16
Steps to Christ
But when the heart yields to the influence of the Spirit of God, the
conscience will be quickened, and the sinner will discern something
of the depth and sacredness of God’s holy law, the foundation of His
government in heaven and on earth. The “Light, which lighteth every
man that cometh into the world,” illumines the secret chambers of the
soul, and the hidden things of darkness are made manifest.
John 1:9
.
Conviction takes hold upon the mind and heart. The sinner has a sense
of the righteousness of Jehovah and feels the terror of appearing, in
his own guilt and uncleanness, before the Searcher of hearts. He sees
the love of God, the beauty of holiness, the joy of purity; he longs to
be cleansed and to be restored to communion with Heaven.
The prayer of David after his fall, illustrates the nature of true
sorrow for sin. His repentance was sincere and deep. There was no
effort to palliate his guilt; no desire to escape the judgment threatened,
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inspired his prayer. David saw the enormity of his transgression; he
saw the defilement of his soul; he loathed his sin. It was not for pardon
only that he prayed, but for purity of heart. He longed for the joy of
holiness—to be restored to harmony and communion with God. This
was the language of his soul:
“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord
imputeth not iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no guile.”
Psalm 32:1, 2
.