Encouragement in CHRIST JESUS ~ 29 September, 2023 A.D.

"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh." —Romans 8:12 [KJV]

Christianity teaches us to owe no man any thing. He is a prudent man who keeps his accounts clear and knows to whom he is indebted; he is a grateful man who acknowledges favors with just sentiments. If this is necessary and commendable in the economy of this short life, how much more so in things of a spiritual and eternal nature! How wise, how just is it to render to all their dues! If we are debtors to the flesh, let us serve that; but if debtors to the Lord, it is then our duty and privilege to serve Him. 

What owest thou, O Christian, to the flesh? Verily, neither suit nor service: but alas! thou hast obeyed its sinful motions, gratified the corrupt lusts thereof, and what hast thou reaped for it but shame and sorrow? 

These are the only fruits that sin and folly bear. The flesh with its corruptions and lusts is at enmity to thy God, and at war against thy soul. Willingly to give place to such an enemy to fulfil the lusts and live after the sinful desires of the flesh, will most assuredly weaken thy confidence in Jesus and bring death upon thy peace and comfort; yea, "if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die." 

The Lord strengthen us daily to deny its demands, and to mortify its lusts! for we are not debtors to the flesh, but to the Spirit; debtors, in an immense sum of love and gratitude; time can never discharge it. With inexpressible joy and delight we shall ever be paying, but never discharge this debt through a never-ending eternity.

The gospel of the grace of God is no licentious doctrine; it sets at liberty, it is true; but it is from the most galling yoke and most servile drudgery to sin and lusts; but yet it binds the soul in the sweetest bonds of grateful service and loving obedience to Jesus, the best of masters. What owest thou to the Spirit, O Christian? Write upon thy heart, even all my present peace, all my future hopes; for He it is who convinced thee of sin, revealed to thee the love of God in Christ, gave thee power to believe on Jesus, grace to repent. 

He fills thee with joy and peace in believing; He bears witness with thy spirit, and assures of thine adoption to be a child of God; and it is through His influence only, thou art able to mortify the deeds of the flesh, to love thy God and Saviour and live to His glory; and canst thou deliberately grieve the Spirit, this blessed inhabitant, this loving comforter, by yielding service to thy inbred enemy? 

O, with what fire of indignation against lust! with what warmth of affection to his God doth Joseph cry out, under the solicitations of a strong temptation, How can I do this great wickedness? and what?—sin against the best of masters? against my own soul? no; but against my most kind, most loving, and eternal friend, the Lord my God! Genesis 39:9.

-preacher William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

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