Preaching
"He who has My Word, let him speak My Word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? says the Lord." (Jeremiah 23:28).
Preach the truth. Take heed of giving your own dreams and fancies in God's name. All is chaff, except the pure word of God. Oh stamp not God's image on your own self! We live in high-flown times: many people are not content with truths which lie plainly in the Scriptures; and some, to please their wanton palates, have sublimated their notions so high, that they have flown out of the sight of the Scripture - and unawares run themselves, with others, into dangerous errors! Make not experiments upon the souls of people, by delivering what is doubtful. Better feed people with sound doctrine, though it is plain meal - than that you should, with an outlandish dish, light on a wild gourd, that brings death into their pot!
Preach with the fear of God. A little bread, with God's blessing, may make a meal for a multitude. A great provision may soon shrink to nothing - if God helps not in the breaking of it. It is not your sermon in your head, or notes in your book, which will enable you to preach, except God opens your mouth! Acknowledge, therefore, God in all your ways, and lean not to your own understanding. The swelling of the heart, as well as of the wall, goes before the fall. How much may it provoke God, when you go the pulpit, and pass by His door in the way, without calling for His assistance?
Not only the preparation of the heart - but the answer of the tongue, both are from the Lord (Prov. 16:1). God keeps the key of the mouth - as well of the heart; not a word can be uttered, until God opens the door of the lips to give it a free egress. He opened the mouth of the donkey, and stopped the mouth of that wicked prophet, its master (Num. 22:28-31): hear him confess as much to Balak: "Lo, I am come unto you: have I now any power at all to say anything? the word that God puts in my mouth, that shall I speak" (verse 38).
Preach without fear of man. There is nothing more unworthy than to see a people bold to sin - and the preacher afraid to reprove them. Man-pleasing is both endless and needless. If you would, you could not please all; and if you could, there is no need, if you please Him who can turn all their hearts and bind their hands. They speed best, that dare be faithful.
Jeremiah seemed the only man likely to lose his life by his bold preaching; yet he had fairer quarter at last, than the smooth preachers of his time.
Just so, if you are free and bold, you may, indeed, be mocked by some - but you will be reverenced by more. Yes, even those who wag their heads at you - carry that in their conscience that which will make them fear you. They are the flattering preachers, who become base among the people (Mal. 2:9). It is not wisdom to provoke the judge, by flattering the prisoner.
Where one says, How shall I do this and sin against God? Many in their hearts say, How shall I do this and anger man? Herod feared John - and did many things; had he feared God - he would have labored to have done everything.
Preach with a good conscience. Keep a clear conscience: he cannot be a bold reprover - who is not a conscience liver. Unholiness in the preacher's life, either will stop his mouth from reproving, or the people's ears from receiving.
Preach definitely. He is the better workman, who drives one nail home than he who tries to drive many nails - but fastens none. Such preachers are not likely to reach the conscience, who hop from one truth to another and dwell on none.
Preach faithfully. The preacher must read and study people as diligently as any book in his study - and as he finds them, dispense like a faithful steward unto them.
Preach faithfully. The Word of God is too sacred a thing, and preaching too solemn a work, to be toyed and played with. To preach truths and notions above the hearers' capacity, is like a nurse that should go to feed a child with a spoon too big to go into its mouth!
Preach gently. "The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all, able to teach, patient, in meekness, instructing those who oppose themselves (2 Tim. 2:24, 25). Oh how careful is God that nothing should be in the preacher to prejudice the sinner's judgment, or harden his heart against the offer of His grace! If the servant is proud and hasty - how shall they know that the Master is meek and patient?
"The words of wise men are heard in quiet" (Ecc. 9:17). Let the reproof be as sharp as you will; but the spirit must be meek. Passion raises the blood of him that is reproved; but compassion turns his affections.
Preach diligently. The bee will not sit on a flower where no honey can be found, neither should a Christian. "Why do you sit here idle?" - you should say to your soul, when you have so much to do for God and your soul, and so little time to dispatch it in?
~William Gurnall~
(The End)
Saturday, July 28, 2018
The Character of the True Christian # 2
The Character of the True Christian # 2
Who, indeed, can describe the pleasure with which the members of Christ's flock do meet each other face to face? They may have been strangers before; they may have lived apart - but it is wonderful to observe how soon they seem to understand each other, there seems a thorough oneness of opinion, so that a man would think they had known each other for years. They have one Lord, one faith, one baptism; they have the same trials, the same fears, the same doubts, the same temptations, the same faintings of heart, the same dread of sin, the same sense of unworthiness, the same love of their Saviour. Oh - but there is a mystical union between true believers, which they only know who have experiences it; the world cannot understand it - it is all foolishness to them. This union does really exist, and a most blessed thing it is; for it is like a little foretaste of heaven.
The last thing I would remark about sheep is this: they are of all animals most helpless, most ready to stray; and so it is with Christ's people. They are far too ready to turn aside and go in ways that are not good; in vain they are warned and advised to be watchful and take heed to their path; they often get into a drowsy, sleepy frame, and imagine there is no danger, and so they wander down some bypath, and are only wakened by some merciful chastisement or heavy fall. They imagine that they are strong enough to get on without this constant vigilance, and so they take their eye off the Chief Shepherd, and wander on from this field to that, after their own desires, until they find themselves at last in darkness and doubt. And Christ's sheep, too, like other sheep, do seldom return to the fold without some damage and loss, for it is far more easy to get out of the right way when you are in - than to get into it when you are out.
And then, too, like sheep, true Christians are easily frightened. It takes very little to alarm them and make them fearful about their own condition; they are jealous and suspicious of danger from every quarter, and, like creatures who know their own weakness and the number of their enemies, they will often imagine there is something to be feared where no fear really is. But still this godly fear is an eminent sign of Christ's flock - it proves that they feel their own helplessness; and when a man knows nothing of it, and is full of presumptuous confidence, there is but too much reason to suspect he knows little of Christianity as he ought to know it.
Such appear to be the reasons why true believers are compared to sheep. They may not always be discerned in this corrupt and naughty world; you may often see no great difference between them and the unbelievers - but still they have a nature of their own, and sooner or later, if you observe, you will see it. When there comes a temptation, and self-denial is required, immediately the disposition of the heart comes uppermost - the Christian holds on his way, however narrow it may be, the worldly-minded turns down that broad lane which leads to destruction, and the real character of each is revealed.
2. The second thing to be considered in our text is that word "My." Our Lord does not simply call His people sheep - but He says also "My sheep>" It is as though Jesus would have us understand He looks upon them as His property; they are, as it were, stamped and sealed and marked as the possession of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and it is a blessed, comfortable thought that even as men are careful and tender about their earthly belongings, and will not willingly allow them to be lost and damaged, so is our Lord and Saviour careful of the souls that belong to Him.
But why are Christ's people called Mine, in this particular manner? There are many sufficient reasons. We are "His" by ELECTION. We were chosen and given to Him by the Father before the foundations of the world were laid; our names were written in the covenant of salvation before we were born, we were predestined or fore-ordained to be His people from all eternity. That is a glorious, a soul-comforting doctrine, however some abuse it. The doctrine that we are His by everlasting election, is full of sweet, pleasant and unspeakable consolation.
But again: Christ's people are "His" by PURCHASE. Death and hell had claims upon everyone of them, they had all broken the law and forfeited eternal life - but Christ has redeemed them. Christ paid the heavy price of their salvation, even His own most precious blood, and well may He call them "Mine" for He has bought them off from captivity and satan at the cost of His own life.
And lastly, Christ's people are "His" by ADOPTION. He has put His Spirit in them, and overturned the power of sin in their hearts. He has given them a child-like frame of mind, so that they cry Abba Father; they are become part of His family, the very sons and daughters of the Almighty; He looks upon them as a portion of Himself, as members of His body and flesh and bones, and loves them and cherishes them accordingly.
3. But I must hasten on to the third point which our text lays down in the character of true believers. "My sheep," says Jesus, "hear My voice." This hearing of Christ's voice, what is it? It cannot be the mere hearing of the ears, for many do that who die in their sins. It must be the hearing with the heart, the listening with attention; the believing what is heard - the acting manfully on what is believed. And where may Christ's voice be heard? It sometimes whispers in a sinner's conscience. It sometimes speaks solemnly. But it generally is to be heard in the reading of Scripture or the preaching of the Gospel; then the voice of the Lord Jesus may be heard plain and distinct. In all these ways manners the voice of Jesus may be heard.
And here comes the distinction between the converted and the unconverted. Those who are converted hear Christ's voice - but they that are unconverted hear it not. The true sheep of Christ were once foolish and disobedient, serving divers lusts and pleasures, dead in trespasses and sins - but they heard their Redeemer's voice at last, and when they heard they lived; they knew not at first who called them - but they heard a voice they could not disobey, and now they can tell you they are sure it was the Lord's. They listened to His invitation, they confessed their sinners, and in Him they found peace. And now without His voice they will do nothing; His word, His saying, His command, His will is their rule of life - to be taught of Him by His Spirit and His Bible is their hearts' desire and prayer - to hear about Him from His ministers is the food and drink of their souls. The world cannot see that Christ's voice is such a joyful sound; they dislike it - it offends them; to be told they are sinners, and must repent and believe or perish, is a stumbling-block. But Christ's sheep are never offended; they listen diligently to their Shepherd's voice and when they hear Him, they would dare not disregard it!
~J. C. Ryle~
(continued with # 3)
Who, indeed, can describe the pleasure with which the members of Christ's flock do meet each other face to face? They may have been strangers before; they may have lived apart - but it is wonderful to observe how soon they seem to understand each other, there seems a thorough oneness of opinion, so that a man would think they had known each other for years. They have one Lord, one faith, one baptism; they have the same trials, the same fears, the same doubts, the same temptations, the same faintings of heart, the same dread of sin, the same sense of unworthiness, the same love of their Saviour. Oh - but there is a mystical union between true believers, which they only know who have experiences it; the world cannot understand it - it is all foolishness to them. This union does really exist, and a most blessed thing it is; for it is like a little foretaste of heaven.
The last thing I would remark about sheep is this: they are of all animals most helpless, most ready to stray; and so it is with Christ's people. They are far too ready to turn aside and go in ways that are not good; in vain they are warned and advised to be watchful and take heed to their path; they often get into a drowsy, sleepy frame, and imagine there is no danger, and so they wander down some bypath, and are only wakened by some merciful chastisement or heavy fall. They imagine that they are strong enough to get on without this constant vigilance, and so they take their eye off the Chief Shepherd, and wander on from this field to that, after their own desires, until they find themselves at last in darkness and doubt. And Christ's sheep, too, like other sheep, do seldom return to the fold without some damage and loss, for it is far more easy to get out of the right way when you are in - than to get into it when you are out.
And then, too, like sheep, true Christians are easily frightened. It takes very little to alarm them and make them fearful about their own condition; they are jealous and suspicious of danger from every quarter, and, like creatures who know their own weakness and the number of their enemies, they will often imagine there is something to be feared where no fear really is. But still this godly fear is an eminent sign of Christ's flock - it proves that they feel their own helplessness; and when a man knows nothing of it, and is full of presumptuous confidence, there is but too much reason to suspect he knows little of Christianity as he ought to know it.
Such appear to be the reasons why true believers are compared to sheep. They may not always be discerned in this corrupt and naughty world; you may often see no great difference between them and the unbelievers - but still they have a nature of their own, and sooner or later, if you observe, you will see it. When there comes a temptation, and self-denial is required, immediately the disposition of the heart comes uppermost - the Christian holds on his way, however narrow it may be, the worldly-minded turns down that broad lane which leads to destruction, and the real character of each is revealed.
2. The second thing to be considered in our text is that word "My." Our Lord does not simply call His people sheep - but He says also "My sheep>" It is as though Jesus would have us understand He looks upon them as His property; they are, as it were, stamped and sealed and marked as the possession of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and it is a blessed, comfortable thought that even as men are careful and tender about their earthly belongings, and will not willingly allow them to be lost and damaged, so is our Lord and Saviour careful of the souls that belong to Him.
But why are Christ's people called Mine, in this particular manner? There are many sufficient reasons. We are "His" by ELECTION. We were chosen and given to Him by the Father before the foundations of the world were laid; our names were written in the covenant of salvation before we were born, we were predestined or fore-ordained to be His people from all eternity. That is a glorious, a soul-comforting doctrine, however some abuse it. The doctrine that we are His by everlasting election, is full of sweet, pleasant and unspeakable consolation.
