Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: November 14th

Perfect, as pertaining to the conscience.- Hebrews 9:9.

Conscience, or an inward perception of divine truth, is not common to all men; when sin is charged upon it, it perceives its guilt, knows and feels misery, and is filled with wrath. This is the peculiar glory and excellency of the gospel, it brings relief to the conscience. We say, my mind to me a kingdom is; for we feel in our minds the kingdom of Jesus. We enjoy somewhat more in Jesus than outward show and shadow; even inward, substantial comforts. What was that lord the better for the miraculous plenty in Samaria, when for his unbelief, Elisha told him, "thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat of it"?- 2 Kings 7:19. The truths of Jesus do not merely amuse our heads and engage our tongues, but we feed on them in our consciences. Like the patriarchs-Hebrews 11-"We embrace them" as the very joy of our souls. The blood of Christ, through the eternal Spirit, sprinkles our hearts from an evil or guilty conscience, brings pardon and peace of mind to our troubled conscience, cleansing to our defiled conscience, and "by the resurrection of Jesus, we have the answer of a good conscience towards God,"- 1 Peter 3:21.

Herein we glory in being perfectionists; nothing but this can make us "perfect pertaining to the conscience;" for the law maketh nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope does; Jesus is our hope; by him we draw nigh to God; in his blood we perceive and know by faith we have a perfect atonement and perfect cleansing from all our sins, perfect deliverance from the condemnation of the law; in his righteousness we are perfectly accepted and justified before God; this is our wedding garment; this we have, being married to the Lamb; we dare not look to any thing else for perfection; if we do, we feel the smart of it; our conscience is defiled. That we may have and keep a good conscience, purged from dead works to serve the living God, we exercise our minds on Jesus; so we rejoice in Jesus, and walk with him by faith. Conscience is the best friend or the worst enemy; a sense of guilt makes it our worst enemy; Jesus makes it our best friend. To maintain peace and perfection of conscience, observe first, the moment the guilt of sin is felt, confess it to Jesus, and pray him to take it away. Secondly, seek not that from the law of works which can only be found in the gospel of grace, perfect salvation. Thirdly, look not for that in yourselves which is only in Jesus, perfect righteousness. Fourthly, expect not that in this world which can only be enjoyed in the next, perfect freedom from all sin. "Jesus is our rock, his work is perfect."- Deuteronomy 32:4.

Art thou made of the king’s council? Forbear: Why shouldest thou be smitten? 2 Chronicles 25:16.

Horrid ingratitude! No sooner was Amaziah returned from the slaughter of the Edomites, but, instead of erecting an altar to the Lord of Hosts, who had given him success, he falls into idolatry, and burns incense to their gods. He went to war without God. He returns victorious, sets up idols, and forsakes the Lord. Vain confidence is departing from the Lord, and the first step to idolatry. Never think of a sin being subdued, a grace strengthened, or a comfort enjoyed, without giving all glory to the grace of Christ. Look at thy victories with humility. Know self to be as great an idol, as the gods of the Edomites. Though the Lord’s anger was kindled against Amaziah, yet he is long-suffering to sinners. He sends his prophet to reprove him. He gives him a most severe sarcasm. “Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, who could not deliver their own people out of thy hand?” This is an instance of the greatest folly and madness. Wilt thou, O Christian, sacrifice to the goodness of thy heart, or burn incense to the pride of thy free will? Could these deliver thee from the hands of thine enemies? Nay, if the Lord had not restrained the wickedness of thine heart, and bowed the stubborn rebellion of thy will, they would have delivered thee into the hands of thine enemies, and eternal destruction had been thy doom. O constantly sacrifice to free-grace. Let the sweet incense of praise ascend from thy heart this night to the God of all grace, the Saviour of wicked-hearted, proud sinners! How does Amaziah behave under this sharp reproof?

Why, instead of falling under conviction, and repenting of his base ingratitude, and ridiculous conduct, he falls upon the Lord’s prophet. Like Ahab to Elijah, “Hast thou found me, O mine enemy?” So he asks, “Art thou made of the king’s council?” And he threatened him. O it is a dreadful sign, to be angry with a faithful reprover of one’s sin! When the horrid consequence of sin is laid before us, it is a vain, foolish shift of the devil to ask, What! have you been in the Lord’s cabinetcouncil? Or when the doctrine of God’s electing love is spoken of; some foolishly demand, Are you one of the Lord’s privycouncil? No. But we know the Lord’s mind concerning sin, grace, and salvation, in his word, without searching the records of eternity. There it is written as with a sunbeam. Impenitent sinners shall die in their sins, and be damned for their sins. All who are saved, it is by the free grace of God abounding to sinners in Christ Jesus.

Lord, soften this hard heart of mine,

Each kind reproof to feel;

And yield unto thy wise design,

To keep my soul from ill.