Righteous Judgment (and others)
John 7:24 "Do not judge by appearances, but judge with righteous judgment"
What is "righteous judgment?
Righteous judgment simply means that we are not to judge another by appearance, standing, good deeds, or any other means. Righteous judgment allows rebuke and judgment by only one way, and that is by "righteous judgment" -meaning the "fruits of the Spirit". Anyone who has these fruits of the Spirit is truly a born again soul, and can be rebuked and corrected for believing unChristlike ideas.
Fruits of the Spirit include: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Without these fruits, a person, though proclaiming to be a Christian, is only pretending, and judging is considered worthy as correction and rebuke.
See also: Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:16; Deuteronomy 16:18; Matthew 7:2; John 8:15; Zechariah 8:16.
__________________________
The Cup of Wrath
"In the hand of the Lord is a cup full of red wine mixed with spices! He pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to its very dregs!" (Psalm 75:8).
There has been only One who has ever drunk this cup down to its very dregs!
Cain has been drinking it for 5,000 years and finds that his punishment greater than he can bear - but has not come to the dregs.
Judas had been drinking it for some 2,000 years, often crying out with a groan that shakes hell, "Oh that I had never been born! Oh that I had never seen or heard of the Lord Jesus Christ!" But he has not reached the dregs.
The fallen angels have not come near the dregs!
The only One who has taken, tasted, drunk, and wrung out the bitterest of the bitter dregs - has been the Judge Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ!
You know how often, when on earth, He spoke of it. "Are you able to drink the cup that I shall drink of?" (Matt. 20:22). "The cup which My Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?" (John 18:11).
The universe saw Him with it at His lips. It was our cup of trembling - the cup in which the wrath due to His people was mixed. What wrath, what woe! A few drops made Him cry, "Now is my soul deeply troubled!" In the garden, the sight of it wrung out the strange, mysterious words, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death!" Though God-man, He staggered at what He saw, and went on trembling.
The next day, on Calvary, He drank it all! I suppose the three hours of darkness may have been the time when He was drinking it down the very dregs; for then arose from His broken heart, the wail which so appealed to the heart of the Father, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me!" As He drank the last drop, and cried out, "It is finished!" we may believe that the holy angels felt an inconceivable relief - and even the Father Himself! So tremendous was the wrath and curse! - the wrath and curse due to our sin!
Jesus drank that cup as the substitute for His innumerable people, who were given to Him by the Father; and thereby freed them from ever tasting even one drop of that fierce wrath, that "cup of red wine, mixed with spices," with its dregs - its unknown terrors!
"Death and the curse were in our cup,
O Christ, 'twas full for Thee!
But Thou hast drained the last dark drop,
'Tis empty now for me!"
"Once it was mine, that cup of wrath,
And Jesus drank it dry!"
~Andrew Bonar~
Saturday, October 27, 2018
Words of Counsel for the Newly Converted # 2
Words of Counsel for the Newly Converted # 2
Read mostly the plainest and most practical parts - as the Psalms, the Gospels, and the Epistles - yet neglect not from time to time carefully to peruse the whole, since "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,for instruction in righteousness." "This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein - for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success." (2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Joshua 1:8).
And if you would find true delight in those blessed truths which the Bible contains, be very careful to read no book that will unfit the mind for heavenly meditation.
2. Resort continually to the throne of grace. "Pray without ceasing." "In everything by prayer and petition, let your requests be made known unto God." Come often to the mercy seat with some petitions as these: "Hold me up - and I shall be safe." "Keep me as the apple of Your eye." "Create in me a clean heart, O God!" 'Lord help me!" "Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!" At all times, be very earnest in prayer that God would bestow upon you the grace and power of the Holy Spirit. Remember that it is by the Spirit alone, you can have any right views of sin, of the world, of the character of God, of the love of Christ. It is by the Spirit also that right feelings and dispositions can be implanted in the heart. Would you be a humble, contrite, meek, holy, loving, happy Christian - would you live for God and be ever doing Christ's work on earth - it can only be as you depend continually upon the aid of the Spirit.
Here let me add also - come regularly to the Holy Communion. Do not turn your back upon that table to which Christ Himself so lovingly invites you. You are not to wait until you are perfect, or until you imagine you have made some great progress in holiness - but Christ would have you come now. He will not reject you however unworthy you may be. All are welcome who confess their sins, and truly turn to Christ. Take and eat the bread in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on Him in your heart by faith with thanksgiving.
3. Be separate from the world that lies in wickedness. Of course in some measure you must mix in the world, while you live on earth - but let it be evident that you rise above it. Ask "How far may I go, and yet be guiltless?" "How may I walk closely with God?" "How may I enjoy most of the love of Christ?" "How shall I best glorify my Father in Heaven?" Always ask, "Can I kneel down and with a good conscience ask the Lord to go with me to things of the world?" Above all, bear witness for Christ in the world by a very holy and consistent life. Resist sin in every shape and form. Guard against youthful lusts. In thought, word, and deed, be pure, and be chaste. Regard the least allusion to anything impure, as the poison of the old serpent which is death to the soul.
Keep a very tender conscience. Don't make light of little sins. Little acts of dishonesty, of selfishness, of neglect, indulged vanity, self-conceit and half-untruths - who can tell how much harm is often done by these things, and to what far greater evils they often lead?
But while you watch against sin, do not be content even with this. Be zealous in doing good. Follow Christ's footsteps. Strive to diminish the need, the suffering, the sorrow, the sin that is in the world. Wherever you may be placed, let your influence for good be felt by those with whom you have to do. "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
"To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault with great joy - to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." (Jude 1:24-25).
O help us, Lord; each hour of need
Your heavenly support give,
Help us in thought, and word, and deed,
Each hour on earth we live!
O help us when our spirits bleed
With contrite anguish sore;
And when our hearts are cold and dead,
O help us, Lord, the more!
O help us, through the prayer of faith,
More firmly to believe,
For still the more the servant has,
The more shall he receive.
O help us,l Jesus, from on high,
We know no help but Thee!
O help us so to live and die
As Yours in Heaven to be!
~George Everard~
(The End)
Read mostly the plainest and most practical parts - as the Psalms, the Gospels, and the Epistles - yet neglect not from time to time carefully to peruse the whole, since "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,for instruction in righteousness." "This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein - for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success." (2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Joshua 1:8).
And if you would find true delight in those blessed truths which the Bible contains, be very careful to read no book that will unfit the mind for heavenly meditation.
