Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

July 14– Morning

 by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“If you use any tool upon it, you will have ruined it.” 

—Exodus 20:25

It was important for God’s altar to be built with uncut stones so that no trace of human skill or labor might be seen upon it. Human wisdom loves to trim and arrange the doctrines of the cross into a system more artificial and more palatable to the depraved tastes of fallen nature; instead of improving the gospel, however, the fleshly wisdom of men pollutes it until it becomes another gospel and not the truth of God at all.

The proud heart of man is always trying to have a hand in his own salvation. Even in Christian circles we can trust in our own preparation and repentance. We can treat our humblings as good works to gain God’s favor, or we can pride ourselves in giving God praise. But all of these can be nothing more than using a human tool upon the divine altar.

Sinners must always remember that the Savior’s work cannot be improved with our own. Any confidence in the flesh can only pollute and dishonor it. The Lord alone must be exalted in the work of atonement, and not a single mark of man’s chisel or hammer will be endured. There is an inherent blasphemy in seeking to add to what Christ Jesus, in his dying moments, declared to be finished or to improve what the Lord accepts as perfect satisfaction.

Trembling sinner, put away your tools, fall on your knees, and humbly cling to the Lord Jesus as your only altar of atonement, and rest in him alone. [M&E]