KEEP YOURSELVES IN THE LOVE OF GOD

"Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that which he alloweth." —Romans 14:22 [KJV]

There are many things of a civil, moral and religious nature, which are in themselves indifferent. Yet, as to compliance or noncompliance with them, they are far from being matters of indifference to the mind of a believer. As he has an inward consciousness of his outward behaviour, so he finds within himself a sentence of condemnation when he acts contrary to the dictates of his own knowledge and conscience. It may be the disciple of Jesus often finds some things of a doubtful nature, wherein he doth not see the word of God to be express and clear in determining. 

The upright soul, the tender conscience knows not how to act; is afraid of doing wrong: he asks advice of ministers and Christian brethren, but they cannot fully satisfy his scruples and set his mind at liberty, how he ought to demean himself. Here the apostles give a full and peremptory answer. The heart of every believer is purified from an evil conscience by the blood of Jesus, and instructed in the knowledge of the truth by His word and Spirit. Hence there is an inward perception of what tends to wound and condemn it. Happy art thou, disciple, if thou dost not wilfully allow thyself in any thing for which thy conscience condemns thee. 

Never allow thyself in any outward practice, which is attended with inward condemnation. Is it of a trifling and indifferent nature in itself? pretend not to plead for it. Canst thou be content to make thy conscience thine enemy, to incur its censure, and to impair thy peace, for a TRIFLE? Whatever thou takest in hand remember the end, and thou shalt not do amiss. This advice is excellent; it is thy wisdom to follow it; it is thy privilege to plead for power at a throne of grace. Consider daily thy calling; it is to live in sweet fellowship with Jesus, to enjoy peace in thy conscience, and holiness and happiness in life. Whatever is contrary to this, will make thee unhappy. 

As a son of the most high God, and a servant of the precious Jesus, thou art called not to please thy flesh, not to do thy own will, not to gratify thy own lusts, yea not to destroy thy own peace, but to glorify thy God and Saviour, in doing His will. It is most plain and evident from the apostles' exhortations, that if believers' walk and practice are not consistent with the truth, they may most certainly deprive themselves of the sweet sense and comfortable enjoyment of the peace and love of God. Consider deeply, weigh attentively the force and meaning of these words, "KEEP yourselves in the love of God."—Jude 21. "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts."—Colossians 3:15.

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