2. Resort continually to the throne of grace. "Pray without ceasing." "In everything by prayer and petition, let your requests be made known unto God." Come often to the mercy seat with some petitions as these: "Hold me up - and I shall be safe." "Keep me as the apple of Your eye." "Create in me a clean heart, O God!" 'Lord help me!" "Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!" At all times, be very earnest in prayer that God would bestow upon you the grace and power of the Holy Spirit. Remember that it is by the Spirit alone, you can have any right views of sin, of the world, of the character of God, of the love of Christ. It is by the Spirit also that right feelings and dispositions can be implanted in the heart. Would you be a humble, contrite, meek, holy, loving, happy Christian - would you live for God and be ever doing Christ's work on earth - it can only be as you depend continually upon the aid of the Spirit.
Here let me add also - come regularly to the Holy Communion. Do not turn your back upon that table to which Christ Himself so lovingly invites you. You are not to wait until you are perfect, or until you imagine you have made some great progress in holiness - but Christ would have you come now. He will not reject you however unworthy you may be. All are welcome who confess their sins, and truly turn to Christ. Take and eat the bread in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on Him in your heart by faith with thanksgiving.
3. Be separate from the world that lies in wickedness. Of course in some measure you must mix in the world, while you live on earth - but let it be evident that you rise above it. Ask "How far may I go, and yet be guiltless?" "How may I walk closely with God?" "How may I enjoy most of the love of Christ?" "How shall I best glorify my Father in Heaven?" Always ask, "Can I kneel down and with a good conscience ask the Lord to go with me to things of the world?" Above all, bear witness for Christ in the world by a very holy and consistent life. Resist sin in every shape and form. Guard against youthful lusts. In thought, word, and deed, be pure, and be chaste. Regard the least allusion to anything impure, as the poison of the old serpent which is death to the soul.
Keep a very tender conscience. Don't make light of little sins. Little acts of dishonesty, of selfishness, of neglect, indulged vanity, self-conceit and half-untruths - who can tell how much harm is often done by these things, and to what far greater evils they often lead?
But while you watch against sin, do not be content even with this. Be zealous in doing good. Follow Christ's footsteps. Strive to diminish the need, the suffering, the sorrow, the sin that is in the world. Wherever you may be placed, let your influence for good be felt by those with whom you have to do. "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
"To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault with great joy - to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." (Jude 1:24-25).
O help us, Lord; each hour of need
Your heavenly support give,
Help us in thought, and word, and deed,
Each hour on earth we live!
O help us when our spirits bleed
With contrite anguish sore;
And when our hearts are cold and dead,
O help us, Lord, the more!
O help us, through the prayer of faith,
More firmly to believe,
For still the more the servant has,
The more shall he receive.
O help us,l Jesus, from on high,
We know no help but Thee!
O help us so to live and die
As Yours in Heaven to be!
~George Everard~
(The End)
Saturday, October 20, 2018
Words of Councel to the Newly Converted # 1
Words of Counsel to the Newly Converted # 1
The question that is here proposed must naturally arise in the minds of all those who have truly given themselves to God.
The vow you have lately made has been marked in Heaven. God has heard that profession which your lips have uttered - and He calls upon you henceforth to serve Him only. If you understand the character of the service in which you have engaged, if you have been thoroughly honest in the promise you have made - will you not pause and consider how you may faithfully carry out these obligations? Will you not ask in all earnestness - "Lord, what will You have me to do?"
I will endeavor, from the Word of God, to answer this inquiry. I will strive to point out to you the path which, by God's grace, you should daily tread.
First of all, let me remind you, that steadfast perseverance in well-doing is the best proof that your profession is sincere. You must not depend on any mere feelings, or any temporary excitement - these may be only as the morning cloud that passes away. Neither must you rely on any resolutions and determinations which you have formed - these may prove as the new ropes with which Sampson was bound, and may be snapped asunder in the first moment of temptation.
It is not by these, however necessary they may be - but by a quiet, abiding continuance in holy living and holy walking, that you will prove yourself to be in truth one of the Lord's followers. Hearken to the words of Christ Himself: "If you continue in my Word then are you My disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Hear again the words of Paul: "We are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end."
How may you hope to do this? By what means may you be enabled to continue Christ's faithful soldier and servant to your life's end? Go back again - and yet again, to foundation truths. There are great truths we need to carry with us as our companions even to the last day of our pilgrimage, and all our strength and process in the Divine life depends upon the grasp we take of them. We never get beyond them. They are as necessary when we are close to the promised inheritance - as when we first set out.
Our own exceeding sinfulness, the utter worthlessness of any righteousness that we can bring, our utter inability to do anything good of ourselves, the cleansing power of the blood of Christ, the might and grace of His Holy Spirit to mortify sin and to renew the soul in the image of God, the perfect freeness of His invitations to all who will come to Him, His faithfulness and tender care towards the nearest of His flock - such truths as these the Christian needs every day, every hour of his life. Make them the subject of frequent meditation. Let them, by the Spirit's power, be engrafted more and more deeply upon your heart and memory.
Especially remember, that by the exercise of faith in Christ, you will receive all spiritual gifts and blessings out of His fullness, and thus daily grow in grace.
What was the secret of Paul's zeal and steadfastness in the service of Christ? He himself has told us: "The just shall live by faith." This was the key-note of his ministry, and his strength in every conflict. Thrice he repeats this sentence. In writing to the Church at Rome, to the Galatians, and to the Hebrews, he lays it down in each case as a truth which should never be forgotten. What this faith is by which the Christian is to be upheld, he declares in another place: "The life which I now lie in the flesh, I live by the faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." (Gal. 2:20).
To exercise the same faith in the Son of God is most necessary. In every need, we must make a fresh application to Him for the grace that is requisite. "There is one promise upon which I live," said a Christian woman, "and it is this, 'Him that comes unto Me, I will never cast out.' I go to Christ in the strength of this promise a hundred times a day." Follow in your life an example like this. Never be weary of calling upon Christ - and He will never be weary of hearing your cry. Whatever doubts may cross your mind as to your salvation, whatever fears as to whether you be indeed a Christian - yet this is certain - the door is still open, Christ is still full of grace and mercy, and He will never reject a sinner on his first application, or a backslider on his return to Him. Therefore turn again in faith, and every fear shall flee away.
No good word, or work, or thought
Bring I to gain Your grace:
Pardon I accept unbought,
Your offer I embrace.
Coming as at first I came,
To take and not bestow on Thee;
Friend of sinners, spotless Lamb,
Your blood was shed for me!
Feed constantly in the green pastures which the good Shepherd provides for His flock. Especially would I name five of these green pastures where Christ nourishes and strengthens the souls of those that love Him.
1. Be diligent in the study of Holy Scripture. Make it your daily practice to read some portion of your Bible with real attention, and with dependence upon the Spirit's aid. As you read, often stay awhile and ask yourself: What does this mean? What duty does this teach me? Of what sin does this remind me? How does this warning or promise speak to myself?
