The devil's Brat!
"That sin might become utterly sinful" (Romans 7:13).
Paul, to set forth the formidable evil is in sin, expresses it thus. He could find nothing more evil and odious to express sin by - than itself. Sin is so great an evil, that it cannot have a worse epithet given it. Paul can call it no worse that by its own name - sinful sin. Had he said that sin was a snare, a serpent, a viper, a toad, a plague, a devil, a hell, etc. - he would have said much - but yet not enough to set forth the transcendent evil which is in sin. Therefore he calls it sinful sin.
All other evils are but outward, they only reach the name, the body, the estate, the life - but sin is an inward evil, a spiritual evil, an evil that reaches the precious and immortal soul - and therefore is the greatest evil.
Death puts an end to all other troubles, namely, poverty, sickness, disgrace, scorn, contempt, afflictions, losses, etc. But sin is so great an evil, that death itself cannot put an end to it! Eternity itself shall never put a stop, an end - to this evil of evils!
All other evils can never make a man the object of God's wrath and hatred. A man may be poor - and yet precious in the eyes of God; he may be greatly abhorred by the world - and yet highly honored by God; he may be debased by men - and yet exalted by God. But sin is so great an evil, that it subjects the sinner's soul to the wrath and hatred of God!
All other evils do but strike at a man's present well-being - but sin strikes at a man's eternal well-being! All other evils can never hinder a man's communion with God. A man may have communion with God in poverty, in sickness, in prison, in banishment. But sin is so great an evil, that it interrupts communion with God, it cuts off communion with God.
Sin is the devil's brat - it is a creature of his own begetting! Yes, sin is worse than the devil! It is that which has turned glorious angels into infernal devils!
Sin is a universal evil, it is all evil, it is nothing but evil; there is not one drop, one spark of good to be found in any sin. In all outward evils there is some good; there is some good in poverty, in sickness, in war, in death - but there is not the least good in sin.
Sin is the sole object of God's hatred! He hates nothing but sin! He is angry with nothing but sin! He has forbid nothing but sin! he has revealed His wrath against nothing but sin! So great an evil is sin!
Sin is that grand evil which has midwifed all other evils into the world. It was sin which drowned the old world. It was sin which destroyed Sodom with fire and brimstone. It was sin which laid Jerusalem in heaps. It was sin which has midwifed sword, famine, and pestilence into the world. It was sin which laid the foundation of hell - for before sin there was no hell.
It was sin which crucified the Lord of glory!
Now, oh how great must that evil be - which has ushered in all these great evils into the world!
Sin is enmity against God. God has no enemy in the world but sin, and those whom sin has made enemies. Sin has set all the world against the Lord of glory. It is sin which has turned men into incarnate devils, and which has drawn them out to fight against God, and Christ, and their own souls, and their everlasting peace.
A Christian looks upon sin as the greatest evil in the world, and his heart rises and is enraged against it, because of the vile, filthy, odious, and heinous nature of sin!
~Thomas Brooks~
(The End)
Saturday, April 25, 2020
Saturday, April 18, 2020
The Wise Choice!
The Wise Choice!
"Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:42).
Even Christians do not always choose wisely - but Mary did. We often manifest our folly in our preference - but she displayed her wisdom. She chose to sit at the feet of Jesus as a humble learner - she loved His person, admired His preaching, desired to learn His doctrine, and above all to imbibe His Spirit.
Her object was communion with Him - in which we become conformed unto His image. She preferred fellowship with Jesus - to all anxious concern about entertaining Him as her guest. She preferred this to the commendations and praises of her visitors and friends. In her preference she revealed great spirituality of mind; true wisdom and discernment; attachment to her Lord and His doctrine; deadness to the world and its vain formalities; a concern for the present welfare of her own soul; and a willingness to renounce all for Jesus.
Happy Mary! Honorable woman! May you be my pattern! Your choice was wise; your part was a worthy portion; and your example is held up for our imitation.
How many choose what they cannot keep - and prefer what they must part with. Many things we must lose - others we may loose.
