Development of Christian Character # 2
We have fallen on different times. The language addressed to churches is not, you are, but you ought to be, the consistent followers of the Lord Jesus. O when shall we be free from that miserable theology which only chills, and paralyzes, and freezes; that false philosophy which fetters the soul, and binds the energies of the children of God; and that spirit of slumber which compels the ministry, if they would speak the truth to their people, to say, you ought to be the devoted followers of Christ; and which seals our mouth when we would say; you are living monuments of the power and grace of God?'
Let no refuge be attempted here, in the plea that the people whom Paul adressed had been heathen, and that therefore the change would be more manifest, and this sort of appeal would be more proper. True, they have been heathen; and than change was a proof which no infidel has met yet, that the gospel was from God. But the ground of the address to the primitive Christians was not what they had been, so much as what they then were.
Besides, is it reserved for us to meet a remark like this, that a people nursed in heathenism, but yesterday degraded to the level of brute, and sunk in every species of abomination, were to be addressed as actually in advance in in Christian principles of the people of our times, and trained from their earliest years in the great principles of the Christian religion? Are we to expect more living demonstrations of the power of piety from the recovered population of Athens, Corinth, and Rome, than from the people of these present times and in the churches of this land? No, my Christian brethren, the gospel contemplates it as a matter of sober fact, that we can appeal to you and to all Christians and say, you ARE - not you ought to be, the light of the world. We can approach true Christians with the language of certainty, and say, you ARE the salt of the earth; you ARE light of the world!
3. The same thing is clear if we look at the instances which are mentioned in the New Testament. In the case of Christ, it is beyond the possibility of doubt. Nor is it unfair to adduce Him as a case in which the principles of religion were developed.
4. There is no principle in the universe that can be brought to bear on the mind with such weight as the religion of the gospel. Christians, you hold in your hands that gospel which will send peace around the globe - that glorious gospel of the blessed God that may enlighten all nations, alleviate every sorrow, comfort every mourner, and change the aspect of every kingdom and tribe of men.
Now, when we ask what is the proper effect of a life of decided piety, or why the Saviour supposed that letting our light shine would have such an effect on men, the answer is at hand. For,
1. It shows what men are.
2. The life of a Christian is an argument of the truth of Christianity, which he will see and know.
3. The world understands what true religion is.
4. Their is nothing so well fitted to convert men as a Christian life.
5. A fifth reason for this is, that God will in this way be honored.
A mere profession does not honor Him. A life of inactivity does not honor Him. The most stayed and formal religious regularity, where there is no Christian life, does not honor Him any more than the corpse of the dead laid in state is an honor to living men. The Christian honors God; the sun does that by His light, the moon and the stars of heaven by theirs; so does he by his light. One word spoke them all into being. But your piety cost the labors, the long agonies, the groans of God's only Son. One word may turn them all to nothing, but your piety shall show forth His praise forever and ever!
~Albert Barnes~
(The End)
Saturday, March 14, 2020
Saturday, March 7, 2020
Development of Christian Character # 1
Development of Christian Character # 1
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16).
This passage of Scripture implies that there is a difference between Christians and other men. It is a radical and permanent distinction as regards their principles of action. My object is to show that this difference will manifest itself in the life. This I shall endeavor to do by showing,
1. That this difference will be developed.
2. By inquiring what there is in the circumstances of the Christian, adapted to bring out his principles.
1. The first point is, that the principles of Christian piety will be in fact developed in the life. By this I mean, that he who is truly a Christian in his heart, will be in his life; that his conduct will be not merely that of a professor, or a moral man, or an amiable and estimable member of his family and the community, but that he will be a pious man; that you may know where to find him on any subject pertaining to the kingdom of Christ. Now that this will be the case, it does not require many words to prove. For,
1. The nature of the change is such that it cannot but develop itself. Regeneration effects no direct revolution in the intellect, but it does in the heart; none in the essential stamina of the mind, but it does in the principles of action, and in the volitions, desires, and preferences of the man. Nor is it a slight change. It is so great as to make it proper to apply to it the terms: new creation, new birth, and life from the dead. There is no change in the human mind like it - none so deep, so thorough, so abiding. This is so clear in the Bible as to need no further proof.
Now, the proper place to manifest such a change, is in the life; and such a change, if it exist, will be manifest there. Neither the nature of mind, nor of religion, will, or can, prevent it. Important revolutions in a man's principles on any subject, we expect will be exhibited there. Nor have we any evidence that they have occurred until we witness them in a man's deportment. But the change in a man's views and feelings in regeneration, is one that affects him not in any one department of life, but in all. It is not a revolution whose effects we expect simply in the church, or in the family; in the external conduct, or in the abandonment of vices; but in all the appropriate circumstances of the man's life. If a revolution like that exists, it will be seen. It will constitute him a new man in Christ Jesus.
2. The same thing is clear from the declaration of the text. It is not, you ought to be the light of the world, but you are; not that Christians should be like a city set on a hill, but an affirmation that they are such. Though exhortations are addressed to Christians in the New Testament, urging them to a life of faith, yet they are also addressed as actually putting forth the principles of piety, and as true to their God and Saviour. You who were once in darkness, are light in the Lord. Believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your soul. I thank my God, says Paul to the Romans, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. None of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself.
