O Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
who wast given both to be a sacrifice for sin
and also an example of godly life, who didst
bid us take up our cross daily and follow
Thee; make, I beseech Thee, the yoke of
Thy commandments easy, and the burden
of Thy cross light unto me. Conform me, O
Lord, to the likeness of Thy passion. Give
me grace, eternal Father, that I may keep
the way of the holy cross, and carry in my
heart the image of Jesus crucified. Enable
me cheerfully to resign myself to Thy divine
will, that, being fashioned after His life-
giving death, I may die daily according to
the flesh, and live according to the spirit of
righteousness: through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
We are too apt to forget that temptation to sin will rarely present itself to us in its true colors, saying, “I am your deadly enemy, and I want to ruin you forever in hell.” Oh no! Sin comes to us like Judas, with a kiss; like Joab, with outstretched hand and flattering words. The forbidden fruit seemed good and desirable to Eve; yet it cast her out of Eden. Walking idly on his palace roof seemed harmless enough to David; yet it ended in adultery and murder. Sin rarely seems (like) sin at first beginnings. Let us then watch and pray, lest we fall into temptation.
J.C. Ryle