Daily Devotionals

John Gossner's Treasury

Devotional: January 10th

But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Savior; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7.

Behold, dear soul, how the Holy Ghost joins together as inseparable, "kindness," "love" and "mercy," which are revealed to us in Christ Jesus, which shine for us as a heavenly light; holy baptism by which we have been regenerated unto a lively hope; by which we have been endowed with the glory of adoption, entitled to the expectation of heaven, yea, by which we have put on Christ in Him and by Him being made to "sit together in heavenly places" ( 1 Peter 1:3; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 2:6); the Holy Ghost who is shed on us; with whom we are sealed; who dwells in us; who daily renews, leads, sanctifies, comforts and guides us and keeps us in the faith; that righteousness which we have in the grace of Christ Jesus, and finally the heritage of eternal life. Consider now your Christian heart, and you shall find that by the grace of God you are fashioned according thereto. Say out of the depths of your heart, "I am by the grace and mercy of God in Christ Jesus a baptized, regenerated and renewed Christian; I am thus according to the testimony of the Holy Ghost an heir of eternal life. This is a faithful saying. " You may, perhaps, object, "True, the Word of God gives me hope of eternal Life, but when I consider my many weaknesses, the enticements of the world and the power of Satan, I often become despondent and my hope is much shaken. " I answer, It is no bad sign in the believers that they are full of care in matters appertaining to eternal salvation. They are thereby prompted to strive the more earnestly to enter in through the straight gate. But that such fears may not degenerate into doubt, you must ever keep the beautiful words before your eyes which the all-good God has intended for us as a cordial under such circumstances, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. " (John 10:27-28).

Holy Jesus! every day

Keep us in the narrow way;

And, when earthly things are past.

Bring our ransomed souls at last

Where they need no star to guide.

Where no clouds Thy glory hide.