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Daily Devotionals
Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God
Devotional: March 30th

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Morning Devotional

Are ye not carnal, and walk as men?- 1 Corinthians 3:3.

The phrase CARNAL SAINTS, the self-righteous look on as a very opprobrious term, as though contradictory to the character of a real Christian. But such persons differ in judgment from an inspired apostle. Paul calls these Corinthian converts, "babes in Christ;" while he says to them, "Ye are yet carnal." Yea, he appeals to their judgments: "Are ye not so?" Doth not your walk, your words, your strife, your views, give sad evidence of the truth of this my assertion? do you not act and behave too much like men who are strangers to Jesus, and the life and power of vital godliness? But believers are a compound of flesh and spirit. The new-created soul dwells in a sinful body, and is opposed by a carnal nature. There may be true grace within, though much carnality appears without. Weak faith in Jesus may be opposed with strong corruptions and unbelief-a little true knowledge of Jesus in the heart, yet beset with great ignorance and weakness of judgment-the dawning of true hope in Jesus, but interposed with clouds of darkness-the stirrings of real love to Jesus, but resisted by the love of the world, and the objects of sense-real esteem for a preached gospel, and yet carnal contentions, and debates, may arise about ministers and things of no real profit to the soul. This is true. Yet such weaklings in the faith, such babes in Christ, are as safe, because beloved by the same Father, redeemed by the same precious blood of Jesus, and renewed by the power of the same Spirit, as young men and fathers in Christ; but indeed they are not so happy; they do not glorify God so much; they do not bring forth so much fruit to God, nor so greatly adorn the gospel of Jesus as those who are strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus, and more established in the faith and love of him.

But let not such discourage their hearts, nor entertain hard thoughts of our loving master Jesus, as though he expected to reap where he has not sown. Let them not burden their weak minds with things that are too strong, nor exercise their tender hearts with matters that are too high; but let them simply consider Jesus; look to the Lamb of God, confess their weakness at his feet, praying to him for strength, studying his word for knowledge; and, "as new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that they may grow thereby." "For those that be planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God."- Psalms 92:13. "Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."- Isaiah 41:10.

Evening Devotional

If we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another; and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:7.

The walk of many professors seems to speak this language: Why cannot we love the world, indulge ourselves in the ways of it, and yet enjoy fellowship with God? Now we have clear notions of the doctrines of grace-of acceptance with God, and justification before him, why need we be so very precise in our conduct? This seems as though they were desirous to walk as near as possible to the very borders of hell, and yet hope to get safe to heaven at last. Such walk not in the light of truth-in the comfort of love-in fellowship with God. (1st.) What is fellowship with God? It is a sweet, heart-felt concord, harmony, and agreement between God and our souls; a mutual communion of spirits; a free communication from the Lord to us, and from us to the Lord:-just as two loving friends have between each other, who act as though but one soul influenced them both. Lord! to what a high, holy, and honorable state are we miserable sinners admitted! Eternal thanks to thee, O Jesus! through whom we are admitted; and to thee, O Holy Spirit! who hast formed us for the enjoyment of this inestimable blessing. Lord, grant we may prize this sweet fellowship above all things; yea, above life itself: for what is life without it? (2d.) How is it enjoyed? by walking in the light. God dwelleth in the light. We must walk where God is, to have fellowship with him. Christ is the light: God is in Christ. By faith in Christ we walk with God, and have fellowship with him. Here, the Father is well pleased with us, and we with him. We communicate to him our wants; he communicates to us every rich supply out of the fulness of Christ. Christ shines in the light of truth-in every doctrine which flows from him and centres in him. Are we loved, elected, called, justified, sanctified, and preserved unto salvation? It is IN HIM. We are to walk in that faith, which worketh by the love of these truths, worketh love to them, and to God for them; and this faith and love are contrary to all the darkness of sin and error. Christ, the light, shines in every command of his. Faith receives them. In love we obey and walk in them. But though we walk in the light, yet sin dwelleth in us. What then? This need not distress us. For, (3d.) As sure as we have fellowship with God, “the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son cleanseth us from ALL sin.” Did it cleanse us yesterday? so it will to-day, to-morrow, and to the end of life. Who shall dare to set bounds to the cleansing virtue of the blood of the Son of God? No sin too great, no sinner too vile, for this precious blood to cleanse. The chief of all sinners speaks from experience. Let no one despair. For we sinners “have boldness to enter into God’s presence, by the blood of Jesus.” Hebrews 10:19.

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