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Jesus spake to the sick man whom
He had healed at the pool of
Bethesda. Thus He spake also to
the woman whom He liberated from
the hand of her persecutors.
Thus He speaks to every soul to
which He has shown mercy, whose
sickness He has healed, and
whose life He has redeemed from
destruction. Thus He speaks to
everyone who goes forth from the
blessed feast of the Supper: "Go
hence: sin no more."
It was in order to save from sin
that God sent His Son, that
Jesus gave His life and His
blood, that the Spirit came down
from heaven. The Redeemer cannot
suffer a, ransomed soul to go
from the table of the covenant,
without hearing anew this
glorious word: "Henceforth- let
there be no more sin." In the
presence of the Cross and what
thy sin cost Him, in view of His
love and all the blessings which
He has bestowed upon you, this
word comes with divine power:
"Go hence: sin no more."
.
"But, Lord, must I not always
sin? In me dwelleth no good
thing. I thought that the
Christian continues to sin to
the end."
"And have I not redeemed thee
from the power of sin? Does not
My Spirit dwell in you? Am not I
Myself your sanctification?"
"But, Lord, can anyone, then, in
this life be entirely holy?"
"The sinful nature you shall
continue to have, but its
workings can be overcome. You
may become more holy every day.
I am prepared to do for you
above all that you dare ask or
think."
"O my beloved Lord, I would so
very fain be holy. Thou knowest
how sin grieves me, how I pant
after holiness. O, pray, teach
me how I can be holy."
"Soul, I am thy sanctification.
Abide in Me and thou shalt be
holy. Entrust thyself to Me: I
shall keep you holy. Believe in
Me, that I shall fulfill My
word. Let My word, My will, My
mind, keep thy thoughts, thy
heart occupied. Let Me dwell in
thine heart–thy heart be full of
Me: that will keep sin outside."
"O Lord, may it only be so in my
case."
"Soul, fall down before Me,
bring thyself to Me in
sacrifice. Be not faithless, but
believing. Look not upon thy
weakness, or upon all that which
is dead. Give Me the honor of
being strong in faith, and
confident that what I have
promised, I am mighty and
faithful to do, and it shall be
to thee according to thy faith."
"Lord, I come. I fall down
before Thee to dedicate myself
now as a sacrifice to Thee." |
Prayer.
(of a soul that surrenders itself to the Lord to be
purified from every sin)
Blessed Lord, Thou art my sanctification. From Thee I have not only the
command, but in Thee the power to go hence and to sin no more. Lord, now
I give myself anew to Thee, and declare myself ready to be purified from
every sin.
Of every known sin, of which I am already convinced, I do this very moment
make renunciation. However deeply it may be rooted, however little I
feel power to overcome it, in Thy name, my blessed Redeemer, I Hereby
renounce it. I surrender myself to Thee to combat and overcome it in Thy
strength. Lord, here am I, in order that Thou mayest cleanse me from all
unrighteousness. Lord, this is my prayer: whatever it may cost me,
through whatever pain or humiliation it may be achieved, take my sin
from me. Lord, spare no single sin: make me holy.
And no less for the sin in me that is still unknown to myself,–sin which
Thy people or the world or Thou Thyself mayest see in me, but which my
own self-love has not yet been willing to acknowledge, I place myself in
Thy hands. Lord, make it known to me: use friend or foe to discover it,
but, pray, let not my sin continue longer hid from me. I would fain know
it, in order that I may bring it to Thee, and that Thou mayest cleanse
me from it.
And strengthen my faith, precious Saviour, that I may very joyfully reckon
on Thee to show Thyself to me as my sanctification. Thou art my Surety,
who has not only atoned for the old guilt, but art also in a position to
secure that every day and every moment the requirements of God's law may
be fulfilled by me. Lord, cause me to believe this, and by a life of
unceasing trust to experience how constantly Thou wilt keep and cleanse
the soul. Then shall I go away from every observance of the Supper, to
show anew that thou art my daily bread, and my daily strength: that Thy
life is the life of my life and that Thou hearest my prayer:
.
"Jesus, come and live in me.
That I may ever, holy be.
Lord, here am I now, surrendered to Thee,
to be kept and sanctified in Thee.
On Thy word, I confidently cast myself. Amen." |