The Christian's Two Natures
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.—2 Cor. 3:18
We should have a double eye: one eye to see that which is amiss in us, our own imperfections, thereby to carry ourselves in a perpetual humility. Another eye of faith, to see what we have in Christ, our perfection in him, and glory in this our best being—such a one whereby God esteems us perfect, and undefiled in him. The one sight should force us to the other, which is one reason why God, in this world, leaves corruption in his children. Is there any harbour for me to rest in my own righteousness? No! It drives a man out of that harbour. Nay, I will rest in that righteousness which God has wrought by Christ. The sight of our own unworthiness should not be a ground of discouragement, but a ground to drive us completely out of ourselves, that by faith we might renew our title to that righteousness, wherein is our glory. Why should we not judge ourselves as Christ does? Notwithstanding all he sees, he accounts us as undefiled.
Since he accounts us undefiled, because he means to make us so, it shall not thus be always with us. Oh, this flesh of mine will become weaker and weaker as Saul's house (2 Sam. 3:1), and the Spirit at last will conquer! Imperfection should not discourage us. Let us rejoice, in that we are chosen to sanctification, which is a little begun, being an earnest of other blessings. Let us not rest in the earnest, but labour for a further pledge of more strength and grace. For those that have the Spirit of Christ, will strive to be as much unspotted as they can, to fit themselves for that heavenly condition as much as may be. When, because they cannot be in heaven, yet they will converse there as much as they can; and because they cannot be with such company altogether, they will be as much as they may be; labouring to be that which they will be hereafter. Imperfection contents them not, and therefore they pray still in the Lord's prayer, "Your kingdom come' (Matt. 6:10).
Since he accounts us undefiled, because he means to make us so, it shall not thus be always with us. Oh, this flesh of mine will become weaker and weaker as Saul's house (2 Sam. 3:1), and the Spirit at last will conquer! Imperfection should not discourage us. Let us rejoice, in that we are chosen to sanctification, which is a little begun, being an earnest of other blessings. Let us not rest in the earnest, but labour for a further pledge of more strength and grace. For those that have the Spirit of Christ, will strive to be as much unspotted as they can, to fit themselves for that heavenly condition as much as may be. When, because they cannot be in heaven, yet they will converse there as much as they can; and because they cannot be with such company altogether, they will be as much as they may be; labouring to be that which they will be hereafter. Imperfection contents them not, and therefore they pray still in the Lord's prayer, "Your kingdom come' (Matt. 6:10).
Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Love of Christ (Bowels Opened), pp. 150-52 [150-51]
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.
The Love of Christ (Bowels Opened), pp. 150-52 [150-51]
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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