Healing # 2
G. Real faith puts into action what it believes:
2 Kings 5:1, 9-14 Naaman obeyed Elisha, dipped in the Jordan, and was healed.
2 Chronicles 20: 21, 22 When they went forth singing and praising God for the victory, He performed the miracle.
Matthew 14:28, 29 Peter believed Jesus and stepped out of the water.
Mark 2:11, 12 Take up thy bed, and go...and immediately he arose.
Mark 3:1m 5 A man stretches out his withered hand and is healed.
Luke 17:14 As they "went", they were cleansed (healed).
John 4:47-53 Believed the word Jesus had spoken...and went his way.
2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
James 2:17-26 As body without spirit...faith without works is dead.
H. Thank Him for hearing and answering your prayer:
Romans 4:20 He was strong in faith, giving "glory" to God.
7. Praying for the sick:
A. Pray for healing in "Jesus'" name:
John 14:13, 14; Acts 3:6; 4:10; 9:34
B. Importance of laying hands on and touching the sick:
Mark 16:18 They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.
Luke 4:40 He laid His hands on every one of them, and healed them.
See also Matthew 9:29; Mark 3:10; 5:28; 6:56; 7:33-35; Luke 5:13; 6:19; 22:51.
C. Anointing with oil for healing:
See Mark 6:13; James 5:14.
D. The power of united, group prayer:
Matthew 18:19, 20 If two of you shall agree [in prayer]...it shall be done.
Deuteronomy 32:30 One (shall) chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight.
E. Who should pray for the sick:
Luke 8:50, 51 [Have the unbelieving leave the room before you pray.]
James 5:14-16 Call for the elders...and let them pray over him. The fervent...prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
8. Fight in the Spirit for your healing:
Matthew 17:19-21 [Unusual, stubborn sicknesses require extra faith and prayer and fasting.]
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, "lay hold" on eternal life.
A. Sing and praise the Lord:
See Psalms 34:1; 51:15; 66:17; 77:2, 10, 11; 109:30.
B. Quote Scripture like Jesus did:
Matthew 4:3-10 He answered and said, "It is written..."
Ephesians 6:17 Take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
9. Reasons That God Allows Afflictions and Illnesses:
A. To keep us righteous and close to Him:
Psalms 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the "righteous".
Psalms 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted.
2 Corinthians Lest I should be exalted...given a thorn in the flesh.
Hebrews 12:6, 11 Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth.
Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten
B. To glorify God when He heals you:
Matthew 15:31 The multitude wondered...and they glorified God.
John 9:1-3 [The blind man's healing was to glorify God].
Acts 9:36-42 It was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed.
C. Sickness is often caused by sin:
Psalms 38:2-5 My wounds stink and are corrupt...because of my sin...because of my foolishness.
Psalms 107:17 Fools, because of their...iniquities, are afflicted.
Psalms 119:67 Before I was afflicted, I went astray: but now..
Proverbs 26:2 The curse causeless shall not come.
See also Numbers 12:1-15; 1 Samuel 5:1-12; 25:2-11, 37, 38; 2 Chronicles 21:9-19; 26:16-21; Acts 12:21-23.
D. Some sickness is an attack of the devil:
Matthew 9:32, 33 When the devil was cast out, the dumb spake.
Mark 9:17-20, 25 [Jesus rebuked an unclean spirit, healing a child.]
Luke 13:11, 13, 16 This woman...whom satan hath bound 18 years.
Acts 10:38 Healing all that were oppressed of the devil.
E. To teach and to test us:
Job 2:3-7 [The devil was allowed to afflict Job to "test" him.]
Job 5:17, 18 Behold, happy is man whom God correcteth.
Psalms 94:12 Blessed is the man whom Thou chasteneth and teachest.
2 Corinthians 4:17 [Our temporary afflictions teach us eternal lessons].
F. Emotional or physiological causes:
Psalms 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, bindeth their wounds.
Proverbs 11:17 He that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
Proverbs 14:30 Envy (is) is rottenness of the bones.
Proverbs 15:13 By sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
Proverbs 17:22 A broken spirit drieth the bones.
Proverbs 18:14 A wounded spirit who can bear?
G. God will show you the reason if you ask Him:
1 Samuel 6:3 Then ye shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why His hand is not removed from you.
Job 36:9-11 Then He sheweth them their...transgressions.
Philippians 3:15 God shall reveal even this unto you.
H. How to keep from getting sick:
Exodus 15:26 If thou will diligently "hearken"...I will put none of these diseases upon thee.
Psalms 91:9, 10 Because thou hast made the Lord thy...habitation.
Proverbs 4:20, 22 Attend to My Words...they are health to [your] flesh.
I. Physical reasons for sickness:
Exodus 8:24 The land was "corrupted" by the swarm of flies.
Leviticus 11:4-12 [Eating unclean meats, seafood, etc.]
Proverbs 23:29-35 [Too much wine or alcohol].
Proverbs 25:16, 27 [Overindulgence in sweets:] Not good to eat much honey.
Proverbs 23:3 Be not desirous of dainties: theyare deceitful meat.
Mark 7:3, 4 [Lack of cleanliness: Jews washed often, lived long]
Romans 1:24-27 [Unclean or perverted sex].
Philippians 2:27-30 [Overdoing physically:] sick...not regarding his life.
10. Points To Remember After Prayer:
A. Reasons why we're sometimes not "immediately" healed:
Isaiah 59:1, 2 The Lord's hand is not shortened, but your sins have separated you.
Hosea 5:15 I will return to My place, till they acknowledge their offence.
2 Corinthians 12:7-9 [Paul prayed three times to be healed, but the Lord left him with a thorn in the flesh to keep him humble].
Hebrews 10:36 After ye have done the will of God ye (shall) receive the promise.
James 1:3 The trying of your faith worketh patience.
1 Peter 1:7 That of your faith (is) much more precious than gold
B. Testify publicly about your healing:
Job 36:24 Remember that thou magnify His work, which men behold.
Psalms 107:2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.
Mark 5:19 Go home to thy friends and "tell" them how great things the Lord hath done for thee.
Acts 4:10 Be it known unto you all, that by the name of Jesus.
See also Psalms 22:22, 25; 35:18; 107:32, 32.
C. Obey God once healed, or your sickness may return:
John 5:14 Thou art made whole, sin no more, lest a worse thing.
Psalms 85:8 But let them not turn again to folly.
11. Miraculous Or Natural Healing?
A. God's healing vs. doctors and medicines:
2 Chronicles 16:12, 13 Asa was diseased in his feet...he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians. And Asa died.
Psalms 118:8 Better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
Jeremiah 46:11 In vain shalt thou use many medicines...not be cured.
Mark 5:25-26 Suffered many things of many physicians...grew worse.
See also Hosea 5:13.
B. Sometimes doctors and medicines can help:
Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth "good" like a "medicine".
Luke 10:34 He bound up his wounds...pouring in oil and wine.
C. God-ordained natural remedies:
2 Kings 20:1-7 Take a lump of figs...lay it on the boil (also Isaiah 38:21.)
Jeremiah 51:8 Take a balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.
Ezekiel 47:12 And the leaf thereof (shall be) for medicine.
1 Timothy 5:23 Use a little wine for stomach's sake and oft infirmities.
D. Eat wholesome, nourishing food:
Psalms 103:5 (The Lord) satisfieth thy mouth with "good things; so that thy mouth is renewed like the eagle's.
12. No Sickness in Heaven:
(See Isaiah 33:24; Revelation 21:4).
A. Our immortal resurrected bodies will never be sick:
1 Corinthians 15:42, 43 So is the resurrection...It is sown in corruption, raised in incorruption: sown in weakness...raised in power.
(The End)
Saturday, August 25, 2018
Healing # 1
Healing # 1
1. Healing Was Part of Jesus' Ministry:
Matthew 4:23, 24 Jesus went... healing all manner of sickness and disease.
Matthew 9:35 Healing every sickness and disease among the people.
Matthew 12:15 Great multitudes followed Him and He healed them all.
See also Matthew 15:30; 21:14; Acts 10:38.
2. Healing Promises Are Still Valid Today:
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever.
Malachai 3:6 I am the Lord, I change not.
Mark 16:17-18 These signs shall follow them that believe: Lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.
John 14:12-14 He that believeth on Me, the works I do shall he do.
1 Corinthians 12:7-9 To another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit.
James 5:14, 15 is any sick among you? Call elders ...let them pray.
3. It is God's Will To Heal:
a. Scriptural authority for asking for healing:
Exodus 15:26 I am the Lord that healeth thee.
Deuteronomy 7:15 The Lord will take away from thee all sickness.
Psalms 84:11 No good thing will He withhold from them.
Psalms 103:3 (He) forgiveth all iniquities, healeth all thy diseases.
Psalms 107:3 He sent His word, and healed them.
Jeremiah 30:17 For I "will" restore health unto thee, and "will" heal.
Malachai 4:2 Sun of righteousness arise with "healing" in His wings.
Matthew 10:1 He gave them power...to heal all manner of sickness and...disease.
Mark 1:40, 41 Lord, if Thou wilt...Jesus saith, I "will" be thou clean.
Acts 9:34 Jesus Christ maketh thee whole.
James 5:15 Prayer of faith save sick...and the Lord shall raise him up.
See also Ezekiel 34:16; 3 John 2.
b. God prefers not to afflict you; He'd rather heal:
Lamentations 3:33 H doth not afflict "willingly"...the children of men.
Psalms 22:24 He hath not despised...affliction of the afflicted; neither hath He hid His face from him.
Hebrews 12:13 Let it rather be healed.
c. Jesus' physical suffering paid for our healing:
Isaiah 53:5 He was wounded...with His stripes we are healed.
Matthew 8:16, 17 Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses.
1 Corinthians 11:23, 24 This is My body, which is broken for you
1 Corinthians 11:29 Not discerning Lord's body...many were weak and sickly.
1 Peter 2:24 By Whose stripes ye were healed.
4. Nothing Is Too Serious For God To Heal:
Jeremiah 32:27 I am the Lord...is there anything too hard for Me?
Jeremiah 32:17 Ah Lord God! There is "nothing" too hard for Thee.
Psalms 34:19 The Lord delivereth him out of them "all" (afflictions).
Psalm 103:3 Who healeth "all" thy diseases.
Matthew 10:1 Power to...heal "all" manner of sickness, and "all" diseases.
Matthew 19:26 With God all things are possible.
Mark 9:23 All things are possible to him that believeth.
Luke 1:37 With God, nothing shall be impossible.
Luke 5:1 The power of the Lord was present to heal them.
5. Conditions For Healing:
2 Kings 20:5 I have...seen thy tears, behold, I will heal thee.
2 Chronicles 7:14 If My people humble themselves, and pray and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear and heal.
Isaiah 19:22 They shall return to the Lord...and He shall heal them.
