At the Feet of Jesus # 2
3. Let us see the footstool of Jesus as the place of Communion and Fellowship. The Christian needs ever to abide near to Christ, to obtain strength and daily power to meet the various ills of life, and to go forward in the path of holiness. And we have an instance of one who thus was near to Christ, "When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus' feet." (Luke 8:35).
Christ had been merciful to the man. He had delivered him from a legion of evil spirits. He had changed and transformed him from the wild, savage maniac, the terror of all around - to the happy, trustful, loving disciple. Once he wore no clothes. Now, clothed and in his right mind, he is "sitting at the feet of Jesus." While the Gadarenes besought Christ that He would leave them - this man beseeches Jesus that he may be with Him.
But now he has work to do. From the feet of Jesus, he is to go forth as a witness for Him. He is to tell others what great things Jesus had done for him. Now is he unwilling - he goes forth on his errand and publishes everywhere throughout the whole city the tidings of Christ's pity and compassion toward him.
Here is the mark of one truly converted to God. When under the power of the wicked one, he would have Christ leave him to his misery and sin. But when Christ has set him free, then to be near his Deliverer is the one desire of his heart. He would not go where he cannot have Christ with him. He wishes to be found wherever Christ will meet with him. To be with Christ in the poorest and meanest abode, is better in his sight than to be without Christ in the palace of luxury and wealth. Without Christ he can never be satisfied. With Christ he can be happy anywhere.
"I need your presence every passing hour,
What but Your grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who like Yourself, my Guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me."
If you know the power and grace of Christ, ever maintain this fellowship. Walk with Him all through life's busiest scenes. Keep still close to Him in the chamber of weakness and suffering. When sorrow weighs heavily upon your heart, or the fear of death oppresses - still let His loving Presence be your solace and your stay.
Yet let not selfishness hinder your work for Him. Like this healed demoniac, you may have to sacrifice your own wish to go and bear witness for Him.
Duty may call you to forsake the privileges of a Christian land, to go as a messenger of the Cross to a heathen country. A voice may bid you give up a service in God's house Sunday by Sunday, that you may go and search out those who care nothing for Christ. But you shall be no loser. Christ will make up for it by fresh gifts of His grace. Never, never will He be nearer to His servant then when that servant goes forth at His bidding to tell others of His grace.
There is yet one other view of Christ's footstool presented to us by Luke:
4. Let us regard it as a place for THANKSGIVING and PRAISE. Nothing more befits a Christian, than hearty gratitude for mercy and salvation. And we see this in the instance I would name (Luke 17:16). The ten lepers lifted up their voice afar off, "Jesus, Master, have mercy upon us!" He heard their cry, and as they obeyed His command, they were healed.
But where is their gratitude? They received a benefit beyond all price; they are healed of the terrible plague which robbed them of all life's enjoyment, and would before long have brought them to the grave. But they received the gift - and forget the Giver. They go their way to eat and drink and enjoy their newly-found health - but they have no word of praise for Him who has done so much for them. Thus is it with the nine.
But the tenth is of a different spirit. Though a despised Samaritan, yet he alone shows forth gratitude to the Good Physician. He receives the benefit - and immediately returns to give thanks to His Benefactor. "One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet giving Him thanks, and he was a Samaritan" (verses 15, 16). And his thankfulness opens the door for the blessing. "Arise, go your way, your faith has made you whole" (verse 19). He had now found from Christ a double healing. He was cleansed from his leprosy - and he was freed from the deeper pollution of sin. He could go to his home that day strong in body, and rejoicing in the everlasting peace and salvation which had been granted to him.
Come near to Jesus, and praise Him like this cleansed leper. Nothing is more blessed than a praising, joyful spirit. It brings glory to God, and shows forth His goodness and mercy. It baffles satan and drives him away. It encourages young beginners, and shows them the happiness that Christ gives His people. It awakens thought in the children of the world, and often leads them to desire a better portion. It brings fresh blessings to him who exercises it. God loves to pour down His richest and sweetest comforts, into the lap of those who delight to magnify His name.
I commend to you the footstool of Jesus!
Go to it for teaching.
Go to it as a humble penitent.
Go to it for communion and fellowship with the Saviour.
And forget not to thank Him for all His benefits towards you.
Make the feet of Jesus your constant resort and resting place. No place is more safe; no place is there where you will find more help, and grace, and strength for service or for suffering. If you have never come before, come now to His footstool.
For if that footstool is not to you the place of refuge, and hope, and salvation - it will be to you one day the place of utter defeat and irretrievable ruin. There is one passage in Holy Scripture that stands out in strong contrast to the thoughts of this chapter. "The Lord says to my Lord: Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet." (Psalm 110:1).
In this prophecy, I see a world of sinners at the feet of Messiah. Once they despised and rejected Him, and hardened themselves in pride and unbelief. But all this is over now. Where now all their boasted might and power? Where now the glory and the wealth and the human wisdom in which they trusted? All is gone. All has come to nothing. At His feet lie the proudest, the mightiest, those who have been renowned in this world, but enemies of the kingdom of God. Yes, the wicked shall be the footstool of Christ in the day of His coming. "You spurn and set at nought all those who stray from Your statutes, for their own lying deceives them and their tricks are in vain." "He must reign until He has put all enemies under His feet."
Ah, choose you, my fellow sinners, which shall it be? The footstool of Jesus now - or hereafter? Which will you have? Choose it now - and you will find it a place of unspeakable blessedness. Reject it now - and you will find it a place of utter destruction.
Think how Joshua put his feet on the necks of the kings before he slew them. And a day is coming when mercy is past and judgment alone remains - and our Joshua will put forth His power to cast down those who oppose His authority. Oh, choose the safe part! Trust Christ now with your entire salvation. Let His love be your constant refuge and His mighty arm your defense. Leave everything in His hands, and commit to Him your present and eternal welfare. Then your enemies will be Christ's enemies, and you shall be forever exalted, while everything that is against you shall be forever cast down.
"O choose for me my portion,
My bitter and my sweet;
The cup Your hand does mix me,
I will drink it at Your feet.
While I'm waiting for the moment,
The brightest and the best,
When You shall stoop to lift me
From Your footstool to Your breast."
~George Everard~
(The End)
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
At the Feet of Jesus! # 1
At the Feet of Jesus # 1
Holy Scripture abounds in promises to the humble. With such, Jehovah makes His dwelling place, "For this is what the high and lofty One says - He who lives forever, whose name is holy: I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite" (Isaiah 57:15).
"He exalts the humble and meek."
"He who humbles himself shall be exalted."
"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
To take the lowest place, to sit down in the lowest room - is the sure road to true peace on earth and a throne of glory hereafter. By this path our Master went before, and we must endeavor to walk in His footsteps.
For this purpose, let us keep close to the Saviour. For all that we need, let us abide "at His feet." And to assist us, let us consider the example of four who did so. Luke in his gospel tells us of each of them. And as we study the conduct of each, we shall find the same humility, though considerable variety in the other graces which they thus exercised.
1. Let us look at the feet of Jesus, as the place for the Learner. As Saul of Tarsus sat at the feet of Gamaliel and learned much of Jewish lore - the Christian must sit at the feet of Jesus, and he shall become an apt scholar in all the wisdom of the heavenly kingdom. We see this in the story of Mary of Bethany. We read that Martha "had a sister called Mary who seated herself at the Lord's feet and was listening to His teaching." (Luke 10:39). And was there ever a better student in divine knowledge? While her sister was hard at work, desiring to honor Christ by providing for His need - Mary sat quiet and still, calmly drinking in the words of grace and wisdom and love that flowed from His lips. His words sank very deep. She was filled with faith and love and reverence and holy joy and strength of soul. She was prepared for days of sorrow that lay before her. She learned well the lesson of His love, which led her in future days to bring her box of ointment and anoint Him for His burial.
Like Mary, come to the footstool of Jesus. Be a willing pupil in His school. Ever hearken to the voice that speaks to us from God. For the written word is to us, in place of the teachings of the Incarnate Word. In the four gospels we have the storehouse of that wisdom which fell from His lips when on earth. In the Old Testament we have the gospel in the bud, the grandeur of the divine character, and the source of many of His illustrations. In the Acts and the Epistles we have, in all their fullness, precepts and promises and truths revealed by the Spirit for the edification of the Church in all ages.
And in the study of the Word, nourish a quietness and stillness of spirit as in the very presence of Jesus. Believe it, that Christ is as near to you as to Mary as she sat at His feet. And in the consciousness of this, avoid all hurried, hasty reading. Watch against the mind being preoccupied with business or anything of earth. Realize Christ close beside you, and let this thought calm and refresh your spirit, and prepare you to receive whatever instructions you need.
And as you read be ever looking to Jesus for divine illumination. We can imagine Mary looking up again and again to the Saviour when anything seemed beyond her. Then He would open her understanding, give her some fresh word of explanation, and make it all plain.
