July 2

Ye are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

1 Peter 1:5.

How do you account for it that you did not drift away into the barren field of unbelief and godlessness, but came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ? That you were brought to the faith and that despite all the temptations around you you have persevered in the faith to this day? That you have not fallen away and are loving this present world as so many do who believe only for a while and in time of temptation fall away? Can you by your own reason or strength remain steadfast in your faith? No; we must confess: "The Holy Ghost has by the Gospel sanctified and kept me in the true faith." "Ye are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation."

And the means through which He keeps us is the Gospel. Neglect the Gospel for even a short season and see how soon your faith will waver and your love grow cold. The Gospel is the light and air and meat and drink our faith needs to subsist. Even though faith be lost for a season, by means of the Gospel the Holy Spirit is able to restore it. Do not doubt this. You may be "confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ," as the apostle assures us, Philippians 1:6. Shall we not worship, honor, praise, and magnify God the Holy Ghost, the Giver and Preserver of life, who not only, by His gracious working in us, brought us to Christ, but also kept us in the true faith to this day by the means of grace? And should we not value this blessing above all earthly possessions?

Great cause, truly, we Christians have for rejoicing at all times since we live in the true, saving faith and therefore have forgiveness of all our sins; for where there is forgiveness of sin, there is also the grace of God, life, and salvation. Blessed are we indeed compared with many thousands who still live in unbelief and are under the bondage of sin.

Prayer.

Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Thou hast sanctified us by Thy Spirit and called us out of darkness into Thy marvelous light. Grant, we beseech Thee, that at all times we may be duly conscious of, and grateful for, these unspeakable mercies, and that we manifest our gratitude not only with our lips, but also in our lives, by yielding body, soul, and mind to Thy service, walking before Thee in righteousness and holiness all our days. Deliver us more and more from the bondage of sin and error, from the power of the flesh, the corruption of the world, and the temptation of the devil that we may live in Thy fear and die in Thy peace. Amen.

O Holy Spirit, at the end, Sweet Comforter, be Thou My Friend. When death and hell assail me sore, Leave me, O leave me nevermore, But bear me safely through the strife, As Thou hast promised, into life.