Isaiah 58:6-8 [Help others] Then thine health...spring forth speedily.
Hosea 6:1 Come, let us "return"...and He will heal us.
James 5:16 "Confess" your faults...and pray one for another, they ye may be healed.
6. Practical Steps In Obtaining Healing:
A. Begin with a clean heart; unconfessed sin in your life will hinder faith:
Psalms 66:18, 19 If I regard iniquity in my heart, Lord will not hear.
Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another.
1 John 3:21 "If" our heart condemn us "not", then have we (faith).
See also 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalms 51:10; 139:23; 1 John 1:8,9.
B. Prepare by memorizing promises; find authority in God's Word and faith will come of itself:
Romans 10:17 Faith cometh by hearing the Word of God.
Proverbs 23:14 Not one thing hath failed of all that...God spake.
1Kings 8:56 Hath not failed one word of all His good promise.
Proverbs 7:2-3 Write (My commandments) upon table of thine heart.
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but (not) My Words.
2 Corinthians 1:20 All the promises of God in Him are yea and...Amen.
2 Peter 1:4 Great and precious promises: by these ye might partake.
C. Be definite:
Isaiah 45:11 Concerning the work of My hands, command ye Me.
James 1:6-8 Ask in faith, nothing wavering.
D. "Expect" from God; know you are entitled to His promises:
Mark 11:23 Whoever...shall believe...shall have whatsoever he saith.
Mark 11:24 "When" ye pray, "believe" that ye receive and ye shall have.
Hebrews 4:16 Come boldly...and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 11:6 He that cometh to God must believe...He is a rewarder.
E. Accept from God; there comes a time to cease praying:
Proverbs 7:10 Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?
Luke 1:38 Mary said, "Be it unto me according to thy Word"
F. Stand your ground in faith and trust:
Numbers 23:19 God is not man, that He should lie. Hath he said, and shall He not do it?
Psalms 112:7 Not be afraid of evil tidings...trusting in the Lord.
Acts 27:25 I believe God, that it shall be even as was told me.
Romans 4:19-21 Being "fully" persuaded that what He had promised.
Galatians 6:9 In due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Ephesians 4:27 Neither give place to the devil [his doubts and lies.
Ephesians 6:13 Withstand...and having done all, "stand".
Ephesians 6:16 Taking the shield of faith...to quench fiery darts.
Hebrews 10:23 Hold fast...(your) faith without wavering; He is faithful that promised.
Hebrews 10:35, 36 Ye have need of "patience", that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
1 Peter 1:7 The trial of your faith...more precious than gold.
See also Proverbs 24:10; Jonah 2:8.
(continued with # 2)
1. Healing Was Part of Jesus' Ministry:
Matthew 4:23, 24 Jesus went... healing all manner of sickness and disease.
Matthew 9:35 Healing every sickness and disease among the people.
Matthew 12:15 Great multitudes followed Him and He healed them all.
See also Matthew 15:30; 21:14; Acts 10:38.
2. Healing Promises Are Still Valid Today:
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever.
Malachai 3:6 I am the Lord, I change not.
Mark 16:17-18 These signs shall follow them that believe: Lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.
John 14:12-14 He that believeth on Me, the works I do shall he do.
1 Corinthians 12:7-9 To another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit.
James 5:14, 15 is any sick among you? Call elders ...let them pray.
3. It is God's Will To Heal:
a. Scriptural authority for asking for healing:
Exodus 15:26 I am the Lord that healeth thee.
Deuteronomy 7:15 The Lord will take away from thee all sickness.
Psalms 84:11 No good thing will He withhold from them.
Psalms 103:3 (He) forgiveth all iniquities, healeth all thy diseases.
Psalms 107:3 He sent His word, and healed them.
Jeremiah 30:17 For I "will" restore health unto thee, and "will" heal.
Malachai 4:2 Sun of righteousness arise with "healing" in His wings.
Matthew 10:1 He gave them power...to heal all manner of sickness and...disease.
Mark 1:40, 41 Lord, if Thou wilt...Jesus saith, I "will" be thou clean.
Acts 9:34 Jesus Christ maketh thee whole.
James 5:15 Prayer of faith save sick...and the Lord shall raise him up.
See also Ezekiel 34:16; 3 John 2.
b. God prefers not to afflict you; He'd rather heal:
Lamentations 3:33 H doth not afflict "willingly"...the children of men.
Psalms 22:24 He hath not despised...affliction of the afflicted; neither hath He hid His face from him.
Hebrews 12:13 Let it rather be healed.
c. Jesus' physical suffering paid for our healing:
Isaiah 53:5 He was wounded...with His stripes we are healed.
Matthew 8:16, 17 Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses.
1 Corinthians 11:23, 24 This is My body, which is broken for you
1 Corinthians 11:29 Not discerning Lord's body...many were weak and sickly.
1 Peter 2:24 By Whose stripes ye were healed.
4. Nothing Is Too Serious For God To Heal:
Jeremiah 32:27 I am the Lord...is there anything too hard for Me?
Jeremiah 32:17 Ah Lord God! There is "nothing" too hard for Thee.
Psalms 34:19 The Lord delivereth him out of them "all" (afflictions).
Psalm 103:3 Who healeth "all" thy diseases.
Matthew 10:1 Power to...heal "all" manner of sickness, and "all" diseases.
Matthew 19:26 With God all things are possible.
Mark 9:23 All things are possible to him that believeth.
Luke 1:37 With God, nothing shall be impossible.
Luke 5:1 The power of the Lord was present to heal them.
5. Conditions For Healing:
2 Kings 20:5 I have...seen thy tears, behold, I will heal thee.
2 Chronicles 7:14 If My people humble themselves, and pray and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear and heal.
Isaiah 19:22 They shall return to the Lord...and He shall heal them.
Isaiah 58:6-8 [Help others] Then thine health...spring forth speedily.
Hosea 6:1 Come, let us "return"...and He will heal us.
James 5:16 "Confess" your faults...and pray one for another, they ye may be healed.
6. Practical Steps In Obtaining Healing:
A. Begin with a clean heart; unconfessed sin in your life will hinder faith:
Psalms 66:18, 19 If I regard iniquity in my heart, Lord will not hear.
Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another.
1 John 3:21 "If" our heart condemn us "not", then have we (faith).
See also 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalms 51:10; 139:23; 1 John 1:8,9.
B. Prepare by memorizing promises; find authority in God's Word and faith will come of itself:
Romans 10:17 Faith cometh by hearing the Word of God.
Proverbs 23:14 Not one thing hath failed of all that...God spake.
1Kings 8:56 Hath not failed one word of all His good promise.
Proverbs 7:2-3 Write (My commandments) upon table of thine heart.
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but (not) My Words.
2 Corinthians 1:20 All the promises of God in Him are yea and...Amen.
2 Peter 1:4 Great and precious promises: by these ye might partake.
C. Be definite:
Isaiah 45:11 Concerning the work of My hands, command ye Me.
James 1:6-8 Ask in faith, nothing wavering.
D. "Expect" from God; know you are entitled to His promises:
Mark 11:23 Whoever...shall believe...shall have whatsoever he saith.
Mark 11:24 "When" ye pray, "believe" that ye receive and ye shall have.
Hebrews 4:16 Come boldly...and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 11:6 He that cometh to God must believe...He is a rewarder.
E. Accept from God; there comes a time to cease praying:
Proverbs 7:10 Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?
Luke 1:38 Mary said, "Be it unto me according to thy Word"
F. Stand your ground in faith and trust:
Numbers 23:19 God is not man, that He should lie. Hath he said, and shall He not do it?
Psalms 112:7 Not be afraid of evil tidings...trusting in the Lord.
Acts 27:25 I believe God, that it shall be even as was told me.
Romans 4:19-21 Being "fully" persuaded that what He had promised.
Galatians 6:9 In due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Ephesians 4:27 Neither give place to the devil [his doubts and lies.
Ephesians 6:13 Withstand...and having done all, "stand".
Ephesians 6:16 Taking the shield of faith...to quench fiery darts.
Hebrews 10:23 Hold fast...(your) faith without wavering; He is faithful that promised.
Hebrews 10:35, 36 Ye have need of "patience", that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
1 Peter 1:7 The trial of your faith...more precious than gold.
See also Proverbs 24:10; Jonah 2:8.
(continued with # 2)
Christian Love # 2
Christian Love # 2
In heaven, perfect love to God, and perfect love to our companions in glory, will be the consummation of our celestial happiness. We cannot rise higher, we cannot go beyond it. Imagination can neither devise nor conceive of anything richer than perfect love. What can God do more for us, than to fill us with perfect love to Himself, and to all the universe? To have a perpetual infflux from the mind, of thoughts and feelings of pure, generous, unchecked benevolence, and all these coming back again from the objects of them, in reciprocal smiles, expressions of regard, and acts of pure and perfect love!
Now, dear friends, look at love - gaze upon its lovely form, its beautiful countenance, and its graceful actings, and observe its seraphic glow, its divine temper. But look at it not only as something to be admired - but to be possessed and practiced. Unless this be your temper, you are no Christians. I do not say you cannot be Christians unless you have it in perfection - but you must have the principle, and you are Christians no further than you live under its influence.
God's eternal thoughts and purposes in election, Christ's redeeming work upon the Cross, the Spirit's omnipotent agency in regeneration, are not merely to bring us under a particular ecclesiastical regimen - but to deliver us from the dominion of selfishness, and place us under the reign of love, and thus make us like God!
And now, my dear friends, let me entreat you to examine yourselves concerning this great essential of the Christian character. Are you experimentally acquainted with this disposition? Is this your religion? Is your temper thus molded? Through faith in Christ, and by the regeneration of the Holy Spirit, are you brought to love God for His own sake, and man for God's sake? Is that one word love characteristic of your spirit? Have you a tie that binds you to the whole human race, and creates a propensity to promote universal happiness? Has God's love to you changed you into its own likeness? Do you know what it is to have pride, passion, envy, malice, selfishness, if not wholly eradicated, yet subdued, repressed, resisted, by a meek, gentle, lowly, forgiving, forbearing, candid generous, self-denying temper? Are the harshness, hardness, asperity of the fallen nature, displaced by the softness, sweetness, and kindness of true love?
Cultivate this disposition. You have all to little of it. Remember, it is absolutely and indispensably essential. It is not a mere circumstantial - but a fundamental. You can no more be Christians without love, than you can be without chastity, or justice, or truth. It is not a mere decoration of the Christian character - but part of the substance of it. You can have no faith without love, for "faith works by love." You cannot be born of the Spirit without love, for "the fruit of the Spirit is love." The whole law is fulfilled in one word, LOVE. You have not the image of God without love, for "God is love." You have no fitness for heaven without love, for heaven is perfect love. You must have this grace, or you can never be saved.
