Tried By Fire # 1
"But He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10).
Job here corrects himself. In the beginning of the chapter we find him saying: "Even today is my complaint bitter; my stroke is heavier than my groaning". Poor Job felt that his lot was unbearable. But he recovers himself. He checks his hasty outburst and revises his impetuous decision. How often we all have to correct ourselves! Only One has ever walked this earth who never had occasion to do so.
Job here comforts himself. He could not fathom the mysteries of Providence but God knew the way he took. Job had diligently sought the calming presence of God, but, for a time, in vain. Behold I go forward, but He is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive Him. On the left hand, where He does work, but I cannot behold Him". But he comforted himself with this blessed fact - though I cannot see God, what is a thousand times better, He can see me - "He knows." One above is neither unmindful nor indifferent to our lot. If He notices the fall of a sparrow; if he counts the hairs of our heads, of course "He knows" the way that I take.
Job here enunciates a noble view of life. How splendidly optimistic he was! He did not allow his afflictions to turn him into a skeptic. He did not permit the sore trials and troubles through which he was passing to overwhelm him. He looked at the bright side of the dark cloud - God's side, hidden from sense and reason. He took a long view of life. He looked beyond the immediate fiery trials and said that the outcome would be gold refined. "But He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me I shall come forth as gold." Three great truths are expressed here: let us briefly consider each separately.
"He knows the way that I take." The omniscience of God is one of the wondrous attributes of Deity. "For His eyes are upon the ways of man, and He sees all his goings" (Job 34:21). "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good (Prov. 15:3). Spurgeon said, "One of the greatest tests of experimental religion is, What is my relationship to God's omniscience?" What is your relationship to it, dear reader? How does it affect you? Does it distress or comfort you? Do you shrink from the thought of God knowing all about your way? perhaps a lying, selfish, hypocritical way! To the sinner this is a terrible thought. He denies it, or if not, he seeks to forget it. But to the Christian, here is real comfort. How cheering to remember that my Father knows all about my trials, my difficulties, my sorrows, my efforts to glorify Him. Precious truth for those in Christ; harrowing thought for all out of Christ - that the way I am taking is fully known to and observed by God.
"He knows the way that I take." Men did not know the way that Job took. He was grievously misunderstood, and for one with a sensitive temperament to be misunderstood, is a sore trial. His very friends thought he was a hypocrite. They believed he was a great sinner and being punished by God. Job knew that he was an unworthy saint, but not a hypocrite. He appealed against their censorious verdict. "He knows the way that I take when he has tried me I shall come forth as gold." Here is instruction for us when like circumstanced. Fellow believer, your fellow men, yes, and your fellow Christians, may misunderstand you, and misinterpret God's dealings with you: but console yourself with the blessed fact that the omniscient One knows.
"He knows the way that I take." In the fullest sense of the word Job himself did not know the way that he took, nor do any of us. Life is profoundly mysterious, and the passing of the years offer no solution. Nor does philosophizing help us. Human volition is a strange enigma. Consciousness bears witness that we are more than machines. The power of choice is exercised by us in every move we make. And yet it is plain that our freedom is not absolute. There are forces brought to bear upon us, both good and evil, which are beyond our power to resist. Both heredity and environment exercise powerful influences upon us. Our surroundings and circumstances are factors which cannot be ignored. And what of providence, which shapes our destinies? Ah, how little do we know the way which we "take." Said the prophet, "I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps" (Jer. 10:23). Here we enter the realm of mystery, and it is idle to deny it. Better far to acknowledge with the wise man, "Man's goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way?" (Prov. 20:24).
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 2)
Saturday, August 31, 2019
Discouragement # 1
Discouragement # 1
We have recently been impressed by the frequency with which God calls upon His people to "be strong and of a good courage" (Deu. 31:6-7; Jos. 1:6, 9, 18). Time after time, we find the Lord, either actually or substantially, exhorting His people thus. The implications are clear; that they are prone to give way to discouragement, that such a condition is a mark of weakness, and that a dispirited saint is dishonoring to the Lord. In this and the companion article, we propose to examine: the character or nature of discouragement, its causes or the roots from which it proceeds, its correctives or how it should be opposed, and its cure or remedy.
Much light is thrown upon this subject by a careful pondering of the first passage in holy Writ wherein the term occurs, namely, when we read of the children of Israel in the wilderness that "the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way" (Num. 21:4). Alas, how like unto them are many of the saints today! The Lord had wrought wondrously for Israel in bringing them out of Egypt and by destroying their foes at the Red Sea; and evidently, they expected a much quicker and easier journey into Canaan than what they actually experienced; and because their expectations were not realized - they became despondent!
The immediate context informs us that king Arad had opposed their progress and had taken some of them prisoners. Whereupon Israel vowed that if the Lord would deliver that nation into their hand, they would utterly destroy their cities. The Lord graciously did so, and they fulfilled their pledge. So far, so good. But then came a further testing: instead of their being led onward to the promised land - which involved their passing through the territory of another hostile people - they were conducted "from mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to compass (to go around) the land of Edom," and that greatly disheartened them. It seemed a retrograde course which entailed a return to the desert, where water was scarce - and their reaction thereto was one of dejection and discouragement.
To become discouraged is natural, yet it is neither glorifying to God, useful to ourselves, nor helpful to our brethren. It was not so in the above instance. The immediate sequel is most solemn, for the very next thing recorded is "They spoke against God and against Moses, and said: "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!" (Num. 21:5). And that, my reader, is written for our instruction and warning, for us to take heart and recognize the dangers attending a spirit of discouragement to open murmuring against God! That one consideration should be sufficient to convince us that so far from a state of discouragement being an innocent infirmity which we may fairly excuse, it is an insidious sin of which we need to make conscience and against which we should pray earnestly. The Lord at once manifested His displeasure against Israel by sending fiery serpents among the people - so that many of them died.
