This new spiritual life
(James Smith, "The Way of Salvation Set Forth")
By nature we are all dead in trespasses and sins. There is . . .
no breath of prayer,
no sight of God,
no listening to the voice of mercy,
no power of faith;
but we are alienated from the life of God, through the ignorance that is in us. In this state we live — until God who is rich in mercy with the great love with which He loved us, quickens us together with Christ, and saves us by His grace. The Holy Spirit imparts a new, a divine life. In consequence of this, we . . .
discover our lost state,
feel our dangerous position,
fear the wrath of God,
desire true holiness, and
flee to Jesus for full salvation.
This life coming from God — always leads us to God.
Being holy — it produces earnest longings for holiness.
Being spiritual — it can only be satisfied with spiritual blessings.
Jesus becomes the food, the repose, the delight of the soul. To Jesus the spiritual life always tends; on Him it feeds; and of Him alone it boasts.
This new spiritual life is imparted in regeneration, and reveals itself in conversion to God. Its manifestations are . . .
repentance for sin,
faith in Jesus,
love to God, and
earnest longings for holiness of heart and life.
It is this spiritual life which distinguishes the real believer from the mere professor of religion. It makes him a new man, and leads him to prove the truth of the Apostles words, "If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away; behold all things are become new!" 2 Corinthians 5:17
(James Smith, "The Way of Salvation Set Forth")
By nature we are all dead in trespasses and sins. There is . . .
no breath of prayer,
no sight of God,
no listening to the voice of mercy,
no power of faith;
but we are alienated from the life of God, through the ignorance that is in us. In this state we live — until God who is rich in mercy with the great love with which He loved us, quickens us together with Christ, and saves us by His grace. The Holy Spirit imparts a new, a divine life. In consequence of this, we . . .
discover our lost state,
feel our dangerous position,
fear the wrath of God,
desire true holiness, and
flee to Jesus for full salvation.
This life coming from God — always leads us to God.
Being holy — it produces earnest longings for holiness.
Being spiritual — it can only be satisfied with spiritual blessings.
Jesus becomes the food, the repose, the delight of the soul. To Jesus the spiritual life always tends; on Him it feeds; and of Him alone it boasts.
This new spiritual life is imparted in regeneration, and reveals itself in conversion to God. Its manifestations are . . .
repentance for sin,
faith in Jesus,
love to God, and
earnest longings for holiness of heart and life.
It is this spiritual life which distinguishes the real believer from the mere professor of religion. It makes him a new man, and leads him to prove the truth of the Apostles words, "If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away; behold all things are become new!" 2 Corinthians 5:17
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