question His willingness to do it. This must be equally plain to you, and yet it will
name of my dear Lord, I assert that it is possible for you to have and to keep a Pure Heart.
Many of you believe this already -- and are as sure of it as I am myself. But some may be in doubt. Let me try and make it plain to them. 1. And, first, you cannot doubt God's Ability to make and keep you free from Sin. He who made you, and sustains you in being, who redeemed you on the Cross, who pardoned your sins, and wrote your name in Heaven, can surely do this for you. He who will raise you from the dead, and land you at last safely in Heaven, is surely able to keep you from breaking His commandments and grieving His Holy Spirit all the rest of the short time you may have to spend in this world! I am sure He can.
It will be a difficult task, perhaps, fixed as you are, with your particular trials of body and soul, or circumstances. There may be something in your family or your business very strongly opposed to your leading a holy life. You may have tried before, again and again, but only to fail. You may be full of doubts and fears, even to despair, and nothing short of a great Salvation will meet your case. But God will be equal to the undertaking. I am sure He will.
He has saved you from many sins already. Evil habits and passions, that used to reign over you, have been mastered; nay, some of them have been destroyed. Why, then, should not your prayer be answered?
"Finish, then, Thy new Creation,
Pure and spotless let me be; Let me see Thy great Salvation,
Perfectly restored in Thee."
I see no reason why He should not do this. He is able to keep the Angels from sinning. They do not keep themselves. It is His almighty arm that holds them up and prevents them from falling.
He will be able to keep you from sinning when you reach the Celestial Land; and, thank God, He can keep you here. You believe He is mighty to save. You sing, and sing, and sing again:
"All things are possible to him That can in Jesus' name believe; Lord, I no more Thy truth blaspheme,
Thy truth I lovingly receive;
I can, I do believe in Thee, All things are possible to me."
2. And then my Comrades, if God is able to make and keep you Pure, you cannot question His willingness to do it. This must be equally plain to you, and yet it will bear looking at. It is very important indeed, that you should see -- yes, and feel as