Many Mansions! # 1
"In my Father's house are many mansions." (John 14:2).
The Scriptures give us no information which enables us to determine with certainty what the "many mansions" are, so that we are left exclusively to our own conjectures. I do not think, however, that, if our conjections be not formed in utter regardlessness of what we know, they are likely to be very far wrong; and while we do not wish to invest them with an air of certainty, or induce you to receive them as the truth, they may nevertheless tend to exalt your conceptions of, and increase your interest in, Heaven, by showing you what, so far as man can judge, Heaven may be.
From the changing position of our sun in relation to the fixed stars, as they are called, the supposition have been entertained and expressed by astronomers, that as the earth with its moon, and other planets with their satellites, move around the sun, so the sun with its planets, and other suns with their planets, are moving around some other world which is the center of the universe.
If there is such a world, it must be incomparably vast in its dimensions to sustain the revolution of so many suns and systems many times larger, in all probability, than all the worlds combined; and it has been suggested that this may be Heaven that there the glorified body of the Saviour may have taken up its station as the head of all principalities and powers; that there the grandeur of the Deity, the glory of His natural and moral perfections, may strike the mind with more bright effulgence, and excite more elevated emotions of admiration and rapture than in any other province of universal nature; that this vast and splendid central world may constitute that august mansion referred to in Scripture under the designation of the third Heaven, the throne of the Eternal, the Heaven of heavens, the light that is inaccessible and full of glory.k
Now, supposing this suggestion to be true, it would afford a good interpretation of the language, "In my Father's house ae many mansions." Regarding that world as the Father's house of which the Saviour speaks, within its vast limits there would be space enough to admit of mansions sufficient for a number of inhabitants far beyond the power of arithmetic to compute a number more equal to what the boldest mind and the largest heart have thought of as constituting the population of Heaven.
But while this would admit of a fair interpretation of the words, I see no reason for regarding Heaven as confined to one locality or one world, however vast, and however glorious. There appears to me good reason for supposing that Heaven will extend throughout the universe of holy worlds, that is, every world into which sin has not entered, or from which it has been expelled.
Prior to the entrance of sin into this world man enjoyed during the brief morning of his life something like Heaven upon earth. We always speak of the paradisiacal state as something closely akin to Heaven, as a first lower stage of heavenly enjoyment, and of the garden in which the first pair dwelt as a kind of outward heavenly temple; else why speak of them as dwelling in "paradise," when the Saviour applies that term to the glory into which he entered and to which He raises the believer after death?
Now, on the supposition, which we do not think unreasonable, that other worlds are peopled with sinless intelligences, the conclusion cannot be easily avoided that they experience a similar or a superior happiness to that which Adam enjoyed in his state of innocence; that as in Eden, so throughout the different provinces of God's dominions, around whatever suns they move, and in whatever relations they stand the light of Heaven shines there, the calm of Heaven prevails there, and the happiness of Heaven is experienced there.
The very magnitude of creation appears to me to demand this conclusion. When we think of the thousands of worlds, some of them so immense in magnitude, which the naked eye sees sparkling in our own heavens; when we consider that these are but a fraction, compared with those which the telescope reveals, and that even these dwindle into insignificance compared with the myriads which people those fields of immensity into which the eye never penetrated; when we think that, as compared with the universe, this earth is but a single leaf compared to the multitudes that cover the trees of the forest, or as one grain of sand compared to the vast accumulations that belt the ocean waves; when we consider that were the space that lies within the limites of our solar system to become one mass of light, there are parts of creation so distant that, to a spectator placed there, that immense mass of light would be no greater than some of the least brilliant stars appear to us yes, that there are worlds in which, though the mass of light were suddenly extinguished, the event would be unnoticed and unknown; when we think of this, it is difficult to conceive, I think, that that immense creation isa desolate waste; that those numberless worlds are so many unpeopled solitudes, that they have been created for no higher purpose than to roam in silent grandeur through the spheres, at best splendid toys for the gratification of a few favored creatures, or as a home of beings who can render God no intelligent adoration, or to people regions which lie far beyond the range of creature's cognizance.