A good name and reputation may be sullied by the breath of slander, or stolen by the unmerciful tale-bearer. If we possess it, we are not sure that we shall retain it.
The esteem and honor of friends, is a lovely flower; but the frost of adversity may nip it; or the scorching heat of persecution may destroy it.
Our prospects in life may be as attractive as the May-day morning; but the thunder cloud of bereavement may overshadow it; and the dispensations of a wise and holy Providence may entirely change it.
Our gifts and abilities which please us and profit others, may be removed by fevers, a stroke, or the judgements of an offended God.
Yes, our temporal and spiritual comforts may all be removed from us, if we choose and prefer them to Mary's portion.
But a place at the feet of Jesus, an interest in His love, fellowship with him - if these are preferred, they can never be taken away!
If grace brings us in humility to the Saviour's feet; if we really enjoy communion with Him more than the fleeting pleasures of time; if an interest in the blessings of the glorious gospel is once realized; if love to Jesus once reigns in the heart; if the promise pleaded is acknowledged at the throne of grace; if hope, blooming with immortality, springs up in the soul; and if faith lays hold of the Redeemer's love, power, and atoning blood - then we have a portion of which we cannot be deprived! Then hell may oppose us - but we shall prevail, the world may persecute us - but we shall overcome, trials may press us - but our strength will be equal to our day. At the feet of Jesus we are safe - no enemy can overcome us there!! At the feet of Jesus we are holy - no sin can gain dominion there!! At the feet of Jesus we are happy - no trouble can be too much for us there!!
My soul, choose Mary's place - and Mary's portion. There is a place at the feet of Jesus for you! The good part may be obtained and enjoyed by you - and once obtained, your Lord will not allow you to be deprived of it.
Reader, there is a place also for you! You may sit by the side of Mary! Your unworthiness is no barrier - for it is the worthless sinner's place!
Oh, come to Jesus now, take your place at His feet now, sit down as one who intends to remain, listen to His sweet voice, receive His holy doctrines, taste His precious love, rest your soul on His atoning blood - and Heaven will immediately begin in your soul!
~James Smith~
(The End)
"Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:42).
Even Christians do not always choose wisely - but Mary did. We often manifest our folly in our preference - but she displayed her wisdom. She chose to sit at the feet of Jesus as a humble learner - she loved His person, admired His preaching, desired to learn His doctrine, and above all to imbibe His Spirit.
Her object was communion with Him - in which we become conformed unto His image. She preferred fellowship with Jesus - to all anxious concern about entertaining Him as her guest. She preferred this to the commendations and praises of her visitors and friends. In her preference she revealed great spirituality of mind; true wisdom and discernment; attachment to her Lord and His doctrine; deadness to the world and its vain formalities; a concern for the present welfare of her own soul; and a willingness to renounce all for Jesus.
Happy Mary! Honorable woman! May you be my pattern! Your choice was wise; your part was a worthy portion; and your example is held up for our imitation.
How many choose what they cannot keep - and prefer what they must part with. Many things we must lose - others we may loose.
A good name and reputation may be sullied by the breath of slander, or stolen by the unmerciful tale-bearer. If we possess it, we are not sure that we shall retain it.
The esteem and honor of friends, is a lovely flower; but the frost of adversity may nip it; or the scorching heat of persecution may destroy it.
Our prospects in life may be as attractive as the May-day morning; but the thunder cloud of bereavement may overshadow it; and the dispensations of a wise and holy Providence may entirely change it.
Our gifts and abilities which please us and profit others, may be removed by fevers, a stroke, or the judgements of an offended God.
Yes, our temporal and spiritual comforts may all be removed from us, if we choose and prefer them to Mary's portion.
But a place at the feet of Jesus, an interest in His love, fellowship with him - if these are preferred, they can never be taken away!
