Tues., 10/13/15 Devotion (1 Ki. 16:22b)

Today's encouragement comes from the few words which make-up 1 Kings 16:22b, which say this:

" . . . So Tibni died and Omri reigned."

These words (above) are almost comedic. But this was how it was in the an-cient (and still even in the modern) worlds: when claimants to the throne bat-tled it out, one won, and the other died. But it may dawn on us that there is a much more profound (and legitimate) application of this principle; and it is
this . . .

. . . When sinners are regenerated, the "old man" of the flesh dies, and the "new man" of the Spirit reigns. The *experience* of this truth is the struggle all converted souls on earth have to traverse, (and we call this, "sanctification"). Let all true believers reckon themselves to be dead to sin, and alive to Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The more a true saint loves God with a gracious love, the more he desires to love Him, and the more uneasy is he at his want [lack] of love to Him.” —Jonathan Edwards, in, "Religious Affections"]