CHRIST IN THE HEART by Mrs. M. J. Bahler

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 12, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 31.

CHRIST IN THE HEART.

By Mrs. M. J. Bahler

WHEN the soul that is really drawing strength from Christ, meets some powerful temptation, it not only conquers, but there comes, with the victory gained, a sweet realization of a vivifying power flowing into the very life currents of the being. There comes a consciousness of new strength to meet and turn away from evil which once overcame us. And with this blessed consciousness there comes a vivid, clear conception of the truth that this strength is ours only so long as we abide in Christ. That “it is not by might or by power,”—of our own—but by the Spirit of God dwelling in us, that we have thus become strong where once we were weak.

This being true, it is of the utmost importance that we clearly understand how we may have “Christ in us the hope of glory.” Paul prayed for the Ephesians, “That Christ might dwell in their hearts by faith,” and John tells us, “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” Yea, this is the victory that triumphs over the allurements of the world, even our faith in Christ. Nothing else can do it; but this will, every time. Take it home to your heart, struggling, desponding one. Say it over and over; make the thought which these words convey, your daily food: “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”

Do not say you cannot overcome. There is no such word as cannot to him who has driven every idol from the soul temple, and given the heart to Christ. I care not how weak you are; if Christ is formed within, the hope of glory, the sweetest morsel of sin becomes so repugnant to the soul that, though the senses may clamor in unison with the tempter, you will stand triumphant.

Instead of sinking down beneath the power of the tempter, and giving him a chance to paralyze what strength you have, the trial may be a means of increasing your strength. If you are drinking from the wells of salvation, feeding on the word of God, you will be “strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.” Strengthened thus, though the tempter may come with ten-fold the power of the past, his coming will only be a means of drawing you closer to Christ. Realizing, as you will, that your strength is only weakness, your heart will cry to God with such intense desire for his help, that a deliverance will come to you which you would not have thought possible. Then you will realize how “out of weakness” you can be made strong. Just a moment before, you trembled beneath the temptation, and felt that you could not resist; your soul went up to God for help, your faith took hold upon him, and in answer has come a vivifying power by which you are enabled to face the enticing evil, and know that it finds no response in your heart.

Then you can say: “In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.” “Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.” “It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.” Then also with Paul you can say, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Oh, to feel his power resting upon the soul, we may well glory in the need that brings it.

When we have come to realize the blessedness which comes from victory, we cannot ask to have the temptations removed, but, realizing our weakness, we shall pray to be “strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness.” It will take patience and long-suffering to bring the joyfulness of triumph over sin. But he who has made a full surrender to Christ, will experience daily the joyfulness of having Christ dwelling in the heart by faith. He will know “the love of Christ which passeth knowledge,”—a love words cannot describe,—and “be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Living thus, temptations will only reveal to the Christian his constant need of Christ, of being united to the Living Vine, that the life-giving current may flow continually into his soul. Thus his life will testify that God “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Oh, that this power may rest upon us, and work in us continually, that we may ever say, “Unto him be glory in the church by Jesus Christ throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

MRS. M. J. BAHLER.