the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God
Our gospel came not to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.- 1 Thessalonians 1:5.
Sin, salvation, death, judgment, eternity, though matters of the highest moment and utmost importance to us, yet we naturally think of them with little concern, speak of them with great indifference, and treat the consideration of them as Felix did Paul, "Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season I will send for thee."- Acts 24:25. And yet perhaps such have long sat under a preached gospel; hugely cry up and applaud the preacher, and are ready to condemn others who do not see and admire the excellency of the man. But, alas! what are the most excellent words of man without the power of the Spirit? Light as air, ineffectual to soul-saving purposes, as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.
The grand question is, Have I inwardly known and felt the power of the gospel? Our gospel came UNTO you not in word only, but in power. It has an internal voice: it speaks glad tidings, good news of life and salvation to the very soul: it is the word of power to quicken dead souls to life: it is a revelation to the heart of pardon and peace by Jesus. Thus it brings the clearest evidence, the fullest assurance along with it, that it is God’s word of life and salvation. The Holy Ghost bears witness to it, in power and demonstration. Blessed souls! who are divinely assured of the truths of gospel-grace and love by Jesus; who embrace the gospel as their only hope, and flee and cleave to Jesus as their only refuge. But more blessed, yea most happy those believing souls who are upon the delectable mountains, and enjoy much assurance of their own personal interest in Jesus, and eternal life through him; and by the Holy Ghost are enabled to say, ’I know that Jesus loved me and died for me.’ O, this privilege is most highly to be prized. It is worth pressing after.
This only can deliver the soul from all doubts and fears, inflame it with the most ardent love, inspire it with the most holy boldness, influence it to the most cheerful obedience, resign it to afflictive allotments, wing it with holy longings after Jesus and eternal glory; and make it joyfully triumphant over the grim tyrant death; with "Thanks be to God, who giveth ME the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."- 1 Corinthians 15:57.
My Saviour God, my sov’reign Prince,
Reigns far above the skies;
But brings his graces down to sense,
And helps my faith to rise.
His word is truth, his pow’r is great,
From hence my comforts spring:
Assurance by the Holy Ghost
A heav’n on earth doth bring.
His name shall be called Counselor Isaiah 9:6.
Litigious spirits are fond of law. Paul absolutely forbids the brethren of Christ going to law one with another, (1 Corinthians 6:7.) Among other reasons this is the greatest. They are concerned in a suit, which will last their whole lives, and which requires all their time and attention. Though their cause has been tried again and again: though they have gained cause after cause, yet their adversary continues as litigious as ever. He is continually accusing them, and preferring bills of indictment against them. He sets the world upon us. He stirs up the flesh in us. He brings heinous charges against us. He is the accuser of the brethren before God, and to our own consciences night and day, (Revelation 12:10.) Have you heard nothing from Satan your adversary and accuser this day? If you have, be not dejected. Let him accuse, say, and do his worst. It is our unspeakable comfort, we have a wonderful Counselor He pleads our cause before the throne of justice above. He pleads within us in the court of conscience. He counsels and advises us by his Word and Spirit. His true and righteous pleadings for us, shall prevail over all Satan’s accusations against us. Would you wish your cause in better hands? never attempt to take it out of his hands. Continually consult him. Leave all to him. For, consider, (1st.) Jesus in the eternal council, voluntarily, unsought and unasked, stood forth, and engaged to be our Counselor Like a generous counselor in a court, seeing the poverty of an arraigned prisoner, freely, without money or price, undertakes to plead his cause. O wonderful love! O kind compassion! (2d.) He is a wonderful Counselor For though law and justice condemn, yet he obtains an acquittal in court for all his clients. Most wonderful in his plea. Not our innocence, sincerity, goodness, etc. No, he owns our guilt and vileness. He pleads his own work for us. The blood he shed for our sins: his obedience unto the law for our justification; and his sufferings for our salvation. Justice says, I am satisfied, I forgive them. Truth records the sentence. Mercy declares, I will save them. (3d.) O wonderful counselor! it is sinners, none but sinners thou pleadest for. O for this my soul loves thee. God be merciful to me, a sinner. This is ever my plea. I take it up. Lord, shew me, from law and justice, that thou art just, whilst thou justifiest the ungodly. Desperate as my case is, may I ever flee to thee, and ever consult thee. “Thou hast the words of eternal life,” John 6:68.
Jesus is our God and Saviour,
Guide, Counselor, and Friend,
Bearing all our misbehavior,
Kind and loving to the end.
Trust him, he will not deceive us,
Though we hardly deem of him;
He will never, never leave us,
Nor will let us quite leave him.
