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Christ is the True Vine, October 7
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
John 15:1
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Those who would follow Christ, must believe in Him; they must open
the heart to receive Him as an abiding guest. They must abide in Christ, as
the branch abides in the living vine. There is a vital union formed between
the parent stock and the branch, and the same fruit appears upon the branch
that is seen upon the tree. Thus the Lord will work through the human
agent who unites himself to Jesus Christ. Those who have an abiding trust
in Christ, will, like Enoch, have a sense of the abiding presence of God.
Why is it that there are so many who feel in uncertainty, who feel that
they are orphans?—It is because they do not cultivate faith in the precious
assurance that the Lord Jesus is their sin-bearer. It was in behalf of those
who had transgressed the law, that Jesus took upon Him human nature,
and became like unto us, in order that we might have everlasting peace and
assurance. We have an advocate in the heavens, and whosoever accepts
Him as his personal Saviour is not left an orphan to bear the curse of his
own sins.
We must daily cultivate faith, daily contemplate Him who has under-
taken our case, who is a merciful and faithful high priest; “for in that he
himself hath suffered being tempted [not in a few things, but in all points
like as we are], he is able to succour them that are tempted.” “For we
have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our
infirmities.” Even now, in heaven, He is afflicted with our afflictions; and
as a living Saviour, as an interested Advocate, He is making intercession
for us.
We should daily exercise faith; and that faith should daily increase as
it is exercised, as we realize that He has not only redeemed us, but has
loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us
kings and priests unto God and the Father
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The Youth’s Instructor, October 18, 1894
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