Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: July 31st

They shall put you out of the synagogues.- John 16:2.

So it must be in all ages. The scriptures cannot be broken. But what are the crimes of the ministers of Jesus, to deserve such usage? Is it for a life of intemperance and lewdness, of sin and folly, in frequenting play-houses, card-tables, routs, assemblies, horse-racing? etc. No; friends of the Lamb have done with all such vain paltry matter. Their hearts feed upon infinitely higher delights, and their time is too precious to be devoted to sacrifice upon the altars of heathenish vanities. For these things they might gain no censure, but keep their places in the synagogues, and their characters in the world as good, honest, orthodox preachers, and stand free from the charge of mopish, dreaming enthusiasts; chief priests themselves being judges.

But they stand arraigned of crimes of the highest nature, even of inverting the very order of things; "turning the world upside down;" "preaching one Jesus who was hanged upon a tree,"- Acts 10:39 -as the sinner’s only hope and salvation. That hence glory is given to God in the highest; peace on earth, and good-will to men is proclaimed:-that the whole of salvation is of God’s free grace and unmerited love. From this charge faithful ministers of Christ will not desire to be acquitted. Love to their precious master, to his blessed truth, to his dear people, inspires them with boldness. It is the highest honor, the greatest glory Jesus puts upon them, when they are called to suffer for this. "Yea," saith our Lord, "the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you, will think he doth God service." Zeal for God is a pretence for persecution. But what is our Lord’s reason? "These things will they do unto you, because they have not KNOWN THE FATHER NOR ME." But he observed that on hearing these things, sorrow filled his disciples’ hearts. Sympathizing Lord! he instantly gives them a promise-of what? Power to call fire from heaven to destroy their adversaries? No; quite the reverse; of a blessed, inward comforter, THE DOVE. He was to teach them to act with meekness, and in patience to possess their souls. See the Spirit’s influence in the conduct of Peter and John, and their courage and constancy in the cause of their dear master,- Acts 4. Their very enemies, who commanded them not to preach in the name of Jesus, saw their boldness with wonder, and were silenced with their reasoning. Admire and imitate, O ye suffering servants of a once suffering Lord. "How forcible are right words!" Job 6:25. How prevailing is a meek spirit! Peter and John said, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye!" "And the apostles departed from the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name."- Acts 5:41.

Peter was grieved, because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? John 21:17.

Peter had grieved his Lord by three denials of him. Now his Lord grieves him with three questions, respecting his love to him. We may often read our sin in our punishment. Peter’s Lord suffered him to fall, to lower his pride and selfconfidence. Now he has caused him to descend to the valley of humiliation, he keeps him there. A little while since, he boasted of his superlative love to Christ, above all the rest of his disciples. “Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended-I am ready to go with thee both into prison and to death-Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee.” Bold words! who can doubt of the sincerity of Peter’s heart in all this? Hence learn, (1st.) The warm frames of young converts, are often attended with great self-confidence. There is much of nature’s fire in them. My heart has often rejoiced, and been warmed with love, to hear the ardor and energy, with which some in their first love have spoken of precious Jesus. But I have thought, a sifting time will come. The Lord keep your joyful hearts humble before him. (2d.) See the unchangeable love, and sovereign grace of Christ to his dear disciples. He told Peter of his fall, and warned him against it. Yea, set before him every particular aggravation of it. How blind are those, who see not here the divinity of our Lord? Notwithstanding this, Peter abates nothing of his self-confidence. Must his fall cure him? Not that, but Christ’s grace, raised and restored him. Falls into sin, naturally harden through the deceitfulness of sin. Take heed of looking to saints’ falls, to make you think little of your own. Peter’s fall was a damnable sin: he deserved hell for it: Christ snatched him as a brand out of the fire. His grace brings good out of the evil of sin. Let us glory of grace, but beware of sin. For (3d.) souls raised by the grace of Christ, are grieved for their base sins and falls. Though the subject between Christ and Peter was love, yet it grieves. No threats of hell and damnation wound new-born souls like love. “Lovest thou me?” saith the Lord; look back, soul, to thy past conduct; say, was there warm and generous love to thy Lord in it? O the thought of past unkindness to Christ, grieves the soul before him. As Christ repeats the question, grief is enlarged. (4th.) Never think you are truly raised from your falls, and restored to the love of Christ, if you have not grief of heart for them. Christ’s grace melts into love. Love sinks into humility, while it kindles the fire of joy, and excites a godly jealousy.

There’s grief in love which none can tell,

At the affecting sight of sin:

But those who know they’re sav’d from hell,

And feel Christ’s precious love within.

Humble me, Lord, unto the dust,

And make me for my sins asham’d;

Save me from all self-righteous trust,

And every thing that may be blam’d.