It is not a weakness to be excused - but a fault to be confessed. While it is true on the one hand that circumstances alter cases, and therefore sweeping generalizations and condemnations are to be avoided; yet on the other hand, we must never condone anything which is wrong in the sight of God; and if we are guided by the light of His Word thereon, then it is clear that a state of discouragement is sinful.
When David was dejected, he did not resort to self-pity or regard it as something which was inevitable - but betook himself to task for the same: "Why are you cast down, O my soul?" (Psalm 42:5). Why this faithless fainting, this childish fretfulness? He chided himself for the same, and it is striking to note that twice more (Psalm 43:5; 5, 11) he refused to yield to this spirit of gloom, and inquired into the cause of it. If at first he succeeded not in casting it off, he tried and tried again.
Some are likely to object, "It is natural to become discouraged: there are occasions when the strongest cannot prevent their hearts from being cast down. There is much in this world which has a depressing influence upon the Christian. There is not a little in his own experience which depresses him; while the response he meets with from others in return for his best-meant efforts often throws a dampener upon him." But the very fact that such a spirit is "natural" at once exposes its evil character - it is not spiritual! It is a thing of the flesh, and not a product of the workings of grace within us; and therefore, it is to be reprobated and not palliated. However melancholy may be our temperament, low our natural spirits, poor our health, or distressing our circumstances - it is wrong to yield to spirit of defeat, for the soul to become cast down, and unfitted for the cheerful discharge of our duties and the enjoyment of our privileges.
Of our sinless Saviour, it was prophesied that, despite all the opposition and trials He would encounter, "He shall not fail nor be discouraged" (Isaiah 42:4). It is because we fail, that we become discouraged - a further proof that it is a sin to be mortified and not excused.
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 2)
We have recently been impressed by the frequency with which God calls upon His people to "be strong and of a good courage" (Deu. 31:6-7; Jos. 1:6, 9, 18). Time after time, we find the Lord, either actually or substantially, exhorting His people thus. The implications are clear; that they are prone to give way to discouragement, that such a condition is a mark of weakness, and that a dispirited saint is dishonoring to the Lord. In this and the companion article, we propose to examine: the character or nature of discouragement, its causes or the roots from which it proceeds, its correctives or how it should be opposed, and its cure or remedy.
Much light is thrown upon this subject by a careful pondering of the first passage in holy Writ wherein the term occurs, namely, when we read of the children of Israel in the wilderness that "the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way" (Num. 21:4). Alas, how like unto them are many of the saints today! The Lord had wrought wondrously for Israel in bringing them out of Egypt and by destroying their foes at the Red Sea; and evidently, they expected a much quicker and easier journey into Canaan than what they actually experienced; and because their expectations were not realized - they became despondent!
The immediate context informs us that king Arad had opposed their progress and had taken some of them prisoners. Whereupon Israel vowed that if the Lord would deliver that nation into their hand, they would utterly destroy their cities. The Lord graciously did so, and they fulfilled their pledge. So far, so good. But then came a further testing: instead of their being led onward to the promised land - which involved their passing through the territory of another hostile people - they were conducted "from mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to compass (to go around) the land of Edom," and that greatly disheartened them. It seemed a retrograde course which entailed a return to the desert, where water was scarce - and their reaction thereto was one of dejection and discouragement.
To become discouraged is natural, yet it is neither glorifying to God, useful to ourselves, nor helpful to our brethren. It was not so in the above instance. The immediate sequel is most solemn, for the very next thing recorded is "They spoke against God and against Moses, and said: "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!" (Num. 21:5). And that, my reader, is written for our instruction and warning, for us to take heart and recognize the dangers attending a spirit of discouragement to open murmuring against God! That one consideration should be sufficient to convince us that so far from a state of discouragement being an innocent infirmity which we may fairly excuse, it is an insidious sin of which we need to make conscience and against which we should pray earnestly. The Lord at once manifested His displeasure against Israel by sending fiery serpents among the people - so that many of them died.
It is not a weakness to be excused - but a fault to be confessed. While it is true on the one hand that circumstances alter cases, and therefore sweeping generalizations and condemnations are to be avoided; yet on the other hand, we must never condone anything which is wrong in the sight of God; and if we are guided by the light of His Word thereon, then it is clear that a state of discouragement is sinful.
When David was dejected, he did not resort to self-pity or regard it as something which was inevitable - but betook himself to task for the same: "Why are you cast down, O my soul?" (Psalm 42:5). Why this faithless fainting, this childish fretfulness? He chided himself for the same, and it is striking to note that twice more (Psalm 43:5; 5, 11) he refused to yield to this spirit of gloom, and inquired into the cause of it. If at first he succeeded not in casting it off, he tried and tried again.
Some are likely to object, "It is natural to become discouraged: there are occasions when the strongest cannot prevent their hearts from being cast down. There is much in this world which has a depressing influence upon the Christian. There is not a little in his own experience which depresses him; while the response he meets with from others in return for his best-meant efforts often throws a dampener upon him." But the very fact that such a spirit is "natural" at once exposes its evil character - it is not spiritual! It is a thing of the flesh, and not a product of the workings of grace within us; and therefore, it is to be reprobated and not palliated. However melancholy may be our temperament, low our natural spirits, poor our health, or distressing our circumstances - it is wrong to yield to spirit of defeat, for the soul to become cast down, and unfitted for the cheerful discharge of our duties and the enjoyment of our privileges.
