Evening, June 26, adapted from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“Having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”  2 Peter 1:4

Give up forever all thought of indulging your carnal nature if you would live in the power of your risen Lord. It’s wrong that a man who is alive in Christ should dwell in the corruption of sin. “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” said the angel to Mary. Should the living dwell in the tomb? Should divine life be imprisoned in the morgue of worldly lust? How can we drink of the cup of the Lord and yet drink the cup of Belial (Worthlessness)? Surely, believer, from obvious lusts and sins you are delivered: have you also escaped from the more subtle and misleading snare of the Satanic bird trapper? Have you fled far from the lust of pride? Have you escaped from laziness? Have you made an escape from the false security of your self-efforts? Are you seeking day by day to live above worldliness, the pride of life, and the ensnaring vice of greed? Remember, it is for this that you have been enriched with the treasures of God. If you are indeed the chosen of God, and beloved by him, do not tolerate all the lavish treasure of grace to be wasted upon you. Pursue holiness; it is the Christian’s crown and glory.

An unholy church! it is useless to the world, and of no recognition among men. It is an abomination, bringing hell’s laughter, and heaven’s loathing. The worst evils which have ever come upon the world have been brought upon her by an unholy church. Oh Christian, the vows of God are upon you. You are God’s priest: act as such. You are God’s king: reign over your lusts. You are God’s chosen: do not associate with Worthlessness. Heaven is your portion: live like a citizen of Heaven, so you shall prove that you have true faith in Jesus, for there cannot be faith in your heart unless there is holiness in your life.

“Lord, I desire to live as one

Who bears a blood-bought name,

As one who fears but grieving You,

And knows no other shame.”