The Physician! # 2
He is a kind and tender physician. Not one harsh word is ever spoken by Him, to a poor broken-hearted sinner; nor does He ever refuse to attend to any case. His kindness is such - that He weeps with those who weep! And His tenderness is so great - that it is said in reference to all His patients, "in all their afflictions - He is afflicted."
He is a friendly and faithful physician. There is nothing forbidding or austere in His manner, nor does He ever deceive. Friendship has erected her throne in His heart, and built her mansion in His bosom; and He is ever faithful to His Word, and to the poor sick sinner who applies to Him.
He is a willing and accessible physician. Willing to heal anyone who is willing to be healed by Him - and to go anywhere to perform His miracle of mercy. As when applied to of old, He aid "I will come and heal him!" Just so now! He stoops to the beggar in the dust, and visits the needy on the dunghill. He is always ready at hand. You need no messenger to send and fetch Him - He is within hearing! He is nearer than anyone else - He can hear the softest whisper of the heart!
He is the great physician, no one can be compared to Him for qualifications or success.
He is the good physician, no one beside Him can be found - who so kindly, so freely, and so effectually heals every applicant! His blood is the true balm of Gilead, and He is the skillful physician there.
It is not only His work - but His delight to heal sin-sick souls! Blessed physician, heal my soul! Heal me perfectly! Heal me at once! Heal me in your mercy this moment, and preserve me in health forever!
But many fall into the mistake of the Pharisees. They imagine that they are in health; or at least, if not quite healthy, that they are not very sick. This is the very worst symptom of the disease. It proves that they are completely under sin's power; and while they remain in that state, they will never apply to the great physician.
Dear friends, we are all either mortally sick - or under Christ's healing process. Which is it? If you are under the physician's care, then you have felt your sickness, you have personally applied to Him, your heart is set against sin, and upon the possession of true holiness, which is health, you are in some degree weaned from this present evil world, and you come to the light of God's word, that your deeds may be removed.
"There are those who are pure in their own eyes - and yet are not cleansed of their filthiness! Are you not in the same condition as the church at Laodicea, the members of which said, "We are rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing!" While in reality, they were wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind and naked?
Do you deeply feel your diseased and disordered state? If so, allow me to recommend to you most earnestly this great physician. Jesus is both able and willing to heal you. He has healed such cases as yours - and He has some in hand now. He will heal you. His terms are, "No money! No price!"
Are you under His healing process? Then visit Him often; carefully attend to His prescriptions; and look for the signs of returning health. Never rest satisfied, until you feel the love of God shed abroad in your heart, and the peace of God keeping your soul as in a garrison!
Physician of my sin-sick soul,
To you I bring my case;
My raging malady control,
And heal me by your grace!
Pity the anguish I endure,
See how I mourn and pine;
For never can I hope a cure,
From any hand but Thine.
I would disclose my whole complaint,
But where shall I begin?
No words of mine can fully paint
That worst distemper, sin!
It lies not in a single part,
But through my frame is spread;
A burning fever in my heart,
A palsy in my head!
It makes me deaf, and dumb, and blind,
And impotent and lame,
It overclouds and fills my mind
With folly, fear, and shame!
A thousand evil thoughts intrude,
Tumultuous in my breast,
Which indispose me for my food,
And rob me of my rest!
Lord, I am sick, regard my cry,
And set my spirit free,
Say, will you let a sinner die,
Who longs to live to Thee?
~James Smith~
(The End)
Saturday, December 28, 2019
Saturday, December 21, 2019
The Physician! # 1
The Physician # 1
"Those who are whole do not need a physician - but those who are sick" (Matthew 9:12).
When the Lord Jesus was upon earth, He spent much of His time among the common people. He was often found visiting and teaching those who were considered great sinners. The self-righteous pharisees were offended at this, and they complained of it. "They said unto His disciples: Who does your Master eat with publicans and sinners?" In reply to their question, and in vindication of Himself, Jesus said, "Those who are whole do not need a physician - but those who are sick."
No sinner can be really whole - but the pharisees imagined that they were, and so do many now. Such feel no need of the Saviour, nor do they really desire a saving interest in Him. He is not suited to them. They may speak well of Him, as many healthy people do of a physician; but they will not apply to Him, nor can they prize Him.
Jesus is the friend of sinners. He came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. He is exactly suited to sinners, and He loves to be found among them.
The world is one vast hospital. Jesus is the only physician in it, He had healed thousands, He will heal thousands more; but multitudes reject Him, they imagine they can do without Him; they think that they are whole, and therefore do not need a physician.
Sin is the disease of the soul. The sinner's state is a diseased state. He is sick - mortally sick. He brought it into the world with him. That is true of all, which was spoken by David of himself, "Behold I was shaped in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me!"
Sin is increased by wicked habits. We go astray from the womb, speaking lies. We contract the habit of sinning, so that to sin becomes as natural to us as to breathe. The disease of sin is contagious. We contaminate others, and others increase our sickness. "Bad company corrupts good character."
The progress of this disease is constant - it spreads daily - almost insensibly, and especially from neglect. It produces great weakness, so that the sinner cannot of himself, do anything really good. He must be united to Jesus, and receive the Holy Spirit, before he can do anything truly good. "Without me," said the Saviour, "you can do nothing."
It not only makes us weal - but stupid - so that we become careless and foolish. We are dying of disease - but are unconcerned about it; there is a skillful Physician at hand - but we refuse to apply to Him!
Sin has destroyed all our moral beauty, and left us loathsome, unsightly, and wretched. It produces innumerable and horrendous pains, and surrounds us with sorrows, cares, and woes.
Sin brings us to death - not only separating the body from the soul - but separating the soul from God!
Sin is the forerunner of eternal and unmitigated weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth.
There is no sickness like sin - yet this disease is universal. All are sick! "Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good - not even one!" (Romans 3:9-12).
This disease affects every part of man. "The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot, even unto the head, there is no soundness in it - only wounds and bruises and putrefying sores!" (Isaiah 1:5, 6). Man is one mass of moral disease! Every power and faculty is disordered. All the elements of destruction are within himself. He deeply needs a physician, for he is dreadfully sick; so sick, that there is but a step between him and damnation!
My dear reader, this is your state! The Holy Spirit has given your portrait in the passages you have just read! Can you recognize the likeness? If not - your eye is diseased! Do you feel alarmed at the representation? If not - your conscience is diseased! Are you determined at once to apply to the Physician? If not - your heart is diseased!
The plague spot is upon you! You are very far advanced in a moral and spiritual cancer - which is secretly hurrying you to eternal death and damnation!
O may the Lord open your eyes - that you may see your dreadful state; enlighten your conscience - that you may be alarmed at your condition; and quicken your soul - that you may repair to Jesus and receive health, healing, and everlasting soundness from His hands!
Jesus is a physician. His work is to heal souls. He is every way qualified for His work. He is a wise and skillful physician. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Him - and He employs them for the good of souls. He has been employed in healing sinners for six thousand years - His skill has never been baffled, nor has one patient died under His hand yet!
~James Smith~
(continued with # 2)
"Those who are whole do not need a physician - but those who are sick" (Matthew 9:12).
When the Lord Jesus was upon earth, He spent much of His time among the common people. He was often found visiting and teaching those who were considered great sinners. The self-righteous pharisees were offended at this, and they complained of it. "They said unto His disciples: Who does your Master eat with publicans and sinners?" In reply to their question, and in vindication of Himself, Jesus said, "Those who are whole do not need a physician - but those who are sick."
No sinner can be really whole - but the pharisees imagined that they were, and so do many now. Such feel no need of the Saviour, nor do they really desire a saving interest in Him. He is not suited to them. They may speak well of Him, as many healthy people do of a physician; but they will not apply to Him, nor can they prize Him.
Jesus is the friend of sinners. He came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. He is exactly suited to sinners, and He loves to be found among them.
The world is one vast hospital. Jesus is the only physician in it, He had healed thousands, He will heal thousands more; but multitudes reject Him, they imagine they can do without Him; they think that they are whole, and therefore do not need a physician.
Sin is the disease of the soul. The sinner's state is a diseased state. He is sick - mortally sick. He brought it into the world with him. That is true of all, which was spoken by David of himself, "Behold I was shaped in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me!"
Sin is increased by wicked habits. We go astray from the womb, speaking lies. We contract the habit of sinning, so that to sin becomes as natural to us as to breathe. The disease of sin is contagious. We contaminate others, and others increase our sickness. "Bad company corrupts good character."
The progress of this disease is constant - it spreads daily - almost insensibly, and especially from neglect. It produces great weakness, so that the sinner cannot of himself, do anything really good. He must be united to Jesus, and receive the Holy Spirit, before he can do anything truly good. "Without me," said the Saviour, "you can do nothing."
It not only makes us weal - but stupid - so that we become careless and foolish. We are dying of disease - but are unconcerned about it; there is a skillful Physician at hand - but we refuse to apply to Him!
Sin has destroyed all our moral beauty, and left us loathsome, unsightly, and wretched. It produces innumerable and horrendous pains, and surrounds us with sorrows, cares, and woes.
Sin brings us to death - not only separating the body from the soul - but separating the soul from God!
Sin is the forerunner of eternal and unmitigated weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth.
There is no sickness like sin - yet this disease is universal. All are sick! "Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good - not even one!" (Romans 3:9-12).
This disease affects every part of man. "The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot, even unto the head, there is no soundness in it - only wounds and bruises and putrefying sores!" (Isaiah 1:5, 6). Man is one mass of moral disease! Every power and faculty is disordered. All the elements of destruction are within himself. He deeply needs a physician, for he is dreadfully sick; so sick, that there is but a step between him and damnation!
My dear reader, this is your state! The Holy Spirit has given your portrait in the passages you have just read! Can you recognize the likeness? If not - your eye is diseased! Do you feel alarmed at the representation? If not - your conscience is diseased! Are you determined at once to apply to the Physician? If not - your heart is diseased!
The plague spot is upon you! You are very far advanced in a moral and spiritual cancer - which is secretly hurrying you to eternal death and damnation!
O may the Lord open your eyes - that you may see your dreadful state; enlighten your conscience - that you may be alarmed at your condition; and quicken your soul - that you may repair to Jesus and receive health, healing, and everlasting soundness from His hands!
Jesus is a physician. His work is to heal souls. He is every way qualified for His work. He is a wise and skillful physician. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Him - and He employs them for the good of souls. He has been employed in healing sinners for six thousand years - His skill has never been baffled, nor has one patient died under His hand yet!
~James Smith~
(continued with # 2)
The Threatenings of God
The Threatenings of God
"What will you say when He punishes you?" (Jeremiah 13:21).
God has threatened to punish lost sinners - every sinner who lives and dies in unbelief. His threatenings are written in His Word - that we may read them; they are published by His ministers - that we may hear them; they are often repeated - that we may not forget them; some of them are fulfilled in this world - that we may believe and fear them.
