25 November 2009

Faith and Overcoming

"He who has not sufficient faith in Christ to believe that He can keep him from sinning, has not the faith that will give him an entrance into the kingdom of God." White, Ellen G., Manuscript 161, 1897, p9

At first, the above words may seem a discouragement. But to me, they were courage in an hour of need. If God can keep us sinless for eternity when He comes again, surely He can and will grant us the victory now.

So often I feel overcome by my temptations and sins, as if there is no way out. How do I so easily forget that God provides a way out of every temptation as He promised in His Word, and through Christ I can overcome?

Scripture is overflowing with promises of new life and victory. Here are a few:

Isaiah 26:3, 4 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever: for the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength."
John 15:4 "Abide in Me, and I in you..."
1 Corinthians 2:16 "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ."
Romans 6:6 "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."