The Scriptures and Sin # 1
There is grave reason to believe that much Bible reading and Bible study of the last few years has been of no spiritual profit to those who engaged in it. Yes, we go further: we greatly fear that in many instances it has proved a curse rather than a blessing. This is strong language, we are well aware, yet no stronger than the case calls for . Divine gifts may be misused, and Divine mercies abused. That this has been so in the present instance is evident by the fruits produced. Even the natural man may (and often does) take up the study of the Scriptures with the same enthusiasm and pleasure as he might of the sciences. Where this is the case, his store of knowledge is increased, and so also is his pride. Like a chemist engaged in making interesting experiments, the intellectual searcher of the Word is quite elated when he makes some discovery in it; but the joy of the latter is no more spiritual than would be that of the former. Again, just as the successes of the chemist generally increase his sense of self-importance and cause him to look with disdain upon others more ignorant than himself, so alas, is it often the case with those who have investigated Bible numerics, typology, prophecy and other such subjects.
The Word of God may be taken up from various motives. Some read it to satisfy their literary pride. In certain circles it has become both the respectable and popular thing to obtain a general acquaintance with the contents of the Bible simply because it is regarded as an educational defect to be ignorant of them. Some read it to satisfy their sense of curiosity, as they might any other book of note. Others read it to satisfy their sectarian pride. They consider it a duty to be well versed in the particular tenets of their own denomination and so search eagerly for profff-texts in support of "our doctrines." Yet others read it for the purpose of being able to argue successfully with those who differ from them. But in all this there is no thought of God, no yearning for spiritual edification, and therefore no real benefit to the soul.
Of what, then, does a true profiting from the Word consist? Does not 2 Timothy 3:16-17 furnish a clear answer to our questions? There we read, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." Observe what is here omitted; the Holy Scriptures are given us not for intellectual gratification and carnal speculation, but to furnish unto "all good works," and that by teaching, reproving, correcting us. Let us endeavor to amplify this by the help of other passages.
1. An individual is spiritually profited when the Word convicts him of sin. This is its first office: to reveal our depravity, to expose our vileness, to make known our wickedness. A man's moral life may be irreproachable, his dealings ith his fellows faultless; but when the Holy Spirit applies the Word to his heart and conscience, opening his sin-blinded eyes to see his relation and attitude to God, he cries, "Woe is me, for I am undone." It is in this way that each truly saved soul is brought to realize his need of Christ. "Those who are whole need not a physician, but those who are sick" (Luke 5:31). Yet it is not until the
Spirit applies the Word in Divine power that any individual is made to feel that he is sick, sick unto death.
Such conviction that brings home to the heart the awful ravages which sin has wrought in the human constitution is not to be restricted to the initial experience which immediately precedes conversion. Each time that God blesses His Word to my heart, I am made to feel how far, far short I come of the standard which He has set before me, namely, "Be you holy in all manner of conversation" (1 Peter 1:15). Here, then, is the first test to apply: as I read of the sad failures of different ones in Scripture, does it make me realize how sadly like unto them I am? As I read of the blessed and perfect life of Christ, does it make me recognize how terribly unlike Him I am?
2. An individual is spiritually profited when the Word makes him sorrow over sin. Of the stony-ground hearer it is said that he "hears the word, and with joy receives it; yet has he not root in himself" (Matt. 13:20-21); but of those who were pricked in their heart (Acts 2:37). The same contrast exists today. Many will listen to a flowery sermon, or an address on "dispensational truth" that displays oratorical powers or exhibits the intellectual skill of the speaker, but which, usually, contains no searching application to the conscience. It is received with approbation, but no one is humbled before God or brought into a closer walk with Him through it. But let a faithful servant of the Lord (who by grace is not seeking to acquire a reputation for his "brilliance") bring the teaching of Scripture to bear upon character and conduct, exposing the sad failures of even the best of God's people, and, though the crowd will despise the messenger, the truly regenerate will be thankful for the message which causes them to mourn before God and cry, "Oh, wretched man that I am." So it is in the private reading of the Word. It is when the Holy Spirit applies it in such a way that I am made to see and feel my inward corruption's that I am really blessed.