No unbelieving, impenitent, careless sinner shall escape! The whole of the wicked, shall be turned into hell - and all the nations that forget God.
Every one will be punished...justly - in exact proportion to the nature and number of his sins; universally - in every part of body and soul; fearfully - without any mixture of mercy; eternally - without cessation or end!
The threatenings of God are backed and sustained...by His omnipotent power; by His unchangeable purpose; by His impartial justice; by His inflexible holiness; and by His solemn oath. They cannot be more sure - nor can they be more dreadful.
Lost sinner, they are all pointed at you! They speak of snares, of fire and brimstone, of a never-dying worm, of a lake of fire, of blackness and darkness, of gnashing of teeth, of eternal separation from God, and a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire, that will consume the enemies of God! (Hebrews 10:27).
Punishment is in store for you! You are warned of it, and invited to escape from it! But if you do not, then "What will you say when He punishes you?"
Can you plead ignorance, and say that you did not know that sin and punishment are connected - that God had solemnly threatened such as you in His Word? You cannot - you have been warned, and now you are warned again. You are warned in time - that you may be safe and happy in eternity!
Can you say that you never heard of a way of escape? No, for Jesus has been set before you, and you have been invited and exhorted to flee to Him and find safety.
Can you say that you did not believe that God would be true to His Word? This were to insult Him to His face, and to tell Him plainly that you thought Him to be a liar!
Will you say you intended to repent - but satan deceived you? This will but be an acknowledgement, that you gave more heed to satan than to God!
But what will you say? What can you say? Suppose you were this moment summoned to appear before God, and He was to ask the question to you, "Sinner, what have you to say, what reason can you assign - that I should not punish you, as I have threatened in My Word?" Would you not be speechless?
Consider the importance of being prepared with an answer, against the time when it shall be demanded. Seriously think over the mater. Prepare you answer quickly, and endeavor to prepare such a one as will satisfy your conscience; as will ease your torment; as will confound satan when he accuses you; and appease the wrath of God.
Can you find such an answer? If not, there is but one alternative; you must make up your mind to suffer the torments of quenchless flames forever - or flee to the Lord Jesus Christ for life and salvation! He is the only way of escape - there is salvation in no other. There is pardon in His blood. There is mercy at His throne. There is pity in His heart. There is veracity in His Word. There is hope for you. Flee to Him - and you are safe. Reject Him, persevere in sin, prefer the world - and you must forever be lashed by an accusing conscience, be tormented by a cruel and remorseless devil, be punished by a just and holy God, and condemn yourself throughout eternity!
What will you say to this? Can you say it is not just? You will be convinced it is. Can you harden yourself in hell? Suffering will increase with every attempt. Will you flee? Ah, where can you flee! All existences will be opposed to you, and armed against you; while every alleviation of your sufferings will flee away forever!
~James Smith~
(The End)
"What will you say when He punishes you?" (Jeremiah 13:21).
God has threatened to punish lost sinners - every sinner who lives and dies in unbelief. His threatenings are written in His Word - that we may read them; they are published by His ministers - that we may hear them; they are often repeated - that we may not forget them; some of them are fulfilled in this world - that we may believe and fear them.
No unbelieving, impenitent, careless sinner shall escape! The whole of the wicked, shall be turned into hell - and all the nations that forget God.
Every one will be punished...justly - in exact proportion to the nature and number of his sins; universally - in every part of body and soul; fearfully - without any mixture of mercy; eternally - without cessation or end!
The threatenings of God are backed and sustained...by His omnipotent power; by His unchangeable purpose; by His impartial justice; by His inflexible holiness; and by His solemn oath. They cannot be more sure - nor can they be more dreadful.
Lost sinner, they are all pointed at you! They speak of snares, of fire and brimstone, of a never-dying worm, of a lake of fire, of blackness and darkness, of gnashing of teeth, of eternal separation from God, and a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire, that will consume the enemies of God! (Hebrews 10:27).
Punishment is in store for you! You are warned of it, and invited to escape from it! But if you do not, then "What will you say when He punishes you?"
Can you plead ignorance, and say that you did not know that sin and punishment are connected - that God had solemnly threatened such as you in His Word? You cannot - you have been warned, and now you are warned again. You are warned in time - that you may be safe and happy in eternity!
Can you say that you never heard of a way of escape? No, for Jesus has been set before you, and you have been invited and exhorted to flee to Him and find safety.
Can you say that you did not believe that God would be true to His Word? This were to insult Him to His face, and to tell Him plainly that you thought Him to be a liar!
Will you say you intended to repent - but satan deceived you? This will but be an acknowledgement, that you gave more heed to satan than to God!
But what will you say? What can you say? Suppose you were this moment summoned to appear before God, and He was to ask the question to you, "Sinner, what have you to say, what reason can you assign - that I should not punish you, as I have threatened in My Word?" Would you not be speechless?
Consider the importance of being prepared with an answer, against the time when it shall be demanded. Seriously think over the mater. Prepare you answer quickly, and endeavor to prepare such a one as will satisfy your conscience; as will ease your torment; as will confound satan when he accuses you; and appease the wrath of God.
Can you find such an answer? If not, there is but one alternative; you must make up your mind to suffer the torments of quenchless flames forever - or flee to the Lord Jesus Christ for life and salvation! He is the only way of escape - there is salvation in no other. There is pardon in His blood. There is mercy at His throne. There is pity in His heart. There is veracity in His Word. There is hope for you. Flee to Him - and you are safe. Reject Him, persevere in sin, prefer the world - and you must forever be lashed by an accusing conscience, be tormented by a cruel and remorseless devil, be punished by a just and holy God, and condemn yourself throughout eternity!
What will you say to this? Can you say it is not just? You will be convinced it is. Can you harden yourself in hell? Suffering will increase with every attempt. Will you flee? Ah, where can you flee! All existences will be opposed to you, and armed against you; while every alleviation of your sufferings will flee away forever!
~James Smith~
(The End)
Saturday, December 14, 2019
The Incomparable Rock!
The Incomparable Rock!
"There is no rock like our God!" (1 Samuel 2:2).
As creatures, we all need an object of trust, one one whom we can lean, one in whom we can confide, one to whom we may look for defense and safety.
As lost sinners, we need more. Every creature has some rock, some object of dependence and trust; for without this, there would be recklessness or despair.
Some make a rock of their wealth, some of their talents, some of their station, some of their friends, some of their good deeds, some of their religious observances, some of their name or fame.
But the Christian's rock is his God, that is - God in Christ. Yes, Jesus is the foundation of his hopes, the source of his strength, the anchor of his safety, and the fountain that supplies him!
In Christ, his Rock - he finds honey, and this rock pours out rivers of oil for him, "He nourished him with honey from the rock, and with oil from the flinty crag." (Deut. 32:13). This rock, Christ - is the rock of his salvation. This rock of ages - is the rock of his strength. Of this rock, he can sing, "The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God is my Rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my Stronghold, my Refuge, and my Saviour!" (2 Sam. 22:2-3).
Looking around upon all others he can say, "But their rock is not like our Rock; even our enemies concede." (Deut. 32:31).
There is no rock like our rock: none so great, none so ancient, none so durable, none so suited to meet all a sinner's needs!
On this rock we build for eternity! We have no doubt that our immortal interests are safe. To this rock we run for safety, and smile at the opposition of all our foes. In this rock we hide, and are safe from the sword of divine justice, as well as their rage of infernal hell. In this rock, we take shelter, and are uninjured by the windy storm and tempest.
How foolish is the lost sinner to build on the sand - with a rock so near; to trust in himself - with such a defense at hand; to expose himself to his foes - with such a refuge within reach!
Lost sinner, Jesus, in His person, obedience, and blood - is a firm foundation for you to build on! Come then to Jesus, and build your immortal hopes on Him. Believe in Jesus, and be saved perfectly and eternally by Him. Hide yourself in Jesus, and then, let what will happen - you can have no cause for fear, no reason to be alarmed - for the eternal God is your strength and your portion forever!
"The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Saviour!" (2 Samuel 22:47).
Great Rock for weary sinners made,
When storms of sin infest the soul;'
Here let me rest my weary head,
When lightnings blaze and thunders roll!
Within the clefts of His dear side,
There all His saints in safety dwell;
And what, from Jesus, shall divide?
Not all the rage of earth or hell!
O sacred Covert from the beams
That on the weary traveler beat,
How welcome are your shade and streams,
How blessed, how sacred, and how sweet!
And when that awful storm takes place,
That hurls destruction far and near,
My soul shall refuge in your grace,
And take her glorious shelter there!
To shake this Rock your saints are in,
Tempest or storm shall ne'er prevail
"Twill stand the blast of hell and sin,
And anchor sure within the veil!
~James Smith~
(The End)
"There is no rock like our God!" (1 Samuel 2:2).
As creatures, we all need an object of trust, one one whom we can lean, one in whom we can confide, one to whom we may look for defense and safety.
As lost sinners, we need more. Every creature has some rock, some object of dependence and trust; for without this, there would be recklessness or despair.
Some make a rock of their wealth, some of their talents, some of their station, some of their friends, some of their good deeds, some of their religious observances, some of their name or fame.
But the Christian's rock is his God, that is - God in Christ. Yes, Jesus is the foundation of his hopes, the source of his strength, the anchor of his safety, and the fountain that supplies him!
In Christ, his Rock - he finds honey, and this rock pours out rivers of oil for him, "He nourished him with honey from the rock, and with oil from the flinty crag." (Deut. 32:13). This rock, Christ - is the rock of his salvation. This rock of ages - is the rock of his strength. Of this rock, he can sing, "The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God is my Rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my Stronghold, my Refuge, and my Saviour!" (2 Sam. 22:2-3).
Looking around upon all others he can say, "But their rock is not like our Rock; even our enemies concede." (Deut. 32:31).
There is no rock like our rock: none so great, none so ancient, none so durable, none so suited to meet all a sinner's needs!
On this rock we build for eternity! We have no doubt that our immortal interests are safe. To this rock we run for safety, and smile at the opposition of all our foes. In this rock we hide, and are safe from the sword of divine justice, as well as their rage of infernal hell. In this rock, we take shelter, and are uninjured by the windy storm and tempest.
How foolish is the lost sinner to build on the sand - with a rock so near; to trust in himself - with such a defense at hand; to expose himself to his foes - with such a refuge within reach!
Lost sinner, Jesus, in His person, obedience, and blood - is a firm foundation for you to build on! Come then to Jesus, and build your immortal hopes on Him. Believe in Jesus, and be saved perfectly and eternally by Him. Hide yourself in Jesus, and then, let what will happen - you can have no cause for fear, no reason to be alarmed - for the eternal God is your strength and your portion forever!
