Prayer and Promises

THE PROMISE 

We love because He first loved us. And we have this command from Him: The one who loves God must also love his brother.

— 1 John 4:19,21, HCSB

THE TESTIMONY

We love Him, because He first loved us.” It is impossible for us to believe that Jesus endured the untold agonies of the cross for us, without having our hearts melted in love for Him. And if we love Him, we shall be solicitous to please Him, to obey Him. The heart stirred by the love of Christ will earnestly inquire, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” 

Dear brethren, “examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith.” Many respond, “Why, yes, I am in the faith; I believe every point of the truth.” But do you practice what you believe? Are you at peace with God and your brethren? Can you pray with sincerity. “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”? Or are you estranged from your brother, because you think he has injured you? 

Deal with your brethren as you wish God to deal with you. If we expect our prayers for forgiveness to be heard, we must offer them in a forgiving spirit. We must forgive others in the same manner, and to the same extent, that we ourselves hope to be forgiven. The hard-heartedness that professed Christians manifest toward one another is not Christlike, but savors of the satanic. We must every one of us open our hearts wide to the love of Jesus, and encourage pity and affection for our brethren. 

Let self die; let the carnal mind be crucified. If you have enmity, suspicion, envy, and jealousy in your hearts, you have a work to do. Confess your sins; come into harmony with your brethren. Speak well of them. Throw out no unfavorable hints, no suggestions that will awaken distrust in the minds of others. Guard their reputation as sacredly as you would have them guard yours; love them as you would be loved of Jesus. Work for their interest, instead of seeking to tear them down, that you may build up self on their ruins. Satan is an accuser of the brethren, and he loves to have you help him. 

Let us control not only our words, but our thoughts and imagination... If the principles of the Christian religion are carried out in the daily life, there will be a kind thoughtfulness for others, for this was characteristic of Christ. 

— Bible Training School, August 1, 1912 

THE RESPONSE 

Love Jesus, seek to please and obey Him. With a heart stirred by the love of Christ earnestly inquire, “Lord, what will You have me to do?” 

Examine yourself whether you are in the faith. Practice what you believe. Pray with sincerity. “Forgive my debts, as I forgive my debtors.”

Offer your prayers in a forgiving spirit. Forgive others to the same extent that you hope to be forgiven.

Let self die; let your carnal mind be crucified. Confess your sins and come into harmony with your brethren, guard their reputation.