the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God
No man having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.- Luke 9:62.
The eye, though a little member, yet perhaps of all others is the greatest inlet to temptation. The first motion to sin entered by seeing. Eve SAW the fruit was good and pleasant to the eye. Looking begat longing; so lust was conceived, and brought forth sin. Sin when it was finished brought forth death upon her and all her posterity. When Satan dared to tempt Jesus, he began the attack by presenting to his view the kingdoms of the world and the glories thereof. Seeing this, what reason is there, with Job, to make a covenant with our eyes! with David, to pray daily, "Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity!" No state more awful than to set out in the best cause, and to turn back to the worst enemy. The last end of such is most dreadful. Most deplorable indeed, to turn away from following Jesus, and make shipwreck of faith and a good conscience.
Whether he be minister or disciple who hath put his hand to the gospel-plough, if his eyes are attracted to, and his heart allured after the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, these will render him unfit for the kingdom of God. For these are as contrary to the Spirit, frame, and genius of Jesus and his kingdom, as heaven is to hell. No man can serve two such opposite masters. If thou hast chosen Jesus for thy portion and thy all, wherefore dost thou look back to the world? What slight and contempt doth such a conduct pour upon blessed Jesus! It is a sad evidence the heart is not whole with him. Such conduct speaks loudly, as though there was somewhat desirable in Christ and his ways; but not enough to win the heart wholly, engage the affections entirely, and fill the mind with happiness completely. "If any man draw back, my soul, saith the Lord, shall have no pleasure in him." And verily such a soul can have no pleasure in God. Whither then will he fly? to what refuge betake himself in the hour of calamity, and in the day of distress? Oh! a forsaken Jesus, a slighted gospel, and neglected salvation, will wound the conscience with the keenest sting. See to it, O professor; watch over thy lustful eye. It is ever looking back to, and longing after more from this world than thou at present possesseth. O, beware of thy deceitful heart, lest that turneth from Jesus to the world. If so, thy hand will soon let go the gospel-plough: and yet you will find carnal pleas for your conduct. Many poor, dry, barren professors, have ever a reason (such as it is) at their tongue’s-end for their covetous, worldly-minded spirit: when it is easy to observe, like Lot’s wife, they face about to Sodom, and are become a standing monument of God’s displeasure. "But," saith the apostle, of all the faithful members of Jesus, "beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak."- Hebrews 6:9.
Put off the old man. Ephesians 4:22.
People who love money better than a good conscience, make nothing of putting off base and counterfeit coin. Christian, you may safely imitate them, in putting off the base old man. The more the love of Christ is in you, the more will you do it. (1st.) What is meant by this old man? Corrupt nature, which was born with you, is part of you, lives in you, and will never be dead so long as your body lives. Though near six thousand years old, yet he is very strong and vigorous at times. Yea, though you are a child of God, and a member of Christ, he wants to have the mastery over you. You could never have conquered him, had not Christ crucified him. Though crucified, you can never subdue him, but by the strength of Christ. Nor you cannot put him off but by the grace of Christ, for he clings and twines round you like a serpent; yet you are commanded to put him off. This is your duty from day to day. But it is not by your might, nor power, but by the Spirit of the Lord. (2d.) Why are you called upon to put him off? (1st.) Because all his reasonings are corrupt, his every suggestion is totally evil. He would corrupt the gospel, pervert its truths, reject its promises, and defy its threatenings. (2d.) All his lusts or desires are deceitful. He deceives by the pride of selfrighteousness, as well as by gross sins. (3d.) He is an enemy to thy Lord, a supplanter of his glory, and a rival of thy faith in him, peace from it, and obedience to him. If you cherish him, you lose the comfort of your best Friend’s presence. If you reason with him, you perplex your mind, and lose the simplicity of faith. If you follow his promise of liberty, you will get into bondage. “If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die.” (Romans 8:13.) (3d.) What is implied by putting off the old man? (1st.) That he always continues the same: he is never changed for the better. (2d.) That he always remains alive in you. But, (3d.) that you should put him down from his seat, and not suffer him to rule over you. Put him off in your thoughts, walk, and conversation, just as you would an old filthy garment; or like a troublesome, intruding old man, who would knock at your door, and want admittance to you. Put him off, with this reply, I have the blessed company of the new Man, Christ Jesus; there is no admittance for you. “I have put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Ephesians 4:24.) Put off the old man, by humble faith and earnest prayer, ever remembering, I can do all things, through Christ strengthening me. Philippians 4:13.
Strange is the mystery of grace!
Tho’ I’m a creature new,
Yet still I find thro’ all my days,
The old man in me too.
Almighty King of saints,
My tyrant lusts subdue:
Expel the darkness of my mind,
And all my pow’rs renew.
