Psalm of the Day: Psalm 121:1-8
Wisdom of the Day: Proverbs 2:12-22
Scripture Reading: Luke 10:8-16
We should notice the great sinfulness of those who reject the offers of Christ's Gospel. Our Lord declares that it shall be "more tolerable at the last day for Sodom," than for those who do not receive the message of His disciples. And He proceeds to say that the guilt of Chorazin and Bethsaida, cities in Galilee, where He had often preached and worked miracles, but where the people had nevertheless not repented was greater than the guilt of Tyre and Sidon!
Declarations like these are particularly solemn. They throw light on some truths which men are very apt to forget. They teach us that all will be judged according to their spiritual light, and the exceeding hardness and unbelief of the human heart. It was possible to hear Christ preach, and to see Christ's miracles and yet to remain unconverted!
More importantly, they teach us that man is responsible for the state of his own soul. Those who reject the Gospel, and remain unbelieving are not merely objects of pity and compassion, but deeply guilty and blameworthy in God's sight. God called, but they refused. God spoke to them, but they would not regard Him. The condemnation of the unbelieving will be strictly just. Their blood will be upon their own heads. The Judge of all the earth will do right.
Let us lay these things to heart, and beware of unbelief. No sin makes less noise, but none so surely damns the soul as unbelief!
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, help my faith to increase and give me a passion for the lost.
Action Plan: Do you have a passion for those who do not believe in the gospel? Do you realize that most people you see today will end up in hell and that you have the message that can save them? What will you do about that today?
This devotional was taken from The Gospel of Luke by J.C. Ryle published in 1858
and adapted by Pastor Tim Lewis of New England Shores Baptist Church.