And will He not do this for you? When you look up to Him will He not give you the anointing of the Spirit, so that by this heavenly unction you shall know all things needful? Will He not suggest some other passage of the Word, some new view of an old truth, which will remove your difficulty and make your way plain and clear? Only catch the humble, teachable spirit of Mary, and doubtless you shall have Mary's blessing and reward. "Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway." (Proverbs 8:34).
2. Let us look at the footstool of Jesus as the place of penitence. It is a blessed thing to be with Christ, as a lowly, teachable learner - drinking in the words of eternal life. It is no less blessed to be near to Him as a sinner- humbled for the past, confessing and acknowledging the evil of years gone by, and looking to Him for the free mercy that He loves to give. And have we not an instance of this kind presented to us in Luke 7:37-50? I love to see the spirit of this woman. Far, far away, has she been on the mountains of sin and vanity - but the Good Shepherd has drawn her back by the mighty attraction of His grace. And here is the outcast, the perishing one, at the footstool of the Redeemer of mankind. She "stood at His feet behind Him weeping, and began to wash His feet with tears and wipe them with the hair of her head, and kissed His feet and anointed them with ointment" (verse 38).
The scornful Pharisee may look on in bitter contempt - he may despise the woman and misjudge the loving Saviour. But the woman does not depart from Him who alone can whisper to her forgiveness, peace and hope. She has no words to utter. Her tears are both her confessions and her prayers. Sobs and sighs are heard, rivers of tears bathe the Saviour's feet, as she waits upon Him for the pardon she seeks.
Forever blessed is such a spirit. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Here we see sincere sorrow, and godly repentance. Here are those sacrifices of a broken and a contrite heart, which God will not despise.
Nourish the same mind. Your sin may have been as great as hers - or you may have been kept free from all open vice. Still you need a deep view of your own vileness as before God. You need a humbled, self-abasing spirit, pleading nothing but your own misery, and God's mercy.
But let us mark here, penitence in the Saviour's presence. It was not remorse hardening itself into unbelief and despair - but it was sorrow casting itself upon a merciful Saviour. It was the silver thread of repentance, intertwined with the golden thread of faith in Christ. She knew she was a great sinner, and she owned and lamented it - but she knew also that Christ was a great Saviour; and herein was her hope and consolation.
Let it be so with you. Open your eyes to see your sin in all its magnitude, in all its hatefulness - but also open your eyes to see your Saviour near to you, ready to heal every wound, ready to forgive every sin. More of His grace is known to you, than to this sinful woman. She knew of His heart of love, and of His words of kindness. But you know the marvels of His great atonement, and all the shame He endured for sinners. Then go by faith into His presence, and believe that you are welcome. Go to His footstool, and tarry there in humility and faith. Look on Him bruised for your iniquities, and wounded for your transgressions. Go near and kiss those feet once nailed to the Cross for your sins.
Go NOT to man; go NOT to human priests, expecting to gain peace and absolution from their lips - but go to Christ Himself. God and stand by Him, and hearken to His forgiving voice. Go and wait before Him until you hear His word of life, "Your sins are forgiven you, go in peace!"
But let us take another step:
~George Everard~
(continued with # 2)
Holy Scripture abounds in promises to the humble. With such, Jehovah makes His dwelling place, "For this is what the high and lofty One says - He who lives forever, whose name is holy: I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite" (Isaiah 57:15).
"He exalts the humble and meek."
"He who humbles himself shall be exalted."
"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
To take the lowest place, to sit down in the lowest room - is the sure road to true peace on earth and a throne of glory hereafter. By this path our Master went before, and we must endeavor to walk in His footsteps.
For this purpose, let us keep close to the Saviour. For all that we need, let us abide "at His feet." And to assist us, let us consider the example of four who did so. Luke in his gospel tells us of each of them. And as we study the conduct of each, we shall find the same humility, though considerable variety in the other graces which they thus exercised.
1. Let us look at the feet of Jesus, as the place for the Learner. As Saul of Tarsus sat at the feet of Gamaliel and learned much of Jewish lore - the Christian must sit at the feet of Jesus, and he shall become an apt scholar in all the wisdom of the heavenly kingdom. We see this in the story of Mary of Bethany. We read that Martha "had a sister called Mary who seated herself at the Lord's feet and was listening to His teaching." (Luke 10:39). And was there ever a better student in divine knowledge? While her sister was hard at work, desiring to honor Christ by providing for His need - Mary sat quiet and still, calmly drinking in the words of grace and wisdom and love that flowed from His lips. His words sank very deep. She was filled with faith and love and reverence and holy joy and strength of soul. She was prepared for days of sorrow that lay before her. She learned well the lesson of His love, which led her in future days to bring her box of ointment and anoint Him for His burial.
Like Mary, come to the footstool of Jesus. Be a willing pupil in His school. Ever hearken to the voice that speaks to us from God. For the written word is to us, in place of the teachings of the Incarnate Word. In the four gospels we have the storehouse of that wisdom which fell from His lips when on earth. In the Old Testament we have the gospel in the bud, the grandeur of the divine character, and the source of many of His illustrations. In the Acts and the Epistles we have, in all their fullness, precepts and promises and truths revealed by the Spirit for the edification of the Church in all ages.
And in the study of the Word, nourish a quietness and stillness of spirit as in the very presence of Jesus. Believe it, that Christ is as near to you as to Mary as she sat at His feet. And in the consciousness of this, avoid all hurried, hasty reading. Watch against the mind being preoccupied with business or anything of earth. Realize Christ close beside you, and let this thought calm and refresh your spirit, and prepare you to receive whatever instructions you need.
And as you read be ever looking to Jesus for divine illumination. We can imagine Mary looking up again and again to the Saviour when anything seemed beyond her. Then He would open her understanding, give her some fresh word of explanation, and make it all plain.
And will He not do this for you? When you look up to Him will He not give you the anointing of the Spirit, so that by this heavenly unction you shall know all things needful? Will He not suggest some other passage of the Word, some new view of an old truth, which will remove your difficulty and make your way plain and clear? Only catch the humble, teachable spirit of Mary, and doubtless you shall have Mary's blessing and reward. "Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway." (Proverbs 8:34).
2. Let us look at the footstool of Jesus as the place of penitence. It is a blessed thing to be with Christ, as a lowly, teachable learner - drinking in the words of eternal life. It is no less blessed to be near to Him as a sinner- humbled for the past, confessing and acknowledging the evil of years gone by, and looking to Him for the free mercy that He loves to give. And have we not an instance of this kind presented to us in Luke 7:37-50? I love to see the spirit of this woman. Far, far away, has she been on the mountains of sin and vanity - but the Good Shepherd has drawn her back by the mighty attraction of His grace. And here is the outcast, the perishing one, at the footstool of the Redeemer of mankind. She "stood at His feet behind Him weeping, and began to wash His feet with tears and wipe them with the hair of her head, and kissed His feet and anointed them with ointment" (verse 38).
The scornful Pharisee may look on in bitter contempt - he may despise the woman and misjudge the loving Saviour. But the woman does not depart from Him who alone can whisper to her forgiveness, peace and hope. She has no words to utter. Her tears are both her confessions and her prayers. Sobs and sighs are heard, rivers of tears bathe the Saviour's feet, as she waits upon Him for the pardon she seeks.
Forever blessed is such a spirit. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Here we see sincere sorrow, and godly repentance. Here are those sacrifices of a broken and a contrite heart, which God will not despise.
Nourish the same mind. Your sin may have been as great as hers - or you may have been kept free from all open vice. Still you need a deep view of your own vileness as before God. You need a humbled, self-abasing spirit, pleading nothing but your own misery, and God's mercy.
But let us mark here, penitence in the Saviour's presence. It was not remorse hardening itself into unbelief and despair - but it was sorrow casting itself upon a merciful Saviour. It was the silver thread of repentance, intertwined with the golden thread of faith in Christ. She knew she was a great sinner, and she owned and lamented it - but she knew also that Christ was a great Saviour; and herein was her hope and consolation.
Let it be so with you. Open your eyes to see your sin in all its magnitude, in all its hatefulness - but also open your eyes to see your Saviour near to you, ready to heal every wound, ready to forgive every sin. More of His grace is known to you, than to this sinful woman. She knew of His heart of love, and of His words of kindness. But you know the marvels of His great atonement, and all the shame He endured for sinners. Then go by faith into His presence, and believe that you are welcome. Go to His footstool, and tarry there in humility and faith. Look on Him bruised for your iniquities, and wounded for your transgressions. Go near and kiss those feet once nailed to the Cross for your sins.
Go NOT to man; go NOT to human priests, expecting to gain peace and absolution from their lips - but go to Christ Himself. God and stand by Him, and hearken to His forgiving voice. Go and wait before Him until you hear His word of life, "Your sins are forgiven you, go in peace!"
But let us take another step:
~George Everard~
(continued with # 2)
Friday, March 24, 2017
Cheerful Counsel for Christians
Cheerful Counsel for Christians
The Epistle to the Philippians is full of cheer and inspiration. Although written in a prison, a sweet song sings through it all. No other of the churches established by Paul, seems to have given him so much comfort - as did this church at Philippi. His cheerful counsels to these church members are golden words for all Christians. The passage begins with an expression of the apostle's love for his people, from whom now he was separated. He speaks to them as beloved and longed for, his joy and crown. No reward that a pastor can have is so great as souls led to Christ and lives helped, built up, and enriched.
