Exhortation and Encouragement

Exhortation and Encouragement

The Lord's servants are apt to get disheartened and discouraged. They imagine that they are laboring in vain, and spending their strength for nothing. They therefore need encouragement, even an apostle did, and therefore we find the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: saying, "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city!" (Acts 18:9-10).

We know not where the Lord's people are - but He does. Nor do we know whether we are to be used in converting souls, or whether our word shall effect their hearts. We know that we have a work to do for God, and we should do it; and if tempted to give way to discouragement, let us listen to -

The EXHORTATION. "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent." There may be opposition, persecution, and even death standing in the way - yet should we not fear. Paul was afraid at Corinth, as he tells them afterwards, "I come to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and My preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power." (1 Cor. 2:3-5). In Corinth he had to face learning, refined culture, and splendor - and he was anxious so to adapt himself to circumstances as to "save some." He was afraid lest by any indiscretion, he "should hinder the gospel of Christ."

But fear may become extreme, and hinder instead of help, and therefore the Lord spoke to him, and said, "Do not be afraid!" There was in reality no need for fear. God was with him. God could protect him, and He would. God could bless and hinder his labors effectual, and He would. Therefore He says, "Speak and speak out, let them hear the truth, and the whole truth. Speak openly, speak boldly, speak fearlessly; and speak of Christ and of Him crucified, as the wisdom of God, the power of God, and the salvation of God!" "Do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city!"

And mark - Encouragement. "I am with you!" And if God was with him - then he was a match for every foe, and would rise superior to every difficulty. If God is with us, His wisdom will mark out our way and our work; His power will enable us to do His will, and render our labors efficient; and His care will provide for and supply - all our needs.

What kind of a city was it? One of the most voluptuous, wealthy, and worldly cities of the east. Here was the temple of Venus, with its degrading and disgraceful services. God's jewels are often found buried in the worst filth! In their experience the startling truth is illustrated, "Where sin abounded - grace did much more abound."

What kind of people were they? "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were!! But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God!" (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

Observe: the Lord's people are often found in the most unlikely places! Who would have expected to find God's chosen people, a multitude of them - in a place so foul, so polluted, so degraded as Corinth? O the wonders of sovereign grace!!

O how marvelous are the thoughts, purposes, and ways of God! The Lord effectually calls because He claims. Those whom God calls by His grace, were chosen to life, redeemed by the blood of Jesus, and predestined to the adoption of sons. God's work cannot be frustrated. He is never at a loss for means, nor can God's means fail of accomplishing His ends. He says, "I will work:" and He asks, "Who shall hinder Me?" Lost sinners are in God's hand - and He will bind their power, nor permit them to frustrate His designs.

"No one is going to attack and harm you." We are immortal until our work is done! Therefore let us not fear, nor yield to discouragement - but speak, and speak boldly - and expect God to bless our efforts!

"Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city!"

~James Smith~

(The End)