It is unnecessary to multiply passages. All know that the New Testament abounds in expressions declaring the matter of fact, that the gospel has an ascendency in the minds of its followers. Nor would it be necessary to advert to this circumstance, were it not that so many Christians are in the habit of regarding the Bible rather as filled with exhortations and commands, which they are not expected to comply with, than with sober statements of what the gospel actually does accomplish among men.
The truth is, God contemplated that the gospel should have effect; and such was, in sober verity, the early effect of the gospel, that Paul could address any church as actually manifesting the mighty change wrought by the Spirit of God. You are our epistle, said he to the church at Corinth - the living, standing proof at once of the power of the gospel, and of the effect of his ministry.
~Albert Barnes~
(continued with # 2)
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16).
This passage of Scripture implies that there is a difference between Christians and other men. It is a radical and permanent distinction as regards their principles of action. My object is to show that this difference will manifest itself in the life. This I shall endeavor to do by showing,
1. That this difference will be developed.
2. By inquiring what there is in the circumstances of the Christian, adapted to bring out his principles.
1. The first point is, that the principles of Christian piety will be in fact developed in the life. By this I mean, that he who is truly a Christian in his heart, will be in his life; that his conduct will be not merely that of a professor, or a moral man, or an amiable and estimable member of his family and the community, but that he will be a pious man; that you may know where to find him on any subject pertaining to the kingdom of Christ. Now that this will be the case, it does not require many words to prove. For,
1. The nature of the change is such that it cannot but develop itself. Regeneration effects no direct revolution in the intellect, but it does in the heart; none in the essential stamina of the mind, but it does in the principles of action, and in the volitions, desires, and preferences of the man. Nor is it a slight change. It is so great as to make it proper to apply to it the terms: new creation, new birth, and life from the dead. There is no change in the human mind like it - none so deep, so thorough, so abiding. This is so clear in the Bible as to need no further proof.
Now, the proper place to manifest such a change, is in the life; and such a change, if it exist, will be manifest there. Neither the nature of mind, nor of religion, will, or can, prevent it. Important revolutions in a man's principles on any subject, we expect will be exhibited there. Nor have we any evidence that they have occurred until we witness them in a man's deportment. But the change in a man's views and feelings in regeneration, is one that affects him not in any one department of life, but in all. It is not a revolution whose effects we expect simply in the church, or in the family; in the external conduct, or in the abandonment of vices; but in all the appropriate circumstances of the man's life. If a revolution like that exists, it will be seen. It will constitute him a new man in Christ Jesus.
2. The same thing is clear from the declaration of the text. It is not, you ought to be the light of the world, but you are; not that Christians should be like a city set on a hill, but an affirmation that they are such. Though exhortations are addressed to Christians in the New Testament, urging them to a life of faith, yet they are also addressed as actually putting forth the principles of piety, and as true to their God and Saviour. You who were once in darkness, are light in the Lord. Believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your soul. I thank my God, says Paul to the Romans, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. None of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself.
It is unnecessary to multiply passages. All know that the New Testament abounds in expressions declaring the matter of fact, that the gospel has an ascendency in the minds of its followers. Nor would it be necessary to advert to this circumstance, were it not that so many Christians are in the habit of regarding the Bible rather as filled with exhortations and commands, which they are not expected to comply with, than with sober statements of what the gospel actually does accomplish among men.
The truth is, God contemplated that the gospel should have effect; and such was, in sober verity, the early effect of the gospel, that Paul could address any church as actually manifesting the mighty change wrought by the Spirit of God. You are our epistle, said he to the church at Corinth - the living, standing proof at once of the power of the gospel, and of the effect of his ministry.
~Albert Barnes~
(continued with # 2)
Saturday, February 29, 2020
Desires Regarded # 2
Desires Regarded # 2
The Lord's Loving-kindness. "He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him." His Spirit kindled it, and His grace will fulfill it. This led the Psalmist to exclaim, "How excellent is your loving-kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of your wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of your house; and You shall make them drink of the river of Your pleasures." Not only satisfied - but filled with pleasure - drinking, as the thirsty traveler, of the river of pleasure.
O the sweet satisfaction felt, the intense pleasure experienced, when the Spirit seals home a sense of our saving interest in Jesus, unfolds the glory of His person and work, sheds abroad His love in our hearts, and seals us to the day of redemption! He gives freely, without any inducement on our parts, as it is written, "He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away." There was nothing in the party but hunger, poverty, and helplessness - and the Lord filled the soul, satisfying it fully. "He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness."
Poor tired soul, the Lord will fulfill your desires, He may delay to do so for a time - but He will make good His word, and you shall rejoice in Him, and bless His name.
"He also will hear their cry, and will save them." Pray they cannot, according to their own apprehension - but cry they do, they must. As Peter, when sinking in the water, cried, "Lord, save me!" And the poor woman, overwhelmed with distress about her daughter, cried, "Lord, help me!"
So this poor soul cries, and cries often, and from the depths of the soul, "Lord, save me!" They cry - as the young ravens for food, or the young lions for prey. Their brief prayers are the language of the new nature - the cry of the regenerated soul.
They cry, because burdened with sin, and terrified with a sense of wrath.
They cry for deliverance from their fetters, and the bondage in which they are held.
They cry against temptations, especially temptations to sin and despair.
They cry because of enemies, especially the enemy which would condemn their souls.
They cry for help in troubles, and deliverance from sin and hell.
They cry for strength and direction, under a sense of weakness and perplexity.