If grace brings us in humility to the Saviour's feet; if we really enjoy communion with Him more than the fleeting pleasures of time; if an interest in the blessings of the glorious gospel is once realized; if love to Jesus once reigns in the heart; if the promise pleaded is acknowledged at the throne of grace; if hope, blooming with immortality, springs up in the soul; and if faith lays hold of the Redeemer's love, power, and atoning blood - then we have a portion of which we cannot be deprived! Then hell may oppose us - but we shall prevail, the world may persecute us - but we shall overcome, trials may press us - but our strength will be equal to our day. At the feet of Jesus we are safe - no enemy can overcome us there!! At the feet of Jesus we are holy - no sin can gain dominion there!! At the feet of Jesus we are happy - no trouble can be too much for us there!!
My soul, choose Mary's place - and Mary's portion. There is a place at the feet of Jesus for you! The good part may be obtained and enjoyed by you - and once obtained, your Lord will not allow you to be deprived of it.
Reader, there is a place also for you! You may sit by the side of Mary! Your unworthiness is no barrier - for it is the worthless sinner's place!
Oh, come to Jesus now, take your place at His feet now, sit down as one who intends to remain, listen to His sweet voice, receive His holy doctrines, taste His precious love, rest your soul on His atoning blood - and Heaven will immediately begin in your soul!
~James Smith~
(The End)
Saturday, April 11, 2020
The Cure for Despondency
The Cure for Despondency
"Why are you cast down, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Saviour and my God" (Psalm 42:5).
When the Psalmist gave utterance to these words, his spirit was dejected and his heart was heavy within him. In the checkered career of David, there was much which was calculated to sadden and depress: the cruel persecutions of Saul, who hunted him as a partridge upon the mountains; the treachery of his trusted friend Ahitophel; the betrayal of Absalom; and the remembrance of his own sins - were enough to overwhelm the stoutest heart! And David was a man of like passions with us - he was not always upon the mountain top of joy, but sometimes spent seasons in the slough of despond and gorge of gloom.
But David did not give way to despair, nor succumb to his sorrows. He did not lie down like a stricken beast and do nothing but fill the air with his howling. No, he acted like a rational creature, and like a man, looked his troubles squarely in the face. But he did more; he made diligent inquiry, he challenged himself, he sought to discover the cause of his despondency; he asked, "Why are you cast down, O my soul?" He desired to know the reason for such depression. This is often the first step toward recovery from depression of spirit. Repining arid murmuring get us nowhere. Fretting and wringing our hands bring no relief either temporally or spiritually. There needs to be self-interrogation, self-examination, self-condemnation.
"Why are you cast down, O my soul?" We need to seriously take ourselves to task. We need to fearlessly face a few plain questions. What is the good of giving way to despair? What possible gain can it bring me? To sit and sulk - is not "redeeming the time" (Eph. 5:16). To mope and mourn - will not mend matters. Then let each despondent one call his soul to account, and inquire what adequate cause could be assigned for peevishness and fretting.
"We may have great cause to mourn for sin, and to pray against prevailing impiety. But our great dejection, even under the severest outward afflictions or inward trials - springs from unbelief and a rebellious will. We should therefore strive and pray against it." (Thomas Scott)
"Why are you cast down, O my soul?" Can you not discover the real answer, without asking counsel from others? Is it not true that, deep down in your heart, you already know, or at least suspect - the root of your present trouble? Are you cast down because of distressing circumstances which your own folly has brought you into? Then acknowledge with the Psalmist, "I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, and You in faithfulness have afflicted me" (Psalm 119:75).
Are you grieved because Providence has not smiled upon you so sweetly as it has on some of your neighbors? "For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; they are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills." (Psalm 73:3-5).
"My soul is cast down and my heart is heavy because my finances are at so low an ebb, and the outlook is so dark." That indeed is a painful trial, and one which mere nature often sinks under. But, dear friend, there is a cure for despondency even when so occasioned. Can He who sustained Elijah in the time of famine - not keep you from starving?
