Evening, August 25
Go To Morning Reading
“If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.”
Acts 8:37
These words may answer your scruples, devout reader, concerning the ordinances . Perhaps you say, “I should be afraid to be baptized; it is such a solemn thing to avow
myself to be dead with Christ, and buried with him. I should not feel
at liberty to come to the Master’s table; I should be afraid of eating and drinking damnation unto
myself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” Ah! poor trembler, Jesus has given you liberty, be not afraid. If
a stranger came to your house, he would stand at the door, or wait
in the hall; he would not dream of intruding unbidden into your parlour—he is not at home: but your child makes himself very free about the
house; and so is it with the child of God. A stranger may not intrude
where a child may venture. When the Holy Ghost has given you to feel
the spirit of adoption, you may come to Christian ordinances without
fear. The same rule holds good of the Christian’s inward privileges . You think, poor seeker, that you are not allowed to rejoice with
joy unspeakable and full of glory; if you are permitted to get inside
Christ’s door, or sit at the bottom of his table, you will be well content.
Ah! but you shall not have less privileges than the very greatest.
God makes no difference in his love to his children. A child is a
child to him; he will not make him a hired servant; but he shall feast
upon the fatted calf, and shall have the music and the dancing as
much as if he had never gone astray. When Jesus comes into the heart,
he issues a general licence to be glad in the Lord. No chains are
worn in the court of King Jesus. Our admission into full privileges
may be gradual, but it is sure. Perhaps our reader is saying, “I wish I could enjoy the promises, and walk at liberty in my Lord’s commands.” “If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.” Loose the chains of thy neck, O captive daughter, for Jesus makes
thee free.