~W. Landells~
(continued with # 2)
Saturday, June 27, 2020
Saturday, June 20, 2020
Forever With The Lord
Forever With The Lord
"And so shall we be forever with the Lord" (1 Thess. 4:17).
Blessed words indeed! For they open all the future - and show it to be a future of untroubled, unending life. No death there! Men die but once. No sin there - the one offering put it forever away. No sorrow for lost Christian friends - they are regained in Christ. No fear of change in the presence of the Unchanging One. Above all, no possibility of wandering and falling again into the depths of sin!
Striking is the contrast between God's everlasting salvation and any remedial work of man, either to communities or individuals!
The slave is redeemed with ransom price, that "he should not die in that pit," and with a new light shining on his dark face, he hastens to the land of freedom. But in some evil hour he comes again within the scope and shadow of the malignant system, and with the charter of freedom in his hand, and with freedom's new affections kindling in his heart - he is sold to slavery again.
The conscripted soldier returns worn and weary from the wars, hoping to rest in his native village until death. But there comes, perhaps on a calm summer evening, into that village one who has his name on a written list, and who calls him away from the endearments of home, and the sweet charms of peace, to resume the weary march, and go up to the battlefield, from which he will not return. The despot who governs, has use for his sinews, for his heart's blood, and he must yield them at the call.
The physician, by some rare exercise of skill, arrests the progress of the deadly disease, and beats back the death forces from the quivering seat of life, and now the patient is out in the summer air, with a feeling of the preciousness of life he never had before. The dappled sky, the green field, the blossoms on the trees, are beautiful with unearthly beauty. If a child give him a flower, a violet, or a budding rose, or only a daisy of the field, he can hardly look at it without tears. Soon he is well.
A few years pass, and the same physician is at his bedside again; this time only to soothe his last sufferings, and to tell him, with a kindly voice, that he will perhaps live until tomorrow, but more likely will die tonight.
In the same way, in all human things there is constant waxing and waning, winning and losing, growing and perishing. Nothing is forever, nothing but God's redemption, which is so "plenteous" that it easily summons the changes of these passing years, soars above deathbed and grave, rises into highest immortality; and measures and marches itself there with interminable time.
"Forever" is the last and highest inscription written on this redemption of God, and it sheds down a wondrous light on all its other qualities. Forever sin is put away; forever law is satisfied; forever nature will be pure; forever joy will continue pure; forever knowledge will grow pure; foever love will circulate pure; foever glory will beam!
FOREVER! Oh, it is a wondrous, an over-mastering thought!
We think of resurrection morning, of judgment day - yet "forever" is beyond them both. Forever burns like a star on the brow of the future, until the gazing soul feels as if it were a living part of the everlasting God!
We can easily think in this way even of eternity in Heaven, until the thought becomes a kind of pain; and we should beware of this, and try to make it only a joy. We should not think habitually of pure time alone - duration, ever lengthening out - for that is a conception that will overwhelm our thought in the end. Nor should be fix formally and rigidly on the figures of Scripture by which the Heaven and the immortality of the Christian are shadowed forth, and which are given to help, and not to hinder our thought. We are not to think of it as confinement in a city, as dwelling in a house, standing in a temple like one of its pillars, as singing in a great company, or bowing before a throne.
These symbols of the heavenly life are taken all from the earthly experience, and are but helps to our earthly thought. The reality! Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor heart conceived, the beauty and the blessedness of that glorious place! And God in His Word leaves us at liberty to clothe it in our own richest conceptions, to think of it as having abundant elements of gratification to our own tastes - in one word, to make it as lovely and as desirable as we can!
Why should we not think of anything that will make "forever" beautiful in our sight, as well as grand? "Forever" will grow more vast as its gates are rolled open in succession to let the King of Glory and His redeemed company in!
