Chapter I: CAN do all things through *Christ* which *strengtheneth me

_Philippians 4:13._

IF the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

_John 8:36._

AND Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, *All power is given unto me in heaven* and in *earth*.

_Matthew 28:18._

Christ came with power from heaven *for you*, if you will appropriate it—

THERE hath *no temptation* taken you but such as is common to man: but *God is faithful*, who will not *suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able*; but will with the temptation also *make a way to escape*, that ye may be *able to bear it*.

_I Corinthians 10:13._

This verse shows that your temptations are “*common*” to men, and not peculiar to you, and you have no harder fight than others.

WHEREFORE *he is able also to save* to the uttermost *them that come unto God by Him*, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.

_Hebrews 7:25._

As you *think on your evil ways*, think of what God says concerning the life of sin, and be warned by it.

BE not deceived; God is not mocked: for *whatsoever* a man *soweth, that shall he also reap*.

_Galatians 6:7._

FOR he that soweth to his *flesh shall* of the flesh *reap corruption*; but he that soweth to the *Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting*.

_Galatians 6:8._

*FOR the wages of sin is death*; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

_Romans 6:23._

Read: Revelation 21:8; I Corinthians 15:1-4.

Excuses.
*There is TOO MUCH to give up.*

Is it because of your *business*, and *a desire to make money*, that you are unwilling to accept Christ? If so, listen to the *question* God puts to you!

FOR what *shall it profit a man,* if *he shall gain the whole world*, and *lose his own soul*?

_Mark 8:36._

God only asks you to give up that which *is not for your own good*?

FOR the Lord God is a *sun* and *shield*: the *Lord* will *give grace* and *glory; no good thing will he withhold* from them that *walk uprightly.*

_Psalms 84:11._

God gave up his son *to die for your sins*, and will *now supply all your needs*.

HE that spared not His *own Son*, but *delivered him up* for *us all*, how shall he not with him also *freely give us all things*?

_Romans 8:32._

Take Christ, attend to the most important things first and the less important will be provided later.

BUT *seek* ye first the *kingdom of God*, and *His righteousness*; and *all these things shall* be *added unto you*.

_Matthew 6:33._

By giving up *worldly things, you will receive manifold more* in return in spiritual blessing.

AND he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath *left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children*, for the kingdom of God’s sake, Who shall not receive *manifold more in this present time*, and in the *world to come* life everlasting.

_Luke 18:29-30._

FOR he that *soweth to his flesh* shall of the flesh *reap corruption*; but he that *soweth to the Spirit* shall of the *Spirit reap life everlasting*.

_Galatians 6:8._

Jesus said, “Ye can not serve *two* masters," (Matthew 6:24) but you will serve *one*,—Christ or the Devil, which shall it be? The Devil pays, “*the wages of death*,” (Romans 6:23) but Christ *gives eternal life*.

Illustration: Matthew 19:16-22.

Excuses.
*I CAN NOT surrender all.*

Some think it means too much sacrifice.

FOR whosoever will save his life *shall lose it*; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same *shall save it*.

_Mark 8:35._

AND Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath *left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands* for my sake, and the gospel’s; but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

_Mark 10:29-30._

Can you not *give up some thing* for Christ, who has done so much for you?

FOR ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that *ye through his* poverty might be *rich*.

_II Corinthians 8:9._

*Paul* gave up *all* for Christ.

BUT what things were *gain to me*, those *I counted loss* for Christ.

_Philippians 3:7._

If we follow Christ, *as we should*, we will be called to make *some sacrifice*.

SO likewise, whosoever he be of you that *forsaketh not all that he hath*, he cannot be my disciple.

_Luke 14:33._

We are *strengthened* however in our suffering when we recall the promise.

*IF we suffer, we shall also reign* with him: if we deny him, he also will deny *us*.

_II Timothy 2:12._

Excuses.
*The christian life Is TOO HARD.*

Some say that the Christian life is hard, but they are mistaken about this; they may have tried to *reform in their own strength*, but they know nothing about the power of the Spirit in their souls *to save, keep* and *deliver* them—

FOR this is the love of God, that we *keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous*.

_I John 5:3._

HER ways are *ways of pleasantness*, and all her *paths are peace*.

_Proverbs 3:17._

THOU wilt show me the *path* of *life*: in thy presence is *fullness of joy*; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

_Psalms 16:11._

FOR the Lord God is a *sun* and *shield*: the *Lord* will *give grace* and *glory: no good thing will be withhold* from them that *walk uprightly*.