Of our sinless Saviour, it was prophesied that, despite all the opposition and trials He would encounter, "He shall not fail nor be discouraged" (Isaiah 42:4). It is because we fail, that we become discouraged - a further proof that it is a sin to be mortified and not excused.
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 2)
Saturday, August 24, 2019
Keeping the Heart
Keeping the Heart
In Christendom today there are thousands of professing Christians against whom little or nothing in the way of fault could be found, so far as their outward lives are concerned. They live moral, clean, upright, honest lives - while at the same time the state of their hearts is totally neglected. It is not sufficient, only to bring our outward deportment into harmony with the revealed will of God. He holds us accountable for what goes on inside, and requires us to keep check on the springs of our actions, the motives which inspire and the principles which regulate us. God requires "truth in the inward parts" (Psalm 51:6). Christ has enjoined us to, "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life" (Luke 21:34).
If I do not look within - how then shall I be able to ascertain whether I possess that poverty of spirit, mourning for unholiness, meekness, hungering and thirsting after righteousness and purity of heart upon which the Saviour pronounces His benediction? (Matthew 5:1-8).
We must remember that salvation itself is both subjective and objective, for it consists not only of what Christ did FOR His people - but also what he by the Holy Spirit did IN them. I have no evidence whatever of my justification, apart from my regeneration and sanctification. The one who can say "I am crucified with Christ" judicially, can also add "Christ lives IN me" (experimentally), and my living by faith in Him is proof that "He loved me and gave Himself for me" ( Galatians 2:20).
The heart is the center of man's moral nature, of the personality; it equals the whole inner man, it is the fount out of which everything else comes, and is the seat of his thoughts and of his affections and of his will (Genesis 6:5). To guard the heart means that we should live to the glory of God in every respect; that His glory should be the supreme desire of our life, that we desire to know Him, love Him, and serve Him.
If we are not to be approved by God - it is by no means sufficient that "we make clean the outside of the cup and platter," yet many suppose that that is all that matters. "Cleanse first that which is within" (Matt. 23:26) is our Lord's command. This is rarely given any attention these days, or none at all. It is the devil who seeks to persuade people that they are not responsible for the state of their hearts, that it is impossible unto those who think to be "called to heaven on flowery beds of ease." But no regenerate soul, with God's Word before him, will credit such falsehood. The Divine command is plain: "Keep your heart with all diligence - for out of it are the issues of life" (Prov. 4:23).
This is the principle task set before us, for it is at the heart that God ever looks. And there can be no pleasing Him, while the heart is unattended to; yes, woe be unto those who disregard it. He who makes no honest endeavor to cast out sinful thoughts and evil imaginations, and who does not mourn over their presence, is a spiritual leper. He who makes no conscience of the workings of unbelief, the cooling of his affections, the surgings of pride - is a stranger to any work of grace in the soul.
Not only does God bid you to "keep your heart," but He requires that you do it "with all diligence." That is, that you make it your main concern and constant care. The Hebrew word of "keep" signifies to "guard," to watch over this heart (that is, the soul or inward man) as a precious treasure of which thieves are ever ready to rob you. The devotions of your lips and the labors of your hands are unacceptable to the Lord - if your heart is not right in His sight.
The Bible lays open, as no other book, the turpitude and horrid nature of sin - as "that abominable thing" which God "hates" (Jere. 4:4), and which we are to detest and shun. It sternly condemns sin in all its forms, and makes known the dreadful curse and wrath of God, which are its due. It not only reproves sin in the outward lives of men - but reveals the secret faults of the heart, which is its chief seat. It warns against the first motions of sin, and legislates for the regulating of our spirits, requiring us to keep clean the fountain from which are "the issues of life." Its promises are made unto holiness, and its blessings bestowed upon "the pure in heart."
The ineffable and exalted holiness of the Bible, is its chief and peculiar excellence, as it is also the principal reason why it is disliked by the majority of the unregenerate. The Bible forbids all impure desires and unjust thoughts - as well as deeds. It prohibits envy and all forms of selfishness. It requires us to "cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and to perfect holiness in the fear of God" (2 Cor. 7:1), and bids us to "abstain from all appearance of evil". Heavenly doctrine is to be matched with heavenly character and conduct.
Such a task calls for Divine aid, hence help and grace need to be earnestly and definitely sought of the Holy Spirit each day. So many today are just playing with the solemn realities of God, never embracing and making them their own. How about you, reader? Is this true of you?
~A. W. Pink~
(The End)
In Christendom today there are thousands of professing Christians against whom little or nothing in the way of fault could be found, so far as their outward lives are concerned. They live moral, clean, upright, honest lives - while at the same time the state of their hearts is totally neglected. It is not sufficient, only to bring our outward deportment into harmony with the revealed will of God. He holds us accountable for what goes on inside, and requires us to keep check on the springs of our actions, the motives which inspire and the principles which regulate us. God requires "truth in the inward parts" (Psalm 51:6). Christ has enjoined us to, "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life" (Luke 21:34).
If I do not look within - how then shall I be able to ascertain whether I possess that poverty of spirit, mourning for unholiness, meekness, hungering and thirsting after righteousness and purity of heart upon which the Saviour pronounces His benediction? (Matthew 5:1-8).
We must remember that salvation itself is both subjective and objective, for it consists not only of what Christ did FOR His people - but also what he by the Holy Spirit did IN them. I have no evidence whatever of my justification, apart from my regeneration and sanctification. The one who can say "I am crucified with Christ" judicially, can also add "Christ lives IN me" (experimentally), and my living by faith in Him is proof that "He loved me and gave Himself for me" ( Galatians 2:20).
