May 12, Morning
C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling
"And will manifest myself to him." — John 14:21 · KJV
The Lord Jesus gives special revelations of Himself to His people. Even if Scripture did not say so, many of the children of God could testify to it from their own experience. They have had their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ made known to them in a way no mere reading or hearing could supply. In the biographies of notable saints you will find many recorded instances where Jesus was pleased in a very special way to speak to their souls and to unfold the wonders of His person; their souls were so steeped in happiness that they thought themselves in heaven, when in fact they were only near its threshold for when Jesus shows Himself to His people, it is heaven on earth, paradise in seed, joy begun. Such special manifestations of Christ exercise a holy influence on the believer's heart. One effect will be humility. If a man says, "I have had such and such spiritual communications, so I am a great man," he has never had any fellowship with Jesus at all, for "God hath respect unto the lowly: but the proud He knoweth afar off." He does not need to come near them to know them, and He will never pay them any visits of love. Another effect will be happiness, for in God's presence there are pleasures forevermore. Holiness will certainly follow as well. A man with no holiness has never had this manifestation. Some people profess a great deal, but we must not believe anyone unless we see that his deeds match his words. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked." He will not bestow His favors on the wicked, for while He will not cast away an upright man, neither will He show regard for one who does evil. So there will be three effects of nearness to Jesus: humility, happiness, and holiness. May God give them to you, Christian!