_Psalms 84:11._

It is the *sinful*, and *rebellious* life that is hard.

There are certain worldly pleasures that please the carnal heart for a few moments, but these are like the foam on the “soda water” that passes quickly, they do not give true satisfaction.

GOOD understanding *giveth* favor: but the *way of transgressors is hard*.

_Proverbs 13:15._

BUT the wicked are *like the troubled sea*, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.

_Isaiah 57:20._

THERE is *no peace*, saith my God, unto the wicked.

_Isaiah 57:21._

REJOICE, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and *walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes*: but know thou, that *for all these things God will bring thee into judgment*.

_Ecclesiastes 11:9._

Read: II Thessalonians 1:7-9; Luke 16:19-31.

Excuses.
*I have tried and FAILED.*

You say you have tried and failed!

Was it God’s fault, or your own?

Let us call your attention to a *few things it done by you*, will assure you success in the Christian life—

*1st. Seek the Lord with ALL YOUR HEART*.

AND ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me *with all your heart*.

_Jeremiah 29:13._

*2nd. You must OBEY GOD.*

IF ye be willing and *obedient*, ye shall eat the good of the land.

_Isaiah 1:19._

AND we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that *obey Him*.

_Acts 5:32._

*3rd. You must CONFESS Christ.*

THAT if thou shalt *confess with thy mouth* (not your influence) the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou *shalt be saved*. For with the *heart man believeth* unto righteousness; and with the *mouth confession* is made unto salvation.

_Romans 10:9-10._

*4th. You must PRAY.*

YE have not, *because ye ask not*.

_James 4:2._

FOR whosoever shall *call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved*.

_Romans 10:13._

FOR the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his *ears are open unto their prayers*.

_I Peter 3:12._

*5th. JOIN the church!*

If you have not joined the church, *you ought to do so*.

ONE shall say, I am the Lord’s; . . . and another shall *subscribe with his hand unto the Lord*.

_Isaiah 44:5._

Excuses.
*I have TRIED and FAILED.*

You say you have tried and failed!

May I ask you a few questions?

When you began the Christian life, did you:

*1st. Trust Christ’s FINISHED WORK alone?*

WHO his own self *bare our sins in his own body on the tree*, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes *ye were healed*.

_I Peter 2:24._

*2nd. Did you SURRENDER all to God? God is demanding this.*

MY son give me thine *heart*.

_Proverbs 23:26._

*3rd. Did you CONFESS CHRIST publicly?*

WHOSOEVER therefore shall *confess me before men*, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall *deny me* before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

_Matthew 10:32-33._

*4th. Did you PRAY constantly?*

PRAY *without ceasing*.

_I Thessalonians 5:17._

*5th. Did you faithfully STUDY YOUR BIBLE? Have you read it today?*

AS newborn babes, *desire* the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.

_I Peter 2:2._

*6th. Did you shun EVIL COMPANIONS?*

BLESSED is the man that *walketh not in the council of the ungodly*, nor *standeth* in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

_Psalm 1:1._

*7th. Did you GO TO WORK for Christ?*

AND to *every man his work*.

_Mark 13:34._

Excuses.
*Can’t HOLD OUT! God’s KEEPING power.*

Of course you cannot in your own strength. But He is mighty to save. Put your trust for pardon in the finished work of Christ and let Him come into your life.

WHO are *kept by the power of God through faith* unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

_I Peter 1:5._

BUT the Lord is faithful, who shall *stablish you, and keep you from evil*.

_II Thessalonians 3:3._

NOW unto him that is *able to keep you from falling* (R.V. from stumbling), and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.

_Jude 1:24._

BEING confident of this very thing, that *he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it* until the day of Jesus Christ.

_Philippians 1:6._

FEAR thou not; for *I am with thee*: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: *I will strenghten* thee; yea I will help thee; yea *I will uphold thee* with the *right hand* of my *righteousness*.

For I the Lord thy *God* will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, *Fear not; I will help thee*.

_Isaiah 41:10,13._

When you are tempted remember that Christ has promised to deliver you.

THERE hath *no temptation* taken you but such as is *common to man*: but God is *faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able*; but will WITH THE TEMPTATION ALSO MAKE A WAY OF ESCAPE, that ye may be *able to bear it*.

_I Corinthians 10:13._

THE *Lord knoweth how to deliver* the godly out of *temptations*, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.