But again: Christ's people are "His" by PURCHASE. Death and hell had claims upon everyone of them, they had all broken the law and forfeited eternal life - but Christ has redeemed them. Christ paid the heavy price of their salvation, even His own most precious blood, and well may He call them "Mine" for He has bought them off from captivity and satan at the cost of His own life.
And lastly, Christ's people are "His" by ADOPTION. He has put His Spirit in them, and overturned the power of sin in their hearts. He has given them a child-like frame of mind, so that they cry Abba Father; they are become part of His family, the very sons and daughters of the Almighty; He looks upon them as a portion of Himself, as members of His body and flesh and bones, and loves them and cherishes them accordingly.
3. But I must hasten on to the third point which our text lays down in the character of true believers. "My sheep," says Jesus, "hear My voice." This hearing of Christ's voice, what is it? It cannot be the mere hearing of the ears, for many do that who die in their sins. It must be the hearing with the heart, the listening with attention; the believing what is heard - the acting manfully on what is believed. And where may Christ's voice be heard? It sometimes whispers in a sinner's conscience. It sometimes speaks solemnly. But it generally is to be heard in the reading of Scripture or the preaching of the Gospel; then the voice of the Lord Jesus may be heard plain and distinct. In all these ways manners the voice of Jesus may be heard.
And here comes the distinction between the converted and the unconverted. Those who are converted hear Christ's voice - but they that are unconverted hear it not. The true sheep of Christ were once foolish and disobedient, serving divers lusts and pleasures, dead in trespasses and sins - but they heard their Redeemer's voice at last, and when they heard they lived; they knew not at first who called them - but they heard a voice they could not disobey, and now they can tell you they are sure it was the Lord's. They listened to His invitation, they confessed their sinners, and in Him they found peace. And now without His voice they will do nothing; His word, His saying, His command, His will is their rule of life - to be taught of Him by His Spirit and His Bible is their hearts' desire and prayer - to hear about Him from His ministers is the food and drink of their souls. The world cannot see that Christ's voice is such a joyful sound; they dislike it - it offends them; to be told they are sinners, and must repent and believe or perish, is a stumbling-block. But Christ's sheep are never offended; they listen diligently to their Shepherd's voice and when they hear Him, they would dare not disregard it!
~J. C. Ryle~
(continued with # 3)
The Character of the True Christian # 1
The Character of the True Christian # 1
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27).
That is a glorious saying, a perfect and complete text; containing all I need to know for my soul's comfort, full of privileges and mercies for true believers and penitent sinners, and at the same time shutting the door effectually against self-righteous Pharisees and whitened sepulchers and painted hypocrites. It shows us two things: the character of real Christians, and the spiritual treasures they possess. Or, in other words, what they are to their Saviour - and what their Saviour is to them. I propose this morning to consider these two things in order, and I pray God you may all be led to examine yourselves by the light which the text affords.
1. First then, with respect to true Christians - their names, their marks, their character - what does the text say about them? "My sheep," we read, "hear My voice and follow Me." The Lord Jesus Christ likens them to sheep; and He declares "they are Mine, and they hear Me and follow Mr." There is matter we shall do well to consider in each of these expressions.
True Christians, then, are compared to SHEEP, and we shall find a great depth of meaning in the comparison if we look into it. Sheep are the most harmless, quiet, inoffensive creatures that God has made. So should it be with Christians: they should be very humble and lowly-minded, as disciples of Him who said, "Learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart." They should be known as people of a very gentle and loving spirit, who desire to do good to all around them, who would not injure anyone by word or deed; who do not seek the great things of this world - but are content to go straightforward on the path of duty and take whatever it shall please God to send them. They ought to show forth in their lives and outward conversation that the Holy Spirit has given them a new nature, has taken away their old corrupt disposition and planted in them godly thoughts and purposes and desires.
When, therefore, we see people biting and devouring one another, saying and doing uncharitable things to their neighbors, fierce, and passionate and evil-tempered and angry on the slightest occasion; full of envy and strife and bitter speaking - surely we are justified in saying, "You do not belong to Christ's flock; you have yet to be born again and made new creatures; there must be a mighty change. Profess what you please, at present we can only see in you the mind of the old man, even Adam the first - but nothing of the Second Adam, even Christ Jesus the Lord. We can discern the spirit of the wolf, however fair your clothing, and we want instead to discover in you the spirit of the lamb."
But again, sheep are of all animals the most useful; none are so serviceable to man, none so necessary in every way for his comforts and conveniences; and such should be the character of a true Christian. We must study to do good in our day and generation, and lay ourselves out for the spiritual and temporal advantage of our brethren. All can do much: it is not the rich alone, and the great, who are able to be useful; there area hundred ways of conferring benefits beside the form of giving gold and silver; and each in his respective station can do good if he desires.
Has not a poor man a tongue? Then surely, if he is a sheep of Christ's flock, he will use it for his neighbors' profit, when occasion is afforded; he will warn and entreat and counsel and persuade; he will reason and argue, as a witness and servant of God, against sin and carelessness in every shape; he will show himself an affectionate lover of men's souls, who would gladly impart to others the knowledge he has found valuable to himself. He will never allow wickedness to pass unnoticed if, by saying a quiet word on the Lord's side, he may perchance restrain it. He will never allow anger and strife to continue, if he can be the means of making peace.
And then has not a poor man a feeling heart? Then surely, if he is a true sheep of Christ's flock, he will remember those who are in adversity, as being himself in the body. He will not shun the house of mourning - but strive to be a comforter, bearing in mind the proverb "A word spoken in season, how good is it." He will weep with those who weep, as well as rejoice with those who rejoice. He will let men see that he is a real child of his Father in heaven, who does good to the just and the unjust too, and is kind even to the unthankful and the evil.
And cannot a poor man pray? Yes! and effectual fervent prayer avails much. And if he prays for the souls of others, who knows but he may draw down benefits on all around him? Oh! but a real praying Christian, a man who is constantly asking for the Spirit to comedown on the place in which he dwells and convert the sleepers - that man is a mighty benefactor. He is working a powerful engine, and if he is the cause of one single person being converted, he has done something that makes all heaven rejoice!
Brethren, let it be written on our minds that all can do much, and those who belong to Christ's flock will strive to do much. No man is so really useful in a church, as a true Christian; and no one can have much real Christianity about him who does not endeavor to do good either by his advice or by his example or by his prayers. Are we indeed the sheep of Christ? Let us never forget this point of our character.
A genuine Gospel-faith has nothing selfish about it - it never makes a man think only of his own salvation. It stirs him up, on the contrary, to concern about the souls of others. I always suspect that those who care nothing whether their brethren are saved or not, must in reality be ignorant or thoughtless about their own state.
Again, sheep love to be together; they do not like being alone; there are no animals which seem to take such pleasure in being in a flock, and cling to each other's company so faithfully. And so is it with true Christians: it is their delight to meet each other and be together, if possible. It is their continual sorrow and complaint that far too often they have to journey on alone, without any who are like-minded to commune with, about the things which their souls love most; and this is a very sore trial. Friends and relations may be kind and affectionate, they may have everything to make this world enjoyable - but what Christ's sheep sigh and crave after is to have with them people who can enter into their secret feelings, who understand the unseen workings of their inward man, who can comprehend the hidden warfare which goes on in their hearts - people with whom they can take sweet counsel about their souls' health and souls' trials, with whom they can converse freely and unreservedly about their Lord and Master and their hopes of forgiveness through His name.
~J. C. Ryle~
(continued with # 2)
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27).
That is a glorious saying, a perfect and complete text; containing all I need to know for my soul's comfort, full of privileges and mercies for true believers and penitent sinners, and at the same time shutting the door effectually against self-righteous Pharisees and whitened sepulchers and painted hypocrites. It shows us two things: the character of real Christians, and the spiritual treasures they possess. Or, in other words, what they are to their Saviour - and what their Saviour is to them. I propose this morning to consider these two things in order, and I pray God you may all be led to examine yourselves by the light which the text affords.
1. First then, with respect to true Christians - their names, their marks, their character - what does the text say about them? "My sheep," we read, "hear My voice and follow Me." The Lord Jesus Christ likens them to sheep; and He declares "they are Mine, and they hear Me and follow Mr." There is matter we shall do well to consider in each of these expressions.
True Christians, then, are compared to SHEEP, and we shall find a great depth of meaning in the comparison if we look into it. Sheep are the most harmless, quiet, inoffensive creatures that God has made. So should it be with Christians: they should be very humble and lowly-minded, as disciples of Him who said, "Learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart." They should be known as people of a very gentle and loving spirit, who desire to do good to all around them, who would not injure anyone by word or deed; who do not seek the great things of this world - but are content to go straightforward on the path of duty and take whatever it shall please God to send them. They ought to show forth in their lives and outward conversation that the Holy Spirit has given them a new nature, has taken away their old corrupt disposition and planted in them godly thoughts and purposes and desires.
When, therefore, we see people biting and devouring one another, saying and doing uncharitable things to their neighbors, fierce, and passionate and evil-tempered and angry on the slightest occasion; full of envy and strife and bitter speaking - surely we are justified in saying, "You do not belong to Christ's flock; you have yet to be born again and made new creatures; there must be a mighty change. Profess what you please, at present we can only see in you the mind of the old man, even Adam the first - but nothing of the Second Adam, even Christ Jesus the Lord. We can discern the spirit of the wolf, however fair your clothing, and we want instead to discover in you the spirit of the lamb."
But again, sheep are of all animals the most useful; none are so serviceable to man, none so necessary in every way for his comforts and conveniences; and such should be the character of a true Christian. We must study to do good in our day and generation, and lay ourselves out for the spiritual and temporal advantage of our brethren. All can do much: it is not the rich alone, and the great, who are able to be useful; there area hundred ways of conferring benefits beside the form of giving gold and silver; and each in his respective station can do good if he desires.
Has not a poor man a tongue? Then surely, if he is a sheep of Christ's flock, he will use it for his neighbors' profit, when occasion is afforded; he will warn and entreat and counsel and persuade; he will reason and argue, as a witness and servant of God, against sin and carelessness in every shape; he will show himself an affectionate lover of men's souls, who would gladly impart to others the knowledge he has found valuable to himself. He will never allow wickedness to pass unnoticed if, by saying a quiet word on the Lord's side, he may perchance restrain it. He will never allow anger and strife to continue, if he can be the means of making peace.
And then has not a poor man a feeling heart? Then surely, if he is a true sheep of Christ's flock, he will remember those who are in adversity, as being himself in the body. He will not shun the house of mourning - but strive to be a comforter, bearing in mind the proverb "A word spoken in season, how good is it." He will weep with those who weep, as well as rejoice with those who rejoice. He will let men see that he is a real child of his Father in heaven, who does good to the just and the unjust too, and is kind even to the unthankful and the evil.
And cannot a poor man pray? Yes! and effectual fervent prayer avails much. And if he prays for the souls of others, who knows but he may draw down benefits on all around him? Oh! but a real praying Christian, a man who is constantly asking for the Spirit to comedown on the place in which he dwells and convert the sleepers - that man is a mighty benefactor. He is working a powerful engine, and if he is the cause of one single person being converted, he has done something that makes all heaven rejoice!
Brethren, let it be written on our minds that all can do much, and those who belong to Christ's flock will strive to do much. No man is so really useful in a church, as a true Christian; and no one can have much real Christianity about him who does not endeavor to do good either by his advice or by his example or by his prayers. Are we indeed the sheep of Christ? Let us never forget this point of our character.
A genuine Gospel-faith has nothing selfish about it - it never makes a man think only of his own salvation. It stirs him up, on the contrary, to concern about the souls of others. I always suspect that those who care nothing whether their brethren are saved or not, must in reality be ignorant or thoughtless about their own state.
Again, sheep love to be together; they do not like being alone; there are no animals which seem to take such pleasure in being in a flock, and cling to each other's company so faithfully. And so is it with true Christians: it is their delight to meet each other and be together, if possible. It is their continual sorrow and complaint that far too often they have to journey on alone, without any who are like-minded to commune with, about the things which their souls love most; and this is a very sore trial. Friends and relations may be kind and affectionate, they may have everything to make this world enjoyable - but what Christ's sheep sigh and crave after is to have with them people who can enter into their secret feelings, who understand the unseen workings of their inward man, who can comprehend the hidden warfare which goes on in their hearts - people with whom they can take sweet counsel about their souls' health and souls' trials, with whom they can converse freely and unreservedly about their Lord and Master and their hopes of forgiveness through His name.