~George Everard~
(continued with # 2)
The question that is here proposed must naturally arise in the minds of all those who have truly given themselves to God.
The vow you have lately made has been marked in Heaven. God has heard that profession which your lips have uttered - and He calls upon you henceforth to serve Him only. If you understand the character of the service in which you have engaged, if you have been thoroughly honest in the promise you have made - will you not pause and consider how you may faithfully carry out these obligations? Will you not ask in all earnestness - "Lord, what will You have me to do?"
I will endeavor, from the Word of God, to answer this inquiry. I will strive to point out to you the path which, by God's grace, you should daily tread.
First of all, let me remind you, that steadfast perseverance in well-doing is the best proof that your profession is sincere. You must not depend on any mere feelings, or any temporary excitement - these may be only as the morning cloud that passes away. Neither must you rely on any resolutions and determinations which you have formed - these may prove as the new ropes with which Sampson was bound, and may be snapped asunder in the first moment of temptation.
It is not by these, however necessary they may be - but by a quiet, abiding continuance in holy living and holy walking, that you will prove yourself to be in truth one of the Lord's followers. Hearken to the words of Christ Himself: "If you continue in my Word then are you My disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Hear again the words of Paul: "We are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end."
How may you hope to do this? By what means may you be enabled to continue Christ's faithful soldier and servant to your life's end? Go back again - and yet again, to foundation truths. There are great truths we need to carry with us as our companions even to the last day of our pilgrimage, and all our strength and process in the Divine life depends upon the grasp we take of them. We never get beyond them. They are as necessary when we are close to the promised inheritance - as when we first set out.
Our own exceeding sinfulness, the utter worthlessness of any righteousness that we can bring, our utter inability to do anything good of ourselves, the cleansing power of the blood of Christ, the might and grace of His Holy Spirit to mortify sin and to renew the soul in the image of God, the perfect freeness of His invitations to all who will come to Him, His faithfulness and tender care towards the nearest of His flock - such truths as these the Christian needs every day, every hour of his life. Make them the subject of frequent meditation. Let them, by the Spirit's power, be engrafted more and more deeply upon your heart and memory.
Especially remember, that by the exercise of faith in Christ, you will receive all spiritual gifts and blessings out of His fullness, and thus daily grow in grace.
What was the secret of Paul's zeal and steadfastness in the service of Christ? He himself has told us: "The just shall live by faith." This was the key-note of his ministry, and his strength in every conflict. Thrice he repeats this sentence. In writing to the Church at Rome, to the Galatians, and to the Hebrews, he lays it down in each case as a truth which should never be forgotten. What this faith is by which the Christian is to be upheld, he declares in another place: "The life which I now lie in the flesh, I live by the faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." (Gal. 2:20).
To exercise the same faith in the Son of God is most necessary. In every need, we must make a fresh application to Him for the grace that is requisite. "There is one promise upon which I live," said a Christian woman, "and it is this, 'Him that comes unto Me, I will never cast out.' I go to Christ in the strength of this promise a hundred times a day." Follow in your life an example like this. Never be weary of calling upon Christ - and He will never be weary of hearing your cry. Whatever doubts may cross your mind as to your salvation, whatever fears as to whether you be indeed a Christian - yet this is certain - the door is still open, Christ is still full of grace and mercy, and He will never reject a sinner on his first application, or a backslider on his return to Him. Therefore turn again in faith, and every fear shall flee away.
No good word, or work, or thought
Bring I to gain Your grace:
Pardon I accept unbought,
Your offer I embrace.
Coming as at first I came,
To take and not bestow on Thee;
Friend of sinners, spotless Lamb,
Your blood was shed for me!
Feed constantly in the green pastures which the good Shepherd provides for His flock. Especially would I name five of these green pastures where Christ nourishes and strengthens the souls of those that love Him.
1. Be diligent in the study of Holy Scripture. Make it your daily practice to read some portion of your Bible with real attention, and with dependence upon the Spirit's aid. As you read, often stay awhile and ask yourself: What does this mean? What duty does this teach me? Of what sin does this remind me? How does this warning or promise speak to myself?
~George Everard~
(continued with # 2)
Saturday, October 13, 2018
Gems From Leonard Ravenhill (and others)
Gems From Leonard Ravenhill (and others)
Even so, to our knees, O Christians! Desist the folly of sprinkling today's individual and international iniquity with theological rose water! Turn loose against this putrefaction those mighty rivers of weeping, of prayer, and of unctionized preaching until all be cleansed.
Let the fires go out in the boiler room of the church and the place will still look smart and clean, but it will be cold. The prayer room is the boiler room for its spiritual life.
Ministers who do not spend two hours a day in prayer are not worth a dime a dozen - degrees or no degrees.
No man - I don't care how colossal his intellect - No man is greater than his prayer life.
Notice, we never pray for folks we gossip about, and we never gossip about the fold for whom we pray! For prayer is a great detergent.
People are making salvation a mental decision instead of a heart decision. This is a shame.
Prayer in its highest form is agonizing soul sweat.
Prayer is not a preparation for the battle; it is the battle!
Prayerlessness is disobedience,for God's command is that men ought always to pray and not faint. To be prayerless is to fail God for He says, "Ask of Me.."
The Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Fire delivers us from coldness in prayer.
The Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Life end our deadness in prayer.
The Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Might comes to our aid in our weakness as we pray.
The Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Power helps our infirmity in prayer.
The man who has gotten God's Word in the prayer closet neither seeks nor expects encouragement from men for the delivery of that Word. The Spirit Himself bears witness of the approval.
The only power that God will yield to is that of prayer.
The secret of praying is praying in secret.
The true church lives and moves and has its being in prayer.
There are two kinds of people: those dead to sin and those dead in sin.
To stand before men on behalf of God is one thing. To stand before God on behalf of men is something entirely different.
Why do we want God to come for? Is it to increase our numbers, to keep our kids from the devil, or are we jealous for God's glory? For that is what revival is - an invasion of God by the Spirit.
Why did Jesus come? He came that they may know You the one true God. Most Christians today don't know God.
True peace is when the soul revolves around its center, Almighty God, craving for nothing but what God continually supplies. Since the soul is large enough to contain the infinite God, nothingless than Himself can satisfy or fill it. (Edward B. Pusey)
Take your burdens, and troubles, and losses, and wrongs, if come they must and will, as your opportunities, knowing that God has girded you for greater things than these. (Horace Bushneil)
You find no difficulty in trusting the Lord with the management of the universe and all the outward creation, and can your case be any more difficult than these, that you need to be anxious about His management of it? (Hannah Whitall Smith)
As in our daily walk we come nearer towards heaven, He will open to us more of heaven. (Edward B. Pusey)
I have no home, until I am in the realized presence of God. This holy presence is my inward home, until I experience it, I am a homeless wanderer; a straying sheep in waste howling wilderness. (Anonymous)
Keep A Fixed Eye Upon A Bleeding Christ
Has Jesus Christ suffered such great and grievous things for you? Oh then, in all your fears, doubts, and conflicts with enemies, within or without - fly to the sufferings of Christ as your city of refuge!