They cry, and as the mother hears the infant, and flies to its relief; as the father hears his son, and runs to meet and forgive him, so the Lord hears the cry of a quickened soul, and saves it.
God-fearing souls are blessed. They hunger and thirst after righteousness, and they shall be filled. They want to be right, internally and externally, before God and before man, in state and in experience; for this they hunger and thirst - and with this they shall be blessed. They desire - for what God intends to bestow; they cry - for what God delights to give. He therefore will fulfill their desire, He also will hear their cry and will save them.
Is my reader, a poor, doubting, fearing soul? If so, let me say for your encouragement, that if you can trace out within your heart - a desire for Christ and His salvation, and if that desire is the abiding, ruling desire of your soul - it is a proof of the work of the Holy Spirit of God in your heart; it is the smoking flax which Jesus will never quench - but will raise it to aflame. If you have a cry put into your heart for deliverance from sin, satan, and hell - then God has put it there, and He who put it there, intends to answer it. It may be a feeble cry, a pitiful cry, a painful cry - but the Lord will hear and answer it. Cry on then as the woman of Canaan did - cry so much the more, as discouragements increase, as the poor blind man in the gospel did - and Jesus will soon hear you, and answer you to the joy and rejoicing of your soul.
God notices desires and looks. He hears the desires of the humble, and satisfies the desire of every living soul - that is, of every one made alive by the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit, comfort the heart of the poor, depressed, and sorrowful soul, whose desire is toward You, and who longs to enjoy the salvation of God!
~James Smith~
(The End)
The Lord's Loving-kindness. "He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him." His Spirit kindled it, and His grace will fulfill it. This led the Psalmist to exclaim, "How excellent is your loving-kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of your wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of your house; and You shall make them drink of the river of Your pleasures." Not only satisfied - but filled with pleasure - drinking, as the thirsty traveler, of the river of pleasure.
O the sweet satisfaction felt, the intense pleasure experienced, when the Spirit seals home a sense of our saving interest in Jesus, unfolds the glory of His person and work, sheds abroad His love in our hearts, and seals us to the day of redemption! He gives freely, without any inducement on our parts, as it is written, "He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away." There was nothing in the party but hunger, poverty, and helplessness - and the Lord filled the soul, satisfying it fully. "He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness."
Poor tired soul, the Lord will fulfill your desires, He may delay to do so for a time - but He will make good His word, and you shall rejoice in Him, and bless His name.
"He also will hear their cry, and will save them." Pray they cannot, according to their own apprehension - but cry they do, they must. As Peter, when sinking in the water, cried, "Lord, save me!" And the poor woman, overwhelmed with distress about her daughter, cried, "Lord, help me!"
So this poor soul cries, and cries often, and from the depths of the soul, "Lord, save me!" They cry - as the young ravens for food, or the young lions for prey. Their brief prayers are the language of the new nature - the cry of the regenerated soul.
They cry, because burdened with sin, and terrified with a sense of wrath.
They cry for deliverance from their fetters, and the bondage in which they are held.
They cry against temptations, especially temptations to sin and despair.
They cry because of enemies, especially the enemy which would condemn their souls.
They cry for help in troubles, and deliverance from sin and hell.
They cry for strength and direction, under a sense of weakness and perplexity.
They cry, and as the mother hears the infant, and flies to its relief; as the father hears his son, and runs to meet and forgive him, so the Lord hears the cry of a quickened soul, and saves it.
God-fearing souls are blessed. They hunger and thirst after righteousness, and they shall be filled. They want to be right, internally and externally, before God and before man, in state and in experience; for this they hunger and thirst - and with this they shall be blessed. They desire - for what God intends to bestow; they cry - for what God delights to give. He therefore will fulfill their desire, He also will hear their cry and will save them.
Is my reader, a poor, doubting, fearing soul? If so, let me say for your encouragement, that if you can trace out within your heart - a desire for Christ and His salvation, and if that desire is the abiding, ruling desire of your soul - it is a proof of the work of the Holy Spirit of God in your heart; it is the smoking flax which Jesus will never quench - but will raise it to aflame. If you have a cry put into your heart for deliverance from sin, satan, and hell - then God has put it there, and He who put it there, intends to answer it. It may be a feeble cry, a pitiful cry, a painful cry - but the Lord will hear and answer it. Cry on then as the woman of Canaan did - cry so much the more, as discouragements increase, as the poor blind man in the gospel did - and Jesus will soon hear you, and answer you to the joy and rejoicing of your soul.
God notices desires and looks. He hears the desires of the humble, and satisfies the desire of every living soul - that is, of every one made alive by the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit, comfort the heart of the poor, depressed, and sorrowful soul, whose desire is toward You, and who longs to enjoy the salvation of God!
~James Smith~
(The End)
Saturday, February 22, 2020
Desires Regarded # 1
Desires Regarded # 1
Our religion is sometimes at a very low ebb. What with trials without, stirring up corruption within, and the temptations of satan taking advantage of our various defects - we can scarcely tell whether we have the root of the matter in us or not! At such times, we are led to look back, and to take hold afresh of those portions of God's word, which cheered and comforted us when we first began our pilgrimage. On one such sweet portion my eye is now fixed, may the Lord help me to write a few lines on it, which may do those good who are weak in faith, and weary in the way. "He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry, and will save them." (Psalm 145:19).
The Characteristics. Fearing. Our fear is often of a very mixed character, partly legal and partly evangelical. Our fears are often very painful; and seldom are they beneficial.
