A Hatred of Sin

Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Hebrews 1:9.
When in conversion the sinner finds peace with God through the blood of the atonement, the Christian life has but just begun.
The grace that Christ implants in the soul … creates in man enmity against Satan. Without this converting grace and renewing power, man would continue the captive of Satan, a servant ever ready to do his bidding. But the new principle in the soul creates conflict where hitherto had been peace. The power which Christ imparts, enables man to resist the tyrant and usurper. Whoever is seen to abhor sin instead of loving it, whoever resists and conquers those passions that have held sway within, displays the operation of a principle wholly from above.
Conformity to the world and harmony with Christ cannot be maintained. Worldly maxims and worldly practices sap spirituality from heart and life. Conformity to the world means resemblance to the world in meeting the world’s standard…. No man can serve the world and Jesus Christ at the same time. There is an irreconcilable antagonism, between Christ and the world.
How few can say: “I am dead to the world; the life I now live is by faith in the Son of God!” … While those around us may be vain and engaged in pleasure-seeking and folly, our conversation is in heaven, whence we look for the Saviour; the soul is reaching out after God for pardon and peace, for righteousness and true holiness. Converse with God and contemplation of things above transform the soul into the likeness of Christ.
Let your heart be softened and melted under the divine influence of the Spirit of God. You should not talk so much about yourself, for this will strengthen no one…. Talk of Jesus, and let self go; let it be submerged in Christ.
The Faith I Live By p. 117
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Prayer Requests
—-Pleas Pray for my husband. He is my everything, and was just diagnosed with cancer in his bile duct. They have to go in April 30th and do a Whipple surgery which is a very invasive, intense surgery, and then he starts chemo…. please pray the surgery is successful and his body is able to adjust to it. Also, please pray that he gains his strength back enough to handle the chemo. Patricia
—-Please pray for my son’s friend who is suffering from cancer! His name is Warren. Lyra
—-Prayer needed for my son and his family please. Quite a stressful time now. Tina
—-need prayer for work and favor with my co-workers. Ann
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Dear Friends,
My grandfather had a friend named Freddie who lived a few houses down the street from us. He lived alone so he thought of us as his family. My grandparents often invited him to dinner. He, in turn, would take us to Lake Michigan in the summertime. I thought Freddie was wonderful because he gave me candy and presents. There was one thing that scared me about Freddie, though. He belonged to a spiritualistic church and did many strange things such as drink his own urine. Whenever we were alone, he told me many things about ghosts and such that made me terrified of the dark. Even after I became and adult and understood the source of these things, my fear of the dark lingered for years.
When at age 10, I went to live with my mother on the other side of town, I rarely saw him any more. When I was about 16, I started going to my grandmother’s church in the old neighborhood. One day, about a year later, I was sitting on the porch of the church waiting for someone to get there to open the doors. I had to ride the bus across town and the bus’ schedule did not always coincide with the church’s meeting times. I noticed someone walking on the other side of the street. It was Freddie.
A strong impression came to me that I should go over and talk to him about Jesus. I knew I should share the wonderful truths that I had recently learned, but I hesitated. The thought that I should at least try to talk to him became stronger, but I felt glued to my seat. I knew that Freddie needed Jesus so much. I knew that he needed deliverance from the devil, but I just sat there and watched him pass by.
Several weeks later, I learned that he had died. A few days after I saw him, he had had a massive stroke and, as he lived alone, he had laid on the floor of his house until his brother found him. He died several days later. I felt terrible. I should have spoken to him while there was time for him to accept my Saviour. He might not have listened, but I should have tried. Now it was too late. Never could he hear the good news of salvation. Never again would he have the opportunity to switch masters. Never again would he have a chance to repent.
Jesus said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” John 9:4 Jesus says to us, “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” “The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.” 4:35; Luke 10:2 Our Dear Saviour has given us the great commission, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt 28:19,20; 5:16
We have the privilege of being workers in His vineyard. We are to reap His fields claiming the promise, “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Ps 126:6 Now is the time to be working to bring others to Jesus. The time is soon coming when it will be too late. We must never do as I did and put it off until it is too late. Many will say in that day, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Jer 8:20
May we help others to get ready to meet Jesus, now while there is yet time “for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Gal 6:9 May we allow the Holy Spirit to speak through us to bring redemption to those around us, never hesitating until it is too late, but doing as Paul advised, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” May we so live that we will be able to say as did he, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Tim 4:7,8
Rose