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 2)
Saturday, May 30, 2020
Saturday, May 23, 2020
There Has Been Too Much Trifling With Jehovah!
There Has Been Too Much Trifling With Jehovah!
"Then I answered and said: Amen, O Lord!" (Jeremiah 11:5), So be it, O Lord!
Perhaps there is a secret contention going on between you and God. God has spoken to you - but thus far there has not been Jeremiah's response of 'Amen, O Lord."
Here you have the one response which a man of God must ever make to the words of God. When God says anything to him, there is nothing left for him but to bow the head and say, "Amen, O Lord - so be it!"
This response is the only one that suits a creature's lip, when God speaks - there is nothing left for man but to hear.
When God decrees - there is nothing for man to do but acquiesce. When Jehovah gives a command - what is there left for His creature to do but obey? Any other word than 'Amen' springs from rebellion. Any other response to the word of Jehovah, simply tells of a heart that wars with God.
It is not for men to judge God's words, far less to amend them. If it pleases Jehovah to say anything, no matter how stern, how dreadful, or how searching - there is only one position for man: that is to bow his head and say, 'Amen, O Lord.'
"Oh," says one, in the proud spirit of our times, "you are making a bold bid for Your God this morning."
I am. The sovereignty of God needs to be brought to the front. There has been too much trifling with Jehovah! Man needs to have the peacock feathers plucked out of his cap, and be taught that he is a poor little nothing, and that for God to speak to him at all is infinite condescension, and that for him to say anything else than "Amen" is boundless impudence!
If God condescends to utter a command, am I to go and judge whether the Lord has a right to say it? Shall I take the word of Jehovah my Maker and weigh it in my scales - and bring up His thoughts to the paltry bar of my fallen reason - and enter my protest unless I can see a good reason for God speaking as He does?
When God promulgates a decree, He does not send it to man to be revised.
His claim is this, "I am Jehovah. I, the Lord, speak that which is right, and let man say: Amen, O Lord.
We are living in the days of the deification of humanity. We hear so much about the glory of humanity, and the triumphs of humanity - that God has become little better than a very inferior deity who runs after man and tips His cap to him.
This is not the picture which God's Book gives. God's claim is this, "I am the Lord, and you are but the creatures of My hand. The brightest of My angels are but sparks struck off from the anvil of My creative omnipotence. When I speak, let men and angels be silent; or, if they must speak, let them say: Amen, O Lord!" This is the only response that suits a creature's lip.
If you can conceive of a being who is infinitely wise, all-powerful, infinitely righteous, absolutely holy, inflexibly just, and all gathered up onto boundless love - that is God.
If such a One speaks - then what is there left for me but to say, "Amen?" I am stark, raving mad, if I dare question the utterance of Infinite Wisdom. I am unutterably vile, if I can dare to criticize the utterance of Absolute Love. Idiocy must have taken hold of my brain and, alas! of my heart, if I would amend anything which His infinite holiness had declared. The very nature and character of God declare that the only response for man when God speaks, is "Amen, O Lord."
Oh, for that grand attitude of resignation and submission to God, that bows before every word of God - whether it be a silver note of mercy from Heaven, or a thunder-clap of denunciation!
~Archibald Brown~
(The End)
"Then I answered and said: Amen, O Lord!" (Jeremiah 11:5), So be it, O Lord!
Perhaps there is a secret contention going on between you and God. God has spoken to you - but thus far there has not been Jeremiah's response of 'Amen, O Lord."
Here you have the one response which a man of God must ever make to the words of God. When God says anything to him, there is nothing left for him but to bow the head and say, "Amen, O Lord - so be it!"
This response is the only one that suits a creature's lip, when God speaks - there is nothing left for man but to hear.
When God decrees - there is nothing for man to do but acquiesce. When Jehovah gives a command - what is there left for His creature to do but obey? Any other word than 'Amen' springs from rebellion. Any other response to the word of Jehovah, simply tells of a heart that wars with God.
It is not for men to judge God's words, far less to amend them. If it pleases Jehovah to say anything, no matter how stern, how dreadful, or how searching - there is only one position for man: that is to bow his head and say, 'Amen, O Lord.'
