March 14, Morning

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." — 1 Corinthians 10:12 · KJV

It is a curious fact that there is such a thing as being proud of grace. One man says, "I have great faith, I shall not fall; poor little faith may, but I never shall." "I have fervent love," says another; "I can stand, there is no danger of my going astray." He who boasts of grace has little grace to boast of. Some who do this imagine that their graces can keep them, not knowing that the stream must flow constantly from the fountainhead, or the brook will soon be dry. If a continuous stream of oil does not come to the lamp, though it burns brightly today, it will smoke tomorrow, and foul will be its scent. Take heed that you do not glory in your graces, but let all your glorying and confidence be in Christ and His strength, for only so can you be kept from falling. Be much more in prayer. Spend longer in holy adoration. Read the Scriptures more earnestly and constantly. Watch your life more carefully. Live nearer to God. Take the best examples for your pattern. Let your conversation be fragrant of heaven. Let your heart be perfumed with affection for men's souls. So live that men may take knowledge of you, that you have been with Jesus and have learned of Him; and when that happy day comes, when He whom you love shall say, "Come up higher," may it be your joy to hear Him say, "You have fought a good fight, you have finished your course, and henceforth there is laid up for you a crown of righteousness that fades not away." On, Christian, with care and caution! On, with holy fear and trembling! On, with faith and confidence in Jesus alone, and let your constant prayer be, "Uphold me according to Thy word." He is able, and He alone, "to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy."