REPENT AND DO THE FIRST WORKS.

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

FEBRUARY 26

 

Revelation 2:5

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen,

and repent, and do the first works; or else I will

come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy

candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

 
Repentance implies thought, serious thought in reference to the conduct and state of the heart; it proceeds from conviction, deep and solemn conviction of our sin and sinfulness in the sight of God; it proves concern, a concern to escape danger, obtain pardon, and enjoy peace; it includes sorrow, that we have grieved the Lord, dishonoured his cause, and slighted his mercy; it always leads to reformation.
 
There may be some degree of reformation without repentance, but there can be no repentance without reformation.
 
Let us think upon our ways, reflect on the dishonour we have done to the Saviour, be concerned to enjoy anew the tokens of his forgiving love, mourn over our follies and faults, and begin again to do our first works.
 
Look to Jesus and for Jesus, and abstain from the very appearance of evil, as we did at first.
 
What love, what zeal, what caution, what carefulness, what entire consecration to God, we manifest then!
 
Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.
 

Recall to mind the happy days,

When thou wast fill’d with joy and praise;

Repent, thy former works renew,

Then I’ll restore thy comforts too.

 
James Smith