We can really understand how futile is the strength and effort of human beings without the mercy of God. The apostle Paul recounted all of his unsuccessful struggles against sin. He bemoaned, “We know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members” (Romans 7:14–23). After making a thorough self-examination, he recognized his powerless and hopeless situation with the conclusion, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (verse 24).

King David was not only guilty of murder and adultery, but also of deliberate lying. When confronted by the prophet Nathan about his sinful activities, he did not attempt to justify himself; he recognized that was impossible. So, in Psalm 51 is recorded the unconditional confession and repentance of David: “I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. . . . Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit” (Psalm 51:3, 4, 10–12).

“Those who have not humbled their souls before God in acknowledging their guilt have not yet fulfilled the first condition of acceptance. If we have not experienced that repentance . . . and have not confessed our sin with true humiliation of soul and brokenness of spirit, abhorring our iniquity, we have never sought truly for the forgiveness of sin; and if we have never sought, we have never found the peace of God. The only reason why we may not have remission of sins that are past is that we are not willing to humble our proud hearts and comply with the conditions of the word of truth.” 1

“The sense of need, the recognition of our poverty and sin, is the very first condition of acceptance with God.” 2

In answer to any sincere and contrite request, God in His loving way will give us a new heart. “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:26, 27).

In giving this new heart, forgiving grace will be implanted, “for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8, 9).

“The miracle-working power of Christ's grace is revealed in the creation in man of a new heart, a higher life, a holier enthusiasm. God says: A new heart also will I give you' (Ezekiel 36:26). Is not this, the renewal of man, the greatest miracle that can be performed? What cannot the human agent do who by faith takes hold of the divine power?” 3

“When in conversion the sinner finds peace with God through the blood of the atonement, the Christian life has but just begun.

The grace that Christ implants in the soul . . . creates in man enmity against Satan. Without this converting grace and renewing power, man would continue the captive of Satan, a servant ever ready to do his bidding. But the new principle in the soul creates conflict where hitherto had been peace. The power which Christ imparts, enables man to resist the tyrant and usurper Whoever is seen to abhor sin instead of loving it, whoever resists and conquers those passions that have held sway within, displays the operation of a principle wholly from above.” 4

“The Lord saw our fallen condition; He saw our need of grace, and because He loved our souls, He has given us grace and peace. Grace means favor to one who is undeserving, to one who is lost. The fact that we are sinners, instead of shutting us away from the mercy and love of God, makes the exercise of His love to us a positive necessity in order that we may be saved.” 5

“The grace of Christ is freely to justify the sinner without merit or claim on his part. Justification is a full, complete pardon of sin. The moment a sinner accepts Christ by faith, that moment he is pardoned. The righteousness of Christ is imputed to him, and he is no more to doubt God's forgiving grace.” 6

The grace of God is very important for a forgiven sinner from the start of his/her spiritual journey until the end. It is not enough that we are forgiven; we need fortifying grace to obey God's holy oracles. “Divine grace is needed at the beginning, divine grace at every step of advance, and divine grace alone can complete the work.” 7

When the apostle Paul met Jesus on the way to Damascus, he experienced a real conversion in his life. Those three days of darkness were the brightest days of his spiritual experience. He recollected by memory all those verses written by the prophets of old in connection with the Messiah. He could now see clearly how these prophecies were directly fulfilled in the life of Jesus Christ. His zeal in persecuting the church was now refocused toward the preaching of the gospel of Christ. His only object at hand became to unfurl the banner of Christ in foreign lands. Whatever would be the prospect of his future, he made sure that first and foremost of all, his greatest need in his ministry would be the presence of Christ. “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (Philippians 3:7, 8)

The apostle experienced spiritual death of his past life. “I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). He also resurrected in newness of life: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). He further demonstrated that this new life in Christ was powerful to resist the enemy because the human flesh was no longer controlling his mind, “for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13, emphasis added). “To make God's grace our own, we must act our part. His grace is given to work in us to will and to do, but never as a substitute for our effort. . . . Those who walk in the path of obedience will encounter many hindrances. Strong, subtle influences may bind them to the world; but the Lord is able to render futile every agency that works for the defeat of His chosen ones; in His strength they may overcome every temptation, conquer every difficulty.” 8

“Without the grace of Christ it is impossible to take one step in obedience to the law of God.” 9

“We may grow in grace by improving through the grace we already have.” 10

Once God is in control of our being, He will implant in us His heavenly grace that will produce continual service of love in order to follow Him. “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5). “The whole work of grace is one continual service of love, of self-denying, self-sacrificing effort. . . . When men are bound together, not by force or self-interest, but by love, they show the working of an influence that is above every human influence.” 11

“Those who love Him with all the heart, will desire to give Him the best service of the life, and they will be constantly seeking to bring every power of their being into harmony with the laws that will promote their ability to do His will.” 12

Is it any wonder that in John 14:15 the Lord said, “If you love me, keep my commandments?” Would anyone question that? Is it important to be in love with God? How powerful will such a service of love be? “Love is power. Intellectual and spiritual strength are involved in this principle. Pure love has special efficacy to do good, and can do nothing but good. It prevents discord and misery and brings the truest happiness.” 13

“Love cannot live without action, and every act increases, strengthens, and extends it. Love will gain the victory when argument and authority are powerless. Love works not for profit nor reward; yet God has ordained that great gain shall be the certain result of every labor of love. It is diffusive in its nature, and quiet in its operation, yet strong, mighty, to overcome great evils. It is melting and transforming in its influence, and will take hold of the lives of the sinful and affect their hearts when every other means has proved unsuccessful.” 14

No wonder those apostles and martyrs in the history of Christendom were able to survive and accept the lot of an ignominious death! It is because they were inspired by the word of God, “for the love of Christ constraineth us” (2 Corinthians 5:14). “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35–39).

In the culmination of Paul's ministry he focused only on the honor and glory that will be given for those who will overcome. In some of his voluminous writings he said, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13, 14). He added further, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7–8).

Paul's struggles now are different than in the time of his early experiences. He is now totally dependent upon the grace of God. “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:11–13).

The one great object of Paul was to give honor and glory to the Being he met on the way to Damascus. For us today we have the same grand object. “The pardoned soul goes on from grace to grace, from light to a greater light. He can say with rejoicing, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.' ” 15

Seeing that the signs of Jesus' coming are fulfilling every day, “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). For “the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. The weakest saint, as well as the strongest, may wear the crown of immortal glory. All may win who, through the power of divine grace, bring their lives into conformity to the will of Christ.” 16