The heart is the center of man's moral nature, of the personality; it equals the whole inner man, it is the fount out of which everything else comes, and is the seat of his thoughts and of his affections and of his will (Genesis 6:5). To guard the heart means that we should live to the glory of God in every respect; that His glory should be the supreme desire of our life, that we desire to know Him, love Him, and serve Him.
If we are not to be approved by God - it is by no means sufficient that "we make clean the outside of the cup and platter," yet many suppose that that is all that matters. "Cleanse first that which is within" (Matt. 23:26) is our Lord's command. This is rarely given any attention these days, or none at all. It is the devil who seeks to persuade people that they are not responsible for the state of their hearts, that it is impossible unto those who think to be "called to heaven on flowery beds of ease." But no regenerate soul, with God's Word before him, will credit such falsehood. The Divine command is plain: "Keep your heart with all diligence - for out of it are the issues of life" (Prov. 4:23).
This is the principle task set before us, for it is at the heart that God ever looks. And there can be no pleasing Him, while the heart is unattended to; yes, woe be unto those who disregard it. He who makes no honest endeavor to cast out sinful thoughts and evil imaginations, and who does not mourn over their presence, is a spiritual leper. He who makes no conscience of the workings of unbelief, the cooling of his affections, the surgings of pride - is a stranger to any work of grace in the soul.
Not only does God bid you to "keep your heart," but He requires that you do it "with all diligence." That is, that you make it your main concern and constant care. The Hebrew word of "keep" signifies to "guard," to watch over this heart (that is, the soul or inward man) as a precious treasure of which thieves are ever ready to rob you. The devotions of your lips and the labors of your hands are unacceptable to the Lord - if your heart is not right in His sight.
The Bible lays open, as no other book, the turpitude and horrid nature of sin - as "that abominable thing" which God "hates" (Jere. 4:4), and which we are to detest and shun. It sternly condemns sin in all its forms, and makes known the dreadful curse and wrath of God, which are its due. It not only reproves sin in the outward lives of men - but reveals the secret faults of the heart, which is its chief seat. It warns against the first motions of sin, and legislates for the regulating of our spirits, requiring us to keep clean the fountain from which are "the issues of life." Its promises are made unto holiness, and its blessings bestowed upon "the pure in heart."
The ineffable and exalted holiness of the Bible, is its chief and peculiar excellence, as it is also the principal reason why it is disliked by the majority of the unregenerate. The Bible forbids all impure desires and unjust thoughts - as well as deeds. It prohibits envy and all forms of selfishness. It requires us to "cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and to perfect holiness in the fear of God" (2 Cor. 7:1), and bids us to "abstain from all appearance of evil". Heavenly doctrine is to be matched with heavenly character and conduct.
Such a task calls for Divine aid, hence help and grace need to be earnestly and definitely sought of the Holy Spirit each day. So many today are just playing with the solemn realities of God, never embracing and making them their own. How about you, reader? Is this true of you?
~A. W. Pink~
(The End)
The Day of Judgment # 5
The Day of Judgment # 5
The devil and his angels will also be judged on that day; but of the particular nature of the trial we are not informed. All that we know is, that "the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day." (Jude 6). They are now miserable, but their cup is not full; therefore they cried out when they saw Jesus, "Have you come to torment us before the time?" (Matt. 8:29). At the breaking up of this great assembly, the present system of the world will be destroyed. For "the present heavens and earth are held in store for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men" ( 2 Peter 3:7).
Reader, deeply fix in your mind the certainty and importance of the transactions of this last, great day. Meditate upon it as a reality in which you have a momentous interest. Let every other day, as it passes, put you in mind of this in which all others will end. Consider also that it draws near. Every moment bears us on towards the great tribunal. Mockers may say, "Where is the promise of His coming? "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up" (2 Peter 3:10).
O reader, whoever you are, let me entreat you to inquire without delay, whether you are prepared for the scrutiny and judgment of this coming day. Have you made your peace with God? Have you repented of all your sins? Are you in union with Christ by faith? Have you any clear scriptural evidence that your sins are pardoned? What says conscience to these inquires? Be assured, if your own heart condemns you, God, who is greater than your heart, and knows all things, will much more condemn you. But your situation is not like that of them whose day of grace is ended. You are yet in the place of reconciliation. You have yet a little time before you - God only knows how much. Now, then, hear the voice of warning! Hear the voice of mercy! Now "strive to enter in at the strait gate." Now forsake your sins, and live! Accept the offered grace - "lay hold on eternal life!"
Let no consideration induce you to delay your conversion. The importance of salvation - the uncertainty of life - the danger of provoking the Holy Spirit to abandon you - the example of thousands who have perished by procrastination - should urge you to lose no time, but to fall in with the gracious invitation of the gospel. But if you will refuse, then prepare to meet an angry God! Harden yourself against the terrors of the Almighty; summon all your fortitude to bear your dreadful doom from the Judge of living and dead. But I refrain - there is no fortitude or patience in hell.
"Behold, the axe is laid at the root of the tree," and now perhaps you are spared, on account of the prayer of some kind intercessor, for one year. This, for anything you know, may be your last year. If so, it behooves you to make good use of your time and privileges. Let the idea of the judgment be ever before your mind. There you must appear - there you must stand and render up your account - there you must be filled with overwhelming shame and terror - there you must hear the awful final sentence, which will fix your doom irreversibly, unless by a speedy repentance, and by faith in Jesus Christ, you flee from the wrath to come!
