Daily Devotionals

John Gossner's Treasury

Devotional: June 9th

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 1 Thessalonians 5:11. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Titus 2:15. O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! Psalms 119:5.

There is nothing more shameful and offensive than a lukewarm Christian, who shows no earnestness and yet wants to be regarded as a Christian; who talks much about Christianity without moving a finger to lead a true Christian life. God will spew such persons out of His mouth; for the world takes occasion to ridicule all Christianity and to fortify itself in ungodliness. Oh, that all such Christians would rather renounce Christ and the Christian name altogether, who regard themselves exempt from the conduct and earnestness of the true Christian. But he who really in true earnestness shows himself a genuine Christian in word and deed, must also do something for his brethren. He should not neglect to warn and reprove his brethren in true earnestness for Christ’s sake, that the name of God and Christ be not blasphemed. You must not forget yourself, but let your example and your conversation in Christ he an admonition and a sermon of reproof to others. The world never lacks earnestness in its undertakings, though they all lead to its destruction. Should the Christian be lukewarm, sluggish and careless in his eternal affairs and in the sacred cause of God on which his own salvation and the glory of God depend? No, those who do not take the kingdom of heaven "by violence" will not take it at all. The world, the flesh, and the devil will wrest the kingdom out of your hands if you take hold thereof in half-earnest only, if you do not grasp and hold it fast with heroic faithfulness.

A charge to keep I have,

A God to glorify;

A never-dying soul to save.

And fit it for the sky.

From youth to hoary age,

My calling to fulfill:

Oh, may it all my powers engage

To do my Master’s will!