~J. C. Ryle~
(continued with # 2)
Spiritual Conviction (and others)
Spiritual Conviction (and others)
"When He comes, He will convict the world of sin" (John 16:8).
Spiritual conviction reaches to all sins; to sins of heart - as well as sins of life; to the sin of our nature - as well as the sins of practice; to the sin which is born in us - as well as the sin which is done by us. Where the Spirit of the Lord comes to work effectually in any soul - He holds the looking-glass of the Word before the sinner's eyes, to see all that deformity and filthiness which is in his heart and nature!
How blind was Paul to his sinfulness - until the Spirit of the Lord revealed it to him by the Word! The Spirit alone, can make the sinner see all the deformity and filthiness which is within! It is He along, who pulls off all the sinner's rags, and makes him see his naked and wretched condition! It is He alone, who shows us: the blindness of the mind, the stubbornness of the will, the disorderedness of the affections, the scearedness of the conscience, the plague of our hearts, the sin of our natures, the desperateness of our state!
Natural conviction carries the soul out to look more on the evil which comes as a result of sin - than on the evil which is in sin. The soul which is under natural conviction, is more troubled at the dread of hell, and wrath, and damnation - than at the vileness and heinous nature of sin.
But spiritual convictions work the soul into a greater sensibleness of the evil which is in sin - than of the evil which comes as a result of sin. The dishonor done to God by walking contrary to His will; the wounds which are made in the heart of Christ; the grief which the Holy Spirit is put to - this wounds the soul more than a thousand hells!
Natural convictions are not durable; they quickly die out. They are like a slight cut in the skin, which bleeds a little, and is sore for the moment - but is soon healed again, and in a few days not so much as a scar is seen.
But spiritual convictions are durable, they cannot be worn out, they abide in the soul until they have reached their end - which is the change of the sinner.
The convictions of the Spirit are like a deep wound which goes to the vital organs, and seems to endanger the life of the patient, and is only healed by the great skill of the heavenly Physician. And when it is healed, there are the tokens of it remaining in the soul, which can never be worn out!
Spiritual conviction is an essential part of sound conversion. True conversion begins in convictions - and true convictions end in conversion. Until the sinner is convinced of sin - he can never be converted from sin. Christ's coming was as a Saviour to die for sinners. The Spirit's coming is to convince us of sin - that we may close with Christ as our Saviour. So long as sin is unseen - Christ will be unsought. "Those who are whole need not the physician - but those who are sick."
Slight convictions, when they are but skin-deep, are the cause of much hypocrisy. Slight convictions have filled the church with hypocrites! Nay, this is not only the spring of hypocrisy - but it is also the spring of apostasy! What was the cause that the seed was said to wither away? It was because it had no depth of soil. Just so, where convictions of sin are slight - there the seed of the Word withers for lack of depth! But where there is thorough conviction, there is a depth of soil in the heart - and there the seed of the Word grows!
~Matthew Mead~
______________________________
That Heavenly Teacher
We do not learn that we are sinners merely by reading it in the Bible. It must be wrought, I might say, burnt into us.
Nor will anyone sincerely and spiritually cry for mercy, until sin is spiritually felt and known in its misery, in its dominion, in its guilt, in its entanglements, in its wiles and allurements, in its filth and pollution, and in its condemnation.
Where the Holy Spirit works, He kindles sighs, groans, supplications, wrestlings, and pleadings to know Christ, feel His love, taste the efficacy of His atoning blood, and embrace Him as all our salvation and all our desire!
And though there may, and doubtless will be, much barrenness, hardness, deadness, and apparent carelessness often felt; still that heavenly Teacher will revive His work, though often by painful methods; nor will He let the quickened soul rest short of a personal and experimental enjoyment of Christ and His glorious salvation!
~J. C. Philpot~
_______________________
The Transforming Power of the Holy Spirit
"To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints" (Romans 1:7).
Believers are separated from the world by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit calls them out from the world, and separates them as effectually as if a wall were built between them and it. He puts in them new hearts, new minds, new tastes, new desires, new sorrows, new joys, new wishes, new pleasures, new longings.
He gives them new eyes, new ears, new affections, new opinions.
He makes them new creatures. They are born again - and with a new birth they begin a new existence. Mighty indeed is the transforming power of the Spirit!
~J. C. Ryle~
"When He comes, He will convict the world of sin" (John 16:8).
Spiritual conviction reaches to all sins; to sins of heart - as well as sins of life; to the sin of our nature - as well as the sins of practice; to the sin which is born in us - as well as the sin which is done by us. Where the Spirit of the Lord comes to work effectually in any soul - He holds the looking-glass of the Word before the sinner's eyes, to see all that deformity and filthiness which is in his heart and nature!
How blind was Paul to his sinfulness - until the Spirit of the Lord revealed it to him by the Word! The Spirit alone, can make the sinner see all the deformity and filthiness which is within! It is He along, who pulls off all the sinner's rags, and makes him see his naked and wretched condition! It is He alone, who shows us: the blindness of the mind, the stubbornness of the will, the disorderedness of the affections, the scearedness of the conscience, the plague of our hearts, the sin of our natures, the desperateness of our state!
Natural conviction carries the soul out to look more on the evil which comes as a result of sin - than on the evil which is in sin. The soul which is under natural conviction, is more troubled at the dread of hell, and wrath, and damnation - than at the vileness and heinous nature of sin.
But spiritual convictions work the soul into a greater sensibleness of the evil which is in sin - than of the evil which comes as a result of sin. The dishonor done to God by walking contrary to His will; the wounds which are made in the heart of Christ; the grief which the Holy Spirit is put to - this wounds the soul more than a thousand hells!
Natural convictions are not durable; they quickly die out. They are like a slight cut in the skin, which bleeds a little, and is sore for the moment - but is soon healed again, and in a few days not so much as a scar is seen.
But spiritual convictions are durable, they cannot be worn out, they abide in the soul until they have reached their end - which is the change of the sinner.
The convictions of the Spirit are like a deep wound which goes to the vital organs, and seems to endanger the life of the patient, and is only healed by the great skill of the heavenly Physician. And when it is healed, there are the tokens of it remaining in the soul, which can never be worn out!
Spiritual conviction is an essential part of sound conversion. True conversion begins in convictions - and true convictions end in conversion. Until the sinner is convinced of sin - he can never be converted from sin. Christ's coming was as a Saviour to die for sinners. The Spirit's coming is to convince us of sin - that we may close with Christ as our Saviour. So long as sin is unseen - Christ will be unsought. "Those who are whole need not the physician - but those who are sick."
Slight convictions, when they are but skin-deep, are the cause of much hypocrisy. Slight convictions have filled the church with hypocrites! Nay, this is not only the spring of hypocrisy - but it is also the spring of apostasy! What was the cause that the seed was said to wither away? It was because it had no depth of soil. Just so, where convictions of sin are slight - there the seed of the Word withers for lack of depth! But where there is thorough conviction, there is a depth of soil in the heart - and there the seed of the Word grows!
~Matthew Mead~
______________________________
That Heavenly Teacher
We do not learn that we are sinners merely by reading it in the Bible. It must be wrought, I might say, burnt into us.
Nor will anyone sincerely and spiritually cry for mercy, until sin is spiritually felt and known in its misery, in its dominion, in its guilt, in its entanglements, in its wiles and allurements, in its filth and pollution, and in its condemnation.
Where the Holy Spirit works, He kindles sighs, groans, supplications, wrestlings, and pleadings to know Christ, feel His love, taste the efficacy of His atoning blood, and embrace Him as all our salvation and all our desire!
And though there may, and doubtless will be, much barrenness, hardness, deadness, and apparent carelessness often felt; still that heavenly Teacher will revive His work, though often by painful methods; nor will He let the quickened soul rest short of a personal and experimental enjoyment of Christ and His glorious salvation!
~J. C. Philpot~
_______________________
The Transforming Power of the Holy Spirit
"To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints" (Romans 1:7).
Believers are separated from the world by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit calls them out from the world, and separates them as effectually as if a wall were built between them and it. He puts in them new hearts, new minds, new tastes, new desires, new sorrows, new joys, new wishes, new pleasures, new longings.
He gives them new eyes, new ears, new affections, new opinions.
He makes them new creatures. They are born again - and with a new birth they begin a new existence. Mighty indeed is the transforming power of the Spirit!
~J. C. Ryle~
Saturday, July 21, 2018
Tied To Their Minister's Apron Strings
Tied To Their Minister's Apron Strings
It is lamentable when a boy in teens is still tied to his mother's apron strings. Yet is it not equally deplorable for those who have been Christians many years - to be tied to their minister's apron strings? Yet how often we witness this very thing. There is a certain class who seem to be afraid, or at any rate unwilling, to think for themselves - to search the Scriptures for themselves, and act accordingly - and we suspect that in many cases the preacher is as much to be blamed as they are. It is true that he is their teachers, and as such he should possess a wider and deeper knowledge of spiritual things than they have. Yet it is his duty to instruct them - to familiarize themselves with God's Word, and thus become qualified to "Test all things - and hold fast that which is good" (1 Thess. 5:21). In other words, the preacher is not to be a nurse unto them all their lives!
It has long been our conviction that the preacher who is really of greatest service to his people - is the one who makes them most independent of human help, and casts them back directly upon God Himself. For souls to run to their pastor every time they are in trouble, or look to him to solve all their spiritual problems - is virtually to give him the same place in their lives, as the deluded Papists accord their "priests." This is not only to rob God of His glory but also retards their spiritual progress. It is with God Himself, that I most need to deal, and any man who comes between me and the Lord is really a hindrance, no matter how good his intentions may be. Moreover, the preacher is human,and therefore liable to err - but God is omniscient and never misdirects. "If any of you lacks wisdom - let him ask of God." (James 1:5).
Sooner or later there comes a time in the lives of most real Christians, when those words, "Stop trusting in man!" (Isaiah 2:22) are applied to their hearts in Divine power. This will not mean that they now refuse to hear God's servants or read their writings - but that they will no longer place the same blind confidence in their teachers as the Papists do in their priests. Instead, they will emulate the Bereans, who did not mechanically accept what they heard, even from the lips of the Apostle Paul - but "examined the Scriptures every day - to see if what Paul said was true." (Acts 17:11).
~A. W. Pink~
_________________________
A Faithful Minister
"Let the elders who rule well be accounted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the Word and doctrine" (1 Timothy 5:17).
That which is hear rendered labor, signifies not simply to labor - but to labor with much travail and toil, to labor even to exhaustion, as he does who chops wood, or who toils in harvest, or who fights in a battle.
Oh what an honor is it to a faithful minister, when he had found the people dark and blind - but left them enlightened; found them dead - but left them alive; found them a proud people - but left them humble; found them a profane people - but left them holy; found them a carnal people - but left them spiritual; found them a worldly people - but left them heavenly; found them a wavering people - but left them settled and rooted.
Oh, it is an honor to faithful ministers, when their people are like them in knowledge, wisdom, love, humility, and holiness!
"Be an example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." (1 Timothy 4:12).
~Thomas Brooks~
__________________________
How To Fill Your Church
I believe that the best, surest, and most permanent way to fill a place of worship is to preach the gospel, and to preach it in a natural, simple, interesting, earnest way. The gospel itself has a singularly fascinating power about it, and unless impeded by an unworthy delivery, or by some other great evil, it will win its own way. It certainly did so at the first, and what is to hinder it now? Like the angels, it flew upon its own wings; like the dew, it tarried not for man, neither waited for the sons of men.
The gospel has a secret charm about it which secures a hearing: it casts its good spell over human ears, and they must hearken. It is God's own word to men; it is precisely what human necessities require; it commends itself to man's conscience, and, sent home by the Holy Spirit, it wakes an echo in every heart.
In every age, the faithful preaching of the good news has brought forth hosts of men to hear it, made willing in the day of God's power. Decked in the glories of free and sovereign grace, wearing the crown-royal of the covenant, and the purple of atonement - the gospel, like a queen, is still glorious for beauty, and supreme over hearts and minds.
Published in all its fullness, with a clear statement of its efficacy and immutability, it is still the most acceptable news that ever reached the ears of mortals.
~Charles Hadden Spurgeon~
It is lamentable when a boy in teens is still tied to his mother's apron strings. Yet is it not equally deplorable for those who have been Christians many years - to be tied to their minister's apron strings? Yet how often we witness this very thing. There is a certain class who seem to be afraid, or at any rate unwilling, to think for themselves - to search the Scriptures for themselves, and act accordingly - and we suspect that in many cases the preacher is as much to be blamed as they are. It is true that he is their teachers, and as such he should possess a wider and deeper knowledge of spiritual things than they have. Yet it is his duty to instruct them - to familiarize themselves with God's Word, and thus become qualified to "Test all things - and hold fast that which is good" (1 Thess. 5:21). In other words, the preacher is not to be a nurse unto them all their lives!
