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The Route To Greater Spiritual Life In The Church,
November 17
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
John 3:7
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The question is often asked, Why is there not more power in the church? why
not more vital godliness? The reason is, the requirements of God’s Word are not
complied with in verity and in truth; God is not loved supremely, and our neighbor
as ourselves. This covers the entire ground. Upon these two commandments
hang all the law and the prophets. Let these two requirements of God be obeyed
explicitly, and there would be no discord in the church, no inharmonious notes in
the family. With many the work is too superficial. Outward forms take the place
of the inner work of grace.... The theory of the truth has converted the head, but
the soul temple has not been cleansed from its idols....
True conviction of sin, real heart sorrow because of wickedness, death to self,
the daily overcoming of defects of character, and the new birth—these, represented
as old things, Paul says had passed away, and all things had become new. Such a
work many know nothing of. They grafted the truth into their natural hearts, and
then went on as before, manifesting the same unhappy traits of character. What is
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now needed is the plain testimony borne in love from lips touched with living fire.
Church members do not show that living connection with God that they must
have in order to win souls from darkness to light. Make the tree good, and good
fruit will be the result. The work of the Spirit of God upon the heart is essential to
godliness. It must be received into the hearts of those who accept the truth, and
create in them clean hearts, before one of them can keep His commandments and
be doers of the Word. “Marvel not,” said the great Teacher unto the astonished
Nicodemus, “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”
The Bible is not studied as much as it should be; it is not made the rule of
life. Were its precepts conscientiously followed, and made the basis of character,
there would be steadfastness of purpose that no business speculations or worldly
pursuits could seriously influence. A character thus formed, and supported by
the Word of God, will abide the day of trial, of difficulties, and dangers. The
conscience must be enlightened, and the life sanctified by the love of the truth
received into the heart, before the influence will be saving upon the world.
What is needed is men of action for the time, prompt, determined, firm as a
rock to principle, and prepared to meet any emergency. Why we are so weak, why
there are so many irresponsible men among us, is because they do not connect
with God; they have not an indwelling Saviour, and do not feel the love of Christ
ever fresh and new.... No earthly relationship is as strong as this love. Nothing
can compare with it.
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