e spiritual life what need to press the
question. Some will not admit that they are so sick. And some will not
believe that Christ can make a man whole. And some will believe it for
others, but they are sure it is not for them. At the root of all lies
the fear of the self-denial and the sacrifice which will be needed. They
are not willing to forsake entirely the walk after the course of this
world, to give up all self-will, and self-confidence, and self-pleasing.
The walk in Christ and like Christ is too straight and hard: they do not
will it, they do not will to be made whole. My brother, if thou art
willing, speak it out: "Lord! at any price, I will!" From Christ's side
the act is one of the will: "I will, be thou clean." From your side
equally: "Be it unto thee as thou wilt." If you would be delivered from
your impotence--oh, fear not to say, "I will, I will!"

Then comes the second step. Christ wants us to look up to him as our
only Helper. "I have no man to put me in," must be our cry. Here on
earth there is no help for me. Weakness may grow into strength in the
ordinary use of means, if all the organs and functions are in a sound
state. Sickness needs special measures. Your soul is sick; your
impotence to walk joyfully the Christian walk in God's way is a sign of
disease; fear not to confess it, and to admit that there is no hope for
restoration unless by an act of Christ's mercy healing you. Give up the
idea of growing out of your sickly into a healthy state, of growing out
from under the law into a life under grace. A few days ago I heard a
student plead the cause of the Volunteer Pledge. "The pledge calls you,"
he said, "to a decision. Do not think of growing into a missionary:
unless God forbids you, take the step; the decision will bring joy and
strength, will set you free to grow up in all needed for a missionary,
and will be a help to others." It is even so in the Christian life.
Delay and struggle will equally hinder you; do confess that you cannot
bring yourself to pray as you would, because you cannot give yourself
the healthy, heavenly life that loves to pray, and that knows to count
upon God's Spirit to pray in us. Come to Christ to heal you. He can in
one moment make you whole. Not in the sense of working a sudden change
in your feelings, or in what you are in yourself, but in the heavenly
reality of coming in, in response to your surrender and faith, and
taking charge of your inner life, and filling i