Steps with Christ by H. A. St. John

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jun 17, 1908

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 34, No. 25.

Steps with Christ.

By H. A. St. John

THE sinner, when converted, enters upon a new life. So great is the change that he is said to be born again; to be a new creature in Christ Jesus; to be delivered from the bondage of sin and Satan into liberty; to be taken from the mire and clay, and his feet planted upon a rock; all his ways established; and a new song put in his mouth, even praise to God. Being redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, he then opens his mouth and sings: "Redeemed! how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed thru His infinite mercy, His child and forever I am."

This new-born Christian pilgrim may well be exceedingly happy in his new-found peace with God. The narrow way upon which he has now entered is lit up by the rays of divine light that come from the Sun of Righteousness, who is now his dearest Friend and loving Saviour, seated upon the throne of His Father, ever ready to hear his prayers, and bestow grace and help according to his daily need. Hence he may well continue his song: "Redeemed and so happy in Jesus! No language my rapture can tell; I know that the light of His presence With me doth continually dwell."

This delightful service—this warmth and ardor of first love—ought to continue, and even increase, and abound, more and more. But such is rarely the case. The deceptive power of the wicked one, whose service the Christian pilgrim has renounced, together with the attractions and fascinations of the world, too often have the effect of causing a degree of backsliding, and the once happy soul finds himself, like the prodigal, in a strange land, starving for the heavenly manna. 'Tis then he comes to himself, resolves and sings: "O Jesus, full of grace, To thee I make my moan: Let me again behold Thy face, Call home thy banished one. And freely my backsliding heal, And bid me sin no more."

Having again planted his feet in the narrow pathway from which he had well nigh slipped, a fresh evidence of God's long-suffering and tender mercy fills all the avenues of his soul, and he goes on his way rejoicing, the stronger to resist temptation, because of his recent trial and victory. Now when the world with its attractions invites him to turn aside and enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, he looks up and sings: "Blessed Jesus, heavenly Lamb, Thine and only Thine I am: Take me, body, spirit, soul; Only Thou possess the whole. Fairer than the sons of men; Do not let me turn again, Nor the Fountain-head of bliss, Leave for creature happiness."

But as this happy pilgrim continues his journey, he finds that at times it is a battle as well as a march. The great enemy of souls will occasionally engage him in the severest kind of combat. But he has put on the whole armor of God, has taken the sword of the Spirit, and hence he is invincible, and mighty thru God. He is a good soldier of Jesus Christ, able to endure hardness, and in every conflict comes off more than conqueror thru the Captain of his salvation, and sings: "He leadeth me! O blessed thought! O words with heavenly comfort fraught! Whate'er I do, where'er I be, Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me." So step by step He leads us on.

H. A. ST. JOHN.