WHAT SHALL WE DO TO BE SAVED?
By John Nevins Andrews
Two things must be effected for us: 1. We must have our sins removed from us. 2. We must have all the graces of the Holy Spirit perfected in our characters. This two-fold work is of infinite consequence to us. We cannot dispense with it if we hope for everlasting life. We cannot enter the kingdom of God till we have been effectually cleansed from our sins. We cannot enter it without also partaking of the divine nature, so that we shall be completely the subjects of the grace of God. This great work of the Holy Spirit is also our own work. We cannot accomplish it without the aid of the Lord. But he will not do this work without our active co-operation. The work is not wrought in a moment. We add to our graces by being brought into those circumstances which make them a necessity on our part to withstand the power of the devil! If we do then reach out after help from God it will certainly be granted. And the very things in which we are most lacking will be the ones wherein we shall be compelled to seek after God in agonizing prayer. We shall thus grow strong in the very things in which we are weakest and most deficient. Our sins must be all repented of and pardoned. Our lives must show the genuineness of our repentance. In truth, it will be our work for all our future lives to show that we are changed in principle and in conduct. This work of putting away sin and of establishing in ourselves the excellent graces of the Spirit of God is wrought by the gracious help of the Lord, and by our active co-operation with him. Thus uniting our free will to God's free grace, we carry the work to perfection. It is time that we were in earnest in this business. We can never be saved till this work is fully wrought in our own souls. Let us be diligent in its accomplishment, if we would be found of him in peace. J. N. A.