IN what way will God manifest himself toward those who love him?
"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."
John 14:23
2. What relation is thus brought about between God and the one who loves him?
"I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people....And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."(2 Corinthians 6:16-18)
3. Can such relation exist, and one not know it?
"Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."
John 14:17
FIRST EVIDENCE.
4. What does the Lord give to every one who follows him?
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
John 14:27
5. He says, "Not as the world giveth". What does the world have to give those who have the Lord's peace?
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer I have overcome the world."
John 16:33
SECOND EVIDENCE
6. How will a truly converted man feel toward the law?
"For I delight in the law of God after the inward man."
Romans 7:22
7. What will the Lord do for him for thus regarding the law?
"But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
Psalms 1:2, 3
THIRD EVIDENCE.
8. What principle will control the true child of God?
"And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind ; and thy neighbor as thyself."
Luke 10:27
9. What relation does love hold to the law?
"Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."
Romans 13:10
10. What assurance is given to those who love one another?
"If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit."(1 John 4:12, 13)
FOURTH EVIDENCE.
11. How will God prove every one he loves?
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."
Revelation 3:19
12. How will such experience seem?
"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."
Hebrews 12:11
13. Why does the Lord chasten his children?
"For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness."
Hebrews 12:10
FIFTH EVIDENCE.
14. What will be the experience of those who open the door of their hearts and let Jesus in?
"If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."
Revelation 3:20
15. What were the feelings of the two disciples who talked with Jesus on the way to Emmaus?
"And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?"
Luke 24:32
SUMMARY: (1.) If one is accepted of God, he will have peace with God; (2.) Will delight in God's law; (3.) Will carry out the principles of love; (4)
Will be chastened betimes for his own advancement; (5.) Will at times talk with Jesus, and have his heart burn within him at the gracious interviews.
KNOW that my Redeemer lives—
What joy the blest assurance gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead:
He lives, my everlasting Head!
He lives to bless me with his love,
He lives to plead for me above,
He lives my hungry soul to feed,
He lives to help in time of need.
He lives, and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death;
He lives my mansion to prepare,
He lives to bring me safely there.
He lives, all glory to his name!
He lives, my Saviour, still the same;
What joy the blest assurance gives, —
I know that my Redeemer lives!
