Prayer and Promises

THE PROMISE 

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes... For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” 

— Romans 1:16,17, NIV

THE TESTIMONY

The gospel is called the power of God unto salvation, because God alone can make the truth a power which sanctifies the soul.

He who has felt the power of the grace of Christ has a story to tell... Humanity, drawing its efficiency from the great source of wisdom, is made the instrumentality, the working agency, through which the gospel exercises its transforming power on mind and heart. 

Everything that Satan can devise to divert the mind of man from its accountability to God he will devise. Look at the many amusements and pleasures he has set in operation to keep men from thinking, How is it with my soul?  

Every soul has been given his post of duty, his sphere of action. It is for his present and eternal interest to find out his work by inquiring, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? 

The tenderness of Christ is to be brought into the daily life of his followers. His character is to be reproduced in them. The disinterested benevolence shown by him is to be shown by them. His love for souls should be cultivated by practice. Humble, wrestling prayer will soften and subdue hearts. Christ’s servants can and should be able to meet and overcome every temptation. They should say, “I am not my own; I have been bought with a price. By the infinite sacrifice Christ has made for me, he has put it out of my power to give him more than he demands. All is his. He has purchased me, body, soul, and spirit. He calls for all my time, all my capabilities.” Thus we may show that we are abiding in Christ and that Christ is abiding in us.

Christ accepts no divided service. His followers are to shine as lights in the world. “Come out of the world, and be ye separate,” is the message which comes sounding down along the line to our time. Love not the world, neither the things of the world. Set your affections on things above, and not on things below. Those who heed this message will find that Christ’s yoke is easy and his burden light. 

— The General Conference Bulletin, April 1, 1899 

THE RESPONSE 

Stand at your post of duty. Find out your work by inquiring, Lord, what will You have me to do? 

Bring the tenderness of Christ into your daily life and practice His love for souls. 

By faith say, “I am not my own; I have been bought with a price. All is His. He has purchased me, body, soul, and spirit. He calls for all my time, all my capabilities.” 

Love not the world. Set your affections on things above and not on things below.