Prayer and Promises

By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.— 1 John 2:3,6, NASB 

Jesus says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” That it really has been made possible for man to grasp the righteousness of Christ, and keep the commandments, should call forth from our hearts and lives hearty responsive offerings of praise to Him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. 

You can neglect anything of a temporal character more safely than you can the spiritual interests of your household. Our Saviour wants you to keep in close relation to himself, that he may make you happy. When Christ lets his blessing rest upon us, we should offer thanksgiving and praise to his dear name. But, you say, if I could only know that he is my Saviour! Well, what kind of evidence do you want? Do you want a special feeling or emotion to prove that Christ is yours? Is this more reliable than pure faith in God’s promises? Would it not be better to take the blessed promises of God and apply them to yourself, bearing your whole weight upon them? This is faith. It is by faith that we are to come into a sacred nearness to Christ, not depending upon feeling; we are to say, “I believe thy promise, Lord, because thou hast said it. Thy word is pledged; we know that we are the children of God because we comply with the conditions, because he has pledged his word.” There is not a friend in the world of whom you would require one-half the assurance that our Heavenly Father has given you in his promises. 

We receive the righteousness of Christ, and through his merits enjoy liberty, and are identified with him. We have the promise that if we abide in him, and his words abide in us, we may ask what we will, and it shall be done unto us. Is it indeed possible that Christ may abide in us, and we in him? Christ says, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” Would he tempt us and deceive us?—No, indeed. There is everything to encourage any soul who by faith claims the promises that God has given us, for through his grace we may be overcomers. 

— The Review and Herald, July 29, 1890 

Dear Lord, I put my confidence in You and seek to abide in Your word for Your word is reliable. I love You, O Lord, and praise You for calling me out of darkness into Your marvelous light! It is through Your grace alone that I may be an overcomer. I want to keep Your commandments of love and claim Your blessed promise that I may be covered with the righteousness of Christ my Savior.