the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God
The path of the just is as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day.- Proverbs 4:18.
Since the fall of man, there is no other way of being made just or righteous, but by the righteousness of the man Christ Jesus. Just Noah, righteous Lot, meek Moses, faithful Abraham, patriarchs, prophets, and apostles, all were sinners in themselves, but "their righteousness is of me," saith Jehovah Jesus,- Isaiah 54:17. Hence the Lord calls his people righteous. They are really constituted so in his sight. This truth should ever dwell in our minds. It is the foundation of all delight in God and love to him. Hence we are comforted in the way of truth and holiness. For Jesus, who is our righteousness, is also our light to direct our steps, and our path wherein we walk. He is the "light of the world, the light of life." "I am the way," saith Jesus. St. Paul exhorts, "As ye have received the Lord Jesus, so walk ye in him."- Colossians 2:6.
Our faith in Jesus, is no new-fangled doctrine, but the same as was from the beginning. Christians are not left to the darkness of nature; they are not led by sudden, transient flashes of light; but by the clear, steady shining of truth upon their minds. Their walk, in the path of truth, is consistent and uniform.
Like the dawning light of the morning, the light of truth first breaks in upon the soul, and gradually increaseth brighter and brighter: so we see more clearly, believe more strongly, love more fervently, hope more steadily, obey more delightfully, and long more cheerfully for the perfect day. Though at some seasons, when vapours and mists of nature’s corruption arise, and the night of affliction and desertion overtakes the just, upright soul, he may be in fear, lest he should never hold out and see the perfect day. In such seasons he is too apt to lend his ear to a whisperer, who is ever ready to dishearten him. What with his corrupt heart, Satan’s suggestions, and men’s false doctrine, he is thrust sore at. He may fear, lest he should fail and perish for ever; but God’s power and truth will support him.
If the comforting Spirit had not left another word of proof in the whole bible for the perseverance of the just, this one is sufficient. Wisdom hath spoken it; nor men nor devils shall reverse it. Every justified soul shall enjoy the perfect day of Jesus’ meridian glory and salvation in his kingdom. Till then, "the righteous shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger." Job 17:9.
By grace I see the shining path
Which leads to perfect bliss;
Jesus, my light, my life, my way,
Will bring me where he is.
O blessed, joyful, perfect day
Of endless light and love!
Press on, my soul, nor stay thy course,
Till thou dost reign above.
The grace of God that bringeth salvation, hath appeared to all men. Titus 2:11.
Here are three blessed and glorious truths. They demand the constant attention of our minds: they tend to sink into the deepest humility of heart, to excite the greatest joy of spirit, and to inspire the most ardent love and gratitude of soul. (1st.) Salvation. This was the council of heaven; the work of the Son of God; the wonder of angels; the envy of devils, and the glory of apostate, rebellious sinners-sinners, who were born with enmity of heart, rebellion of will, and hatred of affections against God: and who have manifested the enmity of their mind by wicked works; the rebellion of their will, by taking arms against the Lord; and the hatred of their affections, by refusing to lay them down, and submit unto him. O that precious word! full of wonder, grace, and love; “God commendeth his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us; when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son.” (Romans 5:8-10.) This is a salvation worthy a God of infinite love to bestow. Here is a Saviour, worthy to be received with all readiness of mind, to be embraced with the most cordial affection, and to be gloried in, as the richest blessing, by lost, hopeless, ruined sinners. For, (2d.) This salvation is brought to us. The news of it is sounded in our ears: the report of it is daily made to us. It is displayed and set before us, in all its glory, richness, freeness, and fulness in the gospel, that we may receive it, and enjoy the comforts of it; take it as our own, and rejoice in the salvation of our God. (3dly.) It is brought to us by the grace of God, which hath appeared. Where? in the person of the Son of his love; and in the gospel of his grace. There, the grace of God appears: there, the salvation of Jehovah shines forth, and is made manifest to all men; to all descriptions of men, Jews and Gentiles. Therefore, it is revealed as a free and full salvation; worthy of all acceptation; free from all limitation and restriction. Paul speaks of “knowing the grace of God in truth.” (Colossians 1:6.) This is done, when any convinced sinner receives and believes in the gospel: it then becomes the power of God to salvation to that poor sinner’s soul. He then knows the free favour of God in Christ Jesus. Christ is all his salvation and all his desire. That dear Spirit, who hath convinced him of sin, and enlightened him to see gospel truths and gospel grace, will comfort him by them. Hath the grace of God thus appeared to thee? Hath it brought salvation to thy soul? Dost thou believe the gospel? Then, take heed of mixing any work or duty of thy own, with thy faith and hope in the grace of God and salvation of Jesus. For this were to degrade both, and bring thy soul into bondage to the law of works.