It has long been our conviction that the preacher who is really of greatest service to his people - is the one who makes them most independent of human help, and casts them back directly upon God Himself. For souls to run to their pastor every time they are in trouble, or look to him to solve all their spiritual problems - is virtually to give him the same place in their lives, as the deluded Papists accord their "priests." This is not only to rob God of His glory but also retards their spiritual progress. It is with God Himself, that I most need to deal, and any man who comes between me and the Lord is really a hindrance, no matter how good his intentions may be. Moreover, the preacher is human,and therefore liable to err - but God is omniscient and never misdirects. "If any of you lacks wisdom - let him ask of God." (James 1:5).
Sooner or later there comes a time in the lives of most real Christians, when those words, "Stop trusting in man!" (Isaiah 2:22) are applied to their hearts in Divine power. This will not mean that they now refuse to hear God's servants or read their writings - but that they will no longer place the same blind confidence in their teachers as the Papists do in their priests. Instead, they will emulate the Bereans, who did not mechanically accept what they heard, even from the lips of the Apostle Paul - but "examined the Scriptures every day - to see if what Paul said was true." (Acts 17:11).
~A. W. Pink~
_________________________
A Faithful Minister
"Let the elders who rule well be accounted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the Word and doctrine" (1 Timothy 5:17).
That which is hear rendered labor, signifies not simply to labor - but to labor with much travail and toil, to labor even to exhaustion, as he does who chops wood, or who toils in harvest, or who fights in a battle.
Oh what an honor is it to a faithful minister, when he had found the people dark and blind - but left them enlightened; found them dead - but left them alive; found them a proud people - but left them humble; found them a profane people - but left them holy; found them a carnal people - but left them spiritual; found them a worldly people - but left them heavenly; found them a wavering people - but left them settled and rooted.
Oh, it is an honor to faithful ministers, when their people are like them in knowledge, wisdom, love, humility, and holiness!
"Be an example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." (1 Timothy 4:12).
~Thomas Brooks~
__________________________
How To Fill Your Church
I believe that the best, surest, and most permanent way to fill a place of worship is to preach the gospel, and to preach it in a natural, simple, interesting, earnest way. The gospel itself has a singularly fascinating power about it, and unless impeded by an unworthy delivery, or by some other great evil, it will win its own way. It certainly did so at the first, and what is to hinder it now? Like the angels, it flew upon its own wings; like the dew, it tarried not for man, neither waited for the sons of men.
The gospel has a secret charm about it which secures a hearing: it casts its good spell over human ears, and they must hearken. It is God's own word to men; it is precisely what human necessities require; it commends itself to man's conscience, and, sent home by the Holy Spirit, it wakes an echo in every heart.
In every age, the faithful preaching of the good news has brought forth hosts of men to hear it, made willing in the day of God's power. Decked in the glories of free and sovereign grace, wearing the crown-royal of the covenant, and the purple of atonement - the gospel, like a queen, is still glorious for beauty, and supreme over hearts and minds.
Published in all its fullness, with a clear statement of its efficacy and immutability, it is still the most acceptable news that ever reached the ears of mortals.
~Charles Hadden Spurgeon~
On Just Such Husks do the Religious Swine Feed
On Just Such Husks do the Religious Swine Feed
"Take heed what you hear" (Mark 4:24).
The word hear obviously includes what is read, for that which is written or printed is addressed to the ears of our intellect. Few people today realize the urgent need for "taking heed" unto what they read. Just as the natural food which is eaten either helps or hinders the body; so the mental food we receive either benefits or injures the mind, and that, in turn, affects the heart. Now just as it is harmful to listen to the rubbish and poison which is being served from the great majority of present-day pulpits, so it is exceedingly injurious to the soul to read most of what is now being published. Take heed what you hear - and read!
"Those who are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh" (Romans 8:5), and are charmed with oratorical eloquence, catchy sayings, witty allusions, and jocular displays. On just such husks do the religious swine feed; but the penitent prodigal can find no nutriment therein!
Christian reader, if you value the health of your soul, cease hearing and quit reading all that is lifeless, unctionless, powerless - no matter what prominent or popular name is attached thereto. Life is too short to waste valuable time on that which profits not.
Ninety-nine out of every hundred of the religious books, booklets, and magazines now being published, are not worth the paper on which they are printed! Take heed what you hear - and read!
~Arthur W. Pink~
___________________________
What Is Most Needed Today
It is my deepening conviction that what is most needed today is a wide proclamation of those Scripture truths which are the least acceptable to the flesh.
What is needed today, is a scriptural setting forth of the character of God:
His absolute sovereignty, His ineffable holiness, His inflexible justice, His unchanging veracity.
What is needed today, is a scriptural setting forth of the condition of the natural man:
his total depravity, his spiritual insensibility, his inveterate hostility to God, the fact that he is "condemned already," and that the wrath of a sin-hating God is even now abiding upon him!
What is needed today, is a scriptural setting forth of the alarming danger which sinners are in - the indescribably awful doom which awaits them; and the fact that if they follow their present course only a little further, they shall most certainly suffer the due penalty of their iniquities!
What is needed today, is a scriptural setting forth of the nature of that dreadful punishment which awaits the lost: the dreadfulness of it, the hopelessness of it, the unendurableness of it, and the endlessness of it!
~Arthur W. Pink~
____________________________
True Christian Ministry
There may be an undue, idolatrous, if not superstitious, attachment to, and reverence for, Christian ministers by churches and by individuals, the existence and growing extent of which demand a prompt and effectual check. The office of the Christian ministry is strangely misunderstood at the present time. By one part of the professing Church, the Christian minister is all but deified; and exalted into the place of God; so that multitudes, in the blindness of their superstitious attachment, worship him as God.
Seek to divest your mind of all unscriptural, superstitious, and idolatrous views and feelings in reference to the nature and powers of the Christian minister.
Remember it is but a human instrumentality, possessing no essential, inalienable grace or holiness of its own.
True Christian ministry disclaims all superstitious reverence, and rejects all idolatrous attachment and worship from the creature.
But the evil against which many of the Lord's people need to be tenderly cautioned is that of undue exalting of, and the setting of the affections upon, the pastor. A Church may so vaunt itself of the talents, the gifts, the attainments, the popularity, and even the success of its pastor, as greatly to detract from the glory of God, grieve the Holy Spirit, and seriously injure both itself and the object of its adulation.
How keenly is the spiritual mind pained by the humiliating spectacle of "man worship" which sometimes meets the eye! What applauding of human eloquence; what burning of incense at the shrine of human intellect and genius; what vain boasting of profound learning, and brilliant talent, and popular gifts; while the infinitely weightier attributes of a holy, powerful, and useful ministry, are lightly esteemed, if not totally dispensed with!
The evils which arise from this vain glorying in "men", and this undue admiration of, and exclusive attachment to, a particular order of ministerial character and fitness, are many and various.
The pastor should be received gratefully, as the Lord's messenger, and esteemed very highly in love for his work's sake. Yet hold him infinitely subordinate to Christ, and with a loose and gentle grasp.
Cherish a devout and grateful spirit for the precious and invaluable gift of a holy, affectionate, and useful minister; but rest not in him short of Jesus. Give to him his proper place in your affections and thoughts; a place infinitely beneath the adorable Son of God, God's "unspeakable gift!"
~Octavius Winslow~
"Take heed what you hear" (Mark 4:24).
The word hear obviously includes what is read, for that which is written or printed is addressed to the ears of our intellect. Few people today realize the urgent need for "taking heed" unto what they read. Just as the natural food which is eaten either helps or hinders the body; so the mental food we receive either benefits or injures the mind, and that, in turn, affects the heart. Now just as it is harmful to listen to the rubbish and poison which is being served from the great majority of present-day pulpits, so it is exceedingly injurious to the soul to read most of what is now being published. Take heed what you hear - and read!
"Those who are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh" (Romans 8:5), and are charmed with oratorical eloquence, catchy sayings, witty allusions, and jocular displays. On just such husks do the religious swine feed; but the penitent prodigal can find no nutriment therein!
Christian reader, if you value the health of your soul, cease hearing and quit reading all that is lifeless, unctionless, powerless - no matter what prominent or popular name is attached thereto. Life is too short to waste valuable time on that which profits not.
Ninety-nine out of every hundred of the religious books, booklets, and magazines now being published, are not worth the paper on which they are printed! Take heed what you hear - and read!
~Arthur W. Pink~
___________________________
What Is Most Needed Today
It is my deepening conviction that what is most needed today is a wide proclamation of those Scripture truths which are the least acceptable to the flesh.
What is needed today, is a scriptural setting forth of the character of God:
His absolute sovereignty, His ineffable holiness, His inflexible justice, His unchanging veracity.
What is needed today, is a scriptural setting forth of the condition of the natural man:
his total depravity, his spiritual insensibility, his inveterate hostility to God, the fact that he is "condemned already," and that the wrath of a sin-hating God is even now abiding upon him!
What is needed today, is a scriptural setting forth of the alarming danger which sinners are in - the indescribably awful doom which awaits them; and the fact that if they follow their present course only a little further, they shall most certainly suffer the due penalty of their iniquities!
What is needed today, is a scriptural setting forth of the nature of that dreadful punishment which awaits the lost: the dreadfulness of it, the hopelessness of it, the unendurableness of it, and the endlessness of it!
~Arthur W. Pink~
____________________________
True Christian Ministry
There may be an undue, idolatrous, if not superstitious, attachment to, and reverence for, Christian ministers by churches and by individuals, the existence and growing extent of which demand a prompt and effectual check. The office of the Christian ministry is strangely misunderstood at the present time. By one part of the professing Church, the Christian minister is all but deified; and exalted into the place of God; so that multitudes, in the blindness of their superstitious attachment, worship him as God.
Seek to divest your mind of all unscriptural, superstitious, and idolatrous views and feelings in reference to the nature and powers of the Christian minister.
Remember it is but a human instrumentality, possessing no essential, inalienable grace or holiness of its own.
True Christian ministry disclaims all superstitious reverence, and rejects all idolatrous attachment and worship from the creature.
But the evil against which many of the Lord's people need to be tenderly cautioned is that of undue exalting of, and the setting of the affections upon, the pastor. A Church may so vaunt itself of the talents, the gifts, the attainments, the popularity, and even the success of its pastor, as greatly to detract from the glory of God, grieve the Holy Spirit, and seriously injure both itself and the object of its adulation.
How keenly is the spiritual mind pained by the humiliating spectacle of "man worship" which sometimes meets the eye! What applauding of human eloquence; what burning of incense at the shrine of human intellect and genius; what vain boasting of profound learning, and brilliant talent, and popular gifts; while the infinitely weightier attributes of a holy, powerful, and useful ministry, are lightly esteemed, if not totally dispensed with!
The evils which arise from this vain glorying in "men", and this undue admiration of, and exclusive attachment to, a particular order of ministerial character and fitness, are many and various.
The pastor should be received gratefully, as the Lord's messenger, and esteemed very highly in love for his work's sake. Yet hold him infinitely subordinate to Christ, and with a loose and gentle grasp.
Cherish a devout and grateful spirit for the precious and invaluable gift of a holy, affectionate, and useful minister; but rest not in him short of Jesus. Give to him his proper place in your affections and thoughts; a place infinitely beneath the adorable Son of God, God's "unspeakable gift!"
~Octavius Winslow~
The Worst Enemy of Mankind!
The Worst Enemy of Mankind!
"being examples to the flock" (1 Peter 5:3).
"He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church" (1 Cor. 4:17).
They expect to see our descriptions of piety copied into our own conduct; and happy the man who having set forth true godliness in his discourses, in all its beautiful proportions and all its glowing colors, shall constrain the audience to exclaim, "The painter has delineated his own likeness!" Happy the man who,when the people shall ask, "What is true religion?" shall be not only able to reply in reference to his pulpit, "Come and hear," but in reference to his life, "Come and see!"
He alone is an honor to his pastoral office, who lives the gospel which he preaches, and adorns by his conduct the doctrines which he believes. But the unholy minister is a disgrace to Christianity, and the worst enemy of mankind! He is the most powerful abettor of infidelity, and does more to wither the eternal interests of mankind than the most malignant and pestiferous treatises that ever issued from the press. If he perished alone in his sins, our feelings might be those of unmingled pity. But when we view him ruining the souls of others by his example, we unite abhorrence with our compassion, just as we would at the conduct of the shepherd who first drove his flock over a precipice, and then dashed himself upon the rocks below!
