This morning I read recorded thoughts regarding an advanced state of grace. It stirred my longing to be closer to my Savior while reminding me that, while I strive, I must also wait patiently for Him to cause me to grow at the rate He sees fit.
"I think that the mature Christian is always, at all times, and in all circumstances, what he was in his best moments in the progressive stages of life. There were seasons, all along his course, when he loved God supremely; when he embraces the cross joyfully and penitently; when he held intimate communion with Christ, and loved his neighbor as himself. But he was always in terror, lest under the force of temptation, all this should give place to deadness and dullness, when he should chafe and rebel in the hour of trail, and judge his fellow-man with a harsh and bitter judgment, and give way to angry, passionate emotions. But these fluctuations cease, after a time, to disturb his peace. Love to Christ becomes the abiding, inmost principle of his life; he loves Him rather for what He is than for what He has done or will do for him individually . . .
Once he only prayed at set times and seasons . . . Now he prays without ceasing, and whether on the mount or down in the depths depends wholly upon his Saviour.
His old self-confidence has now given place to child-like humility that will not let him take a step alone, and the sweet peace that is now habitual to him, combined with the sense of his own imperfections, fills him with love to his fellow-man. He hears and believes and hopes and endures all things and thinketh no evil. The tones of his voice, the very expression of his countenance, become changed, love now controlling where human passions held sway. In short, he is not only a new creature in Jesus Christ, but the habitual and blessed consciousness that this is so."
Once he only prayed at set times and seasons . . . Now he prays without ceasing, and whether on the mount or down in the depths depends wholly upon his Saviour.
His old self-confidence has now given place to child-like humility that will not let him take a step alone, and the sweet peace that is now habitual to him, combined with the sense of his own imperfections, fills him with love to his fellow-man. He hears and believes and hopes and endures all things and thinketh no evil. The tones of his voice, the very expression of his countenance, become changed, love now controlling where human passions held sway. In short, he is not only a new creature in Jesus Christ, but the habitual and blessed consciousness that this is so."
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