May God, of His infinite mercy, cause the truths which you have read in this paper to sink deeply into your mind; and by the light of His Holy Spirit lead you to just views of your own condition, and to saving views of the Lord Jesus Christ - the only Redeemer of lost sinners! Amen
~Archibald Alexander~
(The End)
The devil and his angels will also be judged on that day; but of the particular nature of the trial we are not informed. All that we know is, that "the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day." (Jude 6). They are now miserable, but their cup is not full; therefore they cried out when they saw Jesus, "Have you come to torment us before the time?" (Matt. 8:29). At the breaking up of this great assembly, the present system of the world will be destroyed. For "the present heavens and earth are held in store for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men" ( 2 Peter 3:7).
Reader, deeply fix in your mind the certainty and importance of the transactions of this last, great day. Meditate upon it as a reality in which you have a momentous interest. Let every other day, as it passes, put you in mind of this in which all others will end. Consider also that it draws near. Every moment bears us on towards the great tribunal. Mockers may say, "Where is the promise of His coming? "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up" (2 Peter 3:10).
O reader, whoever you are, let me entreat you to inquire without delay, whether you are prepared for the scrutiny and judgment of this coming day. Have you made your peace with God? Have you repented of all your sins? Are you in union with Christ by faith? Have you any clear scriptural evidence that your sins are pardoned? What says conscience to these inquires? Be assured, if your own heart condemns you, God, who is greater than your heart, and knows all things, will much more condemn you. But your situation is not like that of them whose day of grace is ended. You are yet in the place of reconciliation. You have yet a little time before you - God only knows how much. Now, then, hear the voice of warning! Hear the voice of mercy! Now "strive to enter in at the strait gate." Now forsake your sins, and live! Accept the offered grace - "lay hold on eternal life!"
Let no consideration induce you to delay your conversion. The importance of salvation - the uncertainty of life - the danger of provoking the Holy Spirit to abandon you - the example of thousands who have perished by procrastination - should urge you to lose no time, but to fall in with the gracious invitation of the gospel. But if you will refuse, then prepare to meet an angry God! Harden yourself against the terrors of the Almighty; summon all your fortitude to bear your dreadful doom from the Judge of living and dead. But I refrain - there is no fortitude or patience in hell.
"Behold, the axe is laid at the root of the tree," and now perhaps you are spared, on account of the prayer of some kind intercessor, for one year. This, for anything you know, may be your last year. If so, it behooves you to make good use of your time and privileges. Let the idea of the judgment be ever before your mind. There you must appear - there you must stand and render up your account - there you must be filled with overwhelming shame and terror - there you must hear the awful final sentence, which will fix your doom irreversibly, unless by a speedy repentance, and by faith in Jesus Christ, you flee from the wrath to come!
May God, of His infinite mercy, cause the truths which you have read in this paper to sink deeply into your mind; and by the light of His Holy Spirit lead you to just views of your own condition, and to saving views of the Lord Jesus Christ - the only Redeemer of lost sinners! Amen
~Archibald Alexander~
(The End)
Saturday, August 17, 2019
The Day of Judgment # 4
The Day of Judgment # 4
But those who suffered persecution and death for righteousness' sake, will be most highly distinguished, and most signally rewarded. "Blessed are you when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven!" (Matt. 5:11, 12). They also who have labored much in promoting the Redeemer's kingdom, will receive a reward proportioned to their works of faith and labors of love. But none who have done good shall fail of their reward. Everyone shall receive according to what he has done; and everyone will be satisfied; for the lowest place in glory is a situation too dazzling for our present conceptions, and the whole is a matter of pure grace. These works, considered in themselves, deserve no reward. But it is the will of God that every holy desire, every good word and work, in the members of Christ's body, should receive a mark of his favor - to the honor and glory of Him who is their Head, and who died for their salvation.
When the gracious sentence, "Come, you blessed, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world," is pronounced, the righteous shall be caught up to the Lord, and shall be seated by His side, and be united with Him in the remaining transactions of that great day; for it is written, "The saints shall judge the world," and, "Know you not that you shall judge angels?"
The case of the righteous being disposed of, then will come that awful transaction of pronouncing sentence on the wicked. They will, indeed, have anticipated the sentence. By this time they will be certain of their doom; but the scene itself will far exceed all apprehensions before entertained. To behold the face of inflexible justice turned towards them - to hear the irreversible sentence of condemnation, and that too from the mouth of the benevolent Son of God - to feel in the inmost soul the justice of the sentence - to be as certain of everlasting damnation as they are of existence - are things concerning which we can speak now, but of which we can form but very feeble conceptions, compared with the dreadful reality. In all his existence there will probably be no moment in which the sinner's anguish will be so poignant as in this, when the Judge shall say, "Depart, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels!" (Matt. 25:41).
Every word in this tremendous denunciation will pierce through the soul with more insufferable pain than ten thousand daggers. It is reasonable to think that every person against whom it is pronounced, will endure as much misery at that moment as in the nature of things is possible. And if this were all, the prospect would be appalling; but to be doomed to endless misery in fire, with the devil and his angels! - who can bear the thought without horror and dismay? Yet, as sure as God is true, will this sentence be executed on every impenitent sinner. Men may reason and cavil now, but then every mouth shall be stopped. That the cry of despair and horror will be heard through the great multitude, is certain - such a great and bitter cry as was never heard before. But it is all in vain; repentance comes too late. The day of grace is forever past. The gospel dispensation is ended. This is the consummation of all things.