~J. A. James~
__________________________
As Long As Preachers Allow Their Sermons To Be Dictated By Public Sentiment or the Worldly Desires of Their Hearers!
"They are not of the world, even as I am not of it" (John 17:16).
"As Christ is, so are we in this world" (1 John 4:17).
A Christian is one who is Christlike in character, in desire, and in deportment. No other has any right to bear Christ's name. Yet there are a multitude of people who call themselves Christians, who bear no resemblance to Christ in their lives.
One of the most pitiable things that we can behold, is one who professes to be a citizen of the kingdom of God - and yet lives like a citizen of the kingdom of satan. The worldly professor fills his days with folly - but his cup of joy is always bitter at the last. He gathers up the "fools gold" that glitters in earthly things. He lives after the flesh and after the world. He goes with the crowd. He misses all the blessedness of righteousness, and, worst of all, he misses heaven at the last. "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." (James 4:4).
Those who still love the pride and vanity of the world, those who are absorbed in its frivolities, those who covet its gold and its honors, those who love its applause - these are those who are of the world.
Those hypocritical professors who bear Christ's name, but will not obey Him - dishonor Him, and by their example influence others to do the same, how shall they escape damnation? If there is one thing that God hates above all else, it is a proud and worldly heart! Such a heart can never be a reverential heart. Its religion is but hypocrisy. It is only a shame! It has no reality. It is only a cloak of respectability, while the heart is full of corruption.
The Christian life is, and ever will be, a life of separation from sin and pride and worldliness. If you are not willing to be thus separated, then you should have common honesty enough not to profess to be what you very well know that you are not! If you are going to be a Christian in name, then be one in reality.
Your character, not your profession, will be what will matter in the final judgment. "God will give to each person according to what he has done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality - He will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil - there will be wrath and anger" (Romans 2:6-8).
If all preaching had honesty enough and courage enough to preach the truth - then the tide of worldliness that is overwhelming such a multitude of souls and sweeping them into perdition, would be somewhat stayed. As long as preachers allow their sermons to be dictated by public sentiment or the worldly desires of their hearers - they will cater to fashions, and souls by the million will drift on into the bottomless pit. Oh, what a reaping such preachers will have at the judgment! The full measure of God's wrath will fall on those preachers who fail to be true to souls and to God, in preaching those truths the Bible clearly teaches against sin and worldliness.
~Charles Naylor~
_________________________
Your Life Preaches All the Week!
A man is what he is on his knees before God - and nothing more! In great measure, according to the purity of the instrument, will be success. It is not great talents which God blesses - so much as great likeness to Christ! A holy minister is a powerful weapon in the hand of God!
Study universal holiness of life. Your whole usefulness depends on this; for your sermons last but an hour or two - but your life preaches all the week! If satan can only make a minister covetous; or a lover of praise, or of pleasure, or of fine eating - he has ruined your ministry!
"Lord, make me as holy as a pardoned sinner can be!"
~Robert Murray McCheyne~
"being examples to the flock" (1 Peter 5:3).
"He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church" (1 Cor. 4:17).
They expect to see our descriptions of piety copied into our own conduct; and happy the man who having set forth true godliness in his discourses, in all its beautiful proportions and all its glowing colors, shall constrain the audience to exclaim, "The painter has delineated his own likeness!" Happy the man who,when the people shall ask, "What is true religion?" shall be not only able to reply in reference to his pulpit, "Come and hear," but in reference to his life, "Come and see!"
He alone is an honor to his pastoral office, who lives the gospel which he preaches, and adorns by his conduct the doctrines which he believes. But the unholy minister is a disgrace to Christianity, and the worst enemy of mankind! He is the most powerful abettor of infidelity, and does more to wither the eternal interests of mankind than the most malignant and pestiferous treatises that ever issued from the press. If he perished alone in his sins, our feelings might be those of unmingled pity. But when we view him ruining the souls of others by his example, we unite abhorrence with our compassion, just as we would at the conduct of the shepherd who first drove his flock over a precipice, and then dashed himself upon the rocks below!
~J. A. James~
__________________________
As Long As Preachers Allow Their Sermons To Be Dictated By Public Sentiment or the Worldly Desires of Their Hearers!
"They are not of the world, even as I am not of it" (John 17:16).
"As Christ is, so are we in this world" (1 John 4:17).
A Christian is one who is Christlike in character, in desire, and in deportment. No other has any right to bear Christ's name. Yet there are a multitude of people who call themselves Christians, who bear no resemblance to Christ in their lives.
One of the most pitiable things that we can behold, is one who professes to be a citizen of the kingdom of God - and yet lives like a citizen of the kingdom of satan. The worldly professor fills his days with folly - but his cup of joy is always bitter at the last. He gathers up the "fools gold" that glitters in earthly things. He lives after the flesh and after the world. He goes with the crowd. He misses all the blessedness of righteousness, and, worst of all, he misses heaven at the last. "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." (James 4:4).
Those who still love the pride and vanity of the world, those who are absorbed in its frivolities, those who covet its gold and its honors, those who love its applause - these are those who are of the world.
Those hypocritical professors who bear Christ's name, but will not obey Him - dishonor Him, and by their example influence others to do the same, how shall they escape damnation? If there is one thing that God hates above all else, it is a proud and worldly heart! Such a heart can never be a reverential heart. Its religion is but hypocrisy. It is only a shame! It has no reality. It is only a cloak of respectability, while the heart is full of corruption.
The Christian life is, and ever will be, a life of separation from sin and pride and worldliness. If you are not willing to be thus separated, then you should have common honesty enough not to profess to be what you very well know that you are not! If you are going to be a Christian in name, then be one in reality.
Your character, not your profession, will be what will matter in the final judgment. "God will give to each person according to what he has done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality - He will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil - there will be wrath and anger" (Romans 2:6-8).
If all preaching had honesty enough and courage enough to preach the truth - then the tide of worldliness that is overwhelming such a multitude of souls and sweeping them into perdition, would be somewhat stayed. As long as preachers allow their sermons to be dictated by public sentiment or the worldly desires of their hearers - they will cater to fashions, and souls by the million will drift on into the bottomless pit. Oh, what a reaping such preachers will have at the judgment! The full measure of God's wrath will fall on those preachers who fail to be true to souls and to God, in preaching those truths the Bible clearly teaches against sin and worldliness.
~Charles Naylor~
_________________________
Your Life Preaches All the Week!
A man is what he is on his knees before God - and nothing more! In great measure, according to the purity of the instrument, will be success. It is not great talents which God blesses - so much as great likeness to Christ! A holy minister is a powerful weapon in the hand of God!
Study universal holiness of life. Your whole usefulness depends on this; for your sermons last but an hour or two - but your life preaches all the week! If satan can only make a minister covetous; or a lover of praise, or of pleasure, or of fine eating - he has ruined your ministry!
"Lord, make me as holy as a pardoned sinner can be!"
~Robert Murray McCheyne~
Saturday, July 14, 2018
The Chief End of Life # 5
The Chief End of Life # 5
But perhaps you ambition takes a lower aim, a narrower range, and you have set your highest mark in DOMESTIC HAPPINESS, and feel that in obtaining a comfortable home, and sharing it with the woman of your choice and of your love, you would reach the summit of your ambition, and neither look nor wish for anything beyond. This, in subordination to true religion is a wise moderation, a modest ambition. But, put in lieu of piety, it is a groveling and earthly one. How soon, if acquired, may that little earthly paradise be broken up by the intrusion of poverty or death! Besides, what is so likely to secure this object as the once we recommend? It is only over the lovely scene of a pious household that the beautiful strain of ancient poetry may still be poured, "How goodly are your tents, Jacob, and your tents, Israel! As valleys they are spread forth, as gardens by the riverside, as aloes which Yahweh has planted, as cedar trees beside the waters."
Tested then by itself and an examination of its own characteristics, and also by contrast with everything that may be put in competition with it, true religion proves itself to be what it really is, and we ourselves have found it to be - the chief end, the chief good, and therefore the chief business of life.
To assist each other in the pursuit of this object we, who send forth this address, are associated in brotherhood and in fellowship. The purpose of our association is not scientific - that may be sought, and should be sought, in other associations. Neither is it political, on this subject we have our opinions, and as they may in some measure differ, we do not discuss that thorny topic. Nor is it commercial, we gain our knowledge of everything connected with trade by solitary reading and attending to our business, whatever it may be, in the scene of our daily occupation. Nor, we can truly aver, is it sectarian, for we are members of different communities of Christians, who, without sacrificing or compromising our conscientious convictions and usual practices, have agreed to unite for a common object, upon the basis of great principles avowed by us all, and are held to each other by the bond of brotherly kindness and charity. We had already learned from many proofs around us, the possibility of union without compromise, and now have experienced, "how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." It is our conviction that no sentiments ought to keep professing Christians from uniting with each other in some way, which do not keep them from union with Christ.
We say, then, to you, as Moses did to his father-in-law, "We are journeying to the place of which the Lord has said, I will give to you. Come you with us, and we will do you good; for the Lord has spoken good concerning Israel." And we think that it would be happy for you, if you would reply in the language of Ruth to Naomi, "Where you go I will go - your people shall be my people, and your God my God."
It is not our chief aim, however, to draw you within the circle of our hallowed association, as we deem it, for this would do you no good, nor would it promote the end of our union, or be in accordance with its laws, unless you were first drawn to God through faith in Jesus Christ. It is this latter end which is our main object. Having found out the blessed secret that genuine religion is the young man's safest guide, as well as surest bliss, we long to impart the secret to you, and to lead you to the well-spring of pure felicity. As we have already said - once we were ignorant of this, but the eyes of our understanding are now opened, and in the fullness of our adoring wonder, gratitude, and love, we feel that we cannot more worthily magnify God, for His grace to us, or more acceptably serve Him - than by an endeavor to make you the sharers of our bliss.
There is nothing more certain than death; there is nothing more uncertain than life. "Youth is as mortal as the elderly." Presume not on long life.
But now turn to another spectacle, we mean that of an individual who has lived out his fourscore years, and died at last without true religion. He may have acquired wealth and left his family in affluence; he may have got for himself a name, and obtained a niche for his statue in the temple of fame; he may have gained respect for his talents while he lived, and for his memory when dead; and he may have even left a rich legacy to posterity, in works of public usefulness. But inasmuch as he neglected to glorify God by a life of religion, he lived in vain as regards the eternal world. The sublime end of existence was lost; and in the first moment of his waking up in another world, he would exclaim, "I have lost my life, for I have lost my soul!" He has committed a fatal mistake which require an eternity to understand - and an eternity to deplore! From that mistake may God in His great mercy preserve us, by bringing us with clear intelligence, deliberate resolution, inflexible purpose, and prayerful dependence - to adopt and ever maintain the apostle's choice of an object of existence, and say, in reference to the salvation of our immortal soul - this thing I do!
~John Angell James~
(The End)
But perhaps you ambition takes a lower aim, a narrower range, and you have set your highest mark in DOMESTIC HAPPINESS, and feel that in obtaining a comfortable home, and sharing it with the woman of your choice and of your love, you would reach the summit of your ambition, and neither look nor wish for anything beyond. This, in subordination to true religion is a wise moderation, a modest ambition. But, put in lieu of piety, it is a groveling and earthly one. How soon, if acquired, may that little earthly paradise be broken up by the intrusion of poverty or death! Besides, what is so likely to secure this object as the once we recommend? It is only over the lovely scene of a pious household that the beautiful strain of ancient poetry may still be poured, "How goodly are your tents, Jacob, and your tents, Israel! As valleys they are spread forth, as gardens by the riverside, as aloes which Yahweh has planted, as cedar trees beside the waters."
Tested then by itself and an examination of its own characteristics, and also by contrast with everything that may be put in competition with it, true religion proves itself to be what it really is, and we ourselves have found it to be - the chief end, the chief good, and therefore the chief business of life.