Take great pains to obtain love. Without effort, you will never have Christian love. You must watch, wrestle, and pray. Love is a plant of paradise, which cannot incessant care, and without placing it by faith and prayer under the warm beams of the Sun of righteousness, and the dew of the Holy Spirit. Unless our heart be set upon it, and we treat it as the gardener does some favorite flower, which he is anxious to raise up to strength and beauty, we shall never succeed. Love is a grace which the man of the world neglects, and which many professing Christians think far too little about; but it is of infinite value in the eyes of God. Let us feel that love is our vocation, for which we are set apart by both redeeming and regenerating grace.
We should often meditate on the love of God, and of Christ, to us. We must steadily contemplate the God of love bending in the attitude of a benevolence over a world in rebellion against Him; and we must visit the Cross daily to see the bleeding, dying love of Christ. The enmities of our nature wither, and all the charities revive and flourish, by the influence of meditation on the love of God.
How earnestly should we pray for that Spirit, whose first and richest fruit is love. It is His to bless our labors; His to render our efforts successful. Love is peace, and peace is bliss. Love is the calm and sunshine of the bosom. Your looks will beam affection, your lips drop words of kindness - you will, in short, be as a tree of life. It is a seraph, a ministering angel,sent forth from the Father of mercies, to reveal to men His nature, and to fit them for His presence.
Love is the most characteristic feature of Christ's image in a renewed man. Love is the most precious fruit of grace; and yet the fruit which too many of His professed followers seem to think themselves hardly under any obligation to cultivate. Yes, love is the image, as well as the law of our Divine Lord - and not human systems and forms of government.
It is love, which must form the bond of union between all the followers of Christ, the principle of a universal fellowship of saints, and the glory of the church - even as it will form the sweet and everlasting cement of souls in heaven!
~John Angell James~
(The End)
In heaven, perfect love to God, and perfect love to our companions in glory, will be the consummation of our celestial happiness. We cannot rise higher, we cannot go beyond it. Imagination can neither devise nor conceive of anything richer than perfect love. What can God do more for us, than to fill us with perfect love to Himself, and to all the universe? To have a perpetual infflux from the mind, of thoughts and feelings of pure, generous, unchecked benevolence, and all these coming back again from the objects of them, in reciprocal smiles, expressions of regard, and acts of pure and perfect love!
Now, dear friends, look at love - gaze upon its lovely form, its beautiful countenance, and its graceful actings, and observe its seraphic glow, its divine temper. But look at it not only as something to be admired - but to be possessed and practiced. Unless this be your temper, you are no Christians. I do not say you cannot be Christians unless you have it in perfection - but you must have the principle, and you are Christians no further than you live under its influence.
God's eternal thoughts and purposes in election, Christ's redeeming work upon the Cross, the Spirit's omnipotent agency in regeneration, are not merely to bring us under a particular ecclesiastical regimen - but to deliver us from the dominion of selfishness, and place us under the reign of love, and thus make us like God!
And now, my dear friends, let me entreat you to examine yourselves concerning this great essential of the Christian character. Are you experimentally acquainted with this disposition? Is this your religion? Is your temper thus molded? Through faith in Christ, and by the regeneration of the Holy Spirit, are you brought to love God for His own sake, and man for God's sake? Is that one word love characteristic of your spirit? Have you a tie that binds you to the whole human race, and creates a propensity to promote universal happiness? Has God's love to you changed you into its own likeness? Do you know what it is to have pride, passion, envy, malice, selfishness, if not wholly eradicated, yet subdued, repressed, resisted, by a meek, gentle, lowly, forgiving, forbearing, candid generous, self-denying temper? Are the harshness, hardness, asperity of the fallen nature, displaced by the softness, sweetness, and kindness of true love?
Cultivate this disposition. You have all to little of it. Remember, it is absolutely and indispensably essential. It is not a mere circumstantial - but a fundamental. You can no more be Christians without love, than you can be without chastity, or justice, or truth. It is not a mere decoration of the Christian character - but part of the substance of it. You can have no faith without love, for "faith works by love." You cannot be born of the Spirit without love, for "the fruit of the Spirit is love." The whole law is fulfilled in one word, LOVE. You have not the image of God without love, for "God is love." You have no fitness for heaven without love, for heaven is perfect love. You must have this grace, or you can never be saved.
Take great pains to obtain love. Without effort, you will never have Christian love. You must watch, wrestle, and pray. Love is a plant of paradise, which cannot incessant care, and without placing it by faith and prayer under the warm beams of the Sun of righteousness, and the dew of the Holy Spirit. Unless our heart be set upon it, and we treat it as the gardener does some favorite flower, which he is anxious to raise up to strength and beauty, we shall never succeed. Love is a grace which the man of the world neglects, and which many professing Christians think far too little about; but it is of infinite value in the eyes of God. Let us feel that love is our vocation, for which we are set apart by both redeeming and regenerating grace.
We should often meditate on the love of God, and of Christ, to us. We must steadily contemplate the God of love bending in the attitude of a benevolence over a world in rebellion against Him; and we must visit the Cross daily to see the bleeding, dying love of Christ. The enmities of our nature wither, and all the charities revive and flourish, by the influence of meditation on the love of God.
How earnestly should we pray for that Spirit, whose first and richest fruit is love. It is His to bless our labors; His to render our efforts successful. Love is peace, and peace is bliss. Love is the calm and sunshine of the bosom. Your looks will beam affection, your lips drop words of kindness - you will, in short, be as a tree of life. It is a seraph, a ministering angel,sent forth from the Father of mercies, to reveal to men His nature, and to fit them for His presence.
Love is the most characteristic feature of Christ's image in a renewed man. Love is the most precious fruit of grace; and yet the fruit which too many of His professed followers seem to think themselves hardly under any obligation to cultivate. Yes, love is the image, as well as the law of our Divine Lord - and not human systems and forms of government.
It is love, which must form the bond of union between all the followers of Christ, the principle of a universal fellowship of saints, and the glory of the church - even as it will form the sweet and everlasting cement of souls in heaven!
~John Angell James~
(The End)
Christian Love # 1
Christian Love # 1
There is no subject of a practical nature, to which I could direct your attention, or more importance, either to yourselves or to the credit of your profession, and therefore to the well-being of others - than that which is contained in the present address; I mean, Christian love.
I refer you to the apostle's beautiful description and eloquent eulogium of love, in the thirteenth chapter of his first epistle to the Corinthians. "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
The occasion of this chapter was as follows. The Corinthian church was preeminent in the possession of spiritual gifts. This distinction furnished occasion for the indulgence of pride and vanity in the exercise of these supernatural powers, which called for the interference, admonition, and rebuke of apostolic authority. In the last verse of the preceding chapter, Paul admonishes the members of the church to "covet earnestly the best gifts;" those which were most for edification, such, for instance, as prophesying, that is, speaking of Divine truth under inspiration, and yet says he, "I show unto you a more excellent way;" by which he meant that he would set before them something more excellent, and far more to be coveted, than the most extraordinary miraculous endowments. This preeminent excellence, to which he refers, is the love which he describes in the chapter now alluded to.
Nothing can give us a more impressive or instructive lesson, than this exaltation of charity over miracles. What a proof is it that the apostle was neither impostor nor enthusiast; that Christianity is indeed from Heaven, since though it is accredited by supernatural powers and endowments, its Divine Author, and its inspired teachers, place these in an inferior rank to Christian virtue. Had Paul been either impostor or enthusiast, would he not have dwelt with more emphasis and inflation, as all impostors do, upon the marvelous and miraculous, and with less earnestness on that which is plain and practical? What an idea does it give us of the value of this transcendent disposition, to see it thus placed above the wonder-working powers of the first Christians - and what a notion does it convey to us of our own privileges, when we find ourselves invited and enabled to possess ourselves of an acquirement more to be coveted and esteemed, than the ability to speak all languages without study, and to heal all diseases without the practice or the study of medicine. Such is love!
In explanation of it, I would remark that charity signifies LOVE. In modern usage this term of charity, has become almost limited to the act of alms deeds; and in bestowing money or other things upon the poor, we speak of our giving charity. But in Scripture usage this is not its meaning - there it signifies love. In many places it is so rendered by our translators; and it is to a few others, they have perplexed the English reader, by not observing a uniform translation of the same original word.
But of what love does the apostle speak? Evidently not of love to God, as the exercises of it prove; nor of love to our brethren in Christ exclusively, because the acts of it, as described in the chapter, are as incumbent upon us in reference to the wicked, as to the righteous - it is love to all men, whether righteous or wicked; friends or foes. It is the same as love to our neighbor; it is in short, that benevolent disposition or kindness which consists in good-will to all creatures, and which leads us, as we have opportunity to promote their happiness. God is love - and this is His likeness. God loves all the universe with a love of benevolence - but his people are bound to love all, whether good or bad, so far as to be willing to promote their happiness; but they love the righteous with a special delight, on account of their relation and likeness to God; and thus add "to brotherly-kindness, love.
Such is love - not a mere natural amiableness of temper - not a soft, weakly, disposition. No! but a fruit of the Spirit. It is a benevolence, which is the result of regeneration; cherished by a sense of God's love to us in Christ Jesus; guided in its exercises by the Holy Scriptures; and directed, as its end, to the glory of God. It is that state of mind into which man is brought by the great change wrought in us by converting grace. Man, in his fallen state, is under the dominion of supreme selfishness. He cares for no other or higher object than self. His wife, children, friends, neighbors, are no otherwise regarded than as part of himself, or for the sake of himself. But to love, in the scriptural sense of the word, that is, a love for God's sake, his heart is a stranger. To feel the cold and icy selfishness of the heart, warming and melting under the glowing ardor of Divine and infinite benevolence, and a sense of interest awakened in the soul, and an impulse of beneficence given to it, which sends it beyond the circle of relatives, into the vast family of man; to be susceptible of emotions and affections which expand heart until it embraces the wide range of human beings; to be conscious of a sympathy with all our fellow creatures as capable of happiness, and an anxious desire to promote it; to realize within us a chord that vibrates in the tone of sorrow, to the grief of others, and in joy to the notes of their gladness; to know something of a disposition to be an instrument of benevolence and the means of communicating bliss; to be ever ready to weep with those who weep, and to rejoice with those who rejoice - in short, to know that our happiness is derived in great part from the happiness of others, and is increased by promoting it, and all this from imitation of the love of God to us - this is the love spoken of by the apostle in the chapter referred to, and which I now recommend.
The apostle has given us a description of the exercises of this noble and god-like principle. "Love is patient," and forbearing under injuries and annoyances, and does not revile, revenge, or retaliate. "Love is kind," not harsh or crude - but ever ready, willing, and pleased by looks, words, and actions, to promote the comfort of others. "Love does not envy." It does not pine and grieve at sight of another's superior possessions, fame, happiness, or piety - and dislike him on that account. "Love does not boast. Love is not proud." "Love seeks not her own." It is not easily provoked." "Love thinks no evil." Love rejoices not in iniquity - but rejoices in the truth. "Love bears all things. It does not divulge, proclaim, aggravate faults - but hides them as far as it can. "Love believe all things, hopes all things, endures all things," bears hardships, sustains labor, makes sacrifices in order to accomplish its purposes of good-will.
