You can love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind!

[QuestionTime]

Greetings,

There is a great question that is being asked in this forum lately. The question is: "What is a Christian?"

My personal definition of a Christian is someone who: "Loves the Lord his God with all his heart, soul, strength and mind."

What I aim to accomplish in this thread, is to:
1) Prove that the definition that I give above is the correct definition of a real / true Christian
2) Prove that the Bible promises that we can all love the Lord this way.
3) Prove that a Christian who loves the Lord this way, cannot willfully sin against God.

Please forgive me if I forgot to add important texts. It is late for me, and I am very tired.

Let us begin:

1) Prove that the definition that I gave above is the correct definition of a real / true Christian.

The Lord promised that He would cause His people to love him in this way:

Deuteronomy 30
6And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

Jesus commands this of us:

37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38This is the first and great commandment.

If we are born of God, we will love Him and know Him:

7Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

This is loving God with all the heart and Paul makes it clear it's quite possible:

1 Corinthians 13
4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8Charity never faileth:1 Corinthians 13
4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8Charity never faileth:

If we love God "we will keep His Words:"

John 14
21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.


2) Prove that the Bible promises that we can all love the Lord this way.

God promises the New Covenant:

Ezekiel 36
25Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
26A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

God promises to make our love perfect, and when it is we become: "as He is, so are we in this world:"

1 John 4
17Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

The Holy Spirit causes us to love God perfectly:

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

3) Prove that a Christian who loves the Lord this way, cannot willfully sin against God.

God promises that He will "cause us" to love Him this way. If he "causes us" then we surely will:

Ezekiel 36
25Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
26A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Paul didn't struggle with sin and neither ought we:

Romans 6
2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7For he that is dead is freed from sin.

If we claim to be Christians and don't love Him perfectly, we are "liars:"

1 John 2
4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit. If a good tree brings forth evil fruit, please see verse 18. Also, it is only those who obey that may enter into heaven. Perfect love must include perfect obedience:

Matthew 7
18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

They that are Christ's "have crucified" the flesh:

Galatians 5
19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24And they that are Christ's "have crucified" the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Those who are quick to say that St. John says that no one can claim to be without sin, are very quick to ignore these verses:

1 John 3
6Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
9Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

I argue that if a man loves God in the most perfect way possible, that he cannot willfully commit sin against his God. Perfect love is attainable in the New Covenant and perfect obedience is perfect love, because love is the fulfilling of the Law.

Romans 13:10-14 (King James Version)
10Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Question Time

[mpaper345]

A Christian is someone who believes in God and that Christ is the savior of the world and they need Him to save them.They are truly sorry for their sins and repents of their sins that they have done and turns away from all sin not wanting to do any sins in the future.Is baptized in water in the name of Jesus which is the name of the Father,Son and Holy Ghost for the washing away of sins.The book of Mark says that baptism should be done in the name of Jesus.In the book of Acts Jews,Gentiles and Samaritans were all baptized in the name of Jesus.Receives the Spirit and allows the Spirit to lead then so they can act like Christ and live the life that God wants then to live so they can inherit eternal life.Jesus said you must be born of water and the Spirit.That is because we have to identify with Christ and we are a living sacrifice unto God.

Then we are to participate in our salvation because it is up to us to keep allowing the Spirit to lead us and do right.As long as we mean it and want to abstain from sin the Spirit will lead us.

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling(Philippians 2:12).

Remember once you are saved you have to maintain your salvation for the Bible says work out your own salvation.Do not believe otherwise.

Matt

[resurrection33]

Questiontime, I like the point you are making—that we need to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, and soul. This is the first and great commandment (Matt 22:37-38). However, Jesus said we also need to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matt 22:39).

[QuestionTime]

Originally Posted by mpaper345

A Christian is someone who believes in God and that Christ is the savior of the world and they need Him to save them.

Indeed, and when we experience true living belief in God: That we are dead to sin, new creatures, holy and righteous, filled with the Holy Spirit, etc., etc., we will be changed to be like Him.

When we believe in our hearts all of these things, we are transformed into his likeness. The truth will set you free. The Bible describing the faith of demons and the faith of Christians, the faith of demons unable to save to the uttermost. That is the faith that is dominate in Christianity today, not the true living faith.

