The ascertainment of gains and losses as Christians, and how and when and where these came to us in the constant battle with the world, the flesh and the devil, will surely profit all who make such reckonings with an eye single to the pleasement of the Lord. Spiritual Israelites are to live a daily, an hourly life of nearness to the High Priest. The blood of the dear Redeemer is to be continually invoked for the cleansing of the slightest defilement of conscience, that thus the garment of our Lord's imputed righteousness may not become draggled, but that the slightest spot being removed, we may have it "without spot or wrinkle or any such thing".
To judge one's self, means such an inspection, criticism and regulation of one's conduct as keeps him in the love of God. Such who so do are faithful Christians and do not need constantly to be driven on by the scourge of chastisement. Yet, if we are remiss in such activity, the Lord, in seeking to reform us, resorts to the rod of chastisement to prevent our becoming reprobates, and to secure our reformation.
REPRINTS
Job 13:23; Psa. 4:4; 19:12; 26:2; 77:6; 119:59; 139:23, 24; Jer. 17:9; Lam. 3:40; Hag. 1:7; Matt. 26:22; 1 Cor. 5:7, 8; 11:27-29; 2 Cor. 13:5; Gal. 6:3; Psa. 32:5; 94:12; Heb. 12:5-13; 1 Pet. 2:20; Rev. 2:5, 16; 3:2, 3, 19.