Whoever acts thus must promote happiness. He must bless all around him. All things smile in his presence. Beautiful description! Heavenly temper! Godlike mind! This is true religion, and this is to exist forever. "Love never fails," miracles shall cease, but love remains. Love goes with us to heaven. Faith shall be changed into sight; hope into fruition; prayer into praise; the helmet and shield, and the sword shall be laid aside, when the fight of faith is over. But love is the victor's trophy, his whole character that will be his honor and joy through eternity. Heaven is a region of love.
~John Angell James~
(continued with # 2)
There is no subject of a practical nature, to which I could direct your attention, or more importance, either to yourselves or to the credit of your profession, and therefore to the well-being of others - than that which is contained in the present address; I mean, Christian love.
I refer you to the apostle's beautiful description and eloquent eulogium of love, in the thirteenth chapter of his first epistle to the Corinthians. "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
The occasion of this chapter was as follows. The Corinthian church was preeminent in the possession of spiritual gifts. This distinction furnished occasion for the indulgence of pride and vanity in the exercise of these supernatural powers, which called for the interference, admonition, and rebuke of apostolic authority. In the last verse of the preceding chapter, Paul admonishes the members of the church to "covet earnestly the best gifts;" those which were most for edification, such, for instance, as prophesying, that is, speaking of Divine truth under inspiration, and yet says he, "I show unto you a more excellent way;" by which he meant that he would set before them something more excellent, and far more to be coveted, than the most extraordinary miraculous endowments. This preeminent excellence, to which he refers, is the love which he describes in the chapter now alluded to.
Nothing can give us a more impressive or instructive lesson, than this exaltation of charity over miracles. What a proof is it that the apostle was neither impostor nor enthusiast; that Christianity is indeed from Heaven, since though it is accredited by supernatural powers and endowments, its Divine Author, and its inspired teachers, place these in an inferior rank to Christian virtue. Had Paul been either impostor or enthusiast, would he not have dwelt with more emphasis and inflation, as all impostors do, upon the marvelous and miraculous, and with less earnestness on that which is plain and practical? What an idea does it give us of the value of this transcendent disposition, to see it thus placed above the wonder-working powers of the first Christians - and what a notion does it convey to us of our own privileges, when we find ourselves invited and enabled to possess ourselves of an acquirement more to be coveted and esteemed, than the ability to speak all languages without study, and to heal all diseases without the practice or the study of medicine. Such is love!
In explanation of it, I would remark that charity signifies LOVE. In modern usage this term of charity, has become almost limited to the act of alms deeds; and in bestowing money or other things upon the poor, we speak of our giving charity. But in Scripture usage this is not its meaning - there it signifies love. In many places it is so rendered by our translators; and it is to a few others, they have perplexed the English reader, by not observing a uniform translation of the same original word.
But of what love does the apostle speak? Evidently not of love to God, as the exercises of it prove; nor of love to our brethren in Christ exclusively, because the acts of it, as described in the chapter, are as incumbent upon us in reference to the wicked, as to the righteous - it is love to all men, whether righteous or wicked; friends or foes. It is the same as love to our neighbor; it is in short, that benevolent disposition or kindness which consists in good-will to all creatures, and which leads us, as we have opportunity to promote their happiness. God is love - and this is His likeness. God loves all the universe with a love of benevolence - but his people are bound to love all, whether good or bad, so far as to be willing to promote their happiness; but they love the righteous with a special delight, on account of their relation and likeness to God; and thus add "to brotherly-kindness, love.
Such is love - not a mere natural amiableness of temper - not a soft, weakly, disposition. No! but a fruit of the Spirit. It is a benevolence, which is the result of regeneration; cherished by a sense of God's love to us in Christ Jesus; guided in its exercises by the Holy Scriptures; and directed, as its end, to the glory of God. It is that state of mind into which man is brought by the great change wrought in us by converting grace. Man, in his fallen state, is under the dominion of supreme selfishness. He cares for no other or higher object than self. His wife, children, friends, neighbors, are no otherwise regarded than as part of himself, or for the sake of himself. But to love, in the scriptural sense of the word, that is, a love for God's sake, his heart is a stranger. To feel the cold and icy selfishness of the heart, warming and melting under the glowing ardor of Divine and infinite benevolence, and a sense of interest awakened in the soul, and an impulse of beneficence given to it, which sends it beyond the circle of relatives, into the vast family of man; to be susceptible of emotions and affections which expand heart until it embraces the wide range of human beings; to be conscious of a sympathy with all our fellow creatures as capable of happiness, and an anxious desire to promote it; to realize within us a chord that vibrates in the tone of sorrow, to the grief of others, and in joy to the notes of their gladness; to know something of a disposition to be an instrument of benevolence and the means of communicating bliss; to be ever ready to weep with those who weep, and to rejoice with those who rejoice - in short, to know that our happiness is derived in great part from the happiness of others, and is increased by promoting it, and all this from imitation of the love of God to us - this is the love spoken of by the apostle in the chapter referred to, and which I now recommend.
The apostle has given us a description of the exercises of this noble and god-like principle. "Love is patient," and forbearing under injuries and annoyances, and does not revile, revenge, or retaliate. "Love is kind," not harsh or crude - but ever ready, willing, and pleased by looks, words, and actions, to promote the comfort of others. "Love does not envy." It does not pine and grieve at sight of another's superior possessions, fame, happiness, or piety - and dislike him on that account. "Love does not boast. Love is not proud." "Love seeks not her own." It is not easily provoked." "Love thinks no evil." Love rejoices not in iniquity - but rejoices in the truth. "Love bears all things. It does not divulge, proclaim, aggravate faults - but hides them as far as it can. "Love believe all things, hopes all things, endures all things," bears hardships, sustains labor, makes sacrifices in order to accomplish its purposes of good-will.
Whoever acts thus must promote happiness. He must bless all around him. All things smile in his presence. Beautiful description! Heavenly temper! Godlike mind! This is true religion, and this is to exist forever. "Love never fails," miracles shall cease, but love remains. Love goes with us to heaven. Faith shall be changed into sight; hope into fruition; prayer into praise; the helmet and shield, and the sword shall be laid aside, when the fight of faith is over. But love is the victor's trophy, his whole character that will be his honor and joy through eternity. Heaven is a region of love.
~John Angell James~
(continued with # 2)
Saturday, August 18, 2018
Quotes From Classic Christian Authors
A chequered life(Letters of John Newton)
This life that we live in the flesh, is a chequered life.
The grain requires both rain and sunshine to bring it to maturity; but either of them without the other, would destroy the crop.
Thus, if we had only the sun of prosperity--the plant of grace would be burnt up.
If we only had the rain of affliction--the plant of grace would be overwhelmed and drowned.
The Lord, who knows exactly what we are, and where we are--adjusts these different means, in season and measure, as He, in His wisdom, sees most for our advantage.
Were health at all times and in all respects best for those who fear Him--then they would not feel a moment's illness!
We pass through so many changes, that when it rains--we may always hope for fair weather.
And when the sky is bright and serene--we may expect rain before long.
He prescribes all our afflictions--in number, weight, and measure, and season, exactly according to what our case requires!
What a mercy to know that all our concerns are in the hands of Him who so loved us, as to wash us from our sins in His own blood.
-------------------------------------------------
Reverent and sweet submission
(Joseph Hall)
"I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for You are the one who has done this!" Psalm 39:9
He is not worthy to pass for a child of God, who does not receive His stripes with reverent meekness. Tears may be allowed--but a murmuring frown is no better than rebellion.
Let infidels, then, and ignorants, who think they suffer by chance--repine at their adversities, and be dejected with their afflictions.
For me, who knows that I have a Father in Heaven who is full of mercy and compassion, whose providence has measured out the due proportions of my sorrows, counting my sighs, and reserving the tears which He wrings from me, in His bottle--why do I not patiently lie down and put my mouth in the dust, meekly submitting to His holy pleasure, and blessing the hand from which I smart?
"You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in Your bottle.
You have recorded each one in Your book!" Psalm 56:8
______________________________________
This life that we live in the flesh, is a chequered life.
The grain requires both rain and sunshine to bring it to maturity; but either of them without the other, would destroy the crop.
Thus, if we had only the sun of prosperity--the plant of grace would be burnt up.
If we only had the rain of affliction--the plant of grace would be overwhelmed and drowned.
The Lord, who knows exactly what we are, and where we are--adjusts these different means, in season and measure, as He, in His wisdom, sees most for our advantage.
Were health at all times and in all respects best for those who fear Him--then they would not feel a moment's illness!
We pass through so many changes, that when it rains--we may always hope for fair weather.
And when the sky is bright and serene--we may expect rain before long.
He prescribes all our afflictions--in number, weight, and measure, and season, exactly according to what our case requires!
What a mercy to know that all our concerns are in the hands of Him who so loved us, as to wash us from our sins in His own blood.
-------------------------------------------------
The Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My name....” (Acts 9:15 ESV)
The Lord must have an instrument, a Daniel instrument, whether personal or collective, that moves out towards God for His testimony. He must have a Nehemiah with a heartache over the people because of the breakdown of the testimony. He must have an Ezra who is not for a moment compromising with anything contrary to the mind of God. He must have the Esther instrument who flings fear to the winds, and goes, taking life in hand, to besiege the throne for the life of her people, for the deliverance of the people of God from the threat of the enemy. Oh! What those prayers wrought! And, beloved, the burden of the Lord must come on our heart in like manner if we are to be effective instruments for the Lord in His end-time activities; we must be exercised in a very deep way with the interests of God. We must hold back nothing that will count for the Lord and His interests. You would be surprised how the Lord would come through if you gave Him a chance.
The whole thing begins with a recognition of the need, and the burden of these things upon our hearts. When we are really in it by the urge of the Holy Spirit, the common features found in these Old Testament instruments will be found inwrought in us; and we shall be found an abandoned people unto this ONE THING – the Lord's burden and heart concern for His testimony in His people.
~T. Austin-Sparks~
_______________________________
(Joseph Hall)
"I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for You are the one who has done this!" Psalm 39:9
He is not worthy to pass for a child of God, who does not receive His stripes with reverent meekness. Tears may be allowed--but a murmuring frown is no better than rebellion.
Let infidels, then, and ignorants, who think they suffer by chance--repine at their adversities, and be dejected with their afflictions.
For me, who knows that I have a Father in Heaven who is full of mercy and compassion, whose providence has measured out the due proportions of my sorrows, counting my sighs, and reserving the tears which He wrings from me, in His bottle--why do I not patiently lie down and put my mouth in the dust, meekly submitting to His holy pleasure, and blessing the hand from which I smart?