To assist each other in the pursuit of this object we, who send forth this address, are associated in brotherhood and in fellowship. The purpose of our association is not scientific - that may be sought, and should be sought, in other associations. Neither is it political, on this subject we have our opinions, and as they may in some measure differ, we do not discuss that thorny topic. Nor is it commercial, we gain our knowledge of everything connected with trade by solitary reading and attending to our business, whatever it may be, in the scene of our daily occupation. Nor, we can truly aver, is it sectarian, for we are members of different communities of Christians, who, without sacrificing or compromising our conscientious convictions and usual practices, have agreed to unite for a common object, upon the basis of great principles avowed by us all, and are held to each other by the bond of brotherly kindness and charity. We had already learned from many proofs around us, the possibility of union without compromise, and now have experienced, "how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." It is our conviction that no sentiments ought to keep professing Christians from uniting with each other in some way, which do not keep them from union with Christ.
We say, then, to you, as Moses did to his father-in-law, "We are journeying to the place of which the Lord has said, I will give to you. Come you with us, and we will do you good; for the Lord has spoken good concerning Israel." And we think that it would be happy for you, if you would reply in the language of Ruth to Naomi, "Where you go I will go - your people shall be my people, and your God my God."
It is not our chief aim, however, to draw you within the circle of our hallowed association, as we deem it, for this would do you no good, nor would it promote the end of our union, or be in accordance with its laws, unless you were first drawn to God through faith in Jesus Christ. It is this latter end which is our main object. Having found out the blessed secret that genuine religion is the young man's safest guide, as well as surest bliss, we long to impart the secret to you, and to lead you to the well-spring of pure felicity. As we have already said - once we were ignorant of this, but the eyes of our understanding are now opened, and in the fullness of our adoring wonder, gratitude, and love, we feel that we cannot more worthily magnify God, for His grace to us, or more acceptably serve Him - than by an endeavor to make you the sharers of our bliss.
There is nothing more certain than death; there is nothing more uncertain than life. "Youth is as mortal as the elderly." Presume not on long life.
But now turn to another spectacle, we mean that of an individual who has lived out his fourscore years, and died at last without true religion. He may have acquired wealth and left his family in affluence; he may have got for himself a name, and obtained a niche for his statue in the temple of fame; he may have gained respect for his talents while he lived, and for his memory when dead; and he may have even left a rich legacy to posterity, in works of public usefulness. But inasmuch as he neglected to glorify God by a life of religion, he lived in vain as regards the eternal world. The sublime end of existence was lost; and in the first moment of his waking up in another world, he would exclaim, "I have lost my life, for I have lost my soul!" He has committed a fatal mistake which require an eternity to understand - and an eternity to deplore! From that mistake may God in His great mercy preserve us, by bringing us with clear intelligence, deliberate resolution, inflexible purpose, and prayerful dependence - to adopt and ever maintain the apostle's choice of an object of existence, and say, in reference to the salvation of our immortal soul - this thing I do!
~John Angell James~
(The End)
The Chief End of Life # 4
The Chief End of Life # 4
Young men and women, we implore you to give this subject your serious consideration. You, like ourselves, are just setting out on life's eventful journey. O say, should there be no plan laid down, no purpose formed for such a course? Shall life be aimless, objectless, meaningless? What life? Shall we trust to incidents and casualties as they spring up - for our plan of action? Shall we float down the stream of existence like twigs on the river, and lie at the mercy of whatever can lay hold upon us? Shall mere chance form our character, select our objects, guide our conduct? Remember, we can have but one life. All, all, for a time and for eternity too, is staked upon that one throw of the dice, and embarked in that one adventure. Character and destiny for this world and the next are involved in this one life. A misspent life can never be spent over again! It is a mistake which will require everlasting ages to understand and deplore it.
If you hesitate about our choice of the end of existence, will you allow us respectfully and affectionately to inquire what you would propose instead of it? What have you found so immensely valuable, that it is more worthy of your pursuit than that which we have set before you? If it is indeed better than ours, more deserving the regard of a rational, moral, and immortal being than religion and eternal salvation, tell it to us, that we may rise to a higher dignity and bliss than we have yet reached.
Do you say that your object is "To succeed in business, and to obtain WEALTH?" We are not indifferent to this as a subordinate object, and we believe, as we have already said, that our religion will rather help than hinder us in the attainment of it. But as a supreme object of existence - it is too uncertain as to its attainment, too unsatisfying as regards its nature, and too precarious as to its tenure, and too short-lived as to its continuance, to be our supreme end. We have not seen much of life, but we have seen enough to learn that many fail in business, where one succeeds; and that the few who succeed seem by no means the happiest. And we have also been often sadly impressed and affected by the spectacle of the successful competitor for business and wealth, cut off by death - just when the time had arrived for enjoying his gains and luxuriating in ease upon the profits of his industry. The announcement made to the successful man, congratulating himself upon his acquisitions and his prospects, "You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared - whose will they be?" has often rung in our ears.
Is it PLEASURE your propose as the end of life? No man is less likely to enjoy pleasure than he who lives for it, who makes it a business and profession. We have not only heard and read, but have seen, that a taste for pleasure in youth is the way to poverty in manhood, and misery in old age.
We would here present you with one of the most affecting scenes ever exhibited even in the martyrology of pleasure's victims. It is taken from the death-bed of that accomplished poet, and as accomplished libertine, Lord Byron; a man in whom the darkest passions of the soul, the loftiest powers of imagination, and the grossest propensities of man's animal nature, struggled for preeminence. One who was a spectator of the scene writes:
"He felt assured that his bodily constitution had been irretrievably ruined by intemperance; that he was a worn-out man; and that his muscular power was gone. Flashes before his eyes, palpitations and anxieties, hourly afflicted him. 'Do you suppose,' he said with impatience, 'that I wish for life? I have grown heartily sick of it, and shall welcome the hour I depart from it. Why should I regret it? Can it afford me any pleasure? Have I not enjoyed it to the fullest? Few men can more pleasure-loving than I have done. I am literally speaking, a young old man. Hardly arrived at manhood, I had attained the zenith of fame. Pleasure I have known under every form in which it can present itself to mortals. I had traveled, satisfied my curiosity, and lost every illusion. I have exhausted all the nectar of the cup of life: it is time to throw away the dregs. But the apprehension of two things now haunts my mind: I picture myself slowly expiring on a bed of torture, or terminating my days as a sad idiot! Would to heaven the day were come in which I should meet immediate, painless death - the object of my wishes.'
"It is with infinite regret," continues the writer, "I must state, that, although I seldom left Lord Byron's pillow during the latter part of his illness, I did not hear him make any, even the smallest, mention of true religion. At one moment I heard him say, "Shall I sue for mercy?" After a long pause, he added, "Come, come, no weakness. Let's be a man to the last."
Thus terminated, in a gloomy,sullen fit of infidelity and despair. All of his rank, wealth, genius had been sacrificed to skepticism - and its natural fruits, vice, and misery. He had made pleasure his deity, and now see in what a miserable condition his god leaves him. What an antidote does his death furnish to the poison of his life! Is there anything here to tempt us to infidelity and wicked pleasure?
Perhaps you propose mental cultivation and the acquisition of KNOWLEDGE as the great end of life. We say nothing against learning,science, and the arts. We profess to admire them,and to have some taste for them. We have drunk at their springs, and often bitterly regret that our circumstances forbid us to partake more largely of their delicious waters. But then what will these do for us, in supplying the deeper needs of our moral nature, healing its diseases, or in satisfying its higher aspirations? Can they obtain for us the renovation of our corrupt hearts, the pardon of our numerous sins, the forfeited favor of God, assistance in our struggles after holiness, consolation in the dark and dreary hour of human woe, guidance amidst the perplexities of life,and protection from its dangers?
Or, as may be the case, should we be cut off in life's sweet prime, will they stand by our dying bed, smooth its pillows, and comfort us in the prospect of the grave? Will they qualify us to go in and dwell with God in heaven, and partake of the glories of immortality? Shall we in looking back upon life so early brought to a close, and in looking on to eternity so near at hand, feel that in studying science and neglecting true religion, we have answered the end of life?
~J. C. Ryle~
(continued with # 5)
Young men and women, we implore you to give this subject your serious consideration. You, like ourselves, are just setting out on life's eventful journey. O say, should there be no plan laid down, no purpose formed for such a course? Shall life be aimless, objectless, meaningless? What life? Shall we trust to incidents and casualties as they spring up - for our plan of action? Shall we float down the stream of existence like twigs on the river, and lie at the mercy of whatever can lay hold upon us? Shall mere chance form our character, select our objects, guide our conduct? Remember, we can have but one life. All, all, for a time and for eternity too, is staked upon that one throw of the dice, and embarked in that one adventure. Character and destiny for this world and the next are involved in this one life. A misspent life can never be spent over again! It is a mistake which will require everlasting ages to understand and deplore it.
If you hesitate about our choice of the end of existence, will you allow us respectfully and affectionately to inquire what you would propose instead of it? What have you found so immensely valuable, that it is more worthy of your pursuit than that which we have set before you? If it is indeed better than ours, more deserving the regard of a rational, moral, and immortal being than religion and eternal salvation, tell it to us, that we may rise to a higher dignity and bliss than we have yet reached.
Do you say that your object is "To succeed in business, and to obtain WEALTH?" We are not indifferent to this as a subordinate object, and we believe, as we have already said, that our religion will rather help than hinder us in the attainment of it. But as a supreme object of existence - it is too uncertain as to its attainment, too unsatisfying as regards its nature, and too precarious as to its tenure, and too short-lived as to its continuance, to be our supreme end. We have not seen much of life, but we have seen enough to learn that many fail in business, where one succeeds; and that the few who succeed seem by no means the happiest. And we have also been often sadly impressed and affected by the spectacle of the successful competitor for business and wealth, cut off by death - just when the time had arrived for enjoying his gains and luxuriating in ease upon the profits of his industry. The announcement made to the successful man, congratulating himself upon his acquisitions and his prospects, "You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared - whose will they be?" has often rung in our ears.
Is it PLEASURE your propose as the end of life? No man is less likely to enjoy pleasure than he who lives for it, who makes it a business and profession. We have not only heard and read, but have seen, that a taste for pleasure in youth is the way to poverty in manhood, and misery in old age.
We would here present you with one of the most affecting scenes ever exhibited even in the martyrology of pleasure's victims. It is taken from the death-bed of that accomplished poet, and as accomplished libertine, Lord Byron; a man in whom the darkest passions of the soul, the loftiest powers of imagination, and the grossest propensities of man's animal nature, struggled for preeminence. One who was a spectator of the scene writes:
"He felt assured that his bodily constitution had been irretrievably ruined by intemperance; that he was a worn-out man; and that his muscular power was gone. Flashes before his eyes, palpitations and anxieties, hourly afflicted him. 'Do you suppose,' he said with impatience, 'that I wish for life? I have grown heartily sick of it, and shall welcome the hour I depart from it. Why should I regret it? Can it afford me any pleasure? Have I not enjoyed it to the fullest? Few men can more pleasure-loving than I have done. I am literally speaking, a young old man. Hardly arrived at manhood, I had attained the zenith of fame. Pleasure I have known under every form in which it can present itself to mortals. I had traveled, satisfied my curiosity, and lost every illusion. I have exhausted all the nectar of the cup of life: it is time to throw away the dregs. But the apprehension of two things now haunts my mind: I picture myself slowly expiring on a bed of torture, or terminating my days as a sad idiot! Would to heaven the day were come in which I should meet immediate, painless death - the object of my wishes.'
"It is with infinite regret," continues the writer, "I must state, that, although I seldom left Lord Byron's pillow during the latter part of his illness, I did not hear him make any, even the smallest, mention of true religion. At one moment I heard him say, "Shall I sue for mercy?" After a long pause, he added, "Come, come, no weakness. Let's be a man to the last."
Thus terminated, in a gloomy,sullen fit of infidelity and despair. All of his rank, wealth, genius had been sacrificed to skepticism - and its natural fruits, vice, and misery. He had made pleasure his deity, and now see in what a miserable condition his god leaves him. What an antidote does his death furnish to the poison of his life! Is there anything here to tempt us to infidelity and wicked pleasure?
Perhaps you propose mental cultivation and the acquisition of KNOWLEDGE as the great end of life. We say nothing against learning,science, and the arts. We profess to admire them,and to have some taste for them. We have drunk at their springs, and often bitterly regret that our circumstances forbid us to partake more largely of their delicious waters. But then what will these do for us, in supplying the deeper needs of our moral nature, healing its diseases, or in satisfying its higher aspirations? Can they obtain for us the renovation of our corrupt hearts, the pardon of our numerous sins, the forfeited favor of God, assistance in our struggles after holiness, consolation in the dark and dreary hour of human woe, guidance amidst the perplexities of life,and protection from its dangers?