Oh, who can wonder that the Saviour wept and suffered to win all that for His people! or that angels are busy in ministering to the heirs of so great a salvation! or that saints struggle and cry amid their imperfections for "more grace" to prepare them for the eternal fullness of so plenteous a redemption!
No! the wonder is, that any are found deliberately putting "forever" in peril! Wasting time! passing opportunities! misusing grace! glorifying littleness! spurning greatness! and traveling on from week to week, from year to year, in the pilgrimage that will never end, in ominous separation from Him who will be crowned the king of all the future, and Who alone, in all God's universe can say, "I am the way, the truth, and the life!"
~Alexander Raleigh~
(The End)
"And so shall we be forever with the Lord" (1 Thess. 4:17).
Blessed words indeed! For they open all the future - and show it to be a future of untroubled, unending life. No death there! Men die but once. No sin there - the one offering put it forever away. No sorrow for lost Christian friends - they are regained in Christ. No fear of change in the presence of the Unchanging One. Above all, no possibility of wandering and falling again into the depths of sin!
Striking is the contrast between God's everlasting salvation and any remedial work of man, either to communities or individuals!
The slave is redeemed with ransom price, that "he should not die in that pit," and with a new light shining on his dark face, he hastens to the land of freedom. But in some evil hour he comes again within the scope and shadow of the malignant system, and with the charter of freedom in his hand, and with freedom's new affections kindling in his heart - he is sold to slavery again.
The conscripted soldier returns worn and weary from the wars, hoping to rest in his native village until death. But there comes, perhaps on a calm summer evening, into that village one who has his name on a written list, and who calls him away from the endearments of home, and the sweet charms of peace, to resume the weary march, and go up to the battlefield, from which he will not return. The despot who governs, has use for his sinews, for his heart's blood, and he must yield them at the call.
The physician, by some rare exercise of skill, arrests the progress of the deadly disease, and beats back the death forces from the quivering seat of life, and now the patient is out in the summer air, with a feeling of the preciousness of life he never had before. The dappled sky, the green field, the blossoms on the trees, are beautiful with unearthly beauty. If a child give him a flower, a violet, or a budding rose, or only a daisy of the field, he can hardly look at it without tears. Soon he is well.
A few years pass, and the same physician is at his bedside again; this time only to soothe his last sufferings, and to tell him, with a kindly voice, that he will perhaps live until tomorrow, but more likely will die tonight.
In the same way, in all human things there is constant waxing and waning, winning and losing, growing and perishing. Nothing is forever, nothing but God's redemption, which is so "plenteous" that it easily summons the changes of these passing years, soars above deathbed and grave, rises into highest immortality; and measures and marches itself there with interminable time.
"Forever" is the last and highest inscription written on this redemption of God, and it sheds down a wondrous light on all its other qualities. Forever sin is put away; forever law is satisfied; forever nature will be pure; forever joy will continue pure; forever knowledge will grow pure; foever love will circulate pure; foever glory will beam!
FOREVER! Oh, it is a wondrous, an over-mastering thought!
We think of resurrection morning, of judgment day - yet "forever" is beyond them both. Forever burns like a star on the brow of the future, until the gazing soul feels as if it were a living part of the everlasting God!
We can easily think in this way even of eternity in Heaven, until the thought becomes a kind of pain; and we should beware of this, and try to make it only a joy. We should not think habitually of pure time alone - duration, ever lengthening out - for that is a conception that will overwhelm our thought in the end. Nor should be fix formally and rigidly on the figures of Scripture by which the Heaven and the immortality of the Christian are shadowed forth, and which are given to help, and not to hinder our thought. We are not to think of it as confinement in a city, as dwelling in a house, standing in a temple like one of its pillars, as singing in a great company, or bowing before a throne.
These symbols of the heavenly life are taken all from the earthly experience, and are but helps to our earthly thought. The reality! Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor heart conceived, the beauty and the blessedness of that glorious place! And God in His Word leaves us at liberty to clothe it in our own richest conceptions, to think of it as having abundant elements of gratification to our own tastes - in one word, to make it as lovely and as desirable as we can!