"You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in Your bottle.
You have recorded each one in Your book!" Psalm 56:8
______________________________________
There is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 2:5)
God's answer to everything, God's explanation of everything, and God's means of realizing everything is a Man, "the man Christ Jesus." When this world has run its evil course, this inhabited earth will be judged in a Man. Men will be judged by what their inward relationship is to that Man. The question at the judgment will never be of how much good or bad, right or wrong, more or less, is in a man; it will turn upon this one point, "Are you in Christ?" If not, more or less makes no difference. God's intention, God's proclamation is that all things are in His Son. Are you in Him? Why not? The basis of judgment is very simple. It is all gathered up in a Man, and what is in that Man of God for us. That is the basis of judgment. It all comes back to the very simple, and yet comprehensive and blessed truth, that it is what Christ is that satisfies God, reaches God's end, and meets all our need. It is all summed up in a Man, "the man Christ Jesus."
The Lord continue to open our eyes to His glorious and Heavenly Man, Who is also the Divine Servant.
~T. Austin-Sparks~
Saturday, August 11, 2018
The Urgent Need for Reformation in Pastoral Ministry # 2
The Urgent Need for Reformation in Pastoral Ministry # 2
6. Traditional pastoral ministry views elders as separate from the pastoral function. It is common for us to think that while "the pastor" devotes himself to "spiritual" matters, the elders are to do the "non-spiritual" work. This is, however, clearly misguided and shows how we have allowed false traditions to influence our pastoral practice. The truth is that such terms as "pastor", "elder", and "overseer" are used interchangeably within the New Testament. Thus, all elders have the responsibility of teaching and shepherding the flock, as opposed to simply sitting on an executive board and making administrative decisions (Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 5:17; Titus 1:5-9; James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4). Moreover, the contemporary distinctions between elders and "lay" elders has no biblical basis. The same could be said for "teaching" elders and "ruling" elders. The New Testament only speaks of "elders."
7. Traditional pastoral ministry encourages local churches to look for pastors outside of their immediate congregations. Thus, there is always the need to form a "pastoral search committee." In contrast, the New Testament teaches that church shepherds are to arise from the church's own rank and assembly where they have already proven their spiritual maturity and demonstrated their ability to pastor the saints (Acts 14:23; 2 Tim. 2:2; Titus 1:5). Sadly, most evangelical churches do not raise and train their own men pastoral leadership and, often, the qualifications for oversight listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 are either ignored or down-played when evaluating potential candidates.
8. Traditional pastoral ministry teaches that only those who have been properly "ordained" have the authority to "administer the elements" within the Lord's Supper. The New Testament, however, never once teaches or even suggests this. To say that only the "ordained minister" has the right to preside over the bread and cup is to deny, in practice, the priesthood right of the believer. We must never forget that the Lord's Supper is a community meal, not a clergy meal.
9. Traditional pastoral ministry promotes a training system (i.e. seminary) for its pastors which has numerous inherent defects and limitations. To mention but a few, modern seminary training: takes the potential pastor-elders away from the life and concerns of the local church, and places them in an academic environment of abstract scholasticism - much of which has no real bearing upon their pastoral responsibilities; because of the numerous classes required, the nature of the subjects studied, the seminarian is allowed very little time for deep reflection upon what he learns; leadership training and spiritual accountability is usually very poor within the seminary context. But then, it is not so surprising when one considers that the seminary is merely a product of the institutional church, which has its own problems with accountability and intimacy; and many, perhaps most, of the professors withing our seminaries have never served as pastors They might know about systematic theology, church history, or apologetics, but they are not going to be much help to an elder in need of a mentor.
10. Traditional pastoral ministry places great importance on a professional "sermon" without recognizing its inherent problems and limitations. To question the "sermon" concept should not be equated with questioning the need for teachers or teaching within the assembly. Nevertheless, the following truths must be squarely faced by pastors wishing to be biblical - the very notion of a polished and eloquent sermon comes NOT from the New Testament. The early church had an open system of communication which permitted questions or even differing viewpoints, but we, have preferred a closed one. The zero feedback of a sermon contributes to being dull of hearing and helps to foster a spectator mentality. The sermon in most instances, does not go far enough. It is information-oriented, but that's all. Most pulpiteers fail to go beyond the bounds of pure information and insight into the realm of actually equipping believers for implementing the truths communicated. Thus, they are pastor-tellers, not pastor-teachers; and the New Testament never suggests that one man alone, week after week, is to do the corporate teaching (Acts 23:1; 1 Thess. 5:12-13; 1 Tim. 5:17). We should never seek to make any church expositionally-dependent upon one man for its instruction - and yet, this is what many evangelical churches do. See my articles "Problems and Limitations of the Traditional Sermon Concept" and "Should One Man be the Dominant Focal-Point of a Church Service" available from Church in Focus.
~Darryl M. Erkel~
(The End)
6. Traditional pastoral ministry views elders as separate from the pastoral function. It is common for us to think that while "the pastor" devotes himself to "spiritual" matters, the elders are to do the "non-spiritual" work. This is, however, clearly misguided and shows how we have allowed false traditions to influence our pastoral practice. The truth is that such terms as "pastor", "elder", and "overseer" are used interchangeably within the New Testament. Thus, all elders have the responsibility of teaching and shepherding the flock, as opposed to simply sitting on an executive board and making administrative decisions (Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 5:17; Titus 1:5-9; James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4). Moreover, the contemporary distinctions between elders and "lay" elders has no biblical basis. The same could be said for "teaching" elders and "ruling" elders. The New Testament only speaks of "elders."
7. Traditional pastoral ministry encourages local churches to look for pastors outside of their immediate congregations. Thus, there is always the need to form a "pastoral search committee." In contrast, the New Testament teaches that church shepherds are to arise from the church's own rank and assembly where they have already proven their spiritual maturity and demonstrated their ability to pastor the saints (Acts 14:23; 2 Tim. 2:2; Titus 1:5). Sadly, most evangelical churches do not raise and train their own men pastoral leadership and, often, the qualifications for oversight listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 are either ignored or down-played when evaluating potential candidates.
8. Traditional pastoral ministry teaches that only those who have been properly "ordained" have the authority to "administer the elements" within the Lord's Supper. The New Testament, however, never once teaches or even suggests this. To say that only the "ordained minister" has the right to preside over the bread and cup is to deny, in practice, the priesthood right of the believer. We must never forget that the Lord's Supper is a community meal, not a clergy meal.
9. Traditional pastoral ministry promotes a training system (i.e. seminary) for its pastors which has numerous inherent defects and limitations. To mention but a few, modern seminary training: takes the potential pastor-elders away from the life and concerns of the local church, and places them in an academic environment of abstract scholasticism - much of which has no real bearing upon their pastoral responsibilities; because of the numerous classes required, the nature of the subjects studied, the seminarian is allowed very little time for deep reflection upon what he learns; leadership training and spiritual accountability is usually very poor within the seminary context. But then, it is not so surprising when one considers that the seminary is merely a product of the institutional church, which has its own problems with accountability and intimacy; and many, perhaps most, of the professors withing our seminaries have never served as pastors They might know about systematic theology, church history, or apologetics, but they are not going to be much help to an elder in need of a mentor.
10. Traditional pastoral ministry places great importance on a professional "sermon" without recognizing its inherent problems and limitations. To question the "sermon" concept should not be equated with questioning the need for teachers or teaching within the assembly. Nevertheless, the following truths must be squarely faced by pastors wishing to be biblical - the very notion of a polished and eloquent sermon comes NOT from the New Testament. The early church had an open system of communication which permitted questions or even differing viewpoints, but we, have preferred a closed one. The zero feedback of a sermon contributes to being dull of hearing and helps to foster a spectator mentality. The sermon in most instances, does not go far enough. It is information-oriented, but that's all. Most pulpiteers fail to go beyond the bounds of pure information and insight into the realm of actually equipping believers for implementing the truths communicated. Thus, they are pastor-tellers, not pastor-teachers; and the New Testament never suggests that one man alone, week after week, is to do the corporate teaching (Acts 23:1; 1 Thess. 5:12-13; 1 Tim. 5:17). We should never seek to make any church expositionally-dependent upon one man for its instruction - and yet, this is what many evangelical churches do. See my articles "Problems and Limitations of the Traditional Sermon Concept" and "Should One Man be the Dominant Focal-Point of a Church Service" available from Church in Focus.
~Darryl M. Erkel~
(The End)
The Urgent Need For Reformation in Pastoral Ministry # 1
The Urgent Need For Reformation in Pastoral Ministry # 1
There is much to say about the need for reformation within local churches and, in particular, the way we structure our church meetings. Discerning and informed Christians will rarely disagree with this. But how many of us will recognize the fact that our traditional notions of pastoral ministry are just as equally in need of reformation and restructuring? To give but a few examples where traditional pastoral ministry departs from the patterns of the New Testament, please consider the following:
1. Traditional pastoral ministry promotes a one-man rule known as "the pastor." He is the final word and rule within most "evangelical" churches. In contrast, the New Testament teaches plural oversight by men known as elders (Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28; Phil. 1:1; 1 Thess. 5:12-13; 1 Tim. 5:17; Heb. 13:17; James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4). Some churches, recognizing the need for shared oversight, have attempted to improve the traditional one-man pastor, and "board of elders." This man-made solution, however, still contradicts the pattern set forth in the New Testament which teaches a shared and equal oversight, not to mention that, in the end, it still amounts to basically the same thing: One man alone is exalted to a position over others and has the final word in church related matters! By the way, isn't Jesus Christ supposed to be the "senior pastor" (Heb 13:20; 1 Peter 5:4)? Although elders might e gifted differently and may even excel in specific pastoral tasks, there is no scriptural warrant for dividing church leaders into various "offices" with special, honorific titles.
2. Traditional pastoral ministry promotes lofty and honorific titles for church leaders such as "Reverend," "Minister", "Bishop," "Senior Pastor," and "Pastor." In contrast, Jesus taught that His people were members of a unique brotherhood with no need for elite and honorific titles (Matt. 23:6-12; Mark 10:35-45). Not only do special titles separate the Christian brotherhood and violate the scriptural teaching concerning the priesthood right of the believer (Eph. 4:11-12); 1 Peter 2:5-9; Rev. 1:6)), it also feeds the pride of men. In contrast to our present system of giving honorific titles, the New Testament teaches that believers were recognized by virtue of their humble and sacrificial service (Acts 15:26; Rom. 16:1-4, 12; 1 Cor. 16:15-16, 18; 2 Cor. 8:18; Phil. 2:29-30; Col. 1:7; 4:12-13) - not by titles! It's no wonder, then, that the early Christians avoided lofty titles (as was common among the Jews and Greeks) and, instead, chose lowly and unofficial terms such as "brother", "servant", and "fellow worker." One writer has said it well: "The array of ecclesiastical titles accompanying the names of Christian leaders today is completely missing from the New Testament, and would have appalled the apostles and early believers" (Alexander Strauch).
