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`Do not listen to the enemy's
suggestion to stay away from Christ until you have
made yourself better; until you are good enough to
come to God. If you wait until then, you will never
come. When Satan points to your filthy garments,
repeat the promise of Jesus, "Him that cometh to Me
I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37.’ (COL205)
`The Lord is full of
compassion for His suffering ones. What sins are too
great for His pardon? He is merciful, and as such is
infinitely more ready and more pleased to pardon
than to condemn. He is gracious, not looking for
wrong in us; He knoweth our frame; He remembereth
that we are but dust. In His boundless compassion
and mercy He heals all our backslidings, loving us
freely while we are yet sinners, withdrawing not His
light, but shining on us for Christ's sake.’
(2SM231)
`Now He invites you. Now, just
now, He calls upon you to return unto Him without
delay, and He will graciously pardon and heal all
your backslidings.’ (1T430)
`Return faithless people; I
will cure you of your backsliding.' (Jeremiah 3:22)
`The shepherd who discovers
that one of his sheep is missing does not look
carelessly upon the flock that is safely housed, and
say, "I have ninety and nine, and it will cost me
too much trouble to go in search of the straying
one. Let him come back, and I will open the door of
the sheepfold, and let him in." No; no sooner does
the sheep go astray than the shepherd is filled with
grief and anxiety. He counts and recounts the flock.
When he is sure that one sheep is lost, he slumbers
not. He leaves the ninety and nine with the fold,
and goes in search of the straying sheep. The darker
and more tempestuous the night and the more perilous
the way, the greater is the shepherd's anxiety and
the more earnest his search. He makes every effort
to find that one lost sheep.
`With what relief he hears in
the distance its first faint cry. Following the
sound, he climbs the steepest heights, he goes to
the very edge of the precipice, at the risk of his
own life. Thus he searches, while the cry, growing
fainter, tells him that his sheep is ready to die.
At last his effort is rewarded; the lost is found.
Then he does not scold it because it has caused him
so much trouble. He does not drive it with a whip.
He does not even try to lead it home. In his joy he
takes the trembling creature upon his shoulders; if
it is bruised and wounded, he gathers it in his
arms, pressing it close to his bosom, that the
warmth of his own heart may give it life. With
gratitude that his search has not been in vain, he
bears it back to the fold.’ (COL187-8)
`The blood of Jesus is pleading with power and
efficacy for those who are back-slidden, for those
who are rebellious, for those who sin against great
light and love. Satan stands at our right hand to
accuse us, and our Advocate stands at God's right
hand to plead for us. He has never lost a case that
has been committed to Him. We may trust in our
Advocate; for He pleads His own merits in our
behalf. Hear His prayer before His betrayal and
trial. Listen to His prayer for us; for He had us in
remembrance.’ (7BC948)
Welcome back to the fold - dear
friend. Always remember that the church is a
hospital for sick people - and we all are sick - no
exceptions. If you never realised that, read Romans
3:10-18. So do not expect everyone in the church to
behave like saints. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus,
not on people, and you will not become discouraged.
We suggest that you now read the article -
A Brand New You. At
this point you might also wish to consider the
feature, Lost In Sin? |
