Devotional - 99-08-24 - Port's Faithful Shepherd

Chapter 1

Colossians 1:13,14 For He delivered us from the authority of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Having finished the Holy Alphabet by Robert Port, I would like to continue using Port by beginning the second of his three known works, The Faithful Shepherd, guiding His flock in a way of walking with God daily. The chapters are small or easily broken up. All of chapter one is printed below.

"Chapter 1: Endeavor to be sensible of your original corruption daily, how it inclines you to evil, and indisposes you to good; groan under it, and bewail it as Paul did, Romans 7:24. Take special notice of your actual sins or daily infirmities, in thought, word, and deed. Endeavor to make your peace with God for them two ways.

1. By repenting of them, and confessing them to God, working your heart to grieve for them, by some melting considerations, as of Gods goodness to you, your unreasonableness and unprofitableness of sin, the prejudice and damage thereof to the soul, 1 John 1:9.
   
2. By believing or casting yourself wholly on Christ's righteousness, for the remission thereof, and reconciliation with God, Romans 3:22-26, Cleaving to Gods promises of pardon and peace, Isaiah 43:25, Romans 5:1, waiting till the Lord speak to you, Psalm 85:8." Robert Port

You will have to adjust to Port's run-on structure. Whenever I think he should end a sentence, he begins another clause without a new subject. This makes for difficult reading, but to change the structure seems to change flow and progression of thought that is one of Port's strengths.

Of note: Port refers to our sins as infirmities in the first paragraph. Thinking of our sins as if they were a sickness can be helpful. Anyone who is sick strives to get better. If we viewed our sins as an illness, we might endeavor to seek healing from our sins.

You will also notice that Port constantly says, "daily" He does not just do it here in this chapter, but all through the 10 chapters of the small book. The Christian life is one that is lived daily, even hourly, before God. We don't take holidays from our faith, but rather our faith is a constant union and communion with the Lord God our Savior.

Port also talks about grieving for our sins and then this great phrase, "by some melting considerations" which are "your unreasonableness and unprofitableness of sin". Note that Port does not speak "of" the unreasonableness..., But rather, "your" unreasonableness...he makes it personal.

Lastly he ends with the gospel. He admonishes us to cast ourselves upon the righteousness of Christ and to cleave to God's promises of pardon and peace. The gospel is to be a great comfort to us. It is a fitting reminder at any time.

"See what vitality the gospel has! Plunge her under the wave, and she rises the purer from her washing; thrust her in the fire, and she comes out the more bright for her burning; cut her in sunder, and each piece shall make another church; behead her, and, like the hydra or old, she shall have a hundred heads for every one you cut away. She cannot die, she must live; for she has the power of God within her." Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Soli Deo Gloria,
T-

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