Why should we not think of anything that will make "forever" beautiful in our sight, as well as grand? "Forever" will grow more vast as its gates are rolled open in succession to let the King of Glory and His redeemed company in!
Oh, who can wonder that the Saviour wept and suffered to win all that for His people! or that angels are busy in ministering to the heirs of so great a salvation! or that saints struggle and cry amid their imperfections for "more grace" to prepare them for the eternal fullness of so plenteous a redemption!
No! the wonder is, that any are found deliberately putting "forever" in peril! Wasting time! passing opportunities! misusing grace! glorifying littleness! spurning greatness! and traveling on from week to week, from year to year, in the pilgrimage that will never end, in ominous separation from Him who will be crowned the king of all the future, and Who alone, in all God's universe can say, "I am the way, the truth, and the life!"
~Alexander Raleigh~
(The End)
Saturday, June 13, 2020
Five Indicators of an Evil and Wicked Heart
5 Indicators of an Evil and Wicked Heart |
| by Leslie Vernick As Christian counselors, pastors and people helpers we often have a hard time discerning between an evil heart and an ordinary sinner who messes up, who isn’t perfect, and full of weakness and sin. I think one of the reasons we don’t “see” evil is because we find it so difficult to believe that evil individuals actually exist. We can’t imagine someone deceiving us with no conscience, hurting others with no remorse, spinning outrageous fabrications to ruin someone’s reputation, or pretending he or she is spiritually committed yet has no fear of God before his or her eyes. The Bible clearly tells us that among God’s people there are wolves that wear sheep’s clothing (Jeremiah 23:14; Titus 1:10; Revelations 2:2). It’s true that every human heart is inclined toward sin (Romans3:23), and that includes evil (Genesis 8:21; James 1:4). We all miss God’ mark of moral perfection. However, most ordinary sinners do not happily indulge evil urges, nor do we feel good about having them. We feel ashamed and guilty, rightly so (Romans 7:19–21). These things are not true of the evil heart. Below are five indicators that you may be dealing with an evil heart rather than an ordinary sinful heart. If so, it requires a radically different treatment approach. 1. Evil hearts are experts at creating confusion and contention. They twist the facts, mislead, lie, avoid taking responsibility, deny reality, make up stories, and withhold information. (Psalms 5:8;10:7; 58:3; 109:2–5; 140:2; Proverbs 6:13,14; 6:18,19; 12:13; 16:20;16:27, 28; 30:14; Job 15:35; Jeremiah 18:18; Nehemiah 6:8; Micah 2:1; Matthew 12:34,35; Acts 6:11–13; 2 Peter 3:16) 2. Evil hearts are experts at fooling others with their smooth speech and flattering words. But if you look at the fruit of their lives or the follow through of their words, you will find no real evidence of godly growth or change. It’s all smoke and mirrors. (Psalms 50:19; 52:2,3; 57:4; 59:7; 101:7;Proverbs 12:5; 26:23–26; 26:28; Job 20:12; Jeremiah 12:6; Matthew 26:59; Acts 6:11–13; Romans 16:17,18; 2 Corinthians 11:13,14; 2 Timothy 3:2–5; 3:13; Titus 1:10,16). 3. Evil hearts crave and demand control, and their highest authority is their own self-reference. They reject feedback, real accountability, and make up their own rules to live by. They use Scripture to their own advantage but ignore and reject passages that might require self-correction and repentance. (Romans 2:8; Psalms 10; 36:1–4; 50:16–22; 54:5,6;73:6–9; Proverbs 21:24; Jude 1:8–16). 4. Evil hearts play on the sympathies of good-willed people, often trumping the grace card. They demand mercy but give none themselves. They demand warmth, forgiveness, and intimacy from those they have harmed with no empathy for the pain they have caused and no real intention of making amends or working hard to rebuild broken trust. (Proverbs21:10; 1 Peter 2:16; Jude 1:4). 