"Oh," says one, in the proud spirit of our times, "you are making a bold bid for Your God this morning."
I am. The sovereignty of God needs to be brought to the front. There has been too much trifling with Jehovah! Man needs to have the peacock feathers plucked out of his cap, and be taught that he is a poor little nothing, and that for God to speak to him at all is infinite condescension, and that for him to say anything else than "Amen" is boundless impudence!
If God condescends to utter a command, am I to go and judge whether the Lord has a right to say it? Shall I take the word of Jehovah my Maker and weigh it in my scales - and bring up His thoughts to the paltry bar of my fallen reason - and enter my protest unless I can see a good reason for God speaking as He does?
When God promulgates a decree, He does not send it to man to be revised.
His claim is this, "I am Jehovah. I, the Lord, speak that which is right, and let man say: Amen, O Lord.
We are living in the days of the deification of humanity. We hear so much about the glory of humanity, and the triumphs of humanity - that God has become little better than a very inferior deity who runs after man and tips His cap to him.
This is not the picture which God's Book gives. God's claim is this, "I am the Lord, and you are but the creatures of My hand. The brightest of My angels are but sparks struck off from the anvil of My creative omnipotence. When I speak, let men and angels be silent; or, if they must speak, let them say: Amen, O Lord!" This is the only response that suits a creature's lip.
If you can conceive of a being who is infinitely wise, all-powerful, infinitely righteous, absolutely holy, inflexibly just, and all gathered up onto boundless love - that is God.
If such a One speaks - then what is there left for me but to say, "Amen?" I am stark, raving mad, if I dare question the utterance of Infinite Wisdom. I am unutterably vile, if I can dare to criticize the utterance of Absolute Love. Idiocy must have taken hold of my brain and, alas! of my heart, if I would amend anything which His infinite holiness had declared. The very nature and character of God declare that the only response for man when God speaks, is "Amen, O Lord."
Oh, for that grand attitude of resignation and submission to God, that bows before every word of God - whether it be a silver note of mercy from Heaven, or a thunder-clap of denunciation!
~Archibald Brown~
(The End)
Saturday, May 16, 2020
The Cords of Love!
The Cords of Love!
God's love to His people is variously and wondrously displayed. But this is more especially the case, in the manner by which He brings them to Himself. He makes Israel the type, in their deliverance from Egypt, and being brought into covenant with Himself. In reference to that event, He says, "I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love!" And this is the way in which He generally converts souls, brings them to Himself, and saves them forever.
The Work. "I drew them." As He said to Jeremiah, "I have loved you with an everlasting love - therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you." So the Saviour testified, "No man can come unto Me, except the Father who has sent me draws him." He drew Israel out of Egypt into the wilderness, and through the wilderness into the promised land. Just so, He draws His people OUT from the world, from sin, from self, and from satan; and they leave all those voluntarily, cheerfully, and forever! He draws them TO Himself, as a God of love; as a Father of the fatherless, and as the hope of the lost and miserable; He draws them to His beloved Son, to His Cross, His house, and His service. And they rely on His work, unite with His family, and do His will from the heart.
The Manner in which it was performed. "I drew them with the cords of a man." That is reasonably - or according to their nature. He gives commands - and so manifests authority. He uses arguments - and so appeals to the judgment. He presents inducements =- in order to affect the heart.
He addresses the conscience - awakening conviction. He calls His witnesses, He assigns reasons - and so takes away all excuses.
"I drew them with the bands of love." This band is a thick, threefold cord, stronger than the cords of a man. He gives time, He uses means, He bestows favors, He speaks loving words, He performs loving deeds. In this way - He attracts, affects, and wins over the soul to Himself. His love works gradually, gracefully - but effectually. By revealing His love to us in Jesus - He does much; but by shedding abroad His love in our hearts - He does more. Many have withstood His terrors - but who can withstand His love?
