EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith
MARCH 11
1 John 4:19
We love him, because
he first loved us.
He loved us without any cause in us; but being infinitely lovely,
he should be loved for his own sake.
No man in his natural state can love God,
for “the carnal
mind is enmity against God,
it is not subject to the law of God,
neither indeed
can be.”
If therefore we love him, or even heartily desire
to love him, it is proof that our hearts have undergone a change; and that
change is the effect and proof of his love to us.
Every spiritual blessing flows naturally from his
love, and whatever comes to us from him is a covenant blessing, and leads us
back to him in return.
Our faith is in his word,
our hope in his mercy,
our love to his people,
our zeal for his cause,
our sorrow for sin, and
our desires after holiness,
are all so many proofs of his love to us.
But our sonship crowns the whole.
This is unparalleled love,
that such sinners as we are,
should be called, “THE SONS OF GOD.”
James Smith
our hope in his mercy,
our love to his people,
our zeal for his cause,
our sorrow for sin, and
our desires after holiness,
are all so many proofs of his love to us.
that such sinners as we are,
should be called, “THE SONS OF GOD.”
How can I doubt thy love to me,
Thy love which doth my soul constrain,
To seek an influence from thee,
To love my gracious Lord again!
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