Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: March 8th

But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus.- Ephesians 4:20-21.

Jesus, the great prophet of his church, speaks to the hearts of his members. This is his superior excellence to all other prophets, for they can only speak to the ear. To attend a preached gospel is our constant duty. But all our profit and happiness arise from hearing the Saviour’s voice to our souls. Under the outward ministry, inwardly to listen to the teachings of his Lord, should be every Christian’s concern! Many cry, O what an excellent preacher! what a charming sermon! But why? Didst thou hear Jesus speak? did he teach? hast thou heard somewhat from him? Thou knowest, disciple, though a Paul plants, though an Apollos waters, yet it is the Saviour’s presence and power that give the increase of faith, love, peace, and joy-It is.

So the Saviour is pleased to teach; so disciples love to learn. Then is it well with the soul; for it refuseth to act and walk after the course of this present evil world; for he says, the Saviour hath taught me better. Why does he take pains to teach me the love of his cross? Why hath he instructed me in the truths of his salvation? Why hath he made known to my poor heart the unsearchable riches of his grace, redemption in his blood, forgiveness of sins, acceptance with God, and peace and love from him? And do I possess "a good hope through grace," that as verily as I have learned Christ, heard him, been taught by him, and know the truth as in him, I shall soon be with him. After all this, can I walk in the vanity of my mind? can I turn aside from the free-grace truths of the gospel, to have my teeth set on edge with the sour grapes of corrupt human systems? Or canst thou ever think, disciple, that the liberty of the Spirit tends to licentiousness of the flesh, or that grace makes sin less hateful; or that a holy walk, and obedient life, doth not flow from the doctrines and teachings of our Saviour? Surely, thou must know, that as the work of Jesus’ life and death was to justify sinners, so the teaching of his Spirit is to sanctify them. And verily if this is done inwardly on thy soul, it will be evidenced outwardly on thy life, in separating thyself as a holy vessel, meet for the master’s use, from all sensuality and uncleanness; in "putting off the old man with his deeds," and in serving our God and Saviour "in newness of the Spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter."- Romans 7:6.

Order my footsteps by thy word,

And make my heart sincere;

Let sin have no dominion. Lord,

But keep my conscience clear.

A holy fellowship, with thee,

My Lord, may I enjoy:

Thus I may ever learn to be,

Dead to all sinful joy.

The holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:13.

We never think to any purpose about salvation, till we see our own condemnation for sin. Has there ever been a tribunal set up in your conscience? Have you been arraigned, and have you held up your hand at the bar of justice? Has the law of God brought its charge against you? Have you, from inward conviction of sin, been forced to plead guilty? Then the law pronounces its curses upon you, and there it leaves you, under its guilt and terror. For, to convince and to condemn, is all the law can do. The Lord knows, and self-condemned sinners know too, (I speak for one,) this is a most deplorable state. Now, the once neglected book of God becomes most precious to the soul. The believing sinner now sees, as he had no knowledge of sin, but by the law, so he can obtain no knowledge of salvation, but by the gospel. Such a soul is wise; but not in his own eyes. Prudent; but not in his own sight. There is a woe against such as are, (Isaiah 5:21.) And Christ thanks his Father that “he had hid the things of his kingdom, from the wise and prudent, and revealed them unto babes.” (Matthew 11:25.) O it is blessed to be only a babe in our own sight; to know that we have no wisdom in ourselves; to be stript of all our corrupt ideas of salvation; to see that we must learn all from the scriptures; and simply receive and believe what they testify of salvation by Jesus. This is true wisdom. This is being wise unto salvation. Now, if you closely attend to, and examine the cause, why your walk is not always holy, happy, and joyful, you will find it is because of your folly. You do not simply search the scriptures for wisdom, nor simply believe the salvation they reveal, which is in Christ. The scriptures are able to make thee wise unto salvation. But say you, cannot the Spirit do this without them? This is folly. The Spirit is in the word. It teaches us to be wise unto salvation, by the word. If you expect the Spirit without the word, you have the vain hope of a fool. Through faith in Christ Jesus. The scriptures testify of him, and of salvation by him only. To believe the scriptures, is to believe in Christ unto salvation. O say some, I do from my heart believe the scriptures, but I fear I have no saving faith in Christ. Here you are not a babe. Not simple of heart. You did not learn this from the scriptures. You get into the reasoning of the father of lies. So you distress your mind. Take thy Lord’s reproof: “O fools and slow of heart to believe (what?) all that is spoken.” Luke 24:25.

Vain men, who seek to be made wise

Without God’s holy word:

Neglecting faith in Jesus Christ,

Ye ne’er can know the Lord.

Come listen to the scripture’s voice,

Its sacred truths obey,

With wisdom then ye shall rejoice,

In Christ the only way.