_II Peter 2:9._

AND I give unto them eternal life; and they *shall never perish*, neither *shall* any man *pluck them out of my hand*.

_John 10:28_

MY Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and *no man* is *able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand*.

_John 10:29._

FOR the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED, and am persuaded that HE IS ABLE TO KEEP that which I have committed unto Him against that day.

_II Timothy 1:12._

*HE giveth power to the faint*; and to them that have no might *he increaseth strength*. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that *wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength*; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and *not faint*.

_Isaiah 40:29-31._

NOW unto him that is *able to do exceeding abundantly above all* that we ask or think, according to *the power that worketh in us*.

_Ephesians 3:20._

WHEREFORE he is *able* also to save them to the uttermost that *come unto God* by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.

_Hebrews 7:25._

God never gives grace in advance, but He does promise “as thy day thy strength shall be.”

WHEN thou passest through the waters, *I will be with thee*; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: *when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee*.

_Isaiah 43:2._

Excuses.
*I have no FEELING.*

The word "feeling" occurs but once in the Bible in connection with salvation, and then it is used in connection with the man “Who is past feeling," but *faith in Christ is mentioned three hundred times*. Conviction is one thing and emotion is another. The latter does not necessarily follow the former. Our feelings are like the *weather, they may change daily*; but God’s word, in which we trust, will never change.

Which would you rather trust? God’s *unchanging* word, or your *ever-changing* feelings?

You know you are a sinner and lost. What you need is Jesus Christ. Look to Him; accept Him; *trust Him; confess Him*; and He will do the rest. Take the blesser and you will have the blessing.

BUT as many as *received Him* (Christ), to them gave He *power* to *become* the *sons* of *God*, even to them that *believe on His name*.

_John 1:12._

See! you are to *receive a personal Saviour*, not work up some special *feeling*.

If you are waiting for the *feeling* that an earnest working Christian has, we would have you note, that feeling is the “*fruit*,” not the “*root*” of salvation. A feeling of joy, peace, and rest comes, because we “*trust*” in Christ, “*confess*” Him as our Savior, “*defend*” His cause, and try to “*obey*” Him.

AND we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath glven to them that *obey Him*.

_Acts 5:32._

It is to those that “*obey Him*” that the blessing is given—Repentance is *doing what God commands you to do*, whether you feel like doing it or not, and the feeling follows as you seek to do God’s will -—

BUT the *fruit of the Spirit* is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.

_Galatians 5:22._

Never be guided by the experiences of some one else, but *by God’s Word*.

The Devil’s order is: 1st, Feeling; 2nd, Faith; 3rd, Fact; but God’s order is: 1st, Fact; 2nd, Faith; then Feeling.

“The *Fact* you’re a sinner, you cannot but see,
That *Faith* in Christ saves you, is ever our plea;
The *feeling* will follow in service and love;
Then *take* from Christ *Jesus His gift* from above.”

AND they said, *Believe* on the *Lord Jesus Christ*, and thou *shalt be saved*, and thy house.

_Acts 16:31._

VERILY, *verily*, I say unto you, He that *heareth my word and believeth on Him* that sent me, HATH EVERLASTING LIFE, and shall not come into condemnation (judgment); but is *passed from death unto life.*

_John 5:24._

BUT these are written, that ye might *believe* that *Jesus* is the *Christ*, the *Son* of *God*; and that *believing* ye might have *life* through *His name*.

_John 20:31._

Some are *making more* of their *feelings* than they are of the Word of the Lord.

Feelings are as changeable as the wind. You get up many a cold morning when you don’t feel like it. Religion with the Christian is obedience; and the highway leading to the life “hid with Christ in God” is known as obedience, not feeling.

If I should puncture your arm with a needle and you should be unable to feel it, your anxiety would be intense, your condition physically would be regarded as very precarious indeed. When I come to talk to you, of your soul’s salvation, and you say you have no feeling, it shows the peril of your position.

Your very *indifference* ought to *arouse* you to thoughtfulness and action-—

Illustration: Matthew 9:9.

Excuses.
*I am not CONCERNED.*

If a man were *asleep* in a burning building, he would be *more in danger* of losing his life, than he would be if he were *awake*.

So, there is more danger of a man losing his soul, if he is unconcerned, than there would be if he had some *interest*. God calls you to wake up and think about these things—

WHEREFORE he saith, *Awake thou that sleepest, and arise* from the dead, and *Christ shall give thee light*.

_Ephesians 5:14._