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