Prayer and Promises

THE PROMISE

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

— 1 John 5:4, ESV

THE TESTIMONY

Why is the complaint made so frequently that we have defective characters; that we have miserable infirmities that we cannot overcome? 

Do you not know that “by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned”? If the heart has the treasure of goodness, if Jesus is formed within, the hope of glory, the goodness will proceed from the heart. Open the door of the heart, and let the Saviour in. Clear away the rubbish from the door, and give him full entrance. We see the necessity of faith,—of that faith that works by love, and purifies the soul. We are not to have that kind of faith that will lead us to present our own righteousness, but we must have that faith that appropriates the righteousness of Christ. 

By living faith will you not grasp the promises of God, and appropriate Christ’s righteousness, and find the light of heaven shining in your life? You are to bring Christ into your every thought and action... Are you ready to accept the promises of God, and to make them your own by living faith in his immutable word? You should walk by faith, not by feeling. We do not want a sensational religion; but we want a religion founded on intelligent faith. This faith plants its feet on the eternal rock of God’s word. 

It is the privilege of every one to say, “I will carry out my Captain’s orders to the very letter, feeling or no feeling. I will not wait for a happy sensation, for a mysterious impulse. I will say, “...What says the Master to me? Is the line of communication open between God and my soul? What is my position before God?” Just as soon as we come into right relations to God, we shall understand our duty and do it; and we shall not think the good things we do, entitle us to salvation. 

Seek more earnestly for the blessing of God. It is not the education, or the talents, or the position of men, that is to save them. We are to be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. 

— The Review and Herald, April 9, 1889 

THE RESPONSE

Open the door of your heart and let the Saviour in. Clear away the rubbish from the door and give Him full entrance.

By living faith grasp the promises of God and appropriate Christ’s righteousness. Bring Christ into your every thought and action.

Accept the promises of God and to make them your own by living faith in His unchangeable word. Plant your feet on the eternal rock of God’s word. 

Seek earnestly for the blessing to be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.