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 fountainhead or else
the stream will soon be dry. If a continuous supply of oil does not come to the
lamp, even though it may burn brightly today, it will smoke tomorrow, and
noxious will be its scent.
Pay
attention that you do not glory in your graces, but let all your glorying and
confidence be in Christ and His strength, for only in this way can you be kept
from falling. Be much more diligent 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 full of heaven. Let your hearts be perfumed with
affection for men's souls. Live in such a way that men may recognize 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 the good fight, you have
finished the race, and henceforth there is laid up for you the crown of
righteousness that doesn't fade."
Keep on,
Christian, with care and caution! Go 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 promise."(Psalm 119:116) He alone is
able "to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the
presence of his glory with great joy."(Jude 1:24)
