REFLECTIONS

Hypocrites

"Some individuals make a lot of noise about their religion, but secretly have their hearts set on earthly goals. They pretend to be heaven-bound, but their hearts are full of hypocrisy. Such deceivers are like the eagle who, when he soars highest, has his eye fixed on some carnal prey on the ground.

Hypocrites have always been and ever will be a part of the crowd thronging into the church and mingling with the true saints of God, Their speech is pure, their service admirable; but their hearts are lined with deceit; worst of all, they fool even themselves. The world may mistakenly call them saints, but Christ knows they are devils. What did He say about the master hypocrite, Judas? "Have I not chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?" (John 6:70).

Truly, of all devils, none is as bad as the professing devil, the preaching, praying devil. God has repeatedly shown His severe displeasure when His so-called people have prostituted sacred things to worldly ends. Of all men, God strikes with the greatest speed the one who gilds over worldly and wicked business with holy pretensions. God has made a solemn promise: "I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people, and ye shall know that I am the Lord." (Ezekiel 14:8).

Among thieves, there is often a scout who searches out where the booty is to be had. He is the brains behind every illicit operation, but he never risks his own neck by actually committing a crime. The devil uses this same tactic by watching how a Christian walks, where he goes, whose company he enjoys. The he decides the best way to rob him of his grace. When the plan is set, he sends someone else to carry it out. Thus he sent Job's wife to tempt him; he sent Potiphar's wife to entice Joseph."

-From The Christian in Complete Armor Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare Published by Moody Press Chicago 1994 First Published in 1655.

Reflections

Thankful to Serve

“Be particularly thankful, O my soul! That God hath made use of thee for the service of His church on earth. My God, my soul for this doth magnify Thee, and my spirit rejoiceth in the review of Thy great undeserved mercy. O what am I, whom Thou tookest up from the dunghill, or low obscurity, that I should live myself in the constant relish of Thy sweet and sacred truth, and with such encouraging success communicate it to others! That I may say, now my public work seems ended, that these forty-three of forty-four years I have no reason to think that ever I labored in vain! O with what gratitude must I look upon all places where I lived and labored; but, above all, that place which had my strength! I bless Thee for the great number of them gone to heaven, and for the continuance of piety, humility, concord, and peace, among them.

Also for all that by my writings have received any saving light and grace. O my God, let not my own heart be barren, while I labor in thy husbandry to bring others unto holy fruit! Let me not be a stranger to the life and power of that saving truth, which I have done do much to communicate to others! O let not my own words and writings condemn me, as void of that divine and heavenly nature and life, which I have said so much of in the world!”

-From Dying Thoughts by Richard Baxter  First Published in 1683  Published by The Banner of Truth Trust  Carlisle, PA  2004.