Observe, it is difficult to detach the soul from the world, from sinful customs, from idolizing self, and from the captivating power of satan! Yes, it is so difficult, that none but God can do it, and He has to exert not merely "the cords of a man," but the strong "bands of love." Many come reluctantly from the world - to God, from sin and self to - the Saviour. It takes years of gentle means - to win some! There are cases, in which the drawing is so gradual, and the pace of the coming soul is so slow - that they can scarcely believe that God has had anything to do with it, and they often write bitter things against themselves in consequence. But if the cord of man will not bring the chosen vessel, the band, shall.
God will not draw in vain. His purpose cannot be frustrated, nor the efforts of His love be lost. In the day of His power, in the power of His love - He will prevail, and no flesh shall glory in His presence!
In draws gently, especially the young, and those who have been piously educated. He often draws gradually, almost imperceptibly - but never in vain! He at length draws right up to the point of conversion - and sin is parted with, the world is forsaken, self is mortified, and satan is conquered! Then, grace is admired! Then, salvation is prized! Then, Jesus is precious! Then, the soul is free! Then, the peace of God makes the heart happy!
Beloved, have you ever felt "the cords of a man" - the Lord drawing you by arguments, reasons, persuasions, appeals, inducements, and threatenings? Have you yielded to these drawings, and devoted yourself to God? Have you experienced "the bands of love" - the Lord affecting the heart, attracting the attention, and winning you over to himself?
Israel was not more really in slavery in Egypt - than you were in slavery in the world! Israel was not more certainly under the tyranny of Pharoah - than you were under the tyranny of satan, sin, and self! It was not more necessary for the Lord to save Israel - than for the Lord to save you!
"The cords of a man," are used when you read the Word, hear the gospel, or are spoken to by Christian friends. And if these are resisted, you are not sure that the Lord will use "the bands of love," or exert the invincible power of His Spirit in your hearts! Yield to the attractions of the Cross. Surrender at the call of God. Submit to the authority of the gospel. If you do not - the results will be fearful!
God and gracious God, let it please You to exert the mighty power of Your love, in the reader's heart. If he has not been drawn to Jesus, to your blessed feet - draw him! If he has - draw him nearer and nearer still. O to feel the drawing power of the Holy Spirit daily - drawing us from worldly society, from poring over self, from all that is carnal and fleshly, and bringing us into closer, sweeter, and more blessed fellowship with our covenant God!
~James Smith~
(The End)
God's love to His people is variously and wondrously displayed. But this is more especially the case, in the manner by which He brings them to Himself. He makes Israel the type, in their deliverance from Egypt, and being brought into covenant with Himself. In reference to that event, He says, "I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love!" And this is the way in which He generally converts souls, brings them to Himself, and saves them forever.
The Work. "I drew them." As He said to Jeremiah, "I have loved you with an everlasting love - therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you." So the Saviour testified, "No man can come unto Me, except the Father who has sent me draws him." He drew Israel out of Egypt into the wilderness, and through the wilderness into the promised land. Just so, He draws His people OUT from the world, from sin, from self, and from satan; and they leave all those voluntarily, cheerfully, and forever! He draws them TO Himself, as a God of love; as a Father of the fatherless, and as the hope of the lost and miserable; He draws them to His beloved Son, to His Cross, His house, and His service. And they rely on His work, unite with His family, and do His will from the heart.
The Manner in which it was performed. "I drew them with the cords of a man." That is reasonably - or according to their nature. He gives commands - and so manifests authority. He uses arguments - and so appeals to the judgment. He presents inducements =- in order to affect the heart.
He addresses the conscience - awakening conviction. He calls His witnesses, He assigns reasons - and so takes away all excuses.
"I drew them with the bands of love." This band is a thick, threefold cord, stronger than the cords of a man. He gives time, He uses means, He bestows favors, He speaks loving words, He performs loving deeds. In this way - He attracts, affects, and wins over the soul to Himself. His love works gradually, gracefully - but effectually. By revealing His love to us in Jesus - He does much; but by shedding abroad His love in our hearts - He does more. Many have withstood His terrors - but who can withstand His love?
