Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

July 23– Morning

 by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“You were just like their attackers.” 

—Obadiah 1:11

When the nation of Edom didn’t help Israel, it immediately became like one of her enemies. A bad action may become even worse depending on the person who commits it. Christians, for example, are the chosen favorites of heaven; therefore, when we sin, our sin is a crying offense. If an angel would catch us in our sin and lay his hand upon us, he could rebuke us with the simple question, “What?… You? What are you doing here?” We who have been much forgiven, much delivered, much instructed, much enriched, and much blessed– will we dare to engage in evil? God forbid!

Perhaps we should spend a few minutes of confession today. Think for a moment; are you engaged in evil? When others laugh at shady jokes, are you offended? If you do nothing, then you are one of them. When they bash the things of God and you are bashfully silent, you are one of them. When worldly men were hunting for fortune, weren’t you just as greedy for gain as they were? Could any difference be discerned between you and them? Is there any difference? Be honest with your own soul.

Make sure that you are a new creature in Christ, and, if you are, then walk jealously so that not one can say, “You were just like one of them.” If you don’t want to share in their eternal doom, then don’t be like them here. Don’t learn their ways, unless you want to know their ruin. [M&E]