Cannot—Can—Cannot Do Otherwise

Cannot—Can—Cannot Do Otherwise

What a glorious, inward development to which God invites us! All those who have forsaken all their own in fact, in every possible sense of the word, and are holding fast to this—they are successful in achieving this indescribably glorious, wonderful goal. They cannot do anything but. It is inevitable, simply because it is God Himself who works in them both to will and to do. He can do it! Yes, He cannot do otherwise!!! God be highly praised, unceasingly, for time and eternity!!! Think that He loves all those who are wholehearted so unspeakably much. It is almost unbelievable, yet it is absolutely true!

We who are such wretches, who could not manage to do anything noble and godly, we are able first of all—precisely because it is God’s loving will, to do God’s will in all areas of life; we are able to do it by God’s great grace and strength. Next, we become so rooted and grounded in living faith and fervent love that we quite simply cannot do otherwise; for example, love each and every one with a boundless love without exception; bear everything and everyone; forgive everyone—not only with our mouth but with all of our heart; endure everything; be longsuffering with everyone; being always thankful and fully content with everything, even with the least and worst and lowliest. Then we cannot but be content with the little that we have, neither demanding nor expecting anything from people, whether it be money or favors or a helping hand; always speak the truth regardless of what it concerns; having full control over our tongue, always be righteous in money matters and in all other matters, preferring to pay more than we owe instead of less, always be more willing to give than to receive, not seeking to please men but more than ever, always, in all things, to please God not fearing anything at all except fearing to displease God. Then we cannot but be glad and bold, rejoicing over the fact that we can share with others everything we possess of earthly and spiritual goods. Then we cannot but always be willing to serve and be well-intentioned, always being gentle when this is consistent with God’s own mind and heart, and always being strict when this, in harmony with God’s Word, is consistent with God’s perfect will for the best of everyone with whom you are strict, etc., etc., etc.

Yours, currently in this development—