November 6

I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.—Matthew 9:13.

HAVE I seen and felt myself to be one of those lost and helpless sinners whom Christ came to seek and save? Do I feel that but for his grace, I have no hope either of being or doing good, or of being saved at last in heaven? Is my obedience to his will the fruit of my faith in him, and of my love to him? Do I feel that the holiest life can give no title to heaven; and do I look to good works as the evidence and offspring of faith, and not as giving a claim to the divine favor?

Are you busy and painstaking in the attempt to work out a righteousness of your own? Leave that loom, and your vows and promises which are but gossamer thread. The white linen that robes the saint, the raiment meet for thy soul and approved of God, was woven on the cross, and there it was dyed in the blood of the Son of God.—GUTHRIE.

Good works do not make a Christian; but one must be a Christian to do good works. The tree bringeth forth the fruit, not the fruit the tree. None is made a Christian by works, but by Christ; and being in Christ, he brings forth fruit for him.—LUTHER.

Not what I am, O Lord, but what thou art, That, that alone can be my soul's true rest; Thy love, not mine, bids fear and doubt depart, And stills the tempest of my tossing breast; Feeling my lost estate, I list thy call, And find in thee my life, my hope, my all!