Mind, Character, and Personality Vol. 2 - Second Advent Revival

455.2}
Burden of Guilt Foundation of Many Maladies.--The paralytic found in Christ
healing for both the soul and the body. The spiritual healing was followed by physical
restoration. This lesson should not be overlooked. There are today thousands suffering
from physical disease, who, like the paralytic, are longing for the message, "Thy sins
are forgiven." The burden of sin, with its unrest and unsatisfied desires, is the
foundation of their maladies. They can find no relief until they come to the Healer of the
soul. The peace which He alone can give would impart vigor to the mind, and health to
the body.--DA 270 (1898). {2MCP 455.3}
Ignorance Did Not Remove Guilt.--Had they known that they were putting to
torture One who had come to save the sinful race from eternal ruin, they would have
been seized with remorse and horror. But their ignorance did not remove their guilt, for
it was their privilege to know and accept Jesus as their Saviour.--DA 744 (1898). {2MCP
455.4}
Do Not Lessen Guilt by Excusing Sin.--We should not try to lessen our guilt by
excusing sin. We must accept God's estimate of sin, and that is heavy indeed. Calvary
456
alone can reveal the terrible enormity of sin. If we had to bear our own guilt, it would
crush us. But the sinless One has taken our place; though undeserving, He has borne
our iniquity. "If we confess our sins," God "is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and
to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).--MB 116 (1896). {2MCP 455.5}
Humbled Souls Acknowledge Guilt.--Those who have not humbled their souls
before God in acknowledging their guilt have not yet fulfilled the first condition of
acceptance. If we have not experienced that repentance which is not to be repented of
and have not confessed our sin with true humiliation of soul and brokenness of spirit,
abhorring our iniquity, we have never sought truly for the forgiveness of sin; and if we
have never sought, we have never found the peace of God. The only reason why we
may not have remission of sins that are past is that we are not willing to humble our
proud hearts and comply with the conditions of the word of truth. {2MCP 456.1}
There is explicit instruction given concerning this matter. Confession of sin, whether
public or private, should be heartfelt and freely expressed. It is not to be urged from the
sinner. It is not to be made in a flippant and careless way or forced from those who
have no realizing sense of the abhorrent character of sin. The confession that is
mingled with tears and sorrow, that is the outpouring of the inmost soul, finds its way to
the God of infinite pity. Says the psalmist: "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a
broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."--5T 636, 637 (1889). {2MCP
456.2}
Essential to Forsake Sin.--Here is where you bring yourself into condemnation,
that you continue to sin. In the strength of Christ cease to sin. Every provision has been
made that grace should abide with you, that sin shall ever appear the hateful thing that
it is, sin. "And if any man sin," he is not to give himself up in despair and talk like a man