“Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” - 1Corinthians 10:12
It is a curious fact, that there is such a thing as being
proud of grace. A man says, “I have great faith, I shall not fall; poor little
faith may, but I never shall.” “I have fervent love,” says another, “I can
stand, there is no danger of my going astray.” He who boasts of grace has
little grace to boast of. Some who do this imagine that their graces can keep
them, knowing not that the stream must flow constantly from the fountain head,
or else the brook will soon be dry. If a continuous stream of oil comes not to
the lamp, though it burn brightly to-day, it will smoke to-morrow, and noxious
will be its scent. Take heed that thou gloriest not in thy graces, but let all
thy glorying and confidence be in Christ and his strength, for only so canst
thou be kept from falling. Be much more in prayer. Spend longer time in holy
adoration. Read the Scriptures more earnestly and constantly. Watch your lives
more carefully. Live nearer to God. Take the best examples for your pattern.
Let your conversation be redolent of heaven. Let your hearts be perfumed with
affection for men’s souls. So live that men may take knowledge of you that you
have been with Jesus, and have learned of him; and when that happy day shall
come, when he whom you love shall say, “Come up higher,” may it be your
happiness to hear him say, “Thou hast fought a good fight, thou hast finished
thy course, and henceforth there is laid up for thee a crown of righteousness
which fadeth not away.” On, Christian, with care and caution! On, with holy
fear and trembling! On, with faith and confidence in Jesus alone, and let your
constant petition be, “Uphold me according to thy word.” He is able, and he
alone, “To keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the
presence of his glory with exceeding joy.”
“I will take heed to my ways.” - Psalm 39:1
Fellow-pilgrim, say not in your heart, “I will go hither and
thither, and I shall not sin;” for you are never so out of danger of sinning as
to boast of security. The road is very miry, it will be hard to pick your path
so as not to soil your garments. This is a world of pitch; you will need to
watch often, if in handling it you are to keep your hands clean. There is a
robber at every turn of the road to rob you of your jewels; there is a
temptation in every mercy; there is a snare in every joy; and if you ever reach
heaven, it will be a miracle of divine grace to be ascribed entirely to your
Father’s power. Be on your guard. When a man carries a bomb-shell in his hand,
he should mind that he does not go near a candle; and you too must take care
that you enter not into temptation. Even your common actions are edged tools;
you must mind how you handle them. There is nothing in this world to foster a
Christian’s piety, but everything to destroy it. How anxious should you be to
look up to God, that he may keep you! Your prayer should be, “Hold thou me up,
and I shall be safe.” Having prayed, you must also watch; guarding every
thought, word, and action, with holy jealousy. Do not expose yourselves
unnecessarily; but if called to exposure, if you are bidden to go where the
darts are flying, never venture forth without your shield; for if once the
devil finds you without your buckler, he will rejoice that his hour of triumph
is come, and will soon make you fall down wounded by his arrows. Though slain
you cannot be; wounded you may be. “Be sober; be vigilant, danger may be in an
hour when all seemeth securest to thee.” Therefore, take heed to thy ways, and
watch unto prayer. No man ever fell into error through being too watchful. May
the Holy Spirit guide us in all our ways, so shall they always please the Lord.
- Charles Spurgeon's Morning & Evening Devotional for March 14th
~Brittany