Contrary to our traditional and modern pastors, Paul wanted the churches to regard him and other church leaders as mere servants: "Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God" (1 Cor. 4:1; Acts 15:23; 1 Cor. 3:5; 2 Cor. 4:5; 12:11; Eph 3:8). When addressing the elders in the Epistle of First Peter, the apostle Peter simply refers to himself as "your fellow elder" (1 Pet. 5:1). Here was his great opportunity to exalt himself with an honorific title such as "senior pastor," etc., but never chose to do so! Likewise, when the apostle John wrote to the seven churches in Asia, he merely referred to himself as "your brother and fellow partaker" in the trials, kingdom, and perseverance which are in Jesus (Rev. 1:9). Does any of this sound like these were the kind of men who would demand or even expect (not to mention gladly receive) others to call them a"Reverend," "Doctor," or any other ego-inflating title?
3. Traditional pastoral ministry does NOT promote mutual edification within the church service. Those pastors who do, usually allow congregational participation to a very limited degree. The average pastor still thinks that he and his sermon are to be the focal-point of the gathering. In contrast, the New Testament teaches that the local church meeting is to be a place where Christians actively exercise their spiritual gifts and encourage one another to love and good deeds (Rom. 12:6-8, 1 Cor. 12:4-12; 14:12, 26; Col. 3:16; Heb. 10:24-25; 1 Peter 4:10-11). Most pastors, however, do not fully understand such truths, let alone implement them within the church service. Thus, attending church for most Christians is simply a spectator event - with only one or two doing everything - instead of a participating event! The question we must face is: On what scriptural basis can we justify placing our responsibility of mutual edification and ministry into the hands of professional clergymen?
Why is it that a large percentage of Christians can attend church for years and know nothing (or virtually nothing) about their spiritual gifts or where they are to function in the body of Christ? Are our modern pastors producing responsible and functional Christians or a generation of passive pew-potatoes? In truth, pastors must return to their God-given role of equipping and liberating the saints so that they (not merely professionals) can do the work of ministry (Eph. 4:11-16). Hebrews 13:17 states that church leaders will one day "give an account" for their pastoral ministry. But what will they say to Christ on that day when their life-long work produced nothing more than infantile Christians who were expected to do nothing more than quietly attend, take sermon notes, and pass the offering plate?
4. Traditional pastoral ministry promotes a "clergy-laity" division. The "clergy" are the professional ministers who are called and trained to do "the ministry," while nothing much is expected from the "laity" except to faithfully attend, tithe, and passively observe the ministry of the "clergy". In contrast, the New Testament teaches that every Christian is a minister and priest before God (1 Pet. 2:5-9; Rev. 1:6). In fact, the entire Christian church is a ministerial body with the authority to minister and exercise their spiritual gifts for the common good (Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11; 14:12, 26; Eph. 4:11-16; Col. 3:16; 1 Pet. 4:10-11). This being true, on what scriptural basis do we divide the church into two classes of people: clergy and laity? Since words mean things and since they can convey the wrong impressions, is it not clear that we are in dire need of language reform within the body of Christ? When a generation of saints are repeatedly told that they are mere "laymen" and that real ministry should be left to the professionals, why should we expect any of them to be zealous and productive for Christ? If every Christian is a minister, why are we not allowed to minister to one another within the church service?
5. Traditional pastoral ministry teaches that "the pastor" is to be the dominant, focal-point of a church gathering. Although others might be allowed to minister (albeit in a very limited manner), "the pastor" and his illustrious "sermon" is to be the center-point and mainstay of the meeting. In contrast, the New Testament teaches that the church is to be edified and ministered by all the members present (1 Cor. 123:7, 14: 14:12, 26-31; Eph 4:16; 1 Pet. 4:10-11). This being true, why do our churches focus only one part of the body - "the pastor"? Why is there no mention of pastoral dominance in 1 Corinthians 12:14 - particularly when Paul in dealing with the very issue of spiritual gifts and their proper function in the local church? By centering our church services on one man and his gifts, are we not, in practice, reversing the words of Paul in 1 Cor. 12:14 and suggesting that "the body is not many members, but one"?
~Darryl M. Erkel~
(continued with # 2)
There is much to say about the need for reformation within local churches and, in particular, the way we structure our church meetings. Discerning and informed Christians will rarely disagree with this. But how many of us will recognize the fact that our traditional notions of pastoral ministry are just as equally in need of reformation and restructuring? To give but a few examples where traditional pastoral ministry departs from the patterns of the New Testament, please consider the following:
1. Traditional pastoral ministry promotes a one-man rule known as "the pastor." He is the final word and rule within most "evangelical" churches. In contrast, the New Testament teaches plural oversight by men known as elders (Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28; Phil. 1:1; 1 Thess. 5:12-13; 1 Tim. 5:17; Heb. 13:17; James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4). Some churches, recognizing the need for shared oversight, have attempted to improve the traditional one-man pastor, and "board of elders." This man-made solution, however, still contradicts the pattern set forth in the New Testament which teaches a shared and equal oversight, not to mention that, in the end, it still amounts to basically the same thing: One man alone is exalted to a position over others and has the final word in church related matters! By the way, isn't Jesus Christ supposed to be the "senior pastor" (Heb 13:20; 1 Peter 5:4)? Although elders might e gifted differently and may even excel in specific pastoral tasks, there is no scriptural warrant for dividing church leaders into various "offices" with special, honorific titles.
2. Traditional pastoral ministry promotes lofty and honorific titles for church leaders such as "Reverend," "Minister", "Bishop," "Senior Pastor," and "Pastor." In contrast, Jesus taught that His people were members of a unique brotherhood with no need for elite and honorific titles (Matt. 23:6-12; Mark 10:35-45). Not only do special titles separate the Christian brotherhood and violate the scriptural teaching concerning the priesthood right of the believer (Eph. 4:11-12); 1 Peter 2:5-9; Rev. 1:6)), it also feeds the pride of men. In contrast to our present system of giving honorific titles, the New Testament teaches that believers were recognized by virtue of their humble and sacrificial service (Acts 15:26; Rom. 16:1-4, 12; 1 Cor. 16:15-16, 18; 2 Cor. 8:18; Phil. 2:29-30; Col. 1:7; 4:12-13) - not by titles! It's no wonder, then, that the early Christians avoided lofty titles (as was common among the Jews and Greeks) and, instead, chose lowly and unofficial terms such as "brother", "servant", and "fellow worker." One writer has said it well: "The array of ecclesiastical titles accompanying the names of Christian leaders today is completely missing from the New Testament, and would have appalled the apostles and early believers" (Alexander Strauch).
Contrary to our traditional and modern pastors, Paul wanted the churches to regard him and other church leaders as mere servants: "Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God" (1 Cor. 4:1; Acts 15:23; 1 Cor. 3:5; 2 Cor. 4:5; 12:11; Eph 3:8). When addressing the elders in the Epistle of First Peter, the apostle Peter simply refers to himself as "your fellow elder" (1 Pet. 5:1). Here was his great opportunity to exalt himself with an honorific title such as "senior pastor," etc., but never chose to do so! Likewise, when the apostle John wrote to the seven churches in Asia, he merely referred to himself as "your brother and fellow partaker" in the trials, kingdom, and perseverance which are in Jesus (Rev. 1:9). Does any of this sound like these were the kind of men who would demand or even expect (not to mention gladly receive) others to call them a"Reverend," "Doctor," or any other ego-inflating title?
3. Traditional pastoral ministry does NOT promote mutual edification within the church service. Those pastors who do, usually allow congregational participation to a very limited degree. The average pastor still thinks that he and his sermon are to be the focal-point of the gathering. In contrast, the New Testament teaches that the local church meeting is to be a place where Christians actively exercise their spiritual gifts and encourage one another to love and good deeds (Rom. 12:6-8, 1 Cor. 12:4-12; 14:12, 26; Col. 3:16; Heb. 10:24-25; 1 Peter 4:10-11). Most pastors, however, do not fully understand such truths, let alone implement them within the church service. Thus, attending church for most Christians is simply a spectator event - with only one or two doing everything - instead of a participating event! The question we must face is: On what scriptural basis can we justify placing our responsibility of mutual edification and ministry into the hands of professional clergymen?
Why is it that a large percentage of Christians can attend church for years and know nothing (or virtually nothing) about their spiritual gifts or where they are to function in the body of Christ? Are our modern pastors producing responsible and functional Christians or a generation of passive pew-potatoes? In truth, pastors must return to their God-given role of equipping and liberating the saints so that they (not merely professionals) can do the work of ministry (Eph. 4:11-16). Hebrews 13:17 states that church leaders will one day "give an account" for their pastoral ministry. But what will they say to Christ on that day when their life-long work produced nothing more than infantile Christians who were expected to do nothing more than quietly attend, take sermon notes, and pass the offering plate?
4. Traditional pastoral ministry promotes a "clergy-laity" division. The "clergy" are the professional ministers who are called and trained to do "the ministry," while nothing much is expected from the "laity" except to faithfully attend, tithe, and passively observe the ministry of the "clergy". In contrast, the New Testament teaches that every Christian is a minister and priest before God (1 Pet. 2:5-9; Rev. 1:6). In fact, the entire Christian church is a ministerial body with the authority to minister and exercise their spiritual gifts for the common good (Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11; 14:12, 26; Eph. 4:11-16; Col. 3:16; 1 Pet. 4:10-11). This being true, on what scriptural basis do we divide the church into two classes of people: clergy and laity? Since words mean things and since they can convey the wrong impressions, is it not clear that we are in dire need of language reform within the body of Christ? When a generation of saints are repeatedly told that they are mere "laymen" and that real ministry should be left to the professionals, why should we expect any of them to be zealous and productive for Christ? If every Christian is a minister, why are we not allowed to minister to one another within the church service?
5. Traditional pastoral ministry teaches that "the pastor" is to be the dominant, focal-point of a church gathering. Although others might be allowed to minister (albeit in a very limited manner), "the pastor" and his illustrious "sermon" is to be the center-point and mainstay of the meeting. In contrast, the New Testament teaches that the church is to be edified and ministered by all the members present (1 Cor. 123:7, 14: 14:12, 26-31; Eph 4:16; 1 Pet. 4:10-11). This being true, why do our churches focus only one part of the body - "the pastor"? Why is there no mention of pastoral dominance in 1 Corinthians 12:14 - particularly when Paul in dealing with the very issue of spiritual gifts and their proper function in the local church? By centering our church services on one man and his gifts, are we not, in practice, reversing the words of Paul in 1 Cor. 12:14 and suggesting that "the body is not many members, but one"?
