Daily Devotionals

John Gossner's Treasury

Devotional: July 29th

My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. John 4:34. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren. Romans 8:29. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. John 13:15.

How can a true Christian daily receive grace upon grace from Jesus, allow himself to be so undeservedly loved by him, live upon His merits, wash in His blood and draw life from His death, without feeling the wish, the earnest desire and endeavor to become like his Master and to be in this world as He was? Every disciple fashions himself according to his master, looks to his mouth and hand. Shall the Christian remain in his natural depravity, shall he be born of God and have Christ dwelling by faith in his heart and not lead a godly life as his Master, not seek to be fashioned like Him? No, even a friend tries to imitate a friend in all things. The lover gives himself no rest until he has recalled the likeness of the beloved to his mind’s eye. Love shows itself in that one acts as the one beloved. We, also, are predestined and elected by God ’’before the foundation of the world" to be like Him ’’in love’ (Ephesians 1:4). His favorite food (John 4:34) must also be ours. His mind and conduct must also be our mind and conduct; otherwise we have no part in Him. Our eye must always be turned toward Him and His holy conduct, so that we always think, speak and act as He would think, speak and act if He were in our place. As was said to Moses, "And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount’’ (Exodus 25:40; Acts 7:44), so it is said also to the Christian: Look to that pattern which was showed thee on Mount Golgotha and plan thy whole life and conduct according thereto.

Let Thy rich grace increase.

Through all my early days,

The fruit of righteousness and peace

To Thine eternal praise.