No change in condition can ever be expected. Those who are saved, have their salvation secured by the oath and promise of God; and those who are lost, have their damnation sealed forever and ever by a judicial sentence which can never be revoked. And from this sentence there is no appeal. There is no higher tribunal to which the cause may be transferred. Neither can any resistance be made to the execution of the sentence. Those who are now bold and daring in their blasphemies and rebellion, will then find that they are in the hands of a sin-avenging God. It will belong to the holy angels, who are mighty in power, to execute the sentence of the Judge. "So shall it be," said our blessed Saviour, "at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Matt. 13:49), 50). And it will be as impossible to escape as to resist. The rocks and mountains will not cover them. They cannot cease to exist. Go where they will, God is there to execute deserved wrath upon them. They will therefore be obliged "to go away into everlasting punishment" (Matt. 25:46).
~Archibald Alexander~
(continued with # 5)
But those who suffered persecution and death for righteousness' sake, will be most highly distinguished, and most signally rewarded. "Blessed are you when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven!" (Matt. 5:11, 12). They also who have labored much in promoting the Redeemer's kingdom, will receive a reward proportioned to their works of faith and labors of love. But none who have done good shall fail of their reward. Everyone shall receive according to what he has done; and everyone will be satisfied; for the lowest place in glory is a situation too dazzling for our present conceptions, and the whole is a matter of pure grace. These works, considered in themselves, deserve no reward. But it is the will of God that every holy desire, every good word and work, in the members of Christ's body, should receive a mark of his favor - to the honor and glory of Him who is their Head, and who died for their salvation.
When the gracious sentence, "Come, you blessed, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world," is pronounced, the righteous shall be caught up to the Lord, and shall be seated by His side, and be united with Him in the remaining transactions of that great day; for it is written, "The saints shall judge the world," and, "Know you not that you shall judge angels?"
The case of the righteous being disposed of, then will come that awful transaction of pronouncing sentence on the wicked. They will, indeed, have anticipated the sentence. By this time they will be certain of their doom; but the scene itself will far exceed all apprehensions before entertained. To behold the face of inflexible justice turned towards them - to hear the irreversible sentence of condemnation, and that too from the mouth of the benevolent Son of God - to feel in the inmost soul the justice of the sentence - to be as certain of everlasting damnation as they are of existence - are things concerning which we can speak now, but of which we can form but very feeble conceptions, compared with the dreadful reality. In all his existence there will probably be no moment in which the sinner's anguish will be so poignant as in this, when the Judge shall say, "Depart, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels!" (Matt. 25:41).
Every word in this tremendous denunciation will pierce through the soul with more insufferable pain than ten thousand daggers. It is reasonable to think that every person against whom it is pronounced, will endure as much misery at that moment as in the nature of things is possible. And if this were all, the prospect would be appalling; but to be doomed to endless misery in fire, with the devil and his angels! - who can bear the thought without horror and dismay? Yet, as sure as God is true, will this sentence be executed on every impenitent sinner. Men may reason and cavil now, but then every mouth shall be stopped. That the cry of despair and horror will be heard through the great multitude, is certain - such a great and bitter cry as was never heard before. But it is all in vain; repentance comes too late. The day of grace is forever past. The gospel dispensation is ended. This is the consummation of all things.
No change in condition can ever be expected. Those who are saved, have their salvation secured by the oath and promise of God; and those who are lost, have their damnation sealed forever and ever by a judicial sentence which can never be revoked. And from this sentence there is no appeal. There is no higher tribunal to which the cause may be transferred. Neither can any resistance be made to the execution of the sentence. Those who are now bold and daring in their blasphemies and rebellion, will then find that they are in the hands of a sin-avenging God. It will belong to the holy angels, who are mighty in power, to execute the sentence of the Judge. "So shall it be," said our blessed Saviour, "at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Matt. 13:49), 50). And it will be as impossible to escape as to resist. The rocks and mountains will not cover them. They cannot cease to exist. Go where they will, God is there to execute deserved wrath upon them. They will therefore be obliged "to go away into everlasting punishment" (Matt. 25:46).
~Archibald Alexander~
(continued with # 5)
The Day of Judgment # 3
The Day of Judgment # 3
And as externally good actions will then be examined by One who has a full view of the motives from which they proceeded, and the end which the person had in view - is it not certain that many religious actions will then appear to have been mere hypocrisy? that many actions, apparently just and benevolent, were mere efforts of pride and selfishness? and that a life moral and blameless in the eyes of men - was a mere cloak which covered a heart full of unclean lusts? Our most intimate friends here will be astonished when they see our secret iniquities and wicked motives exposed to view. The most detestable crimes will be unveiled in those who passed through life without suspicion! O how many secret murders, perjuries, thefts, blasphemies, and adulteries - will then be brought to light! How much injustice, fraud, cruelty, oppression, pride, malice, revenge will then be unveiled!
The cries of the injured, the widow, and the orphan, always enter into the ears of the Lord, and He now comes to avenge them. Cruel persecutors of God's people, though clothed in purple, and almost adored when living in the world, will now be brought to a severe account. The blood of the martyred saints from beneath the altar has been long crying out, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, do you not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?" (Rev. 6:10). And now the day of retribution has arrived!
What will be the length of time occupied with the judgment we know not. It is called a day, but it will differ exceedingly from all other days; and in its duration, probably, as well as in other respects. Our wisdom is to attend to what is revealed, and to repress a vain curiosity in regard to other matters. We may rest assured that the whole process will be wisely conducted, and that complete justice will be done. The Judge of all the earth will do right! He will not condemn the innocent, nor clear the guilty. And His judgment will be most impartial. There will be no respecting of people. The king and the beggar will stand upon equal ground, and will be judged by the same standard, and had no opportunity of clearing up their character, will then be vindicated, and lies and reproaches will have effect no more.
