Daily Devotionals

Mornings and Evenings with Jesus

Devotional: June 19th

Followers of that which is good. - 1 Peter 3:13.

LET us consider the characters here spoken of. They are said to be the “followers of that which is good.” But what does the apostle mean by “good”? There are many things that are “good.” When God had finished all his works which he had made, he pronounced them all to be “very good.” But Peter refers unquestionably to something morally and religiously and spiritually good. So does John when he says, “He that doeth good is of God.” So does Paul when he says, “He that hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” So does our Lord when he says, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things;” and when he says of Mary, she “hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from her.” This is preeminently good, -good for us in every period, in every relation, in every condition,- good for us personally and good for us relatively,-satisfactorily and everlastingly good.

Now, truth is “good,” especially the truth as it is in Jesus; and “it is a good thing for the heart to be established with grace.” Faith is a “good” thing, without which the truth would be only a nonentity to the mind, for it can only influence us as it is believed by us. Repentance is “good,” and so necessary that without it we shall “all perish.” And righteousness is “good,” and we read of those who “follow after righteousness.” And peace is “good,” and we are commanded to “follow peace with all men.” And charity is “good,” and we are commanded to “follow after charity.”

But this is not the main thing we have to regard here. If we refer to the original scripture, we shall find the word in the Greek is imitator; and so it is rendered in almost every modern version. Let us, therefore, thus consider it. Man has been defined an imitative creature, but not with much distinction; for we find the same tendency in all other beings, and especially in the young. How early do parents perceive this tendency to imitation in their children! and, oh, what a wise and watchful direction does it require! As fallen beings, we are most prone to be drawn aside by lying vanities, and to follow evil examples. And therefore says Moses to the Jews, “Follow not a multitude to do evil;” therefore says the apostle, “Follow not that which is evil, but that which is good.” The design of imitation always is resemblance. But there may be resemblance without imitation: resemblance may be accidental; but imitation includes aim, wish, design, endeavour.

I drew them. - Hosea 11:4.

THE form of divine goodness here declared is attraction; and we may observe that the attraction is to God, as well as by him. This is implied in the very word itself, “I drew them.” In pushing and driving we urge anything from us; but in drawing, we bring it towards us. And this is the aim of God in all his dispensations; it is to bring us to himself. This aim regards the state we are previously in-a state of distance and alienation from him. Man is a fallen creature, and his fall consists in his departure from the holy and blessed God; and; therefore he now lives without God in the world. God is not in all his thoughts; and when God would enter them, he is repelled as an invader and intruder, and he says unto God, “Depart from me, I desire not a knowledge of thy ways.” As in this state we see our sin, so we equally see our misery; for with God is the fountain of life, and we can only be happy in proportion as we are with him.

Herein appears the prerogative of man-that, of all the creatures in this lower world he alone was made capable of knowing and enjoying God, and was intended for it; and consequently he is necessarily miserable without it. Though he is now in a lapsed condition, he retains the same essential relation to God as his supreme good; and in the absence of God, therefore, he goes to creatures to supply his place, but in vain; they can afford him no satisfaction; in the midst of his sufficiency he is in straits. But though these things cannot satisfy the mind, they can engross it; and it is by these diversions that he secures anything like inward peace. This peace, however, is only a delusion that can continue only for his life; and what is our life? a vapour, that appeareth for a moment, and then vanisheth away. How dreadful it is to think of entering into a future state with our present passions and appetites.

Oh, what a mercy to be drawn to God; drawn to his word; drawn to his house; drawn to his people; drawn to his throne; drawn to his table; drawn to the cross of his Son; that place of appointed interview, and peace, and friendship, and intercourse between the sinner and God; for God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.”