5. Evil hearts have no conscience, no remorse. They do not struggle against sin or evil—they delight in it—all the while masquerading as someone of noble character. (Proverbs2:14–15; 10:23; 12:10; 21:27,29; Isaiah 32:6; Romans 1:30; 2 Corinthians 11:13–15) If you are working with someone who exhibits these characteristics, it’s important that you confront them head on. You must name evil for what it is. The longer you try to reason with them or show mercy towards them, the more you, as the Christian counselor, will become a pawn in his or her game. They want you to believe that: 1. Their horrible actions should have no serious or painful consequences. When they say “I’m sorry,” they look to you as the pastor or Christian counselor to be their advocate for amnesty with the person he or she has harmed. They believe grace means they are immediately granted immunity from the relational fallout of their serious sin. They believe forgiveness entitles them to full reconciliation and will pressure you and their victim to comply. The Bible warns us saying, “But when grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness; even in a land of uprightness they go on doing evil and do not regard the majesty of the Lord (Isaiah 26:10). The Bible tells us that talking doesn’t wake up evil people, but painful consequences might. Jesus didn’t wake up the Pharisee’s with his talk nor did God’s counsel impact Cain (Genesis 4). In addition, the Bible shows us that when someone is truly sorry for the pain they have caused, he or she is eager to make amends to those they have harmed by their sin (see Zacchaeus’ response when he repented of his greed in Luke 19). Tim Keller writes, “If you have been the victim of a heinous crime. If you have suffered violence, and the perpetrator (or even the judge) says, ‘Sorry, can’t we just let it go?’ You would say, ‘No, that would be an injustice.’ Your refusal would rightly have nothing to do with bitterness or vengeance. If you have been badly wronged, you know that saying sorry is never enough. Something else is required—some kind of costly payment must be made to put things right.”1 As Biblical counselors let’s not collude with the evil one by turning our attention to the victim, requiring her to forgive, to forget, to trust again when there has been no evidence of inner change. Proverbssays, “Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips” (Proverbs. 25:19). It’s foolishness. The evil person will also try to get you to believe 2. That if I talk like a gospel-believing Christian I am one, even if my actions don’t line up with my talk. Remember, Satan masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians11:13–15). He knows more true doctrine than you or I will ever know, but his heart is wicked. Why? Because although he knows the truth, he does not believe it or live it. The Bible has some strong words for those whose actions do not match their talk (1 John 3:17,18; Jeremiah 7:8,10; James 1:22, 26). John the Baptist said it best when he admonished the religious leaders, “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God” (Luke 3:8). If week after week you hear the talk but there is no change in the walk, you have every reason to question someone’s relationship with God. Part of our maturity as spiritual leaders is that we have been trained to discern between good and evil. Why is that so important? It’s important because evil usually pretends to be good, and without discernment we can be easily fooled (Hebrews 5:14). When you confront evil, chances are good that the evil heart will stop counseling with you because the darkness hates the light (John 3:20) and the foolish and evil heart reject correction (Proverbs 9:7,8). But that outcome is far better than allowing the evil heart to believe you are on his or her side, or that “he’s not that bad” or “that he’s really sorry” or “that he’s changing” when, in fact, he is not. Daniel says, “he wicked will continue to be wicked” (Daniel 12:10), which begs the question, do you think an evil person can really change? ~Leslie Vernick~ |
Saturday, June 6, 2020
What Do You Want?
What Do You Want?
The other night I heard a poor child cry bitterly, and its unfeeling mother was very angry; at length in a very angry tone she cried out, "What do you want!" It did not require much discernment to see what the little thing needed. I could have told her.
It was hungry - and wanted food; It was cold - and wanted different clothing; It was filthy - and wanted washing;
and it was weary - and wanted rest.