The first lesson taught is that of "steadfastness." "Stand fast in the Lord."
Next, he exhorts them to "unity" in spirit and life. It would seem that two women, Euodias and Syntyche, had been estranged in some way, and Paul writes to his yokefellow, urging him to seek a restoration of kindly relations between them. Paul thus sought to realize the Beatitude, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God." It is a pleasant thought, that the names of all those who live and work for Christ are in the book of life. They may not be written in the list of those who are distinguished on the earth - but the humblest and lowliest name is down in the register of heaven.
The keynote of Paul's life from the first to last is "joy." We have it here, "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice!" This word sounds a little strange, coming from a prison. But Paul had in his heart, that which mastered all gloom and depression. Christians ought always to be happy. Of course, this does not mean that they should be foolish. Christian joy is not silly giggling, nor mere light-heartedness. Life is not all fun - it is real and earnest, ofttimes grave and serious, sometimes solemn and tearful. "Rejoice ... always" does not mean that one never is to have a serious thought, is always to be in some round of gaiety. This word is for the sick room and the hour of sorrow, as well as for the play room and the wedding day. It does not draw its inspiration from circumstances - it is in the heart. It is not joy which this world's favors and pleasures give - it is joy which springs from fellowship with Christ.
Another lesson in Christian living is "gentleness," "Let your gentleness be evident to all." This does not mean that you are to go about telling everybody how patient, gentle and meek you are. That would be a troublesome task, and then, people might not always believe you. There is a better way of letting others know that you possess these traits. Show your gentleness in your life and conduct, in your daily interaction with men. Be patient under injury, provocation, or annoyance. Be forgiving. Show your gentleness as Christ showed His: in your speech, in the returning of love for hate, of kindness for unkindness, of love for rudeness. Such a quality in the life is like sweet perfume - you cannot hide it, and it needs no advertising. It makes itself known, if only you have it truly in your life.
Another life-lesson is never to be "anxious." "Do not worry about anything." This seems rather strong counsel for ordinary mortals. It would apparently be a great deprivation to many people - if they could not worry and fret about something. A state of peaceful repose would be very wearisome and monotonous to them. Anxiety is a chronic state with too many. What a change it would bring about in the world, if every Christian would learn this lesson - in nothing to be anxious! It would add almost infinitely to the sum of human happiness, if we would eliminate this one element of misery. Worry does double work in the way of wretchedness - it makes wretched, first - the man himself who worries; then it makes his neighbors wretched.
How useless worrying is, too! It removes no trouble, lightens no burden, and softens no hardness in one's lot. On the other hand, it only makes the trial greater and the heart in its feverishness, less strong for endurance. Even philosophy, without religion, would seem to teach us to be anxious for nothing. The trouble is, however, that philosophy is more plentiful than philosophers. Everybody can tell you how not to worry - but nobody seems to live his own philosophy.
What to do with one's worries, Paul tells us also. We are to put them into God's hands - and leave them there. "In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God." Take them to God, tell him all about them, and leave them with Him. You are God's child; He is caring for you and also for your affairs. You have no troubles or perplexities which He does not understand, which He is not able either to remove - or to carry you through. This is the divine cure for care, and the result will be that "the peace of God ... shall keep your hearts and minds."
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things!" (Philippians 4:8). The next life-lesson the apostle teaches is contained in the wonderful cluster of "whatevers." This is one of the great ethical texts of the Bible. All of these qualities belong to a noble Christian character. Those first named are the sturdy elements - truth, honor, justice, purity; then come the more delicate and beautiful things - qualities that are winning and attractive. Some people cultivate the first class and neglect the other. They are sturdy and just - but not lovable. We have no right to make our religion repulsive; it ought to be lovely and attractive. Then there are some who cultivate the aesthetics of religion and leave out the grand qualities of truth and uprightness. This is worse than the other omission. It takes both classes to make a full-rounded Christian character.
Paul tells us to think of these things - but thinking is not enough - he says, also, "These things ... do." Thinking and doing are both important. Our thoughts make our character. They build it up little by little, as coral insects build up great reefs. Every thought we nourish leaves an impression, a touch - a mark of beauty or blemish. How important that we think only holy and beautiful things! That is what Paul teaches here. The things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, are what we are to think on. Thinking on false things, dishonorable things, unlovely things, makes us like those things; but pondering the noble qualities transforms us into the same nobleness.
"Beautiful thoughts - make a beautiful soul,
And a beautiful soul - makes a beautiful face."
But thinking is not enough. One only really "knows" - what one practises. It is not enough to raise the standard of pure and holy thoughts - we must follow the thoughts with "acts"; we must think right things - and then do them.
Another of the great life-lessons taught here, is contentment. "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." There may be some who study this lesson who cannot yet say this. It may be a comfort to such, to remember that Paul says he had "learned" it. He was not always so contented. It probably took him a good while to get the lesson learned, for he was quite an old man when he wrote this sentence. All lessons in life have to be "learned;" they do not come to us as gifts of God - but only as copies set for us, which we are to try to follow. Of course the great secret lies within the heart. If we have in us the "well of water" which Christ gives, we need not be dependent on the little springs of earthly water which go dry so often. If we have Christ - we really ought not to be greatly affected either by the possession or the loss of earthly comforts. That was Paul's secret.
The last life-lesson taught, is the ability of the Christian to do anything that God really gives him to do. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Here Paul puts the honor where it belongs. His contentment was not his own achievement. it was not the result of philosophy, was not caused by the dying out of ambition in his breast; it was because he was in Christ - that he could be content; Christ gave him strength for it, so that in whatever circumstances he was - he could quietly trust and rejoice. Christian life is full of impossibilities - things that are impossible to anyone with only human strength. But when God gives us a command - he always means to give the strength required to keep the command. It was a prayer of Augustine's, "Command what you will - and give what you command." We should never hesitate to attempt any task that God gives, for He will always give us all the strength we need!
~J. R. Miller~
(The End)
The Epistle to the Philippians is full of cheer and inspiration. Although written in a prison, a sweet song sings through it all. No other of the churches established by Paul, seems to have given him so much comfort - as did this church at Philippi. His cheerful counsels to these church members are golden words for all Christians. The passage begins with an expression of the apostle's love for his people, from whom now he was separated. He speaks to them as beloved and longed for, his joy and crown. No reward that a pastor can have is so great as souls led to Christ and lives helped, built up, and enriched.
The first lesson taught is that of "steadfastness." "Stand fast in the Lord."
Next, he exhorts them to "unity" in spirit and life. It would seem that two women, Euodias and Syntyche, had been estranged in some way, and Paul writes to his yokefellow, urging him to seek a restoration of kindly relations between them. Paul thus sought to realize the Beatitude, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God." It is a pleasant thought, that the names of all those who live and work for Christ are in the book of life. They may not be written in the list of those who are distinguished on the earth - but the humblest and lowliest name is down in the register of heaven.
The keynote of Paul's life from the first to last is "joy." We have it here, "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice!" This word sounds a little strange, coming from a prison. But Paul had in his heart, that which mastered all gloom and depression. Christians ought always to be happy. Of course, this does not mean that they should be foolish. Christian joy is not silly giggling, nor mere light-heartedness. Life is not all fun - it is real and earnest, ofttimes grave and serious, sometimes solemn and tearful. "Rejoice ... always" does not mean that one never is to have a serious thought, is always to be in some round of gaiety. This word is for the sick room and the hour of sorrow, as well as for the play room and the wedding day. It does not draw its inspiration from circumstances - it is in the heart. It is not joy which this world's favors and pleasures give - it is joy which springs from fellowship with Christ.
Another lesson in Christian living is "gentleness," "Let your gentleness be evident to all." This does not mean that you are to go about telling everybody how patient, gentle and meek you are. That would be a troublesome task, and then, people might not always believe you. There is a better way of letting others know that you possess these traits. Show your gentleness in your life and conduct, in your daily interaction with men. Be patient under injury, provocation, or annoyance. Be forgiving. Show your gentleness as Christ showed His: in your speech, in the returning of love for hate, of kindness for unkindness, of love for rudeness. Such a quality in the life is like sweet perfume - you cannot hide it, and it needs no advertising. It makes itself known, if only you have it truly in your life.
Another life-lesson is never to be "anxious." "Do not worry about anything." This seems rather strong counsel for ordinary mortals. It would apparently be a great deprivation to many people - if they could not worry and fret about something. A state of peaceful repose would be very wearisome and monotonous to them. Anxiety is a chronic state with too many. What a change it would bring about in the world, if every Christian would learn this lesson - in nothing to be anxious! It would add almost infinitely to the sum of human happiness, if we would eliminate this one element of misery. Worry does double work in the way of wretchedness - it makes wretched, first - the man himself who worries; then it makes his neighbors wretched.
