Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: March 3rd

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in every time of need.- Hebrews 4:16.

Very few, comparatively, of the subjects of an earthly monarch are permitted free access to majesty. This is too high an honor to be made common. Kings’ courts are for the noble and eminent. The poor and destitute, the miserable and distressed have no admission there; but, ye poor, distressed subjects of Jesus, the King of kings, it is not thus with you. Your King, though ever on a throne, where majesty and glory shine with the brightest lustre, yet grace, mercy, and kindness are freely dispensed to needy souls. Hither you are invited to come; yea, more, to come boldly. Why? Because you are "rich, and increased in goods, and have need of nothing?" Nay, but because your King knows you are "poor and miserable, blind and naked creatures in yourselves" day after day. Nothing to present to your King to procure his favor- nothing to bring, which deserves his acceptance of you. But he loves your persons, and has riches for your poverty, eyesalve for your blindness, a garment for your nakedness, a robe for your rags, and mercy for your misery; yea, a heaven of grace for your hell of deserts.

Your Mediator with his blood, your High Priest with his much incense, always intercedes. There can be no period of your life but what is a time of need. Who has obtained all the mercy? Who has found all the grace which can be dispensed from this throne? Thou art still a sinner, and wantest mercy and grace; thou hast still need of both; and as thou findest thy want of mercy, thy need of grace, hither thou mayest always repair with boldness; here thou mayest ever expect a rich supply; for God the Father, is the fountain of grace and mercy; Jesus thy Saviour, is the treasurer; "All fulness of grace dwells in him;" the Spirit, the comforter, is the dispenser of mercy and grace. Why then, O soul, that backwardness, that shyness, which too, too often hangs upon thee? What privilege so great? what encouragement so strong?

"Come with boldness," yet consistent with awe and reverence. Boldness of faith is grounded on something without a man, on nothing in him; not on the fervent heart of love, the bleeding heart of repentance, the active life of obedience, the suffering mind of patience; but faith fixes on Jesus, and the believer comes with an empty heart and hand to be filled with the free gifts of grace. He may come with boldness of speech to Jesus as his friend and brother, freely to pour his complaints into his loving heart, and to tell him of all his sorrows. Sweetest encouragement from the friend of sinners! "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden," (most blessed promise!) "and I will give you rest."- Matthew 11:28.

Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:11.

He, who does not see himself stript of righteousness, his eyes were never yet opened, nor his heart convinced of sin by the Spirit of God. He, who imagines that he possesses an inherent righteousness of his own, in which he can stand before God, and answer all the demands of his holy law, deceives his own soul. He, who seeks to be made righteous, to be justified in God’s sight, and to obtain a title to heaven, in any other way than the righteousness of Christ, rejects Christ, and disbelieves the Scripture. He, who does not delight in the fruits of righteousness, and desire to abound in them, and to be filled with them, is a stranger to our righteous Saviour, and destitute of the power of our most holy faith. Mind, (1st.) “The fruits of righteousness.” Why do we not always speak in scripture phrases, and use words which the Holy Ghost teaches? It is much easier to understand this phrase, “the fruits of righteousness,” than that of inherent righteousness. Many people use it, but they neither know themselves, nor can they explain to others, what they mean by it. These school-terms have brought no honour to the plain, simple gospel of Christ; but have puzzled and misled simple Christians. Pray, mind how exceeding cautious St. Paul is in his phrase. (Romans 6:16.) “Whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto”-What!-“Life?” The former antithesis seems to require it should be unto life; but St. Paul well knew what a legal, self-righteous spirit is in us, and how it works by pride; therefore, he cautiously avoids elating it. He says, of “obedience unto righteousness,” not unto life. This is the obedience of faith. Hence, spring the fruits of righteousness. (2d.) These are by Jesus Christ, as he is the Lord our Righteousness. All the fruits of righteousness flow from our vital union to him, and communication from him through faith. (3d.) The end of them. They are not to satisfy God’s justice, obtain his mercy, or procure his favour; nor to fulfil his law, in order to get life thereby. If we think so, we shall be puffed up in our minds, reject our Saviour’s righteousness, do despite to the Spirit of his grace, who glorifies him; and, turning the eye of faith from him, trust in our own good fruits. But they are unto “the glory and praise of God.” To the glory of God, who has justified us freely, and will give us the kingdom, of his own good pleasure. O, Christian! here is the heavenly spring of all holy zeal, fervent obedience, and abounding in all fruits of righteousness. Pray, study, and strive, that you may excel, abound in them, and be filled with them. “For,” says our Lord, “herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit.” (John 15:18.)