Looking at Jesus
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.—Heb. 12:2
That we may be changed into the likeness of Christ, let us fix our meditations upon him, and we will find a change, though we do not know how it happens. As those who are in the sun for work or play find themselves lightened and warmed, so let us set ourselves about holy meditations, and we will find a secret, imperceptible change; our souls will be altered, we do not know how. There is a virtue that goes with holy meditation, a changing, transforming virtue. Indeed, we can think of nothing in Christ without having it change us to the likeness of itself, because we have all from Christ.
Can we think of his humility and not be humble? Can we think, ‘Was God humble, and will base worms be proud? Will I be fierce when my Saviour was meek?' Can a proud, fierce heart apprehend a sweet, meek Saviour? No. The heart must be suited to the thing apprehended. It is impossible that a heart that is not meek, and sweetened, and brought low, should apprehend a loving and humble Saviour. There must be a suitability between the heart and Christ. As he was born of a humble virgin, so he is born and conceived in a humble heart. Christ is conceived and born and lives and grows in every Christian, and a humble and lowly heart made like him by his Spirit, that is the womb. The heart that is suitable is the heart that he is formed in.
Can we think of his humility and not be humble? Can we think, ‘Was God humble, and will base worms be proud? Will I be fierce when my Saviour was meek?' Can a proud, fierce heart apprehend a sweet, meek Saviour? No. The heart must be suited to the thing apprehended. It is impossible that a heart that is not meek, and sweetened, and brought low, should apprehend a loving and humble Saviour. There must be a suitability between the heart and Christ. As he was born of a humble virgin, so he is born and conceived in a humble heart. Christ is conceived and born and lives and grows in every Christian, and a humble and lowly heart made like him by his Spirit, that is the womb. The heart that is suitable is the heart that he is formed in.
Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
Glorious Freedom, pp. 120-21 [131-32]
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.
Glorious Freedom, pp. 120-21 [131-32]
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.
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January
One Thing (1)One Thing (2)Our Thoughts and Desires Reveal Who We AreThe Christian's Desire for God's House (1)The Christian's Desire for God's House (2)What the Soul Was Made ForGod Makes the Heart TenderMaintaining a Tender Heart (1)Maintaining a Tender Heart (2)Maintaining a Tender Heart (3)Maintaining a Tender Heart (4)Test to See if Your Heart is TenderHow to Recover a Tender HeartBenefits of a Tender HeartKings Must Humble Themselves Before GodHow to Humble Ourselves (1)How to Humble Ourselves (2)How to Humble Ourselves (3)Proneness to PrideHumilityTrue versus False Humility (1)True versus False Humility (2)True versus False Humility (3)Both Outward Devotion and Inward AffectionWeeping for the ChurchWeeping and Rejoicing Mixed (1)Weeping and Rejoicing Mixed (2)God Hears Our Prayers--His PartWhen It Seems God Doesn't HearThe Privilege of PrayerGod Hears Our Prayers--Our Part
February
Death Is a Gathering (1)Death Is a Gathering (2)The Righteous Preserve their NationGod's Righteous JudgmentThe Importance of Knowing God Loves Me (1)The Importance of Knowing God Loves Me (2)Abundance Is Not an Accurate Sign of God's LoveRun to GodChristian UnityChrist In Us (1)Christ In Us (2)Christ In Us (3)Christ In Us (4)Christ In Us (5)Christ the Servant: the MediatorThe Bruised Reed and the Smoking Flax (1)The Bruised Reed and the Smoking Flax (2)The Bruised Reed and the Smoking Flax (3)The Bruised Reed and the Smoking Flax (4)God Knows Our FrameLittle at First (1)Little at First (2)Sometimes Tender, Sometimes Tough (1)Sometimes Tender, Sometimes Tough (2)Avoiding Unnecessary RulesThe Weaker BrotherExtend Grace to One AnotherThe Covenant of GraceThe Light of God Compared to Fire (1)
March
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