How useless worrying is, too! It removes no trouble, lightens no burden, and softens no hardness in one's lot. On the other hand, it only makes the trial greater and the heart in its feverishness, less strong for endurance. Even philosophy, without religion, would seem to teach us to be anxious for nothing. The trouble is, however, that philosophy is more plentiful than philosophers. Everybody can tell you how not to worry - but nobody seems to live his own philosophy.
What to do with one's worries, Paul tells us also. We are to put them into God's hands - and leave them there. "In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God." Take them to God, tell him all about them, and leave them with Him. You are God's child; He is caring for you and also for your affairs. You have no troubles or perplexities which He does not understand, which He is not able either to remove - or to carry you through. This is the divine cure for care, and the result will be that "the peace of God ... shall keep your hearts and minds."
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things!" (Philippians 4:8). The next life-lesson the apostle teaches is contained in the wonderful cluster of "whatevers." This is one of the great ethical texts of the Bible. All of these qualities belong to a noble Christian character. Those first named are the sturdy elements - truth, honor, justice, purity; then come the more delicate and beautiful things - qualities that are winning and attractive. Some people cultivate the first class and neglect the other. They are sturdy and just - but not lovable. We have no right to make our religion repulsive; it ought to be lovely and attractive. Then there are some who cultivate the aesthetics of religion and leave out the grand qualities of truth and uprightness. This is worse than the other omission. It takes both classes to make a full-rounded Christian character.
Paul tells us to think of these things - but thinking is not enough - he says, also, "These things ... do." Thinking and doing are both important. Our thoughts make our character. They build it up little by little, as coral insects build up great reefs. Every thought we nourish leaves an impression, a touch - a mark of beauty or blemish. How important that we think only holy and beautiful things! That is what Paul teaches here. The things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, are what we are to think on. Thinking on false things, dishonorable things, unlovely things, makes us like those things; but pondering the noble qualities transforms us into the same nobleness.
"Beautiful thoughts - make a beautiful soul,
And a beautiful soul - makes a beautiful face."
But thinking is not enough. One only really "knows" - what one practises. It is not enough to raise the standard of pure and holy thoughts - we must follow the thoughts with "acts"; we must think right things - and then do them.
Another of the great life-lessons taught here, is contentment. "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." There may be some who study this lesson who cannot yet say this. It may be a comfort to such, to remember that Paul says he had "learned" it. He was not always so contented. It probably took him a good while to get the lesson learned, for he was quite an old man when he wrote this sentence. All lessons in life have to be "learned;" they do not come to us as gifts of God - but only as copies set for us, which we are to try to follow. Of course the great secret lies within the heart. If we have in us the "well of water" which Christ gives, we need not be dependent on the little springs of earthly water which go dry so often. If we have Christ - we really ought not to be greatly affected either by the possession or the loss of earthly comforts. That was Paul's secret.
The last life-lesson taught, is the ability of the Christian to do anything that God really gives him to do. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Here Paul puts the honor where it belongs. His contentment was not his own achievement. it was not the result of philosophy, was not caused by the dying out of ambition in his breast; it was because he was in Christ - that he could be content; Christ gave him strength for it, so that in whatever circumstances he was - he could quietly trust and rejoice. Christian life is full of impossibilities - things that are impossible to anyone with only human strength. But when God gives us a command - he always means to give the strength required to keep the command. It was a prayer of Augustine's, "Command what you will - and give what you command." We should never hesitate to attempt any task that God gives, for He will always give us all the strength we need!
~J. R. Miller~
(The End)
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
All For Christ # 5
All For Christ # 5
With two thoughts I will close this address.
1. If this standard be the true one, if the Christian is to do all in the name of Christ - then what multitudes of the professing people of God will be found lacking at the Great Day!
There are many who bear the name of Christ - who yield only a divided heart and a very partial service. You wish to be a Christian - but you have no intention of giving God your best, and doing everything as Christ bids you, and being unreservedly and entirely devoted to Him. You know perfectly well, that you are not whole-hearted in God's service. Your conduct in business tells it. Your neglect of week-day means of grace testifies to it. Your love of ease and comfort that hinders you from taking an active part in good works, your shrinking from confessing Christ to the world - all speak the same language, and prove that hitherto you have been very far from doing all "in the name of the Lord Jesus."
What a hollow, empty, worthless thing this profession of yours is! What possible good can come from a Sunday religion, from a little head knowledge of Christian truth, which leaves you so utterly unlike the Lord Jesus? Hear the Lord's own solemn words: "Not every one who says unto Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven."
I have often used a very simple illustration as to the value of such profession. Your little girl has an egg for breakfast; when she has finished it, she turns over the shell and says, "See my egg." It looks like an egg, but it is only a shell, it is all hollow, and a minute or two after it is crushed and crumpled up, and loses the very appearance of an egg.
Such is your religion. It has no heart about it. It has no substance. It is only a deceit and a pretense. And very soon it will be made plain to others that it is so - and that when it will be too late for a remedy. Friend, don't make a mistake for eternity. Search your own heart. Don't bequile and deceive yourself with a name, and a shadow, and a Christian profession - when you have never given yourself really to Christ, and have nothing of His Spirit dwelling in you. Take heed in time! Turn to God now in sincerity and truth. Confess all the unreality and heartlessness of days gone by.
It is true, a vast, enormous debt of guilt lies at your door. It is true that every action of your life, every moment of days gone by condemns you - for when did you do one single thing for the glory of God? But there is free forgiveness. There is a righteousness in Christ which can cover all your mountain of sin. There is a full salvation through His blood, and there is a mighty power to raise you through His Spirit. Nor is it far to seek. It is very near you. Only creep low. Only lay aside every proud, self-confident pretension, and on the footing of a sinner deserving damnation, seek life in Christ, and it is yours. It cannot be denied you. Christ never yet rejected a sinner that sincerely came to Him, and He never will. "Christ is all," and He is enough. He gives all, He does all that the sinner needs.
Salvation to the uttermost,
a perfect justification,
grace to be holy,
strength for the journey, and
everlasting life in His kingdom -
He gives, and gives freely, to every one who
sincerely returns to Him.
2. I would add a few words of encouragement to those who desire to put God first, and who wish in everything to follow Christ. While many are contented with serving God a little - and serving the world a great deal more; while there are many double-minded ones who go two ways, as King Saul, and Balaam,and Judas, and Ananias, and Sapphira, and Demas, and the like - you desire to have one aim - to keep a single eye, and through good report and ill report, through storm and sunshine, to serve Christ at all hazards, and under all circumstances to fulfill His commandments.
Let this ever be your object in life. Set it ever before you as the only end worth living for. When, for a moment, you have been drawn aside by some subtle form of self-pleasing, or have turned away to escape a painful cross - yet go back again to your great purpose and determination. Fall back on Christ's justifying righteousness for your acceptance - look up to the risen Saviour to give you more of the mighty power of His quickening Spirit - and pray fervently for steadfastness, perseverance, and reality.
"Let my heart be sound in Your statutes, that I be not ashamed!" Let this be your cry, so that you be not like some tempting orchard fruit - on the outside all rosy smiles, and within rottenness and the worm and decay, making it bitter and loathsome to the eater. But rather sound and true to the heart's core, so that the more you are known, the more you are valued for your genuine piety and unswerving integrity of purpose.
Follow this course - be all one thing in the fear and love of God - and great shall be your reward. You shall have the comfort of a good conscience. Though in conscious unworthiness before God, and knowing how far you fail of reaching the high standard of holiness which He has set before you - yet you will be conscious that you wish in everything to be true as in His sight. Your conscience will bear witness that you allow yourself in no known evil, and that it is your most earnest endeavor to fulfill every duty which He sets before you.
You shall have the consolation of God's presence and love. He will never fail His servant who thus desires to honor Him. You may look for His Spirit to rest abundantly upon you. You may feel assured that He delights in your service, and will be with you at all seasons.
He is with you, with you always!
All the nights, and all the days;
Never failing, never frowning,
With His loving-kindness crowning;
Tuning all you life to praise.
He is with you, your own Master,
Leading, loving to the end;
Brightening joy,and lightening sorrow,
All today, and more tomorrow,
King and Saviour, Lord and Friend.
The life of her who wrote these lines, and who was, a few years ago, called to her eternal rest - was a very marked evidence of the double consolation which those enjoy who are wholly consecrated to the Lord's service. Miss Frances Havergal has been removed from us in the flesh, but she lives in many a heart by the remembrance of her bright and joyous Christian life, and her unflagging zeal and earnestness in the Saviour's cause, and in many a home by her loyal utterances for the King she loved.
Once she heard me speak on the topic of this address. Afterwards she spoke on the matter with great feeling, longing that all Christian people should thus "do all for Christ." And, doubtless, through her writings, and the fragrance of her own holy and devoted life, it will be seen hereafter that not a few have so learned to act.
Christian, remember the time is short! Workers in the vineyard are called away, and you and I must soon follow. You may remember the saying of a poor seamstress, hard at work with her needle in a London attic: "I must make haste,for I have but one candle, and it will soon go out!"