In every temptation let us look up to a crucified Christ, who is fitted and qualified to support tempted souls. Oh my soul, whenever you are assaulted, for the wounds of Christ be your city of refuge when you may fly and live!
Do your sins terrify you? Oh then, look up to a crucified Saviour, who bore your sins in His own body on the Cross!
Ah, Christians,k under all your temptations, afflictions, fears, doubts, conflicts, and trials - be persuaded to keep a fixed eye upon a crucified Jesus! And remember that all He did - He did for you; and that all He suffered - He suffered for you! This will be a strong cordial to keep you from fainting under all your distresses. Oh, that Christians would labor under all their soul troubles, to keep a fixed eye upon a bleeding Christ; for there is nothing which will ease them, quiet them, settle them, and satisfy them like this!
Many, if not most, Christians are more apt to eye their sins, their sorrows, their prayers, their tears, their resolves, their complaints - than they are to eye a suffering Christ. And from there springs their greatest woes, wounds, miseries, and dejection of spirit. Oh, that a crucified Christ might be forever in your eye - and always upon your hearts!
~Thomas Brooks~
Even so, to our knees, O Christians! Desist the folly of sprinkling today's individual and international iniquity with theological rose water! Turn loose against this putrefaction those mighty rivers of weeping, of prayer, and of unctionized preaching until all be cleansed.
Let the fires go out in the boiler room of the church and the place will still look smart and clean, but it will be cold. The prayer room is the boiler room for its spiritual life.
Ministers who do not spend two hours a day in prayer are not worth a dime a dozen - degrees or no degrees.
No man - I don't care how colossal his intellect - No man is greater than his prayer life.
Notice, we never pray for folks we gossip about, and we never gossip about the fold for whom we pray! For prayer is a great detergent.
People are making salvation a mental decision instead of a heart decision. This is a shame.
Prayer in its highest form is agonizing soul sweat.
Prayer is not a preparation for the battle; it is the battle!
Prayerlessness is disobedience,for God's command is that men ought always to pray and not faint. To be prayerless is to fail God for He says, "Ask of Me.."
The Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Fire delivers us from coldness in prayer.
The Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Life end our deadness in prayer.
The Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Might comes to our aid in our weakness as we pray.
The Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Power helps our infirmity in prayer.
The man who has gotten God's Word in the prayer closet neither seeks nor expects encouragement from men for the delivery of that Word. The Spirit Himself bears witness of the approval.
The only power that God will yield to is that of prayer.
The secret of praying is praying in secret.
The true church lives and moves and has its being in prayer.
There are two kinds of people: those dead to sin and those dead in sin.
To stand before men on behalf of God is one thing. To stand before God on behalf of men is something entirely different.
Why do we want God to come for? Is it to increase our numbers, to keep our kids from the devil, or are we jealous for God's glory? For that is what revival is - an invasion of God by the Spirit.
Why did Jesus come? He came that they may know You the one true God. Most Christians today don't know God.
True peace is when the soul revolves around its center, Almighty God, craving for nothing but what God continually supplies. Since the soul is large enough to contain the infinite God, nothingless than Himself can satisfy or fill it. (Edward B. Pusey)
Take your burdens, and troubles, and losses, and wrongs, if come they must and will, as your opportunities, knowing that God has girded you for greater things than these. (Horace Bushneil)
You find no difficulty in trusting the Lord with the management of the universe and all the outward creation, and can your case be any more difficult than these, that you need to be anxious about His management of it? (Hannah Whitall Smith)
As in our daily walk we come nearer towards heaven, He will open to us more of heaven. (Edward B. Pusey)
I have no home, until I am in the realized presence of God. This holy presence is my inward home, until I experience it, I am a homeless wanderer; a straying sheep in waste howling wilderness. (Anonymous)
Keep A Fixed Eye Upon A Bleeding Christ
Has Jesus Christ suffered such great and grievous things for you? Oh then, in all your fears, doubts, and conflicts with enemies, within or without - fly to the sufferings of Christ as your city of refuge!
In every temptation let us look up to a crucified Christ, who is fitted and qualified to support tempted souls. Oh my soul, whenever you are assaulted, for the wounds of Christ be your city of refuge when you may fly and live!
Do your sins terrify you? Oh then, look up to a crucified Saviour, who bore your sins in His own body on the Cross!
Ah, Christians,k under all your temptations, afflictions, fears, doubts, conflicts, and trials - be persuaded to keep a fixed eye upon a crucified Jesus! And remember that all He did - He did for you; and that all He suffered - He suffered for you! This will be a strong cordial to keep you from fainting under all your distresses. Oh, that Christians would labor under all their soul troubles, to keep a fixed eye upon a bleeding Christ; for there is nothing which will ease them, quiet them, settle them, and satisfy them like this!
Many, if not most, Christians are more apt to eye their sins, their sorrows, their prayers, their tears, their resolves, their complaints - than they are to eye a suffering Christ. And from there springs their greatest woes, wounds, miseries, and dejection of spirit. Oh, that a crucified Christ might be forever in your eye - and always upon your hearts!
~Thomas Brooks~
Paul's Last Words
Paul's Last Words
2 Timothy 4:1-18
It is the year A.D. 64, and the great apostle is lying in a damp Roman prison cell waiting for his final trial. Two charges are filed against him; one, taking part in the burning of Rome; the other, treason, in attempting to change the established customs of society and weaken imperial authority. All his friends, except Luke, have forsaken him; he is becoming nerved for martyrdom; before his fate is sealed - he writes a final farewell word to Timothy. He began, "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge!"
Life is very serious. We are always standing before God who is our judge. We should learn to do everything in the presence of God. This makes every word and act serious. If only we were more conscious of God and of eternity - we would live better!
"Preach the Word." Timothy was not making the most of himself. He seems to have been indolent - he was not preaching with the burning ardor which should characterize a minister of Christ. Paul wished to stir him up to do better work. He charges him to preach the Word, not only in season - at the stated times of public service - but out of season, wherever and whenever he had opportunity. Many of us are not making the most of our life. We are not doing our best in our efforts to help save the world. From this Roman prison comes the call to everyone to arouse his best energies in behalf of the kingdom of Christ.
"Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all patience." The minister is to watch the souls entrusted to his care - as a shepherd watches his sheep. Yet no duty of friendship is so difficult as that of reproof or rebuke. Too often the word of admonition is sharp, bitter, and censorious. Paul wisely adds that we need to have all patience in our exhorting or rebuking of others. Words of reproof should always be spoken in love and patience.
Not always do people receive graciously the simple truths of God's Word. "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear!" Plain, old fashioned teaching is not brilliant enough to please them. The old, old story lacks interest, and they want something new. The fault is with the hearers, not with the teachers. "Take heed how you hear," is one of the Master's wise exhortations. Of course, one should teach well. There is no excuse for being boring or dull in presenting the truths of Christianity. Paul urges Timothy to do his part with earnestness for the very reason that the people would be apt to turn away to fables, instead of listening to the old gospel.
The words of exhortation are emphasized by Paul's closing message about himself. They were his parting thoughts. Before he had spoken of Timothy - now he spoke of himself, "I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
"I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure." It is interesting to study Paul's view of death as we have a glimpse of it here. He thinks of it in two ways. He was about to die as a martyr, and this made his death an offering to God. His life would be poured out on the altar as a sacrifice.
Then he also thinks of it as a departure, not the end of life - but a going away to another country. The body is only a temporary home. At death he leaves it and goes on to his permanent abiding place. For the Christian dying is not the end - it is only a departure from the frail tabernacle to the eternal house - from the body of weakness and mortality, to be home with Christ.
"I have fought the good fight." Here we have Paul's retrospect. It was a fight. It was a race. It was a trust, something given to keep and guard and use, and bring home at last unimpaired.
"I have kept the faith." Everyone's life is a trust - something he has to answer for. Whatever God gives us is a trust.
"Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing."
There is something to live for - besides the pleasure of success in this world. Those who live the life of faith will receive the crown of glory! One may even fail in this world's struggles, not making a success of his life, as men estimate life, and yet be wonderfully successful in the true sense, gaining eternal reward. If we live well in this present world. If we live well in this present world - if we lay up treasures for ourselves in heaven!
~J. R. Miller~
(The End)
2 Timothy 4:1-18
It is the year A.D. 64, and the great apostle is lying in a damp Roman prison cell waiting for his final trial. Two charges are filed against him; one, taking part in the burning of Rome; the other, treason, in attempting to change the established customs of society and weaken imperial authority. All his friends, except Luke, have forsaken him; he is becoming nerved for martyrdom; before his fate is sealed - he writes a final farewell word to Timothy. He began, "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge!"
Life is very serious. We are always standing before God who is our judge. We should learn to do everything in the presence of God. This makes every word and act serious. If only we were more conscious of God and of eternity - we would live better!
"Preach the Word." Timothy was not making the most of himself. He seems to have been indolent - he was not preaching with the burning ardor which should characterize a minister of Christ. Paul wished to stir him up to do better work. He charges him to preach the Word, not only in season - at the stated times of public service - but out of season, wherever and whenever he had opportunity. Many of us are not making the most of our life. We are not doing our best in our efforts to help save the world. From this Roman prison comes the call to everyone to arouse his best energies in behalf of the kingdom of Christ.
"Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all patience." The minister is to watch the souls entrusted to his care - as a shepherd watches his sheep. Yet no duty of friendship is so difficult as that of reproof or rebuke. Too often the word of admonition is sharp, bitter, and censorious. Paul wisely adds that we need to have all patience in our exhorting or rebuking of others. Words of reproof should always be spoken in love and patience.
Not always do people receive graciously the simple truths of God's Word. "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear!" Plain, old fashioned teaching is not brilliant enough to please them. The old, old story lacks interest, and they want something new. The fault is with the hearers, not with the teachers. "Take heed how you hear," is one of the Master's wise exhortations. Of course, one should teach well. There is no excuse for being boring or dull in presenting the truths of Christianity. Paul urges Timothy to do his part with earnestness for the very reason that the people would be apt to turn away to fables, instead of listening to the old gospel.
The words of exhortation are emphasized by Paul's closing message about himself. They were his parting thoughts. Before he had spoken of Timothy - now he spoke of himself, "I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
"I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure." It is interesting to study Paul's view of death as we have a glimpse of it here. He thinks of it in two ways. He was about to die as a martyr, and this made his death an offering to God. His life would be poured out on the altar as a sacrifice.
Then he also thinks of it as a departure, not the end of life - but a going away to another country. The body is only a temporary home. At death he leaves it and goes on to his permanent abiding place. For the Christian dying is not the end - it is only a departure from the frail tabernacle to the eternal house - from the body of weakness and mortality, to be home with Christ.
"I have fought the good fight." Here we have Paul's retrospect. It was a fight. It was a race. It was a trust, something given to keep and guard and use, and bring home at last unimpaired.
"I have kept the faith." Everyone's life is a trust - something he has to answer for. Whatever God gives us is a trust.
"Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing."
There is something to live for - besides the pleasure of success in this world. Those who live the life of faith will receive the crown of glory! One may even fail in this world's struggles, not making a success of his life, as men estimate life, and yet be wonderfully successful in the true sense, gaining eternal reward. If we live well in this present world. If we live well in this present world - if we lay up treasures for ourselves in heaven!
~J. R. Miller~
(The End)
Saturday, October 6, 2018
God Is His People's Great Reward # 2
God Is His People's Great Reward # 2
God being an infinite reward, there can be no defect or scantiness in it. There is no lack in that which is infinite. "Is God sufficient for every individual saint?" Yes! If the sun, which is but a finite creature, disperses its light to the universe, then much more God who is infinite, distributes glory to the whole number of the elect. Every individual Christian has a membership in God. Though there are millions of saints and angels, there is enough in God to fill them. God is an infinite reward, and though He is continually giving out of His fullness to others - yet He has not the less. His glory is imparted, not impaired. It is a distribution without a diminution.
God is an honorable reward. Honor is the height of men's ambition. What greater dignity than to be taken up into communion with the God of glory, and to possess a kingdom with Him!
God is an everlasting reward. Mortality is the flaw of all earthly things. Eternity cannot be measured by years nor ages. Eternity makes glory weighty (Psalms 48:14), "This God is our God forever and ever!" Oh, you saints of God, your praying and repenting are but for a while - but your reward is forever! As long as God is God, He will be rewarding you (Hosa 2:19). God's love for the elect is as unchangeable as His love for Christ (Psalm 73:26), "My portion forever." This portion cannot be spent - because it is infinite; nor can it be lost - because it is eternal.
Question: Will this reward overwhelm us?
Answer: In the eternal world, our faculties shall be extended, and through the Mediator, Christ - we shall be made capable of receiving this reward. God's glory will be seen and enjoyed by us.
