thirsting soul.

True saving faith is not simply a matter of believing bare truth. Even wicked men, and the demons themselves, can do that. In their case, they wish the gospel were not true! True saving faith is also not simply a matter of believing in Christ because you are afraid of going to hell: faith is is not simply a matter of avoiding punishment, where you do not have any desire to love and enjoy Christ. Rather, true saving faith means that you come to a deep, heartfelt conviction of how precious Christ is, and ‘account all things loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus out Lord, and count them but rubbish, that you may gain Christ and be found in him’ (Phil. 3:8-9, II Thess. 2:10). You come to see Christ as all your salvation and happiness (Col. 3:1), ‘in whom all fullness lives” (Col. 1:19)

True salvation also means that you love every part of Christ’s salvation- holiness as well as the forgiveness of sins. It means that you earnestly desire God to ‘create in you a clean heart and right spirit’ as well as ‘hide his face from your sins’ (Ps. 51:9-10). Do not be like those who care nothing about Christ at all, except to be delivered from hell. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matt. 5:6)  Walter Marshall, The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification

Ephesians 2:16-19 is progressive :

that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.  

Paul prays for…

1. …the power of the Holy Spirit to give strength… (v.16)

2. …so that Christ may dwell in you… (v.17)

3. …so that you will know His love… (v.17b-19)

4. …and be filled with the fullness of God. (v.19)

As they make music they will sing, “All my fountains are in You.” -Psalm 87:7

‘For Your name’s sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt for it is great’ -Psalm 25:11

1. Your guilt is great
2. God alone provides pardon (through Christ)
3. The primary purpose for the pardon of sins is not to ease a wrecked conscience, nor is it to provide comfort for the pardoned (though these things are accomplished)… the primary purpose for the pardon of sins is the glory of God; the fame of His name… 

Beware of the temptation to elevate yourself above God, even in the gospel.