The Devotional Period

White Ribbon, Volume 29, Issue 7, 1 February 1958, Page 3

The Devotional Period

Scripture Reading: John 14:1-31

W.R. Hymnal No. 6.

"1 am the Way, the Truth and the Lite!”

So ’vc have conic to the beginning of a New Year. Every one of us. is wondering about the way ahead. What is the year to hold; what will be its experiences; what its joys ... its sorrow’s; its perplexities? Yet there is a deeper seeking than this. There are some who are realising that they cannot go on unless they find the way. The search for the way begins with a sense of need. As we saw’ last month, a reaching out a recognition of our own unworthiness, our weakness, our unrighteousness. A New Year brings a great deal of heart searching ... is this year to be better than the one which has-gone? Am I going to be better?

Is. s4:l says: “All our righteousness is as filthy rags.” We are as an unclean thing. St. Paul in his letter to the Romans (Rom. 3:10-12) reminds us : “There is none righteous, no not on®.” There is possibly nothing more frightening than the realisation of our own utter desolation of soul . . .

naked, hungry and athirst. Put it is just here that God begins to work. Jesus Christ reminds us that they are “Blessed who hunger and thirst after righteousness”, and He a l os: “They shall he filled. Let us think about the way . . .

1. It is a needed way. Ps. 63:1. David envisions • the Soul panting after God as a man dying of thirst in a dry and waterless desert pants after refreshment. He knows his need. His whole soul cries out with longing. 2 It is a new way. In Hebrews 10:19-20 we read of “a new and living w’ay which He (Christ) hath consecrated for us . . .” The cost of consecration is always the cost of sacrifice and surrender. It was for Christ. It will be for you, but it results in a new creature (2 Cor. 5:18-21): “God hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ . . . for He hath made Him sin for us, wdio knew' no sin, that we might be made the Righteousness of God in Him”. What a change. “Filthy rags.” God’s righteousness. No wonder St. Paul tells us that we are become “new’ creatures in Christ fesus”

3. The new way is a finished way. Once, and once for all, Christ died (1 Peter 3:18). “For Christ also hath once suffered for sin; the for the unjust, that He might bring u to God ” We are made free of the penalty of s : n (Rom 8:1), “No condemnation ”, and we are fr.’ed from the power of sin (Rom. 6:14-18). What glorious truths are these. And above all, 4 It is a personal way. God in Christ deals th r ough an individual with individuals. “You a r e His . . . you were bought with a price . . .” So great is the value God has placed upon your soul. He gave Christ to the Cross for your sin and mine. What blessed hope is here What joy. 5. But the way to God is through Jesus Christ alone. In Christ there is no condemnation; in Christ sin has no power. But for Man there is no Saviour but Christ alone “He that hath the * Son hath life . . . but he that hath not the Son, hath not life.” 1 John 5.

1958 can be a triumphant experience tor you. If you have never truly trusted Him for your soul’s Salvation, trust Him now. The whole of your life will be changed, you will find yourself with an entirely new perspective. Life will be different; and all that you do so very much more worthwhile

Prayer: Lord Christ, we thank Thee that Thou hast come to be the Light of the world, to show us the love of God our Father, to show us howto live bravely and generously. We thank Thee that those who have seen Thee have seen the true light. May we help to spread the light of Thy love and truth wherever we go, for Thy sake we ask it. Amen.

L). Hulmc-M nr, Bishop’s Court, Nelson (Dominion Supt.)