"When the Christian boldly walks in sinful choices
and then thinks he can console his aching conscience with his pardoned state
and interest in Christ, he finds the cellar door to God's comforting promises
locked fast. Christ has withdrawn and taken the keys with Him. Because of
pride, uncleanness, and earthly-mindedness he may even cry out in strong tears
as Mary did when she could not find Jesus' body: "They have taken away my
Lord, and I know not where they have laid him" John 20:13.
Be careful, then, to defend yourself against these thieves called
presumptuous sins. "The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord" Proverbs 20:27. Has God lighted your candle
and warmed your spirit with a sense of His love? If a robber from hell is
allowed to touch this candle, your comfort will be snuffed out. Have you fallen
into the hands of presumptuous sins, which have stolen your peace? Then do not
waste any time sending sincere repentance after them and raising a strong spirit
of prayer and supplication to God.
As I have already warned, there is no time for delay. The farther you
let these sins go without repentance, the harder you will find it to recover
your peace and joy out of their hands. Yet know this-- as you humbly return to
God He is ready to restore to you the joy of His salvation and exact justice
upon the enemies of your soul by His mortifying grace.
It is impossible for the Christian who is careless in his walk, infrequent
or negligent in his communion with God, to enjoy true peace and comfort very
long. Maybe you are not pouring presumptuous sins upon your joy to quench it.
Well, you are not to be praised; your failure to feed it the oil of communion
with God is enough to eat the heart out of your comfort. You can murder your
own peace by starving it as well as by stabbing it.
Be careful, then, to defend yourself against these thieves called
presumptuous sins.”
Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete
Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell.
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