STEPS TO CHRIST | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 25, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 46.

STEPS TO CHRIST.

(Concluded.)

Consecration.

THE whole heart must be yielded to God or the change can never be wrought in us by which we are restored to his likeness. We are alienated from God by nature, and are held fast in the snare of Satan, taken captive by him at his will. But this demands an entire reformation, so we must yield ourselves completely to him. The warfare against self is the greatest battle ever fought. We are so well captured by Satan that it requires a struggle to yield to God; but the soul must submit to God before it may become holy.

God’s government is not founded upon unreasonable control, as Satan tells us. It only appeals to the conscience and intellect. God does not force the will of his creatures. He will not accept submission that is not intelligently and willingly given. God wishes his creatures to reach the highest blessing that his grace can bring us. It remains with us to choose whether we shall be set free from the bondage of sin and enjoy the liberties of the children of God.

In giving ourselves up to God, we must give up all things that would alienate us from him. We can not serve God and Satan. When we submit to God, we become holy, and are renewed into his likeness. We are taken out of Satan’s evil snare and placed in God’s holy communion. We become spotless, for when we submit, God blots out all sin.

Mammon is the idol of many. The love of wealth and desire of power keeps many from God. Others worship reputation and worldly honor. A selfish life of ease and freedom from responsibility, is the idol of others. If we are to become God’s children, we are to become wholly his. Some depend upon doing outwardly what Christians should do, but they do not realize Christ’s love, or their souls and hearts would be filled with it. Through the right exercise of the will, an entire change may be made in our life. We will have strength from above to hold us steadfast, and thus through constant submission, we will be enabled to live the new life.

Faith and Acceptance.

As the conscience is quickened, we perceive the guilt, the awful power of sin, and then we abhor it. We feel that sin has kept us from God. The more we struggle to become free, the more we realize our helplessness. Our hearts are unclean and our motives are impure.

It is peace that we need—that heavenly peace that can not be bought with money and can not be procured by wisdom. But God offers it as a gift. The Lord says, “Tho your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; tho they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” When our sins are confessed and in heart put away, and we resolve to give ourselves up to God, and we ask him to wash away our sins and give us a new heart, he grants the request. But we are not to wait to feel that we are made whole, but say, “I believe it; it is so, not because I feel it, but because God promised it.” For it is God’s will to cleanse us from sin, to

make us his children, and to enable us to live a holy life. So we may ask for these and believe that we receive them, and thank God that we have received them.

Growing Up into Christ.

When the change is wrought in our minds, and sin is given up, we are born again. As Christ told Nicodemus, we “must be born again.” When we have changed our course, we must pray to be helped on by Christ. As a young plant must have water, pure air, and sunshine before it blooms, so must a new-born soul have the water of peace, pure surroundings, and the sunshine of love. As a Christian grows, a larger sphere in which to work is required. Then as the buds of love shoot forth, they open, and the blossoms of good works appear.

The Privilege of Prayer.

God speaks to us through nature and revelations, but we must pour out our thanks and desires in inferior language. When trials come to us, we have the privilege to speak to God through prayer and implore help to bear them. So we need not bear so many troubles, but cast them all on the dear Lord Jesus, and he’ll carry our burden for us. And when Satan tempts us to become his captives, we have this privilege to ask for strength. As Christ prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane in that hour of agony for strength, and submitted meekly to his Father’s will, so we may pray for strength in our distressing hour. Prayer is a large step to Jesus.

One step up the golden ladder; One step nearer to God, One step closer to heaven, And the pathway we have trod. One little song of joy, Sung to a sorrowing soul; One little song of peace, And we're one step nearer the goal. One little deed of kindness Done with a heart full of love; One little word of comfort, And we're nearer to Heaven above