Bring the offering of all your redeemed powers; not only to the altar, but, through Almighty grace, lay the sacrifice upon the altar. Do not delay, because nature shrinks from making the surrender now. Now is God’s time: “behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2).
The acceptance of the gift does not depend upon the worthiness of the offerer or the greatness of the gift, but upon the sanctity of the altar: “For which is greater, the gift or the altar which sanctifieth the gift?” (Matt. 23:19).
It is by virtue of the altar upon which the offering is laid that the gift is sanctified: “And it shall be an altar most holy; whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy” (Exod. 29:37). Christ is the Christian’s altar. Lay body, soul, and spirit upon His merits. Let the sacrifice be a living one, Romans 12:1.
Remember that it is not left optional with yourself whether you will believe. “This is the command of God, that ye believe.” Believe steadfastly that the blood of Jesus cleanseth. Not that it can, or that it will, but that it cleanseth now. Covenant with God, that you will believe now for any future period.
Bear in mind that Christ is a Saviour, and the salvation which you receive must be in the present tense, and of course must be received momentarily from above.
Ask the Lord to write upon your heart the deep spiritual meaning of the expression, “A living sacrifice.” “The blood of Jesus cleanseth” for though you may live days, months, and years in the possession of this faith, you will find no other way than that of living by the moment. And though you were the vilest sinner that ever existed, or were the accumulated guilt of the whole world laid upon your head, such is the all sufficiency of the atonement that it is but to place yourself upon this altar that sanctifieth the gift and you must be cleansed. The crimson stream, unbounded in its efficacy, is ever flowing.”
--Phoebe Palmer
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