Faith Is the Key to Overcoming

Many, though striving to obey God's commandments, have little peace or joy. Such do not correctly represent sanctification. The Lord would have all His sons and daughters happy, peaceful, and obedient. Through faith the believer possesses these blessings. Through faith, every deficiency of character may be supplied, every defilement cleansed, every fault corrected, every excellence developed.TT 296.2

Prayer is heaven's ordained means of success in the development of character. For pardon of sin, for the Holy Spirit, for a Christlike temper, for wisdom and strength to do His work, for any gift He has promised, we may ask; and the promise is, “Ye shall receive.”TT 296.3

It is in the secret place of communion that we are to contemplate God's glorious ideal for humanity. In all ages, through the medium of communion with heaven, God has worked out His purpose for His children by unfolding to their minds gradually the doctrines of grace.TT 296.4

True sanctification means perfect love, perfect obedience, perfect conformity to the will of God. We are to be sanctified through obedience to the truth. It is our privilege to cut away from the entanglements of self and sin and advance to perfection.TT 296.5

Many interpret the will of God to be what they will to do. These have no conflicts with self. Others for a time sincerely struggle against their selfish desire for pleasure and ease, but grow weary of daily death, of ceaseless turmoil. Death to self seems repulsive, and they fall under the power of temptation instead of resisting it.TT 296.6

The Word of God leaves no room for compromise with evil. At whatever sacrifice of ease or selfish indulgence, of labor or suffering, Christ's followers must maintain a constant battle with self.TT 297.1

The greatest praise we can bring to God is to become consecrated channels through whom He can work. Let us not refuse God that which, though it cannot be given with merit, cannot be denied without ruin. He asks for a whole heart; give it. It is His, both by creation and redemption. He asks for your intellect; give it. It is His. He asks for your money; give it. It is His. “Ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price.” 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20. God holds up before us the highest ideal—perfection. He asks us to be absolutely and completely for Him in this world as He is for us in the presence of God.TT 297.2

“This is the will of God” concerning you, “even your sanctification.” 1 Thessalonians 4:3. Is it your will also? If you humble your heart and confess your sins, trusting in the merits of Jesus, He will forgive and cleanse you. God demands entire conformity to His law. Let your heart be filled with an intense longing for His righteousness.TT 297.3

As you contemplate the unsearchable riches of God's grace you will come into possession of them and will reveal the merits of the Saviour's sacrifice, the protection of His righteousness, and His power to present you before the Father “without spot, and blameless.” 2 Peter 3:14.TT 297.4