The Consciousness of Divine Acceptance by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 20, 1911

The Consciousness of Divine Acceptance

By F. M. W.

IT is our privilege to know that our sins have been forgiven for Christ's sake, and that we are counted of heaven as children of God. The consciousness of this truth brings into the Christian experience a confidence and certainty. Many professed Christians lack this assurance. They go about with heads bowed down and with trembling hearts, doubting God's promises, and failing to obtain out of the Christian experience that sweetness and joy which come from the presence of the indwelling Spirit. To them the Christian warfare is a game of chance, an uncertain race. The eternal reward, like the will-o'-the-wisp, appears and disappears in answer to their changing mood and experience. Such ones need to learn the assurance of faith. They need to take their stand firmly upon the promises of God's Word.

If divine acceptance were dependent upon human power or human promises, it might indeed appear uncertain, but “he is faithful that promised.” The apostle Paul says, “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

This confidence is not the fruit of self-righteousness or of egotism. Of our own selves we can do nothing, but all power is of our blessed Master, and if we will but submit to him, he is abundantly able, of that power, to bring us off conquerors in the end. But eternal salvation involves present salvation. He who experiences the power of God in the salvation of eternity must experience that keeping power now in salvation from sin. The future we do not need to worry over. It is for us to know to-day that we are accepted in the Beloved. We are to rejoice that God has forgiven our sins for Christ's sake, and that our names are written in heaven. This joy of faith it is the privilege of every soul to experience.

F. M. W.