April 23

Morning

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. — Rom 8:37 BSB

We go to Christ for forgiveness, but far too often we then turn to the law for the power to fight our sins. Paul rebukes this mindset in Galatians: “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes, Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?” (Galatians 3:1-3).

Take your sins to the cross of Christ, for the old self can only be crucified there—we are crucified with Him. The only weapon to fight sin with is the spear that pierced Jesus' side!

To illustrate, let’s say you want to overcome a bad temper. How do you go about it? Perhaps you’ve never tried the right way—taking it to Jesus. How did you receive salvation? You came to Jesus just as you were and trusted Him to save you. You must deal with your temper the same way. It’s the only way to overcome it. Go to the cross with it and say, “Lord, I trust You to deliver me from it.” This is the only way to put it to death.

Are you struggling with greed? Do you feel tangled up in worldly desires? You can struggle against it all you want, but if it’s a sin that clings to you, you will never break free except through the blood of Jesus. Take it to Christ and say, “Lord, I trust You to save me from this sin, for You are Jesus, and You save Your people from their sins. This is one of my sins—save me from it!”

Ordinances, prayers, repentance, and tears are worthless apart from Christ. “None but Jesus can do helpless sinners good”—or helpless saints either. You will conquer only through Him who has loved you. If you win any victory, your laurels will grow in the olive grove of Gethsemane.

Evening

Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. — Rev 5:6 BSB

Why should our exalted Lord appear in heaven with His wounds? The wounds of Jesus are His glory, His jewels, and His sacred ornaments. To the believer, Jesus is beautiful because He is “white and ruddy,” pure in innocence and red with His own blood. We see Him as the spotless Lily and as the crimson Rose stained by His own sacrifice. Jesus is lovely in His life and His teaching, but oh! there is no Christ more wonderful than the one who hung on the cross. There, we see all His beauty in its fullness—all His attributes on display, all His love poured out, and His entire character revealed.

Beloved, the wounds of Jesus are more precious to us than all the splendor and grandeur of earthly kings! His crown of thorns is far more attractive than any royal diadem. Jesus wears the image of a slain Lamb as His royal attire—the attire in which He wooed our souls and redeemed us by His complete atonement.

These wounds are not just His adornments; they are also the trophies of His love and victory! He has redeemed for Himself a great multitude that no one can count, and His scars are the reminders of the battle He fought. If Christ delights in remembering His sufferings for us, how precious should His wounds be to us!

“Behold how every wound of His
A precious balm distills,
Which heals the scars that sin had made,
And cures all mortal ills.

Those wounds are mouths that preach His grace;
The ensigns of His love;
The seals of our expected bliss
In paradise above!”