Sunday, October 19, 2008

Looking Unto Jesus

Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus.


It is ever the Holy Spirit's work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus; but Satan's work is just the opposite of this, for he is constantly trying to make us regard ourselves instead of Christ. He insinuates, "Your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; you do not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to the end; you have not the joy of His children; you have such a wavering hold of Jesus." All these are thoughts about self, and we shall never find comfort or assurance by looking within. But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self: He tells us that we are nothing, but that "Christ is all in all." Remember, therefore, it is not thy hold of Christ that saves thee-it is Christ; it is not thy joy in Christ that saves thee-it is Christ; it is not even faith in Christ, though that be the instrument-it is Christ's blood and merits; therefore, look not so much to thy hand with which thou art grasping Christ, as to Christ; look not to thy hope, but to Jesus, the source of thy hope; look not to thy faith, but to Jesus, the author and finisher of thy faith. We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by "looking unto Jesus." Keep thine eye simply on Him; let His death, His sufferings, His merits, His glories, His intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to Him; when thou liest down at night look to Him. Oh! let not thy hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after Him, and He will never fail thee.
"My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesu's blood and righteousness:
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesu's name."

Devotional by Charles Spurgeon

5 comments:

Joyfulsister said...

Hi Sis..
This is so important to read and keep in mind. The enemy just knows what buttons to push and his favorites are those that make us feel bad about ourselves. He will mess with our self esteem issues and make us look at our selves in such a negative way. Thanks be to God who sets us free with his words of truth, and until we know the truth we will always be an open target to the enemy. Thanks for reminder we all need to be aware..

Hugz Lorie

ellen b. said...

Amen to Looking Unto Jesus!

Mimi said...

Self seems to always get in the way..and Satan is right there to encourage self to do just that...
I have to be in constant prayer to keep from getting my own thoughts and wished in the way of God when He is trying to accomplish something through me...
This post was a wonderful reminder to me to keep out of the way and let God work in my life...
Thanks Cathy.
Hugs,
Mimi

Saija said...

amen ... what a good devotional ...

blessings on your day!

Theresa's Notes said...

Good Post!