~Darryl M. Erkel~
(continued with # 2)
Saturday, August 4, 2018
Few Saved # 7
Few Saved # 7
(d) Are there few saved? Then, if you are one of the saved, be thankful. Chosen and called of God - wile thousands around you are sunk in unbelief; seeing the kingdom of God - while multitudes around you are utterly blind; delivered from the present evil world - while crowds are overcome by its love and fear; taught to know sin, and God, and Christ - while numbers, to all appearance as good as you, live in ignorance and darkness! Oh, you have reason every day to bless and praise God! Whence came this sense of sin, which you now experience? Whence came this love of Christ - this desire after holiness - this hungering after righteousness - this delight in the Word? Has not free grace done it, while many a companion of your youth still knows nothing about it, or has been cut off in his sins? You ought indeed to bless God! Surely Whitefield might well say, that one anthem among the saints in heaven will be "Why me, Lord? Why did You choose me?"
(e) Are there few saved? Then, if you are one, do not wonder that you often find yourself standing alone. I dare believe you are sometimes almost brought to a standstill, by the corruption and wickedness that you see in the world around you. You see false doctrine abounding. You see unbelief and ungodliness of every description. You are sometimes tempted to say, "Can I really be in the right in my religion?" Beware of giving way to thoughts like these. Remember, you are only having practical proof of the truth of your Master's sayings. Think not that His purposes are being defeated. Think not that His work is not going forward in the world. He is still taking out a people to His praise. He is still raising up witnesses to Himself, here and there, all over the world. The saved will yet be found to be a "multitude that no man can number," when all are gathered together at last. (Rev. 7:9). The earth will yet be filled with the knowledge of the Lord. All nations shall serve Him - all kings shall yet delight to do Him honor. But the night is not yet spent. The day of the Lord's power is yet to come. In the meantime all is going on as He foretold 1800 years ago - many are being lost and few saved.
(f) Are there few saved? Then, if you are one,do not be afraid to having too much godliness. Settle it down in your mind that you will aim at the highest degree of holiness, and spiritual-mindedness, and consecration to God - that you will not be content with any low degree of sanctification. Resolve that, by the grace of God, you will make Christianity beautiful in the eyes of the world. Remember that the children of the world have but few patterns of true religion before them. Endeavor, as far as in you lies, to make those few patterns recommend the service of your Master. Oh, that every true Christian would recollect that he is set as a lighthouse in the midst of a dark world, and would labor so to live that every part of him may reflect light, and no side be dim!
(g) Are there few saved? Then, if you are one, use every opportunity of trying to do good to souls. Settle it down in your mind that the vast majority of people around you are in dreadful danger of being lost forever. Work at bringing the Gospel to bear upon them. Throw all your influence heartily and unreservedly into the cause of doing good to souls. Live like one who thoroughly believes that time is short and eternity is near - the devil strong and sin abounding - the darkness very great and the light very small - the ungodly very many and the godly very few - the things of the world mere transitory shadows, and heaven and hell the great substantial realities.
Alas, indeed, for the lives that many believers live! How cold are many, and how frozen - how slow to do decided things in religion, and how afraid of going too far - how backward to attempt anything new - how ready to discourage a good movement - how ingenious in discovering reasons why it is best to sit still - how unwilling ever to allow that "the time" for active exertion is come - how wise in finding fault - how shiftless in devising plans to meet growing evils! Truly a man might sometimes think, when he looks at the ways of many who are counted believers, that all the world was going to heaven, and hell was nothing but a lie.
Let us all beware of this state of mind! Whether we like to believe it or not, hell is filling fast. Christ is daily holding out His hand to a disobedient people. Many are in the broad way that leads to destruction! Few are in the way that leads to life! Many, many are likely to be lost. Few, few are likely to be saved.
Once more I ask every reader, as I asked at the beginning of this paper - Shall you be saved? If you are not saved already, my heart's desire and prayer to God is, that you may seek salvation without delay. If you are saved, my desire is that you may live a saved soul - and like one who knows that saved souls are few.
"Enter in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter in by it. How narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14).
~J. C. Ryle~
(The End)
(d) Are there few saved? Then, if you are one of the saved, be thankful. Chosen and called of God - wile thousands around you are sunk in unbelief; seeing the kingdom of God - while multitudes around you are utterly blind; delivered from the present evil world - while crowds are overcome by its love and fear; taught to know sin, and God, and Christ - while numbers, to all appearance as good as you, live in ignorance and darkness! Oh, you have reason every day to bless and praise God! Whence came this sense of sin, which you now experience? Whence came this love of Christ - this desire after holiness - this hungering after righteousness - this delight in the Word? Has not free grace done it, while many a companion of your youth still knows nothing about it, or has been cut off in his sins? You ought indeed to bless God! Surely Whitefield might well say, that one anthem among the saints in heaven will be "Why me, Lord? Why did You choose me?"
(e) Are there few saved? Then, if you are one, do not wonder that you often find yourself standing alone. I dare believe you are sometimes almost brought to a standstill, by the corruption and wickedness that you see in the world around you. You see false doctrine abounding. You see unbelief and ungodliness of every description. You are sometimes tempted to say, "Can I really be in the right in my religion?" Beware of giving way to thoughts like these. Remember, you are only having practical proof of the truth of your Master's sayings. Think not that His purposes are being defeated. Think not that His work is not going forward in the world. He is still taking out a people to His praise. He is still raising up witnesses to Himself, here and there, all over the world. The saved will yet be found to be a "multitude that no man can number," when all are gathered together at last. (Rev. 7:9). The earth will yet be filled with the knowledge of the Lord. All nations shall serve Him - all kings shall yet delight to do Him honor. But the night is not yet spent. The day of the Lord's power is yet to come. In the meantime all is going on as He foretold 1800 years ago - many are being lost and few saved.
(f) Are there few saved? Then, if you are one,do not be afraid to having too much godliness. Settle it down in your mind that you will aim at the highest degree of holiness, and spiritual-mindedness, and consecration to God - that you will not be content with any low degree of sanctification. Resolve that, by the grace of God, you will make Christianity beautiful in the eyes of the world. Remember that the children of the world have but few patterns of true religion before them. Endeavor, as far as in you lies, to make those few patterns recommend the service of your Master. Oh, that every true Christian would recollect that he is set as a lighthouse in the midst of a dark world, and would labor so to live that every part of him may reflect light, and no side be dim!
(g) Are there few saved? Then, if you are one, use every opportunity of trying to do good to souls. Settle it down in your mind that the vast majority of people around you are in dreadful danger of being lost forever. Work at bringing the Gospel to bear upon them. Throw all your influence heartily and unreservedly into the cause of doing good to souls. Live like one who thoroughly believes that time is short and eternity is near - the devil strong and sin abounding - the darkness very great and the light very small - the ungodly very many and the godly very few - the things of the world mere transitory shadows, and heaven and hell the great substantial realities.
Alas, indeed, for the lives that many believers live! How cold are many, and how frozen - how slow to do decided things in religion, and how afraid of going too far - how backward to attempt anything new - how ready to discourage a good movement - how ingenious in discovering reasons why it is best to sit still - how unwilling ever to allow that "the time" for active exertion is come - how wise in finding fault - how shiftless in devising plans to meet growing evils! Truly a man might sometimes think, when he looks at the ways of many who are counted believers, that all the world was going to heaven, and hell was nothing but a lie.
Let us all beware of this state of mind! Whether we like to believe it or not, hell is filling fast. Christ is daily holding out His hand to a disobedient people. Many are in the broad way that leads to destruction! Few are in the way that leads to life! Many, many are likely to be lost. Few, few are likely to be saved.
Once more I ask every reader, as I asked at the beginning of this paper - Shall you be saved? If you are not saved already, my heart's desire and prayer to God is, that you may seek salvation without delay. If you are saved, my desire is that you may live a saved soul - and like one who knows that saved souls are few.
"Enter in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter in by it. How narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14).
~J. C. Ryle~
(The End)
Few Saved # 6
Few Saved # 6
(c) I know well that many will not believe when I am saying, because they refuse to observe the evil there is in the world. They live in the midst of a little circle of good people - they know little of anything that goes on in the world outside their circle. They tell us the world is a world which is rapidly improving and going on to perfection. They count up on their fingers the number of good ministers whom they have heard and seen in the last year. They call our attention to the number of religious societies, and religious meetings, to the money which is subscribed, to the Bibles and tracts which are being constantly distributed. They ask us if we really dare to say, in the face of all this, that few are in the way to be saved. In reply, I will only remind these amiable people, that there are other people in the world besides their own little circle, and other men and women besides the chosen few whom they know in their own congregation. I entreat them to open their eyes, and see things as they really are. I assure them there are things going on in this country of ours of which they are at present in happy ignorance. I ask them to sift any church or congregation with the Bible, before they condemn me hastily. I tell them, if they will do this honestly, they will soon find that I am not far wrong, when I say that few are likely to be saved.
(d) I know well that will not believe me, because they think such a doctrine is very narrow-minded and exclusive. I utterly deny the charge. I disclaim any sympathy with those Christians who condemn everybody outside their own church, and appear to shut the door of heaven against everybody who does not see everything with their eyes. Whether Roman Catholics, or Episcopalians, or Free Churchmen, or Baptists, or Plymouth Brethren - whoever does anything of this kind, I reckon him a narrow-minded man. I have no desire to shut up the kingdom of heaven against anyone. All I say is, that none will enter that kingdom, except converted, believing, and holy souls; and all I take on myself to assert is, that both the Bible and facts combine to prove that such people are few.
(e) I know well that many will not believe what I am saying, because they think it a gloomy, uncharitable doctrine. It is easy to make vague, general assertions of this kind. It is not so easy to show that any doctrine deserves to be called "gloomy and uncharitable" which is scriptural and true. There is a spurious charity, I am afraid, which dislikes all strong statements in religion, a charity which would have no one interfered with - charity which would have everyone let alone in his sins - a charity which, without evidence, takes for granted that everybody is going to be saved - a charity which never doubts that all people are going to heaven, and seems to deny the existence of such a place as hell. But such charity is not the charity of the New Testament, and does not deserve the name. Give me the charity which tries everything by the test of the Bible, and believes nothing and hopes nothing that is not sanctioned by the Word. Give me the charity which Paul describes to the Corinthians - the charity which is not blind, and deaf, and stupid - but has eyes to see and senses to discern between him that fears God and him that fears Him not. Such charity will rejoice in nothing but "the truth," and will confess with sorrow that I tell nothing but the truth when I say that few are likely to be saved.
(f) I know well that many will not believe me, because they think it presumptuous to have any opinion at all about the number of the saved. But will these people dare to tell us that the Bible has not spoken plainly as to the character of saved souls? And will they dare to say that there is any standard of truth except the Bible? Surely there can be no presumption in asserting that which is agreeable to the Bible. I tell them plainly that the charge of presumption does not lie at my door. I say that he is the truly presumptuous man who, when the Bible has said a thing clearly and unmistakably, refuses to receive it.