Question: Where does the certainty of this reward appear?
Answer: God, who is the oracle of truth, has asserted it. God's oath is laid as pledge (Psalm 58:11). He has given the anticipation and first fruits of this reward to His saints in joy and consolation, (Galatians 5:22), which assures them of a harvest afterwards.
Question: But when shall we be possessed of this reward?
Answer: The time is not long. (Rev. 22:12). Sense and reason think it a long interval - but faith looks at the rewards as near.
Question: But why is this reward at all deferred?
Answer 1: God does not see fit that we should receive it. Our work is not done. A day laborer does not receive his pay until his work is done. Even Christ's reward was deferred until He had completed His work and said upon the Cross, "It is finished."
Answer 2: God defers the reward that we may live by faith. No grace honors God like faith (Romans 4:20). God has given Himself to us by promise. Faith trusts God's bond, and patience waits for the payment.
Answer 3: God adjourns the reward a while to sweeten it and make it more welcome. After all our labors, watchings, and conflicts - how comfortable will be the reward be. The longest labors, have the largest returns.
If still it is asked, "When shall the time of this reward be? I say, the righteous shall receive part of their reward at death. No sooner is the soul out of the body - then it is present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8). And the full coronation is at the resurrection when the soul and body shall be united and perfected in glory. You are within a few steps of heaven! Your salvation is now nearer than when you first believed (Romans 13:11).
Several applications follow.
Use 1. OF INFORMATION
Branch 1. Hence it is evident that it is lawful to look to the future reward. God is our reward; is it not lawful to look to Him? Looking to the reward, quickens us in piety. It is said that it revives the spirit and makes us walk without being weary.
Branch 2. If God is such an exceedingly great reward, then it is not in vain to engage His service. The infinite Jehovah gives a reward that is as far beyond our thoughts - as it is about our deserts. How apt are people, through ignorance or mistake, to misjudge the ways of God! They think it will not be worth the cost to be pious. They speak evil of true religion before they have tried it; as if one should condemn a food before he has tasted it. Besides the gratuities which God gives in this life - provision, protection, and peace - there is a glorious reward shortly coming (Psalm 19:11). God Himself is the saints dowry! He has those riches which are nowhere else to be had - the riches of salvation.
Branch 3. See the detestable folly of such as refuse God (Psalm 81:11). Is it usual to refuse rewards? God offers an incomprehensible reward to men - yet they refuse! Man, by his fall, lost God; he does not see where his best interest lies. He flies from God as if he were afraid of salvation, and what does he refuse God for? The fleeting and unsatisfying pleasures of the world! To loose God for these perishables is an example of folly worse than that of Lysimachus, who, for a draft of water, lost his kingdom. We read in Scriptures of two cups. "The Lord is the portion of my cup." Those who refuse this cup shall have another cup to drink of - "Upon the wicked He shall rain snares, fire, and brimstone - this shall be the portion of their cup."
Branch 4: If God is such an immense reward, then see how little cause the saints have to fear death. Are men afraid to receive rewards? There is no way to really live, but by dying. Christians would be clothed with glory - but are loath to be unclothed. They pray "may Your kingdom come," and when God is leading them to this kingdom, they are afraid to go. What makes us desirous of staying here on earth? There is more in the world to wean us - than to entice us. Is it not a valley of tears? And do we weep to leave it? Are we not in a wilderness among fiery serpents? And are we loath to leave their company? Is there a better friend we can go to - than God! Surely, those who know that when they die they go to receive their reward, should neither be fond of life - nor fear death! The pangs of death to believers are but the pangs of travail by which they are born into glory.
~Thomas Watson~
(continued with # 3)
God being an infinite reward, there can be no defect or scantiness in it. There is no lack in that which is infinite. "Is God sufficient for every individual saint?" Yes! If the sun, which is but a finite creature, disperses its light to the universe, then much more God who is infinite, distributes glory to the whole number of the elect. Every individual Christian has a membership in God. Though there are millions of saints and angels, there is enough in God to fill them. God is an infinite reward, and though He is continually giving out of His fullness to others - yet He has not the less. His glory is imparted, not impaired. It is a distribution without a diminution.
God is an honorable reward. Honor is the height of men's ambition. What greater dignity than to be taken up into communion with the God of glory, and to possess a kingdom with Him!
God is an everlasting reward. Mortality is the flaw of all earthly things. Eternity cannot be measured by years nor ages. Eternity makes glory weighty (Psalms 48:14), "This God is our God forever and ever!" Oh, you saints of God, your praying and repenting are but for a while - but your reward is forever! As long as God is God, He will be rewarding you (Hosa 2:19). God's love for the elect is as unchangeable as His love for Christ (Psalm 73:26), "My portion forever." This portion cannot be spent - because it is infinite; nor can it be lost - because it is eternal.
Question: Will this reward overwhelm us?
Answer: In the eternal world, our faculties shall be extended, and through the Mediator, Christ - we shall be made capable of receiving this reward. God's glory will be seen and enjoyed by us.
Question: Where does the certainty of this reward appear?
Answer: God, who is the oracle of truth, has asserted it. God's oath is laid as pledge (Psalm 58:11). He has given the anticipation and first fruits of this reward to His saints in joy and consolation, (Galatians 5:22), which assures them of a harvest afterwards.
Question: But when shall we be possessed of this reward?
Answer: The time is not long. (Rev. 22:12). Sense and reason think it a long interval - but faith looks at the rewards as near.
Question: But why is this reward at all deferred?
Answer 1: God does not see fit that we should receive it. Our work is not done. A day laborer does not receive his pay until his work is done. Even Christ's reward was deferred until He had completed His work and said upon the Cross, "It is finished."
Answer 2: God defers the reward that we may live by faith. No grace honors God like faith (Romans 4:20). God has given Himself to us by promise. Faith trusts God's bond, and patience waits for the payment.
Answer 3: God adjourns the reward a while to sweeten it and make it more welcome. After all our labors, watchings, and conflicts - how comfortable will be the reward be. The longest labors, have the largest returns.
If still it is asked, "When shall the time of this reward be? I say, the righteous shall receive part of their reward at death. No sooner is the soul out of the body - then it is present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8). And the full coronation is at the resurrection when the soul and body shall be united and perfected in glory. You are within a few steps of heaven! Your salvation is now nearer than when you first believed (Romans 13:11).
Several applications follow.
Use 1. OF INFORMATION
Branch 1. Hence it is evident that it is lawful to look to the future reward. God is our reward; is it not lawful to look to Him? Looking to the reward, quickens us in piety. It is said that it revives the spirit and makes us walk without being weary.