Observe, it is difficult to detach the soul from the world, from sinful customs, from idolizing self, and from the captivating power of satan! Yes, it is so difficult, that none but God can do it, and He has to exert not merely "the cords of a man," but the strong "bands of love." Many come reluctantly from the world - to God, from sin and self to - the Saviour. It takes years of gentle means - to win some! There are cases, in which the drawing is so gradual, and the pace of the coming soul is so slow - that they can scarcely believe that God has had anything to do with it, and they often write bitter things against themselves in consequence. But if the cord of man will not bring the chosen vessel, the band, shall.
God will not draw in vain. His purpose cannot be frustrated, nor the efforts of His love be lost. In the day of His power, in the power of His love - He will prevail, and no flesh shall glory in His presence!
In draws gently, especially the young, and those who have been piously educated. He often draws gradually, almost imperceptibly - but never in vain! He at length draws right up to the point of conversion - and sin is parted with, the world is forsaken, self is mortified, and satan is conquered! Then, grace is admired! Then, salvation is prized! Then, Jesus is precious! Then, the soul is free! Then, the peace of God makes the heart happy!
Beloved, have you ever felt "the cords of a man" - the Lord drawing you by arguments, reasons, persuasions, appeals, inducements, and threatenings? Have you yielded to these drawings, and devoted yourself to God? Have you experienced "the bands of love" - the Lord affecting the heart, attracting the attention, and winning you over to himself?
Israel was not more really in slavery in Egypt - than you were in slavery in the world! Israel was not more certainly under the tyranny of Pharoah - than you were under the tyranny of satan, sin, and self! It was not more necessary for the Lord to save Israel - than for the Lord to save you!
"The cords of a man," are used when you read the Word, hear the gospel, or are spoken to by Christian friends. And if these are resisted, you are not sure that the Lord will use "the bands of love," or exert the invincible power of His Spirit in your hearts! Yield to the attractions of the Cross. Surrender at the call of God. Submit to the authority of the gospel. If you do not - the results will be fearful!
God and gracious God, let it please You to exert the mighty power of Your love, in the reader's heart. If he has not been drawn to Jesus, to your blessed feet - draw him! If he has - draw him nearer and nearer still. O to feel the drawing power of the Holy Spirit daily - drawing us from worldly society, from poring over self, from all that is carnal and fleshly, and bringing us into closer, sweeter, and more blessed fellowship with our covenant God!
~James Smith~
(The End)
Saturday, May 9, 2020
Is This Like Jesus?
Is This Like Jesus?
CONSCIENCE is often a faithful monitor, a powerful reprover, and a wise instructor. If conscience is enlightened by God's truth, cleansed by the blood of Jesus, and kept tender by the communion of the Holy Spirit - it should always be attended to, and its admonitions should be carefully regarded. Such a conscience will propose quesrtions, draw comparisons, and quote scriptures - which will do us immense good. Treat conscience aright - and it will be your best friend; use it improperly - and it will be your most terrible foe. If then conscience speaks - let us listen to it; and if it prompts - let us obey it. The sentence of conscience - is next to the sentence of God; and the authority of conscience - is only just below the authority of God. But how will an enlightened and honest conscience instruct and reprove us? Take one view of the subject, and one only.
A Christian man gets out of tempter. He feels angry. He speaks rashly. His eyes flash fire. He is almost as ready to act, as inconsistently as he feels. Conscience, is quiet until the storm begins to abate, and then it calmly whispers, "Is this like Jesus?" Now the good man admits that he ought to be like Jesus. He desires and prays that he may be made like Jesus. The question is, therefore, like a thunderbolt. It almost crushes him. He feels condemned. He turns the whole torrent of his wrath against himself, and perhaps exclaims, "Like Jesus! No, it is more like the devil!" He sinks in his own estimation. He hides his head before God. He loathes himself. Yes, he abhors himself. At length, in the dust of self-abasement he confesses his sin before God, pleads the blood of Jesus for his pardon, beseeches the Lord to send the Spirit to sanctify his nature, and to give him power over his irascible temper. Not for one moment will he attempt to justify himself, or plead the weakness of human nature - but taking to himself all the blame, he creeps like a well-whipped child into his Father's presence, and prays for restoration and peace.