"The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Saviour!" (2 Samuel 22:47).
Great Rock for weary sinners made,
When storms of sin infest the soul;'
Here let me rest my weary head,
When lightnings blaze and thunders roll!
Within the clefts of His dear side,
There all His saints in safety dwell;
And what, from Jesus, shall divide?
Not all the rage of earth or hell!
O sacred Covert from the beams
That on the weary traveler beat,
How welcome are your shade and streams,
How blessed, how sacred, and how sweet!
And when that awful storm takes place,
That hurls destruction far and near,
My soul shall refuge in your grace,
And take her glorious shelter there!
To shake this Rock your saints are in,
Tempest or storm shall ne'er prevail
"Twill stand the blast of hell and sin,
And anchor sure within the veil!
~James Smith~
(The End)
It Is Finished
It Is Finished
"When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit." (John 19:30).
How terribly have these blessed words of Christ been misunderstood, misappropriated and misapplied! How many seem to think that on the Cross the Lord Jesus accomplished a work which rendered it unnecessary for the beneficiaries of it to live holy lives on earth. So many have been deluded into thinking that, so far as reaching heaven is concerned, it matters not how they walk provided they are "resting on the finished work of Christ." They may be unfruitful, untruthful, disobedient, yet (though they may possibly miss some millennial crown) so long as they repudiate all righteousness of their own and have faith in Christ - they imagine they are "eternally secure."
All around us are people who are worldly-minded, money-lovers, and pleasure-seekers, yet who think all is well with them because they have "accepted Christ as their personal Saviour." In their aspirations, conversations, and recreations, there is practically nothing to differentiate them from those who make no profession at all. Neither in their home life nor social life,l is there anything but empty pretensions to distinguish them from others. The fear of God is not upon them, the commands of God have no authority over them, the holiness of God has no attraction for them.
"It is finished!" How solemn to realize that these words of Christ must have been used to lull thousands into a false peace. Yet such is the case. We have come into close contact with many who have no private prayer life, who are selfish, covetous and dishonest - but who suppose that a merciful God will overlook all such things, provided they once put their trust in the Lord Jesus. What a horrible perversion of the truth! What a turning of God's grace into a license for immorality! (Jude 4). Yes, those who now live the most self-seeking and flesh-pleasing lives, talk about their faith in the blood of the Lamb, and suppose they are safe. How the devil has deceived them!
"It is finished!" Do those blessed words signify that Christ so satisfied the requirement of God's holiness, that holiness no longer has any real and pressing claims upon us? Perish the thought! Even to the redeemed, God says, "Be holy, for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16). Did Christ magnify the law and make it honorable (Isaiah 42:21) that we might be lawless? Do He fulfill all righteousness" (Matt. 3:15) to purchase for us an immunity from loving God with all our hearts and serving Him with all our faculties? Did Christ die in order to secure a divine indulgence that we might live to please SELF? Many seem to think so. No, the Lord Jesus has left His people an example that they should "follow (not ignore) His steps.!
"It is finished!" What was finished? The need for sinners to repent? No indeed. The need for turning to God from idols? No indeed. The need for mortifying my members which are upon earth? No indeed. The need for being sanctified wholly, in spirit, and soul, and body? No indeed. Christ died not to make my sorrow for, hatred of, and striving against sin, useless. Christ died not to absolve me from the full discharge of my responsibilities unto God. Christ did not die - so that I might go on retaining the friendship and fellowship of the world. How very strange that any should think that He did. Yet the actions of many show that this is their idea.
"It is finished." What was finished? The sacrificial types were accomplished, the prophecies, of His were fulfilled, the work given Him by the Father had been perfectly done, a sure foundation had been laid on which a righteous God could pardon the vilest transgressor of the law who threw down the weapons of his warfare against Him. Christ had now performed all that was necessary in order for the Holy Spirit to come and work in the hearts of His people; convincing them of their rebellion, slaying their enmity against God, and producing in them a loving and obedient heart.
O, dear reader, make no mistake on this point. The "finished work of Christ" avails you nothing - if your heart has never been broken through an agonizing consciousness of your sinfulness. The finished work of Christ avails you nothing - unless you have been saved from the power and pollution of sin (Matt. 1:21). It avails you nothing - if you still love the world (1 John 2:15). It avails you nothing - unless you are a "new creature" in Him (2 Cor. 5:17). If you value your soul, search the Scriptures to see for yourself; take no man's word for it.
~A. W. Pink~
(The End)
"When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit." (John 19:30).
How terribly have these blessed words of Christ been misunderstood, misappropriated and misapplied! How many seem to think that on the Cross the Lord Jesus accomplished a work which rendered it unnecessary for the beneficiaries of it to live holy lives on earth. So many have been deluded into thinking that, so far as reaching heaven is concerned, it matters not how they walk provided they are "resting on the finished work of Christ." They may be unfruitful, untruthful, disobedient, yet (though they may possibly miss some millennial crown) so long as they repudiate all righteousness of their own and have faith in Christ - they imagine they are "eternally secure."
All around us are people who are worldly-minded, money-lovers, and pleasure-seekers, yet who think all is well with them because they have "accepted Christ as their personal Saviour." In their aspirations, conversations, and recreations, there is practically nothing to differentiate them from those who make no profession at all. Neither in their home life nor social life,l is there anything but empty pretensions to distinguish them from others. The fear of God is not upon them, the commands of God have no authority over them, the holiness of God has no attraction for them.
"It is finished!" How solemn to realize that these words of Christ must have been used to lull thousands into a false peace. Yet such is the case. We have come into close contact with many who have no private prayer life, who are selfish, covetous and dishonest - but who suppose that a merciful God will overlook all such things, provided they once put their trust in the Lord Jesus. What a horrible perversion of the truth! What a turning of God's grace into a license for immorality! (Jude 4). Yes, those who now live the most self-seeking and flesh-pleasing lives, talk about their faith in the blood of the Lamb, and suppose they are safe. How the devil has deceived them!
"It is finished!" Do those blessed words signify that Christ so satisfied the requirement of God's holiness, that holiness no longer has any real and pressing claims upon us? Perish the thought! Even to the redeemed, God says, "Be holy, for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16). Did Christ magnify the law and make it honorable (Isaiah 42:21) that we might be lawless? Do He fulfill all righteousness" (Matt. 3:15) to purchase for us an immunity from loving God with all our hearts and serving Him with all our faculties? Did Christ die in order to secure a divine indulgence that we might live to please SELF? Many seem to think so. No, the Lord Jesus has left His people an example that they should "follow (not ignore) His steps.!
"It is finished!" What was finished? The need for sinners to repent? No indeed. The need for turning to God from idols? No indeed. The need for mortifying my members which are upon earth? No indeed. The need for being sanctified wholly, in spirit, and soul, and body? No indeed. Christ died not to make my sorrow for, hatred of, and striving against sin, useless. Christ died not to absolve me from the full discharge of my responsibilities unto God. Christ did not die - so that I might go on retaining the friendship and fellowship of the world. How very strange that any should think that He did. Yet the actions of many show that this is their idea.
"It is finished." What was finished? The sacrificial types were accomplished, the prophecies, of His were fulfilled, the work given Him by the Father had been perfectly done, a sure foundation had been laid on which a righteous God could pardon the vilest transgressor of the law who threw down the weapons of his warfare against Him. Christ had now performed all that was necessary in order for the Holy Spirit to come and work in the hearts of His people; convincing them of their rebellion, slaying their enmity against God, and producing in them a loving and obedient heart.
O, dear reader, make no mistake on this point. The "finished work of Christ" avails you nothing - if your heart has never been broken through an agonizing consciousness of your sinfulness. The finished work of Christ avails you nothing - unless you have been saved from the power and pollution of sin (Matt. 1:21). It avails you nothing - if you still love the world (1 John 2:15). It avails you nothing - unless you are a "new creature" in Him (2 Cor. 5:17). If you value your soul, search the Scriptures to see for yourself; take no man's word for it.
~A. W. Pink~
(The End)
Saturday, December 7, 2019
The Demon of Worry # 2
The Demon of Worry # 2
O, the records that faces bear! As our eyes grow wise to see, what confessions, fain hidden, stand out from the faces of the crowd! And no demon drives his pitiless graver deeper, nor with more certain stroke, then the hateful demon worry. And the lines he makes are ignoble lines; lines; lines in which he who runs may read the story of happiness of homes eaten away by little and little as with a biting acid; of home made hateful to husband and children; of love worn to the breaking point - and all about things that pass and perish with the day; things of no vital moment; things upon which neither the true happiness nor honor nor usefulness of life depend. O, the pity of it. O, the miserable shame of it, that on a face made beautiful by God there should be ignoble worry marks!
Suppose such an one had trusted God about all those causes of anxiety. Suppose such an one had said: "My Father feeds the birds; He clothes the flowers; He will assuredly feed me and mine; He will clothe us." Ah, the happy spirits with the other gravers would have written on that face other lines - lines of serenity, lines of happy trust, lines which would have made the face a benediction and a blessed memory.
Thirdly, Christ reminds the anxious one of earth that, after all, worry does no good.
"Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?" (Matthew 6:27).
The waste of it! The uselessness of it! All the worry that ever got itself accomplished in this weary, worrying world; all the sleepless nights, all the burdened days; all the joyless, mirthless, peace-destroying, health-destroying, happiness destroying, love destroying hours that men and women have ever in all earth's centuries given to worry, never wrought one good thing. It was all evil and only evil. It shut out the face of God, the loveliness of nature, the joy of love, the compensations of life. It poisoned the peace of others and cast its hateful shadow over other lives. The very point of the sin of worry, the very reason why it is the basest, most cowardly of sins, is that it darkens the lives we are most responsible to bless - and all for no good, but only to blight and wrong.
The amazing thing about it is that no one is convicted of this mean sin! Good people live in it, and with no sense of the outrage which it involves against the love of a kind, heavenly Father and against the rights of others! A Christian man will not scruple to bring to his home the petty worries and passing anxieties of the day. Christian women - women whose lives are pure, who scorn scandal, who devote life and strength unsparingly to the service of husband and children, will yet shamelessly poison the peace of the home by the sin of worry, and with no apparent sense of the guilt of it! It is one of the mysteries of human nature.
"Take therefore no thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." (Matthew 6:34).
~C. I. Scofield~
(The End)
________________________
There Is The Image of Christ!
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:5).
Press right home to your conscience the question, "What do I have of the mind of Christ?" Does my heart answer, does my disposition correspond, to the holy, meek, humble, forgiving, benevolent, patient, self-denying mind of Christ? Do men who know the beauty and glory of the Original, as it is delineated on the page of the gospel, when they see me, say, There is the image of Christ!"
Or do they look skeptically on, and after standing in silence for some time, profess they can see little little or no resemblance? Oh, be satisfied with nothing short of a copy of Christ's heart into yours!