Or, as may be the case, should we be cut off in life's sweet prime, will they stand by our dying bed, smooth its pillows, and comfort us in the prospect of the grave? Will they qualify us to go in and dwell with God in heaven, and partake of the glories of immortality? Shall we in looking back upon life so early brought to a close, and in looking on to eternity so near at hand, feel that in studying science and neglecting true religion, we have answered the end of life?
~J. C. Ryle~
(continued with # 5)
Saturday, July 7, 2018
The Chief End of Life # 3
The Chief End of Live # 3
The chief object of life must be something IMPORTANT. As a rational creature a man could not be justified in setting up a mere trifle as the end and purpose of existence. It marks a low and abject state of mind, or at any rate, great childishness of taste, to allow the thoughts feelings and aspirations, to be attracted, as to their center, to a mere triviality. God has given to man noble faculties, and to see them all devoted to to some mere petty trifle, as their supreme aim - is a sad and a humiliating spectacle! We are anxious that both you and ourselves should be living for something worthy of our nature, something congruous to our powers of intellect, will, heart, memory, and conscience; something that shall make us conscious we are not living below ourselves. And where can we find anything that answers to this so well as piety, salvation, eternal life? This is not only really to live for immortality, but is the only way to do so in the fullest sense of the term. Literature, science, philosophy, and the arts, in this relation, must all yield to religion. This is to have fellowship with "the goodly fellowship of the prophets, the glorious company of the apostles, and the noble army of martyrs;" this is to enter into bonds with the holy of every age, country, and church; yes, it is to rise into "the fellowship of the Father, and of His Son Jesus Christ."
The chief object of life must be something which is in harmony with God's chief end in placing us in this world. God has placed us here; He has an end in doing so; and nothing ought to be our chief end but what is consonant with His. To neglect this is to wage perpetual war with the Divine will; and we know who has said, "Woe be to him who contends with his Maker." Would you engage in such a conflict? Would you run contrary to His will, and let your schemes be ever in opposition to His? What a fearful reflection for any one to make, "I am opposing God by my mode of life!" On the contrary, how ennobling and comforting the thought, "I am of one mind with my Maker!" No man can say this who is not making true religion his great business, and living for the salvation of his soul; for this is God's chief end in sending us into this world.
That which we select as the chief object of life must be something ATTAINABLE. In setting out upon the pursuit of any object, much more our supreme one, we should ascertain that it is within our reach, and one which we may hope, by taking proper steps, and using proper diligence, to obtain. It is a grievous sight to behold a person following some mere vision of imagination, bestowing immense labor and wealth, and absorbing nearly all his time, in the pursuit of an object, which everybody besides himself clearly sees in beyond his attainment."Poor man," we exclaim, "he is beating the air, running after shadows, aiming at impossibilities." But this cannot be affirmed of true religion and salvation; all the duties and privileges of the one, all the glories and the felicities of the other, are within your reach. It is the transcendent excellence of true religion to be of all things the most valuable in its nature, and at the same time the most certain of attainment by all who seek it earnestly, perseveringly, and scripturally. The uncertainties and disappointments incident to other matters, are not experienced in regard to this. The language of Christ is, "Ask, and you shall receive; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Luther said he loved the Bible on account of those pronouns "mine" and "yours". He might have added, and because of those verbs "will" and "shall." In other matters there is only possibility or probability; but here there is certainty. You may succeed in business, you will succeed in religion.
The one thing then must, as to its importance, be commensurate with our whole existence. How strictly does this apply to true piety. It will be the guide of our youth, the comfort of our manhood, and the staff of our old age. If we succeed in life, it will preserve us from the snares of prosperity; and if we fail, it will be our solace in adversity. Should we be exposed to the temptations of bad company, it will be our shield; or, if we should dwell much alone, it will be he comforter of our solitude. It will guild us in the choice of a companion for life, sweeten the cup of marital happiness, survive the severance of every earthly tie. It will refresh us with its cooling shade amidst the heat and burden of life's busy day, be the evening star of our declining years, and our lamp in the dark valley of the shadow of death, and then rise with us as our eternal portion in the realms of immortality. Like its Divine author, "It is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
Whatever is the supreme end of life, it must be in harmony with, and not in opposition to the secondary and subordinate ends of life. Duties cannot clash, obligations cannot be in antagonism. It can be no man's duty to do two things which are at that time directly and necessarily opposed to each other. There are situations and circumstances in which, what in other circumstances would be a duty, ceases to be any longer such, because of the presence of an object of life, which prevents us from seeking even lesser ones in themselves legitimate and proper. It is somewhat repulsive to see a person absorbed in an object, by the nature of which, as well as by the time devoted to it he is unfitted for, and disinclined to, the pursuit of anything else. The claims of his own personal interests, of his family, of his country, of his race, are all superseded and forgotten in the paramount demands of that one all engrossing pursuit. By that one pursuit he has unfitted himself for, and detached himself from, everything else. This cannot be right.
If true religion were indeed what too many of the votaries of superstition represent it - a gloomy seclusion in monasteries, convents, and hermitages, where every tie that binds us to this world is severed - it could not be of God, nor would it be the supreme end of life. But this is not Christianity. There is not a single legitimate end of life which is in the smallest degree interfered with by this high and sacred business. No man is made the worse citizen master, servant, husband, father, son, or brother - at attending to this momentous subject. True religion assists, instead of hindering, every lawful interest that man has on earth. It sheds a benignant smile upon all his proper pursuits, and stretches out a helping hand to assist him in carrying them forward. "Godliness is profitable for all things, having the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come." The beautiful allegory of Solomon will be found true. "Wisdom [true religion] is more precious than rubies; and all the things you can desire are not to be compared with her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand, riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold upon her; and happy is everyone who retains her."
That which is selected as the chief end of life, should amply reward the labor of pursuit. It should not when realized, lead the possessor in a tone, and with feelings of bitter disappointment, to exclaim, "And is this all?" To spend life with no reward at all, or with no adequate reward, is exceedingly to be dreaded and deprecated. It is a loss and a sacrifice for which there can be no compensation. Now, whatever may be said of the inadequacy of any other object of human pursuit to remunerate the anxiety and labor of acquiring it, no such imputation belongs to this. It is the supreme good. True religion is its own reward. We ourselves, from whom this address goes forth, can testify this. If we were ever under the delusion that piety is inimical to happiness, we have long since found by experience that piety is true happiness. This has been alleged only by those who have never tried it by personal experience; we have tried both sides, the pleasures of the world, and the pleasures of piety; and have found that between them there is all the difference that lies between mere passing amusement and true happiness.
~John Angell James~
(continued with # 4)
The chief object of life must be something IMPORTANT. As a rational creature a man could not be justified in setting up a mere trifle as the end and purpose of existence. It marks a low and abject state of mind, or at any rate, great childishness of taste, to allow the thoughts feelings and aspirations, to be attracted, as to their center, to a mere triviality. God has given to man noble faculties, and to see them all devoted to to some mere petty trifle, as their supreme aim - is a sad and a humiliating spectacle! We are anxious that both you and ourselves should be living for something worthy of our nature, something congruous to our powers of intellect, will, heart, memory, and conscience; something that shall make us conscious we are not living below ourselves. And where can we find anything that answers to this so well as piety, salvation, eternal life? This is not only really to live for immortality, but is the only way to do so in the fullest sense of the term. Literature, science, philosophy, and the arts, in this relation, must all yield to religion. This is to have fellowship with "the goodly fellowship of the prophets, the glorious company of the apostles, and the noble army of martyrs;" this is to enter into bonds with the holy of every age, country, and church; yes, it is to rise into "the fellowship of the Father, and of His Son Jesus Christ."
The chief object of life must be something which is in harmony with God's chief end in placing us in this world. God has placed us here; He has an end in doing so; and nothing ought to be our chief end but what is consonant with His. To neglect this is to wage perpetual war with the Divine will; and we know who has said, "Woe be to him who contends with his Maker." Would you engage in such a conflict? Would you run contrary to His will, and let your schemes be ever in opposition to His? What a fearful reflection for any one to make, "I am opposing God by my mode of life!" On the contrary, how ennobling and comforting the thought, "I am of one mind with my Maker!" No man can say this who is not making true religion his great business, and living for the salvation of his soul; for this is God's chief end in sending us into this world.
That which we select as the chief object of life must be something ATTAINABLE. In setting out upon the pursuit of any object, much more our supreme one, we should ascertain that it is within our reach, and one which we may hope, by taking proper steps, and using proper diligence, to obtain. It is a grievous sight to behold a person following some mere vision of imagination, bestowing immense labor and wealth, and absorbing nearly all his time, in the pursuit of an object, which everybody besides himself clearly sees in beyond his attainment."Poor man," we exclaim, "he is beating the air, running after shadows, aiming at impossibilities." But this cannot be affirmed of true religion and salvation; all the duties and privileges of the one, all the glories and the felicities of the other, are within your reach. It is the transcendent excellence of true religion to be of all things the most valuable in its nature, and at the same time the most certain of attainment by all who seek it earnestly, perseveringly, and scripturally. The uncertainties and disappointments incident to other matters, are not experienced in regard to this. The language of Christ is, "Ask, and you shall receive; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Luther said he loved the Bible on account of those pronouns "mine" and "yours". He might have added, and because of those verbs "will" and "shall." In other matters there is only possibility or probability; but here there is certainty. You may succeed in business, you will succeed in religion.
The one thing then must, as to its importance, be commensurate with our whole existence. How strictly does this apply to true piety. It will be the guide of our youth, the comfort of our manhood, and the staff of our old age. If we succeed in life, it will preserve us from the snares of prosperity; and if we fail, it will be our solace in adversity. Should we be exposed to the temptations of bad company, it will be our shield; or, if we should dwell much alone, it will be he comforter of our solitude. It will guild us in the choice of a companion for life, sweeten the cup of marital happiness, survive the severance of every earthly tie. It will refresh us with its cooling shade amidst the heat and burden of life's busy day, be the evening star of our declining years, and our lamp in the dark valley of the shadow of death, and then rise with us as our eternal portion in the realms of immortality. Like its Divine author, "It is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
Whatever is the supreme end of life, it must be in harmony with, and not in opposition to the secondary and subordinate ends of life. Duties cannot clash, obligations cannot be in antagonism. It can be no man's duty to do two things which are at that time directly and necessarily opposed to each other. There are situations and circumstances in which, what in other circumstances would be a duty, ceases to be any longer such, because of the presence of an object of life, which prevents us from seeking even lesser ones in themselves legitimate and proper. It is somewhat repulsive to see a person absorbed in an object, by the nature of which, as well as by the time devoted to it he is unfitted for, and disinclined to, the pursuit of anything else. The claims of his own personal interests, of his family, of his country, of his race, are all superseded and forgotten in the paramount demands of that one all engrossing pursuit. By that one pursuit he has unfitted himself for, and detached himself from, everything else. This cannot be right.
If true religion were indeed what too many of the votaries of superstition represent it - a gloomy seclusion in monasteries, convents, and hermitages, where every tie that binds us to this world is severed - it could not be of God, nor would it be the supreme end of life. But this is not Christianity. There is not a single legitimate end of life which is in the smallest degree interfered with by this high and sacred business. No man is made the worse citizen master, servant, husband, father, son, or brother - at attending to this momentous subject. True religion assists, instead of hindering, every lawful interest that man has on earth. It sheds a benignant smile upon all his proper pursuits, and stretches out a helping hand to assist him in carrying them forward. "Godliness is profitable for all things, having the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come." The beautiful allegory of Solomon will be found true. "Wisdom [true religion] is more precious than rubies; and all the things you can desire are not to be compared with her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand, riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold upon her; and happy is everyone who retains her."
That which is selected as the chief end of life, should amply reward the labor of pursuit. It should not when realized, lead the possessor in a tone, and with feelings of bitter disappointment, to exclaim, "And is this all?" To spend life with no reward at all, or with no adequate reward, is exceedingly to be dreaded and deprecated. It is a loss and a sacrifice for which there can be no compensation. Now, whatever may be said of the inadequacy of any other object of human pursuit to remunerate the anxiety and labor of acquiring it, no such imputation belongs to this. It is the supreme good. True religion is its own reward. We ourselves, from whom this address goes forth, can testify this. If we were ever under the delusion that piety is inimical to happiness, we have long since found by experience that piety is true happiness. This has been alleged only by those who have never tried it by personal experience; we have tried both sides, the pleasures of the world, and the pleasures of piety; and have found that between them there is all the difference that lies between mere passing amusement and true happiness.
~John Angell James~
(continued with # 4)
Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation?
Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation?