A believer is tempted to idle his time, wrap up his talent in a napkin, and indulge himself in questionable amusements. Many excuses are presented to him, the flesh pleads piteously, and he listens to it. He becomes idle, slothful, and comparatively unconcerned for the glory of God. Conscience for a time seems to slumber - but at length with a stern strong voice it asks, "Is this like Jesus?" He remembers his Master's words when but a child, "I must be about my Father's business!" and the testimony of the apostles flashes across his mind, "He went about doing good." The panorama of his Lord's life is spread out before him, and he sees no self-indulgence, no wasting of the Lord's money, no idling or losing of precious time there. He knows that Jesus has left us an example, that we should follow in His steps, and that He said, "You should do as I have done."
He is perhaps tempted to frame an excuse, or yield to temptation - but again conscience, speaking louder and with more authority, asks, "Is this like Jesus?" He is obliged to acknowledge it is not, to admit his guilt, to seek for more grace, and again bow to the command, "Occupy until I come."
Many similar cases may be adduced - but these two are enough. They show the value, importance, and blessedness, of having an honest, enlightened, and tender conscience. Beloved, have you such a conscience? My soul, have I? We ought to have. Let us therefore ascertain for certain, whether we have, or have not. If we have, let us encourage it, and bow to its authority, next to the word of God. If we have not, let us take it to the blood of atonement - to be cleansed, to the word of God - to be enlightened, and to the Spirit of God - to be made honest and tender.
Is it like Jesus - to be so irritable, so hasty, so unkind? Is it like Jesus - to be so resentful, or spiteful, or sulky? Is it like Jesus - to be so hard, overreaching, or covetous? Is it like Jesus - to be so vain, so foolish, so full of jests? Is it like Jesus - to be so dull, so gloomy, so forbidding? Is it like Jesus - to be so dissatisfied with my lot, to murmur on account of my circumstances, or to complain of my afflictions? Is it like Jesus - to be so self-willed, so self-confident, so self-conceited? Is it like Jesus - to be so exacting, so ready to take offence, so backward to forgive?
Reader, is your spirit, temper, disposition, and daily conduct - like Jesus? It should be. Are you holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners? You ought to be.
Surely if we tried ourselves thus - if we often called ourselves to account as we ought - we would have more humility - and less pride; more spirituality - and less worldliness; more of the tempter of Christ - and less of the spirit of satan. We would have more frequent dealings with the blood of Jesus; we would walk closer with God; we would depend more on the Holy Spirit; and we would adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, more than we do.
We would treat the world, more as it befits a child of God - we would set our affections more on things above; and we would be more prepared than we are, for the coming of the Saviour. satan would not so easily get an advantage over us; the world would not so frequently ensnare us; nor would the flesh get such fearful conquests over the spirit!
Let us then, as we value our own peace, as we are concerned for the honor of God, as we desire the welfare of this poor fallen world, as we feel our obligation to the Lord Jesus, and as we would be found prepared for glory - let us endeavor to act more like Jesus! And in order to do this, let us make frequent use of this testing question, whenever our temper rises, or our lusts inflame us, or our tongues run too freely, or our conversation is not with grace, or we slight God's ordinances, or prefer the ease of the body to the prosperity of the soul - then let us press home the question, "IS THIS LIKE JESUS?"
~James Smith~
(The End)
CONSCIENCE is often a faithful monitor, a powerful reprover, and a wise instructor. If conscience is enlightened by God's truth, cleansed by the blood of Jesus, and kept tender by the communion of the Holy Spirit - it should always be attended to, and its admonitions should be carefully regarded. Such a conscience will propose quesrtions, draw comparisons, and quote scriptures - which will do us immense good. Treat conscience aright - and it will be your best friend; use it improperly - and it will be your most terrible foe. If then conscience speaks - let us listen to it; and if it prompts - let us obey it. The sentence of conscience - is next to the sentence of God; and the authority of conscience - is only just below the authority of God. But how will an enlightened and honest conscience instruct and reprove us? Take one view of the subject, and one only.