~John Angell James~
O, the records that faces bear! As our eyes grow wise to see, what confessions, fain hidden, stand out from the faces of the crowd! And no demon drives his pitiless graver deeper, nor with more certain stroke, then the hateful demon worry. And the lines he makes are ignoble lines; lines; lines in which he who runs may read the story of happiness of homes eaten away by little and little as with a biting acid; of home made hateful to husband and children; of love worn to the breaking point - and all about things that pass and perish with the day; things of no vital moment; things upon which neither the true happiness nor honor nor usefulness of life depend. O, the pity of it. O, the miserable shame of it, that on a face made beautiful by God there should be ignoble worry marks!
Suppose such an one had trusted God about all those causes of anxiety. Suppose such an one had said: "My Father feeds the birds; He clothes the flowers; He will assuredly feed me and mine; He will clothe us." Ah, the happy spirits with the other gravers would have written on that face other lines - lines of serenity, lines of happy trust, lines which would have made the face a benediction and a blessed memory.
Thirdly, Christ reminds the anxious one of earth that, after all, worry does no good.
"Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?" (Matthew 6:27).
The waste of it! The uselessness of it! All the worry that ever got itself accomplished in this weary, worrying world; all the sleepless nights, all the burdened days; all the joyless, mirthless, peace-destroying, health-destroying, happiness destroying, love destroying hours that men and women have ever in all earth's centuries given to worry, never wrought one good thing. It was all evil and only evil. It shut out the face of God, the loveliness of nature, the joy of love, the compensations of life. It poisoned the peace of others and cast its hateful shadow over other lives. The very point of the sin of worry, the very reason why it is the basest, most cowardly of sins, is that it darkens the lives we are most responsible to bless - and all for no good, but only to blight and wrong.
The amazing thing about it is that no one is convicted of this mean sin! Good people live in it, and with no sense of the outrage which it involves against the love of a kind, heavenly Father and against the rights of others! A Christian man will not scruple to bring to his home the petty worries and passing anxieties of the day. Christian women - women whose lives are pure, who scorn scandal, who devote life and strength unsparingly to the service of husband and children, will yet shamelessly poison the peace of the home by the sin of worry, and with no apparent sense of the guilt of it! It is one of the mysteries of human nature.
"Take therefore no thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." (Matthew 6:34).
~C. I. Scofield~
(The End)
________________________
There Is The Image of Christ!
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:5).
Press right home to your conscience the question, "What do I have of the mind of Christ?" Does my heart answer, does my disposition correspond, to the holy, meek, humble, forgiving, benevolent, patient, self-denying mind of Christ? Do men who know the beauty and glory of the Original, as it is delineated on the page of the gospel, when they see me, say, There is the image of Christ!"
Or do they look skeptically on, and after standing in silence for some time, profess they can see little little or no resemblance? Oh, be satisfied with nothing short of a copy of Christ's heart into yours!
~John Angell James~
One Hour After Death # 2
One Hour After Death # 2
No wandering thoughts,
no roving imagination,
no tempting devil,
no corrupt heart, no unhallowed associations -
will interrupt, disturb, or hinder me in my services there. No, all will be pure as the light, as peaceful as the bosom of God, and as happy as the presence of God and the Lamb can make it!
But if satan is my master - if his service suits my taste, and if self-gratification is my end - then my employment will be dismal, dreadful, unspeakably painful! What can I do but inflict torment on myself, and increase the torment of others - but hate myself, and everyone that suffers with me? The mind will be always active; but every exercise of the mind will add to the weight of woe already experienced. Every thought of God, of His justice or His mercy - will be another bitter drop in the cup of suffering. Every thought of the past will only aggravate the agonies of the present. But to look forward will be worst of all. What is before? ETERNITY! Duration without termination. Existence without change for the better. A fearful "forever." The death-knell of hope of sounded. The endless reign of despair has commenced. Time is ended. All through the future, God's judgments must be endured, His threatenings will be fulfilling. How dreadful my employment may be!
One hour after death, what will be my FEELINGS?
If Heaven is gained; if endless happiness is secured; if the approbation of God is realized; if the assurance of unchangeable blessedness is enjoyed - what will be my feelings? What joy, what gratitude, what peace, what holy exultation! No tongue can speak, no pen can write, no language can describe - the feelings of the happy spirit!
The sight of Jesus, the songs of saints, the unveiled glories of God - what, oh, what feelings will these produce! The absence of pain, freedom from sin, full victory over satan, the full realization of all our highest and holiest desires - what feelings will these produce! But we must die, to fully know what our feelings of gratitude, joy, and love will be - one hour after death.
But if Heaven is lost, if hell is my doom, if everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord is my portion - what, oh, what will my feelings be! What bitter remorse! What agonizing reflections! What terrible apprehensions! What hopeless despair! What awful sufferings! But we must die - die under the curse of God, die rejecting the gospel, die unpardoned - in order to know what will be the feelings of a lost soul - one hour after death!
How many of my readers will die in this state? How many will risk the possibility of dying so - by living in sin, by neglecting their souls, by presuming on God's mercy, or by hardening themselves in sin?
One hour after death, How shall I THINK?
How differently we shall think of money, pleasure, the indulgence of our lusts, all that we now call great, grand, and desirable - one hour after death! Let us endeavor to think now - as it is probable we shall think then!
Let us place ourselves in Heaven - and try to think there!
Let us place ourselves in hell - and try to think there!
How different will things then appear!
Let us instantly, heartily, importunately, seek a title to Heaven, and a fitness for it, nor rest until we possess them!
~James Smith~
(The End)
No wandering thoughts,
no roving imagination,
no tempting devil,
no corrupt heart, no unhallowed associations -
will interrupt, disturb, or hinder me in my services there. No, all will be pure as the light, as peaceful as the bosom of God, and as happy as the presence of God and the Lamb can make it!
But if satan is my master - if his service suits my taste, and if self-gratification is my end - then my employment will be dismal, dreadful, unspeakably painful! What can I do but inflict torment on myself, and increase the torment of others - but hate myself, and everyone that suffers with me? The mind will be always active; but every exercise of the mind will add to the weight of woe already experienced. Every thought of God, of His justice or His mercy - will be another bitter drop in the cup of suffering. Every thought of the past will only aggravate the agonies of the present. But to look forward will be worst of all. What is before? ETERNITY! Duration without termination. Existence without change for the better. A fearful "forever." The death-knell of hope of sounded. The endless reign of despair has commenced. Time is ended. All through the future, God's judgments must be endured, His threatenings will be fulfilling. How dreadful my employment may be!
One hour after death, what will be my FEELINGS?
If Heaven is gained; if endless happiness is secured; if the approbation of God is realized; if the assurance of unchangeable blessedness is enjoyed - what will be my feelings? What joy, what gratitude, what peace, what holy exultation! No tongue can speak, no pen can write, no language can describe - the feelings of the happy spirit!
The sight of Jesus, the songs of saints, the unveiled glories of God - what, oh, what feelings will these produce! The absence of pain, freedom from sin, full victory over satan, the full realization of all our highest and holiest desires - what feelings will these produce! But we must die, to fully know what our feelings of gratitude, joy, and love will be - one hour after death.
But if Heaven is lost, if hell is my doom, if everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord is my portion - what, oh, what will my feelings be! What bitter remorse! What agonizing reflections! What terrible apprehensions! What hopeless despair! What awful sufferings! But we must die - die under the curse of God, die rejecting the gospel, die unpardoned - in order to know what will be the feelings of a lost soul - one hour after death!
How many of my readers will die in this state? How many will risk the possibility of dying so - by living in sin, by neglecting their souls, by presuming on God's mercy, or by hardening themselves in sin?
One hour after death, How shall I THINK?
How differently we shall think of money, pleasure, the indulgence of our lusts, all that we now call great, grand, and desirable - one hour after death! Let us endeavor to think now - as it is probable we shall think then!
Let us place ourselves in Heaven - and try to think there!
Let us place ourselves in hell - and try to think there!
How different will things then appear!
Let us instantly, heartily, importunately, seek a title to Heaven, and a fitness for it, nor rest until we possess them!
~James Smith~
(The End)
Saturday, November 30, 2019
The Demon of Worry # 1
The Demon of Worry # 1
"Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat?" or What shall we drink?" or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?" "Take therefore no thought for the morrow" (Matt. 6:31, 34).
Some of the things that Jesus found in the world seem to have caused Him surprise. We are told that He marveled because of unbelief. That any one should doubt God caused the Son of God not indignation so much as astonishment. He felt, in the face of distrust of divine veracity or the divine goodness, an emotion of simple amazement. And another fact of the life men on the earth appears to have struck Him as foolish and unreasonable - the fact that the race of men is an anxious, a worried race.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus deals with the fact of worry. He gives to it more space than to adultery or murder. I should not conclude from that, that in the divine estimation worry is a graver sin than adultery or murder, but only that it is far more prevalent.
Wherever Christ looked He saw the unmistakable traces of anxiety. All faces bore that sinister mark. The Sermon on the Mount is the constitution of the kingdom of heaven on earth and that kingdom excludes worry. God Himself could not make an anxious world happy. Let us see how Jesus Christ proposes to banish worry from His world. First of all, He teaches us that we worry about the wrong things.
"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" (Matt. 6:25).
In the last analysis we shall find, if we make that analysis fearlessly, that our worry is not about mere food and mere raiment, but about superfluous food and superfluous raiment, and our Lord would call us back to the consciousness that life itself is an infinitely larger thing than the externals of life.The men and women who have touched this life of humanity powerfully and helpfully have always been such as brought to the facts of life into the right perspective, counting life too high and beautiful a thing to waste itself in overmuch thought about its mere incidents.
Are we thinking thus about life and life's meanings? Have we thought about life itself, the wonder of it, the deeper meanings of it, the measureless possibilities of even one day of it? Do we habitually think of life as a trust rather than a possession? Do we think of sometime giving an account of our administration of that trust? Do we think of the tremendous investment which God and humanity, and even the mere creature world, has made and is constantly making, just that we may have life?
Then, too, Christ puts over against our causes of anxiety the fatherhood of God.
"Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into burns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? (Matt. 6:26).
"And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?! (Matt. 6:28-30).
The Christian is not an orphan in an unfriendly universe. He is a child of the God who feeds the birds and clothes the flowers, making each the subject of His solicitude. It has been estimated, taking as a basis the quantity known to be necessary for their sustenance, that no millionaire on earth could feed God's birds one day. But God feeds them every day, and is no whit poorer at night. "Now," says Christ, in effect, "that is what the Christian's Father does for flowers and birds. Will He not do as much for His dear children?" The argument is unanswerable. And it covers the very causes of that anxiety which is whitening the heads and prematurely furrowing the faces of God's children in the world. It is no wonder that men have imagined a multitude of invisible spirits at work upon the human countenance from the cradle to the grave, spirits of light and spirits of darkness, spirits angelic and spirits from the pit; that with viewless gravers they patiently inscribe the lines which mark every thought and actions are self-recording, and that, struggle against it as we may, that record is wrought into the substance of the human face.
