Morning   “So to walk even as he walked.”   1 John 2:6

Why should Christians imitate Christ? They should do it for their own sakes. If

they desire to be in a healthy state of soul–if they would escape the sickness

of sin, and enjoy the vigour of growing grace, let Jesus be their model. For

their own happiness’ sake, if they would drink wine on the lees, well refined;

if they would enjoy holy and happy communion with Jesus; if they would be lifted

up above the cares and troubles of this world, let them walk even as he walked.

There is nothing which can so assist you to walk towards heaven with good speed,

as wearing the image of Jesus on your heart to rule all its motions. It is when,

by the power of the Holy Spirit, you are enabled to walk

with Jesus in his very footsteps, that you are most happy, and most known to be

the sons of God. Peter afar off is both unsafe and uneasy. Next, for religion’s

sake, strive to be like Jesus. Ah! poor religion, thou hast been sorely shot at

by cruel foes, but thou hast not been wounded one-half so dangerously by thy

foes as by thy friends. Who made those wounds in the fair hand of Godliness? The

professor who used the dagger of hypocrisy. The man who with pretences, enters

the fold, being nought but a wolf in sheep’s clothing, worries the flock more

than the lion outside. There is no weapon half so deadly as a Judas-kiss.

Inconsistent professors injure the gospel more than the sneering

critic or the infidel. But, especially for Christ’s own sake, imitate his

example. Christian, lovest thou thy Saviour? Is his name precious to thee? Is

his cause dear to thee? Wouldst thou see the kingdoms of the world become his?

Is it thy desire that he should be glorified? Art thou longing that souls should

be won to him? If so, imitate Jesus; be an “epistle of Christ, known and read of

all men.”

 

Evening   “Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee.”   Isaiah 41:9

If we have received the grace of God in our hearts, its practical effect has

been to make us God’s servants. We may be unfaithful servants, we certainly are

unprofitable ones, but yet, blessed be his name, we are his servants, wearing

his livery, feeding at his table, and obeying his commands. We were once the

servants of sin, but he who made us free has now taken us into his family and

taught us obedience to his will. We do not serve our Master perfectly, but we

would if we could. As we hear God’s voice saying unto us, “Thou art my servant,”

we can answer with David, “I am thy servant; thou hast loosed my bonds.” But the

Lord calls us not only his servants, but his chosen ones–“I have

chosen thee.” We have not chosen him first, but he hath chosen us. If we be

God’s servants, we were not always so; to sovereign grace the change must be

ascribed. The eye of sovereignty singled us out, and the voice of unchanging

grace declared, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love.” Long ere time

began or space was created God had written upon his heart the names of his elect

people, had predestinated them to be conformed unto the image of his Son, and

ordained them heirs of all the fulness of his love, his grace, and his glory.

What comfort is here! Has the Lord loved us so long, and will he yet cast us

away? He knew how stiffnecked we should be; he understood that our hearts were

evil, and yet he made the choice. Ah! our Saviour is no fickle lover. He doth

not feel enchanted for awhile with some gleams of beauty from his church’s eye,

and then afterwards cast her off because of her unfaithfulness. Nay, he married

her in old eternity; and it is written of Jehovah, “He hateth putting away.” The

eternal choice is a bond upon our gratitude and upon his faithfulness which

neither can disown.