Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: June 1st

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God.- 1 John 5:1.

It is too common for many of God’s dear children to perplex and distress their minds, in seeking after marks and evidences of the new birth; while they too often expect to find them outwardly in the flesh, instead of looking inwardly to the spirit. For the satisfaction and comfort of God’s children, the Holy Ghost hath laid down this inward evidence, FAITH, as an incontestable mark of a new-born soul.

When Peter made that glorious confession, "Thou art Christ the Son of the living God," Jesus replies, "Blessed art thou, Simon; flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven." All the powers and abilities of human nature and reason (so far from teaching) are at enmity against this soul-saving truth. No man can teach it his brother, so as to cause his heart to receive and believe it. It is a knowledge only revealed by the Spirit; received and believed by heaven-born souls, that the man Jesus is the only Saviour-that he is the anointed of God, to the work of salvation of lost sinners. The very devils know and confess this, but without any hope of salvation hereby. But when any poor sinner is enabled to believe this in his heart, it is a blessed evidence of the love of the Father, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Then "he hath the witness in himself, that he is born of God." He hath the mark and evidence of a child of God within him. As the gift of Jesus is the fruit of God’s everlasting love, so faith in Jesus is the fruit of his having "died for our sins, and rose again for our justification," ascended to the Father, and sent the Holy Ghost to testify of him. This belief, honors the God of truth: glorifies the God of grace, by receiving the testimony he hath given of his beloved son, JESUS. It is a holy faith; it dwells in holy hearts, and produceth holy fruits. Happy the heart, that hath received this power and privilege to become a son of God. The love of the holy trinity is upon such a soul. It is his privilege, like the happy eunuch, "to go on his way rejoicing." It is his happiness ever to be, "looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith-relying on Jesus who is our righteousness, 1 Corinthians 1:30 -trusting in Jesus, who is our HOPE, 1 Timothy 1:1 - rejoicing in Jesus, who is our PEACE, Ephesians 2:14 -glorying in Jesus, who is our atonement, Romans 5:11 -and thus looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."- Judges 1:21.

The sov’reign will of God alone

Creates us heirs of grace;

Born in the image of his Son,

A new peculiar race.

The Spirit, like some heav’nly wind,

Blows on the sons of flesh,

New models all the carnal mind,

And forms the man afresh.

Our quickened souls by faith arise

From the long sleep of death;

On heav’nly things we fix our eyes,

And praise employs our breath.

But now in Christ Jesus, ye, who were sometimes afar off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13.

If any one were asked, do you live near the court? Have you free access to his majesty? Did you ever kiss the king’s hand? Who would hesitate one moment for an answer? Consciousness would instantly dictate one. Pray, is Christian experience so dark and doubtful a matter, that if asked, are you brought nigh to God? Do you live near God? Have you free access to God? That we cannot answer, with some degree of knowledge and certainty. O my dear fellow Christians, though we are brought nigh to God, yet we do not live near him. Hence our doubt and uncertainty. Our hearts and affections too much rove in the high roads of earthly honour, riches, and pleasures. Here clouds of dust rise. They so dim our sight, and cloud our views, that we can hardly see our way, or tell where we are. Here we are reminded, (1st.) That we “were sometimes afar off.” Awful distance! As far as possible from God, because so far from original righteousness. As far off from God, as a devil. Naturally, no more desire to draw nigh to him. Nay, Satan had possession of us, ruled in, and reigned over us. We loved our master, hated our God, and delighted at our distance from him. O be covered with shame. Be clothed with humility. Yet lift up your head with joy. For, (2d.) We are brought nigh to God. O, says one, I wish I was sure of this. It is true in the word, that sinners are brought nigh to God. You can only know this for yourself by experience. Therefore consider, (3d.) How we are brought nigh. By the blood of Christ. By faith in him, we are reconciled to God, justified before God, and at peace with God. If you are brought nigh to God, (1st.) Christ is precious to you. Your heart is towards him. Your hope is fixed on him. (2d.) His blood is highly prized by you. You look to his atonement for the pardon of your sins, to cleanse your conscience from guilt, and to bring peace to your soul. (3d.) By him you delight to draw nigh to God, making his blood and righteousness your only plea for salvation. And, (4th.) You will live near to God in love, and walk before him in holiness. You will hate the things you once loved, and love the things you once hated. In this way only, you can enjoy fellowship and peace with God, comfort from God, and assurance that you are a child of God. Says Christ, “If ye love me, keep my commandments, and the Comforter shall abide with you for ever. John 14:15.

Brought nigh to God by Jesus’ blood:

Poor sinners, here’s good news!

O bless your dear redeeming God,

And on him ever muse.

Live near to Christ, and daily prove

Your fellowship divine;

Abide in his most precious love,

Till you in glory shine.