ENTER IN AT THE STRAIT GATE --- Luke 13:24.
"Strive to enter in at the strait gate." --- Luke 13:24.
"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." --- Philippians 2:12.
"Forgetting those things which are behind, I reach forth unto those things which are before." --- Philippians 3:13.
He that feeds only upon Christ, and yet with fear and trembling works out his own salvation, is in the right way; the former preventing discouragement, and the latter presumption. Grant, O Lord, that I may still continue to fight the good fight of faith, and never look back on the flesh-pots of Egypt, but rather choose "to suffer affliction with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season."
May the painful death which thou sufferedst on the cross have an abiding place in my heart; that thereby unbelief and slavish fear may be destroyed on the one hand, and security on the other; that I may walk at all times and in all places with holy and filial reverence, as in thy presence. Amen.
As new-born babes desire the breast,
To feed, and grow, and thrive;
So saints with joy the gospel taste,
And by the gospel live.
Grace, like an uncorrupted seed,
Abides and reigns within;
Immortal principles forbid,
The sons of God to sin.
Not by the terrors of a slave,
Do they perform his will;
But, with the noblest powers they have,
His sweet commands fulfil.