Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

 January 25– Evening

by C. H. Spurgeon, Revised and Edited by W. C. Neff

“Do we through faith make the law empty? God forbid! Rather, we establish the law.” 

—Romans 3:31

When the believer is adopted into the Lord’s family, his relationship to old Adam and the law ceases at once; but then he is immediately under a new rule and a new covenant.

Believer, you are God’s child, so your first duty is to obey your heavenly Father. You should not serve God as a slave but, rather, as a child. And, since you are a dearly loved child, you are bound to obey your Father’s faintest wish. Does he ask you to fulfill a sacred task? Then, it is at your peril that you neglect it and disobey your Father. Does he command you to seek the image of Jesus? Is it not your joy to do so? Does Jesus tell you, “Be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect”? Then earnestly seek to be perfected in holiness— not because the law commands it but because your Savior does.

Are God’s saints to love each other? Then do it– not because the law says “Love your neighbor” but because Jesus says, “If you love me, keep my commandments”; and this is the commandment he has given you, “that you love one another.” Are you told to take care of the poor? Then do it– not because charity is a burden but because Jesus says, “Give to the one who asks of you.” Does the Word say, “Love God with all your heart”? Then look at the commandment and reply, “Commandment, Christ has fulfilled you already, so I have no need to fulfill you for my salvation, but I rejoice to follow your instruction because God is my Father and he has a claim on my life.”

The Holy Ghost will make your heart obedient to the constraining power of Christ’s love. May your prayer be, “(Lord), let me walk in the path of Your commandments; for I delight in them.” Grace is not the excuser of sinful actions but, rather, it is the mother and nurse of holiness. [M&E]