Prayer and Promises

THE PROMISE 

Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with rejoicing,

— Jude 1:24, MEV 

THE TESTIMONY 

What surpassing love and condescension, that when we had no claim upon divine mercy, Christ was willing to undertake our redemption!... Jesus requires us to trust ourselves wholly to His hands and confide in His love and wisdom. 

We may flatter ourselves, as did Nicodemus, that our moral character has been correct and we need not humble ourselves before God like the common sinner. But we must be content to enter into life in the very same way as the chief of sinners. We must renounce our own righteousness and plead for the righteousness of Christ to be imputed to us. We must depend wholly upon Christ for our strength. Self must die. We must acknowledge that all we have is from the exceeding riches of divine grace. Let this be the language of our hearts: “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth’s sake.”

All the powers and passions of the converted man are brought under the control of Christ. His Spirit is a renewing power, transforming to the divine image all who will receive it. 

“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin.” He feels that he is the purchase of the blood of Christ and bound by the most solemn vows to glorify God in his body and in his spirit, which are God’s. The love of sin and the love of self are subdued in him. He daily asks: “What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?”... The law of God is his delight. Instead of seeking to bring down the divine commands, to accord with his deficiencies, he is constantly striving to rise to the level of their perfection. 

While moral darkness covers the earth like a funeral pall, the light of God’s standard-bearers must shine the more brightly, showing the contrast between heaven’s light and Satan’s darkness. 

Through Christ we may present our petitions at the throne of grace. Through Him, unworthy as we are, we may obtain all spiritual blessings. Do we come to Him, that we may have life? 

— Testimonies for the Church Volume 5, p.219-221

THE RESPONSE 

Trust yourself wholly to the hands of Christ. Humbly renounce your own righteousness and plead for the righteousness of Christ to be imputed to you.

Depend wholly on Christ for your strength. Die to self. Acknowledge all you have is from the exceeding riches of divine grace.

Bring all the powers and passions under the control of Christ. Receive His Spirit as a renewing power to transform your life. 

Subdue the love of sin and self through Christ. Daily ask: “What shall I offer the Lord for all His goodness to me?” “Lord, what will You have me to do?”