April 6

Morning

Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp. — Heb 13:13

Jesus, bearing His cross, went forth to suffer outside the gate. The Christian’s reason for leaving the camp of the world’s sin and the world’s religion—is not because he loves to be singular but because Jesus did so and the disciple must follow his Master. Christ was “not of the world,” His life and His testimony were a constant protest against conformity with the world. Never was there such overflowing affection for men as you find in Him; but still He was “separate from sinners.”

In like manner, Christ’s people must “go forth unto Him.” They must take their position “outside the camp,” as witness-bearers for the truth. They must be prepared to tread the straight and narrow path. They must have bold, unflinching, lion-like hearts, loving Christ first, and His truth next and Christ and His truth beyond all the world.

Jesus would have His people “go forth outside the camp” for their own sanctification. You cannot grow in grace to any high degree—while you are conformed to the world. The life of separation may be a path of sorrow but it is the highway of safety; and though the separated life may cost you many pangs, and make every day a battle—yet it is a happy life after all. No joy can excel that of the soldier of Christ; Jesus reveals Himself so graciously, and gives such sweet refreshment, that the warrior feels more calm and peace in his daily strife—than others in their hours of rest! The highway of holiness is the highway of communion with Jesus. It is thus we shall hope to win the crown if we are enabled by divine grace faithfully to follow Christ “outside the camp.” The crown of glory—will follow the cross of separation. A moment’s shame—will be well recompensed by eternal honor; a little while of witness-bearing, will seem nothing when we are “forever with the Lord!”

Evening

In the name of the Lord I will destroy them. — Ps 118:12

Our Lord Jesus, by His death, did not purchase a right to a part of us only but to the entire man. He contemplated in His passion, the sanctification of us wholly—spirit, soul, and body; that in this triple kingdom He Himself might reign supreme without a rival. It is the business of the newborn nature which God has given to the regenerate, to assert the rights of the Lord Jesus Christ.

My soul, so far as you are a child of God, you must conquer all the rest of yourself which yet remains unblest; you must subdue all your powers and passions to the silver scepter of Jesus’ gracious reign, and you must never be satisfied until He who is King by purchase becomes also King by gracious coronation, and reigns in you supreme!

Seeing, then, that sin has no right to any part of us—we go about a good and lawful warfare when we seek, in the name of God, to drive it out. O my body—you are a member of Christ: shall I tolerate your subjection to the prince of darkness? O my soul—Christ has suffered for your sins, and redeemed you with His most precious blood—shall I allow your memory to become a storehouse of evil, or your passions to be firebrands of iniquity? Shall I surrender my judgment to be perverted by error, or my will to be led in fetters of iniquity? No, my soul, you are Christ’s, and sin has no right to you!

Be courageous concerning this, O Christian! do not be dispirited, as though your spiritual enemies could never be destroyed. You are able to overcome them—not in your own strength—the weakest of them would be too much for you; but you can and shall overcome them through the blood of the Lamb. Do not ask, “How shall I dispossess them, for they are greater and mightier than I?” You must go to the strong for strength, wait humbly upon God, and the mighty God of Jacob will surely come to the rescue, and you shall sing of victory through His grace!