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Testimonies for the Church Volume 1 - A New You Ministry

Testimonies for the Church Volume 1 - A New You Ministry

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of divine favor be<strong>for</strong>e <strong>the</strong>y venture to claim <strong>the</strong> promises of God, were making a fatalmistake. Jesus alone cleanses from sin; He only can <strong>for</strong>give our transgressions. He haspledged Himself to listen to <strong>the</strong> petition and grant <strong>the</strong> prayer of those who come to Himin faith. Many had a vague idea that <strong>the</strong>y must make some wonderful ef<strong>for</strong>t in order togain <strong>the</strong> favor of God. But all self-dependence is vain. It is only by connecting withJesus through faith that <strong>the</strong> sinner becomes a hopeful, believing child of God. Thesewords com<strong>for</strong>ted me and gave me a view of what I must do to be saved.I now began to see my way more clearly, and <strong>the</strong> darkness began to pass away. Iearnestly sought <strong>the</strong> pardon of my sins, and strove to give myself entirely to <strong>the</strong> Lord.But my mind was often in great distress because I did not experience <strong>the</strong> spiritualecstasy that I considered would be <strong>the</strong> evidence of my acceptance with God, and I darednot believe myself converted without it. How much I needed instruction concerning <strong>the</strong>simplicity of it!While bowed at <strong>the</strong> altar with o<strong>the</strong>rs who were seeking <strong>the</strong> Lord, all <strong>the</strong> languageof my heart was: “Help, Jesus, save me or I perish! I will never cease to entreat tillmy prayer is heard and my sins <strong>for</strong>given!” I felt my needy, helpless condition as neverbe<strong>for</strong>e. As I knelt and prayed, suddenly my burden left me, and my heart was light.At first a feeling of alarm came over me, and I tried to resume my load of distress. Itseemed to me that I had no right to feel joyous and happy. But Jesus seemed very nearto me; I felt able to come to Him with all my griefs, mis<strong>for</strong>tunes, and trials, even as<strong>the</strong> needy ones came to Him <strong>for</strong> relief when He was upon earth. There was a suretyin my heart that He understood my peculiar trials and sympathized with me. I cannever <strong>for</strong>get this precious assurance of <strong>the</strong> pitying tenderness of Jesus toward one sounworthy of His notice. I learned more of <strong>the</strong> divine character of Christ in that shortperiod when bowed among <strong>the</strong> praying ones than ever be<strong>for</strong>e.17

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