"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Matthew 26:41
We must learn both to watch and pray. It is good to watch. There is danger everywhere. An army in an enemy's country never rests a moment without its encircling line of sentinels, keeping watch against danger at every point, and reporting any hostile movement instantly. We are living in the enemy's country — and cannot safely pass an hour without watching!
But watching is not enough; for we are not able to keep ourselves, when the danger comes. Hence we need also to pray — asking God to keep us. But as watching without praying is not enough — so neither is praying without watching. God means us to use our eyes and to keep our wits about us — as well as to cry to Him for help.
We must not say that everyone who makes a profession, and then fails — is insincere or a hypocrite. Peter was not a hypocrite, when he made his bold avowal that he would never deny Christ, and that he could die with Him. He loved Christ, and meant to be true to Him. Peter's spirit was eager and earnest — but he was weak in himself; and because he relied only on himself — he was not able to hold out against the sore temptations which came upon him.
We are all just like Peter. If we are true Christians, we mean to be faithful to our Lord. But sincerity is not enough. "The flesh is weak," and we need to rest continually upon God for help to be true and faithful. If young Christians would learn this lesson — they would not fall so easily. No matter how good his intentions are, he is not able of himself to fulfill them. None of us are as good as we want to be and strive to be; and only through the mighty help of Christ — can any of us live a true and noble life amid all the world's temptations and dangers.
Be the first to react on this!
J.R. Miller (1840 - 1912)
Prolific author and pastor of Presbyterian churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois, Rev. James Russell Miller served the USCC as a field agent in the Army of the Potomac and Army of the Cumberland.J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia. J.R. Miller D.D.'s lasting fame is through his over 50 books. Many are still in publication.
James Russell Miller (March 20, 1840 - July 2, 1912) was a popular Christian author, Editorial Superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication, and pastor of several churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois.
In 1857, James entered Beaver Academy and in 1862 he progressed to Westminster College, Pennsylvania, which he graduated in June, 1862. Then in the autumn of that year he entered the theological seminary of the United Presbyterian Church at Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Mr. Miller resumed his interrupted studies at the Allegheny Theological Seminary in the fall of 1865 and completed them in the spring of 1867. That summer he accepted a call from the First United Presbyterian Church of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. He was ordained and installed on September 11, 1867.
J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia.
Five years later, in 1880, Dr. Miller became assistant to the Editorial Secretary at the The Presbyterian Board of Publication, also in Philadelphia.