Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: October 25th

How can ye believe which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only?- John 5:44.

"The fear of man bringeth a snare."- Proverbs 29:25. It is a great enemy to the power of faith in the heart. The esteem of men, to be well spoken of, to have honor and applause from them, are pleasing to the flesh, but hurtful to the Spirit. The wisdom and learning of natural men, are contrary to the simplicity that is in Christ, incompatible with the cross of Christ, and withstands an open confession of him who is an honor to us; for by the faith of Jesus we are honored of the Father to be his children, and to enjoy sweet fellowship and communion with him in our spirits.

Here is the blessedness of the faith of disciples; "It standeth not in the wisdom of man, but in the power of God."- 1 Corinthians 2:5. Hence we are to "call no man Rabbi, for one is our master, even Jesus." We are to suffer no man to lord it over our faith; not to pin our faith on any man’s sleeve; merely to believe what any man says, be he ever so wise and learned. Some are fond of being at the head of a party; others love to humour them, and become tails and tools to them; and their poor hearts are hereby sadly rent and torn, by disputes and divisions which so much abound. But have we not the plain, simple teachings of our blessed prophet to look to? O, how often do disciples of Jesus give honor to men, in expecting that teaching and that comfort from them which cometh from God only! Too oft is it the cry, I will hear what such a one saith, what this and the other teacheth, instead of "I will hear what the Lord God will speak," what he hath taught in his word. I will abide by that only. This honor cometh from God only, to speak peace by Jesus Christ outwardly in his word, and inwardly by his Spirit: therefore we are to search the word diligently, wait for the Spirit patiently, treasure up and ponder upon the sayings of Jesus in our hearts continually. This is to honor him whom the Father honors, to be the prophet of his church. Believers have an "unction from the Holy One that teacheth them all things."- 1 John 2:20. Surely they ought not to hear those who know not the truth! "Them that honor me, I will honor," saith the Lord,- 1 Samuel 2:30. Jehovah commands us. "Hear my beloved Son."- Mark 9:7. In the face of all opposition to believe the word, the promises, and the oath of the Lord concerning full and free salvation by his Son Jesus only, this is the honor the Lord requires from his children: and this obedience of faith, God will honor with inward peace, and the witness of his Spirit; with a life of love, and the sanctifying renewings of the Holy Ghost from day to day. Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. "Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils."- Isaiah 2:22.

The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28.

Most gracious words to me, who am a poor sinner, and have nothing to bring to Christ, but an empty hand, to receive: most precious ransom for me, who have the sentence of death in myself. May faith be high, and self low to-night! The poor disciples were now wrangling about precedence and supremacy. What was the consequence? They were moved with indignation. They strangely forgot the end of Christ’s coming, and the nature of his kingdom. God knows we are poor as beggars, yet proud as devils. The very same spirit works in us all, as did in them. Lord grant that the evil which occasioned these words, may be made a blessing to us. Consider, (1st.) Our proud notion of ministering to Christ. Some indeed did minister to Christ of their substance, (Luke 8:3.) But this was of natural things. Though empty of all good, and full of all evil, yet we vainly think, we can minister something to Christ of our spiritual substance, which shall be available towards our salvation. It is dreadful to have both pride and poverty! There is no character so despicable. Yet it is ours. But, (2d.) O wondrous love! Christ came to minister to our wants, and subdue our pride. He wants nothing from us. He bestows all upon us. He gives us to see our poverty, to hide pride from our eyes. He shows us our misery, that pride may not destroy us. He makes us feel our extreme indigence, that he may supply us out of his fulness. He ministers the grace of conviction, of our lost and helpless state in ourselves, that he may comfort us in conversion of our souls to himself.

But do I minister nothing to Christ for salvation? Poor sinner, thou hast nothing to minister, but a sinful body and a sin-sick soul. Is it so? Art thou sensible of it, and crying to him under it? Then Christ hath indeed ministered his Spirit to thee. Here is glorious comfort for thee. (3d.) Christ came to give his life a ransom for many. Even for ALL that the Father gave him, (John 6:39.) ALL such are known of God-known by Christ- and they too may know, that they are of the blessed number of Christ’s ransomed ones. How? more surely, than if they heard a voice from heaven telling them so. “They shall come unto me.” There is the most sure evidence. To come, sensible that we have nothing to minister to Christ, and to take the ransom of his death as our finished salvation, this is the faith of God’s elect. All such was given to Christ, and shall eternally reign with him. Romans 5:17.

To minister to our distress,

And save our souls from hell,

Came down the Lord our righteousness,

With love unspeakable.