The Danger Of Making Shipwreck Of Our Faith
”Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.”—2 John 8
The salvation of God’s people is certain, by his immutable love. Their safety depends on his almighty power, their confidence and glorying is in the finished work of Jesus, and their comforts are enjoyed from the Spirit’s testimony of the Saviour to their hearts; as having loved, redeemed, and saved them as lost, guilty, and perishing sinners. The clearer views we have of this truth, so much the more do we cleave to Jesus. As our faith increases, our comforts are strengthened, and this is the evidence of a gracious heart; the comforts of love ever excite to care and circumspection in life and practice. A glimpse of Jesus begets longing after more comfortable enjoyment of him: so also a holy jealousy of soul, lest what is gained should be lost in sense and enjoyment. While surrounded by false teachers, exposed to unscriptural doctrines, beset by a subtle adversary, and so nearly allied to corrupt lusts and carnal reasonings, we are ever in danger of losing sight of free grace truths, gospel love, and the finished salvation of Jesus, so as to be moved away from the hope of the gospel, and to make shipwreck of faith and a good conscience. Gospel truths and gospel grace give spring to action, life to obedience, and are the sources of encouragement to persevere in the path of truth and holiness. What thanks are due to the loving Spirit for this wholesome advice. How much concerned should we be daily to improve it. Look to yourselves, see your danger, your vileness, your weakness; look up to Jesus for safety and strength. Blessed be the God we serve; he is not unrighteous to forget our work of faith, patience of hope, and labour of love. We enjoy his reward in our work, though not for our work. No: let Jesus have all that glory. Still the more work, the more sufferings for his sake, so much the more reward; of just debt to him, of righteous grace to us. Oh how apt are we to pine and grieve at the loss of a little shining dust. Should not the loss of light, liberty, love, peace and joy in Jesus, infinitely more affect us!
Would we avoid sorrowful complaints of loss? Are we solicitous to rejoice in present gain, and in hope of a future full reward? ‘Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.’ 1 Cor. 15:58
Songs of immortal praise belong
To my almighty God;
He has my heart and he my tongue,
To spread his name abroad.
To fear thy power, to trust thy grace,
Is our divinest skill;
And he’s the wisest of our race
That best obeys thy will.
William Mason (1719-1791) was a High-Calvinist author. For many years he served as a Justice of the Peace, and in 1783 was appointed a Magistrate. He served as editor of the Gospel Magazine before and after the editorship of Augustus Toplady. He is best known for a morning and evening devotional entitled, “A Spiritual Treasury For The Children Of God.”