As I went along musing, I thought that child is the picture of an awakened sinner; and the wants of the one - resemble the wants of the other. Perhaps some poor, fretful, troubled spirit, may read these lines, scarcely knowing its own wants; or the eye of someone may alight upon them who has a friend, or some other relative, in a low, depressed, and sorrowful condition - and who is ready to ask them, "What do you want?" If so, I can tell you, as in the former case, the poor thing wants-
FOOD. Food for the soul. It has been quickened by the Holy Spirit, and has an appetite for spiritual provision. A deep inward craving of spirit is felt, which nothing can satisfy but the bread of life. Christ, in His person, Christ in His work, and Christ in His love and power - must be the food of the soul. To read of Christ, to think of Christ, and to commune with Christ - is to feed on Christ; and feeding on Christ revives, refreshes, and satisfied the soul.
The poor, timid, doubting child of God is apt to get fretful; it wants to realize its interest in Christ, to enjoy the presence of Christ, and to feel the sweet constraining power of the love of Christ. The Lord's people should be well fed. There is plenty of food in God's Word, and in our Father's house there should always be bread enough and to spare. Let the Lord's servants always place plenty of living bread on the Lord's table, that if any of the prodigals who begin to be in want should come in - they may eat and be satisfied. And whenever we meet with any of the children of Zion, fretting, crying, and moaning - let us hand them a little of this bread that they may eat and bless the Lord.
They want not only food, but, CLOTHING. By nature we are clothed in filthy rags; when first awakened, we try to clothe ourselves with fig leaves, or something equally unsuitable. But we ae soon pinched with cold, and are ashamed to appear in public. The thought of appearing before God clothed only in our own righteousness, fills us with fear, and makes us cry out, "O wretched man that I am!" We not only suffer from fear - but we begin to want to appear at least decent, then befitting, and at length glorious.
When we perceive the beauty of Christ's perfect robe of righteousness, and the comforting nature of the garments of salvation, we want to possess them, put them on, and wear them. And as they are provided for the poor, the destitute, and the naked - a hope springs up that we may possess them. Then we apply for them, are clothed with them, and feel happy in them. Now we rejoice in the Lord, and our souls are joyful in our God. We no longer weep, or complain, or sigh; for we are warm, peaceful, and safe!
Weeping penitent come to the wardrobe of FREE GRACE and be clothed! Naked sinner, come to Jesus, He will not only cover - but clothe; not only clothe - but adorn; not only adorn - but make you glorious!
They want not only clothing but - CLEANSING. The Lord never puts the fine linen of His Son's righteousness on a filthy sinner - simply to hide his pollution, and his shame; but He cleanses when He clothes! In the fountain which is opened for sin and uncleanness, by His Word and by His Spirit - he makes the polluted sinner clean; and He clothes and adorns those whom He has cleansed. Nor are we merely cleansed once for all - but the fountain is always open, the laver is always full! And as we DAILY need cleansing - we can daily wash and be clean.
O precious fountain that cleanses from all sin, takes out all stain, removes every spot, makes the most polluted to be clean and as pure as a holy angel!
They want not only washing but REST. The Lord's little ones want rest. Burdened with guilt, laden with cares, and weakened with sorrows - they are weary. Weary of the world. Weary of sin. Weary of toiling at the law. Weary of living upon husks, weary of themselves. Weary of almost everything - they need rest. They have tried to find rest in duties, in ordinances, in something within them - but have been painfully disappointed. There is no rest for an awakened sinner, anywhere but in Christ. He cannot rest until he realized that he is safe!
The Lord will give us rest, glorious rest. His rest is permanent. His rest is sweet. Weary sinner, come, O come to Jesus, and you shall find rest - soul rest, everlasting rest!
To Jesus then! To Jesus hasten - all you hungry, naked, filthy, weary souls! Hasten to Jesus - and He will, in one word, bless you with every blessing, and save you with an everlasting salvation!
~James Smith~
(The End)
The other night I heard a poor child cry bitterly, and its unfeeling mother was very angry; at length in a very angry tone she cried out, "What do you want!" It did not require much discernment to see what the little thing needed. I could have told her.
It was hungry - and wanted food; It was cold - and wanted different clothing; It was filthy - and wanted washing;
and it was weary - and wanted rest.
