July 29 Daily Devotional

Ye did run well.

The Scripture makes it very plain and clear that there is no part of this Christian life which is without its dangers. Nothing is so false to the teaching of the New Testament as to give the impression that the moment you believe and are converted, all your troubles are at an end and you will never have another problem. Alas, that is not true, and it is not true because we have an enemy, the Adversary of our souls. But not only do we have to contend with the enemy, there is still the old nature within, and these two make it certain that we shall have troubles and difficulties.... It is our business to anticipate these things in the light of Scripture... and we have before us always that mighty Scripture which teaches: ‘Take unto you, therefore, the whole armour of God’....

While it is of vital and supreme importance to start correctly, it is not enough. We must continue in the same way, for, if we do not, we shall soon find ourselves unhappy ... though the gospel has been presented to us and we have been converted, though we have started correctly and are in the Christian life, though we have heeded the warnings about the initial difficulties—yet if we do not continue, if we do not maintain our course in the same way, we shall soon get into trouble. There is a great illustration of this in the Gospel according to St. John, the eighth chapter, verses 30ff. Our Lord was preaching ... and we are told that, ‘As He spake ... many believed on him’. Then our Lord looked at them and said: ‘If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ They seemed to be starting well but they must continue if they were to be truly free ... the importance of continuing is a very vital principle.

Spiritual Depression, pp. 121–2

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