The Twenty Fourth of September.

EXAMINE YOURSELVES --- 2 Corinthians 13:5.

"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith." --- 2 Corinthians 13:5.

But is there any need of such self-examination, when yet we preach Christ, and stay ourselves on his name? Alas! it is possible both to preach and profess him, yea, to have a seeming confidence in him, and call him our Rock, and talk of his grace, and yet be lovers of sin and haters of holiness; and thereby show we have no interest in him, but are in the road to destruction. Thus Jesus hath told us, Matthew 7:22, 23.

Let us examine ourselves: Is our faith in him accompanied with much self-abhorrence, in the views of our sinfulness and pollution before him? Do we prize him, not only for his favour to us, but for his own goodness, his grace, and his excellence? Do we love him, so as to love nothing else in comparison of him; neither self, nor the world, nor our ease, nor advantage?

Then surely we are his, and he also is ours. These grace are the fruits of his Spirit within us: they are the proofs of our faith, and of our union with him: and if we are united by the Spirit of Jesus, he will certainly own us before men and angels; he will never forsake us in time or eternity. But how dreadful will their case be who deceive themselves here, and habitually give themselves unto sin and iniquity, whilst yet they make mention of Jesus Christ with their lips! Keep us, Lord, we beseech thee, from such sad delusion. Oh give us to remember all our past provocatiopns; and to know, love, and serve thee in sincerity.

Is Christ your only trust and guide,
And dearer far than all beside?
And pants your heart for holiness?
Then sure you are a child of grace.

Devotion for September 24