Quest

[QuestionTime]

Originally Posted by resurrection33

Questiontime, I like the point you are making—that we need to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, and soul. This is the first and great commandment (Matt 22:37-38). However, Jesus said we also need to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matt 22:39).

If you love the Lord your God with all of your Heart, Soul, Strength and Mind, you cannot help but love all that God loves and has created. That's why this is the first and great commandment, because if we obey this, we will obey them all.

Quest

[resurrection33]

Originally Posted by QuestionTime

If you love the Lord your God with all of your Heart, Soul, Strength and Mind, you cannot help but love all that God loves and has created. That's why this is the first and great commandment, because if we obey this, we will obey them all.

Quest

[39] And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
[40] On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets." Matt 22:39-40 RSV

[QuestionTime]

Originally Posted by resurrection33

[39] And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
[40] On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets." Matt 22:39-40 RSV

Okay, okay, you are correct. But I also stand by what I said; that if a man loves God perfectly he will love people as well. However, you are missing my point with this thread. My point being mainly that a Christian who loves God perfectly will live a life free of sin.

Quest

[resurrection33]

Originally Posted by QuestionTime

Okay, okay, you are correct. But I also stand by what I said; that if a man loves God perfectly he will love people as well. However, you are missing my point with this thread. My point being mainly that a Christian who loves God perfectly will live a life free of sin.

Quest

When I was about twenty, I began trying to love the Lord with all my heart, soul, and mind. However, I was unwilling at that point to discipline myself to doing his will. I was willing to be his friend, but not his follower. It took about twelve years before I made a conscious effort to repent of my sin.

[QuestionTime]

Originally Posted by resurrection33

When I was about twenty, I began trying to love the Lord with all my heart, soul, and mind. However, I was unwilling at that point to discipline myself to doing his will. I was willing to be his friend, but not his follower. It took about twelve years before I made a conscious effort to repent of my sin.

I think that we all fall into this confusion as new believers, where we think that we express our love to God by obeying His commandments. Sadly though, this is putting the carriage before the horse. Instead, it is our love for God that causes us to obey, and of course that obedience causes us to love Him more. But we must begin in the right place.

Quest

[VW]

anyone who has meet god will see that our love is at best, fickle.

a child of god is one who is born of him by the spirit.

To be a "Christian" is simply to call on the L-rd and believe in your heart.... Romans 10:13 "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved!";Romans 10:9,10 "...If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."

I by G-d's grace have been saved for many years but it has been a growth process and the more I read His Word and build my relationship the more I love Him with all of my heart, soul, and strength, and mind, and I believe that is becoming a mature Christian. On the other hand, I have known people who have moved to heaven without the opportunity of time to grow yet they are just as saved as I am even though they didn't get to grow in Him to where they they could let go of many thins they sill had ties to in the world. I am so grateful that I have His Word and I pray that every day I will love Him more that I can Love Him with my heart, mind, and soul and sacrifice my flesh more and be more like Him. That is what loving Him heart, soul, and strength, and mind is!!!

[QuestionTime]

Greetings,

I have decided to utilize this thread for the purpose of obtaining perfect love for God and man in my own life. Others are welcome to comment on their own journey, or to encourage me on mine.

As I believe that I made clear in the opening post in this thread, I know that the Bible not only requires perfect love, but that God has promised us that He will enable us to perform this great task.

To aid me on this journey, I will utilize a book called "The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification." This book was authored by Walter Marshall back in the 1600s I believe. I have found an edited version of his book online here: http://www.victoryoversin.com/free/sanct.htm I quite like this edited version as the English is much more modern and easier to understand. So far I have read the first two chapters and they read to me just like the original, just easier.

Now, I have begun reading this book before and never completed it. This time though, I have decided that I am going to be able to finish the book, God enabling me.

I will also limit the length of each post that I make, as I find personally that very long posts - like the one at the beginning of this thread - are very difficult to read, and most people lose interest at the prospect of having to read so much in one sitting.

Finally, it is very possible that no one will even bother to read this thread, as most people do not have any interest in this topic at all. I am not certain why, as this is the power of God to save us all to the uttermost.

Quest

[QuestionTime]

CHAPTER 1. TRUE OBEDIENCE CONSISTS IN PURE LOVE WITHIN THE HEART FOR GOD.

