Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

March 14– Morning

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

“If you think you are standing strong (in the Faith), take special care, so that you won’t fall down.” 

—I Corinthians 10:12

 

It is a curious fact that there is such a thing as being proud of grace. A man may say to himself, “I have great faith; I won’t fall! Maybe a person with lesser faith would fall, but not me!” Another may say, “I love God a lot; I would never leave him.”

The person who begins to boast about his grace has, in fact, little grace to boast about. Some who do this imagine that their graces can keep them, not knowing that the stream of grace must flow constantly from the fountain head, Jesus Christ himself. If it does not, then the brook will soon be dry. If a continuous stream of oil does not come from the lamp— even though today it burns brightly– it will smoke tomorrow, and its scent will become noxious. Be very careful not to glory in your graces, but let all your glorying and confidence be in Christ and in his strength; he alone can keep you from falling.

Since it is grace that you need, be more careful to pray. Spend more time in holy adoration. Read the Scriptures more earnestly and constantly. Watch your life more carefully. Live nearer to God. Pattern yourself after the best examples. Let your life smell like Heaven. Let your hearts be perfumed with affection for men’s souls. And when he calls you home, may you hear him say, “You have fought a good fight; you have finished the course, and now there is laid up for you a crown of righteousness that will not fade away.”

Dear Christian, live with care and caution! Continue on with holy fear and trembling! Have confidence in Jesus alone, and let your constant prayer be, “[Lord], sustain me with your Word.” [M&E]