Although we are full of disobedience, yet God’s Spirit rules over us to hold down the passions and to keep them in subjection. Therefore it is said that we have risen with him (Christ), as Paul declares in … Colossians. But this was not yet made manifest under the Law. Therefore, it was necessary that the fathers who lived at that time should have some help, such as the sacrifices, to nourish them in the hope of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, so that they might know that their sins were washed away by the blood of the mediator. Similarly, they had the Sabbath day as a warrant for the grace that was purchased for us in order to put to death our thoughts and passions, so that God might live in us by the power of his Holy Spirit (Gal 2.19,20).
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What an
encouragement it is to know that God’s Spirit is given to rule in our hearts so
that our passions may be subdued and held in check. Don’t think that you are worse than others
just because you are plagued by lusts and passions. God knows you, and has made provision for
these very eventualities. He has given
us His Spirit to do this sanctifying work in our hearts and prepare us for our
home in heaven. Remember, our sins have
been washed away in the blood of Christ so go to Him when you sin, and plead
for His free mercy and forgiveness. The
Sabbath day is the guarantee that God will yet be gracious to us, that He cares
for us, and that He will keep us close to Himself. Take yourself to Him afresh today, confessing
your sins; come with grief and hatred of those sins, and accept His free pardon
from His hand. He is waiting to be
gracious to you.
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