Returning to our opening text, let us observe how that David not only did not succumb to his sorrows, interrogated his soul, and rebuked his unbelief - but he also preached to himself: "Hope in God!" Ah, that is what the despondent needs to do - nothing else will bring real relief to the depressed. The immediate outlook may be dark - but the Divine promises are bright. The creature may fail you - but the Creator will not, if you truly put your trust in Him. The world may be at its wits end - but the Christian needs not be so. There is One who is "a very present help in times of trouble" (Psalm 46:1), and He never deserts those who really make Him their refuge. The writer has proved this, many a time - and so may the reader.
"Hope in God!"
Hope in His mercy, hope in His power, hope in His faithfulness, hope in His love.
Let each Christian reader who is not now passing through deep waters join with the writer in fervent prayer to God, that He will graciously sanctify the "present distress" unto the spiritual good of His own people, and mercifully supply their needs.
~A. W. Pink~
(The End)
"Why are you cast down, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Saviour and my God" (Psalm 42:5).
When the Psalmist gave utterance to these words, his spirit was dejected and his heart was heavy within him. In the checkered career of David, there was much which was calculated to sadden and depress: the cruel persecutions of Saul, who hunted him as a partridge upon the mountains; the treachery of his trusted friend Ahitophel; the betrayal of Absalom; and the remembrance of his own sins - were enough to overwhelm the stoutest heart! And David was a man of like passions with us - he was not always upon the mountain top of joy, but sometimes spent seasons in the slough of despond and gorge of gloom.
But David did not give way to despair, nor succumb to his sorrows. He did not lie down like a stricken beast and do nothing but fill the air with his howling. No, he acted like a rational creature, and like a man, looked his troubles squarely in the face. But he did more; he made diligent inquiry, he challenged himself, he sought to discover the cause of his despondency; he asked, "Why are you cast down, O my soul?" He desired to know the reason for such depression. This is often the first step toward recovery from depression of spirit. Repining arid murmuring get us nowhere. Fretting and wringing our hands bring no relief either temporally or spiritually. There needs to be self-interrogation, self-examination, self-condemnation.
"Why are you cast down, O my soul?" We need to seriously take ourselves to task. We need to fearlessly face a few plain questions. What is the good of giving way to despair? What possible gain can it bring me? To sit and sulk - is not "redeeming the time" (Eph. 5:16). To mope and mourn - will not mend matters. Then let each despondent one call his soul to account, and inquire what adequate cause could be assigned for peevishness and fretting.
"We may have great cause to mourn for sin, and to pray against prevailing impiety. But our great dejection, even under the severest outward afflictions or inward trials - springs from unbelief and a rebellious will. We should therefore strive and pray against it." (Thomas Scott)
"Why are you cast down, O my soul?" Can you not discover the real answer, without asking counsel from others? Is it not true that, deep down in your heart, you already know, or at least suspect - the root of your present trouble? Are you cast down because of distressing circumstances which your own folly has brought you into? Then acknowledge with the Psalmist, "I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, and You in faithfulness have afflicted me" (Psalm 119:75).
Are you grieved because Providence has not smiled upon you so sweetly as it has on some of your neighbors? "For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; they are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills." (Psalm 73:3-5).
"My soul is cast down and my heart is heavy because my finances are at so low an ebb, and the outlook is so dark." That indeed is a painful trial, and one which mere nature often sinks under. But, dear friend, there is a cure for despondency even when so occasioned. Can He who sustained Elijah in the time of famine - not keep you from starving?
Returning to our opening text, let us observe how that David not only did not succumb to his sorrows, interrogated his soul, and rebuked his unbelief - but he also preached to himself: "Hope in God!" Ah, that is what the despondent needs to do - nothing else will bring real relief to the depressed. The immediate outlook may be dark - but the Divine promises are bright. The creature may fail you - but the Creator will not, if you truly put your trust in Him. The world may be at its wits end - but the Christian needs not be so. There is One who is "a very present help in times of trouble" (Psalm 46:1), and He never deserts those who really make Him their refuge. The writer has proved this, many a time - and so may the reader.
"Hope in God!"
Hope in His mercy, hope in His power, hope in His faithfulness, hope in His love.
Let each Christian reader who is not now passing through deep waters join with the writer in fervent prayer to God, that He will graciously sanctify the "present distress" unto the spiritual good of His own people, and mercifully supply their needs.
