Morning “In the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” / Philippians 2:15

We use lights to make manifest. A Christian man should so shine in his life,
that a person could not live with him a week without knowing the gospel. His
conversation should be such that all who are about him should clearly perceive
whose he is, and whom he serves; and should see the image of Jesus reflected
in his daily actions. Lights are intended for guidance. We are to help those
around us who are in the dark. We are to hold forth to them the Word of life.
We are to point sinners to the Saviour, and the weary to a divine
resting-place. Men sometimes read their Bibles, and fail to understand them;
we should be ready, like Philip, to instruct the inquirer in the meaning of
God’s Word, the way of salvation, and the life of godliness. Lights are also
used for warning. On our rocks and shoals a light-house is sure to be erected.
Christian men should know that there are many false lights shown everywhere in
the world, and therefore the right light is needed. The wreckers of Satan are
always abroad, tempting the ungodly to sin under the name of pleasure; they
hoist the wrong light, be it ours to put up the true light upon every
dangerous rock, to point out every sin, and tell what it leads to, that so we
may be clear of the blood of all men, shining as lights in the world. Lights
also have a very cheering influence, and so have Christians. A Christian ought
to be a comforter, with kind words on his lips, and sympathy in his heart; he
should carry sunshine wherever he goes, and diffuse happiness around him.

Gracious Spirit dwell with me;
I myself would gracious be,
And with words that help and heal
Would thy life in mine reveal,
And with actions bold and meek
Would for Christ my Saviour speak.

Evening “If ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” / Galatians 5:18

He who looks at his own character and position from a legal point of view,
will not only despair when he comes to the end of his reckoning, but if he be
a wise man he will despair at the beginning; for if we are to be judged on the
footing of the law, there shall no flesh living be justified. How blessed to
know that we dwell in the domains of grace and not of law! When thinking of my
state before God the question is not, “Am I perfect in myself before the law?”
but, “Am I perfect in Christ Jesus?” That is a very different matter. We need
not enquire, “Am I without sin naturally?” but, “Have I been washed in the
fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness?” It is not “Am I in myself well
pleasing to God?” but it is “Am I accepted in the Beloved?” The Christian
views his evidences from the top of Sinai, and grows alarmed concerning his
salvation; it were better far if he read his title by the light of Calvary.
“Why,” saith he, “my faith has unbelief in it, it is not able to save me.”
Suppose he had considered the object of his faith instead of his faith, then
he would have said, “There is no failure in him, and therefore I am safe.” He
sighs over his hope: “Ah! my hope is marred and dimmed by an anxious
carefulness about present things; how can I be accepted?” Had he regarded the
ground of his hope, he would have seen that the promise of God standeth sure,
and that whatever our doubts may be, the oath and promise never fail. Ah!
believer, it is safer always for you to be led of the Spirit into gospel
liberty than to wear legal fetters. Judge yourself at what Christ is rather
than at what you are. Satan will try to mar your peace by reminding you of
your sinfulness and imperfections: you can only meet his accusations by
faithfully adhering to the gospel and refusing to wear the yoke of bondage.