This implies that we are beloved of God, and that we know it, and love Him in return. That we should endeavour to retain our standing, and keep ourselves sensibly in the love of God, by setting it always before our minds; exercising our faith on it; and seeking the enjoyment of it by prayer and in the Lord's ways.
We should keep ourselves in the exercise of love to God, by avoiding temptations, walking by faith, and living as in His presence. We should keep ourselves in the exercise of love one to another, by exhortation, forbearance, and example. We should preserve ourselves by the love of God from the temptations of Satan, the snares of the world, and the lusts of the flesh.
Beloved, consider how the love of God aggravates our sins; how it should fire us with courage to oppose everything that is unholy or forbidden.
O love divine, how sweet Thou art! When shall I end my longing heart All taken up by Thee? Grant me, O gracious Lord, to prove The sweetness of redeeming love, The love of Christ to me.
Written by James Smith for his own flock around 1840, but such was the demand that by 1846 over thirty thousand copies where in circulation.
James Smith was a predecessor of Charles Spurgeon at New Park Street Chapel in London from 1841-1850. He also ministered with great blessing in Cheltenham. His devotional, The Believer's Daily Remembrancer, subtitled Pastor's Morning and Evening Visit, was very popular in its own day, and has received a new lease of life through recent republication.
This implies that we are beloved of God, and that we know it, and love Him in return. That we should endeavour to retain our standing, and keep ourselves sensibly in the love of God, by setting it always before our minds; exercising our faith on it; and seeking the enjoyment of it by prayer and in the Lord's ways.
We should keep ourselves in the exercise of love to God, by avoiding temptations, walking by faith, and living as in His presence. We should keep ourselves in the exercise of love one to another, by exhortation, forbearance, and example. We should preserve ourselves by the love of God from the temptations of Satan, the snares of the world, and the lusts of the flesh.
Beloved, consider how the love of God aggravates our sins; how it should fire us with courage to oppose everything that is unholy or forbidden.
O love divine, how sweet Thou art! When shall I end my longing heart All taken up by Thee? Grant me, O gracious Lord, to prove The sweetness of redeeming love, The love of Christ to me.