The New Life

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The New Life.
Yes : give the new life only sufficient time : time
in prayer : in intercourse with God : time in
continuous exercise of faith : time in persistent
separation from the world. Give it time : slow but
sure, hidden but real, in apparent weakness, but with
heavenly power, is the divine growth with which the
life of God in the soul grows up to the perfect man
in Christ.
Lord God, graciously strengthen the faith of Thy
children, that their growth and progress are in Thy
hands. Enable them to see what a precious, powerful
life was implanted in them by Thyself, a life that
increases with a divine increase. Enable them by
faith and patience to inherit the promises. And
teach them in that faith to take away all that can
hinder the new life, to bring forward all that can
further it, so that thou mayest make Thy work in
them glorious. Amen.
1. For a plant, the principal thing is the soil in which it
stands and out of which it draws its strength. For the Christian,
this also is the principal thing : is in Christ. Christ is
all : he must grow up in Him, for out of Him the body obtains
its increase. To abide in Christ by faith—that is the main
thing.
2. Remember that faith must set itself towards a silent restfulness,
that growth is just like that of the lilies on God's hands,
and that He will see to it that we increase and g^row strong.
3. By this firm and joyful faith, we become 'Strengthened
with all power according to the might of His glory, unto all
patience and long-suflFering with joy." (Col. i. 11.)
4. This faith, that God cares for our growth, takes away all
anxiety, and gives courage for doing the two things that we
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