Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: October 8th

Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that which he alloweth.- Romans 14:22.

There are many things of a civil, moral and religious nature, which are in themselves indifferent. Yet, as to compliance or noncompliance with them, they are far from being matters of indifference to the mind of a believer. As he has an inward consciousness of his outward behaviour, so he finds within himself a sentence of condemnation when he acts contrary to the dictates of his own knowledge and conscience. It may be the disciple of Jesus often finds some things of a doubtful nature, wherein he doth not see the word of God to be express and clear in determining. The upright soul, the tender conscience knows not how to act; is afraid of doing wrong: he asks advice of ministers and Christian brethren, but they cannot fully satisfy his scruples and set his mind at liberty, how he ought to demean himself.

Here the apostles give a full and peremptory answer. The heart of every believer is purified from an evil conscience by the blood of Jesus, and instructed in the knowledge of the truth by his word and Spirit. Hence there is an inward perception of what tends to wound and condemn it. Happy art thou, disciple, if thou dost not wilfully allow thyself in any thing for which thy conscience condemns thee. Never allow thyself in any outward practice, which is attended with inward condemnation. Is it of a trifling and indifferent nature in itself? pretend not to plead for it. Canst thou be content to make thy conscience thine enemy, to incur its censure, and to impair thy peace, for a TRIFLE? Whatever thou takest in hand remember the end, and thou shalt not do amiss. This advice is excellent; it is thy wisdom to follow it; it is thy privilege to plead for power at a throne of grace. Consider daily thy calling; it is to live in sweet fellowship with Jesus, to enjoy peace in thy conscience, and holiness and happiness in life. Whatever is contrary to this, will make thee unhappy. As a son of the most high God, and a servant of the precious Jesus, thou art called not to please thy flesh, not to do thy own will, not to gratify thy own lusts, yea not to destroy thy own peace, but to glorify thy God and Saviour, in doing his will. It is most plain and evident from the apostles’ exhortations, that if believers’ walk and practice are not consistent with the truth, they may most certainly deprive themselves of the sweet sense and comfortable enjoyment of the peace and love of God. Consider deeply, weigh attentively the force and meaning of these words, "KEEP yourselves in the love of God."- Judges 1:21. "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts."- Colossians 3:15.

My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. Psalms 34:2.

There was a poor, vainglorious boaster, who had arrived to the summit of his happiness, and attained the zenith of his glory. The sun of prosperity shone with great splendour upon him. He bid adieu to all care. Down he sat to solace himself. “Soul!” said he, “thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease: eat, drink, and be merry.” But, awful moment! solemn speech! God said unto him, “Thou fool! this night thy soul shall be required of thee.” (Luke 12:20.) O how many such fools are there, who think the soul can be made happy, in outward ease, eating and drinking, and carnal enjoyments. Alas! one moment dashes the honey of their comforts, into the gall of disappointment. Not so, that soul who boasts in the Lord.

This was not a transient fit of David’s, caused by a warm frame of the passions. For, says he, “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall be continually in my mouth.” This is living, indeed, like a son of God, and an heir of glory. St. Paul, like David, sets us the same example. Christ and free grace, says Luther, was ever in his mouth. He never thought he could mention the precious name of Christ too often. He repeats it almost in every verse of the 1 Cor. 1. If Christ is the boast and glory of our souls, his name will ever be uppermost in our hearts, and upon our tongues. It was the martyr Lambert’s motto, “None but Christ, none but Christ.” It is said of one, that he seldom, or ever, mentioned the name Jesus, without a tear. A martyr was judged to be dead, being burned as black as a coal in the fire, moved his scorched lips, and was heard to say, “Sweet Jesus!” and fell asleep.

These were all poor, needy sinners, like ourselves. They saw their want of Christ: they believed what he had done for them, and was to them: they gloried IN him, and made him the boast of their souls. The humble are glad to hear of this. It delights their souls, to hear the name of their Saviour boasted in, his sacrifice gloried of, his righteousness exalted, and his salvation the triumph of sinners. Their hearts catch the sound; and, with a glow of the fire of love, they join the heavenly cry, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive honour, and glory, and blessing,” etc. (Revelation 5:12.)

O, how different is this from self-exalting and self-boasting! But God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. James 4:6.

What tho’ I am but filth and sin,

A wretch both vile and poor,

Yet I will boast of Christ my King,

My righteousness and store.

Jesu, who gave thyself to me,

Keep down my haughty pride:

Let all my glorying be of thee,

For I have nought beside.