~C. T. Scofield~
(continued with # 2)
"Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat?" or What shall we drink?" or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?" "Take therefore no thought for the morrow" (Matt. 6:31, 34).
Some of the things that Jesus found in the world seem to have caused Him surprise. We are told that He marveled because of unbelief. That any one should doubt God caused the Son of God not indignation so much as astonishment. He felt, in the face of distrust of divine veracity or the divine goodness, an emotion of simple amazement. And another fact of the life men on the earth appears to have struck Him as foolish and unreasonable - the fact that the race of men is an anxious, a worried race.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus deals with the fact of worry. He gives to it more space than to adultery or murder. I should not conclude from that, that in the divine estimation worry is a graver sin than adultery or murder, but only that it is far more prevalent.
Wherever Christ looked He saw the unmistakable traces of anxiety. All faces bore that sinister mark. The Sermon on the Mount is the constitution of the kingdom of heaven on earth and that kingdom excludes worry. God Himself could not make an anxious world happy. Let us see how Jesus Christ proposes to banish worry from His world. First of all, He teaches us that we worry about the wrong things.
"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" (Matt. 6:25).
In the last analysis we shall find, if we make that analysis fearlessly, that our worry is not about mere food and mere raiment, but about superfluous food and superfluous raiment, and our Lord would call us back to the consciousness that life itself is an infinitely larger thing than the externals of life.The men and women who have touched this life of humanity powerfully and helpfully have always been such as brought to the facts of life into the right perspective, counting life too high and beautiful a thing to waste itself in overmuch thought about its mere incidents.
Are we thinking thus about life and life's meanings? Have we thought about life itself, the wonder of it, the deeper meanings of it, the measureless possibilities of even one day of it? Do we habitually think of life as a trust rather than a possession? Do we think of sometime giving an account of our administration of that trust? Do we think of the tremendous investment which God and humanity, and even the mere creature world, has made and is constantly making, just that we may have life?
Then, too, Christ puts over against our causes of anxiety the fatherhood of God.
"Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into burns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? (Matt. 6:26).
"And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?! (Matt. 6:28-30).
The Christian is not an orphan in an unfriendly universe. He is a child of the God who feeds the birds and clothes the flowers, making each the subject of His solicitude. It has been estimated, taking as a basis the quantity known to be necessary for their sustenance, that no millionaire on earth could feed God's birds one day. But God feeds them every day, and is no whit poorer at night. "Now," says Christ, in effect, "that is what the Christian's Father does for flowers and birds. Will He not do as much for His dear children?" The argument is unanswerable. And it covers the very causes of that anxiety which is whitening the heads and prematurely furrowing the faces of God's children in the world. It is no wonder that men have imagined a multitude of invisible spirits at work upon the human countenance from the cradle to the grave, spirits of light and spirits of darkness, spirits angelic and spirits from the pit; that with viewless gravers they patiently inscribe the lines which mark every thought and actions are self-recording, and that, struggle against it as we may, that record is wrought into the substance of the human face.
~C. T. Scofield~
(continued with # 2)
One Hour After Death! # 1
One Hour After Death! # 1
The news of the unexpected death of a dear friend has suggested this thought. He is gone. He is in another world.
I too, must die soon. It may be very soon. Let me then, think of death, and of the hour of death. If I die among friends, my eyes will then be closed, my body will be laid out, the white sheet will cover it, and in the quiet chamber it will be left. It is now unconscious, inanimate, a mere mass of matter. It must soon be conveyed to the grave, and there be hidden from the sight of man, or it will become offensive. Yes, the nearest relative, the one who loved me most, will say, "Bury my dead out of my sight!" But the soul, the immortal part, the real man - what has become of him?
One hour after death, WHERE shall I be?
Ah, where! That will entirely depend upon what I am now - what death finds me. Like Judas, each one will go to his own place. Where shall I be?
I may be in hell, lifting up my eyes in torments, grasping for someone or something to comfort me. Dreadful supposition! But it is not impossible. If I die under the guilt of sin; if I die without having experienced a new birth; it is certain. For unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Awful thought - to be in hell one hour after death! Then no prayers will avail, no sufferings will excite pity, nor cries or tears will be regarded. Hope will be forever shut out. Agony and despair must be endured perpetually.
But if I die a believer in Jesus; if cleansed in His blood; if clothed in His righteousness; if sanctified by His Spirit; if united to Her person - then where shall I be one hour after death? Oh, glorious thought - I shall be with Jesus! Yes, I shall hear His sweet voice, see His lovely face, and stand before His glorious throne! I shall be in heaven; the home of the saints; the house of the living God - the region of holiness, happiness, and love. I shall know what heaven is. I shall realize what perfect holiness means. I shall have lost every wish - and be in possession of all I could desire. Oh, to be with Jesus; to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of God; to enjoy the company of prophets, apostles, martyrs, and holy ministers forever! What a noble place I shall be in! What glorious company I shall have! What ecstatic joys I shall taste! Oh, what a change I shall experience!
One hour after death, WHAT shall I be?
I shall be a pure and holy spirit, no longer, fettered, imprisoned, hindered, and pained by a body of flesh, or a body of sin and death. I shall be a son of God, realizing my relationship - at home with my Father; surrounded with myriads of my brothers and sisters, all perfectly holy, and perfectly happy. I shall be a saint, fully sanctified, and made fit for my Master's use. To doubt my election, or question my calling, or suspect my sincerity, will be impossible. I shall be as holy as my Father is holy. I shall be perfect, as my Saviour is perfect. I shall be without fault before the throne of God.
Oh, wondrous, mystery, that one like me, so full of faults, so deeply depraved, so dreadfully polluted - should be pronounced faultless bu the Judge of all!
But if I should die out of Christ, without repentance, without holiness - then what shall I be? Ah, what! A lost soul! A ruined sinner! Condemned to suffer God's just wrath, the bitter reflections of my own mind, the fearful lashings of my own conscience - forever! Self-condemned; condemned by all around me; a terrified witness to God's holiness and truth. Ah, then I shall know the meaning of those terrible words, "Indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, fire, brimstone, and a horrible tempest." Then I shall experience what is meant by being "cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone," and shall feel all the unknown horrors of the "second death."
What a fearful thing must sin, my sin, be - to demand such tremendous punishment at the hands of a just God; to call for such a terrible infliction from a God who is emphatically love! Oh, the thought, that I should be a lost soul, a companion of devils and damned immortals!
One hour after death, How shall I be EMPLOYED?
How am I employed now? Is Jesus my Master, His service my delight, and His glory my end? If I now live for God, walk with God, and work in order to please God - then I may expect to be employed in praising His name, admiring His love, and adoring His glorious perfections. My employment will be my pleasure, and my service my joy. I shall stand among the ransomed, walk with Jesus in white, and praise His name on my golden harp forever!
~James Smith~
(continued with # 2)
The news of the unexpected death of a dear friend has suggested this thought. He is gone. He is in another world.
I too, must die soon. It may be very soon. Let me then, think of death, and of the hour of death. If I die among friends, my eyes will then be closed, my body will be laid out, the white sheet will cover it, and in the quiet chamber it will be left. It is now unconscious, inanimate, a mere mass of matter. It must soon be conveyed to the grave, and there be hidden from the sight of man, or it will become offensive. Yes, the nearest relative, the one who loved me most, will say, "Bury my dead out of my sight!" But the soul, the immortal part, the real man - what has become of him?
One hour after death, WHERE shall I be?
Ah, where! That will entirely depend upon what I am now - what death finds me. Like Judas, each one will go to his own place. Where shall I be?
I may be in hell, lifting up my eyes in torments, grasping for someone or something to comfort me. Dreadful supposition! But it is not impossible. If I die under the guilt of sin; if I die without having experienced a new birth; it is certain. For unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Awful thought - to be in hell one hour after death! Then no prayers will avail, no sufferings will excite pity, nor cries or tears will be regarded. Hope will be forever shut out. Agony and despair must be endured perpetually.
But if I die a believer in Jesus; if cleansed in His blood; if clothed in His righteousness; if sanctified by His Spirit; if united to Her person - then where shall I be one hour after death? Oh, glorious thought - I shall be with Jesus! Yes, I shall hear His sweet voice, see His lovely face, and stand before His glorious throne! I shall be in heaven; the home of the saints; the house of the living God - the region of holiness, happiness, and love. I shall know what heaven is. I shall realize what perfect holiness means. I shall have lost every wish - and be in possession of all I could desire. Oh, to be with Jesus; to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of God; to enjoy the company of prophets, apostles, martyrs, and holy ministers forever! What a noble place I shall be in! What glorious company I shall have! What ecstatic joys I shall taste! Oh, what a change I shall experience!
One hour after death, WHAT shall I be?
I shall be a pure and holy spirit, no longer, fettered, imprisoned, hindered, and pained by a body of flesh, or a body of sin and death. I shall be a son of God, realizing my relationship - at home with my Father; surrounded with myriads of my brothers and sisters, all perfectly holy, and perfectly happy. I shall be a saint, fully sanctified, and made fit for my Master's use. To doubt my election, or question my calling, or suspect my sincerity, will be impossible. I shall be as holy as my Father is holy. I shall be perfect, as my Saviour is perfect. I shall be without fault before the throne of God.
Oh, wondrous, mystery, that one like me, so full of faults, so deeply depraved, so dreadfully polluted - should be pronounced faultless bu the Judge of all!
But if I should die out of Christ, without repentance, without holiness - then what shall I be? Ah, what! A lost soul! A ruined sinner! Condemned to suffer God's just wrath, the bitter reflections of my own mind, the fearful lashings of my own conscience - forever! Self-condemned; condemned by all around me; a terrified witness to God's holiness and truth. Ah, then I shall know the meaning of those terrible words, "Indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, fire, brimstone, and a horrible tempest." Then I shall experience what is meant by being "cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone," and shall feel all the unknown horrors of the "second death."
What a fearful thing must sin, my sin, be - to demand such tremendous punishment at the hands of a just God; to call for such a terrible infliction from a God who is emphatically love! Oh, the thought, that I should be a lost soul, a companion of devils and damned immortals!
One hour after death, How shall I be EMPLOYED?
How am I employed now? Is Jesus my Master, His service my delight, and His glory my end? If I now live for God, walk with God, and work in order to please God - then I may expect to be employed in praising His name, admiring His love, and adoring His glorious perfections. My employment will be my pleasure, and my service my joy. I shall stand among the ransomed, walk with Jesus in white, and praise His name on my golden harp forever!
