March 18

Morning

Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. — Gal 3:26

The fatherhood of God is common to all his children. Ah! Little-faith, you have often said, “Oh that I had the courage of Great-heart, that I could wield his sword and be as valiant as he! But, alas, I stumble at every straw, and a shadow makes me afraid.” Don’t you know, Little-faith. Great-heart is God’s child, and you are God’s child too; and Great-heart is not one whit more God’s child than you are. Peter and Paul, the highly-favored apostles, were of the family of the Most High; and so are you also. The weak Christian is as much a child of God—as the strong one.

All the names are in the same family register. One may have more grace than another but God our heavenly Father has the same tender heart towards all. One may do more mighty works, and may bring more glory to his Father but he whose name is the least in the kingdom of heaven—is as much the child of God as he who stands among the King’s mighty men. Let this cheer and comfort us, when we draw near to God and say, “Our Father.”

Yet, while we are comforted by knowing this, let us not rest contented with weak faith but ask, like the Apostles, to have it increased. However feeble our faith may be, if it is real faith in Christ—we shall reach heaven at last but we shall not honor our Master much on our pilgrimage, neither shall we abound in joy and peace. If then you would live to Christ’s glory, and be happy in His service—seek to be filled with the spirit of adoption more and more completely, until perfect love shall cast out fear.

Evening

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you. — John 15:9

As the Father loves the Son, in the same manner Jesus loves His people. What is that divine method?

He loved Him without beginning, and thus Jesus loves His members. “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” You can trace the beginning of human affection; you can easily find the beginning of your love to Christ but His love to us is a stream whose source is hidden in eternity. God the Father loves Jesus without any change. Christian, take this for your comfort, that there is no change in Jesus Christ’s love to those who rest in Him. Yesterday you were on Tabor’s top, and you said, “He loves me!” Today you are in the valley of humiliation but He loves you still the same. On the hill Mizar, and among the Hermons, you heard His voice, which spoke so sweetly with the notes of love; and now on the sea, or even in the sea, when all His waves and billows go over you, His heart is faithful to His ancient choice.

The Father loves the Son without any end, and thus does the Son love His people. Saint, you need not fear the loosing of the silver cord, for His love for you will never cease. Rest confident that even down to the grave—Christ will go with you; and that up again from it—He will be your guide to the celestial hills.

Moreover, the Father loves the Son without any measure, and the same immeasurable love the Son bestows upon His chosen ones. The whole heart of Christ is dedicated to His people. He “loved us and gave Himself for us.” His is a love which passes knowledge. Ah! we have indeed an immutable Savior, a precious Savior, one who loves without measure, without change, without beginning, and without end—even as the Father loves Him! There is much food here for those who know how to digest it. May the Holy Spirit lead us into its marrow and fatness!