Daily Devotionals

Mornings and Evenings with Jesus

Devotional: November 10th

He that believeth not shall be damned. - Mark 16:16.

WE are here called to consider the condemnation of the unbelieving. We do not determine their doom: this has been decided by a Being who knows all things, and who will judge the world in righteousness. He here emphatically declares that “he that believeth shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be damned;” and under this impression the Apostle Paul has said, “How can we escape if we neglect so great salvation?” Against which, as unreasonable, the infidel protests, and claims that the criminal be the judge of the law and the judge of the Judge.

“Oh,” say some, “we are not accountable for our belief!” To which we answer, that if we are not accountable for our belief we are accountable for nothing, for all our actions spring from belief; and infidelity does not arise from want of evidence, but from want of inclination. We may judge of the moral disposition of a man from the nature of the things he opposes. In proportion as a man is holy, he is adverse to sin; in” proportion as a man is sinful, he is adverse to every thing that is holy, and we know the Bible is distinguished by holiness. Its promises are holy, its commands are holy, it requires holiness of life and heart. Why do men dislike the Bible? Why do they love darkness rather than light, but because their deeds are evil? If the aim and design of the Scriptures be to “cleanse us from the filthiness of the flesh, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord,” it is easy to determine why a man opposes this. He who destroys the principle of all good actions would destroy, if he could, all good actions themselves; and his disposition says unto God, “Depart from us; we desire not the knowledge of thy ways;” and, “Cause the Holy One of Israel to cease before us.”

There is nothing, therefore, that implies so much wickedness, as to deprive men of the Scriptures; and it is the design of Papists and infidels to get the Scriptures banished from men’s homes and hearts. And if we consider a man guilty who robs his neighbour of valuable earthly treasures, how much more culpable is he who would deprive his fellow-creatures of the unsearchable riches of Christ! If they are guilty who have been instrumental in ruining the health or the reputation of others, what can we think of those who would poison their minds and would destroy their souls forever? And this is the wish and endeavour of the deniers and opposers of the Scriptures of truth; and God will give them credit for their design, and judge them according to their works and according to their wishes, for they may be guilty without being successful.

And the door was shut. - Matthew 25:10.

THE period for closing the door of mercy is twofold. First, At the end of the world as to the human race, when time shall be no more. Then the reign of justice will follow the reign of mercy. Secondly, At the end of life as it regards individuals.

Many things have been said of the day of grace, and of the termination of it before the day of death. The Scripture uses awful language: “They are joined to idols, let them alone.” “Oh, that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments, then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.” “Oh, that thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things that belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.”

There are seasons and opportunities peculiarly favourable, which may be closed before death: when the health of individuals has been in danger, and they have been as it were suspended over the grave; when the thoughts of their heart have been broken off, and their earthly schemes laid desolate; when the beloved of their heart, or the desire of their eyes, has been removed from them by a stroke; when God has come to them in these dispensations, he has removed intervening objects that he might be seen, and he has commanded silence that his voice might be heard. What seasons and opportunities are those when conscience has been awakened! When impressed by the word, they have been melted into tears.

Sometimes in their walks in the fields they have had sympathies with God, and seem to have been in communion with him. Then have they been able to make the surrender, and to say, “Lord, I am thine, save me.” Such were then not far from the kingdom of God. This was to them the “day of salvation.” Oh, that it had been the accepted time! Felix, when he heard Paul preach, trembled; but instead of cherishing the impression, he endeavoured to evade it, and said, “Go thy way for this time; when I have a more convenient season, I will send for thee,” which season however never came.

He saw Paul frequently afterwards, who spake to him of the faith of Christ; but there was no more trembling: that was gone by for ever. He felt then as he never felt before nor afterwards. But in general, while there is life there is hope. It is related in history, that when Alexander was besieging a place, he hung up a lamp; while this continued burning terms were offered, but when it went out no quarter was allowed. So

“Life is the time to serve the Lord,

The time to ensure the great reward,

And while the lamp holds out to burn

The vilest sinner may return!”