~A. W. Pink~
(The End)
Saturday, April 4, 2020
Differing Gifts # 1
Differing Gifts # 1
"There are different kinds of gifts - but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service - but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working - but the same God works all of them in all men" (1 Corinthians 12:4-6).
All men are not alike in their natural endowments. The differences we see in abilities and attainments are not all the result of education or of varying circumstances. If all had precisely the same opportunities for development and culture, if all grew up in precisely the same circumstances - there would still be the most wonderful diversity of gifts and abilities.
The sun shines alike on the plants and trees, and the rains fall alike on them; and yet they grow up, each with its own distinct individuality. All flowers do not become daisies, nor do all trees become oaks. The rose cannot through any kind of culture, become an apple tree. The creeping vine cannot be taught to rear its head high up - the peer of the mighty oak. The clover cannot be cultivated into a water lily. A thousand years of culture would not give to the blazing sunflower, the fragrance of the mignonett. God has made them to differ.
He gives to the oak, a gift of strength; to the vine, a gift of fruitfulness; to the rose, a gift of beauty; and to the lily, a gift of fragrance.
Just so, He makes men to differ - distributing His gifts among them; and no advantages of culture or education would obliterate these differences. He gives to some five talents, to some two, to others only one.
There is the most wonderful variety in all of God's works. One star differs from another star in glory. The surface of the earth is diversified by valleys, hills, mountains, plateaus, rivers, lakes and seas. In the natural world you find the giant redwood of California - and at its root the tiny moss clinging to the rock. The sea contains great whales - and if you take a microscope and look into a drop of water, you shall find it to contain myriads of minute animalculae, so small that the single drop in which they move is like an ocean to them. Great beasts roam the forest - and if you examine a green leaf, you shall find it a little world in itself, with its tiny forests and gardens, and covered with its dense population of living creatures.
In the same way, the same variety characterizes human gifts. No two faces are alike; of all the millions on the earth - no two people have precisely the same capacities and endowments.
I suppose the reason why God has thus distributed His gifts so unequally - is that every part of the work of the world may be done. This is the reason which the apostle Paul gives in his letter to the Corinthians: "If the whole body were an eye - then where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear - then where would the sense of smell be?"
We may further carry out the illustration. If all men were merchants - then who would till the soil, navigate the ships, and work the mines? If all were painters or sculptors - then who would write the books and heal the sick? If all were millionaires - then who would compose the great army of laborers who drive the wheels of business? If all in the church had the gift of pulpit eloquence - then who would teach in the Sunday school?
There is a variety of work to be done - and there is, therefore, need for every variety of workman. And God distributes His gifts so that there may be a hand for every task, a foot for every errand, a tongue for every word that needs to be spoken, and a heart for every service of love.
There is no confusion in God's distribution of gifts. As the many members of the body, working together in perfect harmony, make up one complete body - so the many members of the body of Christ, if all are faithful in their divine spheres, together make one glorious whole.
Every one, even the lowliest - has a distinct mission of his own, and God bestows just the gifts each one needs for the work allotted. He wanted some great apostles to found His church and to bear His name before kings - and He chose twelve men and gave them great gifts. He wanted a reformer to tear the draperies of superstition from the cross and to unchain the Bible - and he raised up Luther and fitted him for the glorious work. So in every age, God has a few great missions to fill - and He grants to a few men great gifts. But at the same time He wants humble servants to go and sit down by the poor and sick, and tell them of the Saviour's love; to prisons, and hospitals; to teach the child, and to do the thousand little nameless things of Christian service which must every day be done. And He gives to many of his servants, just the precise talent to fit them for doing just these little things.
But whatever our talents may be - they are just what God has given us; and they are just what we need for the special work which God has allotted us. Who will say that the modest daisy is not as noble in its own place as the tallest, proudest oak? Nobleness consists in being what God made and meant us to be - and in doing what God gives us to do. Faithfulness to our mission will receive the reward. Unfaithfulness in the use of our gifts, whether great or small - will bring God's displeasure and loss of all.
