Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: June 9th

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.- 2 Peter 3:14.

It is a most grand delusion to imagine that the doctrines of grace tend to lull the soul asleep in supine indolence, or slothful stupidity. The believer hath not so learned Christ. Though he is saved by grace freely, yet he is called to "labour diligently." By faith he looks forward, to the fulfilment of awful predictions and precious promises. Hence we are excited to daily diligence, in the performance of duties, the use of means, and the exercise of graces. Do we look for the burning of the earth, the elements, and all sublunary things? do we expect to be inhabitants of new heavens, and a new earth? do we wait, and sometimes long for the coming of the Lamb, our loving master and precious Saviour? and shall we indulge carnal ease and spiritual sloth? shall we not fear to be found of Jesus in such a state? Most true, "Jesus hath made peace for us by the blood of his cross." But shall we not be diligent, to maintain a lively sense of this sweet peace in our hearts? shall we not labour after purity of heart? And how is this to be expected, but by studiously avoiding those things, which tend to draw the heart, and alienate the affections from Jesus? If we lose sight of the Lamb, we lose the sense of peace. If we look at things which are seen, this begets love to them, and increases anxious solicitude for them. And, alas! then they only pierce us through with many sorrows. And most of all, when we are in our right minds, do not our sorrows increase, if we decrease in spiritual diligence, and grow in worldly-mindedness?

Christian, though thou knowest it is God that giveth thee power to get wealth, and his providence is engaged to preserve thy body; yet, this doth not cause thee to abate thy diligence in thy worldly concerns; nor doth it make thee careless to preserve thy body from harms and administer to it such things as are for its health. Most happy is it for thee, thus daily to watch over, and care for, the peace and purity of thy soul. Jesus is thy peace: by living on him, peace is enjoyed. He is thy Saviour: by looking to him, thou shalt be kept free from filthy spots. Thus by maintaining fellowship with Christ-walking with Christ-keeping up a free intercourse with Christ; peace of mind, and purity of heart are preserved. In this way, verily, thou shalt be blameless. And be assured, "the diligent soul shall be made fat."- Proverbs 13:4.

My thoughts surmount these lower skies,

I look within the veil;

There springs of endless pleasure rise,

The waters never fail.

There I behold with sweet delight

The blessed Three in One,

And strong affections fix my sight

On God’s incarnate Son.

And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father. Revelation 1:6.

Christ has done a great work for us. But does he only call us to believe it, and then leave us just as we were, under the dominion of sin, Satan, and the world? No. He not only washes us from our sins, which he hates, in his blood, but he also dignifies our person, which he loves, by his power.

Hail Jesus, lavish of strange gifts to man!

Thine all the glory; man’s the boundless bliss.

O miracle of grace! Christ hath made us kings and priests. (1st.) Kings to rule over sin, the world, death, and hell. Sin brought death into the world. Death reigned over all that sinned. “But they who receive abundance of grace, and the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life, by one Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:17.) O believer, do not you too often forget your real dignity? Then you do not honour your King of kings. Consider, you are made a king to reign in life. A spiritual life, over all that is earthly, sensual, and devilish. Do you say, how can I reign over sin: who am the subject of sin? but you are not a subject to sin. “Sin shall not have dominion over you, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:14.) An earthly monarch may have many treacherous and rebellious subjects, who envy him, and would dethrone him: still in spite of all he may keep his throne. So do you over all rebel lusts, and traitorous dispositions. For, Christ is king over you. You reign by his power. You are a king unto God. You reign to his glory. (2d.) Priests. The priest under the law, offered gifts and sacrifices according to the law. Under the gospel, we are, “A holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5.) Even those of a broken heart and contrite spirit, our bodies and souls, time and talents, prayer and praises, yea to sacrifice our lusts, our sinful selves, our love of the world, our free-will pride, all our carnal reason, and self-righteousness, all and every thing which is contrary to our Lord’s will and glory. For as Christ our high-priest has offered himself to God for us, so we are to offer up ourselves to God by him. O believer, study more and more your regal dignity, and royal priesthood. Will an earthly monarch so degrade and bemean himself, as to be the companion, and gratify the humours of traitors and rebels? Will any Christian priest sacrifice to heathen idols? O when lusts present, and Satan tempts, consider, Christ hath made me a king to reign over them. When worldly vanities allure, remember, Christ hath made me a priest, to sacrifice them to his honour and glory.