When first awakened by the Holy Spirit, and led to see our lost state and condition - the principal object of our fear is the wrath of God. We know we deserve it, the guilt of sin in the conscience, fills us with alarm respecting it - and we fear that it will suddenly fall upon us. The eye of the mind is fixed on the threatenings of the word, and in them appears the holiness, justice, and majesty of and offended God. Our fears now gain strength, and terrible alarms often agitate the soul. We need the promises and the invitations of the word, and long to appropriate them - but dare not so much as touch one of them. They are for the Lord's people - and we cannot believe that we are such; or they are for particular characters - and we dare not conclude that we are among them. O if we could but escape the dreadful wrath of God, if we were but delivered from His awful threatenings, if we had but a saving interest in His promises, or if we could but even claim His invitations - our fears would not be so strong, or so painful - but we cannot!
When the mind has been led to see something of the graciousness of the Divine character, and the nature and design of the great atonement - hope springs up, and our fear is somewhat changed in its character. We now fear sinning against God. If we could but abstain from sin! If we could but live a holy life! If our hearts were but clean! But when we turn the eye within, and see what a horrid pit of pollution the heart is, and mark the working of corruption there - we fear that we are too vile to be noticed, or regarded with pity or compassion, by a holy God. O what painful fears we feel working within us now - we fear that we must be banished from God, that we shall never see His face, or feel His forgiving love! We see not how a just God, can ever forgive or justify such sinners as we are! If we could but pray, or repent, or believe, we might hope; but when we try to pray - we are all confusion; when we would repent - our hearts are as cold as ice, and harder than the millstone; and when we would believe - we feel as if we we could believe anything but the gospel, and every one but God. Yet under all this, there is the fear of God - for conscience is tender, the soul is set against sin, and the walk is in accordance with God's precepts. Of such, though they have not peace, though they do not enjoy rest, though they are not happy - we must say that they "fear God."
They have had many and painful desires working within them, which desires indicate the bent of the mind, and the working of the Spirit of God. The principal, the ruling desire, is for a saving interest in Christ. This appears to the soul, as the one thing needful. If soul had this - it could endure any privations, suffer any pains, and do anything God requires; but without this - every duty is a task, and every privilege a burden. It cannot rest on general principles, saying, "Christ died for sinners, and therefore He died for me; or He is the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, and therefore for my sins." It wants something more satisfactory. It wants to see that Christ was its personal substitute, and its all meritorious sacrifice; doing all that the law required of it, and suffering all that the law threatened to inflict upon it. Or to realize that it is savingly interested in the person, work, and death of Jesus - being identified with Jesus, represented by Jesus, and doing and suffering in Jesus.
With such a sense of a saving interest in Christ is obtained, then the desire of the soul is to know Christ, to know all about Christ. To know Christ thoroughly, scripturally, and experimentally; so to know Him, as to commit all to Him, and leave all with Him. Then the soul desires to hold near, dear, and close communion with Him; often to hear from Him, having His word applied to the conscience and the heart. The soul also longs to love Him, trust Him, obey Him, enjoy Him, and praise Him; to share with His people in all their joys and sorrows, griefs and gladness, to be one with them on earth, preparatory to being one with them in Heaven forever. Such are some of the desires of those who fear Him.
~James Smith~
(continued with # 2)
Our religion is sometimes at a very low ebb. What with trials without, stirring up corruption within, and the temptations of satan taking advantage of our various defects - we can scarcely tell whether we have the root of the matter in us or not! At such times, we are led to look back, and to take hold afresh of those portions of God's word, which cheered and comforted us when we first began our pilgrimage. On one such sweet portion my eye is now fixed, may the Lord help me to write a few lines on it, which may do those good who are weak in faith, and weary in the way. "He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry, and will save them." (Psalm 145:19).
The Characteristics. Fearing. Our fear is often of a very mixed character, partly legal and partly evangelical. Our fears are often very painful; and seldom are they beneficial.
When first awakened by the Holy Spirit, and led to see our lost state and condition - the principal object of our fear is the wrath of God. We know we deserve it, the guilt of sin in the conscience, fills us with alarm respecting it - and we fear that it will suddenly fall upon us. The eye of the mind is fixed on the threatenings of the word, and in them appears the holiness, justice, and majesty of and offended God. Our fears now gain strength, and terrible alarms often agitate the soul. We need the promises and the invitations of the word, and long to appropriate them - but dare not so much as touch one of them. They are for the Lord's people - and we cannot believe that we are such; or they are for particular characters - and we dare not conclude that we are among them. O if we could but escape the dreadful wrath of God, if we were but delivered from His awful threatenings, if we had but a saving interest in His promises, or if we could but even claim His invitations - our fears would not be so strong, or so painful - but we cannot!
When the mind has been led to see something of the graciousness of the Divine character, and the nature and design of the great atonement - hope springs up, and our fear is somewhat changed in its character. We now fear sinning against God. If we could but abstain from sin! If we could but live a holy life! If our hearts were but clean! But when we turn the eye within, and see what a horrid pit of pollution the heart is, and mark the working of corruption there - we fear that we are too vile to be noticed, or regarded with pity or compassion, by a holy God. O what painful fears we feel working within us now - we fear that we must be banished from God, that we shall never see His face, or feel His forgiving love! We see not how a just God, can ever forgive or justify such sinners as we are! If we could but pray, or repent, or believe, we might hope; but when we try to pray - we are all confusion; when we would repent - our hearts are as cold as ice, and harder than the millstone; and when we would believe - we feel as if we we could believe anything but the gospel, and every one but God. Yet under all this, there is the fear of God - for conscience is tender, the soul is set against sin, and the walk is in accordance with God's precepts. Of such, though they have not peace, though they do not enjoy rest, though they are not happy - we must say that they "fear God."
