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Vital Principles of Relationship
413
and away from the dark dungeon of unbelief. Doubts will rush into
your mind, because Satan is trying to hold you in captivity to his
cruel power; but face him in the strength that Jesus is willing to give
you, and conquer the inclination to express unbelief in your Saviour.
Do not talk of your inefficiency and your defects. When despair
would seem to be sweeping over your soul, look to Jesus, saying, He
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lives to make intercession for me. Forget the things that are behind,
and believe the promise, “I will come to you,” and “abide with you.”
God is waiting to bestow the blessing of forgiveness, of pardon
for iniquity, of the gifts of righteousness, upon all who will believe
in His love and accept the salvation He offers. Christ is ready to say
to the repenting sinner, “Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass
from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.” The blood
of Jesus Christ is the eloquent plea that speaks in behalf of sinners.
This blood “cleanseth us from all sin.”
It is your privilege to trust in the love of Jesus for salvation, in
the fullest, surest, noblest manner; to say, He loves me, He receives
me; I will trust Him, for He gave His life for me. Nothing so dispels
doubt as coming in contact with the character of Christ. He declares,
“Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out;” that is, there is
no possibility of My casting him out, for I have pledged My word to
receive him. Take Christ at His word, and let your lips declare that
you have gained the victory.
Is Jesus true? Does He mean what He says? Answer decidedly,
Yes, every word. Then if you have settled this, by faith claim ev-
ery promise that He has made, and receive the blessing; for this
acceptance by faith gives life to the soul. You may believe that
Jesus is true to you, even though you feel yourself to be the weakest
and most unworthy of His children. And as you believe, all your
dark, brooding doubts are thrown back upon the archdeceiver who
originated them. You can be a great blessing if you will take God
at His word. By living faith you are to trust Him, even though the
impulse is strong within you to speak words of distrust.
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Peace comes with dependence on divine power. As fast as the
soul resolves to act in accordance with the light given, the Holy Spirit
gives more light and strength. The grace of the Spirit is supplied to
cooperate with the soul’s resolve, but it is not a substitute for the
individual exercise of faith. Success in the Christian life depends