Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: June 5th

Take heed to yourselves; if thy brother trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent, thou shalt forgive him.- Luke 17:3-4.

Mind this loving word. "Do thyself no harm." The least degree of malice, hatred or revenge, is contrary to the genius of the gospel-inconsistent with the character of a disciple of the meek and lowly Jesus. But, our master knows what is in man: that his members are composed of flesh, as well as spirit; and therefore liable to offend, one against another, so as to hurt and injure each other, in the peace of their minds, and fellowship of their spirits. So also, they cause the way of truth to be evil spoken of, by the adversaries, who are glad at every advantage, to cry out, "O these are your saints! see how full of wrath they are; how they bite and devour each other." Therefore, "take heed to yourselves," saith the head to his members. Watch against this evil. Offences will come. I teach you how to behave. Suppose thy brother trespass against thee, pity his weakness: pray for him by name, to thy Father, and his Father. Beware of angry resentment. If he aggravates his offence, by frequent repetition, thou shalt in no wise hate thy brother; but, as oft as he offends, if he as often "turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him." But, are we not to forgive him until, and unless, he do turn and say, I repent? In one sense we ought; perhaps, not in another. We must not, at our peril, entertain anger, or let the sun go down on our wrath; but in our hearts freely and fully forgive an offending brother. But, what if he remains stubborn, and persists in a spirit of bitterness? Even then, we are to forgive him in our hearts, and be desirous of embracing him, in love.

But may we not justly suspend declaring our forgiveness to him, until he turn and say, I repent? Herein have we not God’s word, and method, as our example? Though God loves his people in Christ, and for his sake pardons their sins; yet, until they actually turn to him, and repent, he doth not manifest his pardon, and love to them. But let us ever remember, as God’s thoughts of love are towards us, before we turn to him: so our thoughts of love should be to our offending brethren, ere they turn to us. Doth the Lord Jesus require us to forgive every repeated offense, even until seventy times seven, four hundred and ninety? surely then, he will magnify his love, and display his mercy, in pardoning the innumerable offences, of all who turn to him. "Forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you."- Ephesians 4:32.

Great is God’s love and large his grace,

Through the redemption of his Son:

He turns our feet from sinful ways,

And pardons what our hands have done.

Then let us to our brethren shew,

The loving spirit we partake,

All their offenses to forego,

And love them freely for Christ’s sake.

Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Psalms 97:11.

He, who never doubts his sincerity to God, has great reason to suspect his knowledge of himself. An hypocrite cannot be a Christian. Yet there is hypocrisy in the fallen nature of every Christian. Such are ever suspecting themselves. At times, they fear, lest they should turn out nothing but hypocrites at last. This is a proof, that their hearts are upright with Christ; their fears and suspicions are a blessed means, of keeping them from falling away from him. Righteous souls pass through many dark frames and disagreeable experiences. Sometimes, they are put to a stand, ready to question if all be right within or not. For, they are the subjects of a nature, in which dwells every evil, which wars against God, the peace, holiness, and comfort of their souls. Hence they are sometimes in seasons of darkness. They see not things in the light of truth: they enjoy not the comfort of this truth, that they are “righteous in the righteousness of Christ,” (2 Corinthians 5:21.) and made upright by his grace. Upright souls mourn in darkness, and desire ever to walk in the light. Yes, says St. Peter, ye “greatly rejoice in the salvation of Jesus, though now for a season (if need be) ye are in heaviness, through manifold temptations.” If need be! O what need can there be? He tells us. That the trial of your precious faith might be found, unto praise and honour and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:6-7.) Tried faith is true faith. Touch any metal but gold, and aqua fortis will burn it off. True faith stands the fire of temptations-trusts Christ in heaviness-stays upon him in darkness. For at all times, in all seasons, under all circumstances, light and gladness are sown for you, and in due season shall spring up in you. Where are they sown? Where every covenant blessing is reaped. In Jesus, the surety of the covenant. (Hebrews 7:22.) All natural light is in, and flows from the sun. All spiritual light flows from Christ, the sun of righteousness, who saith, “I am the light of the world: he who followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12.) Is light sown in Christ for us? Let us with David claim in faith, The Lord is my light, and my salvation. (Psalms 27:1.) Does gladness of heart spring from Christ? Then say, “My meditation of him shall be sweet; I will be glad in the Lord.” (Psalms 104:34.) Thus faith is tried and proved in the darkest hour: thus it manifests itself to be the faith of God’s elect; for it cleaves to God’s elect, (Jesus) in whom God’s soul delighteth. Isaiah 42:1.

Both light and gladness in God’s word,

For righteous souls are sown,

And shall spring up within those hearts,

Who have the Saviour known.