Branch 2. If God is such an exceedingly great reward, then it is not in vain to engage His service. The infinite Jehovah gives a reward that is as far beyond our thoughts - as it is about our deserts. How apt are people, through ignorance or mistake, to misjudge the ways of God! They think it will not be worth the cost to be pious. They speak evil of true religion before they have tried it; as if one should condemn a food before he has tasted it. Besides the gratuities which God gives in this life - provision, protection, and peace - there is a glorious reward shortly coming (Psalm 19:11). God Himself is the saints dowry! He has those riches which are nowhere else to be had - the riches of salvation.
Branch 3. See the detestable folly of such as refuse God (Psalm 81:11). Is it usual to refuse rewards? God offers an incomprehensible reward to men - yet they refuse! Man, by his fall, lost God; he does not see where his best interest lies. He flies from God as if he were afraid of salvation, and what does he refuse God for? The fleeting and unsatisfying pleasures of the world! To loose God for these perishables is an example of folly worse than that of Lysimachus, who, for a draft of water, lost his kingdom. We read in Scriptures of two cups. "The Lord is the portion of my cup." Those who refuse this cup shall have another cup to drink of - "Upon the wicked He shall rain snares, fire, and brimstone - this shall be the portion of their cup."
Branch 4: If God is such an immense reward, then see how little cause the saints have to fear death. Are men afraid to receive rewards? There is no way to really live, but by dying. Christians would be clothed with glory - but are loath to be unclothed. They pray "may Your kingdom come," and when God is leading them to this kingdom, they are afraid to go. What makes us desirous of staying here on earth? There is more in the world to wean us - than to entice us. Is it not a valley of tears? And do we weep to leave it? Are we not in a wilderness among fiery serpents? And are we loath to leave their company? Is there a better friend we can go to - than God! Surely, those who know that when they die they go to receive their reward, should neither be fond of life - nor fear death! The pangs of death to believers are but the pangs of travail by which they are born into glory.
~Thomas Watson~
(continued with # 3)
God Is His People's Great Reward # 1
God Is His People's Great Reward # 1
"I am your exceeding great reward" (Genesis 15:1).
God Himself is His people's reward!
Abraham is called "the friend of God," (James 2:23). The Lord spoke with him familiarly, (Genesis 17:22); he was made of God's privy council (Genesis 18:17). And in the text, "the Word of the Lord came unto him in a vision." And what was the word that came to this holy patriarch in a vision? "I am your shield, and your exceeding great reward" - words too great for any man or angel fully to expound. In the Hebrew it is, "I am your superabundant, very exceeding much reward." In the text is a climax; it rises like the waters of the sanctuary, high and higher - "I am your reward; your great reward; and your exceeding great reward." There are four things here to be spoken of:
1. Nothing besides God can be the saints' reward.
2. How God is their reward.
3. How God comes to be their reward.
4. Wherein the exceeding greatness of this reward consists.
1. Nothing besides God can be the saints' reward. Nothing on earth can be their reward. The glittering of the world dazzles men's eyes, but, like the apples of Sodom, it does not so much delight as delude. The world is glided emptiness. The world is made circular; but the heart is a triangle. A circle cannot fill a triangle. The world is enough to busy us, not to fill us (Job 20:22). "In the fullness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits." It seems a riddle to have sufficiency - yet not have enough. The meaning is, when he enjoys most of the creature - yet there is something lacking. Meaningless! Meaningless! Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless" (Ecc. 1:2). God never intended that we should dig happiness out of the earth which He has cursed.
Heaven itself is not a saint's reward (Psalm 73:25). "Whom have I in heaven but You?" There are angels and archangels - yes, but though these are for a saint's comfort - yet not properly for his reward. Communion with seraphim is excellent - yet can no more make a saint's reward than the light of the stars can make day.
2. How is God His people's reward? In bestowing Himself upon them. The great blessing of the covenant is, "I am your God." God will not only see that the saints shall be rewarded - but He Himself will be their reward. "I am your part and your inheritance," (Numbers 18:20), "I am yours, and all that I have" (1 Kings 20:4).
Abraham sent away the sons of the concubines with a few gifts - but he settled the inheritance upon Isaac (Genesis 25:5-6). God made Himself over to His people. They have not only the gift but the Giver. And what more can be said? As Micah said, "What have I more?" (Judges 18:24). Just so, what has God more to give than Himself? What greater dowry is there than the Deity? God is not only the saints rewarder - but He is their reward (Job 22:25). "The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup."
Question: But how does God give Himself to His people? Is not His essence incommunicable?
Answer: True, the saints cannot partake of God's very essence; the riches of the Deity are too great to be received in essence. But the saints shall have all in God, which may be for their comfort. They shall partake of much of God's likeness, His love, His influence, and the irradiation's of His glory (1 John 17:26) as astonishes and fills the vessels of mercy that they run over with joy.
3. How does God come to be His people's reward? Through Jesus Christ - His blood, being the blood of God, has merited this glorious reward for them (Acts 20:28). Though in respect of free grace, this reward is a donation - yet in respect of Christ's blood it is a purchase (Eph. 1:14. How precious should Christ be to us! Had not He died, the exceeding great portion would never have come into our hands!
4. Wherein the exceeding greatness of this reward consists. God is a satisfying reward (Genesis 17:1). "I am God Almighty." The word for almighty signifies "Him who has sufficiency." God is a whole ocean of blessedness, so that the soul, while it is bathing in it, cries out in a divine ecstasy, "I have enough!" Here is fullness - but no excess (Psalm 17:15). "I shall be satisfied when I awake with Your likeness." When I awake out of the sleep of death, having my soul embellished with the illustrious beams of Your glory. I shall be satisfied. In God there is not only sufficiency but redundancy; not only the fullness of the vessel - but the fullness of the fountain! When the whole world was defaced, Noah had the copy and emblem of it in the ark. In God, this Ark of blessedness, are all good things virtually to be found. Therefore Jacob, having God for his reward, could say, "I have enough!" or, as it is in the original, "I have all!" (Genesis 33:11). God is such an exuberant reward as exceeds our very faith.
God is a suitable reward. The soul, being spiritual, must have something comparable and suitable to make it happy - and that is God. Light is no more suitable to the eye, nor melody to the ear - than God is to the soul. He pours spiritual blessings into the soul, (Eph. 1:3). He enriches it with grace, feasts it with His love, and crowns it with heavenly dignity.