~James Smith~
(continued with # 2)
Saturday, November 23, 2019
Heaven (and others)
Heaven (and others)
Heaven is a reality, not seen by eyes of flesh, but made known by revelation, and received by faith.
Heaven is a rest from toil, trouble, temptation, and sin. Such a rest is very desirable, if it were only a sweet sleep; but heaven is more.
It is a state of delightful activity. Every faculty and every affection will find appropriate exercise; and probably latent powers, not needed here, will there be waked into activity - powers suited to the new condition in which the soul exists.
Heaven is full of light; all darkness and doubt are absent. Knowledge will there be clear, and will possess a transforming efficacy; still, knowledge in heaven will be progressive; the pleasure will partly consist in ever learning something unknown before.
Heaven is a region of perfect love; all the heart and mind and strength will be exerted in love. And if the power of loving should, in the progress of the immortal soul, be increased a thousand-fold, all this increased ability will be kept constantly in full stretch by the loveliness and glory of the objects affection.
Christ is the center of attraction in heaven. From Him radiate the rays of divine glory which enliven, attract, and beautify all the innumerable army of worshipers.
Love in heaven is pure, perfect, and reciprocal. He who loves, cannot be satisfied without a return of affection. And the more exalted and excellent the character of the person loved, the sweeter the sense of his favor.
Heavenly joy consists in loving with all the heart, and in being loved.
As heaven is a society, the members are happy not only in loving their King, but in mutual love. There will exist no envy, nor jealousy, nor apathy. Every soul will be transparent to every other, and all will see that nothing but pure love exists in every heart.
Heaven is a place of peace - sweet peace and uninterrupted harmony; all disturbing elements will be left behind. In the symbolical heavens of the Revelation, we read of wars; but in the heaven where saints and angels dwell and worship, war can have no place. The atmosphere of heaven is exempt from all evil; it is purity itself; all sin and impurity are denied admission into that holy place.
Heaven is a place of song: high affections are expressed in celestial music. O how elevating, how delightful the melodies!
Heaven is an unchanging state. All change is advancement in knowledge, in dignity, in happiness!
~Archibald Alexander~
___________________________
The Design of the Divine Artist
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).
In this present world, you may never see how the death of your husband is for good. Many go all their lives without having the mystifying characters of the sad event deciphered - and the secret workings of God love laid open. They die in ignorance of His plans - though not of His purposes.
The finished side of the embroidery may never be turned to your here; and looking only at the tangled threads and dark colors of the back part - all now appears to be in confusion!
But when the front view shall be seen; and the design of the divine artist; and all the connections of the finely embroidered piece shall be pointed out; and the coloring shall be shown in the light of eternity - with what adoring wonder, delight, and gratitude will you exclaim, as the whole picture bursts upon your sight, "O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His methods! How unfathomable are His ways! All things have worked together for my good!"
You shall trace together the providential events of your earthly history. You shall learn why you were united - and why separated. You shall see the wisdom and goodness of those events, which once appears so dark, and drew so many tears from your eyes. You shall indulge in reminiscences, all of which will furnish wonder, praise and new sources of delight.
Such a scene is before you! And since it is, then bear your sorrows - for in what felicities are they to result - and how soon!
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).
~John Angell James~
Heaven is a reality, not seen by eyes of flesh, but made known by revelation, and received by faith.
Heaven is a rest from toil, trouble, temptation, and sin. Such a rest is very desirable, if it were only a sweet sleep; but heaven is more.
It is a state of delightful activity. Every faculty and every affection will find appropriate exercise; and probably latent powers, not needed here, will there be waked into activity - powers suited to the new condition in which the soul exists.
Heaven is full of light; all darkness and doubt are absent. Knowledge will there be clear, and will possess a transforming efficacy; still, knowledge in heaven will be progressive; the pleasure will partly consist in ever learning something unknown before.
Heaven is a region of perfect love; all the heart and mind and strength will be exerted in love. And if the power of loving should, in the progress of the immortal soul, be increased a thousand-fold, all this increased ability will be kept constantly in full stretch by the loveliness and glory of the objects affection.
Christ is the center of attraction in heaven. From Him radiate the rays of divine glory which enliven, attract, and beautify all the innumerable army of worshipers.
Love in heaven is pure, perfect, and reciprocal. He who loves, cannot be satisfied without a return of affection. And the more exalted and excellent the character of the person loved, the sweeter the sense of his favor.
Heavenly joy consists in loving with all the heart, and in being loved.
As heaven is a society, the members are happy not only in loving their King, but in mutual love. There will exist no envy, nor jealousy, nor apathy. Every soul will be transparent to every other, and all will see that nothing but pure love exists in every heart.
Heaven is a place of peace - sweet peace and uninterrupted harmony; all disturbing elements will be left behind. In the symbolical heavens of the Revelation, we read of wars; but in the heaven where saints and angels dwell and worship, war can have no place. The atmosphere of heaven is exempt from all evil; it is purity itself; all sin and impurity are denied admission into that holy place.
Heaven is a place of song: high affections are expressed in celestial music. O how elevating, how delightful the melodies!
Heaven is an unchanging state. All change is advancement in knowledge, in dignity, in happiness!
~Archibald Alexander~
___________________________
The Design of the Divine Artist
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).
In this present world, you may never see how the death of your husband is for good. Many go all their lives without having the mystifying characters of the sad event deciphered - and the secret workings of God love laid open. They die in ignorance of His plans - though not of His purposes.
The finished side of the embroidery may never be turned to your here; and looking only at the tangled threads and dark colors of the back part - all now appears to be in confusion!
But when the front view shall be seen; and the design of the divine artist; and all the connections of the finely embroidered piece shall be pointed out; and the coloring shall be shown in the light of eternity - with what adoring wonder, delight, and gratitude will you exclaim, as the whole picture bursts upon your sight, "O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His methods! How unfathomable are His ways! All things have worked together for my good!"
You shall trace together the providential events of your earthly history. You shall learn why you were united - and why separated. You shall see the wisdom and goodness of those events, which once appears so dark, and drew so many tears from your eyes. You shall indulge in reminiscences, all of which will furnish wonder, praise and new sources of delight.
Such a scene is before you! And since it is, then bear your sorrows - for in what felicities are they to result - and how soon!
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).
~John Angell James~
The Eternal Duration of Hell's Torments # 2
The Eternal Duration of Hell's Torments # 2
Therefore it is just with God that there should be an everlasting continuance of the punishment. Here is the greatest misery of the damned - that is, without redemption, or hope, or aid, forever!
(4.) It is just with God that the sinner should be punished with everlasting misery - because he chooses it, by refusing everlasting felicity. The purchase our Lord made by His death, is an everlasting blessedness, and God by His infallible promise assures us that all who sincerely believe and obey Him, shall be rewarded with Heaven forever. For all the wages of God in the last day, whether of love to the saints, or punishment to the wicked - are everlasting and run into eternity.
Now if God's tender and promises of everlasting glory are despised - then there is nothing left to be the sinner's portion, but everlasting misery. It is the fruit of his own choice, for it is certain that God will give to every man in the next world, that which he chooses in this. "I have set before you everlasting life, therefore choose life, that you may live!" He who chooses life shall have it. He who does not choose life, but willingly cleaves to his lusts - he in the outcome chooses death and hell, and he shall have it.
He who chooses sin, chooses it with all its attendants, misery and wrath, for they cannot be separated from it. Therefore, if he chooses sin for himself - it is just that he should have the consequence of his own choice.
He who chooses God for his portion, shall forever enjoy Him. Is it not then just, that he who chooses misery - should forever lie under it?
Many say to God here, "Depart from us. We do not desire the knowledge of your ways!" It is just that God should say to such then, "Depart from Me into everlasting fire!"
There can be no complaint in hell against God, where the punishment, however so great it is, is nothing else but the fruit of a man's own choice. For he who chooses sin as his way, does by consequence choose sin's end - which is eternal hell and misery. If he falls into the hands of the living God - then he can
blame none but himself. It is the fruit of his own choice.
Here we see the folly of lost sinners. What greater folly can any be guilty of, than to indulge sin, and gratify lust, and neglect God and Christ, and all the means of grace? Is it not folly for a man to make himself eternally wretched and miserable by his own choice? This shall be the woe of the damned, that they chose it!
But you will say, did any man ever choose to be miserable? Yes, thousands, and tens of thousands - every man who knows there is a God, and that he has an immortal soul, and must give a final account to God for all that he does in this world. He knows that sin will end in eternal damnation - and yet indulges in sin and lust! Therefore he chooses to perish and to be miserable forever. He loves hell and death (Prov. 8:36). "All those who hate Me, love death." They love their sins and lusts and pleasures, that God has entailed death on, and therefore are said to love death.
Is it not folly to do that in respect to your souls, which your discretion abhors with respect to your bodies? You will not drink poison, though ever so sweet and pleasant, because there is death in it. Yet how does the witness of sin draw us to commit it, though there is hell and damnation wrapped up in it? Is it not folly to run the hazard of hell, for the satisfactions of your lusts? Is it not the greatest folly for any man to run the hazard of eternal torments - our of a fond desire for present sinful satisfaction?
Therefore, to cure the folly of these mischiefs, it is good to counterbalance our sinful desires with frequent thoughts of eternal realities.
I am not to live always. I may be in another world, before another Lord's Day comes. I must appear before the eternal God to give an account of all that I have done in the flesh. Can I dwell with everlasting burnings? Can I endure the endless wrath of incensed justice? Think of this, when you are about to please the flesh and gratify your lusts. Can I bear the wrath of God forever?
We are apt to think that a Sabbath and a sermon long, and wish they were ended. But how long will the miseries and torments of hell be? When once they begin, they shall never end - for there, conscience shall be a worm that never dies, and the wrath of God shall be a fire that never goes out. O! then, that you would endeavor to cure your present prevailing lusts, with the frequent forethoughts of the heat of the everlasting wrath of God! "For it is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!"
"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." (Matthew 25:46).
~Matthew Mead~
(The End)
Therefore it is just with God that there should be an everlasting continuance of the punishment. Here is the greatest misery of the damned - that is, without redemption, or hope, or aid, forever!
(4.) It is just with God that the sinner should be punished with everlasting misery - because he chooses it, by refusing everlasting felicity. The purchase our Lord made by His death, is an everlasting blessedness, and God by His infallible promise assures us that all who sincerely believe and obey Him, shall be rewarded with Heaven forever. For all the wages of God in the last day, whether of love to the saints, or punishment to the wicked - are everlasting and run into eternity.
Now if God's tender and promises of everlasting glory are despised - then there is nothing left to be the sinner's portion, but everlasting misery. It is the fruit of his own choice, for it is certain that God will give to every man in the next world, that which he chooses in this. "I have set before you everlasting life, therefore choose life, that you may live!" He who chooses life shall have it. He who does not choose life, but willingly cleaves to his lusts - he in the outcome chooses death and hell, and he shall have it.
