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Gold, Silver, Precious Stones
P.O. Box 240
Harvest, AL 35749

in The Gospel Messenger (1883)

AUTHOR:

Greenwood,

WHEN THE LORD IS GRACIOUSLY PLEASED to quicken the dead sinner, He openeth his eyes too, and then he sees himself loathsome in the sight of God. Then he finds, that all he can do, all human doings, creature efforts, creature duties, are of no use whatever—nor will they contribute one iota towards the salvation of his soul. “The one thing needful” now he craves, and the name of Jesus becomes precious to him—becomes the chief among ten thousand, and the One altogether lovely. His mouth is most sweet. Grace is poured into thy lips; therefore God hath blessed thee forever, and all his people in him, with all spiritual blessings in him also.

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
In a believer’s ear!
It soothes his sorrows—heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear.

When, on the other hand, the scene changes. Satan suggests some sore temptations; tries to persuade the poor child of God, that he is nothing but a hypocrite; and this they often fear themselves, and often exclaim within, “If I do love the Lord, why am I thus; why do I fear that all is a delusion, and that I shall finally be lost?” But so it is. God’s poor have many changes; where all is calm, a storm will set in by-and-by. Soul trouble you will have, and the great depths of iniquity within, will be broken up. Oh! the depths of sin that lodge in a human heart! When this is felt, such will cry unto the Lord; and out of the depths they cry, and the Lord hears their cry: “Lord, save! Lord, help! God be merciful to me, a sinner!” And the answer comes, saying: “My grace is sufficient for thee.”

I have heard some say they know nothing of this old man of sin in the christian; and I fear it is but too true; for they can not know this till quickened or made alive by the Spirit of God. These are they who know that the Holy Ghost is truth, and has shown to the Church, by Paul, in the 7th of Romans, the old man in all his carnality, enmity and hatefulness. Whence all the rebellions that arise in the heart against God? The old man will show himself in spite of all we can do.

And he would overcome us, but for restraining grace. Sin shall not have the dominion. Sin nevertheless abounds! But thanks be unto God, where sin abounds, grace much more abounds! Those that are taught of God, will find that they daily need his everlasting arms to support them, his wisdom to direct, and his power to keep them from falling into every abomination of sin; for they find that they have within them a heart to know that when they would do good, evil is present, “bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members” (Rom. Vii. 23.)

When the exceeding sinfulness of sin is thus revealed, I find it is utterly impossible to come to God by the holy law—for I am carnal, sold under sin. Duties will avail nothing here. I firmly believe that a duty religion, is no religion at all. Duty faith, and duty prayers, are all useless. I know that my heart and affections are at variance to God and godliness. And this knowledge has cost me many tears, sighs and groans. I have also a secret desire in my heart after God and godliness—a secret desire, at times, to look into the mysteries of Christ. I have a longing after eternal things; my soul is tired of feeding upon the husks that the multitude so much seek after. I find that these things are not what I want. I want more of the love of God shed abroad in my heart. I want the teaching of the Spirit of truth. I want to have sweet fellowship with the blessed Saviour—one with Christ; or else what advantage will it be to know that Christ died for sinners if I am not one of those for whom Christ laid down his precious life?

To have a belief in Christ, a precious faith, which lays hold upon Christ, to feel my interest in him, and that he died for me! These are the realities that I am seeking after; and I fear not—yea, hope with abiding hope—but in the Lord’s own time I shall realize this glorious truth, and be able to say Indeed, “Jesus’ name is above every name; the Lord is my song and my salvation.” To them that believe, he is precious. By the work of God and power of the Holy Ghost this experience is wrought in the soul. All mere external faith is not the faith of God’s elect. Hence, if my faith is the faith of the Son of God, it will produce fruit pertaining to spiritual life in the soul. “This people have I formed for myself: they shall show forth my praise, saith the Lord.” In their various deliverances they will be able to praise him, seeing that “salvation is of the Lord.”