Sun of Righteousness, Shine Brighter in our Hearts & Minds!

"Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple." —Luke 14:33 [KJV]  

"Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again," saith Christ,—John 3:7. The blessed effects of this spiritual birth will be evident in the life. Earthly objects will be forsaken: heavenly ones prized. Jesus will be chosen as our beloved Master and only hope. He being esteemed our treasure, our hearts will be with Him, our affections towards Him; and it will be our chiefest delight to hear His voice, and to follow Him in the regeneration. Coming to Christ, is turning our backs upon the "lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life." By the faith of Jesus we renounce and forsake all these things as our curse and shame. The clearer views we have of Christ's glory, and the stronger our faith is in Him, so much the more we become dead to all things beside Him. Thus it is manifest who are the disciples of Jesus. Their master so teacheth them. We have need to pray daily, Sun of righteousness, shine brighter on our minds! Lord, increase our faith! For the flesh, with its affections and lusts, still abides with us; and as the life of Jesus increaseth through faith in the heart, so shall we more and more groan under whatever is contrary thereto. The victory is obtained only through faith. In its nature very simple, but in its fruits and effects most comprehensive. For hereby we enjoy more happiness and comfort in Christ, than all that this present world can give us. Ye sons of earth, ye disdain us; we pity you. As ye are now, so once were we. We enjoyed your carnal gratifications, and feasted on your vain delights too, too long. We confess it, and grieve for it. Now we have found Jesus. We have another and a better life. In divine pleasures, spiritual joys from Christ, and sweet communion with Him, we anticipate future glory. We enjoy a heaven of comfort in a world of sorrow. Therefore, in forsaking all, we gain all. In following Jesus, though painful and grievous to the flesh, yet it is consolation and joy to the life of our souls.  

Experience will ever prove, that he who walks most by faith, will be the most comfortable disciple. He who lives nearest Christ in faith, will follow Him closest in love; and consequently keep at the greatest distance from the world's vain pleasures, and the carnal delights of the flesh. "If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye, through the spirit, do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." —Romans 8:15.  

Mistaken souls that dream of heav'n, And make their empty boast Of inward joys and sins forgiv'n While they are slaves of lust!  

Faith must obey their Father's will, As well as trust His grace; A pard'ning God is jealous still For His own holiness. 

-William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.) 

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