the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.- Romans 8:16.
These words dropt not from the pen of a saint in a state of sinless perfection; nor is this invaluable privilege, this heavenly blessing, peculiar to the experience of Paul the apostle, but to Paul, less than "the least of all saints, and chief of all sinners," as he confesseth himself to be. It hath been enjoyed by poor sinners, through faith in Jesus, in all ages; it is the common privilege of all Christians. We may well cry out in astonishment with Solomon, "But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? Behold heaven, and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee."- 2 Chronicles 6:18.
Amazing condescension! "Lord what is man, sinful, helldeserving man, that thou shouldest thus visit him" with thy comforting presence! Delightful to think of. There is a sweet relation subsists between the high and lofty one and wretched miserable sinners. In Jesus they both unite. The fulness of the godhead, and the misery and curse of the manhood state of his people meet in him. From the head Jesus, the Spirit proceeds, and like the oil on Aaron’s head descends to all the members. To their spirits he bears witness, agreeable to the word of truth, of their covenant-relation as children, adopted sons of God by faith in Jesus Christ. Let no believing soul be distressed or deluded by the deceiving of others, so as to expect a vision, manifestation, or revelation that may be seen, heard, or felt by the outward senses. No; the Spirit bears witness to our spirits, not to our senses! even as the law bears witness to the conscience that we are sinners, and works wrath there; so the blessed Spirit bears an inward witness to the mind, that we are the righteous children of God, by faith in Christ Jesus; that "he died for our sins and rose again for our justification;" that in him we are chosen, beloved, accepted, justified, pardoned, and shall be glorified with him. Thus saith Jesus, "He shall glorify me, for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you."- John 16:14.
See, O believer, the riches of covenant-grace! Admire and adore the wonderful love of the trinity! Hast thou received the witness of the Spirit of Jesus in the word through faith? Happy, highly favored art thou among men. Art thou waiting and longing for the promise of the Father? the joyful testimony and assurance of the Spirit to thy heart that thou art his child? It is sure; not because of any good thing naturally found in thee, but because Jesus intercedes before the throne. Therefore thou mayest pray in the assurance of faith, having this promise to all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, "Your heavenly Father will give his Holy Spirit to them that ask him."- Luke 11:13.
The answer of a good conscience towards God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 3:21.
The grand business of faith is, to give being and subsistence to divine truths in the mind. (Hebrews 11:1.) Hence conscience obtains relief and peace, and the soul is made happy. Consider, (1st.) What is conscience? Science is knowledge. Pre-science is foreknowledge. Conscience is something joined with knowledge. “Some have their conscience defiled.” (Titus 1:15.) With what? The guilt of their sins. Some are said, “to be sprinkled from an evil, or guilty conscience. (Hebrews 10:22.) With what? The blood of Christ. Therefore, in respect to a good, or bad conscience, something must be joined with the science or knowledge of the mind to determine it by. In this sense, the word conscience is used in scripture. Hence, (2d.) We may easily see, what is the answer of a good conscience before God. Join the law of God with your science, or knowledge of yourself. What report will conscience make? The law condemns. Conscience pleads guilty. It has evil in it. Hence you fear and tremble. But faith joins with our science, or knowledge, the resurrection of Christ. Then we have a good conscience, not troubled with the guilt of sin. For Christ died for our sins. He atoned for them all on the cross. They are all buried in his sepulchre. He rose again for our justification. Hence we are fully discharged from all condemnation for sin. Thus we have a good answer, from a good conscience towards God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (1st.) This is what St. Paul calls, “The mystery of faith.” (1 Timothy 3:9.) It is a mystery, known only by the experience of the faithful. Carnal reason cannot comprehend it. The judgment of sense rejects it. Natural men think, a good conscience arises from their being good in themselves, and doing no harm. They have a stupid conscience and a deceitful heart. They believe a lie. And such, from a notion of their own righteousness, think they have a good answer therefrom towards God. Such is the ignorance, blindness, and unbelief of nature. This nature is part of us. This flesh, with all its carnal reasonings, and corrupt notions, opposes the mystery of faith, in the conscience. Therefore, (2d.) this mystery is to be held in a pure conscience. The resurrection of Christ is to be held fast, as that truth, by which conscience can maintain peace; the heart be made happy, the life influenced to all holiness, while God justifies us. This is the peculiar glory of faith. Hence, “The God of hope fills us with all joy and peace in believing.” (Romans 15:13.) This is our resurrection blessing.