They have had many and painful desires working within them, which desires indicate the bent of the mind, and the working of the Spirit of God. The principal, the ruling desire, is for a saving interest in Christ. This appears to the soul, as the one thing needful. If soul had this - it could endure any privations, suffer any pains, and do anything God requires; but without this - every duty is a task, and every privilege a burden. It cannot rest on general principles, saying, "Christ died for sinners, and therefore He died for me; or He is the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, and therefore for my sins." It wants something more satisfactory. It wants to see that Christ was its personal substitute, and its all meritorious sacrifice; doing all that the law required of it, and suffering all that the law threatened to inflict upon it. Or to realize that it is savingly interested in the person, work, and death of Jesus - being identified with Jesus, represented by Jesus, and doing and suffering in Jesus.
With such a sense of a saving interest in Christ is obtained, then the desire of the soul is to know Christ, to know all about Christ. To know Christ thoroughly, scripturally, and experimentally; so to know Him, as to commit all to Him, and leave all with Him. Then the soul desires to hold near, dear, and close communion with Him; often to hear from Him, having His word applied to the conscience and the heart. The soul also longs to love Him, trust Him, obey Him, enjoy Him, and praise Him; to share with His people in all their joys and sorrows, griefs and gladness, to be one with them on earth, preparatory to being one with them in Heaven forever. Such are some of the desires of those who fear Him.
~James Smith~
(continued with # 2)
Saturday, February 15, 2020
Brought Low - But Helped
Brought Low - But Helped
"I was brought low - and He helped me!" (Psalm 116:6).
The circumstances of the Christian often vary - and it is no uncommon thing for his frames and feelings to vary with his circumstances. On this account, many of the Lord's people ae either elevated - or depressed, but seldom enjoy a calm, peaceful, and settled state of mind. Their depression is great - or their joys are high. But even this is overruled for their good, and is sanctified to the humbling of the soul, and the preserving it from self-importance and pride. What a mercy it is to have a God to go to - let our frames and feelings be what they may. What a mercy to have One who will sympathize with us, and of whom it is said, "Like as a father pities his children - so the Lord pities those who fear Him." This was David's encouragement, and lay at the root of much of his experience, and led him to say, "I was brought low - and He helped me."
His Painful Condition. "I was brought low." O how low the believer is brought sometimes - into what straits and trials, into what troubles and distresses!
Sometimes in his outward circumstances, by the loss of property, or friends, or situation; all seems against him, everything seems to conspire together to bring him low.
Sometimes in body, by strong pain, extreme weakness, or nervous disorders; so that everything loses its relish, and he can enjoy nothing earthly.
At other times it is distress in the soul, by violent temptations, by distressing bereavements, by the hidings of the Lord's face, or His withholding divine communications. Now everything appears to be covered with a pall - and gloom and darkness spreads over the soul.
But at times the Lord so sanctifies the circumstances, as painful as they are, that they become real blessings; pride is humbled, false confidence is destroyed, and the man walks softly before the Lord!
Yet at other times - faith is shaken, the heart is straitened, doubts spring up, fears are strong, the evidences are beclouded, prayer becomes a task - and we think that God must be angry with us. This brings us low, lays us prostrate, and we cry plaintively unto God. Then in answer to the cry of faith, the Lord sends help, or appears for our relief, and soon we are able to say, "I was brought low - and He helped me!"
His Encouraging Testimony. "He helped me." Blessed be His holy name, He never allows us to sink - but He comes to our help! He helps us in trouble: by rendering His assistance, by sending us supplies, by raising us up friends, by restoring us to health and strength, by reviving our graces and raising our spirits; or by imparting a little scriptural light, a little holy love, a little heavenly dew, or a little spiritual unction.
Thus He draws out our souls in prayer, excites hope in His mercy, awakens confidence in His Word - and we sink in deep humility at His footstool.
Now we can bear trouble with patience, and look for deliverance with courage. He helps us out of trouble, by turning our captivity as He did Job's. Now providence smiles, health returns, promises are applied, comfort is imparted, the Spirit bears His inward witness, the heart is enlarged, confidence is produced, and sweet communion with Himself is granted.
This is sending and taking us out of the deep waters. This is bringing us up out of the horrible pit - and setting our feet upon a solid rock. This is like returning to the days of our youth. Now we can sing in the ways of the Lord, because great is the glory of the Lord. Now we can say with the prophet, "O Lord, I will praise You, though You were angry with me - Your anger is turned away, and you comfort me."
We must sink -before we rise. This is always true in grace, for before honor - is humility. We must pace the valley of humiliation, before we ascend the mount of high and holy communion with God. And very frequently is it is the case, that the lower we sink - the higher we rise. If the Lord is stripping us, emptying us, pruning us, and bringing us low; so that we feel weak, empty and void of good - it is in order that He may strengthen us with His might, bring us to rest on His Word, fill us with His own love, and lead us to look for everything in Jesus.
