I hold in fond memory God's
past dealings with my soul. I remember the first time I heard the gospel, the
first pains of conviction, the first bitter-sweet joys of repentance, and the
first blessed peace of faith. But for me to look in anyway upon these past
experiences as the basis of my hope before God is to betray a deceived heart.
Conviction, repentance, and faith are real only if they are continual and
increasing my peace before God is not based upon a past experience of grace,
but upon a present faith and love toward Christ, I am at peace with God today,
because I trust Christ today.