September 1

Self-watch!

Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life. — Prov 4:23 BSB

Peter said to our Lord, “Spare yourself from this death you speak of—this bitter suffering and anguish shall never be yours!”

These words are still being spoken, and many voices tell us to spare ourselves—the voices of friends who care for us, the voices of caution and worldly wisdom, and the voices of our own selfish hearts.

Do not hold back in judging yourself. Never allow yourself to do what you would be the first to condemn in others. Never imagine that there are reasons for you to do wrong that you would never tolerate in your neighbor.

Do not hold back in confessing your sins and mistakes. Confession is a mark of true nobility. Many are willing to confess to God but never to others. It's a serious question whether sorrow for sin is truly genuine and deep if it does not lead the offender to seek forgiveness from their fellow man, just as they seek it from God. Christ’s words are clear: whenever we realize our brother has something against us, we are to leave our gift at the altar and seek reconciliation with him before offering our sacrifice to God.

The ultimate test of goodness is found not in the grand moments, but in the small, everyday actions of our character; not in what we are when under public scrutiny, but in what we are by the warmth of our own home’s firelight. It's not in how we respond to dramatic calls for life and liberty, but in our attitude when doing the humblest duties in the quiet moments. We cannot be at our best in crucial moments if our character has been worn down by daily inconsistency, unfaithfulness, and persistent sin.

You cannot truly help others without giving something of yourself. The work that matters most will always cost you something. The gold, silver, and precious stones of your own life must be given if they are to be built into the new Jerusalem.

Prayer

Most loving Father, may love fill and rule my heart. Then there will grow between You and me a likeness of character and a union of will, so that I may choose and reject what You do. Amen.