But, in saying that man is naturally inclined to evil, and powerless to find full deliverance from sin except through Jesus Christ, I affirm what I am sure is not only according to Scripture, but according to the universal experience of human nature. And one could not frame language to express the doctrine of depravity in stronger terms than that. It requires courage and fortitude, I confess, to take this step. From self righteousness to self-abandonment, from doing to trusting, is almost as great a change as from standing in the boat to stepping on the water. Peter walked on the water to go to Jesus.
Faith is like walking on the waves.
We have to step upon the promise which we cannot see, in order to reach the Lord whom we can see. We have to trust, in order to get the assurance of salvation, instead of trusting because we have the assurance of salvation. If we step upon the promise, we shall certainly find the Promiser, but not without. The law of grace is unchanging in this particular. But, as that water divided and revealed the solid earth the very moment the feet of the priests touched its brim, so with the promise.