He who chooses sin, chooses it with all its attendants, misery and wrath, for they cannot be separated from it. Therefore, if he chooses sin for himself - it is just that he should have the consequence of his own choice.
He who chooses God for his portion, shall forever enjoy Him. Is it not then just, that he who chooses misery - should forever lie under it?
Many say to God here, "Depart from us. We do not desire the knowledge of your ways!" It is just that God should say to such then, "Depart from Me into everlasting fire!"
There can be no complaint in hell against God, where the punishment, however so great it is, is nothing else but the fruit of a man's own choice. For he who chooses sin as his way, does by consequence choose sin's end - which is eternal hell and misery. If he falls into the hands of the living God - then he can
blame none but himself. It is the fruit of his own choice.
Here we see the folly of lost sinners. What greater folly can any be guilty of, than to indulge sin, and gratify lust, and neglect God and Christ, and all the means of grace? Is it not folly for a man to make himself eternally wretched and miserable by his own choice? This shall be the woe of the damned, that they chose it!
But you will say, did any man ever choose to be miserable? Yes, thousands, and tens of thousands - every man who knows there is a God, and that he has an immortal soul, and must give a final account to God for all that he does in this world. He knows that sin will end in eternal damnation - and yet indulges in sin and lust! Therefore he chooses to perish and to be miserable forever. He loves hell and death (Prov. 8:36). "All those who hate Me, love death." They love their sins and lusts and pleasures, that God has entailed death on, and therefore are said to love death.
Is it not folly to do that in respect to your souls, which your discretion abhors with respect to your bodies? You will not drink poison, though ever so sweet and pleasant, because there is death in it. Yet how does the witness of sin draw us to commit it, though there is hell and damnation wrapped up in it? Is it not folly to run the hazard of hell, for the satisfactions of your lusts? Is it not the greatest folly for any man to run the hazard of eternal torments - our of a fond desire for present sinful satisfaction?
Therefore, to cure the folly of these mischiefs, it is good to counterbalance our sinful desires with frequent thoughts of eternal realities.
I am not to live always. I may be in another world, before another Lord's Day comes. I must appear before the eternal God to give an account of all that I have done in the flesh. Can I dwell with everlasting burnings? Can I endure the endless wrath of incensed justice? Think of this, when you are about to please the flesh and gratify your lusts. Can I bear the wrath of God forever?
We are apt to think that a Sabbath and a sermon long, and wish they were ended. But how long will the miseries and torments of hell be? When once they begin, they shall never end - for there, conscience shall be a worm that never dies, and the wrath of God shall be a fire that never goes out. O! then, that you would endeavor to cure your present prevailing lusts, with the frequent forethoughts of the heat of the everlasting wrath of God! "For it is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!"
"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." (Matthew 25:46).
~Matthew Mead~
(The End)
Saturday, November 16, 2019
What Mercy Did for Us
What Mercy Did for Us
Israel's history is full of wonders. Wonders of grace on God's part - and wonders of sin on theirs. All that was good in their history, began with God, and was to the praise of the glory of His grace. How striking the testimony of Moses on this point. "He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness. He led him about, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye." (Deut. 32:10).
The words are equally applicable to us, and point out our natural condition.
Where we were. In a desert land - a land on which God had turned His back, where there was nothing to satisfy the cravings of an immortal - but sinful soul. Just as the traveler in the desert longs for water - but finds none, though almost dying for thirst; and as he would give all he is worth for bread - but can purchase none, though he is ready to gnaw his tongue with pain.
All is desert - nor only desert, but doleful. The howling winds of error and temptation blow. The beasts of the forest, and the serpents of the dust - track our path! Every now and then we hear the dismal howl, the shrieking cry of people lost and left to perish!
O, to the awakened sinner - for world is a desert, a dismal place; nothing suits his case, meets his condition, or ministers to his needs! We find ourselves truly in a desert land.
What we were. We were lost - for we had no resources, and were therefore famishing for need. We had no friend, and were therefore wretched, miserable and undone! No traveler in a desert land, or in a waste howling wilderness, ever appeared more lost than we did - until Jesus appeared to us, and for us. But for Him, our case would have been hopeless, and our end without mercy!
Let us then look at our distinguishing mercy, GOD FOUND US!
In His love, pity, and compassion - He came in search of us. When we could not seek Him - He sought us. When we could not go to Him - He came near to us.
He came where we were, He called us to His feet, He spoke kindly to us, He undertook to be our Saviour.
Yes, He undertook to slake our thirst, to satisfy our hunger, to lead us out of the desert, and to bring us into the promised land - a land flowing with milk and honey. He amply provided for us - all that was necessary for soul and body, for time and eternity.
"He instructed us." By His Spirit, by His rod, and by His ordinances - He taught us to know ourselves, our dependence upon Him, our obligation to Him, and the glaring ingratitude of our conduct toward Him. "He kept us as the apple of His eye." That is - with the greatest care, constancy, and tenderness, He kept us.
By His angelic messengers, by His special providence, and by His indwelling Spirit - He has kept and preserved us until now.
To us, His mercy has been sovereign, distinguishing and free. To His mercy, we owe our deliverance from so great a death, our preservation in so dangerous a place. and our guidance along so intricate a path.
See, what sin did for us! Sin brought us into a desert land.
See, where the law left us! In a waste howling wilderness.
See, how God's sovereignty shines in our experience. We were sought, found, and saved - and all of grace; free, sovereign, and distinguishing grace!
See, how mercy accommodated itself to us. It came to us - unsolicited and unsought. It did everything for us, and fully and freely supplied us.
See, how gloriously grace shines in us. Whatever we are - we are by the grace of God. All that we have - was given by the grace of God. All that we expect - is from the same source.
Grace chose us to salvation.
Grace redeemed us from death.
Grace brought us to the Cross.
Grace has led us, fed us, protected, and preserved us until now.
Grace will complete its work by glorifying us.
And then throughout eternity, God's grace shall have all the praise!
~James Smith~
(The End)
Israel's history is full of wonders. Wonders of grace on God's part - and wonders of sin on theirs. All that was good in their history, began with God, and was to the praise of the glory of His grace. How striking the testimony of Moses on this point. "He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness. He led him about, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye." (Deut. 32:10).
The words are equally applicable to us, and point out our natural condition.
Where we were. In a desert land - a land on which God had turned His back, where there was nothing to satisfy the cravings of an immortal - but sinful soul. Just as the traveler in the desert longs for water - but finds none, though almost dying for thirst; and as he would give all he is worth for bread - but can purchase none, though he is ready to gnaw his tongue with pain.
All is desert - nor only desert, but doleful. The howling winds of error and temptation blow. The beasts of the forest, and the serpents of the dust - track our path! Every now and then we hear the dismal howl, the shrieking cry of people lost and left to perish!
O, to the awakened sinner - for world is a desert, a dismal place; nothing suits his case, meets his condition, or ministers to his needs! We find ourselves truly in a desert land.
What we were. We were lost - for we had no resources, and were therefore famishing for need. We had no friend, and were therefore wretched, miserable and undone! No traveler in a desert land, or in a waste howling wilderness, ever appeared more lost than we did - until Jesus appeared to us, and for us. But for Him, our case would have been hopeless, and our end without mercy!
Let us then look at our distinguishing mercy, GOD FOUND US!
In His love, pity, and compassion - He came in search of us. When we could not seek Him - He sought us. When we could not go to Him - He came near to us.
He came where we were, He called us to His feet, He spoke kindly to us, He undertook to be our Saviour.
Yes, He undertook to slake our thirst, to satisfy our hunger, to lead us out of the desert, and to bring us into the promised land - a land flowing with milk and honey. He amply provided for us - all that was necessary for soul and body, for time and eternity.
"He instructed us." By His Spirit, by His rod, and by His ordinances - He taught us to know ourselves, our dependence upon Him, our obligation to Him, and the glaring ingratitude of our conduct toward Him. "He kept us as the apple of His eye." That is - with the greatest care, constancy, and tenderness, He kept us.
By His angelic messengers, by His special providence, and by His indwelling Spirit - He has kept and preserved us until now.
To us, His mercy has been sovereign, distinguishing and free. To His mercy, we owe our deliverance from so great a death, our preservation in so dangerous a place. and our guidance along so intricate a path.
See, what sin did for us! Sin brought us into a desert land.
See, where the law left us! In a waste howling wilderness.
See, how God's sovereignty shines in our experience. We were sought, found, and saved - and all of grace; free, sovereign, and distinguishing grace!
See, how mercy accommodated itself to us. It came to us - unsolicited and unsought. It did everything for us, and fully and freely supplied us.
See, how gloriously grace shines in us. Whatever we are - we are by the grace of God. All that we have - was given by the grace of God. All that we expect - is from the same source.
Grace chose us to salvation.
Grace redeemed us from death.
Grace brought us to the Cross.
Grace has led us, fed us, protected, and preserved us until now.
Grace will complete its work by glorifying us.
And then throughout eternity, God's grace shall have all the praise!
~James Smith~
(The End)
The Eternal Duration of Hell's Torments # 1
The Eternal Duration of Hell's Torments # 1
"It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!" (Hebrews 10:3).
How can it be consistent with the justice and righteousness of God to punish temporal sinning, with everlasting suffering, to inflict eternal vengeance, for momentary offences, to throw a sinner into unending misery, for committing a few sins here which quickly have an end?
This has made some conclude against the eternal duration of hell's torments - as if God were so merciful that He would not let them lie under His wrath forever. But I answer this with the Apostle, "Is God unjust in bringing His wrath on us? Certainly not!" (Romans 3:5-6). God is holy, just, and righteous - even when He punishes momentary offences with everlasting torments. And this will appear, by considering the following:
1. It is necessary for the governing of the world, that the penalty should be so stated. It is necessary for the preserving the authority of God's law in its full force and vigor, and to render it more solemn and dreadful. The design of God is to have the punishment so great as to check all the temptations to sin which a man can have. There is in man since the fall, such a propensity to sensual things, that, without this fear of hell, nothing is able to keep it down. Fleshly lusts are so severest threatenings. Therefore, God has told us beforehand, "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on these who are disobedient!" (Eph. 5:6).
God wisely balances the sinner's delights with the fear of punishment, that by setting eternal pains against momentary pleasures, we may the better escape temptation. The pleasures of sin, which are but for a season, entail on us torments which are eternal!
God has wisely left to our own choice whether we will have the passing pleasures of sin here on earth - or those eternal pleasures which comes hereafter, as a reward of grace. Things at hand will far more prevail than things to come, if those things to come are not considerably greater. Here on earth the pain is short, and so is the pleasure - but in the eternal world both the pain and the pleasure are eternal. In the wisdom of God, those who work out their salvation with fear and trembling here, should have pleasures at the right hand of God for evermore - and those who will have their sinful pleasures here, should have everlasting misery in the eternal world.