The Meaning
People around the world ask this question: Is baptism necessary for salvation? The word "baptism" is a transliteration of the Greek word "baptisma". The word means to dip, to dye or to change the identification of.
The rite of baptism was a ritual in the Jewish culture from the beginning. Ceremonial washing of priests and the dipping temple utensils into water was part of the law. When John the Baptist came on the scene, Jews came to him to be baptized for the confession of their sins. This was not for salvation because the Lord Jesus Christ had not yet paid the price for sin. The baptism of John the Baptist was an Old Testament baptism and it only signified the participant's willingness to confess his sin and therefore, John the Baptist's baptism was for repentance. (Acts 19:4).
Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation?
If water baptism were necessary for salvation, wouldn't Jesus have baptized? Jesus presented Himself to the Jews as their Messiah with signs and Messianic miracles, but He did not baptize them.
The Apostle Paul only baptized a few. "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel - not with words of human wisdom, lest the Cross of Christ be emptied of its power." (1 Corinthians 1:13-17).
Those who teach that baptism is necessary for salvation overlook this statement of Paul's If water baptism were necessary for salvation would not the Apostle Paul have made water baptism a central theme of his ministry? Rather, the Apostle Paul taught the "baptism of the Holy Spirit," which occurs when one is born again and it is a spiritual identification as the believer is placed IN Christ. "For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body - whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free" (1 Corinthians 12:13). The Holy Spirit baptizes us or identifies us as a child of God and then seals us and sets us apart to the "day of redemption" or the day when our redemption will be completed and we see Him "face to face." "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" (Ephesians 4:30).
Is baptism necessary for salvation? If the question is concerning water baptism, the answer is NO. We are not saved by ritual or works but by "grace through faith." "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). Therefore, water baptism does not save us. However, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is necessary for salvation and that has nothing whatever to do with water and it is not something we do for ourselves, it is God's gift to us at the moment we are born again.
If water baptism were not necessary for salvation, why then would someone be baptized? Baptism is an outward action based on an inward reality. Baptism is a testimony that the participant has trusted in Christ as Saviour and they are identifying himself/herself by submitting themselves to water baptism. We cannot rest our hope of salvation on something that we can do for ourselves, rather we must recognize our need of a Saviour and accept the Lord Jesus Christ's finished work for our redemption. That finished work is that Jesus died on the Cross for our sins and three days later rose from the dead. Then, if we chose to be baptized, it is an act of testimony to others of the reality of our personal identification with Christ.
~AllAboutGod~
The Meaning
People around the world ask this question: Is baptism necessary for salvation? The word "baptism" is a transliteration of the Greek word "baptisma". The word means to dip, to dye or to change the identification of.
The rite of baptism was a ritual in the Jewish culture from the beginning. Ceremonial washing of priests and the dipping temple utensils into water was part of the law. When John the Baptist came on the scene, Jews came to him to be baptized for the confession of their sins. This was not for salvation because the Lord Jesus Christ had not yet paid the price for sin. The baptism of John the Baptist was an Old Testament baptism and it only signified the participant's willingness to confess his sin and therefore, John the Baptist's baptism was for repentance. (Acts 19:4).
Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation?
If water baptism were necessary for salvation, wouldn't Jesus have baptized? Jesus presented Himself to the Jews as their Messiah with signs and Messianic miracles, but He did not baptize them.
The Apostle Paul only baptized a few. "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel - not with words of human wisdom, lest the Cross of Christ be emptied of its power." (1 Corinthians 1:13-17).
Those who teach that baptism is necessary for salvation overlook this statement of Paul's If water baptism were necessary for salvation would not the Apostle Paul have made water baptism a central theme of his ministry? Rather, the Apostle Paul taught the "baptism of the Holy Spirit," which occurs when one is born again and it is a spiritual identification as the believer is placed IN Christ. "For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body - whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free" (1 Corinthians 12:13). The Holy Spirit baptizes us or identifies us as a child of God and then seals us and sets us apart to the "day of redemption" or the day when our redemption will be completed and we see Him "face to face." "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" (Ephesians 4:30).
Is baptism necessary for salvation? If the question is concerning water baptism, the answer is NO. We are not saved by ritual or works but by "grace through faith." "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). Therefore, water baptism does not save us. However, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is necessary for salvation and that has nothing whatever to do with water and it is not something we do for ourselves, it is God's gift to us at the moment we are born again.
If water baptism were not necessary for salvation, why then would someone be baptized? Baptism is an outward action based on an inward reality. Baptism is a testimony that the participant has trusted in Christ as Saviour and they are identifying himself/herself by submitting themselves to water baptism. We cannot rest our hope of salvation on something that we can do for ourselves, rather we must recognize our need of a Saviour and accept the Lord Jesus Christ's finished work for our redemption. That finished work is that Jesus died on the Cross for our sins and three days later rose from the dead. Then, if we chose to be baptized, it is an act of testimony to others of the reality of our personal identification with Christ.
~AllAboutGod~
What Is True Baptism? Water or Holy Spirit?
What Is True Baptism? Water or Holy Spirit?
For the vast majority of Christians the terms "baptism" and "water" are virtually inseparable. It is ironic, therefore, that throughout the centuries they have fought among themselves about this issue, sometimes violently. It is sad to say that Church history is rife with such disputes.
The sincere searcher for truth deserves to see a thorough biblical exposition of whatever issue he/she desires to know about.
When it comes to any spiritual matter, the question we must always ask, and then answer, is "What does the Word of God say?" To derive from Scripture the meaning originally intended by the Author, we must come to the Word without preconceived ideas. One such misconception is that "baptism" always refers to baptism in water.
The Greek word "baptizo" simply means "to dip" or "to immerse." The word itself has absolutely nothing to do with the element into which something or someone is immersed. In other words, it is possible to be "baptized" into things other than water. Acts 1:5 is pivotal in the study of this subject, and we need to get a running start with the previous verse:
Acts 1:4-5
"On one occasion, while He was eating with them, He gave this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about [See Luke 24:49 for one of His previous references]. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
It is clear that Acts 1:5 mentions two baptisms; one in water, and one in the Holy Spirit. This is important because Ephesians 4:5, which is specifically speaking to Christians, says there is only one baptism.
The question we must now answer is: Which one of the two baptisms Jesus spoke of in Acts 1:5 is relevant for us today as Christians, and which one has been deleted? Again, Acts 1:5, and similarly, what John the Baptist himself had said in Mark 1:8, make it clear that the older baptism was in water, and that would be replaced by baptism in the Holy Spirit. That understanding fits well with Hebrews 7:18-19 "The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless." "(for the new made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God." Hebrews 9:9-10 - "This is in illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and the sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper" "They were only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings - external regulations applying until the time of the new order.
Throughout the Old Testament and up to the Day of Pentecost water (and related terminology) is metaphorically used in Scripture to refer to the Spirit of God, that which He gave certain people to equip them for service on His behalf. The old, ceremonial, outer washing in water prescribed in the Mosaic Law for Israel pointed toward, and has now been superseded by the new actual inner cleansing in the Holy Spirit. The old water baptism could not, and still cannot, change the heart of a man, but the Spirit of the Holy God can revolutionize a person from the inside out and enable him to be like Jesus Christ, his true baptizer.
Baptism in water was one of the Old Testament "shadows" cast by the approaching light of Christ. Bringing into reality the greater cleansing, which water baptism only symbolized, required Jesus' sinless life, sacrificial death, resurrection, ascension, and pouring out the gift of the Holy Spirit. The good news is that He did it all - for us!
At this point you may be thinking: "Hold it! You are saying that water baptism is passe, but they why did the early Christians do it?" Good question! And Scripture has a good answer.
Many Christians think that it was John the Baptist who introduced the idea of water baptism. No, the truth is that it was part of the Mosaic Law, and deeply ingrained in every Jew. What John actually did introduce was the phrase: "Baptized in the Holy Spirit," showing that water baptism was a symbolic precursor to the greater reality of an internal cleansing via the Holy Spirit.
Remember that for a number of years after the Day of Pentecost when the Church began, all of the first-century Christians were former Jews, and were steeped in Jewish tradition, including the practice of water baptism. Such a mindset is not easy to break away from, as evidenced by the fact that they continued to practice the old water baptism even after Jesus had clearly told them that there was a new baptism (Acts 1:5).
Water baptism is one of the oldest and most cherished Christian traditions, and we realize that our challenging its relevance to believers today may seem to you akin to jeopardizing a family heirloom. But please consider our exposition of this subject in Scripture, the only valid standard for separating truth from error.
Our hope is that you are enlightened to reach for the greater possibility, the awesome spiritual reality of the Holy Spirit baptism, that is, the new birth and all that is contained in this glorious gift. You need not settle for a "shadow" when you can have the real thing through the Holy Spirit.
~Truth or Tradition~
For the vast majority of Christians the terms "baptism" and "water" are virtually inseparable. It is ironic, therefore, that throughout the centuries they have fought among themselves about this issue, sometimes violently. It is sad to say that Church history is rife with such disputes.
The sincere searcher for truth deserves to see a thorough biblical exposition of whatever issue he/she desires to know about.
When it comes to any spiritual matter, the question we must always ask, and then answer, is "What does the Word of God say?" To derive from Scripture the meaning originally intended by the Author, we must come to the Word without preconceived ideas. One such misconception is that "baptism" always refers to baptism in water.
The Greek word "baptizo" simply means "to dip" or "to immerse." The word itself has absolutely nothing to do with the element into which something or someone is immersed. In other words, it is possible to be "baptized" into things other than water. Acts 1:5 is pivotal in the study of this subject, and we need to get a running start with the previous verse:
Acts 1:4-5
"On one occasion, while He was eating with them, He gave this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about [See Luke 24:49 for one of His previous references]. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
It is clear that Acts 1:5 mentions two baptisms; one in water, and one in the Holy Spirit. This is important because Ephesians 4:5, which is specifically speaking to Christians, says there is only one baptism.
The question we must now answer is: Which one of the two baptisms Jesus spoke of in Acts 1:5 is relevant for us today as Christians, and which one has been deleted? Again, Acts 1:5, and similarly, what John the Baptist himself had said in Mark 1:8, make it clear that the older baptism was in water, and that would be replaced by baptism in the Holy Spirit. That understanding fits well with Hebrews 7:18-19 "The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless." "(for the new made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God." Hebrews 9:9-10 - "This is in illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and the sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper" "They were only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings - external regulations applying until the time of the new order.
Throughout the Old Testament and up to the Day of Pentecost water (and related terminology) is metaphorically used in Scripture to refer to the Spirit of God, that which He gave certain people to equip them for service on His behalf. The old, ceremonial, outer washing in water prescribed in the Mosaic Law for Israel pointed toward, and has now been superseded by the new actual inner cleansing in the Holy Spirit. The old water baptism could not, and still cannot, change the heart of a man, but the Spirit of the Holy God can revolutionize a person from the inside out and enable him to be like Jesus Christ, his true baptizer.
Baptism in water was one of the Old Testament "shadows" cast by the approaching light of Christ. Bringing into reality the greater cleansing, which water baptism only symbolized, required Jesus' sinless life, sacrificial death, resurrection, ascension, and pouring out the gift of the Holy Spirit. The good news is that He did it all - for us!
At this point you may be thinking: "Hold it! You are saying that water baptism is passe, but they why did the early Christians do it?" Good question! And Scripture has a good answer.
Many Christians think that it was John the Baptist who introduced the idea of water baptism. No, the truth is that it was part of the Mosaic Law, and deeply ingrained in every Jew. What John actually did introduce was the phrase: "Baptized in the Holy Spirit," showing that water baptism was a symbolic precursor to the greater reality of an internal cleansing via the Holy Spirit.
Remember that for a number of years after the Day of Pentecost when the Church began, all of the first-century Christians were former Jews, and were steeped in Jewish tradition, including the practice of water baptism. Such a mindset is not easy to break away from, as evidenced by the fact that they continued to practice the old water baptism even after Jesus had clearly told them that there was a new baptism (Acts 1:5).
Water baptism is one of the oldest and most cherished Christian traditions, and we realize that our challenging its relevance to believers today may seem to you akin to jeopardizing a family heirloom. But please consider our exposition of this subject in Scripture, the only valid standard for separating truth from error.
Our hope is that you are enlightened to reach for the greater possibility, the awesome spiritual reality of the Holy Spirit baptism, that is, the new birth and all that is contained in this glorious gift. You need not settle for a "shadow" when you can have the real thing through the Holy Spirit.
~Truth or Tradition~
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)