THE FAMILY ALTAR
August 21.
"Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. — If the Son,
therefore, shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:34-36.
The old saying is true : "Sow an act and reap a habit ; sow
a habit and reap a character ; sow a character and reap a destiny."
What a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Every act we commit
is a seed that brings forth its fruit, be it good or evil. They are
sorry dupes of the devil who think they can sin and still remain
free from injury or punishment. With the first conscious sin they
commit they forge the first link in the chain that holds them fast
in the bondage of their vile and evil habits. The drunkard who
cannot resist the craving for drink — what is he but a helpless
victim of his passion that destroys both body and soul? What is
the miser who toils day and night for wealth but a sweating slave
of mammon? And the ambitious man, the worldly man, the lying
and thieving man — what are they but servants of sin? In the
first act of sin they committed they all forged the first link of their
degrading, vicious fetters. Oh, let us take warning ! Let us firmly
resist the first conscious sin, that no others may follow. In our-
selves we have no power to remain free from the enslaving do-
minion of sin. But praised be God! we have a Savior not only
from the guilt, but also from the power of sin. "If the Son shall
make you free, ye shall be free indeed." He shed His precious
blood to free the helpless captives who were perishing under the
thraldom of sin and the devil. His truth, His blessed Gospel of
His redeeming love for sinners, regenerates the heart, frees it from
the love of sin, fills it with love for Him and for a holy, virtuous
life. "Ye are bought with a price ; therefore glorify God in your
body and in your spirit, which are God's." Let us never forget
this sacred exhortation of the apostle. Let us daily abide in the
saving truth of Jesus, and it will prove a power of God in our
daily life to keep us free from the slavery of sin.
O my Savior, help afford
By Thy Spirit and Thy Word!
When my wayward heart would stray,
Keep me in the narrow way;
Grace in time of need supply,
While I live, and when I die.
