be followers of Christ know nothing of it. They nominally accept
the Saviour, but not as the sole ruler of their hearts....
To renounce their own will, perhaps their chosen object of affection or pursuit,
requires an effort, at which many hesitate and falter and turn back. Yet this
battle must be fought by every heart that is truly converted. We must war against
temptations without and within. We must gain the victory over self, crucify the
affections and lusts; and then begins the union of the soul with Christ.... After
this union is formed, it can be preserved only by continual, earnest, painstaking
effort. Christ exercises His power to preserve and guard this sacred tie, and the
dependent, helpless sinner must act his part with untiring energy, or Satan by his
cruel, cunning power will separate him from Christ....
Your birth, your reputation, your wealth, your talents, your virtues, your piety,
your philanthropy, . . will not form a bond of union between your soul and Christ.
Your connection with the church ... will be of no avail unless you believe in Christ.
It is not enough to believe
about
Him. You must believe
in
Him. You must rely
wholly upon His saving grace.
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