Prayer and Promises

THE PROMISE 

Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him. But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

— 1 John 1:5,7, HCSB 

THE TESTIMONY

In order to grow up into the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus, it is necessary to search the Scriptures prayerfully, and to have fellowship with those who love and fear God. 

Those who live in daily communion with Christ will learn to place a proper estimate upon their brethren, and will respect and sympathize with those who are in harmony with the pure, the good, and the true... They will not help the enemy in his work of condemning the righteous and clearing the guilty. 

Our chief adversary is the devil. He is represented as going about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. When he finds men and women who have become self-exalted, as he himself became in heaven, and full of jealousy, and ambitious for power and prominence, he knows just how to...lead them away from the association and companionship of those who are connected with Christ, and influence them to do the work of annoying, distressing, and discouraging those who love Jesus. 

When the adversary thus bewitches the soul and entraps the unwary feet, he then represents God as inexorable and unforgiving, declaring that it will be of no use to make a confession of sin now, for God will not pardon. Let not the tempted soul listen to the voice of the accuser... Remember the promise of God. He says, “Return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the Lord; say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously.” The Lord answers, “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely; for mine anger is turned away from him.” Break with the enemy, and seek the presence of Jesus; with tears of confession and with penitential grief urge once more your suit at the throne of grace. The Lord will hear, the Lord will answer; return ere it be too late. 

The Majesty of heaven, who clothed his divinity with humanity, and came to our world to associate with and to save those who are lost, to lift up the fallen, saying, “Follow me. I am your Redeemer, I am your Restorer. I will restore you.” 

— The Review and Herald, December 11, 1894

THE RESPONSE 

Search the Scriptures prayerfully and fellowship with those who love and fear God.

Live in daily communion with Christ.

Claim the promise, “Return to the Lord; say to Him, Take away all iniquity and receive me graciously.” The Lord will answer, “I will heal your backsliding, I will love you freely.” 

Break with the enemy and seek the presence of Jesus. With tears of confession urge your case at the throne of grace. The Lord will hear, the Lord will answer.