Greetings,

This post will I dedicate to a summary of the first chapter of the book. I will add important texts and perhaps share my thoughts as well.

"The question of most, when they begin to have an idea of what religion, is to ask, 'What good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?' not, 'How shall I be enabled to do anything that is good?' Many preachers spend all their effort and energy in the passionate pressing and urging people to the immediate practice of the law, without showing the way to truly perform it. They preach performance of the law as if the works of righteousness were very simple and that they need no skill and strategy at all. They give the wrong idea that we only lack diligence and activity. They teach that we only need to apply ourselves a little harder and be even be more dilligent to be successful. That you may not stumble at the doorway of a religious life by this common wicked error, I shall try to make it plain that it is not enough for you to know the matter and reason of your duty. You must also learn the powerful and effectual methods of performance before you can successfully apply yourselves to immediate practice of holiness."

"Though sinners might know much of the work of the law by the light of natural reason and understanding, yet the effective assistance of God to perform it cannot be discovered by that light alone. God's love and grace must be learned by the teaching of supernatural revelation. Human wisdom and understanding are not enough to direct or give anyone the ability to walk in holiness."

I suppose this paragraph above explains why people aren't interested in this topic when I preach on it here at CC. "Great is the mystery of godliness."

"'O that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes!' 'Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes; and I will keep it to the end'. 'Teach me to do Your will'. 'The Lord direct your hearts to the love of God'. Surely these believers did not so much lack teaching and instructions concerning the duties of the law to be done, as concerning the way and method by which they might do them."

Quest

[aspen]

Originally Posted by QuestionTime

Finally, it is very possible that no one will even bother to read this thread, as most people do not have any interest in this topic at all. I am not certain why, as this is the power of God to save us all to the uttermost.

Quest

How funny, I've been talking about this very subject since I got here in Feb - I love this topic!!

[QuestionTime]

CHAPTER 2. GOD HAS MADE FULL PROVISION FOR THE IMMEDIATE PRACTICE OF HOLINESS.

"Psalms 19:7-10 ''The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.''
This love, liking, thirsting, delight, longing, must be continued to the end. Sin must be truly hated and despised. The love of God must flow from a clean heart, a heart that is cleansed from evil preferences, desires and inclinations. Lust will never be avoided without a fixed preference of the heart to holiness."

This paragraph below explains the Roman 7 experience:

"Our sinful corruption (by which we are dead to God and godliness, and made willing slaves to the performance of all actual sins (until the Son of God makes us free) consists in a preference and inclination of the heart to sin, and a hatred for holiness. Without this preference to sin, what can that law of sin in our members be, that wars against the law of our mind, and leads us captive to the service of sin? What is that poison in us, for which men may be called serpents, vipers? What is that spirit of whoredoms in men, by reason of which they will not frame their doings to turn to God? How is the tree first corrupt, and then its fruit corrupt? How can man be said to be abominable and filthy, that drinks iniquity like water? How should the mind of the flesh be continual enmity to the law of God? I know there is also a blindness of understanding and other things belonging to man's sinful corruption which induce to these evil desires of the will. This tendency itself is the great evil, the indwelling sin, which produces all actual sins. It is essential that this tendency be removed or restrained, by restoring that contrary inclination, in which the image of God consists; or else we shall be backward and reprobate to every good work, and whatever freedom the will has, it shall be employed only in the service of sin."

This paragraph is the solution to Romans 7:

"God restores His people to holiness, by offering to give to them a new heart, and a new spirit, and taking away the heart of stone out of their flesh, and giving them a heart of flesh. He offers to circumcise their heart to love Him with their whole heart and soul. He requires that we should be transformed by the renewing of our mind, that we may prove what is His acceptable will. David prayed for the same thing, that God would create in him a clean heart, and renew a right spirit in him. This new, clean, circumcised heart, this heart of flesh, this new right spirit, is a heart that has the actual inclination and preference to good and the hatred of evil.... David prayed for a heart that had right motives, when he prayed, ''Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness.''"

"The image of God consists in an actual preference and inclination of the heart to the practice of holiness."

"We are reconciled to God and justified for the remission of our sin by faith. We receive the impartation of Christ's righteousness and life by faith, that we may be enabled by Him to walk in all holiness. Our justification and reconciliation with God must be first obtained by faith, without works of the law, that we may be enabled in this way to do them."

