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Daily Devotionals
Mornings and Evenings with Jesus
Devotional: January 12th

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Morning Devotional

Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. - Psalms 51:13.

HERE we have the importance of the object sought, and the means by which it is to be accomplished. There is no evil from which a fellow-creature can be delivered compared to sin. The conversion of a sinner from the error of his way is an event of far greater importance than the conquest of a kingdom. There is no charity like charity to the soul. The conversion of sinners is not only important, but possible. The work is ascribed to God. He is indeed the efficient agent in every case; but he works by means, and it is by the instrumentality of his people that he principally carries on his cause in the world. They are his witnesses, they are his servants. He first makes them the subjects of his grace, and then employs them as means of communicating it to others. He changes rebels into friends, and then sends them on an errand of reconciliation, and by them beseeches sinners to be reconciled unto a God of mercy. And he has qualified them for this embassy; having “tasted that the Lord is gracious,” their own experience gives them earnestness and confidence in saying to their fellow-sinners around, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”

There are many ways in which Christians may teach transgressors God’s way, and of converting sinners from the error of their own way. By conversation, a word spoken in season, how good it is; by epistolary correspondence, recommending good books; by bringing persons under the preaching of the word-for “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” As soon as Andrew had become acquainted with the Saviour, “he findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ; and he brought him to Jesus.” As soon as Philip knew the Lord, he findeth his friend Nathanael, and saith unto him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write.” As soon as the woman of Samaria had found him, and knew the Gift of God, “she left her water-pot and went into the city, and saith to her neighbours, Come, see a man that told me all things ever I did; is not this the Christ?” And we know that great numbers through her instrumentality were subsequently influenced by her statement, and induced to believe on the Saviour of the world.

Thus it is with Christians still-knowing the misery of a state of alienation from God, and the blessedness of a return to him, their compassion to souls is moved and their zeal inflamed, so that, with Paul, their hearts’ desire is that “they might be saved;” and, with David, they will be concerned to teach transgressors the ways of the Lord, and that sinners may be converted unto God.

Evening Devotional

Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18.

THERE are some who deny growth in grace, as if it were not possible to obtain clearer views of divine truth, to be more patient in tribulation, and to be more concerned for the Divine glory, and the welfare of those around us. But our Saviour hath said that the water he gives us shall be in us “a well of water springing up unto everlasting life.” And that growth in the divine life is possible, important, and necessary, let us consider the precepts of Scripture: “Add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity.”

If we turn to the emblems of Scripture, we find it thus variedly and beautifully illustrated: “The path of the just is as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” If we look at the corn growing in the field, there is “first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear.” In God’s family there are “babes, young men, and fathers in Christ.”

All these are intended to convey the idea of progression. Observe the examples of Scripture. The Apostle, writing to the Thessalonians, says, “Your faith groweth exceedingly.” And there is the Apostle himself. Who ever made greater advancements in the divine life than he? and what does he say? “Not as though I had already attained, or were already perfect, but I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” In the promises of Scripture this result is abundantly assured to us: “I will be as the dew unto Israel. He shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.” “They shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine.” “The righteous shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall wax stronger and stronger.”

Let us also consider the advantages of thus making progress in Spiritual attainments; as we advance we shall be changed from glory to glory; every step will add to our dignity and to our usefulness. It is thus that we shall adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things, and recommend religion to all around us. While it will tend to promote the Divine glory, it will greatly increase our own comfort and enjoyment, by adding to the evidences of our state and character; and “herein,” says the Saviour, “is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit.”

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