Devotions

The scepticism Nathanael expressed when Philip first told him about Christ soon vanished. The prejudice of his heart was removed when the omniscient Christ first spoke to him. Christ’s first description of him-“an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile”- proves that Nathanael was only speaking of the genuine difficulties he had with regard to Jesus of Nazareth. Christ’s attribute of omniscience cast his doubts away and led him to confess the Lord as the Son of God and King of Israel.

The believer must be one in whom is no guile. There must be no hypocrisy in any area of life. You must be straight with yourself and honest with your own conscience. Believe what you profess to believe. Confess with your mouth what you are convinced of in your heart, for an angel’s tongue and a devil’s heart can never agree for long. The believer’s constant prayer must be, “Lead me in a plain path because of mine enemies.”

Nathanael was given a promise of greater things to come. To genuine believers are the promises made good. There is always something more for the eye of faith to behold. Heaven is open to the pure in heart. Nathanael had an open heaven before him. There was no barrier between. The way was open for provisions to come that would supply his every spiritual and material need. It was open for God’s power to descend and execute His purpose. No sin of self- seeking would dim the vision of heaven’s glory. The believer whose heart is right with God, the one in whom there is no guile, will have an undimmed view of the glory of God in Jesus Christ.