Our one candle is burning out apace. Year follows year, and the stream of life quickly rolls on. Let us seize the passing hour. Let us work while we may. It it is true that in a hive of bees there are fifteen thousand workers, and only a few hundred drones - why, in the Church of Christ, should there be such a large proportion of drones who are neither building the cells nor gathering in honey? May God grant that it may not be the ease with any reader of this article!
~George Everard~
(The End)
With two thoughts I will close this address.
1. If this standard be the true one, if the Christian is to do all in the name of Christ - then what multitudes of the professing people of God will be found lacking at the Great Day!
There are many who bear the name of Christ - who yield only a divided heart and a very partial service. You wish to be a Christian - but you have no intention of giving God your best, and doing everything as Christ bids you, and being unreservedly and entirely devoted to Him. You know perfectly well, that you are not whole-hearted in God's service. Your conduct in business tells it. Your neglect of week-day means of grace testifies to it. Your love of ease and comfort that hinders you from taking an active part in good works, your shrinking from confessing Christ to the world - all speak the same language, and prove that hitherto you have been very far from doing all "in the name of the Lord Jesus."
What a hollow, empty, worthless thing this profession of yours is! What possible good can come from a Sunday religion, from a little head knowledge of Christian truth, which leaves you so utterly unlike the Lord Jesus? Hear the Lord's own solemn words: "Not every one who says unto Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven."
I have often used a very simple illustration as to the value of such profession. Your little girl has an egg for breakfast; when she has finished it, she turns over the shell and says, "See my egg." It looks like an egg, but it is only a shell, it is all hollow, and a minute or two after it is crushed and crumpled up, and loses the very appearance of an egg.
Such is your religion. It has no heart about it. It has no substance. It is only a deceit and a pretense. And very soon it will be made plain to others that it is so - and that when it will be too late for a remedy. Friend, don't make a mistake for eternity. Search your own heart. Don't bequile and deceive yourself with a name, and a shadow, and a Christian profession - when you have never given yourself really to Christ, and have nothing of His Spirit dwelling in you. Take heed in time! Turn to God now in sincerity and truth. Confess all the unreality and heartlessness of days gone by.
It is true, a vast, enormous debt of guilt lies at your door. It is true that every action of your life, every moment of days gone by condemns you - for when did you do one single thing for the glory of God? But there is free forgiveness. There is a righteousness in Christ which can cover all your mountain of sin. There is a full salvation through His blood, and there is a mighty power to raise you through His Spirit. Nor is it far to seek. It is very near you. Only creep low. Only lay aside every proud, self-confident pretension, and on the footing of a sinner deserving damnation, seek life in Christ, and it is yours. It cannot be denied you. Christ never yet rejected a sinner that sincerely came to Him, and He never will. "Christ is all," and He is enough. He gives all, He does all that the sinner needs.
Salvation to the uttermost,
a perfect justification,
grace to be holy,
strength for the journey, and
everlasting life in His kingdom -
He gives, and gives freely, to every one who
sincerely returns to Him.
2. I would add a few words of encouragement to those who desire to put God first, and who wish in everything to follow Christ. While many are contented with serving God a little - and serving the world a great deal more; while there are many double-minded ones who go two ways, as King Saul, and Balaam,and Judas, and Ananias, and Sapphira, and Demas, and the like - you desire to have one aim - to keep a single eye, and through good report and ill report, through storm and sunshine, to serve Christ at all hazards, and under all circumstances to fulfill His commandments.
Let this ever be your object in life. Set it ever before you as the only end worth living for. When, for a moment, you have been drawn aside by some subtle form of self-pleasing, or have turned away to escape a painful cross - yet go back again to your great purpose and determination. Fall back on Christ's justifying righteousness for your acceptance - look up to the risen Saviour to give you more of the mighty power of His quickening Spirit - and pray fervently for steadfastness, perseverance, and reality.
"Let my heart be sound in Your statutes, that I be not ashamed!" Let this be your cry, so that you be not like some tempting orchard fruit - on the outside all rosy smiles, and within rottenness and the worm and decay, making it bitter and loathsome to the eater. But rather sound and true to the heart's core, so that the more you are known, the more you are valued for your genuine piety and unswerving integrity of purpose.
Follow this course - be all one thing in the fear and love of God - and great shall be your reward. You shall have the comfort of a good conscience. Though in conscious unworthiness before God, and knowing how far you fail of reaching the high standard of holiness which He has set before you - yet you will be conscious that you wish in everything to be true as in His sight. Your conscience will bear witness that you allow yourself in no known evil, and that it is your most earnest endeavor to fulfill every duty which He sets before you.
You shall have the consolation of God's presence and love. He will never fail His servant who thus desires to honor Him. You may look for His Spirit to rest abundantly upon you. You may feel assured that He delights in your service, and will be with you at all seasons.
He is with you, with you always!
All the nights, and all the days;
Never failing, never frowning,
With His loving-kindness crowning;
Tuning all you life to praise.
He is with you, your own Master,
Leading, loving to the end;
Brightening joy,and lightening sorrow,
All today, and more tomorrow,
King and Saviour, Lord and Friend.
The life of her who wrote these lines, and who was, a few years ago, called to her eternal rest - was a very marked evidence of the double consolation which those enjoy who are wholly consecrated to the Lord's service. Miss Frances Havergal has been removed from us in the flesh, but she lives in many a heart by the remembrance of her bright and joyous Christian life, and her unflagging zeal and earnestness in the Saviour's cause, and in many a home by her loyal utterances for the King she loved.
Once she heard me speak on the topic of this address. Afterwards she spoke on the matter with great feeling, longing that all Christian people should thus "do all for Christ." And, doubtless, through her writings, and the fragrance of her own holy and devoted life, it will be seen hereafter that not a few have so learned to act.
Christian, remember the time is short! Workers in the vineyard are called away, and you and I must soon follow. You may remember the saying of a poor seamstress, hard at work with her needle in a London attic: "I must make haste,for I have but one candle, and it will soon go out!"
Our one candle is burning out apace. Year follows year, and the stream of life quickly rolls on. Let us seize the passing hour. Let us work while we may. It it is true that in a hive of bees there are fifteen thousand workers, and only a few hundred drones - why, in the Church of Christ, should there be such a large proportion of drones who are neither building the cells nor gathering in honey? May God grant that it may not be the ease with any reader of this article!
~George Everard~
(The End)
Saturday, March 18, 2017
All For Christ # 4
All For Christ # 4
2. Wanderings in Prayer.
In church and in our chamber these enemies come in and disturb us. If, for a moment, the mind is fixed, the next instant some new imagination carries us miles away, and we are thinking of some indifferent thing. The best antidote is a more lively sense of Christ's nearness. When the soul truly sees Christ at hand, bowing down His merciful ear to catch each petition - then we speak in reality as a friend to friend. Then, through the Spirit, prayer is a comfort and a help, and we are conscious that our petitions reach the mercy-seat.
3. Evil Tempers.
There are few families where, in some shape, these intruders do not come. Sometimes like the thunderstorm,sometimes like the thick, depressing fog, sometimes like the drizzling rain, or the cold north wind - these enemies disturb our peace and grieve the Holy Spirit. It may be passion, or dead silence, or the perpetual monotony of complaint and bickering, or cutting satire, or the like, that does much harm to the soul of the one who indulges it, and puts no small stumbling-block in the way of others.
But realize Christ's presence, believe that He is in the room, and hears and marks each word and thought and feeling - and it will do much to enable you to overcome this sin. "Would you get into a passion if I were in the room with you?" I once said to a Christian, who was complaining of his inability to overcome this snare. "Of course not," he said. "Then remember," I said, "that there is always someone in the room, and this will help you." The thought was not lost on him. More than a year afterwards he told me that, since he had spoken to me, peace in his home had not been broken.
4. Anxiety and Worry.
Here are the thorns that too often choke the good seed. The word of life cannot grow and bear fruit in the heart, because depressing cares and worries fill the mind. Means are short, money comes in very slowly, debts are pressing, family matters do not run smoothly. A very little thing often brings a great burden - and often a real trouble weighs like a mountain of lead on the heart.
But we have the same resource. Christ's presence is a sure hiding place. His shoulder is strong enough to bear every weight of care of sorrow we have faith to lay upon it. Near to Him, and sheltered beneath His wing, we shall find all that comes to be needful discipline. We shall not repine and we shall not despair, "Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" - we shall go on our way, and reach in safety the promised land.
6. Do All After the Pattern of Christ.
He is the Shepherd - and we must walk in His footsteps. He is our model - and we must copy every lineament in His holy and spotless character. He is our Sun - and upon Him must we gaze, that a reflection of His glory may rest upon us.
If we read and study the narratives of His wondrous life, we shall find illustrations of every virtue and grace we need to put on, and types of every good work He would have us practice. Courage and meekness, zeal and gentleness, unwearied devotion, and constant well-doing to those around - tracked every footstep. Oh that every worker in the Lord's vineyard, every minister of Christ, every Christian - were more like the Master, and each would be far more successful in his labors! A few stammering words, backed up by a very Christ-like life, will often do far more for the Redeemer's kingdom than a torrent of eloquence, where this is lacking.
