Morning, March 14, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.”— 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; some poor soul of little faith may, but I never shall.” “I have passionate 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 past blessings can keep them, knowing not that the stream must flow constantly from the Head of the spring, or else the brook will soon be dry. If a continuous stream of oil is not supplied to the lamp, even though it burns brightly today, it will smoke tomorrow, and begin to smell noxious. Take heed that you not glory in your past blessings, but let all your glorying and confidence be in Christ and his strength, for only so can you 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 evocative of heaven. Let your hearts be scented with affection for men’s souls. Live in such a way 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, “You have fought a good fight, you have finished your course, and hereafter there is laid up for you a crown of righteousness which does not fade 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 your 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.”