Morning By Morning #262

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25

From the pen of Charles Spurgeon:

The two most important things in our holy religion are the life of faith and the walk of faith. If you understand these, you are not far from mastering theology, at least from an experiential point of view, for they are vital points for a Christian. You will never find true faith apart from true godliness, and, conversely, you will never discover a truly holy life whose root is not a living faith based on the righteousness of Christ. And woe to those who seek one without the other!

There are some people who cultivate faith while forgetting holiness. Their professed beliefs may be high in orthodoxy, but they will be deep in condemnation, for they profess the truth but walk in unrighteousness. Then there are others who strive to live a holy life while denying the faith. They are akin to the Pharisees of old whom the Master said were like “whitewashed tombs” (Matt. 23:27).

We must have faith, for it is the foundation; and we must have a holy life, for it is the structure above the foundation. What good is a mere foundation of a building to a man weathering a storm? Can he hide himself in the foundation and be protected? No, he needs a house to cover himself as well as a foundation for the house. In the same way, we need the structure of a holy spiritual life if we are to have comfort in a time of doubt. But we should never seek a holy life without faith, for that would be to erect a house that can offer no permanent shelter because its foundation is not built “upon a rock” (Ps. 27:5).

Faith and a holy life must go together. Then, like two bridge abutments, they make our arch of spiritual devotion strong and enduring. Like light and heat streaming from one and the same sun, they are full of blessings. Like the “two pillars” (2 Chron. 3:15) of the temple, faith and holiness are for glory and beauty. They are two streams flowing from the fountain of grace, two lamps lit with holy fire, and two olive trees watered by heavenly care.

Lord, give us life within today, and may it reveal itself without to Your glory.

From the pen of Jim Reimann:

Spurgeon uses the word religion today, referring to “the two most important things in our holy religion.” Today, however, the word religion has come to mean a works-based method of attempting to obtain salvation, which is why believers will often say, “Christianity is not a religion, it’s a relationship.” Yet both the King James and the New International Versions of the Bible, as well as many others today, still use the word religion in regard to Christianity.

As you read the following words of James from the NIV, notice his emphasis on purity: “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:26 – 27).

Thus, when it comes to our “religion,” may Jesus never have to say,”Woe to you…you hypocrites!” (Matt. 23:27).