March 15

Look to yourselves. - 2 John 1:8.

REASON and Scripture combine to enforce upon us self-attention; and therefore we may observe that we may and ought to look, to ourselves. First, It enjoins upon us a regard to the soul, to see that we have evidence of its being pardoned and renewed; that we have a title to heaven and a meetness for the inheritance of the saints in light; that we are feeding upon the bread of life and clothed with the garments of salvation; and our care of the soul is to be supreme. The salvation of the soul is the one thing needful, and therefore we are commanded to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.”

Secondly, We are here admonished to look to our bodily health, not to be finical or fanciful, but to maintain a rational care of it in the use of proper means, for health is a most invaluable blessing; it is the salt that seasons and the honey that sweetens very other enjoyment, and is to be valued not only on the ground of enjoyment, but also on the score of usefulness.

Thirdly, We are to be mindful of our reputation; a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches. Character is credit: it gives weight to a man’s counsel and advice. We ought to be very careful lest through any inadvertence or impropriety the way of truth may be evil spoken of, and the worthy name by which we are called may be blasphemed. With a Christian, carelessness is a crime; and therefore, says the Apostle, “Avoid the appearance of evil.”

Fourthly, We are to be concerned for the welfare of our family connections, and those with whom we are intimately associated. “He that provideth not for those of his own house hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”

Lastly, This injunction will further apply to our secular matters. We are required to abide with God in our calling. The Apostle urges upon the Romans to be “fervent in Spirit, serving the Lord.” Paul would have a Christian tradesman a morning man, punctual, regular, obliging, active, intelligent. Why should the “children of this world” be “wiser in their generation than the children of light?” “If a Christian man be a tradesman,” says Mr. Newton, “I would have him be the best in the nation. Yea,” says he, “if he be but a blacker of shoes, I would have him the best in the whole parish.”