A sin-expelling power over our lives!
(Charles Spurgeon, "Flowers from a Puritan's Garden" 1883)
"Old leaves, if they remain upon the trees
through the autumn and the winter--
fall off in the spring."
We have seen a hedge all thick with
dry leaves throughout the winter,
and neither frost nor wind has
removed the withered foliage--
but the spring has soon cleared them
off. The new life dislodges the old,
pushing it away as unsuitable to it.
In the same way, our old corruptions are
best removed by the growth of new graces.
he is a new creation; old things
have passed away; behold, all things
have become new!" 2 Corinthians 5:17
It is as the new life buds and opens,
that the old worn-out things of our
former state are compelled to give
up their hold of us.
Our wisdom lies in living near to GOD,
that by the power of HIS HOLY SPIRIT
all our graces may be vigorous,
and may exercise a sin-expelling
power over our lives--
the new leaves of grace pushing
off our old worldly affections and
habits of sin.
With new converts, it is often
better not to lay down stringent
rules as to worldly amusements--
but leave the new life and its holier
joys, to push off the old pleasures.
Thus it will be done more naturally
and more effectively.
We have all heard of the expulsive power
of a new affection. This new affection
of love to GOD coming into the soul,
expels love to sin!
LORD, let YOUR life in me, push off
the relics of my former sinful self--
that I may put on the new man, and
manifest YOUR transforming grace!
~ ~ ~ ~
GraceGems has published William Nicholson's superb short article,
"The Separation of the Righteous from the Wicked!" Must reading!
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