Morning, July 26
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
"Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue
knowledge, etc."
2 Peter 1:5, 6
If thou wouldest enjoy the eminent grace of the full assurance of
faith, under the blessed Spirit's influence, and assistance, do what
the Scripture tells thee, "Give diligence." Take care that thy faith is
of the right kind--that it is not a mere belief of doctrine, but a
simple faith, depending on Christ, and on Christ alone. Give diligent
heed to thy courage. Plead with God that he would give thee the face of
a lion, that thou mayest, with a consciousness of right, go on boldly.
Study well the Scriptures, and get knowledge; for a knowledge of
doctrine will tend very much to confirm faith. Try to understand God's
Word; let it dwell in thy heart richly.
When thou hast done this, "Add to thy knowledge temperance." Take heed
to thy body: be temperate without. Take heed to thy soul: be temperate
within. Get temperance of lip, life, heart, and thought. Add to this,
by God's Holy Spirit, patience; ask him to give thee that patience
which endureth affliction, which, when it is tried, shall come forth as
gold. Array yourself with patience, that you may not murmur nor be
depressed in your afflictions. When that grace is won look to
godliness. Godliness is something more than religion. Make God's glory
your object in life; live in his sight; dwell close to him; seek for
fellowship with him; and thou hast "godliness"; and to that add
brotherly love. Have a love to all the saints: and add to that a
charity, which openeth its arms to all men, and loves their souls. When
you are adorned with these jewels, and just in proportion as you
practise these heavenly virtues, will you come to know by clearest
evidence "your calling and election." "Give diligence," if you would
get assurance, for lukewarmness and doubting very naturally go hand in
hand.