As I went along musing, I thought that child is the picture of an awakened sinner; and the wants of the one - resemble the wants of the other. Perhaps some poor, fretful, troubled spirit, may read these lines, scarcely knowing its own wants; or the eye of someone may alight upon them who has a friend, or some other relative, in a low, depressed, and sorrowful condition - and who is ready to ask them, "What do you want?" If so, I can tell you, as in the former case, the poor thing wants-
FOOD. Food for the soul. It has been quickened by the Holy Spirit, and has an appetite for spiritual provision. A deep inward craving of spirit is felt, which nothing can satisfy but the bread of life. Christ, in His person, Christ in His work, and Christ in His love and power - must be the food of the soul. To read of Christ, to think of Christ, and to commune with Christ - is to feed on Christ; and feeding on Christ revives, refreshes, and satisfied the soul.
The poor, timid, doubting child of God is apt to get fretful; it wants to realize its interest in Christ, to enjoy the presence of Christ, and to feel the sweet constraining power of the love of Christ. The Lord's people should be well fed. There is plenty of food in God's Word, and in our Father's house there should always be bread enough and to spare. Let the Lord's servants always place plenty of living bread on the Lord's table, that if any of the prodigals who begin to be in want should come in - they may eat and be satisfied. And whenever we meet with any of the children of Zion, fretting, crying, and moaning - let us hand them a little of this bread that they may eat and bless the Lord.
They want not only food, but, CLOTHING. By nature we are clothed in filthy rags; when first awakened, we try to clothe ourselves with fig leaves, or something equally unsuitable. But we ae soon pinched with cold, and are ashamed to appear in public. The thought of appearing before God clothed only in our own righteousness, fills us with fear, and makes us cry out, "O wretched man that I am!" We not only suffer from fear - but we begin to want to appear at least decent, then befitting, and at length glorious.
When we perceive the beauty of Christ's perfect robe of righteousness, and the comforting nature of the garments of salvation, we want to possess them, put them on, and wear them. And as they are provided for the poor, the destitute, and the naked - a hope springs up that we may possess them. Then we apply for them, are clothed with them, and feel happy in them. Now we rejoice in the Lord, and our souls are joyful in our God. We no longer weep, or complain, or sigh; for we are warm, peaceful, and safe!
Weeping penitent come to the wardrobe of FREE GRACE and be clothed! Naked sinner, come to Jesus, He will not only cover - but clothe; not only clothe - but adorn; not only adorn - but make you glorious!
They want not only clothing but - CLEANSING. The Lord never puts the fine linen of His Son's righteousness on a filthy sinner - simply to hide his pollution, and his shame; but He cleanses when He clothes! In the fountain which is opened for sin and uncleanness, by His Word and by His Spirit - he makes the polluted sinner clean; and He clothes and adorns those whom He has cleansed. Nor are we merely cleansed once for all - but the fountain is always open, the laver is always full! And as we DAILY need cleansing - we can daily wash and be clean.
O precious fountain that cleanses from all sin, takes out all stain, removes every spot, makes the most polluted to be clean and as pure as a holy angel!
They want not only washing but REST. The Lord's little ones want rest. Burdened with guilt, laden with cares, and weakened with sorrows - they are weary. Weary of the world. Weary of sin. Weary of toiling at the law. Weary of living upon husks, weary of themselves. Weary of almost everything - they need rest. They have tried to find rest in duties, in ordinances, in something within them - but have been painfully disappointed. There is no rest for an awakened sinner, anywhere but in Christ. He cannot rest until he realized that he is safe!
The Lord will give us rest, glorious rest. His rest is permanent. His rest is sweet. Weary sinner, come, O come to Jesus, and you shall find rest - soul rest, everlasting rest!
To Jesus then! To Jesus hasten - all you hungry, naked, filthy, weary souls! Hasten to Jesus - and He will, in one word, bless you with every blessing, and save you with an everlasting salvation!
~James Smith~
(The End)
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