Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: June 19th

Let no man beguile you of your reward.- Colossians 2:18.

There is a present reward of grace enjoyed in the hearts of the faithful, which consists in pardon of sin, peace of conscience, and joy in the Holy Ghost. These are the rewards of Jesus’ toils and sufferings for us. Since an artful and subtle serpent hath gained access to the human heart, we can never be warned too much to beware of men. Satan deceived man at the beginning by means of part of himself. He still beguiles men by man. Though the adversary cannot pluck one of Christ’s sheep out of his hands, nor rob the loving Saviour of one of the precious jewels of his mediatorial crown, still we are to consider him as a restless, implacable foe, who will strive by all means to perplex and distress our souls. Has Jehovah Jesus appeared to us in the vision of faith? Hath he spoke to our trembling hearts in his word and by his Spirit, as he did to the father of the faithful? "Fear not, I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward."- Genesis 15:1. Like the racers in the Olympic games, we must expect false judges, corrupted umpires, who will judge against us; determine the prize contrary to our faith and hope in free-grace promises and sovereign determinations.

They will judge against the truth and glory of our prize, as though we were not complete in Christ Jesus; as though we were not wise by his wisdom; righteous by his righteousness; holy by his holiness; perfectly redeemed from all sin, curse and wrath, by his complete redemption; but that somewhat is to be found and trusted to in nature and self, to entitle us to God’s grace, and secure to us a crown of glory. Blessed admonition! "Let no man beguile you," judge against you, ye free-born, heaven-born souls, concerning the perfect freeness, and infinite fulness of your prize, your reward, Jesus. For by this they would weaken your faith, disturb your peace, and oppose your comfort. So they would beguile you to run uncertainly; as though your hopes were suspended on your own faithfulness to grace, your fulfilling terms and conditions, whereby to secure the prize. Ever reject such selfish, mercenary, base, compounding notions with detestation; as contrary to covenant love and gospel grace; dishonoring to our precious Saviour, and grieving to the holy, sovereign Spirit, who bears witness, that "there is a remnant according to the election of grace;" that the prize is adjudged to them "by grace, not of works; otherwise grace is no more grace: but if it be of works, then it is no more of grace; otherwise work is no more work."- Romans 11:5-6.

Firm as the earth thy gospel stands,

My Lord, my hope, my trust;

If I am found in Jesus’ hands,

My soul can ne’er be lost.

His honor is engag’d to save

The meanest of his sheep;

All that his heav’nly Father gave

His hands securely keep.

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him. Colossians 2:6.

It is to the glory of the grace of the holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, that any sinner receives Christ; and Christ is the glory of that heart which receives him. Thus, there is a mutual complacency and delight between Jehovah, Father, Son, and Spirit and believing sons. Every one who believes in Christ Jesus, has received Christ as his Lord, his atonement, his righteousness, his salvation as verily as St. Paul, or any of the apostles. God is alike the Father of all such; the Son is alike the Saviour of all such; and the Holy Ghost is alike the Sanctifier and Comforter of all such. O well may the believing heart cry out in a rapture of joy, Lord, what rich grace is this! What glorious privilege am I invested with? What hast thou wrought! What am I! Why should Jesus apprehend me, worthless me, that I should apprehend him! Lord, what wouldst thou have me to do? Hear and obey. Walk ye in him. What is meant by this? In one word, seeing Christ is yours, enjoy him more and more. How? How did you receive him? As a perishing sinner by faith. Then so walk in him. Walking implies the whole of a believer’s life: that his soul should be in constant motion; that the eye of his faith should be ever looking to, and his heart dependent on Christ Jesus the Lord. So, he walks comfortably, holily, steadily, and perseveringly, to the glory of his Saviour. But shall we meet with no interruptions in thus walking in Christ, who is the Way? Not from him: for he is a most smooth, delightful, and pleasant way. Only keep in him, and you are sure of safety and comfort. But from within, and from without, you will meet with numberless objections and interruptions in your walk. The pride and the lusts of the flesh will oppose you; Satan will oppose, and strive to impede your steps; the world will attempt to seduce you. Be simple of heart. Know, every step, that you are as poor a sinner, as when you first received Christ. Make him the one object of your heart. When you are ready to halt at the sight of your weakness, poverty, and vileness, consider him. Look to him. Cry to him. So shall you “renew your strength: you shall run, and not be weary; walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31.) You are just at your journey’s end. You have the shades of death to pass through. What of that? “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.” Psalms 23:4.

Now we walk in Christ by faith,

Ever hearing what he saith

In his word, unto our heart:

He from us will not depart.

Christ is a most pleasant way-

Let us from him never stray:

In him we have all things good,

Brought us through his precious blood.