The Whole Law Must be Kept by the Whole Man During His Whole Life. (Pasche, F.E.)
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." 1 John 1:8.
Many men lead outwardly harmless and moral lives, but they neglect and despise God’s Word; their soul is full of the lust of the world. On the other hand, the creed of some is blameless while their life is offensive. But that is not as it should be; our faith and life should both be right. A man should not outwardly seem to be a temple of God and inwardly, and therefore in reality, a den of the devil.
God heartily hates a partial service. Hear the complaint of the Savior: “This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth and honoreth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me.”
Judging from the outward appearance of many people, one should think they were perfect; but on closer inspection one finds that they harbor and cherish a darling sin which they will not give up. If, for instance, you do not curse, cheat, and live a life of sexual impurity, if, however, you fail to worship God, despise the preaching of the Gospel, neglect the reading of your Bible, and do not do your share toward preparing ministers, sending out mis sionaries, you are a trespasser of the Law of God. If you offend in one point, you are guilty of all. If one string of a musical instru ment is out of tune, the whole music is spoiled. Remember that the whole Law is to be kept by the whole man and during his whole life!
We must not put on our religion on Sunday and then put it off until the next Sunday. True, business is business, but that does not mean that you should break God’s commandments. Obey them every day of the week and have Him in your daily labor as silent, but powerful partner. Likewise, do not put off serving God until you have reached old age. That is the height of folly; for it is a fact that by far the most people die young. Therefore, “remem ber now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.” Do not give the devil the flower of youth and to God the leaves of decayed old age. No, during your whole life delight in the Lord; He shall give thee the desire of thy heart.
Prayer.
O Thou merciful God and Father, though ofttimes, from weakness of the flesh or perversity of mind, I have forsaken Thee, ignored Thy commandments, and by many gross sins transgressed against Thee in heaven more than seventy times seven every day and also against my neighbor on earth, Thou didst not enter into judgment with me, nor didst Thou visit me with sudden, well- deserved punishment. O God the Holy Spirit, how shamefully have I spent my life, how sadly have I faltered, yea, committed grievous sins times without number! But Thou hast sought me, the lost sheep, so often and hast led me back to the right path; Thou hast sanctified, comforted, governed, and kept me in my calling. I humbly thank Thee for Thy unmerited grace, and I be seech Thee to bestow this same grace upon me in the future, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
