Gems worth pondering
July 1
"Let us (Christians) draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water."
(Hebrews 10:22)
An evil conscience is the result of persistence in sin. If men continue to defile themselves, the time will come when the conscience becomes thoroughly evil, and sin is no longer dreaded. When we come to Christ our hearts ares sprinkled from an evil conscience. If men do not come to Him but insist on sinning against the light and refusing to heed the invitation which God has extended to all men to turn to Him in repentance and be saved, then eventually the conscience ceases to be active: it becomes seared.
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their consciences seared with a hot iron."
(1 Timothy 4:1,2)
This is most solemn. Sin hardens. The conscience becomes like flesh which has been seared with a hot iron; it no longer responds; it can no longer be depended upon. In this state men may commit the most wicked and abominable things, and apparently there is not the least exercise of conscience. It is because they have gone so far in disobeying that which they knew to be right that they no longer have any concern whatever. They are given up to a seared conscience and a reprobate mind, and with that goes utter hardness of heart. But if men are willing to turn to God; if they realize they have an evil conscience, and they long for a pure and a cleansed conscience, they may obtain it through the work of the cross. (HARRY A. IRONSIDE)
N.J. Hiebert # 3752
July 2
"Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling."
(2 Timothy 1:9)
Believers in Christ Jesus are saved. They are not looked upon as persons who are in a hopeful state, and may ultimately be saved, but they are already saved. Salvation is not a blessing to be enjoyed upon the dying bed, and to be sung of in a future state above, but a matter to be obtained, received, promised and enjoyed now. The Christian is perfectly saved in God's purpose: God has ordained him unto salvation, and that purpose is complete. He is saved also as to the price which has been paid for him; "It is finished" was the cry of the Saviour before He died. . . .
Salvation must be of grace, because the Lord is the author of it: and what motive but grace could move Him to save the guilty? Salvation must be of grace, because the Lord works in such a manner that our righteousness is for ever excluded. Such is the believer's privilege - a present salvation; such is the evidence that he is called to it - - a holy life.
(C.H. SPURGEON - MORNING & EVENING DAILY READINGS)
N.J. Hiebert # 3753
July 3
"We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
(2 Corinthians 3:18)
Not merely in the words you say,
Not only in you deeds confessed,
But in the most unconscious way
Is Christ expressed.
Is it a beatific smile?
A holy light upon your brow?
Oh, no: I felt His presence while
You laughed just now.
For me 'twas not the truth you taught,
To you so clear, to me still dim;
But when you came to me, you brought
A sense of Him.
And from your eyes He beckons me,
And from your heart His love is shed,
Till I lose sight of you and see,
The Christ instead.
(WINSOME CHRISTIANITY)
N.J. Hiebert # 3754
