Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: October 4th

All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient.- 1 Corinthians 6:12.

The constraints of love and jealousy of fear sweetly unite in the believing heart. Where the faith of Jesus prevails, love constrains. It holds and keeps us in our station and duty, as soldiers are kept together under a banner or ensign displayed. What cheerfulness and activity of soul do we experience, when we can say with the church in Song of Solomon 2:4. "Jesus’ banner over me was love!" Then how sweetly do we judge and determine our conduct by the law of Christ, which is LOVE! This excites a godly fear lest we should allow ourselves a latitude in things in themselves indifferent, to the wounding and hurt of our souls or our fellow-soldiers. Though all things of an indifferent nature, which are innocent in themselves, are lawful to us; yet the cause and interest of our dear Saviour, and the good and edifying of his beloved members, should be ever near our hearts, and make us consider the expediency of them.

How narrow is the path of duty! yet it is pleasant to the faithful soul. For Jesus hath strewed it with the fragrant fruits of peace, love, and comfort. Peace from God, and with our brethren; love to God and one another. While we walk according to this rule, we bring glory to God who hath called us by Jesus Christ to glory, and will also assuredly glorify us together with himself. What circumspection becomes disciples in their daily walk, that they give none offence, neither to the Jew nor to the Gentile, nor to the church of God! The eyes, not only of God, angels, and devils, are upon us, but the eyes of men also, our brethren, and our opposers. Did the Rechabites wholly abstain from wine, because Jonadab commanded "Ye shall drink no wine?" Did the Lord honor their obedience in this indifferent thing with his approbation?-Jeremiah 35. How much more will Jesus honor his disciples, who, with an eye to his glory, and his members’ good, abstain from things that are not expedient! Thou freeman of the Lord, with a holy resolution assert thy dignity. I will not be brought under the power of any thing contrary to the love of Jesus. Happy is he who seeketh not to please himself, but to profit others. How then can those answer to the Lord Christ, to their own souls, and to their brethren, who can indulge themselves at card-tables, play-houses, etc. and say, "These are indifferent things; I see no harm in them!" Is this "following after the things which make for peace, and wherewith one may edify another?"- Romans 14:19. "Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth."- Romans 14:22.

Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord. Jeremiah 23:29.

How comforting this reflection? “We, who were sometimes afar off, are now made nigh by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13.) How happy is the soul, when it finds nearness of access to God, and enjoys sweet converse with him? Then with Jeremiah it says, “Let me talk with thee, O Lord,” (chap. 12:1.) Then the Lord condescends to hear and reply. As here, he appeals to the soul’s experience; and asks, What effect has my word had on thine heart? Is it not like fire? Let us consider this, that the word of the Lord may be glorified by us to-night. (1st.) It is the property of fire to communicate light. So doth the word. “The entrance of thy word giveth Light,” (Psalms 119:130.) When we were darkness itself, how did the word enter, and shine into our hearts, and give us the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ? In seasons of darkness, how often has the word brought light into our souls? Thy word is a light to my path. (Psalms 119:105.) (2d.) Fire gives heat. How often has the Lord warmed our cold hearts, and melted down our hard hearts with the fire of his word of love and grace? “I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.” (Jeremiah 31:3.) Say, has not such a word as this been in the heart, as burning fire shut up in our bones? (Jeremiah 20:9.) Lord, multiply such burning seasons. (3d.) Fire consumeth, so doth the word. When it burns in the heart, it consumes our cursed lusts, hateful pride, deceitful, self-righteous hopes, vain and worldly desires, legal terrors, and tormenting dread of death. Lord, cause this heavenly fire to burn in our hearts, and consume more and more. For, (4th.) The word, like fire, purifies. “Ye have purified your souls, in obeying the truth, through the Spirit,” (1 Peter 1:22.) While the fire of the word burns within, purity is preserved in heart, lip, and life. (5th.) Fire causeth smoke. No sooner doth the word kindle fire in the heart, but the smoke of incense, of prayer and praise, ascend up to the Lord. Christ compares his church to “pillars of smoke,” (Song of Solomon 3:6.) and his people to smoking flax, (Matthew 12:20.) For the word of the Lord is like fire in their hearts, and their affections like smoke, ascend up unto him. O thou great inditer of the word! cause the word of Christ to dwell in us richly in all wisdom, that we may continue in his word, that it may be manifest, that we are his disciples indeed. John 8:31.

The Lord appeals unto each soul,

For proof of what he saith:

Doth not his word our pow’rs control,

When it is known by faith?

Like fire it burns our hearts,

And doth our lusts consume,

And fills with love our ev’ry part,

And doth our works perfume.