LOOK not to much at thyself, there is nothing but vanity, weakness, sin, and misery there; but thy God hath united thee to His beloved Son. Jesus is one with thee, and all that He has is thine. Thou art unholy, but He is made unto thee sanctification; and He will sanctify thee wholly, body, soul, and spirit. Thou art foolish, but He is made unto thee wisdom; and He will make thee wise unto salvation. Thou art weak, but He is thy strength; and thou canst do all things through His strengthening thee. Thou art unrighteous, but He is made unto thee righteousness; and thou art not only righteous, but the righteousness of God in Him. Thou art lost, but He is made unto thee redemption; He has redeemed thee from the curse of God, and from the present evil world, and He will redeem thee from death. In thyself thou art not only incomplete, but wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; but in Jesus thou art holy, wise, strong, righteous, rich, happy; in a word, COMPLETE. View thyself, then, at least occasionally, as COMPLETE IN CHRIST, who is the head of all principality and power.
Still onward urge your heavenly way, Dependant on Him day by day, His presence still entreat; His precious name for ever bless, Your glory, strength, and righteousness, In Him you are complete.
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.
LOOK not to much at thyself, there is nothing but vanity, weakness, sin, and misery there; but thy God hath united thee to His beloved Son. Jesus is one with thee, and all that He has is thine. Thou art unholy, but He is made unto thee sanctification; and He will sanctify thee wholly, body, soul, and spirit. Thou art foolish, but He is made unto thee wisdom; and He will make thee wise unto salvation. Thou art weak, but He is thy strength; and thou canst do all things through His strengthening thee. Thou art unrighteous, but He is made unto thee righteousness; and thou art not only righteous, but the righteousness of God in Him. Thou art lost, but He is made unto thee redemption; He has redeemed thee from the curse of God, and from the present evil world, and He will redeem thee from death. In thyself thou art not only incomplete, but wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; but in Jesus thou art holy, wise, strong, righteous, rich, happy; in a word, COMPLETE. View thyself, then, at least occasionally, as COMPLETE IN CHRIST, who is the head of all principality and power.
Still onward urge your heavenly way, Dependant on Him day by day, His presence still entreat; His precious name for ever bless, Your glory, strength, and righteousness, In Him you are complete.