When brought low - hope should be encouraged. The Lord will help us. We ought not then to encourage fears, or yield to despondency - but should rather chide ourselves for yielding to such feelings. He who brings us down by His providence - He will support and raise us up by His grace.
The church of old testified, "We went through fire and through water - but You brought us out into a wealthy place." Just so shall we shortly be delivered, and when we stand on the borders of the promised land, when we are about to cross the river that separates time from eternity -we shall then with our dying breath for the comfort of those we leave behind us say, "I was brought low - and He helped me!"
"Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you go through deep waters - I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty - you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression - you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour!" (Isaiah 43:1-3).
~James Smith~
(The End)
"I was brought low - and He helped me!" (Psalm 116:6).
The circumstances of the Christian often vary - and it is no uncommon thing for his frames and feelings to vary with his circumstances. On this account, many of the Lord's people ae either elevated - or depressed, but seldom enjoy a calm, peaceful, and settled state of mind. Their depression is great - or their joys are high. But even this is overruled for their good, and is sanctified to the humbling of the soul, and the preserving it from self-importance and pride. What a mercy it is to have a God to go to - let our frames and feelings be what they may. What a mercy to have One who will sympathize with us, and of whom it is said, "Like as a father pities his children - so the Lord pities those who fear Him." This was David's encouragement, and lay at the root of much of his experience, and led him to say, "I was brought low - and He helped me."
His Painful Condition. "I was brought low." O how low the believer is brought sometimes - into what straits and trials, into what troubles and distresses!
Sometimes in his outward circumstances, by the loss of property, or friends, or situation; all seems against him, everything seems to conspire together to bring him low.
Sometimes in body, by strong pain, extreme weakness, or nervous disorders; so that everything loses its relish, and he can enjoy nothing earthly.
At other times it is distress in the soul, by violent temptations, by distressing bereavements, by the hidings of the Lord's face, or His withholding divine communications. Now everything appears to be covered with a pall - and gloom and darkness spreads over the soul.
But at times the Lord so sanctifies the circumstances, as painful as they are, that they become real blessings; pride is humbled, false confidence is destroyed, and the man walks softly before the Lord!
Yet at other times - faith is shaken, the heart is straitened, doubts spring up, fears are strong, the evidences are beclouded, prayer becomes a task - and we think that God must be angry with us. This brings us low, lays us prostrate, and we cry plaintively unto God. Then in answer to the cry of faith, the Lord sends help, or appears for our relief, and soon we are able to say, "I was brought low - and He helped me!"
His Encouraging Testimony. "He helped me." Blessed be His holy name, He never allows us to sink - but He comes to our help! He helps us in trouble: by rendering His assistance, by sending us supplies, by raising us up friends, by restoring us to health and strength, by reviving our graces and raising our spirits; or by imparting a little scriptural light, a little holy love, a little heavenly dew, or a little spiritual unction.
Thus He draws out our souls in prayer, excites hope in His mercy, awakens confidence in His Word - and we sink in deep humility at His footstool.
Now we can bear trouble with patience, and look for deliverance with courage. He helps us out of trouble, by turning our captivity as He did Job's. Now providence smiles, health returns, promises are applied, comfort is imparted, the Spirit bears His inward witness, the heart is enlarged, confidence is produced, and sweet communion with Himself is granted.
This is sending and taking us out of the deep waters. This is bringing us up out of the horrible pit - and setting our feet upon a solid rock. This is like returning to the days of our youth. Now we can sing in the ways of the Lord, because great is the glory of the Lord. Now we can say with the prophet, "O Lord, I will praise You, though You were angry with me - Your anger is turned away, and you comfort me."
We must sink -before we rise. This is always true in grace, for before honor - is humility. We must pace the valley of humiliation, before we ascend the mount of high and holy communion with God. And very frequently is it is the case, that the lower we sink - the higher we rise. If the Lord is stripping us, emptying us, pruning us, and bringing us low; so that we feel weak, empty and void of good - it is in order that He may strengthen us with His might, bring us to rest on His Word, fill us with His own love, and lead us to look for everything in Jesus.
When brought low - hope should be encouraged. The Lord will help us. We ought not then to encourage fears, or yield to despondency - but should rather chide ourselves for yielding to such feelings. He who brings us down by His providence - He will support and raise us up by His grace.
The church of old testified, "We went through fire and through water - but You brought us out into a wealthy place." Just so shall we shortly be delivered, and when we stand on the borders of the promised land, when we are about to cross the river that separates time from eternity -we shall then with our dying breath for the comfort of those we leave behind us say, "I was brought low - and He helped me!"
"Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you go through deep waters - I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty - you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression - you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour!" (Isaiah 43:1-3).
~James Smith~
(The End)
Saturday, February 8, 2020
The Wheat and the Chaff # 2 (and others)
The Wheat and the Chaff # 2 (and others)
"He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire!"
The fire is His just, holy, and eternal wrath, kindled by sin, and preying upon sinners.
The place where this fire will burn is hell, some place in God's universe, unknown to us at present - but which was originally prepared for the punishment of the devil and his angels.
Those who are condemned to suffer this terrible doom, are all who die in their natural states, all who live in sin, all who refused to believe in Christ, and all who are satisfied with the mere externals of religion.
The doom is dreadful, it is eternal punishment.
The fire is unquenchable, the sufferer is immortal, and sin, the cause of the suffering remains and augments!
The wrath of God, is the wrath of an unchangeable being.
Oh, the dreadful doom of a lost soul!
