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Who Has Control of My Life?, June 5
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my
thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in
the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23, 24
.
God leads His people on, step by step. He brings them into positions
which are calculated to reveal the motives of the heart. Some endure at
one point, but fall off at the next. At every advance step the heart is tested,
and tried a little closer. If any find their hearts opposed to the straight
work of God, it should convince them that they have a work to do in
overcoming, or they will be finally rejected of the Lord.
This world is the place in which to prepare to appear in God’s presence.
Individuals will here show what power affects their hearts, and controls
their actions.... If they prize anything higher than the truth, their hearts
are not prepared to receive Jesus, and He is consequently shut out. If
individuals, when tested, refuse to sacrifice their idols, ... the Spirit of
God will leave them with their sinful traits unsubdued, to the control of
evil angels.
Many who profess to be Christ’s followers are unwilling to closely
examine their own hearts, to see whether they have passed from death
unto life. Some lean upon an old experience, seeming to think a mere
profession of the truth will save them; but God’s Word reveals the terrible
fact that all such are cherishing a false hope....
Young and old, God is now testing you. You are now deciding your
own eternal destiny. Pride, fashion, empty conversation, and selfishness
are evils which, if fostered, will increase, and choke the good seed sown
in your hearts.
Let us, as Christ’s followers, search our hearts as with a lighted candle
to see what manner of spirit we are of. For our present and eternal good,
let us criticize our actions, to see how they stand in the light of the law of
God.
We need those who will follow Christ fully, whose head, hands, ears,
and every faculty and power are consecrated to Jesus. It is not purse power
or brain power, but heart power we need.
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