Daily Devotionals

Devotional: February 3rd

’’Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die; for I have not found thy works perfect before God." - Revelation 3:2.

The church of Sardis, as a whole, might be spoken of as dead. The ordinances of religion were indeed maintained and attended; the word read; prayer offered; the communion partaken. In the estimation of many of the members, the church was anything but dead; but their conception of a living church was different from Christ’s; and he pronounced it dead: dead, as a church. Yet was not vital godliness altogether extinct; some believers there were; and their position was one of great responsibility and danger. The standard of practical piety in the mind of each one, is modified by the standard that prevails in the church. It is immensely difficult to hold fast to our conception of the piety that becomes a Christian, when very inferior conceptions are almost universal around us. So, too, when a higher standard than ours is prominently exhibited around us. But let every one that loves the Lord Jesus Christ consider that the failures of others, as well as the graces of others, powerfully urge us to redouble our zeal. If the ship is buffeted by some violent tempest, and many of the hands refuse to exert themselves for the salvation of the vessel, it is only the more incumbent upon the few faithful found to put forth their best energies. If few love the Saviour, there is more need that I should love him to the utmost of my capacity. The Spirit of God would certainly have me draw this argument from the supineness, the unfaithfulness, the worldliness of other Christians. It is bad enough that a dead Christianity should exert its baneful influence upon the world; why should the few earnest Christians allow it to plunder them of half of their earnestness? Christ must have his tribute. If others out and out refuse to pay it, or pay it in part only, let me the more zealously pay it in the full measure, pressed down and running over. Upon the countenance of one we love, we trace easily the slightest indication of weakness; and if we love the church which Christ has purchased with his blood, we shall not fail to notice every unfavorable symptom that appears. Without commissioning our thoughts to travel all the way to Sardis, we may inquire how it is with us and with the church to which we belong? Are there any indications of decay? Does the word of God take effect? Does the work of God advance? Are souls quickened? Is there joy in God? Is faith in Christ radiant in the countenances and beautiful in the conduct of our company? Or is there an air of languor, of indifference, of lifelessness visible? Are the prayer-meetings neglected? Sacrifices discontinued? Religious conversation omitted? Excuses welcomed? Burdens deprecated?

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