It has been said that "a clergyman may preach two or three sermons a week, but a holy life is preaching a thousand sermons." It is a true witness; therefore follow the Master, and follow Him closely. "He who says he abides in Him, ought himself also to walk, even as He walked."
7. Do All in View of Christ's Second Coming.
Here is the final end of all service. The Lord is at hand. He comes to prove all our work. What is wood, hay, stubble - and what is gold, silver, or precious stone - will then be clearly known. What has been the pure truth according as He gave it, and His Spirit revealed it - and what has been human tradition and the vain imagination of a man's own heart. What has been done before His eye and for His glory - and what has been done for any lower motive. What has been the lasting and permanent result of work - and what only a passing emotion in the breast. What souls have been reclaimed from sin, error, unbelief, worldliness, and impenitence; what true blessing has been granted in raising Christians to a nobler life and a loftier standard - all this is hidden for the present, but will be made manifest when Christ comes.
What a day of revelation will it be! What a day of dreadful discovery to those who have been at ease in Zion, and have taken no pains to please the Master or to advance His kingdom! What a day of loss to those who have been in the main the servants of Christ, but have been building rotten materials on the true foundation! What a day of joy to true faithful Christians, who mourned over their failures, and thought they had done but little for Christ, and yet who went on humbly waiting upon Him, and sowing the heavenly seed with tears and prayers!
In all your work, think of that day! Think of the Master's "Well done!" Think of the joy of His approving glance! Think of the joy of harvest sheaves - souls gathered in safe to the garner, and that forever. Think of the great reward of the faithful follower of Christ, even where there has been apparent failure in the Lord's Work.
I heard the other day a striking illustration of this. A missionary in China was greatly depressed through the carelessness and indifference of his hearers. The old question of Isaiah seemed to suit his case: "Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" But he had a dream. He was standing on a rocky boulder, and with a sledge hammer in his hand was trying to break it. Blow after blow was given, but no impression was made. At length he heard a voice: "Go on; I'll pay you all the same whether you break it or not." So he was contented, and learned the lesson. He could enter into the spirit of the prophet's words: "I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing - yet surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work is with my God."
Think of the Lord's coming, and rejoice in hope. Now is the time for labor and toil - then is the time for rest. Now we sow in tears and fears - but then the ripened grain will be our recompense. Now our faith may be dim, and the Lord may sometimes hide His face, and we may have seasons of darkness and distress - but then we shall see His face, and His name shall be on our forehead, and we shall share His glory and His kingdom. All through coming months and years, let our eye be toward the horizon, where the Sun of Righteousness will arise in His majesty. "Looking for the blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."
~George Everard~
(continued with # 5)
2. Wanderings in Prayer.
In church and in our chamber these enemies come in and disturb us. If, for a moment, the mind is fixed, the next instant some new imagination carries us miles away, and we are thinking of some indifferent thing. The best antidote is a more lively sense of Christ's nearness. When the soul truly sees Christ at hand, bowing down His merciful ear to catch each petition - then we speak in reality as a friend to friend. Then, through the Spirit, prayer is a comfort and a help, and we are conscious that our petitions reach the mercy-seat.
3. Evil Tempers.
There are few families where, in some shape, these intruders do not come. Sometimes like the thunderstorm,sometimes like the thick, depressing fog, sometimes like the drizzling rain, or the cold north wind - these enemies disturb our peace and grieve the Holy Spirit. It may be passion, or dead silence, or the perpetual monotony of complaint and bickering, or cutting satire, or the like, that does much harm to the soul of the one who indulges it, and puts no small stumbling-block in the way of others.
But realize Christ's presence, believe that He is in the room, and hears and marks each word and thought and feeling - and it will do much to enable you to overcome this sin. "Would you get into a passion if I were in the room with you?" I once said to a Christian, who was complaining of his inability to overcome this snare. "Of course not," he said. "Then remember," I said, "that there is always someone in the room, and this will help you." The thought was not lost on him. More than a year afterwards he told me that, since he had spoken to me, peace in his home had not been broken.
4. Anxiety and Worry.
Here are the thorns that too often choke the good seed. The word of life cannot grow and bear fruit in the heart, because depressing cares and worries fill the mind. Means are short, money comes in very slowly, debts are pressing, family matters do not run smoothly. A very little thing often brings a great burden - and often a real trouble weighs like a mountain of lead on the heart.
But we have the same resource. Christ's presence is a sure hiding place. His shoulder is strong enough to bear every weight of care of sorrow we have faith to lay upon it. Near to Him, and sheltered beneath His wing, we shall find all that comes to be needful discipline. We shall not repine and we shall not despair, "Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" - we shall go on our way, and reach in safety the promised land.
6. Do All After the Pattern of Christ.
He is the Shepherd - and we must walk in His footsteps. He is our model - and we must copy every lineament in His holy and spotless character. He is our Sun - and upon Him must we gaze, that a reflection of His glory may rest upon us.
If we read and study the narratives of His wondrous life, we shall find illustrations of every virtue and grace we need to put on, and types of every good work He would have us practice. Courage and meekness, zeal and gentleness, unwearied devotion, and constant well-doing to those around - tracked every footstep. Oh that every worker in the Lord's vineyard, every minister of Christ, every Christian - were more like the Master, and each would be far more successful in his labors! A few stammering words, backed up by a very Christ-like life, will often do far more for the Redeemer's kingdom than a torrent of eloquence, where this is lacking.
It has been said that "a clergyman may preach two or three sermons a week, but a holy life is preaching a thousand sermons." It is a true witness; therefore follow the Master, and follow Him closely. "He who says he abides in Him, ought himself also to walk, even as He walked."
7. Do All in View of Christ's Second Coming.
Here is the final end of all service. The Lord is at hand. He comes to prove all our work. What is wood, hay, stubble - and what is gold, silver, or precious stone - will then be clearly known. What has been the pure truth according as He gave it, and His Spirit revealed it - and what has been human tradition and the vain imagination of a man's own heart. What has been done before His eye and for His glory - and what has been done for any lower motive. What has been the lasting and permanent result of work - and what only a passing emotion in the breast. What souls have been reclaimed from sin, error, unbelief, worldliness, and impenitence; what true blessing has been granted in raising Christians to a nobler life and a loftier standard - all this is hidden for the present, but will be made manifest when Christ comes.
What a day of revelation will it be! What a day of dreadful discovery to those who have been at ease in Zion, and have taken no pains to please the Master or to advance His kingdom! What a day of loss to those who have been in the main the servants of Christ, but have been building rotten materials on the true foundation! What a day of joy to true faithful Christians, who mourned over their failures, and thought they had done but little for Christ, and yet who went on humbly waiting upon Him, and sowing the heavenly seed with tears and prayers!
In all your work, think of that day! Think of the Master's "Well done!" Think of the joy of His approving glance! Think of the joy of harvest sheaves - souls gathered in safe to the garner, and that forever. Think of the great reward of the faithful follower of Christ, even where there has been apparent failure in the Lord's Work.
I heard the other day a striking illustration of this. A missionary in China was greatly depressed through the carelessness and indifference of his hearers. The old question of Isaiah seemed to suit his case: "Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" But he had a dream. He was standing on a rocky boulder, and with a sledge hammer in his hand was trying to break it. Blow after blow was given, but no impression was made. At length he heard a voice: "Go on; I'll pay you all the same whether you break it or not." So he was contented, and learned the lesson. He could enter into the spirit of the prophet's words: "I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing - yet surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work is with my God."
Think of the Lord's coming, and rejoice in hope. Now is the time for labor and toil - then is the time for rest. Now we sow in tears and fears - but then the ripened grain will be our recompense. Now our faith may be dim, and the Lord may sometimes hide His face, and we may have seasons of darkness and distress - but then we shall see His face, and His name shall be on our forehead, and we shall share His glory and His kingdom. All through coming months and years, let our eye be toward the horizon, where the Sun of Righteousness will arise in His majesty. "Looking for the blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."
~George Everard~
(continued with # 5)
Monday, March 13, 2017
All For Christ # 3
All For Christ # 3
3. Do all for the GLORY of Christ. The passage, Colossians 3:17, "Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus," is well explained by the parallel passage in 1 Corinthians 10:31: "Whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatever you do - do all to the glory of God." The leading idea seems also precisely the same. Whatever is done, even in the commonest matters of life, the food we eat, our conduct at the breakfast table or the dinner table - is to be done for the glory of the Father and the Son. We must seek grace that "to live" may be "Christ, that He may be magnified in our bodies, whether by life or death!" (Philippians 1:20, 21); that "the name of the Lord Jesus may be glorified in us" (2 Thessalonians 1:12).
Here is the very highest aim it is possible for man to cherish. No angel or archangel before the throne can rise to a loftier height. "To glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever," is Heaven on earth - and Heaven above. And this one desire will simplify a Christian's life, and give to it a unity and a beauty which nothing else could yield. Men are often swayed hither and thither by a variety of motives, sometimes in a right direction, and sometimes the very reverse. Passion, or pleasure, or self-interest, or a kindly feeling toward another, or the desire for man's praise or favor, or the reproof of an uneasy conscience - will actuate them in turns, so that there is no consistency about their conduct.