~J. R. Miller~
(The End)
"There are different kinds of gifts - but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service - but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working - but the same God works all of them in all men" (1 Corinthians 12:4-6).
All men are not alike in their natural endowments. The differences we see in abilities and attainments are not all the result of education or of varying circumstances. If all had precisely the same opportunities for development and culture, if all grew up in precisely the same circumstances - there would still be the most wonderful diversity of gifts and abilities.
The sun shines alike on the plants and trees, and the rains fall alike on them; and yet they grow up, each with its own distinct individuality. All flowers do not become daisies, nor do all trees become oaks. The rose cannot through any kind of culture, become an apple tree. The creeping vine cannot be taught to rear its head high up - the peer of the mighty oak. The clover cannot be cultivated into a water lily. A thousand years of culture would not give to the blazing sunflower, the fragrance of the mignonett. God has made them to differ.
He gives to the oak, a gift of strength; to the vine, a gift of fruitfulness; to the rose, a gift of beauty; and to the lily, a gift of fragrance.
Just so, He makes men to differ - distributing His gifts among them; and no advantages of culture or education would obliterate these differences. He gives to some five talents, to some two, to others only one.
There is the most wonderful variety in all of God's works. One star differs from another star in glory. The surface of the earth is diversified by valleys, hills, mountains, plateaus, rivers, lakes and seas. In the natural world you find the giant redwood of California - and at its root the tiny moss clinging to the rock. The sea contains great whales - and if you take a microscope and look into a drop of water, you shall find it to contain myriads of minute animalculae, so small that the single drop in which they move is like an ocean to them. Great beasts roam the forest - and if you examine a green leaf, you shall find it a little world in itself, with its tiny forests and gardens, and covered with its dense population of living creatures.
In the same way, the same variety characterizes human gifts. No two faces are alike; of all the millions on the earth - no two people have precisely the same capacities and endowments.
I suppose the reason why God has thus distributed His gifts so unequally - is that every part of the work of the world may be done. This is the reason which the apostle Paul gives in his letter to the Corinthians: "If the whole body were an eye - then where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear - then where would the sense of smell be?"
We may further carry out the illustration. If all men were merchants - then who would till the soil, navigate the ships, and work the mines? If all were painters or sculptors - then who would write the books and heal the sick? If all were millionaires - then who would compose the great army of laborers who drive the wheels of business? If all in the church had the gift of pulpit eloquence - then who would teach in the Sunday school?
There is a variety of work to be done - and there is, therefore, need for every variety of workman. And God distributes His gifts so that there may be a hand for every task, a foot for every errand, a tongue for every word that needs to be spoken, and a heart for every service of love.
There is no confusion in God's distribution of gifts. As the many members of the body, working together in perfect harmony, make up one complete body - so the many members of the body of Christ, if all are faithful in their divine spheres, together make one glorious whole.
Every one, even the lowliest - has a distinct mission of his own, and God bestows just the gifts each one needs for the work allotted. He wanted some great apostles to found His church and to bear His name before kings - and He chose twelve men and gave them great gifts. He wanted a reformer to tear the draperies of superstition from the cross and to unchain the Bible - and he raised up Luther and fitted him for the glorious work. So in every age, God has a few great missions to fill - and He grants to a few men great gifts. But at the same time He wants humble servants to go and sit down by the poor and sick, and tell them of the Saviour's love; to prisons, and hospitals; to teach the child, and to do the thousand little nameless things of Christian service which must every day be done. And He gives to many of his servants, just the precise talent to fit them for doing just these little things.
But whatever our talents may be - they are just what God has given us; and they are just what we need for the special work which God has allotted us. Who will say that the modest daisy is not as noble in its own place as the tallest, proudest oak? Nobleness consists in being what God made and meant us to be - and in doing what God gives us to do. Faithfulness to our mission will receive the reward. Unfaithfulness in the use of our gifts, whether great or small - will bring God's displeasure and loss of all.
~J. R. Miller~
(The End)
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