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  AS THE HART PANTETH AFTER THE WATER BROOKS
  by A.B. Simpson
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Summary: To enter into a life of consecration, one must first recognize
the need for purity, power, and a greater nearness to the Lord.

Topics: "Consecration", "Spiritual Need"
Scripture References: Psalm 42:1, Romans 7:24

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DESCRIPTION
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A.B. Simpson emphasizes the necessity of recognizing our deep spiritual
needs for purity, power, and closeness to God in order to live a life of
consecration. He explains that Christians often face a second
conviction, which reveals the power of inward sin and dissatisfaction
with their current spiritual state. This awareness can stem from a
deeper understanding of God's truth or from trials that expose our
limitations. While this realization may lead to discouragement, it
ultimately opens the door to hope and transformation, as illustrated by
the transition from despair in Romans 7 to triumph in Romans 8. The
journey from recognizing our wretchedness to experiencing freedom in
Christ is a vital aspect of spiritual growth.

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CONTENT
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In order to enter into a life of consecration, there must be a sense of
need-the need of purity, of power and of a greater nearness to the Lord.
Christians often experience a second conviction. It is not now a sense
of guilt and God's wrath so much as of the power and evil of inward sin,
and the dissatisfaction with the life the person is living. It usually
comes from the deeper revelation of God's truth, from more spiritual
teaching, from definite examples and testimonies of this life in others.

Or it may result from an experience of deep trial, conflict and
temptation in which the Christian has found his attainments and
resources inadequate for the real issues and needs of life.

The first result is often a deep discouragement and even despair, but
the Valley of Achor is the door of hope, and Romans 7 with its bitter
cry, 0 wretched man that I am (7:24) is the gateway to Romans 8 with its
shout of triumph, The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath
made me free from the law of sin and death (8:2).

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/ab-simpson/as-the-hart-panteth-after-the-water-brooks/
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