M&E Thursday

Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
by C. H. Spurgeon
Thursday Morning, February 2

Without the shedding of blood is no remission.

Hebrews 9:22

This is the voice of unalterable truth. In none of the Jewish ceremonies were sins, even typically, removed without blood-shedding. In no case, by no means can sin be pardoned without atonement. It is clear, then, that there is no hope for me out of Christ; for there is no other blood-shedding which is worth a thought as an atonement for sin. Am I, then, believing in him? Is the blood of his atonement truly applied to my soul? All men are on a level as to their need of him. If we be never so moral, generous, amiable, or patriotic, the rule will not be altered to make an exception for us. Sin will yield to nothing less potent than the blood of him whom God hath set forth as a propitiation. What a blessing that there is the one way of pardon! Why should we seek another?

Persons of merely formal religion cannot understand how we can rejoice that all our sins are forgiven us for Christ's sake. Their works, and prayers, and ceremonies, give them very poor comfort; and well may they be uneasy, for they are neglecting the one great salvation, and endeavouring to get remission without blood. My soul, sit down, and behold the justice of God as bound to punish sin; see that punishment all executed upon thy Lord Jesus, and fall down in humble joy, and kiss the dear feet of him whose blood has made atonement for thee. It is in vain when conscience is aroused to fly to feelings and evidences for comfort: this is a habit which we learned in the Egypt of our legal bondage. The only restorative for a guilty conscience is a sight of Jesus suffering on the cross. The blood is the life thereof, says the Levitical law, and let us rest assured that it is the life of faith and joy and every other holy grace.

Oh! how sweet to view the flowing Of my Saviour's precious blood; With divine assurance knowing He has made my peace with God.

Evening, February 2

And these are ancient things.

1 Chronicles 4:22

Yet not so ancient as those precious things which are the delight of our souls. Let us for a moment recount them, telling them over as misers count their gold. The sovereign choice of the Father, by which he elected us unto eternal life, or ever the earth was, is a matter of vast antiquity, since no date can be conceived for it by the mind of man. We were chosen from before the foundations of the world. Everlasting love went with the choice, for it was not a bare act of divine will by which we were set apart, but the divine affections were concerned. The Father loved us in and from the beginning. Here is a theme for daily contemplation. The eternal purpose to redeem us from our foreseen ruin, to cleanse and sanctify us, and at last to glorify us, was of infinite antiquity, and runs side by side with immutable love and absolute sovereignty. The covenant is always described as being everlasting, and Jesus, the second party in it, had his goings forth of old; he struck hands in sacred suretyship long ere the first of the stars began to shine, and it was in him that the elect were ordained unto eternal life. Thus in the divine purpose a most blessed covenant union was established between the Son of God and his elect people, which will remain as the foundation of their safety when time shall be no more. Is it not well to be conversant with these ancient things? Is it not shameful that they should be so much neglected and even rejected by the bulk of professors? If they knew more of their own sin, would they not be more ready to adore distinguishing grace? Let us both admire and adore tonight, as we sing--

A monument of grace, A sinner saved by blood; The streams of love I trace Up to the Fountain, God; And in his sacred bosom see Eternal thoughts of Love to me.

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Unforgiving

Posted by jerrywhite on Jan 29, 2012

 

An unforgiving heart blocks the free flow of God's grace.

Because we live in a world where Satan is prince and all people are sinful, it is inevitable that you will be hurt, offended and scarred by others around you. This occurs intentionally by some and unintentionally by others. The issue from the Lord's perspective is will you forgive the one who sins against you whether they intended to or not. If not, then you prevent experiencing God's forgiveness in your own heart.

The magnitude of our sin against God and the incredible unlimited forgiveness He gives to us demonstrates what we are to do towards others. The Lord Jesus said, And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses (Mark 11:25 ESV). The only additional commentary the Lord added to His model prayer was, For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Matt. 6:14-15 ESV). Love expressed through forgiveness is God's will; forgiveness withheld is contrary to His heart and grievous to Him.

The Lord Jesus reveals that not forgiving another becomes even more serious. If you are not willing to forgive another human being for the little they have done against you compared to the immense sins you have committed against God, then your Father will hand you over to the torturers (Matt. 18:21-35). The torturers (tormentors) are demonic spirits belonging to the devil. God who rules all permits these evil beings to torment the one who persistently refuses to forgive another. This "handing over" is God's discipline and the torment will continue until forgiveness is granted towards the offending person (Hebs. 12:3-11).

Forgiveness towards others is obedience towards God. Hurt feelings are not the issue unless you want to live a self-centered life. The core issue is about loving God more than yourself so that you choose against self to obey His will. Jesus said, "Forgive." It is a will choice just like Jesus said, not as I will, but as you will (Matt. 26:39). In prayer, by an act of your will, speak to your Heavenly Father that you forgive whomever—by name—for their sin against you and ask Him to bless them (Matt. 6:43-46). This act of obedience pleases God, releases your soul from wrong attitudes and delivers you from the devil's grip. This opens your heart to the free flow and experience of God's grace. Father and child once again can walk together.

JRW

http://www.adisciplesnotebook.com/?p=398

 

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