GOD Graciously Keeps HIS Children.

Not allowing the inclination to sin--

and the opportunity to sin, to meet!

(James Smith, "The Pleading Savior" 1861)

"I do not pray that YOU should
take them out of the world--
but that YOU should keep them
from the evil." John 17:15

JESUS prayed that HIS children 

would be kept from evil:

1. From the evil of the world--

from its evil spirit, which is carnal,

and directly opposed to the spirit

of CHRIST, and the requirements

of GOD'S holy law.

2. From the evil course of the world--

which is downward, corrupt, and corrupting.

3. From the evil customs of the world,

which are vain, wicked, and opposed

to the mind of GOD.

4. From the evil one who is the god

of this world, the prince of the power

of the air, the spirit that works in

the children of disobedience.

He stirs up evil men--

to hate, oppose, and

persecute them.

He stirs up evil corruptions within them--

to weaken, discourage, and mislead them.

GOD keeps them by HIS SPIRIT--

who warns, teaches, strengthens,

and works in them to will and to do

of HIS own good pleasure.

HE keeps them also by HIS Providence--

which sometimes removes sinful

objects from before them--

and at other times, prevents violent

temptations from assailing them.

GOD graciously keeps HIS children,

in answer to the prayer of JESUS--

by not allowing the inclination to sin--

and the opportunity to sin, to meet!

Sometimes they are violently tempted 

to sin, and feel inclined to yield--

but they have not the opportunity.

At other times, the opportunity 

presents itself--

but they have not the inclination.

Thus they are divinely kept 

and graciously preserved.

"I give them eternal life, and 
they will never perish--ever! 
No one will snatch them out of 
MY hand!" John 10:28 

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GraceGems has published Anne Dutton's precious letter,
"HIS sovereign love!"