A Christian man gets out of tempter. He feels angry. He speaks rashly. His eyes flash fire. He is almost as ready to act, as inconsistently as he feels. Conscience, is quiet until the storm begins to abate, and then it calmly whispers, "Is this like Jesus?" Now the good man admits that he ought to be like Jesus. He desires and prays that he may be made like Jesus. The question is, therefore, like a thunderbolt. It almost crushes him. He feels condemned. He turns the whole torrent of his wrath against himself, and perhaps exclaims, "Like Jesus! No, it is more like the devil!" He sinks in his own estimation. He hides his head before God. He loathes himself. Yes, he abhors himself. At length, in the dust of self-abasement he confesses his sin before God, pleads the blood of Jesus for his pardon, beseeches the Lord to send the Spirit to sanctify his nature, and to give him power over his irascible temper. Not for one moment will he attempt to justify himself, or plead the weakness of human nature - but taking to himself all the blame, he creeps like a well-whipped child into his Father's presence, and prays for restoration and peace.
A believer is tempted to idle his time, wrap up his talent in a napkin, and indulge himself in questionable amusements. Many excuses are presented to him, the flesh pleads piteously, and he listens to it. He becomes idle, slothful, and comparatively unconcerned for the glory of God. Conscience for a time seems to slumber - but at length with a stern strong voice it asks, "Is this like Jesus?" He remembers his Master's words when but a child, "I must be about my Father's business!" and the testimony of the apostles flashes across his mind, "He went about doing good." The panorama of his Lord's life is spread out before him, and he sees no self-indulgence, no wasting of the Lord's money, no idling or losing of precious time there. He knows that Jesus has left us an example, that we should follow in His steps, and that He said, "You should do as I have done."
He is perhaps tempted to frame an excuse, or yield to temptation - but again conscience, speaking louder and with more authority, asks, "Is this like Jesus?" He is obliged to acknowledge it is not, to admit his guilt, to seek for more grace, and again bow to the command, "Occupy until I come."
Many similar cases may be adduced - but these two are enough. They show the value, importance, and blessedness, of having an honest, enlightened, and tender conscience. Beloved, have you such a conscience? My soul, have I? We ought to have. Let us therefore ascertain for certain, whether we have, or have not. If we have, let us encourage it, and bow to its authority, next to the word of God. If we have not, let us take it to the blood of atonement - to be cleansed, to the word of God - to be enlightened, and to the Spirit of God - to be made honest and tender.
Is it like Jesus - to be so irritable, so hasty, so unkind? Is it like Jesus - to be so resentful, or spiteful, or sulky? Is it like Jesus - to be so hard, overreaching, or covetous? Is it like Jesus - to be so vain, so foolish, so full of jests? Is it like Jesus - to be so dull, so gloomy, so forbidding? Is it like Jesus - to be so dissatisfied with my lot, to murmur on account of my circumstances, or to complain of my afflictions? Is it like Jesus - to be so self-willed, so self-confident, so self-conceited? Is it like Jesus - to be so exacting, so ready to take offence, so backward to forgive?
Reader, is your spirit, temper, disposition, and daily conduct - like Jesus? It should be. Are you holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners? You ought to be.
Surely if we tried ourselves thus - if we often called ourselves to account as we ought - we would have more humility - and less pride; more spirituality - and less worldliness; more of the tempter of Christ - and less of the spirit of satan. We would have more frequent dealings with the blood of Jesus; we would walk closer with God; we would depend more on the Holy Spirit; and we would adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, more than we do.
We would treat the world, more as it befits a child of God - we would set our affections more on things above; and we would be more prepared than we are, for the coming of the Saviour. satan would not so easily get an advantage over us; the world would not so frequently ensnare us; nor would the flesh get such fearful conquests over the spirit!
Let us then, as we value our own peace, as we are concerned for the honor of God, as we desire the welfare of this poor fallen world, as we feel our obligation to the Lord Jesus, and as we would be found prepared for glory - let us endeavor to act more like Jesus! And in order to do this, let us make frequent use of this testing question, whenever our temper rises, or our lusts inflame us, or our tongues run too freely, or our conversation is not with grace, or we slight God's ordinances, or prefer the ease of the body to the prosperity of the soul - then let us press home the question, "IS THIS LIKE JESUS?"
~James Smith~
(The End)
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