"Those that know their complete deadness under the power of sin and Satan are fully convinced that, if God left them to their own hearts, they can do nothing but sin. They can do no good work, except it please God, of His great love and mercy, to work it in them. Therefore, before they may be encouraged and logically inclined to holiness, they must hope that God will work mightily in them."

"That conscience, by which we judge ourselves to be under the guilt of sin and the wrath of God, is considered an evil conscience in Scripture. The conscience performs its office truly, because it is caused by the evil of sin. It will itself be a cause of our committing more sin, until it can judge us to be justified from all sin, and received in the favor of God. Love, which is the end of the law, must proceed from a good conscience, and a cleansed heart. David's mouth could not be opened to show forth the praise of God until he was delivered from blood guiltiness... When the guilt of any sin stays on the conscience it will make the soul to wish secretly that God did not exist, or that He were not so just a judge. This is a secret cursing of God that cannot be avoided until our consciences are purged from the guilt of sin, by the offering of Christ for us."

"Our Lord Christ, knew the infinite power of His Father and the Holy Spirit to enable Him for all that He was to do and suffer in our nature. He knew that His heavenly Father would help Him, therefore He could not be defeated. The Scripture shows what plentiful assurance of strength God offered when He called people to perform great and mighty deeds."

Quest

[QuestionTime]

Originally Posted by aspen

How funny, I've been talking about this very subject since I got here in Feb - I love this topic!!

I'm sorry that I have missed it.

Quest

[QuestionTime]

Originally Posted by mcubed

I am so grateful that I have His Word and I pray that every day I will love Him more that I can Love Him with my heart, mind, and soul and sacrifice my flesh more and be more like Him. That is what loving Him heart, soul, and strength, and mind is!!!

He has given your heart a desire to love and obey Him.

Quest

[QuestionTime]

http://www.victoryoversin.com/free/sanct.htm

This book that I link to, which is an edited version of Walter Marshall's original book entitled: "The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification" appears to actually be a mish-mash of various books. I do believe the original is kept in it's entirety - other than editing - but there are more chapters added from different sources, such as Charles Finney.

Ah! I do have a bad tendency to avoid reading introductions:

This is a major rewrite of Walter Marshall's book THE GOSPEL MYSTERY OF SANCTIFICATION originally published in 1692. This is an attempt to put this great work into modern English and make it more easily understood. Many additions and deletions were done to the original work. I would strongly advise that you get a copy of the original work for further study.
Other sources used to update this work were:

2. Systematic Theology 1851 (Unabridged) by Charles Finney
   
3. HOLINESS AND POWER by Aaron Merritt Hills,
   
4. OUT OF DARKNESS INTO LIGHT by Rev. Asa Mahan
   
5. Selected sermons from THE OBERLIN EVANGELIST 1839 by Charles Finney
   
6. THE TWO COVENANTS by Andrew Murray
   
7. THE WAY OF SALVATION by Charles Finney.

Quest

[QuestionTime]

CHAPTER 3. WE CAN BE PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE THROUGH UNION IN CHRIST.

"In our old and corrupt nature, we not only sinned, but had natures or dispositions which prompted us to sin. In Christ, we not only obey the divine will, but receive from Him, as the Mediator of the new covenant, a new or "divine nature," which prompts us to purity and obedience, just as our old dispositions prompted us to sin."

"When, by faith, we have "obtained the promises," it becomes just as natural in us to obey as it once was to rebel. It is just as natural and easy to be lovingly quiet and forgiving as it was to be angry and vengeful when injured or provoked. It is just as easy to bless, as it was to curse, to return good for evil, as it was to return evil for evil received. It is just as easy to be content with such things as we have, as it was to be careful and troubled about many things. In short, it is just as easy and natural to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, as it once was to do the works of the flesh."

"When the promises are embraced by faith, "God sends the Spirit of His Son into our hearts," the spirit which induces and entices in us the same "love of righteousness and hatred of iniquity" as dwelt in Him. This renders or makes it just as natural for us to be "holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners," as it was for Him. Just as natural to do the will and the work of our Father, and to "drink the cup which He giveth us," as it was for Christ. Were this not the case, "the Spirit," or disposition, of His Son would not be sent into our hearts."

