Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
1 Peter 1:22
1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, [see that ye] love one another with a pure heart fervently:
The Creation of Faith-
Under the inspiration of the Spirit, the apostle Peter represents Christians as those who have purified their souls in obeying the truth. Just in accordance with the faith and love we bring into our work will be the power brought into it. No man can create faith. The Spirit operating upon and enlightening the human mind, creates faith in God. In the Scriptures faith is stated to be the gift of God, powerful unto salvation, enlightening the hearts of those who search for truth as for hidden treasure. The Spirit of God impresses the truth on the heart. The gospel is called the power of God unto salvation, because God alone can make the truth a power which sanctifies the soul. He alone can render the cross of Christ triumphant. {GCB April 1, 1899, Art. A, par. 13} (MS 56, 1899)
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Faith is a gift from God. God is ready to pour out His Spirit on all His people who are under one accord with the divine truth of the Word. By the Spirit God impresses the truth on the heart, a power that sanctifies the soul. The Word is a gift from God that renders the cross of Christ triumphant. All things were made by Him and without Him nothing was made that was made. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. Purify your soul in obeying the truth, and you will know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Our Father, which art in heaven,
We thank You for blessing us with the divine truth of Your Word. Thank You for the gift of faith that is powerful unto salvation. We pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to lead us and enlighten our hearts with the truth that sanctifies our souls. We thank you for blessing us with the truth of Your Word that we know the truth, and are made free. We pray for wisdom and understanding as we study the Word and witness to the world of the powerful truth that will make them free. That we love one another fervently with a pure heart. We thank and praise You, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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