Each one of us is either wheat or chaff! We are either believer or unbelievers. We are either saved saints or lost sinners.
Let us not rest without scriptural proof that we are God's wheat. Are you a light-hearted, talking, trifling professor? Take heed, you are very much like the chaff, and perhaps are chaff!
A separation will be effected. The angels shall gather the wicked from among the just. Every grain of wheat will be collected, and gathered into the barn; and every husk, every morsel of chaff, will be cast into the furnace of fire!
The separation will be eternal. Once separated, they can never be united again. And what a separation that will be! The parent separated from the child - and the child from the parent; the husband separated from the wife - and the wife from the husband. Those who have sat together in the same pew, read out of the same bible, and sang together out of the same hymn book for years - will be separated, and separated forever!
Of the one it will be said, "These shall go away into everlasting punishment!" and of the other, "but the righteous shall go away into life eternal!"
The consequences will be momentous. What pen can describe, what heart can conceive, the momentous consequences of this separation?
To the one, how unspeakably dreadful!
To the other, how unutterably glorious!
The heights of Heaven - or the depths of hell!
The perfection of happiness - or the extreme of torment!
The shouts of triumph - or the groans of despair!
Lord, give us grace that we may be found among your wheat, and so be gathered into your barn at the last day! Holy Spirit, bear your witness in our hearts, that we are indeed the wheat, and that soon, very soon, we shall be forever with the Lord!
~James Smith~
(The End)
_____________________
"He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire!"
The fire is His just, holy, and eternal wrath, kindled by sin, and preying upon sinners.
The place where this fire will burn is hell, some place in God's universe, unknown to us at present - but which was originally prepared for the punishment of the devil and his angels.
Those who are condemned to suffer this terrible doom, are all who die in their natural states, all who live in sin, all who refused to believe in Christ, and all who are satisfied with the mere externals of religion.
The doom is dreadful, it is eternal punishment.
The fire is unquenchable, the sufferer is immortal, and sin, the cause of the suffering remains and augments!
The wrath of God, is the wrath of an unchangeable being.
Oh, the dreadful doom of a lost soul!
Each one of us is either wheat or chaff! We are either believer or unbelievers. We are either saved saints or lost sinners.
Let us not rest without scriptural proof that we are God's wheat. Are you a light-hearted, talking, trifling professor? Take heed, you are very much like the chaff, and perhaps are chaff!
A separation will be effected. The angels shall gather the wicked from among the just. Every grain of wheat will be collected, and gathered into the barn; and every husk, every morsel of chaff, will be cast into the furnace of fire!
The separation will be eternal. Once separated, they can never be united again. And what a separation that will be! The parent separated from the child - and the child from the parent; the husband separated from the wife - and the wife from the husband. Those who have sat together in the same pew, read out of the same bible, and sang together out of the same hymn book for years - will be separated, and separated forever!
Of the one it will be said, "These shall go away into everlasting punishment!" and of the other, "but the righteous shall go away into life eternal!"
The consequences will be momentous. What pen can describe, what heart can conceive, the momentous consequences of this separation?
To the one, how unspeakably dreadful!
To the other, how unutterably glorious!
The heights of Heaven - or the depths of hell!
The perfection of happiness - or the extreme of torment!
The shouts of triumph - or the groans of despair!
Lord, give us grace that we may be found among your wheat, and so be gathered into your barn at the last day! Holy Spirit, bear your witness in our hearts, that we are indeed the wheat, and that soon, very soon, we shall be forever with the Lord!
~James Smith~
(The End)
_____________________
The Heart of Spiritual Maturity
People will ask, “What can I do to really grow as a Christian?” Often they are looking for a secret path to maturity—some action they can perform. But the true key to growing in your relationship with Christ isn’t based on service or knowledge or any other outward accomplishment the world tends to admire.
Genuine maturity and effectiveness hinge upon your heart relationship with the Lord, rather than something you can do for Him. When you understand this truth, your whole paradigm shifts. It puts all Christians on the same level, from the high-profile preacher to the quietest member of the church. The believer’s talents, accomplishments, and personality are far less important than the commitment to simply know God.
The Lord called David “a man after My own heart” (Acts 13:22 NIV). What was it about him that God valued so highly? He certainly had his share of mistakes, sins, and character flaws. Yet more than anything else, what characterized his life was that he sought to know the Lord. Whether he was a shepherd, fugitive, warrior, or powerful king, the time he spent with his heavenly Father was his lifeline. In psalm after psalm, David laid everything before the Lord—and wholeheartedly longed to do His will. This was his greatest strength.
Do you want to grow spiritually and be transformed in your everyday faith walk? Take a step beyond asking, “What can I do for God so that I can be a better Christian?” Instead, come before the Lord and say, “Here I am. You have full access to my heart.”
~Dr. Charles F. Stanley~
Saturday, February 1, 2020
The Wheat and the Chaff! # 1
The Wheat and the Chaff! # 1
There are but two classes in the world, and there are two classes in the church. But the time is coming when there will be but only one class in the church. A separation must take place. The wheat and the tares may grow together in the field, the wheat and the chaff may for a time be together on the threshing floor - but there is a cleansing time coming. At the first coming of Jesus something was done in this way - but at His second coming He will make thorough work of it. Alluding to His appearing in His public ministry, John said of Him, "His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn - but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire!" (Matt. 3:12).
The Instructive Figures Employed.