God is a pleasant reward. He is the quintessence of delight! He is all beauty and love! To be feeding upon the thoughts of God is delicious. (Psalm 104:34). "My meditation of Him shall be sweet." To have a prospect of God only by faith is pleasant (1 Pet. 1:8). "In whom believing you rejoice." Then what will the joy of vision be - when we shall have a clear, personal sight of Him - and be laid in the bosom of divine love! Is God so sweet a reward in affliction? (2 Cor. 7:4), "I am exceedingly joyful in all our trouble." This may be better felt - than expressed. The godly, entering upon their celestial reward, are said to enter into the joy of their Lord (Matt. 25:21). Oh, amazing! The saints enter into God's own joy. They have not only the joy which God bestows - but the joy which God enjoys!
God is a transcendent reward. When we speak of God's excellencies - we must draw a veil. He is so super-eminent a reward that we cannot set Him forth in all His luster and magnificence. Put the whole world in scare with Him - and it is as if you should weigh a feather with a mountain of gold. God is far better than all other things put together! He is better than the world, and better than heaven! He is the original cause of all good things. Nothing is sweet without Him. He perfumes and sanctifies our comforts!
God is an infinite reward. And, being infinite, these two things follow: This reward cannot come to us by way of merit. Can we merit God? Can infinite creatures merit an infinite reward?
~Thomas Watson~
(continued with # 2)
"I am your exceeding great reward" (Genesis 15:1).
God Himself is His people's reward!
Abraham is called "the friend of God," (James 2:23). The Lord spoke with him familiarly, (Genesis 17:22); he was made of God's privy council (Genesis 18:17). And in the text, "the Word of the Lord came unto him in a vision." And what was the word that came to this holy patriarch in a vision? "I am your shield, and your exceeding great reward" - words too great for any man or angel fully to expound. In the Hebrew it is, "I am your superabundant, very exceeding much reward." In the text is a climax; it rises like the waters of the sanctuary, high and higher - "I am your reward; your great reward; and your exceeding great reward." There are four things here to be spoken of:
1. Nothing besides God can be the saints' reward.
2. How God is their reward.
3. How God comes to be their reward.
4. Wherein the exceeding greatness of this reward consists.
1. Nothing besides God can be the saints' reward. Nothing on earth can be their reward. The glittering of the world dazzles men's eyes, but, like the apples of Sodom, it does not so much delight as delude. The world is glided emptiness. The world is made circular; but the heart is a triangle. A circle cannot fill a triangle. The world is enough to busy us, not to fill us (Job 20:22). "In the fullness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits." It seems a riddle to have sufficiency - yet not have enough. The meaning is, when he enjoys most of the creature - yet there is something lacking. Meaningless! Meaningless! Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless" (Ecc. 1:2). God never intended that we should dig happiness out of the earth which He has cursed.
Heaven itself is not a saint's reward (Psalm 73:25). "Whom have I in heaven but You?" There are angels and archangels - yes, but though these are for a saint's comfort - yet not properly for his reward. Communion with seraphim is excellent - yet can no more make a saint's reward than the light of the stars can make day.
2. How is God His people's reward? In bestowing Himself upon them. The great blessing of the covenant is, "I am your God." God will not only see that the saints shall be rewarded - but He Himself will be their reward. "I am your part and your inheritance," (Numbers 18:20), "I am yours, and all that I have" (1 Kings 20:4).
Abraham sent away the sons of the concubines with a few gifts - but he settled the inheritance upon Isaac (Genesis 25:5-6). God made Himself over to His people. They have not only the gift but the Giver. And what more can be said? As Micah said, "What have I more?" (Judges 18:24). Just so, what has God more to give than Himself? What greater dowry is there than the Deity? God is not only the saints rewarder - but He is their reward (Job 22:25). "The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup."
Question: But how does God give Himself to His people? Is not His essence incommunicable?
Answer: True, the saints cannot partake of God's very essence; the riches of the Deity are too great to be received in essence. But the saints shall have all in God, which may be for their comfort. They shall partake of much of God's likeness, His love, His influence, and the irradiation's of His glory (1 John 17:26) as astonishes and fills the vessels of mercy that they run over with joy.
3. How does God come to be His people's reward? Through Jesus Christ - His blood, being the blood of God, has merited this glorious reward for them (Acts 20:28). Though in respect of free grace, this reward is a donation - yet in respect of Christ's blood it is a purchase (Eph. 1:14. How precious should Christ be to us! Had not He died, the exceeding great portion would never have come into our hands!
4. Wherein the exceeding greatness of this reward consists. God is a satisfying reward (Genesis 17:1). "I am God Almighty." The word for almighty signifies "Him who has sufficiency." God is a whole ocean of blessedness, so that the soul, while it is bathing in it, cries out in a divine ecstasy, "I have enough!" Here is fullness - but no excess (Psalm 17:15). "I shall be satisfied when I awake with Your likeness." When I awake out of the sleep of death, having my soul embellished with the illustrious beams of Your glory. I shall be satisfied. In God there is not only sufficiency but redundancy; not only the fullness of the vessel - but the fullness of the fountain! When the whole world was defaced, Noah had the copy and emblem of it in the ark. In God, this Ark of blessedness, are all good things virtually to be found. Therefore Jacob, having God for his reward, could say, "I have enough!" or, as it is in the original, "I have all!" (Genesis 33:11). God is such an exuberant reward as exceeds our very faith.
God is a suitable reward. The soul, being spiritual, must have something comparable and suitable to make it happy - and that is God. Light is no more suitable to the eye, nor melody to the ear - than God is to the soul. He pours spiritual blessings into the soul, (Eph. 1:3). He enriches it with grace, feasts it with His love, and crowns it with heavenly dignity.
God is a pleasant reward. He is the quintessence of delight! He is all beauty and love! To be feeding upon the thoughts of God is delicious. (Psalm 104:34). "My meditation of Him shall be sweet." To have a prospect of God only by faith is pleasant (1 Pet. 1:8). "In whom believing you rejoice." Then what will the joy of vision be - when we shall have a clear, personal sight of Him - and be laid in the bosom of divine love! Is God so sweet a reward in affliction? (2 Cor. 7:4), "I am exceedingly joyful in all our trouble." This may be better felt - than expressed. The godly, entering upon their celestial reward, are said to enter into the joy of their Lord (Matt. 25:21). Oh, amazing! The saints enter into God's own joy. They have not only the joy which God bestows - but the joy which God enjoys!
God is a transcendent reward. When we speak of God's excellencies - we must draw a veil. He is so super-eminent a reward that we cannot set Him forth in all His luster and magnificence. Put the whole world in scare with Him - and it is as if you should weigh a feather with a mountain of gold. God is far better than all other things put together! He is better than the world, and better than heaven! He is the original cause of all good things. Nothing is sweet without Him. He perfumes and sanctifies our comforts!
God is an infinite reward. And, being infinite, these two things follow: This reward cannot come to us by way of merit. Can we merit God? Can infinite creatures merit an infinite reward?
~Thomas Watson~
(continued with # 2)
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