Morning, March 14
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
1 Corinthians 10:12
"Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."
1 Corinthians 10:12
It is a curious fact, that there is such a thing as being proud of
grace. A man says, "I have great faith, I shall not fall; poor little
faith may, but I never shall." "I have fervent love," says another, "I
can stand, there is no danger of my going astray." He who boasts of
grace has little grace to boast of. Some who do this imagine that their
graces can keep them, knowing not that the stream must flow constantly
from the fountain head, or else the brook will soon be dry. If a
continuous stream of oil comes not to the lamp, though it burn brightly
today, it will smoke to-morrow, and noxious will be its scent. Take
heed that thou gloriest not in thy graces, but let all thy glorying and
confidence be in Christ and his strength, for only so canst thou be
kept from falling. Be much more in prayer. Spend longer time in holy
adoration. Read the Scriptures more earnestly and constantly. Watch
your lives more carefully. Live nearer to God. Take the best examples
for your pattern. Let your conversation be redolent of heaven. Let your
hearts be perfumed with affection for men's souls. So live that men may
take knowledge of you that you have been with Jesus, and have learned
of him; and when that happy day shall come, when he whom you love shall
say, "Come up higher," may it be your happiness to hear him say, "Thou
hast fought a good fight, thou hast finished thy course, and henceforth
there is laid up for thee a crown of righteousness which fadeth not
away." On, Christian, with care and caution! On, with holy fear and
trembling! On, with faith and confidence in Jesus alone, and let your
constant petition be, "Uphold me according to thy word." He is able,
and he alone, "To keep you from falling, and to present you faultless
before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy."