Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: February 14th

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets.- Romans 3:21.

"Vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’ colt."- Job 11:12. Proud man would be righteous, though conceived in iniquity, brought forth in sin, and no goodness in him. This pride accompanies him all his days; yea it forsakes not new-born souls. Our natural notions are ever, that doing something will make us righteous. So the judgment of the flesh ever opposeth the truth of the Spirit. Carnal reason ever runs counter to spiritual faith. But it is the glory of believing hearts to take their views of righteousness from revealed truth. This, to the ineffable joy and unspeakable comfort of poor sinners, manifests a righteousness for their garment, which they toiled not for, neither did they spin. And what shall we say of it? Truly, Solomon, in all his glory, yea, angels in all their brightest perfection, are not arrayed like those, who are clothed with the righteousness of the God-man, Christ Jesus. O for stronger faith in this!

Poor, weak, doubting believer! why takest thou thought for raiment? hath not God clothed you? "O thou of little faith!" thou hopest, thou trustest in Jesus’ blood alone for the pardon of thy sins, but art distressed in seeing thyself a poor sinner. Thou knowest thou art not righteous in thyself, and often fearest thou shalt never attain righteousness, and perish at last for want of it. Verily, thy face is turned towards Mount Sinai, instead of Mount Calvary; to Moses, instead of Jesus; to thy life of obedience, instead of his life of righteousness; to the law (which requires all) instead of the gospel, which freely gives all.

So sure as thou hast the faith of Jesus in thine heart, thou hast the righteousness of Jesus on thy back, let law, men, and Satan say what they will. God finds his children naked, he clothes them. Witnesses are ever at hand. Evidences are never wanting to prove this truth. The Spirit of truth bears infallible testimony, by the law and the prophets, to the glory of this righteousness. Read, be joyful, and give all glory to free grace for its free imputation: "The righteousness of God, which is by faith in Jesus Christ, is unto all, and upon all them that believe, for there is no difference." Romans 3:22. But who enjoy the comfort of this? Verily no soul, till he is brought to say, with Paul, "I through the law am dead to the law."- Galatians 2:19.

In vain we ask God’s righteous law

To justify us now,

Since to convince, and to condemn,

Is all the law can do.

Jesus, how glorious is thy grace!

When in thy name we trust,

Our faith receives a righteousness

That makes the sinner just.

Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren, that are in the world. 1 Peter 5:9.

I had no sooner wrote this text, but was constrained to say, Blessed be God for his holy scriptures. My poor mind has been often perplexed and distressed with sore attacks of Satan. Hence, I have been ready to call in question my state. Have been almost brought to conclude, that if I was a member of Christ, and a child of God, surely he would not suffer the enemy to his glory and my peace, thus to tempt, buffet, and distress my soul. I am persuaded, this is not my case only. All the brethren of Christ are subject to the same perplexity, from the same cause. Satan gains an advantage over us, for want of knowing and considering what the apostle here lays down. It is a fixed truth. All the brethren of the Lord Jesus are subject to the same trials and afflictions from Satan, one as well as another. Therefore we should not be surprised nor staggered by them. Instead of thinking it strange, or asking, why does the Lord suffer it so to be? Peter tells us how to act. Satan will attack us all through this life. It is a warfare. Therefore be on your guard. Resist him. Give back not an inch. Give way not a moment. Indulge not the least sin. Resist his first motion of temptation. Oppose his every artful device. Stand against his every subtle wile, steadfast, undismayed at them, undaunted by them, however horrible and devilish. The more they are so, the more easily known from whom they came. In the faith, honour your Lord’s heavenly truths. Oppose them to Satan’s hellish lies. Bring your Lord’s precious promises against Satan’s vile suggestions. Stand steadfast to, thus it is written: thus I believe: thus I will honour my Lord’s word. Never, never let go that faithful saying, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” Glory in this. Hold up this as your shield against all the fiery darts of the Devil. With all his infernal injections, he can make no worse of you than a sinner. This you own. Yea, and that you deserve hell and damnation too for your sins; but in the faith of Jesus, you are a saved, justified, pardoned sinner-(there is no condemnation against you,) an adopted son of God. Stand fast in this faith. Abide steadfast by this truth. Glory in your Lord for it. Give him the glory of it. In the confidence of it “resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7.

Brethren, it is our common lot

With Satan to engage;

Think what a pow’rful Lord we’ve got,

Fear not his hellish rage.

Stand in the strength of Christ thy Lord,

Arm’d with his word divine,

Steadfast in faith, he’ll help afford:

Christ’s victory is thine.