But what a mercy that it does not reign in you, and over you; it did once, and would now but for free and sovereign grace. If sin makes you groan, leads you to the throne to plead with God, and to the fountain of the Saviour's blood to be cleansed from it, it does not, it cannot reign.
It may disturb your peace, distress your mind, hinder you in duty, mix with all your efforts to do good; and even make you cry out, "O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me?" But even then you should not doubt. Jesus still loves you, grace will reign in your experience, and you shall be more than a conqueror. Paul had known the Lord many years, he had been in the third heaven, and daily triumphed in Christ; yet he felt just as you feel; when he would do good evil was present with him, and he could not do the things that he would.
If sin annoys you, if it is your burden, and causes you grief; holiness lives in you, and the present painful conflict will end in everlasting peace. You may even now sing, "Thanks be unto God, who giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ." Live upon Christ, and you will live down all evil.
Crosses and changes are our lot, Long as we sojourn here; But since our Saviour changes not, What have the saints to fear?
Written by James Smith for his own flock around 1840, but such was the demand that by 1846 over thirty thousand copies where in circulation.
James Smith was a predecessor of Charles Spurgeon at New Park Street Chapel in London from 1841-1850. He also ministered with great blessing in Cheltenham. His devotional, The Believer's Daily Remembrancer, subtitled Pastor's Morning and Evening Visit, was very popular in its own day, and has received a new lease of life through recent republication.
But what a mercy that it does not reign in you, and over you; it did once, and would now but for free and sovereign grace. If sin makes you groan, leads you to the throne to plead with God, and to the fountain of the Saviour's blood to be cleansed from it, it does not, it cannot reign.
It may disturb your peace, distress your mind, hinder you in duty, mix with all your efforts to do good; and even make you cry out, "O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me?" But even then you should not doubt. Jesus still loves you, grace will reign in your experience, and you shall be more than a conqueror. Paul had known the Lord many years, he had been in the third heaven, and daily triumphed in Christ; yet he felt just as you feel; when he would do good evil was present with him, and he could not do the things that he would.
If sin annoys you, if it is your burden, and causes you grief; holiness lives in you, and the present painful conflict will end in everlasting peace. You may even now sing, "Thanks be unto God, who giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ." Live upon Christ, and you will live down all evil.
Crosses and changes are our lot, Long as we sojourn here; But since our Saviour changes not, What have the saints to fear?