SELECTIONS | AdventAI

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 9, 1857

SELECTIONS.

Private Meditation.

Suitableness of the Lord Jesus to the believer.

I FIND myself a poor, guilty sinner: in the Lord Jesus Christ I find a righteousness which can be made over to me, for my justification. He has righteousness to give: to obtain an interest in his righteousness, I have only to receive it. They that "receive the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." I feel that I am all polluted within: "The blood of Christ cleanses from all sin." I want one to stand by me, and inspire my heart with courage when I come to approach into the presence of a holy God: "Through him we have access (introduction, taking by the hand and introducing one) unto the Father." I want to know how to order my speech before God: he gives me "boldness," freedom of speech, in the presence of God. I want a powerful friend: Jesus has "all power in heaven and earth." I want a sympathizing friend: "In all their afflictions, (the afflictions of his people,) he himself is afflicted." I want to give permanence to my friendship: Jesus is "the same yesterday, to-day and forever." I wish for a friend whom the discovery of my defects of character will not turn away from me: Jesus is one who loved me when an enemy to him, when I was all pollution; who has loved me and saved me "for his own name's sake;" therefore the discovery of my infirmities will not turn away his love. I want to find one whom there is no danger of loving too much; ardent love to whom will bring no disappointment to my soul: Jesus is worthy of all love; in him there is every excellence of which I can form a conception, and excellences surpassing, infinitely surpassing my conceptions. I want a friend, by loving whom, I shall be introduced into interesting associations: by loving Christ, there is a principle in my breast which is in holy sympathy with all the noble of earth, the redeemed around the throne, the holy angels; yes! and a principle which is in sympathy with a love in the bosom of the Father, "for the Father himself loveth me," saith Christ. I wish to find a friend, by the love of whom I shall become every way better: such a friend is Jesus, by for loving him I shall be transformed into his image, and fitted for reigning with him in heaven.—Chris. Intelligencer.