2. Common reason allows that there ought to be a proportion between the nature of the offence, and the quality of the punishment. Now sin against God is such an immense thing that nothing less than an everlasting punishment can be equivalent to it. This will be plain, if you consider the following:
(a.) The greatness of the majesty against which sin is committed. Every sin is a base derogating of God, and this is enough to make the guilt of it infinite - because it is done against an infinite God, and therefore it deserves an infinite punishment. Now a finite creature cannot bear an infinite punishment - therefore God makes the punishment infinite in regard to continuance. The creature cannot pay the whole debt at once - therefore he must be paying forever!
(b.) There is eternity in sin, not only as being committed against an eternal God, and as deserving eternal punishment. There is a further eternity in sin - with respect to the disposition and will of the sinner, which is so tied to sin that if the sinner should live forever - then he would sin forever. He is never weary of sin. He desires to live here always, that he may always enjoy his lusts. Though he lives ever so long - yet he never thinks it is time to be judged by God.
To what a great age the men of the old world lived - eight or nine hundred years, and yet they made no other use of it than to indulge their lusts! Every sinner would certainly go on in sin to the world's end, if death did not hinder him. His desire and will is to sin everlastingly - and he would do so if he could!
As in the case of duty - so in the case of sin - God looks more at the will than the deed. What hinders a sinner from being a sinner still, who does not leave sin, until sin leaves him? He who would sin forever if he could - he continues to sin in willing to sin.
Is it not just, that those who if they lived forever, would never have left sinning - should never cease suffering? And is it not just that their eternal obstinacy should be punished with an everlasting punishment?
(3.) Again there is an actual eternity in man's sin, for though death puts an end to their lives, it does not put an end to their sins - for hell is as full of sin as of suffering. They sin even in hell, even when under the wrath of God. Their sin-nature remains forever - and they continue sinner forever. Therefore it is just with God that there should be an everlasting continuance of the punishment.
~Matthew Mead~
(continued with # 2)
"It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!" (Hebrews 10:3).
How can it be consistent with the justice and righteousness of God to punish temporal sinning, with everlasting suffering, to inflict eternal vengeance, for momentary offences, to throw a sinner into unending misery, for committing a few sins here which quickly have an end?
This has made some conclude against the eternal duration of hell's torments - as if God were so merciful that He would not let them lie under His wrath forever. But I answer this with the Apostle, "Is God unjust in bringing His wrath on us? Certainly not!" (Romans 3:5-6). God is holy, just, and righteous - even when He punishes momentary offences with everlasting torments. And this will appear, by considering the following:
1. It is necessary for the governing of the world, that the penalty should be so stated. It is necessary for the preserving the authority of God's law in its full force and vigor, and to render it more solemn and dreadful. The design of God is to have the punishment so great as to check all the temptations to sin which a man can have. There is in man since the fall, such a propensity to sensual things, that, without this fear of hell, nothing is able to keep it down. Fleshly lusts are so severest threatenings. Therefore, God has told us beforehand, "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on these who are disobedient!" (Eph. 5:6).
God wisely balances the sinner's delights with the fear of punishment, that by setting eternal pains against momentary pleasures, we may the better escape temptation. The pleasures of sin, which are but for a season, entail on us torments which are eternal!
God has wisely left to our own choice whether we will have the passing pleasures of sin here on earth - or those eternal pleasures which comes hereafter, as a reward of grace. Things at hand will far more prevail than things to come, if those things to come are not considerably greater. Here on earth the pain is short, and so is the pleasure - but in the eternal world both the pain and the pleasure are eternal. In the wisdom of God, those who work out their salvation with fear and trembling here, should have pleasures at the right hand of God for evermore - and those who will have their sinful pleasures here, should have everlasting misery in the eternal world.
2. Common reason allows that there ought to be a proportion between the nature of the offence, and the quality of the punishment. Now sin against God is such an immense thing that nothing less than an everlasting punishment can be equivalent to it. This will be plain, if you consider the following:
(a.) The greatness of the majesty against which sin is committed. Every sin is a base derogating of God, and this is enough to make the guilt of it infinite - because it is done against an infinite God, and therefore it deserves an infinite punishment. Now a finite creature cannot bear an infinite punishment - therefore God makes the punishment infinite in regard to continuance. The creature cannot pay the whole debt at once - therefore he must be paying forever!
(b.) There is eternity in sin, not only as being committed against an eternal God, and as deserving eternal punishment. There is a further eternity in sin - with respect to the disposition and will of the sinner, which is so tied to sin that if the sinner should live forever - then he would sin forever. He is never weary of sin. He desires to live here always, that he may always enjoy his lusts. Though he lives ever so long - yet he never thinks it is time to be judged by God.
To what a great age the men of the old world lived - eight or nine hundred years, and yet they made no other use of it than to indulge their lusts! Every sinner would certainly go on in sin to the world's end, if death did not hinder him. His desire and will is to sin everlastingly - and he would do so if he could!
As in the case of duty - so in the case of sin - God looks more at the will than the deed. What hinders a sinner from being a sinner still, who does not leave sin, until sin leaves him? He who would sin forever if he could - he continues to sin in willing to sin.
Is it not just, that those who if they lived forever, would never have left sinning - should never cease suffering? And is it not just that their eternal obstinacy should be punished with an everlasting punishment?
(3.) Again there is an actual eternity in man's sin, for though death puts an end to their lives, it does not put an end to their sins - for hell is as full of sin as of suffering. They sin even in hell, even when under the wrath of God. Their sin-nature remains forever - and they continue sinner forever. Therefore it is just with God that there should be an everlasting continuance of the punishment.
~Matthew Mead~
(continued with # 2)
Saturday, November 9, 2019
God's Special Treasure! # 2
God's Special Treasure! # 2
He chose them out from others on purpose that they may be a special people unto Himself - and in so doing, he acted FREELY. It was not on account of anything He saw in them, or on account of anything He expected from them; but in the exercise of His most free and holy sovereignty - He chose them to participate in the glory of His Son.
In choosing them, He acted also DELIBERATELY. It was no hasty choice. His thoughts had been eternally filled with them. His heart had been eternally set upon them. Therefore He chose them in Christ before the foundation of the world; before His works of old.
In choosing them He acted WISELY - as He really desired to have them. For each one of them is ready to confess that if God had not chosen them, they would never have chosen Him! The nature regulates the choice; and as our nature is carnal and impure - we would never have chosen God, who is spiritual and holy.
His choice was just an early expression of His LOVE. The love that chose them - would do anything for them, and give anything to them! Therefore God spared not His own Son - but delivered Him up for them all; and in so doing gave them the assurance that also He will freely give them all things in Christ.
O the wondrous couched in electing love!
This act of choosing such creatures as we are to be a special people unto Himself - displays such grace, such condescension, such infinite wisdom and love! It seems to say, "The Lord has need of you." And, indeed, if He is to display all the glorious perfections of His nature, if He is to communicate of His infinite fullness to creatures, if He is to appear as God, in the most wondrous and astonishing manner - He does need us!
As the mother needs the child to empty the full breast; as the Father needs the Son to share and enjoy his possessions with him; as the bridegroom needs the bride to satisfy the deep love that is hid in his heart towards her; so God, our covenant God, may be said to need us.
God's election says, "The Lord loves you!" Loves us! Yes, and with a love that is eternal, immutable, sovereign, infinite and free! All the love of God is lavished upon us as His special people in Christ. Oh, those wondrous words of Jesus, "You have loved them - AS You have loved Me!"
Beloved, if God has chosen us to be a special people unto Himself - then let it be the ruling object of our lives, to be specially for God! And as God desires to have us near to Himself- let it be a daily effort to get near, and keep near to Him.
But few among the worldly wise,
But few of nobler race,
Obtain the favor of Your eyes,
Almighty King of grace!
He takes the men of lowest name -
For sons and heirs of God!
And thus He pours abundant shame,
On honorable blood.
He calls the fool, and makes him know
The mysteries of His grace,
To bring aspiring wisdom low,
And all its pride abase!
Nature has all its glories lost,
When brought before His throne;
No flesh shall in His presence boast,
But in the Lord alone!
~James Smith~
(The End)
He chose them out from others on purpose that they may be a special people unto Himself - and in so doing, he acted FREELY. It was not on account of anything He saw in them, or on account of anything He expected from them; but in the exercise of His most free and holy sovereignty - He chose them to participate in the glory of His Son.
In choosing them, He acted also DELIBERATELY. It was no hasty choice. His thoughts had been eternally filled with them. His heart had been eternally set upon them. Therefore He chose them in Christ before the foundation of the world; before His works of old.
In choosing them He acted WISELY - as He really desired to have them. For each one of them is ready to confess that if God had not chosen them, they would never have chosen Him! The nature regulates the choice; and as our nature is carnal and impure - we would never have chosen God, who is spiritual and holy.
His choice was just an early expression of His LOVE. The love that chose them - would do anything for them, and give anything to them! Therefore God spared not His own Son - but delivered Him up for them all; and in so doing gave them the assurance that also He will freely give them all things in Christ.
O the wondrous couched in electing love!
This act of choosing such creatures as we are to be a special people unto Himself - displays such grace, such condescension, such infinite wisdom and love! It seems to say, "The Lord has need of you." And, indeed, if He is to display all the glorious perfections of His nature, if He is to communicate of His infinite fullness to creatures, if He is to appear as God, in the most wondrous and astonishing manner - He does need us!
As the mother needs the child to empty the full breast; as the Father needs the Son to share and enjoy his possessions with him; as the bridegroom needs the bride to satisfy the deep love that is hid in his heart towards her; so God, our covenant God, may be said to need us.
God's election says, "The Lord loves you!" Loves us! Yes, and with a love that is eternal, immutable, sovereign, infinite and free! All the love of God is lavished upon us as His special people in Christ. Oh, those wondrous words of Jesus, "You have loved them - AS You have loved Me!"
Beloved, if God has chosen us to be a special people unto Himself - then let it be the ruling object of our lives, to be specially for God! And as God desires to have us near to Himself- let it be a daily effort to get near, and keep near to Him.
But few among the worldly wise,
But few of nobler race,
Obtain the favor of Your eyes,
Almighty King of grace!
He takes the men of lowest name -
For sons and heirs of God!
And thus He pours abundant shame,
On honorable blood.
He calls the fool, and makes him know
The mysteries of His grace,
To bring aspiring wisdom low,
And all its pride abase!
Nature has all its glories lost,
When brought before His throne;
No flesh shall in His presence boast,
But in the Lord alone!
~James Smith~
(The End)
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