But let a man ever set this before him: "What will most honor my Redeemer-King? What will bring glory to Him in the world? What will advance His kingdom? This I must do!"
Let a man follow an object like this, and it will give a fixedness, a steadfastness to his walk, which will prove greatly in the end for his own true peace. It will at once solve many a difficulty, and direct a man in the course he should pursue.
"To do all for the glory of Christ" will bring an immediate decision in most all cases. Self and ease and luxury will be sacrificed, and Christ will be honored.
In many other matters the same motive will afford the guidance that is needful. Two courses of action are open to a Christian. There are strong reasons on each side, and both are lawful. Which shall be followed? For example, a young man is choosing his vocation for life. A door is open for great advantage in business, or in some secular profession - but a desire is awakened for the ministry of Christ's Church. But in this latter there may seem but little prospect of worldly promotion. It may be that for many years the slender stipend of a pastor's assistant may be all he may obtain. What shall be the choice?
In his earlier life, Dean McNeile had something of this difficulty. Large property from a relative with the probability of high advancement at the bar, offered on the one side. On the other side, the loss of a fortune, and far less apparent likelihood of temporal advantage. But he chose the latter, and great was his reward in the honor God bestowed upon him in being so useful a champion of His truth.
In many similar cases - in the choice of friends, in the arrangement of our households, in the disposal of our time - we shall never err if we act in the same spirit. We shall never regret hereafter, what we have done "for the glory of Christ."
4. Do all to PLEASE Christ. This is closely connected with acting for the glory of Christ; but it has a distinctness which it is well to bear in mind. It is strongly brought out by the Apostle Paul, in speaking of the Christian being a good soldier of Jesus Christ. "No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who has chosen him to be a soldier." (2 Timothy 2:4).
Servants also are bidden to obey: "Not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men." (Colossians 3:22, 23).
Ever seek to please Christ! In one sense you ought to "please all men in all things; not seeking your own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved." Whenever, for the good of others, you can deny yourself, or please them - fail not to do so.
But to please Christ must be your chief desire. Though you may have to displease man, though you may have to risk hard words, unkind suspicions, ridicule, and persecution - yet if you please Christ it will be well. "Teach me to do the thing that pleases You, for You are my God!"
But how can you please Christ? With so much evil in you, and so many infirmities - is it possible to please the Holy Saviour? Oh yes, Christ is not hard to please! He is no "hard man, reaping where He has not sown, gathering where He has not scattered seed." Nay, if only done in humble love, the least thing is pleasing to Him. Both the alabaster box of ointment and the widow's two mites, were alike acceptable. The least gift you offer, the least upward glance of the heart, the effort to do common work as before Him, a word spoken by the way to guide a little one, to comfort a mourner, to stir up a sleeping professor - each and all is pleasing to Him when done with a single eye for His sake.
5. Do all in the PRESENCE of Christ. Nothing will help you more than this. Live ever seeing Him who is invisible. By His Spirit, He will manifest Himself to you, as He does not unto the world. "The world sees Him no more, but you see Him" - and seeing Him ever near at hand, you shall better be able to please Him. To live ever as in the presence of Christ, seems to me to be the one special preservative against four great disturbers of the Christian's peace.
a. The fear of man. This is ever coming in to mar our usefulness. We are afraid of following that which conscience approves. We are afraid of confessing Christ, or standing alone in the reproof of sin, or speaking a word in a railway station to win a soul for the Master. But if we see Christ by our side, we shall conquer. "Those who are with us are more than those who are against us."
~George Everard~
(continued with # 4)
3. Do all for the GLORY of Christ. The passage, Colossians 3:17, "Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus," is well explained by the parallel passage in 1 Corinthians 10:31: "Whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatever you do - do all to the glory of God." The leading idea seems also precisely the same. Whatever is done, even in the commonest matters of life, the food we eat, our conduct at the breakfast table or the dinner table - is to be done for the glory of the Father and the Son. We must seek grace that "to live" may be "Christ, that He may be magnified in our bodies, whether by life or death!" (Philippians 1:20, 21); that "the name of the Lord Jesus may be glorified in us" (2 Thessalonians 1:12).
Here is the very highest aim it is possible for man to cherish. No angel or archangel before the throne can rise to a loftier height. "To glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever," is Heaven on earth - and Heaven above. And this one desire will simplify a Christian's life, and give to it a unity and a beauty which nothing else could yield. Men are often swayed hither and thither by a variety of motives, sometimes in a right direction, and sometimes the very reverse. Passion, or pleasure, or self-interest, or a kindly feeling toward another, or the desire for man's praise or favor, or the reproof of an uneasy conscience - will actuate them in turns, so that there is no consistency about their conduct.
But let a man ever set this before him: "What will most honor my Redeemer-King? What will bring glory to Him in the world? What will advance His kingdom? This I must do!"
Let a man follow an object like this, and it will give a fixedness, a steadfastness to his walk, which will prove greatly in the end for his own true peace. It will at once solve many a difficulty, and direct a man in the course he should pursue.
"To do all for the glory of Christ" will bring an immediate decision in most all cases. Self and ease and luxury will be sacrificed, and Christ will be honored.
In many other matters the same motive will afford the guidance that is needful. Two courses of action are open to a Christian. There are strong reasons on each side, and both are lawful. Which shall be followed? For example, a young man is choosing his vocation for life. A door is open for great advantage in business, or in some secular profession - but a desire is awakened for the ministry of Christ's Church. But in this latter there may seem but little prospect of worldly promotion. It may be that for many years the slender stipend of a pastor's assistant may be all he may obtain. What shall be the choice?
In his earlier life, Dean McNeile had something of this difficulty. Large property from a relative with the probability of high advancement at the bar, offered on the one side. On the other side, the loss of a fortune, and far less apparent likelihood of temporal advantage. But he chose the latter, and great was his reward in the honor God bestowed upon him in being so useful a champion of His truth.
In many similar cases - in the choice of friends, in the arrangement of our households, in the disposal of our time - we shall never err if we act in the same spirit. We shall never regret hereafter, what we have done "for the glory of Christ."
4. Do all to PLEASE Christ. This is closely connected with acting for the glory of Christ; but it has a distinctness which it is well to bear in mind. It is strongly brought out by the Apostle Paul, in speaking of the Christian being a good soldier of Jesus Christ. "No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who has chosen him to be a soldier." (2 Timothy 2:4).
Servants also are bidden to obey: "Not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men." (Colossians 3:22, 23).
Ever seek to please Christ! In one sense you ought to "please all men in all things; not seeking your own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved." Whenever, for the good of others, you can deny yourself, or please them - fail not to do so.
But to please Christ must be your chief desire. Though you may have to displease man, though you may have to risk hard words, unkind suspicions, ridicule, and persecution - yet if you please Christ it will be well. "Teach me to do the thing that pleases You, for You are my God!"
But how can you please Christ? With so much evil in you, and so many infirmities - is it possible to please the Holy Saviour? Oh yes, Christ is not hard to please! He is no "hard man, reaping where He has not sown, gathering where He has not scattered seed." Nay, if only done in humble love, the least thing is pleasing to Him. Both the alabaster box of ointment and the widow's two mites, were alike acceptable. The least gift you offer, the least upward glance of the heart, the effort to do common work as before Him, a word spoken by the way to guide a little one, to comfort a mourner, to stir up a sleeping professor - each and all is pleasing to Him when done with a single eye for His sake.
5. Do all in the PRESENCE of Christ. Nothing will help you more than this. Live ever seeing Him who is invisible. By His Spirit, He will manifest Himself to you, as He does not unto the world. "The world sees Him no more, but you see Him" - and seeing Him ever near at hand, you shall better be able to please Him. To live ever as in the presence of Christ, seems to me to be the one special preservative against four great disturbers of the Christian's peace.
a. The fear of man. This is ever coming in to mar our usefulness. We are afraid of following that which conscience approves. We are afraid of confessing Christ, or standing alone in the reproof of sin, or speaking a word in a railway station to win a soul for the Master. But if we see Christ by our side, we shall conquer. "Those who are with us are more than those who are against us."
~George Everard~
(continued with # 4)
Friday, March 10, 2017
All For Christ # 2
All For Christ # 2
In fact, there is no part of our life that must be exempted from Christian principle. Business and recreation, social fellowship, the use of our money and our time - all we are, all we have, all we do or say must be for Christ, if we would be true to Him. We must never mark out one acre, or one square yard, or one inch of our life, and say in our heart, "Christ has nothing to do with this!" If we willfully take one single moment of our lives, or one single act, or word, or thought out of the direct control of the fear and love of God - that moment, or act, or word, or thought is one of sin.
But what is it to do all "in the name of Christ"? Let us first look at it negatively. It teaches me that I must not act at random. Many are led by the impulse of the moment. They are driven hither and thither by every wind. To do this, is to be as a ship without the rudder - sure one day to be wrecked on the rocks or the quicksands. It is to be as a carriage going down a hill without a hand to direct the horses. It is to be as a train rushing on without driver, until some terrible collision or other accident brings it to a stop.
