The Twenty Fifth of September.

ONE THING IS NEEDFUL --- Luke 10:42.

"What lack I yet?" --- Matthew 19:20.

"Yet lackest thou one thing." --- Luke "18:22.

"But one thing is needful." --- Luke 10:42.

This one thing needful is to have Christ; but he must first serve and treat us with his grace before we can draw strength from him to serve him again. We must be taught to see our food, and to hunger for him, before we can feed upon him, or do anything for him. And as Christ is the author of faith, he gives it increase out of his fulness; and faith, being somewhat strengthened, begins to work for him, though it be but faintly.

However, we become Christians, and remain in a perfect state of salvation, not by what faith works, but by what it receives; for though a feeble will perform feeble works, it can receive a whole and perfect Christ; which is the one thing needful.

I'll bear nothing else beside
My Jesus, and him crucified;
In him is all I want;
His blood, his meritorious blood,
Alone is rich, alone is good;
For that alone I pant.

Devotion for September 25