1. A threshing floor. Here the grain is brought from the field where it grew. Here an attempt at separation is made. Here for a time the wheat and the chaff are together in one heap. The wind brought into contact with them to separate them. Laborers are employed about them.
In the same manner, into the church souls are gathered from the field of the world. We attempt to separate between the truly converted and unconverted - but still, however careful and prudent we may be, there are both converted and unconverted in the church. The Lord brings the dispensations of His providence, or the power of His word, or the influences of His Holy Spirit like the wind to bear upon them - and He employs His ministering servants about them.
2. The contents of the floor. Wheat or choice grain, in-closed in a husk, threshed in order to separate, and fanned to cleanse it. In the church there are true believers - but they have much husk about them, and unbelievers cleave to them. These true believers have to pass through many painful dispensations to separate, and cleanse them.
Chaff, or mere professors, who like chaff, grow up with the wheat .... are difficult to separate from the wheat, are light and of little worth, are easily blown away when detected, and often fly in the face of the thresher!
How many there are in the church, who have grown up with God's people, whom we find it very difficult to distinguish or separate from the saints; but they are light, trifling and of little worth; once detached from the church, they are easily carried away by any novelty, and very frequently they fly in the face of, and annoy the honest ministers of Christ.
3. God's winnowing fan. The gardener's instrument for separating the wheat from the chaff. God's fan is sometimes His Word, sometimes His providence, sometimes church discipline, and sometimes the Holy Spirit.
The Solemn Fact Stated, "He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor!" The time is coming when He will divide between the precious and the vile, the wheat and the chaff, true believers and the mere professors.
He will purify His church, gathering out of it all things that offend, and those who do iniquity. He will remove the one from the other, severing their connection forever. "He will gather the wheat into His barn." A place prepared for its reception, where it will be housed in safety, and be forever separated from the chaff.
Such will be Christ's glorious kingdom, and such is Heaven. The place prepared for the people to meet their needs, gratify their wishes, and satisfy their desires. All they can need, and all they can enjoy - they will find there.
For that glorious barn, they are being now prepared on the threshing floor, and every stroke of the flail, every action of the fan, is to make them fit to partake of the inheritance of the saints in light. There they will be in safety - no floods, nor storms, nor devouring foes can come near them there. Forever with the Lord, they will be forever safe! They will be in a state of eternal separation from mere professors and wicked men - the great, the terrible gulf, which no man can pass, will be fixed between them, and they will rest in glory forever.
~James Smith~
(continued with # 2)
There are but two classes in the world, and there are two classes in the church. But the time is coming when there will be but only one class in the church. A separation must take place. The wheat and the tares may grow together in the field, the wheat and the chaff may for a time be together on the threshing floor - but there is a cleansing time coming. At the first coming of Jesus something was done in this way - but at His second coming He will make thorough work of it. Alluding to His appearing in His public ministry, John said of Him, "His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn - but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire!" (Matt. 3:12).
The Instructive Figures Employed.
1. A threshing floor. Here the grain is brought from the field where it grew. Here an attempt at separation is made. Here for a time the wheat and the chaff are together in one heap. The wind brought into contact with them to separate them. Laborers are employed about them.
In the same manner, into the church souls are gathered from the field of the world. We attempt to separate between the truly converted and unconverted - but still, however careful and prudent we may be, there are both converted and unconverted in the church. The Lord brings the dispensations of His providence, or the power of His word, or the influences of His Holy Spirit like the wind to bear upon them - and He employs His ministering servants about them.
2. The contents of the floor. Wheat or choice grain, in-closed in a husk, threshed in order to separate, and fanned to cleanse it. In the church there are true believers - but they have much husk about them, and unbelievers cleave to them. These true believers have to pass through many painful dispensations to separate, and cleanse them.
Chaff, or mere professors, who like chaff, grow up with the wheat .... are difficult to separate from the wheat, are light and of little worth, are easily blown away when detected, and often fly in the face of the thresher!
How many there are in the church, who have grown up with God's people, whom we find it very difficult to distinguish or separate from the saints; but they are light, trifling and of little worth; once detached from the church, they are easily carried away by any novelty, and very frequently they fly in the face of, and annoy the honest ministers of Christ.
3. God's winnowing fan. The gardener's instrument for separating the wheat from the chaff. God's fan is sometimes His Word, sometimes His providence, sometimes church discipline, and sometimes the Holy Spirit.
The Solemn Fact Stated, "He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor!" The time is coming when He will divide between the precious and the vile, the wheat and the chaff, true believers and the mere professors.
He will purify His church, gathering out of it all things that offend, and those who do iniquity. He will remove the one from the other, severing their connection forever. "He will gather the wheat into His barn." A place prepared for its reception, where it will be housed in safety, and be forever separated from the chaff.
Such will be Christ's glorious kingdom, and such is Heaven. The place prepared for the people to meet their needs, gratify their wishes, and satisfy their desires. All they can need, and all they can enjoy - they will find there.
For that glorious barn, they are being now prepared on the threshing floor, and every stroke of the flail, every action of the fan, is to make them fit to partake of the inheritance of the saints in light. There they will be in safety - no floods, nor storms, nor devouring foes can come near them there. Forever with the Lord, they will be forever safe! They will be in a state of eternal separation from mere professors and wicked men - the great, the terrible gulf, which no man can pass, will be fixed between them, and they will rest in glory forever.
~James Smith~
(continued with # 2)
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