Daily Devotionals

Golden Treasury

Devotional: January 30th

All these things have I kept from my youth up. Matthew 19:20. They return, but not to the most High, they are like a deceitful bow. Hosea 7:16.

To part with one’s most secret bosom sin and darling lust, is true and unfeigned conversion, that is the right turning to Christ, for whose sake it is as possible, as needful to renounce even that which is nearest and dearest to us. What great reason have we then to search our hearts very narrowly that we may not be deceived! For we must not imagine ourselves converted, though by the advantage of a religious education, we may have acquired many good habits; and give our consent to all the sacred truths, but are approved of by others, who either ignorant]y, or in a judgment of charity, take us to be very good Christians. Nor is it enough to think that all must be well, and safe, because the good work of God once was begun, or we are still under the drawings of his good spirit. In this manner a great many have miserably deluded their own souls: and this delusion cannot be avoided but by resolutely breaking forth, and pressing to the above mentioned mark. All our wakenings will be to no purpose, except they are improved to the resisting, even unto blood, in striving against sin. If this is not thy case, be not deceived any longer, my dear reader, with false notions of such an important work: but pull down that old building of thy own fancy, which will stand thee in no stead in the period of death: and delay not to begin the new one with all the necessary applications in earnest prayers and wrestlings, for the obtaining of the right victory, and to be not only almost, but a Christian indeed.