Faith vs. Feelings (2)

Nelson’s Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations & Quotes The Key of Promise

The Key of Promise

In one memorable scene from Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian, finding the pathway difficult, climbed over a stile to walk in a meadowy bypath. Eventually the ground grew soggy and covered with poisonous vines. The sky became black, and Christian spent the night huddled at the foot of an oak tree, caught in a downpour. Next morning, Giant Despair came upon him, captured him, beat him, and imprisoned him in the dungeon of Doubting Castle with its grim battlements and thick, black walls. Christian tried to sing, but couldn’t. His mood was dungeon-dark. Giant Despair beat him mercilessly, and he grew weaker each day. At length he found in his cell a rope, a knife, and a bottle, the tools of suicide, and for a moment he was tempted to end his misery.

But one evening about midnight he began to pray, and …

… a little before day, good Christian, as one half amazed, brake out into this passionate speech: What a fool am I, thus to lie in a stinking dungeon, when I may as well walk at liberty! I have a key in my bosom, called Promise, that will, I am sure, open any lock in Doubting Castle.

It did. Using the key of God’s promises, Christian escaped, never again to fall into the clutches of Giant Despair or Doubting Castle.

Isaiah 1:18 NKJV

18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.

Do you wrestle with habits that you are ashamed of? Many Christians, though water baptized continue to struggle with deepseated addictions for years. It could be food, it could be entertainment, it could be sugary foods, it could be activities that contain content that one would be horrified to reveal or have other discover. As a result, many who claim the name of Christ are in bondage and because of the shame they secretly bare, they are unable to be freed. They feel imprisoned, trapped. The more they struggle to overcome, the more they are entangled in the web of sin. Can you identify with what I’m saying? Am I speaking the truth. You don’t have to answer that question. What every one longs for is peace, heaven’s forgiveness. I’m here to let you know that such peace is attainable.

Steps to Finding Peace

Isaiah 1:18 (NKJV)

18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, ...

Acknowledge and Confess sin

The first thing that you must do is confess your sin. Notice how Scripture reading begins… Our sins are like scarlet, they are filthy, and we must acknowledge this fact. Don’t make any excuses, just confess your sin.

Proverbs 28:13 NKJV

13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

Acknowledging sin is like the bottom layer of a nice healthy veggie burger, then there are three fillers that are needed before the top of portion of the veggie burger is put into place.

2. Ask for the gift of repentance and put the sin away.

Acts 5:31 NKJV

31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

The Youth’s Instructor (September 20, 1900: A Sin-Pardoning Saviour: Part 2)

The expulsion of sin is the act of the soul itself. In its great need the soul cries out for a power out of and above itself; and through the operation of the Holy Spirit the nobler powers of the mind are imbued with strength to break away from the bondage of sin.

The Youth’s Instructor. Ellen G. White Publications, 1986, p547.

Now we have the second layer of the veggie burger

3. Claim God’s promises that is applicable to your struggle.

Ezekiel 36:25–27 NKJV

25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

Third layer

4. Believe God’s promise to you. Even if you don’t feel forgiven, believe that you are forgiven! Even if you don’t feel like you have a new heart, believe that you have a new heart!

This is where many falter. They do not believe that God will forgive them. After they have prayed sheepishly they walk away still carrying their guilt and shame. Worse yet, long time Christians feel even more ashamed because they say to themselves, “I’ve been a Christian for many years; I should know better. How could I have done such a thing.” Friend, what you need to understand is that whether you are a new born Christian, or a Christian for many years, God accepts your repentance and confession just the same. He doesn’t wag His finger and say, you should know better, how dare you come to me. A Sinner is a sinner, and God hates sin, but He loves the sinner.

Steps to Christ Chapter 6—Faith and Acceptance

Can you believe that when the poor sinner longs to return, longs to forsake his sins, the Lord sternly withholds him from coming to His feet in repentance? Away with such thoughts! Nothing can hurt your own soul more than to entertain such a conception of our heavenly Father.

Fourth Layer

Finally, the last layer of the sandwich is...

5. Step out in freedom.

Final Layer

Isaiah 1:18 NKJV

18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.

Since you are cleansed, since your sins are no longer held against you and are the whitest snow, or the purest wool, step out in freedom. This is justification by faith!

Complete Burger

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 1496 Faith and Doubt

1496 Faith And Doubt

Doubt sees the obstacles.

Faith sees the way!

Doubt sees the darkest night,

Faith sees the day!

Doubt dreads to take a step.

Faith soars on high!

Doubt questions, “Who believes?”

Faith answers, “I!”

—Gospel Banner

John 15:3 NKJV

3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

Freedom

As you go, focus on today, don’t worry about being faithful tomorrow, focus on today. God will give you the strength needed for today.

Benediction:

When you are tempted, and you will be because the enemy does not recognize the authority of Jesus, ask the Lord to help you remember his promise to you, believe his promise and continue to walk in freedom.

Isaiah 1:18 NKJV

18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.