Think, brethren,
think upon the cross.
Think upon this love
until you feel what Paul felt;
until you feel its constraining influence.
When God saves a person,
He puts something in you
in the very innermost part of your being -
there's something there
that loves God and loves righteousness.
And it may be ever so weak,
but you find something inside of you
that's saying, "I do love God,"
"I want God!"
That's a miracle!
He takes out the stony heart,
and He puts in a living heart
that loves God;
that wants God.
He came and took the curse of the law,
says Galatians 3,
on Himself,
so that the death penalty
that you and I deserve
was poured out on Christ,
so that that death penalty
is no longer there to be had
because it's been,
as our brother said yesterday,
paid in full.
If we're going to persevere to the end,
we all must be constantly,
continually, and pointedly
looking at Jesus Christ,
and removing anything from our lives
that distracts this view right here.
You follow Christ.
You stay focused on Him,
and don't let people -
even those you love the most -
distract you from steadfast,
single-eye obedience.
What is that to you, Peter?
You follow Me.
Brethren, remember what it was like
to be a lost sinner.
I tell the truth in Christ.
I am not lying.
My conscience also,
bearing me witness,
in the Holy Spirit,
that I have great sorrow
and continual grief in my heart.
For I could wish
that I myself were accursed from Christ
for my brethren, my countrymen,
according to the flesh
who are Israelites.
Remember the pit that you've been dragged from.
Christ shed His blood for you;
in your behalf.