Morning & Evening Devotional Reading– September 6– Evening

by Charles H. Spurgeon, Revised and Edited by William C. Neff

“If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.'”

—Galatians 5:18

The one who looks at his own character and position from a legal standpoint will not only despair when he comes to the end of his evaluation, but, if he is a wise man, he will despair at the beginning of it. If we are to be judged by the Law, no one will be justified.

How wonderful to know that we dwell in the domains of grace and not of law! When thinking of my standing before God the question is not, “Am I perfect in myself before the Law?” but, “Am I perfect in Christ?” That is a very different matter. We don’t need to enquire, “Am I without sin?” but, “Have I been washed in the fountain that cleanses from sin?”

The Christian views his works from the top of Mt. Sinai and grows alarmed concerning his salvation. It would be far better if he saw himself in the light of Mt. Calvary. You may say, “But my faith has unbelief in it; it is not able to save me.” When we think this way, it would be good for us not to focus on the quality of our faith but on the object of it. If we do, then we will say, “There is no failure in Christ, and, therefore, I am safe.” You may say, “But my hope is damaged by an anxious carefulness about present things; how can I be accepted by God?” But if you focus on the ground of your hope, you will see that God’s promise stands firm.

Dear believer, it is always safer for you to be led by the Spirit into gospel liberty than to wear the chains of legality. Judge yourself in light of what Christ is rather than by what you are. Satan will try to crush your peace by reminding you of your sinfulness and imperfections. You can only meet his accusations by faithfully adhering to the gospel and refusing to wear the burden of bondage. [M&E]