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Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce
you to try. You could but perish if you came to Jesus just as you are,
sinful and polluted, vile and depraved; but Jesus is amply able to save
the very hardest and the most wicked and defiled sinner.
You say you are tempted to cut the brittle thread of life; but if you
do, then your case is hopeless, for you add the sin of murder to all your
other sins. But if you come just as you are, helpless and sin-polluted,
and cast yourself at the foot of the cross, poor, miserable, blind, and
naked, there is a Saviour to lift you up. I know that you have not for
many, many years been in harmony with God. You have for a long
stretch of years been following another leader, which is the prince of
darkness; but if you will cast off the works of darkness, if you will
now look unto Jesus, you will live.
[144]
Prayers in Behalf of Sinners—But you must look in faith. The
true Christian life you have known nothing of for years; but while
your powers have been so wasted and you have served Satan with
a high hand, the Lord has heard prayer in your behalf, and has not
cut you off in your sins, which He might easily have done if mercy
were gone forever. Yes, God has heard the prayers of those whom
you have refused to connect with, those who love God and keep the
commandments. You have been utterly blind, deplorably deceived,
deluded, and ensnared by the devil....
Another Chance—Now year after year is gone, and God gives
you through His delegated servant another chance. Will you repent?
Will you confess your sins and forsake them? If you arouse your
will power, relying wholly on the strength of Jesus, you will yet be
an overcomer; but, let the consequences be what they will, you must
separate entirely from the class you have associated with....
I cannot give you up to be lost. You have been blind to all the
higher interests of the soul, to all the blessed, glorious attractions of
a heavenly life in the city of God. You have labored for that which
is not bread; you have sacrificed peace and honor, and sacrificed the
companionship of the children of God, even your own children, that
you might walk without obstructions in your own way. You have
striven to content yourself in the secrets of sinful pleasure and base
gratifications, irrespective of God and heaven, and yet Jesus offers you
that which you most need, that which is of infinite gain, even if it cost
the toil and suffering of a whole lifetime.