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Pastor's Blog May 14, 2020
"Faith and Acceptance III"
{Scroll over scripture reference to read the scripture or reference.
Ellen's advice on how to live a victorious Christian life is for us to focus on being in constant relationship with Jesus and let JESUS live his life in each of us. Similarly, Ellen's advice on how to stay in constant relationship with Jesus is for us to keep going to Jesus.
In "Steps to Christ," Ellen helpfully states, "Now that you have given yourself to Jesus, do not draw back, do not take yourself away from Him" (34:1977 edition). Those Christians who reflect on having a relationship with Jesus often feel trapped: on the one hand, they know from the Bible that they are already in Christ; on the other hand, their daily wrestle with sin and efforts to increase their knowledge and love for Jesus leave them discouraged or even perplexed on how they might more fully enjoy communion with God. But Ellen highlights a reality about the Christian life that believers often miss: we are continually offered the choice to give ourselves to Jesus.
Notice in the above quotation Ellen first talks about the fact, in very definitive and almost absolutist terms, that we already belong to Jesus; Jesus already has us, and there's nothing else that needs to be done to make us his own. Then she encourages her readers not to un-belong themselves to Jesus by deciding to withdraw from him or by taking themselves away from Jesus. Ellen highlights what we often miss about our relationships with Jesus: we need to be honest about whether or not we really want to give ourselves to Jesus.
You see, the real issue in our walks with Jesus is whether or not we really want to be in love with him; it's not our sinfulness, iniquitous habits, or unchristian lifestyles. And that is Ellen's point. The Christian life is not a struggle with our sins or old selves, but rather with what or who we truly love! Ellen's reminder to believe that God will answer your prayers for holiness because we have been bought with Jesus' blood (34), as well as her admonition against distrusting Jesus's cleansing power or investing in your need to prove your commitment to God by trying to be good enough (34-35), simply reinforce the point of the quotation.
Friends, the Christian life is meant to expose what is in your heart, and then expose you to Jesus so he can increase your heart's love for him. So keep going to Jesus over and over again.
(*) Steps to Christ 1977 edition; Chapter 6—"Faith and Acceptance”
God Bless.
Pastor Nathaniel Gamble
