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)
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