Salvation Day by Day

[devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org]

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             Ellen G. White Estate, Devotional for August 17
             Visit us at http://www.whiteestate.org
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Salvation Day by Day

Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 1 Cor. 10:12. 


Peter's fall was not instantaneous, but gradual. Self-confidence led him to 
the belief that he was saved, and step after step was taken in the downward 
path, until he could deny his Master. Never can we safely put confidence in 
self or feel, this side of heaven, that we are secure against temptation. 

Those who accept the Savior, however sincere their conversion, should never be 
taught to say or to feel that they are saved. This is misleading. Every one 
should be taught to cherish hope and faith; but even when we give ourselves to 
Christ and know that He accepts us, we are not beyond the reach of 
temptation. . . . Only he who endures the trial will receive the crown of life 
(James 1:12). Those who accept Christ, and in their first confidence say, I am 
saved, are in danger of trusting to themselves. . . . We are admonished, "Let 
him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (1 Cor. 10:12). Our only 
safety is in constant distrust of self, and dependence on Christ. 

There are many who profess Christ, but who never become mature Christians. 
They admit that man is fallen, that his faculties are weakened, that he is 
unfitted for moral achievement, but they say that Christ has borne all the 
burden, all the suffering, all the self-denial, and they are willing to let 
Him bear it. They say that there is nothing for them to do but to believe; but 
Christ said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up 
his cross, and follow me" (Matt. 16:24). . . . 

We are never to rest in a satisfied condition, and cease to make advancement, 
saying, "I am saved." When this idea is entertained, the motives for 
watchfulness, for prayer, for earnest endeavor to press onward to higher 
attainments, cease to exist. No sanctified tongue will be found uttering these 
words till Christ shall come, and we enter in through the gates into the city 
of God. Then, with the utmost propriety, we may give glory to God and to the 
Lamb for eternal deliverance. 


>From Maranatha - Page 237