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Repentance, the First Fruit, March 2
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness:
according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my
transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me
from my sin.
Psalm 51:1, 2
.
Repentance is one of the first fruits of saving grace. Our great Teacher, in
His lessons to erring, fallen man, presents the life-giving power of His grace,
declaring that through this grace men and women may live the new life of
holiness and purity. He who lives this life works out the principles of the
kingdom of heaven. Taught of God, he leads others in straight paths. He will
not lead the lame into paths of uncertainty. The working of the Holy Spirit
in his life shows that he is a partaker of the divine nature. Every soul thus
worked by the Spirit of Christ receives so abundant a supply of the rich grace
that, beholding his good works, the unbelieving world acknowledges that he
is controlled and sustained by divine power, and is led to glorify God.—
God’s
Amazing Grace, 138
.
There are those who, notwithstanding all the gracious invitation of Christ,
continue to reveal ungodliness in their lives. To such ones God says: “How
long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? ... Turn you at my reproof:
behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto
you” (
Proverbs 1:22, 23
).—
Signs of the Times, June 28, 1905
.
Repentance for sin is the first fruits of the working of the Holy Spirit in
the life. It is the only process by which infinite purity reflects the image of
Christ in His redeemed subjects. In Christ all fullness dwells. Science that
is not in harmony with Him is of no value. He teaches us to count all things
but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord. This
knowledge is the highest science that any man can reach.—
The SDA Bible
Commentary, 6:1068
, Ellen G. White Comments.
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