(g) I know, finally, that many will not believe me, because they think my statement extravagant, and unwarrantable. They regard it as a piece of fanaticism, unworthy of the attention of a rational man. They look on ministers who make such assertions, as weak-minded people, and lacking in common sense. I can bear such imputations unmoved. I only ask those who make them to show me some plain proof that they are right and I am wrong. Let them show me, if they can, that anybody is likely to get to heaven whose heart is not renewed, who is not a believer in Jesus Christ, who is not a spiritually-minded and holy man. Let them show me, if they can, that people of this description are many, compared with those who are not. Let them, in one word, point to any place on earth where the great majority of the people are not ungodly, and the truly godly are not a little flock. Let them do this, and I will grant they have done right to disbelieve what I have said. Until they do this, I must maintain the sorrowful conclusion - that few people are likely to be saved.
And now it only remains to make some practical application of the subject of this paper. I have set forth as plainly as I an the character of saved people.
I have shown the painful delusions of the world as to the number of the saved. I have brought forward the evidence of the Bible on the subject. I have drawn from the world around us plain facts in confirmation of the statements I have made. May the Lord grant that all these solemn truths may not have been exhibited in vain!
I am quite aware that I have said many things in this paper which are likely to give offence. I know it. It must be so. The point which it handles is far too serious and heart-searching to be otherwise than offensive to some. But I have long had a deep conviction that the subject has been painfully neglected, and that few things are so little realized as the comparative numbers of the lost and saved. All that I have written, I have written because I firmly believe it to be God's truth. All that I have said, I have said, not as an enemy who gives you a bitter medicine to save your life. You do not count him an enemy who shakes you roughly from your sleep when your house is on fire! Surely you will not count mean enemy because I tell you strong truths for the benefit of your soul. I appeal, as a friend, to every man or woman into whose hands this volume has come. Bear with me, for a few moments, while I say a few last words to impress the whole subject on your conscience.
(a) Are there few saved? Then, shall you be one of the few? Oh, that you would see that salvation is the one thing needful. Health, and riches, and titles, are not needful things. A man may gain heaven without them. But what shall the man do who dies not saved! Oh, that you would see that you must have salvation now, in this present life, and lay hold upon it for your own soul! Oh, that you would see that "saved" or "not saved" is the grand question in religion! High Church or Low Church, Churchman or Dissenter, all these are trifling questions in comparison. What a man needs in order to get to heaven is an actual personal interest in Christ's salvation. Surely, if you are not saved, it will be better at last never to have been born!
(b) Are there few saved? Then, if you are not one of the few already, strive to be one without delay. I know know who and what you are - but I say boldly, Come to Christ and you shall be saved. The gate that leads to life may be strait - but it was wide enough to admit Manasseh, and Saul of Tarsus - and why not you? The way that leads to life may be narrow - but it is marked by the footsteps of thousands of sinners like yourself. All have found it a good way. All have persevered, and got safely home at last. Jesus Christ invites you. The promises of the Gospel encourage you. Oh, strive to enter in without delay!
(c) Are there few saved? Then, if you are doubtful whether you are one of the few, make sure work at once, and be doubtful no more. Leave no stone unturned in order to ascertain your own spiritual state. Be no content with ague hopes and trusts. Rest not on warm feelings and temporary desires after God. Give diligence to make your calling and election sure. Oh, give me leave to say, that if you are content to live on uncertain about salvation, you live the maddest life in the world! The fires of hell are before you - and you are uncertain whether your soul is saved. This world below must soon be left - and you are uncertain whether you have a mansion prepared to receive you in the world above. The judgment will soon be set - and you are uncertain whether you have an Advocate to plead your cause. Eternity will soon begin - and you are uncertain whether you are prepared to meet God. Oh, sit down this day, and study the subject of salvation! Give God no rest until uncertainty has disappeared, and you have got hold of a reasonable hope that you are saved.
~J. C. Ryle~
(continued with # 7)
(c) I know well that many will not believe when I am saying, because they refuse to observe the evil there is in the world. They live in the midst of a little circle of good people - they know little of anything that goes on in the world outside their circle. They tell us the world is a world which is rapidly improving and going on to perfection. They count up on their fingers the number of good ministers whom they have heard and seen in the last year. They call our attention to the number of religious societies, and religious meetings, to the money which is subscribed, to the Bibles and tracts which are being constantly distributed. They ask us if we really dare to say, in the face of all this, that few are in the way to be saved. In reply, I will only remind these amiable people, that there are other people in the world besides their own little circle, and other men and women besides the chosen few whom they know in their own congregation. I entreat them to open their eyes, and see things as they really are. I assure them there are things going on in this country of ours of which they are at present in happy ignorance. I ask them to sift any church or congregation with the Bible, before they condemn me hastily. I tell them, if they will do this honestly, they will soon find that I am not far wrong, when I say that few are likely to be saved.
(d) I know well that will not believe me, because they think such a doctrine is very narrow-minded and exclusive. I utterly deny the charge. I disclaim any sympathy with those Christians who condemn everybody outside their own church, and appear to shut the door of heaven against everybody who does not see everything with their eyes. Whether Roman Catholics, or Episcopalians, or Free Churchmen, or Baptists, or Plymouth Brethren - whoever does anything of this kind, I reckon him a narrow-minded man. I have no desire to shut up the kingdom of heaven against anyone. All I say is, that none will enter that kingdom, except converted, believing, and holy souls; and all I take on myself to assert is, that both the Bible and facts combine to prove that such people are few.
(e) I know well that many will not believe what I am saying, because they think it a gloomy, uncharitable doctrine. It is easy to make vague, general assertions of this kind. It is not so easy to show that any doctrine deserves to be called "gloomy and uncharitable" which is scriptural and true. There is a spurious charity, I am afraid, which dislikes all strong statements in religion, a charity which would have no one interfered with - charity which would have everyone let alone in his sins - a charity which, without evidence, takes for granted that everybody is going to be saved - a charity which never doubts that all people are going to heaven, and seems to deny the existence of such a place as hell. But such charity is not the charity of the New Testament, and does not deserve the name. Give me the charity which tries everything by the test of the Bible, and believes nothing and hopes nothing that is not sanctioned by the Word. Give me the charity which Paul describes to the Corinthians - the charity which is not blind, and deaf, and stupid - but has eyes to see and senses to discern between him that fears God and him that fears Him not. Such charity will rejoice in nothing but "the truth," and will confess with sorrow that I tell nothing but the truth when I say that few are likely to be saved.
(f) I know well that many will not believe me, because they think it presumptuous to have any opinion at all about the number of the saved. But will these people dare to tell us that the Bible has not spoken plainly as to the character of saved souls? And will they dare to say that there is any standard of truth except the Bible? Surely there can be no presumption in asserting that which is agreeable to the Bible. I tell them plainly that the charge of presumption does not lie at my door. I say that he is the truly presumptuous man who, when the Bible has said a thing clearly and unmistakably, refuses to receive it.
(g) I know, finally, that many will not believe me, because they think my statement extravagant, and unwarrantable. They regard it as a piece of fanaticism, unworthy of the attention of a rational man. They look on ministers who make such assertions, as weak-minded people, and lacking in common sense. I can bear such imputations unmoved. I only ask those who make them to show me some plain proof that they are right and I am wrong. Let them show me, if they can, that anybody is likely to get to heaven whose heart is not renewed, who is not a believer in Jesus Christ, who is not a spiritually-minded and holy man. Let them show me, if they can, that people of this description are many, compared with those who are not. Let them, in one word, point to any place on earth where the great majority of the people are not ungodly, and the truly godly are not a little flock. Let them do this, and I will grant they have done right to disbelieve what I have said. Until they do this, I must maintain the sorrowful conclusion - that few people are likely to be saved.
And now it only remains to make some practical application of the subject of this paper. I have set forth as plainly as I an the character of saved people.
I have shown the painful delusions of the world as to the number of the saved. I have brought forward the evidence of the Bible on the subject. I have drawn from the world around us plain facts in confirmation of the statements I have made. May the Lord grant that all these solemn truths may not have been exhibited in vain!
I am quite aware that I have said many things in this paper which are likely to give offence. I know it. It must be so. The point which it handles is far too serious and heart-searching to be otherwise than offensive to some. But I have long had a deep conviction that the subject has been painfully neglected, and that few things are so little realized as the comparative numbers of the lost and saved. All that I have written, I have written because I firmly believe it to be God's truth. All that I have said, I have said, not as an enemy who gives you a bitter medicine to save your life. You do not count him an enemy who shakes you roughly from your sleep when your house is on fire! Surely you will not count mean enemy because I tell you strong truths for the benefit of your soul. I appeal, as a friend, to every man or woman into whose hands this volume has come. Bear with me, for a few moments, while I say a few last words to impress the whole subject on your conscience.
(a) Are there few saved? Then, shall you be one of the few? Oh, that you would see that salvation is the one thing needful. Health, and riches, and titles, are not needful things. A man may gain heaven without them. But what shall the man do who dies not saved! Oh, that you would see that you must have salvation now, in this present life, and lay hold upon it for your own soul! Oh, that you would see that "saved" or "not saved" is the grand question in religion! High Church or Low Church, Churchman or Dissenter, all these are trifling questions in comparison. What a man needs in order to get to heaven is an actual personal interest in Christ's salvation. Surely, if you are not saved, it will be better at last never to have been born!
(b) Are there few saved? Then, if you are not one of the few already, strive to be one without delay. I know know who and what you are - but I say boldly, Come to Christ and you shall be saved. The gate that leads to life may be strait - but it was wide enough to admit Manasseh, and Saul of Tarsus - and why not you? The way that leads to life may be narrow - but it is marked by the footsteps of thousands of sinners like yourself. All have found it a good way. All have persevered, and got safely home at last. Jesus Christ invites you. The promises of the Gospel encourage you. Oh, strive to enter in without delay!
(c) Are there few saved? Then, if you are doubtful whether you are one of the few, make sure work at once, and be doubtful no more. Leave no stone unturned in order to ascertain your own spiritual state. Be no content with ague hopes and trusts. Rest not on warm feelings and temporary desires after God. Give diligence to make your calling and election sure. Oh, give me leave to say, that if you are content to live on uncertain about salvation, you live the maddest life in the world! The fires of hell are before you - and you are uncertain whether your soul is saved. This world below must soon be left - and you are uncertain whether you have a mansion prepared to receive you in the world above. The judgment will soon be set - and you are uncertain whether you have an Advocate to plead your cause. Eternity will soon begin - and you are uncertain whether you are prepared to meet God. Oh, sit down this day, and study the subject of salvation! Give God no rest until uncertainty has disappeared, and you have got hold of a reasonable hope that you are saved.
~J. C. Ryle~
(continued with # 7)
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