The following two Spurgeon quotes will keep us from neglecting crucial elements of the Christian life.
According to Spurgeon, you’re doing the Christian life wrong if…
1. You hear the Word and neglect the disciplines of prayer and meditation.
“Why is it that some Christians, although they hear many sermons, make but slow advances in the divine life? Because they neglect their closets, and do not thoughtfully meditate on God’s Word. They love the wheat, but they do not grind it; they would have the corn, but they will not go forth into the fields to gather it; the fruit hangs upon the tree, but they will not pluck it; the water flows at their feet, but they will not stoop to drink it. From such folly deliver us, O Lord.”1
2. You don’t give yourself to the church.
I know there are some who say, “Well, I’ve given myself to the Lord, but I don’t intend to give myself to any church.” I say, “Now why not?” And they answer, “Because I can be just as good a Christian without it.” I say, “Are you quite clear about that? You can be as good a Christian by disobedience to your Lord’s commands as by being obedient? There’s a brick. What is the brick made for? It’s made to build a house. It is of no use for the brick to tell you that it’s just as good a brick while it’s kicking about on the ground by itself, as it would be as part of a house. Actually, it’s a good-for-nothing brick. So, you rolling stone Christians, I don’t believe that you’re answering the purpose for which Christ saved you. You’re living contrary to the life which Christ would have you live and you are much to blame for the injury you do.”2
Related Links:
- Charles Spurgeon’s 9 Tips for Christian Readers
- 50 Encouraging Charles Spurgeon Quotes on Prayer
- How to Meditate on Scripture: Learning from Luther’s Example
- Why Go to Church? 50+ Things You Miss Out On By Not Attending
1 Morning and Evening, October 12
2 Tom Carter, Charles Spurgeon at His Best, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1988), 34.