Watching

The bearing of a Christian in this world is to be a state of watching until Christ returns, because we are in danger of sin, and danger by sin. Particularly the sins of drowsiness, deadness, and heaviness of spirit. Often by drowsiness we fall into other sins whereby we offend God, give Satan advantage, grieve the good Spirit of God, and put a sting into all other troubles. We must consider our situation in this world and what the life of a Christian is compared to. We are travellers through our enemy's country. This is Satan's place where he reigns, being the 'god of this world' (2 Cor. 4:4); therefore, we must have our wits and senses about us. Further, the worst enemy is within us, our own heart, which joins with Satan to betray us to the world. We also carry a precious jewel, our soul, in a brittle glass. If once the vessel breaks, all is lost. We are running in a race. Now those that run must have the goal in their eye, the prize of their high calling. Of all men runners need to be watchful. Further, our whole life is not only a race but a warfare. We have enemies to fight against that never sleep. Satan our enemy never sleeps, 'but goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour' (1 Pet. 5:8). We sleep, but Satan sleeps not, nor those that are his instruments. The disciples slept, but Judas slept not. The traitors of the church sleep not. The disciples slept, and left Christ to manage his own cause (Matt. 26:40). We must strive and watch because we are soldiers in a war. We are also stewards and we all have 'talents' (Matt. 25:15). Because we are all subject to give an exact account of what we have done in the flesh, we ought to be watchful. Men who are under observation need to be watchful.
Beloved, since our life is a vigil, a warring time, a race, and a watched time, we must be waiting and looking for the return of Christ.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Christian's Watch, Works, vol. 7, pp. 300-01
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