Romans 7 referred to again:

"To "escape the corruption which is in the world through lust," implies that we are not only saved from the actual sins that are in the world, but that the evil propensities and tempers, "the law in our members," which induces sin, are taken from us, and are replaced by new and divine tendencies which naturally induce the opposite virtues."

Quest

[QuestionTime]

CHAPTER 4. TRUE SAVING FAITH EQUIPS A PERSON WITH A HOLY NATURE.

"Holiness depends totally on the fact of our being in Christ, and having Christ in us by a mystical union to enable us for a holy practice. So many people remain in their corrupted and sinful condition. They do not see how they could ever get out of this condition of rebellion and be holy. They think they must continue sinning every day in thought, word and deed. We can not imagine how we should be able to overcome our sinful corrupt condition to receive this glorious union and fellowship, until God is pleased to make it known to us by supernatural revelation."

"Therefore, saving faith must necessarily contain two acts, believing the truth of the gospel, and believing on Christ, as promised freely to us in the gospel, for all salvation. By the one act, it receives the way in which Christ is brought to us; by the other, it receives Christ Himself, and His salvation in this way. Both acts must be preformed heartily with a genuine love to the truth, and a desire of Christ and his salvation above all things. An example of this would be if I offered you a glass of wine. It is one act for you to receive the glass in which wine is contained and another act to drink the wine in the glass. It is by faith that Christ Himself is immediately received into the heart."

When I was 16 or so, I started believing in Jesus and loving Him. I prayed to him continually, and when I was at home I would listen to the same Petra cassette over and over that a Christian fellow had given me. After a few months of really close relationship with God , I met up with that Christian fellow and we prayed "the sinner's prayer." Immediately after that I had an experience where my mind somehow changed. I just understood the Bible one way, and after the experience, all of my understanding of the scripture and the Petra tape changed instantly.

Anyway, after this wonderful experience I began learning about dos and don'ts in the Christian life. I fell into condemnation and a trap of trying to stop doing bad behaviors. After a short time I lost the loving relationship that I had with God, and have never had such a wonderful relationship with him since then. That is really sad because I am now 33. Truly, I had a better relationship with God before I got converted than I have ever had with Him since.

Now, the reason I mention this is because in this particular text below, I was really moved with the necessity of loving God for who He is, and not just for the benefits I would receive for loving Him perfectly. I can't just want Him because I am disappointed with the world. I can't just want Him because my life doesn't work without Him. I have to want Him because He is wonderful. I have to want Him because I love Him personally.

"Our approving of the gospel, or believing the gospel, must not be forced by just the plain conviction of the truth. Wicked men and devils may have an understanding of the gospel facts without actually receiving Christ and His Life. Our believing in Christ must not be only forced for fear of ****ation, without any hearty love and desire towards the enjoyment of Him. We must receive the love of the truth by delighting in the goodness and excellency of it. We must consider all things loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord, and count them but dung, that we may win Christ and be found in Him. We must esteem Christ to be all our salvation and happiness, in whom all fullness dwells. This love must be extended to every part of Christ's salvation - to holiness as well as forgiveness of sins. We must desire earnestly that God would create in us a clean heart and right spirit, as well as hide His face from our sins. Many people want a Christ that ONLY offers deliverance from hell. These people reject Christ and His true salvation because they wish to remain in their corrupted sinful condition."

"The grace of faith is as well fitted for the soul's receiving Christ and union with Him as any instrument of the body is for receiving the things needful for it. We need to cast off and put away from our self everything that keeps us from Christ. This would include all confidence in our own strength, efforts, works, and privileges. It also includes any worldly pleasures, profits, honors that would hinder Christ working in us. This is done by the very act of hearty trusting or believing on Christ for salvation and happiness or in any human helps and assistance for our happiness and salvation. The reason for this is because such confidences are inconsistent with our confidence in Christ for all salvation. Paul, by his confidence in Christ, refused to place any confidence in his flesh. He suffered the loss of glorying in his privileges and legal righteousness, and counted all other enjoyments in matters of the world, or of religion, to be but 'loss, that he might win Christ, and be found in Him' (Phil. 3:3, 5-9)."

"I could state many other Scriptures, to show what a self emptying grace faith is, and how it casts other confidences out of the soul by getting above them to Christ as the only happiness and salvation."

Quest