November 25 — Morning
"To preach deliverance to the captives." Luke 4:18
None but Jesus can give deliverance to captives. Real liberty comes from Him alone.
It is a liberty righteously bestowed; for the Son, who is Heir of all things, has a right to make men free. The saints honor the justice of God, which now secures their salvation.
It is a liberty which has been dearly purchased. Christ speaks it by His power—but He bought it by His blood. He makes you free—but it is by His own bonds. You go clear, because He bore your burden for you. You are set at liberty, because He has suffered in your stead.
But, though dearly purchased, He freely gives it. Jesus asks nothing of us as a preparation for this liberty. He finds us sitting in sackcloth and ashes, and bids us put on the beautiful array of freedom. He saves us just as we are, and all without our help or merit.
When Jesus sets free, the liberty is perpetually entailed; no chains can bind again. Let the Master say to me, "Captive, I have delivered you!" and it is done forever. Satan may plot to enslave us—but if the Lord is on our side—whom shall we fear? The world, with its temptations, may seek to ensnare us—but mightier is He who is for us than all those who are against us. The machinations of our own deceitful hearts may harass and annoy us—but He who has begun the good work in us will carry it on and perfect it to the end. The foes of God and the enemies of man may gather their hosts together, and come with concentrated fury against us—but if God acquits, who is he who condemns? Not more free is the eagle which mounts to his rocky eyrie, and afterwards outsoars the clouds, than the soul which Christ has delivered.
If we are no more under the law—but free from its curse, let our liberty be practically exhibited in our serving God with gratitude and delight. "I am Your servant, and the son of your handmaid—You have loosed my bonds." "Lord, what will You have me to do?"
November 25 — Evening
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"I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy; and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." Romans 9:15
In these words the Lord in the plainest manner claims the right to give or to withhold His saving mercy, according to His own sovereign will. As the prerogative of life and death is vested in the monarch, so the Judge of all the earth has a right to spare or condemn the guilty, as may seem best in His sight.
Men by their sins have forfeited all claim upon God; they deserve to perish for their sins—and if they all do so, they have no ground for complaint. If the Lord steps in to save any, He may do so if the ends of justice are not thwarted; but if He judges it best to leave the condemned to suffer the righteous sentence, none may arraign Him at their bar. Foolish and impudent, are all those discourses against God's sovereign grace, which are but the rebellions of proud human nature against the crown and scepter of Jehovah.
When we are brought to see our own utter ruin and ill desert, and the justice of the divine verdict against sin—we no longer cavil at the truth that the Lord is not bound to save us. We do not murmur if He chooses to save others, as though He were doing us an injury—but feel that if He deigns to look upon us, it will be His own free act of undeserved goodness, for which we shall forever bless His name!
How shall those who are the subjects of divine election, sufficiently adore the grace of God? They have no room for boasting, for sovereignty most effectually excludes it. The Lord's will alone is glorified, and the very notion of human merit is cast out to everlasting contempt! There is no more humbling doctrine in Scripture—than that of election! There are none more promotive of gratitude, and, consequently, none more sanctifying. Believers should not be afraid of it—but adoringly rejoice in it!