Neither must I act as the world does. Just to be like those around them, to be no better and no worse, satisfies many. But to copy the customs and follow the standard of an evil world, is far below the calling of a Christian. To set examples rather than follow them, is his duty and privilege. To be a child of God "in the midst of a perverse and crooked generation," to shine as a light in the world, is the Master's plain command.
Neither must I act merely as a good citizen, a good neighbor, a good husband, or father, or wife, or child. To be exemplary in the family relationship brings a present reward. We can only be too thankful for those who act thus. Would that there were more who endeavored to rise as high as this.
But the Christian goes further. To do all in the name of Christ is to act in everything as one of Christ's disciples. It is to live as one who bears the name of Christ, a representative here below of the great Redeemer exalted to the Father's right hand. The living Christ is there in glory. But if you are His, He dwells in your heart by His Spirit, and you are to go forth into an evil world bearing His mark, guided by His Spirit, so that men may see in you, as in a looking glass, something of the Saviour's grace, and majesty, and glory.
It is a very high standard, and there are none but come sadly short of it. But let us set it before us. Let us remember we are called to it. Let us be content with nothing lower, and then we shall be assured that Christ is with us, and will in some measure enable us to attain as we desire.
"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus."
Here is our aim. The main thought is, that in everything, the Christian acts as a representative of Christ. But in seven particulars the idea seems to branch out, and each one may assist the Christian in holy walking.
1. Do all in the STRENGTH of Christ. From first to last, a Christian has no power in himself. He has no power to resist evil or rise higher, or to fulfill a single precept. As soon may a child two years, kill a robust lion, as a Christian in his own strength conquer sin. Perhaps a man says about some particular fault or temptation, "I have no fear on that score!" But it is not at all unlikely a few weeks after, he may have to lament his self-confidence. Or perhaps a man says, "That is not one of my weak points!" and he glories that in that direction there is no likelihood of his falling. But whether it be our weak point or our strong point, there is no security except in lowly trust in the Saviour.
Moses was meek - but he was angry with the people, and spoke unadvisedly with his lips, and so was never permitted to enter Canaan. Hezekiah had been a faithful and devoted servant of God - but when God left him to try him, he soon fell into evil. But depend continually on the grace of the Lord Jesus, and you will conquer. "Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might."
A working man had followed Christ for twenty years, but he found the glass of beer was getting too strong a hold of him. It was a great struggle with him what he should do; but he wisely determined, as the only safe remedy, to give it up altogether. But he found it harder work even than beginning to serve Christ at first. Friends did not understand his being so particular, and he found it rather hard crossing "the bridge of sneers," and getting up "opposition hill." One day, however, he took up an old hymn book, and his eye lighted on this verse:
"Let not my heart despond and say,
How shall I stand the trying day?
He has declared by firm decree,
That as your day, your strength shall be."
The words cheered his heart and sent him on his way rejoicing, and ever since he has been thankful for the help thus afforded him. It you wish to overcome, remember the secret. It is by ever clinging to the strong One. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).
2. Do all out of LOVE to Christ. Here is to be our motive. Love makes duty light. Love makes toil and labor pleasant. Love sweetens the bitter cup, and makes self-denial easy. A spirit of grateful love, changes the character of everything we have to do. Hence nourish the sacred flame. "Let the love of Christ constrain you." Think of all He is, how infinitely worthy of the love of man and angels. Think of all that He has done for you by His life and His death.
Think of ...
His everlasting love to you,
His constant intercession for you,
His continual watching over you,
His ever guiding your footsteps,
His delivering you from dangers on the right hand and on the left,
His preparing a glorious home for you in His kingdom above.
Look for the Spirit to stir up within you perpetually the remembrance of His love. Come to His table that you may be the more quickened in the knowledge of His exceeding great love and tender mercy. Pray that your heart may be "hot with the love of Christ" - so shall you life praise Him, and show forth what He has done for you.
Once earthly joy I craved,
Sought peace and rest;
Now You alone I seek,
Give what is best!
This all my prayer shall be,
More love, O Christ, to Thee.
More love to Thee!
~George Everard~
(continued with # 3)
In fact, there is no part of our life that must be exempted from Christian principle. Business and recreation, social fellowship, the use of our money and our time - all we are, all we have, all we do or say must be for Christ, if we would be true to Him. We must never mark out one acre, or one square yard, or one inch of our life, and say in our heart, "Christ has nothing to do with this!" If we willfully take one single moment of our lives, or one single act, or word, or thought out of the direct control of the fear and love of God - that moment, or act, or word, or thought is one of sin.
But what is it to do all "in the name of Christ"? Let us first look at it negatively. It teaches me that I must not act at random. Many are led by the impulse of the moment. They are driven hither and thither by every wind. To do this, is to be as a ship without the rudder - sure one day to be wrecked on the rocks or the quicksands. It is to be as a carriage going down a hill without a hand to direct the horses. It is to be as a train rushing on without driver, until some terrible collision or other accident brings it to a stop.
Neither must I act as the world does. Just to be like those around them, to be no better and no worse, satisfies many. But to copy the customs and follow the standard of an evil world, is far below the calling of a Christian. To set examples rather than follow them, is his duty and privilege. To be a child of God "in the midst of a perverse and crooked generation," to shine as a light in the world, is the Master's plain command.
Neither must I act merely as a good citizen, a good neighbor, a good husband, or father, or wife, or child. To be exemplary in the family relationship brings a present reward. We can only be too thankful for those who act thus. Would that there were more who endeavored to rise as high as this.
But the Christian goes further. To do all in the name of Christ is to act in everything as one of Christ's disciples. It is to live as one who bears the name of Christ, a representative here below of the great Redeemer exalted to the Father's right hand. The living Christ is there in glory. But if you are His, He dwells in your heart by His Spirit, and you are to go forth into an evil world bearing His mark, guided by His Spirit, so that men may see in you, as in a looking glass, something of the Saviour's grace, and majesty, and glory.
It is a very high standard, and there are none but come sadly short of it. But let us set it before us. Let us remember we are called to it. Let us be content with nothing lower, and then we shall be assured that Christ is with us, and will in some measure enable us to attain as we desire.
"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus."
Here is our aim. The main thought is, that in everything, the Christian acts as a representative of Christ. But in seven particulars the idea seems to branch out, and each one may assist the Christian in holy walking.
1. Do all in the STRENGTH of Christ. From first to last, a Christian has no power in himself. He has no power to resist evil or rise higher, or to fulfill a single precept. As soon may a child two years, kill a robust lion, as a Christian in his own strength conquer sin. Perhaps a man says about some particular fault or temptation, "I have no fear on that score!" But it is not at all unlikely a few weeks after, he may have to lament his self-confidence. Or perhaps a man says, "That is not one of my weak points!" and he glories that in that direction there is no likelihood of his falling. But whether it be our weak point or our strong point, there is no security except in lowly trust in the Saviour.
Moses was meek - but he was angry with the people, and spoke unadvisedly with his lips, and so was never permitted to enter Canaan. Hezekiah had been a faithful and devoted servant of God - but when God left him to try him, he soon fell into evil. But depend continually on the grace of the Lord Jesus, and you will conquer. "Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might."
A working man had followed Christ for twenty years, but he found the glass of beer was getting too strong a hold of him. It was a great struggle with him what he should do; but he wisely determined, as the only safe remedy, to give it up altogether. But he found it harder work even than beginning to serve Christ at first. Friends did not understand his being so particular, and he found it rather hard crossing "the bridge of sneers," and getting up "opposition hill." One day, however, he took up an old hymn book, and his eye lighted on this verse:
"Let not my heart despond and say,
How shall I stand the trying day?
He has declared by firm decree,
That as your day, your strength shall be."
The words cheered his heart and sent him on his way rejoicing, and ever since he has been thankful for the help thus afforded him. It you wish to overcome, remember the secret. It is by ever clinging to the strong One. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).
2. Do all out of LOVE to Christ. Here is to be our motive. Love makes duty light. Love makes toil and labor pleasant. Love sweetens the bitter cup, and makes self-denial easy. A spirit of grateful love, changes the character of everything we have to do. Hence nourish the sacred flame. "Let the love of Christ constrain you." Think of all He is, how infinitely worthy of the love of man and angels. Think of all that He has done for you by His life and His death.
Think of ...
His everlasting love to you,
His constant intercession for you,
His continual watching over you,
His ever guiding your footsteps,
His delivering you from dangers on the right hand and on the left,
His preparing a glorious home for you in His kingdom above.
Look for the Spirit to stir up within you perpetually the remembrance of His love. Come to His table that you may be the more quickened in the knowledge of His exceeding great love and tender mercy. Pray that your heart may be "hot with the love of Christ" - so shall you life praise Him, and show forth what He has done for you.
Once earthly joy I craved,
Sought peace and rest;
Now You alone I seek,
Give what is best!
This all my prayer shall be,
More love, O Christ, to Thee.
More love to Thee!
~George Everard~
(continued with # 3)
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