steps to christ-第6章
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e of man's disobedience。 Heaven itself has felt the effects of his rebellion against God。 Calvary stands as a memorial of the amazing sacrifice required to atone for the transgression of the divine law。 Let us not regard sin as a trivial thing。
Every act of transgression； every neglect or rejection of the grace of Christ； is reacting upon yourself； it is hardening the heart； depraving the will； benumbing the understanding； and not only making you less inclined to yield； but less capable of yielding； to the tender pleading of God's Holy Spirit。
Many are quieting a troubled conscience with the thought that they can change a course of evil when they choose； that they can trifle with the invitations of mercy； and yet be again and again impressed。 They think that after doing despite to the Spirit of grace； after casting their influence on the side of Satan； in a moment of terrible extremity they can change their course。 But this is not so easily done。 The experience；
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the education； of a lifetime； has so thoroughly molded the character that few then desire to receive the image of Jesus。
Even one wrong trait of character； one sinful desire； persistently cherished； will eventually neutralize all the power of the gospel。 Every sinful indulgence strengthens the soul's aversion to God。 The man who manifests an infidel hardihood； or a stolid indifference to divine truth； is but reaping the harvest of that which he has himself sown。 In all the Bible there is not a more fearful warning against trifling with evil than the words of the wise man that the sinner 〃shall be holden with the cords of his sins。〃 Proverbs 5：22。
Christ is ready to set us free from sin； but He does not force the will； and if by persistent transgression the will itself is wholly bent on evil； and we do not desire to be set free； if we will not accept His grace； what more can He do？ We have destroyed ourselves by our determined rejection of His love。 〃Behold； now is the accepted time； behold； now is the day of salvation。〃 〃Today if ye will hear His voice； harden not your hearts。〃 2 Corinthians 6：2； Hebrews 3：7； 8。
〃Man looketh on the outward appearance； but the Lord looketh on the heart〃the human heart； with its conflicting emotions of joy and sorrow； the wandering； wayward heart； which is the abode of so much impurity and deceit。 1 Samuel 16：7。 He knows its motives； its very intents and purposes。 Go to Him with your soul all stained as it is。 Like the psalmist； throw its chambers open to the all…seeing eye； exclaiming； 〃Search me； O God； and know my heart： try me； and know
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my thoughts： and see if there be any wicked way in me； and lead me in the way everlasting。〃 Psalm 139： 23； 24。
Many accept an intellectual religion； a form of godliness； when the heart is not cleansed。 Let it be your prayer； 〃Create in me a clean heart； O God； and renew a right spirit within me。〃 Psalm 51：10。 Deal truly with your own soul。 Be as earnest； as persistent； as you would be if your mortal life were at stake。 This is a matter to be settled between God and your own soul； settled for eternity。 A supposed hope； and nothing more； will prove your ruin。
Study God's word prayerfully。 That word presents before you； in the law of God and the life of Christ； the great principles of holiness； without which 〃no man shall see the Lord。〃 Hebrews 12：14。 It convinces of sin； it plainly reveals the way of salvation。 Give heed to it as the voice of God speaking to your soul。
As you see the enormity of sin； as you see yourself as you really are； do not give up to despair。 It was sinners that Christ came to save。 We have not to reconcile God to us； butO wondrous love！God in Christ is 〃reconciling the world unto Himself。〃 2 Corinthians 5：19。 He is wooing by His tender love the hearts of His erring children。 No earthly parent could be as patient with the faults and mistakes of his children； as is God with those He seeks to save。 No one could plead more tenderly with the transgressor。 No human lips ever poured out more tender entreaties to the wanderer than does He。 All His promises； His warnings； are but the breathing of unutterable love。
When Satan comes to tell you that you are a
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great sinner； look up to your Redeemer and talk of His merits。 That which will help you is to look to His light。 Acknowledge your sin； but tell the enemy that 〃Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners〃 and that you may be saved by His matchless love。 1 Timothy 1：15。 Jesus asked Simon a question in regard to two debtors。 One owed his lord a small sum； and the other owed him a very large sum； but he forgave them both； and Christ asked Simon which debtor would love his lord most。 Simon answered； 〃He to whom he forgave most。〃 Luke 7：43。 We have been great sinners； but Christ died that we might be forgiven。 The merits of His sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf。 Those to whom He has forgiven most will love Him most； and will stand nearest to His throne to praise Him for His great love and infinite sacrifice。 It is when we most fully comprehend the love of God that we best realize the sinfulness of sin。 When we see the length of the chain that was let down for us； when we understand something of the infinite sacrifice that Christ has made in our behalf； the heart is melted with tenderness and contrition。
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Confession
〃He that covereth his sins shall not prosper： but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy。〃 Proverbs 28：13。
The conditions of obtaining mercy of God are simple and just and reasonable。 The Lord does not require us to do some grievous thing in order that we may have the forgiveness of sin。 We need not make long and wearisome pilgrimages； or perform painful penances； to commend our souls to the God of heaven or to expiate our transgression； but he that confesseth and forsaketh his sin shall have mercy。
The apostle says； 〃Confess your faults one to another； and pray one for another； that ye may be healed。〃 James 5：16。 Confess your sins to God； who only can forgive them； and your faults to one another。 If you have given offense to your friend or neighbor； you are to acknowledge your wrong； and it is his duty freely to forgive you。 Then you are to seek the forgiveness of God； because the brother you have wounded is the property of God； and in injuring him you sinned against his Creator and Redeemer。 The case is brought before the only true Mediator； our great High Priest； who 〃was in all points tempted like as we are； yet without sin；〃 and who is 〃touched with the feeling of our infirmities；〃 and is able to cleanse from every stain of iniquity。 Hebrews 4：15。
Those who have not humbled their souls before God in acknowledging their guilt； have not yet
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fulfilled the first condition of acceptance。 If we have not experienced that repentance which is not to be repented of； and have not with true humiliation of soul and brokenness of spirit confessed our sins； abhorring our iniquity； we have never truly sought for the forgiveness of sin； and if we have never sought； we have never found the peace of God。 The only reason why we do not have remission of sins that are past is that we are not willing to humble our hearts and comply with the conditions of the word of truth。 Explicit instruction is given concerning this matter。 Confession of sin； whether public or private； should be heartfelt and freely expressed。 It is not to be urged from the sinner。 It is not to be made in a flippant and careless way； or forced from those who have no realizing sense of the abhorrent character of sin。 The confession that is the outpouring of the inmost soul finds its way to the God of infinite pity。 The psalmist says； 〃The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart； and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit。〃 Psalm 34：18。
True confession is always of a specific character； and acknowledges particular sins。 They may be of such a nature as to be brought before God only； they may be wrongs that should be confessed to individuals who have suffered injury throu
