Genuine Religion

When the real life of God enters the soul , it persists there . Genuine religion is shown by its persistence . Anything short of a God given faith will sooner or later fail . It may run well for a time , but its pace will inevitably slacken till it comes to an end . The youths faint and are weary , and the young men utterly fall . The seed sown on the rock springs up quickly , and as quickly dies down and perishes . But where there is a rooting andd grounding in God , there is a perpetuity and persistence which outlives all storms and survives all resistance . You shall hold on your way because Jesus holds you in His strong hand . He is your shepherd ; he has vanquished all your foes , and you shall never perish . You shall hold your way because the Father has designed through you to glorify the Son ; and there must be no gaps in his crown where jewels ought to be .  You will hold on your way because the Holy Spirit has deigned to make you His residence and home , and He is within you the perennial spring of a holy life

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