Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: September 10th

And the children struggled together within her: and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the Lord.- Genesis 25:22.

Very uncommon and extraordinary was the case of Rebekah: inward commotion and strong contention, between the fruit of her body, alarmed her greatly: each threatening death to the other, and herself also. Happy her conduct. In this distress she seeks satisfaction from the Lord. A noble instance of faith and familiarity with the God of Israel. This also was written for our learning: a very just and striking emblem is this of the Christian. As verily as Jacob and Esau were in the womb of Rebekah, so is the Christian the subject of two contending parties, the old and new man, flesh and Spirit. The life of each is opposite to the other; each is striving for the mastery over the other. Here is the daily conflict of disciples.

To good and evil equal bent;

Sinful in nature, yet a saint.

How does the poor groaning, burdened sinner act? Like himself, a believer on Jesus. With Rebekah, he goes to his COUNSELLOR, He enquires of the Lord Jesus. Is he like Paul in conflict of soul crying out, "O wretched man that I am?" Yea, like Rebekah, is he sometimes weary of his life, because of the daughters of Heth, the numerous progeny of corrupt lusts of the flesh! Here is an evidence of his spiritual life: this is a full proof of the strugglings of a sanctified soul. Though the poor heart may cry out, ’I a saint, I a member of the Holy Jesus, I a child of God! O, surely it cannot be. If so, why am I thus?’ Know, O soul, that it pleased the Father that all fulness of grace should dwell in Jesus. He suffered thy fall into this state that he might raise thee by Jesus; and he is pleased to leave thy sinful nature vile and corrupt as he found it, until it shall be "sown a vile body." Thou art like Rebekah groaning and waiting to be delivered. Suffice it, that thou live by faith in Jesus; "wait in hope for the adoption, namely, the redemption of our body."- Romans 8:23. Know thou art called in love, daily to "put off the old man with his deeds-to mortify the flesh with its affections and lusts." But yet always to reckon thyself after Christ, in thy new state, possessed of perfect righteousness and true holiness. Ever accepted IN HIM, God’s beloved Son; thy beloved head, surety, and Saviour: IN HIM ever acceptable to thy God. Thus the Lord thy God ever delights in thee, and rejoiceth over thee; sees no spot of sin, but adorned with perfect beauty. Such are the glorious views of faith, in opposition to all sense and feeling. So, shortly shalt thou be presented to the Father by Jesus, perfectly holy and without blemish, "not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing."- Ephesians 5:27.

By the obedience of one, (or by ONE obedience) shall many be made righteous. Romans 5:19.

Joyful truth to miserable sinners. O that this word was ever upon our minds, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways, saith the Lord.” (Isaiah 55:8.) Our thoughts are, to make ourselves righteous by our own obedience; and our ways are, to be justified before God by our own righteousness. But the Lord calls us to forsake these unrighteous thoughts, as well as wicked ways, and to submit by faith, to his thoughts and his ways, to be made righteous by the obedience of ONE. Consider, (1st.) this negative implies that no obedience but ONE, can make any sinner righteous. O professor, what art thou seeking after, and striving to be and to do? What is the end of thy praying, reading, hearing, communicating, striving against sin, and seeking to excel in obedience, etc.? Is it to make thyself righteous? then it all proceeds from unbelief of this truth, by ONE obedience, shall many be righteous, and by no other obedience whatever. Then say some, “There is an end to all good works.” No. From the faith of this all good works begin.

There is indeed an end to all the evil works of unbelief, which are done to supplant the ONE spotless obedience of Christ, in making sinners righteous, to the establishing the filthy rags of man’s righteousness. Taught by the Spirit of truth, through faith, my soul abhors this. I firmly believe, “whatsoever is not of faith, is of sin.” (Romans 14:23.) “Works which do not spring of faith in Jesus Christ, have the nature of sin.” (Church Article XIII.) Hence, O my soul, no obedience of thine, before faith in Christ, can make thee righteous. Obedience after faith doth not make thee righteous; for then thou art made righteous by the ONE obedience of Christ. Settle this matter well in thy conscience, the glory of thy God, and the comfort of thy soul, spring from it. For, (2d.) It is positively asserted, “By The obedience of ONE; or the ONE obedience of Christ, shall many be made righteous.” The faith of God’s elect takes the comfort of this, and will love Christ, live upon his righteousness, and give him the glory of it. But, (3d.) Who are made righteous by Christ’s ONE obedience? Many. “The many sons whom Christ shall bring to glory.” (Hebrews 2:10.) Even all, who see themselves miserable sinners, and believe in Christ, for righteousness, unto justification of life. What a glorious way is this of making sinners righteous! (1st.) It secures all the glory to Christ. (2d.) It keeps the sinner humble before him; dependent on him; and prevents all self-righteous boasting. While, (3d.) it gives the poor sinner the greatest boldness, with access of confidence to God. (4th.) It inspires warm love to Christ, and the cheerful obedience of faith.