But here a serious difficulty occurs. It may be said, "If the law of God is the rule of judgment, and if all sins are brought into judgment, then certainly every human being must be condemned - for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. According to this view, none can be saved. To remove this difficulty, let it be remembered, that besides the book of the law, there is another book which will be produced there, written from the foundation of the world. This is called THE BOOK OF LIFE. This contains the names - and they shall never be blotted out - of all those who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. These He has undertaken to present to God without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing. They will appear on that day clothed with the righteousness of the Redeemer. The Judge on the throne is their covenanted Surety. He answers to every accusation made against them.
But notwithstanding "there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus;" notwithstanding none can "lay anything to the charge of God's elect;" yet they also shall be brought into judgment. When all things are prepared, and the whole assembly is collected before the solemn tribunal, a separation will be made of the great congregation into two parts, the righteous, and the wicked. The former will be placed on the right hand of the Judge, and with them He will commence. But no sooner shall their numerous sins be brought to view, then it will be made to appear that they are pardoned through the blood of Christ! When the books are opened, a long account will appear against them; but on the other hand, it will be seen that the whole is freely forgiven through the riches of grace in Christ Jesus!
But a most exact account will be taken of all their good works; and they will be mentioned to their honor, and rewarded as though no imperfection had cleaved to them! The least act of kindness done to any of Christ's followers will be magnified and rewarded as if done to Christ Himself. Even the giving a cup of cold water to a disciple, in the name of a disciple, shall not lose its reward. People in the lowest state, servants and slaves, who performed their duty faithfully, shall not be forgotten in that day. "Remember that the Lord will each of us, whether slave or free, for the good work we do." (Eph. 6:8).
~Archibald Alexander~
(continued with # 4)
And as externally good actions will then be examined by One who has a full view of the motives from which they proceeded, and the end which the person had in view - is it not certain that many religious actions will then appear to have been mere hypocrisy? that many actions, apparently just and benevolent, were mere efforts of pride and selfishness? and that a life moral and blameless in the eyes of men - was a mere cloak which covered a heart full of unclean lusts? Our most intimate friends here will be astonished when they see our secret iniquities and wicked motives exposed to view. The most detestable crimes will be unveiled in those who passed through life without suspicion! O how many secret murders, perjuries, thefts, blasphemies, and adulteries - will then be brought to light! How much injustice, fraud, cruelty, oppression, pride, malice, revenge will then be unveiled!
The cries of the injured, the widow, and the orphan, always enter into the ears of the Lord, and He now comes to avenge them. Cruel persecutors of God's people, though clothed in purple, and almost adored when living in the world, will now be brought to a severe account. The blood of the martyred saints from beneath the altar has been long crying out, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, do you not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?" (Rev. 6:10). And now the day of retribution has arrived!
What will be the length of time occupied with the judgment we know not. It is called a day, but it will differ exceedingly from all other days; and in its duration, probably, as well as in other respects. Our wisdom is to attend to what is revealed, and to repress a vain curiosity in regard to other matters. We may rest assured that the whole process will be wisely conducted, and that complete justice will be done. The Judge of all the earth will do right! He will not condemn the innocent, nor clear the guilty. And His judgment will be most impartial. There will be no respecting of people. The king and the beggar will stand upon equal ground, and will be judged by the same standard, and had no opportunity of clearing up their character, will then be vindicated, and lies and reproaches will have effect no more.
But here a serious difficulty occurs. It may be said, "If the law of God is the rule of judgment, and if all sins are brought into judgment, then certainly every human being must be condemned - for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. According to this view, none can be saved. To remove this difficulty, let it be remembered, that besides the book of the law, there is another book which will be produced there, written from the foundation of the world. This is called THE BOOK OF LIFE. This contains the names - and they shall never be blotted out - of all those who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. These He has undertaken to present to God without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing. They will appear on that day clothed with the righteousness of the Redeemer. The Judge on the throne is their covenanted Surety. He answers to every accusation made against them.
But notwithstanding "there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus;" notwithstanding none can "lay anything to the charge of God's elect;" yet they also shall be brought into judgment. When all things are prepared, and the whole assembly is collected before the solemn tribunal, a separation will be made of the great congregation into two parts, the righteous, and the wicked. The former will be placed on the right hand of the Judge, and with them He will commence. But no sooner shall their numerous sins be brought to view, then it will be made to appear that they are pardoned through the blood of Christ! When the books are opened, a long account will appear against them; but on the other hand, it will be seen that the whole is freely forgiven through the riches of grace in Christ Jesus!
But a most exact account will be taken of all their good works; and they will be mentioned to their honor, and rewarded as though no imperfection had cleaved to them! The least act of kindness done to any of Christ's followers will be magnified and rewarded as if done to Christ Himself. Even the giving a cup of cold water to a disciple, in the name of a disciple, shall not lose its reward. People in the lowest state, servants and slaves, who performed their duty faithfully, shall not be forgotten in that day. "Remember that the Lord will each of us, whether slave or free, for the good work we do." (Eph. 6:8).
~Archibald Alexander~
(continued with # 4)
Saturday, August 10, 2019
Why Halt Between Two Opinions?
Why Halt Between Two Opinions?
