Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: March 5th

Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling.- 2 Timothy 1:9.

Such as our natural notions of sin and danger are, such is our judgment of salvation and deliverance. In our natural state we see only the fruits of sin in outward actions, but consider not the corrupt, cursed root from whence they spring. Hence poor souls think it no great and difficult matter to be saved: especially if they have some specious shew of the external adornings of sobriety, morality, and religion. Happy souls, who have escaped this dangerous rock of pride and selfdeceit! for when the scales of ignorance fall from the eyes, and the veil of unbelief is taken off the heart; when the true light shineth in the mind, and the purity and spirituality of God’s holy law is made manifest in the conscience, then the sinner sees his state truly desperate. Sin appears exceeding sinful; justly deserved hell and wrath are most dreadful; and most deplorable of all, he finds he must utterly sink into despair, and perish, for any thing he is able to do to save his soul. "God be merciful to me a sinner!" is the cry of his heart. "In that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book; and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity," saith the Lord.- Isaiah 29:18. The book of God’s eternal counsel shall be disclosed; his purpose and decree of salvation shall be made known by his revealed truth to the heart; the joyful sound of salvation by Jesus shall be heard in the soul, and the poor sinner shall see Christ’s finished work as his only hope. Love presided in the counsel. Grace shall reign to salvation. The gospel trumpet sounds reconciliation to ungodly sinners, salvation for lost souls. Their good works produced it not; their sins, however numerous and great, shall not deprive them of it. We are first saved, then called to know it, and glorify God for it.

When called with an effectual calling to Jesus, by the word and power of the Spirit, we possess and enjoy hope in God, and comfort from him. Effects prove their cause. A bold, confident assurance ’that I am elected, I know my sins are pardoned,’ is not of the essence of gospel faith, or that applies the comforts of gospel salvation to the soul; but election to salvation is made manifest by "a holy calling." Paul did not only confidently assert he was an apostle; but, says he, "truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you."- 2 Corinthians 12:12. And verily, disciple, if thou art saved in purpose and decree from eternity, redeemed by Jesus in time, effectual vocation is the consequence; whereby thou art called to the knowledge of a holy Saviour by a holy faith; art a partaker of a holy nature, and wilt "shew thy faith by thy works." Inward purity of heart and outward holiness of life will ever be the study and joy of thy soul. "Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord."- Hebrews 12:14.

Now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 1 Corinthians 13:13.

It is a pity it was not rendered love, instead of charity, all through this chapter: it certainly would have been a means of preventing much error. Consider, (1st.) The abiding of love. It springs from faith and hope, and has no existence in the heart without them. We have no more love to God, than a beast, yea, than a devil has, till we believe his love to us, and hope in his promises made to us in Christ Jesus. We love him. Why? Because, merely of the glories and perfections of his nature, is he the object of our supreme love? No, but rather “because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19.) How has God manifested his love to us? In this: “Because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” (ver. 9.) But our hearts are strangers to this love, till we believe in Jesus, and hope in his salvation. Then the effect of love is produced from its original cause, the love of God. Then we live in love and walk in love, because we live a life of faith on the love of God. (2d.) But why is love greater than faith or hope? (1st.) Because it is the greatest proof of their existence. How can you prove you believe and hope in Christ without love? This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. Suppose you were called to be a martyr for Christ. You believe you can do all things, through Christ’s strengthening you. You hope he will strengthen you. But if you so love him, as to suffer for him, you prove your faith and hope. (2d.) Love is the perfection, the rich and ripe fruit of faith and hope. Love is the very nature of God in the soul. For God is love. Love makes our souls cheerful in the service of God and one another. What is life, even the life of faith and hope, without love? (3d.) Love will live and sing, when faith shall be lost in sight, and hope in fruition. Love includeth faith and hope. “For love believeth all things, hopeth all things, beareth all things, endureth all things: it never faileth. (ver. 7, 8.) O my Lord, my Love, glory to thee that I do believe and hope in thee. Crown, O crown these blessed graces with more heavenly love. Love is of thee, and from thee. O so shed thy love abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost, that I may not only be a believing, hoping, but loving disciple of thine; that my soul may burn with a flame of love divine, to thee, and to my brethren. Then shall I assuredly live in the suburbs of glory, above the deceits of sin, Satan, and the world, for love is of God. (1 John 4:7.)

Lord, hast thou blest my soul with love?

My soul, which thee did hate?

And shall I sing thy praise above

When faith and hope abate?

Then make me watchful ev’ry hour,

To live and walk in love:

From sin’s deceit and Satan’s pow’r,

Lord, lift my soul above.