September 18, Morning

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." — Galatians 5:25 · KJV

The two most important things in our holy religion are the life of faith and the walk of faith. He who rightly understands these is not far from being a master in experiential theology, for they are vital points to a Christian. You will never find true faith without true godliness; and on the other hand, you will never find a truly holy life that does not have a living faith in the righteousness of Christ for its root. Woe to those who seek the one without the other! Some cultivate faith and forget holiness; these may be very high in orthodoxy, but they shall be very deep in condemnation, for they hold the truth in unrighteousness. Others strain after holiness of life but deny the faith, like the Pharisees of old, of whom the Master said that they were "whited sepulchres." We must have faith, for this is the foundation; and we must have holiness of life, for this is the building. Of what use is a mere foundation to a man in the day of storm? Can he hide himself in it? He needs a house to cover him, as well as a foundation for the house. Even so we need the building of a spiritual life if we would have comfort in the day of doubt. But do not seek a holy life without faith, for that would be to raise a house that can give no lasting shelter, because it has no foundation on the rock. Let faith and life be joined, and, like the two supports of an arch, they will make our piety endure. Like light and heat streaming from the same sun, they are alike full of blessing; like the two pillars of the temple, they are for glory and for beauty. They are two streams from the fountain of grace, two lamps lit with holy fire, two olive trees watered by heavenly care. O Lord, give us this day life within, and it will reveal itself without, to Your glory.