Between truth and error, light and darkness, there is a perpetual conflict. Every human soul experiences something of this. Evidence is always on the side of truth; but by the mind blinded by prejudice and passion, the evidence of truth is not seen, or not perceived with sufficient clearness to give it efficacy. A mind under the influence of depraved dispositions is incapable of judging impartially of the nature and evidence of truth; it is strongly biased by inclination to sinful indulgence, and by a fixed aversion to everything which tends to restrain the evil desires of the corrupt heart. Yet some rays of light will at times dart into such a soul, and awaken serious reflection; and conscience cannot be easy when the obligation of duty is felt, and the course pursued is seen to be a series of transgressions of God's holy law. Conscience asserts the rightful authority of God, and testifies against known sin.
The sinner is brought to a pause. The thoughts of death, judgment, and eternity, are dreadful. He begins to think of a reformation, the necessity of which he cannot doubt; but some darling lust puts in its plea and solicits indulgence. The deceitful heart promises, that if now indulged, it will consent to forsake the beloved sin at some future time - perhaps it promises never to solicit for indulgence again. "This once only" has been the plea which has often decided the eternal destiny of an immortal soul.
When the truth is heard from the pulpit, the sinner is often brought to a stand. He is convinced that his course of life is wrong, and that if persisted in, it must end in ruin. For a moment he hesitates - halts between two opinions - between truth and error, between duty and transgression, between the choice of life or death; but too often the pause is momentary, the hesitation which is painful is brought abruptly to a close.
The young man just entering on the path of sinful indulgence, whose conscience is not yet seared, and who has some knowledge of the truth - has to pass through many a tremendous struggle with his own conscience before he can go on in his sinful course without opposition. Often is he brought to halt between two opinions. Often does he resolve to break the chains of iniquity which begin to entwine around him; but these resolutions are like the cords on Samson's arms - under the power of the next temptation, they are like tread when it touches fire. Repeated efforts proving ineffectual, the vanquished soul gives itself up a willing captive to satan. All serious opposition ceases. And now the sinner begins to justify his course by error and infidelity. He becomes ingenious in finding out arguments in favor of his licentious course. Hereafter there is no more halting between two opinions; he is carried down the strong current, until he plunges into the abyss of perdition!
The prophet addressed the idolatrous Israelites with the question, "How long will you halt between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him." The object of Elijah was to bring them to a decision, one way or the other. Nothing is more unreasonable than hesitation in a matter so important, and where the duty and interest of those addressed were so manifest. But still they are left to choose. If they are willing to serve God, well; if not, choose whom you will serve. Only halt no longer. God hates this perpetual vacillation. "I wish that you were cold or hot," says Christ. "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue you out of my mouth."
Sinner, make up your mind. You are left at perfect liberty. There is no constraint, no concern. God will have none but willing servants. But know, that if you make a wrong choice, if your mind adopt a wrong purpose, and determine to follow an evil course, you will have no one to blame but yourself.
~Archibald Alexander~
(The End)
Between truth and error, light and darkness, there is a perpetual conflict. Every human soul experiences something of this. Evidence is always on the side of truth; but by the mind blinded by prejudice and passion, the evidence of truth is not seen, or not perceived with sufficient clearness to give it efficacy. A mind under the influence of depraved dispositions is incapable of judging impartially of the nature and evidence of truth; it is strongly biased by inclination to sinful indulgence, and by a fixed aversion to everything which tends to restrain the evil desires of the corrupt heart. Yet some rays of light will at times dart into such a soul, and awaken serious reflection; and conscience cannot be easy when the obligation of duty is felt, and the course pursued is seen to be a series of transgressions of God's holy law. Conscience asserts the rightful authority of God, and testifies against known sin.
The sinner is brought to a pause. The thoughts of death, judgment, and eternity, are dreadful. He begins to think of a reformation, the necessity of which he cannot doubt; but some darling lust puts in its plea and solicits indulgence. The deceitful heart promises, that if now indulged, it will consent to forsake the beloved sin at some future time - perhaps it promises never to solicit for indulgence again. "This once only" has been the plea which has often decided the eternal destiny of an immortal soul.
When the truth is heard from the pulpit, the sinner is often brought to a stand. He is convinced that his course of life is wrong, and that if persisted in, it must end in ruin. For a moment he hesitates - halts between two opinions - between truth and error, between duty and transgression, between the choice of life or death; but too often the pause is momentary, the hesitation which is painful is brought abruptly to a close.
The young man just entering on the path of sinful indulgence, whose conscience is not yet seared, and who has some knowledge of the truth - has to pass through many a tremendous struggle with his own conscience before he can go on in his sinful course without opposition. Often is he brought to halt between two opinions. Often does he resolve to break the chains of iniquity which begin to entwine around him; but these resolutions are like the cords on Samson's arms - under the power of the next temptation, they are like tread when it touches fire. Repeated efforts proving ineffectual, the vanquished soul gives itself up a willing captive to satan. All serious opposition ceases. And now the sinner begins to justify his course by error and infidelity. He becomes ingenious in finding out arguments in favor of his licentious course. Hereafter there is no more halting between two opinions; he is carried down the strong current, until he plunges into the abyss of perdition!
The prophet addressed the idolatrous Israelites with the question, "How long will you halt between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him." The object of Elijah was to bring them to a decision, one way or the other. Nothing is more unreasonable than hesitation in a matter so important, and where the duty and interest of those addressed were so manifest. But still they are left to choose. If they are willing to serve God, well; if not, choose whom you will serve. Only halt no longer. God hates this perpetual vacillation. "I wish that you were cold or hot," says Christ. "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue you out of my mouth."
Sinner, make up your mind. You are left at perfect liberty. There is no constraint, no concern. God will have none but willing servants. But know, that if you make a wrong choice, if your mind adopt a wrong purpose, and determine to follow an evil course, you will have no one to blame but yourself.
~Archibald Alexander~
(The End)
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