Part 5
If we upbraid ourselves, Christ justifies. If we be dumb in our own defence, He opens His mouth to plead our cause, and our wounded hearts He binds up.
If I be content to be nothing, I cannot take offence; and when I am _really_ humble, and know myself a _worm_, I shall not complain if trampled on.
Pride nourishes the remembrance of injuries: humility forgets as well as forgives them.
Lot never drew near enough to God to know his own heart; it was Abraham, and not Lot, who said, I am but "dust and ashes." (Gen. 18:27.)
Evil Passions
Oh, how unseemly in a Christian are murmurings, envyings, and such like! If we look beneath the surface we shall find the root of these things to be unmortified pride, and a conscience not purged.
Pride never stoops but to take a higher flight.
The drunkard, the murderer, the idolater, cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. The sins of such are counted great even by the natural conscience; but covetousness, who condemns it? Yet the man who thirsts for gold is alike with the murderer accursed from God.
Satan gets no more advantage over us than we allow him.
It is one of Satan's great aims to seduce the children of God and the servants of Christ into error; if he cannot do that, he will tempt them to keep back part of the truth, or to dwell upon any other part rather than Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
The sum of man's excellency is "dust and ashes:" nevertheless, Satan deludes men into thinking themselves something; he helps them to carnal self-amendment and self-improvement, and so makes them blind to their true state before God.
Self-Knowledge and Self-Judgement
True Self-judgment shuts out the adversary.
The more we exercise ourselves in Self-judgment, the more will the flesh in us be discerned _by ourselves_, and the less will it be seen _by others_.
In our exercise of Self-judgment, we should keep our eye upon the Advocate with the Father, else we shall have a self-vexing conscience which profits not.
Self-examination is a solemn and profitable business it should mainly consist in this, "My soul, believest thou? lovest thou?" (Heb. 11:6; 3:12.13; John 13:34.35; Rom. 13:10; 1 Cor. 13)
The custom of Self-judgment is among the best of spiritual habits.
"The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed" (1 Sam. 2:3). Because God tries the _heart_, therefore, in instances innumerable, God's judgment condemns where man may approve and praise.
The oftener we invite Him with whom we have to do to use the keen edge of "the sword of the Spirit" in our own consciences, the less will there be in us for Satan's fiery darts to fix upon.
If we better considered that "we have an Advocate with the Father" (1 John 2:1), we should not go far from the paths of the Lord and the presence of God. This Advocate speaks to the pity and love as well as to the holiness of the Father. It was the Advocate who said, "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matt. 26:41). He knows all our circumstances, and the power of temptation and trial. Let it be the _first_ business of the conscience to think of this "Advocate with the Father;" then what child of God will be slow to make confession whenever it is due?
Each one of us has in himself some especially besetting evil -- a weight to be laid aside. (Heb. 12:1.)
Let _me_ ask the Lord to give me self-knowledge; for self-knowledge, though a painful, is a necessary thing, worth all the trouble of the search, and all the mortification it may cost me.
When Israel suffers defeat before Ai, it is time to do what should indeed have been done before: to search out the Achan in the camp. (See Joshua 7)
When I see a brother overtaken in a fault, let me beware of my own besetments, and seek to restore him in the spirit of meekness.
Humility and Self-Abasement
Self-humiliation brings with it tenderness of spirit; and as we sink in our own esteem, the Lord fulfils in us that precious promise, "To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word" (Isa. 66:2).
If we be self-loathed, we shall be willing, when brought low, to sink lower still. (2 Sam. 15:25.26.)
He that is self-abased before God, and so carries himself humbly towards others, must obtain honour; but if any child of God exalt himself, sure as God is, shame will come of that self-exaltation.
Our reputation is the last thing we are willing to lose we cleave to it even when, in point of justification and peace with God, we have counted our own righteousness filthy rags. Let the saints take heed to their walk before God and man; but this done, so that they have in all things a conscience void of offence, let them account their reputation God's jewel, not their own.
Knowledge often exceeds grace; but communion with God and poverty of Spirit go together: if the one decline, so will the other.
The low place is the safe place; and whatever the tribulation, it will surely bring its blessings, God being trusted.
Samson was never so strong as when, through his own folly brought low and put to shame, he said, "Strengthen me, I pray Thee, O God, only this once" (Jud. 16:28).
We are wont to consider David's slaying Goliath a great deed of faith, and such it was; but more to be admired is David's dominion over himself that marked his course. His blemishes and sins were not his character.
Confidence in God and self-distrust are sure companions.
It is true humility and true holiness to judge ourselves dead and buried with Christ as children of the first Adam, whatever the flesh within us; and as children of God raised up together with Christ, and seated with Him, the last Adam, the head of the new creation. We thus discern, and subdue, and loathe the flesh, which, though crucified with Christ in the account of God and of faith, is ever struggling to regain lost dominion. Satan, taking occasion by the flesh, would cast us down in the spirit of our minds from our heavenly places. Resisting him in faith, we wage the war of Eph. 6. Good soldiers of Christ will have the peace of God ruling in their hearts. They cannot but live in peace; for the God of love and peace is with them. Schism and division proclaim the victories and triumphs of Satan. Would God we were all by His Spirit awakened to consider these things! The day is at hand that will make us and our ways all manifest; and we ourselves shall then no more mistake the talk of the lips for the obedience of faith.
Circumstances
Our Circumstances are what we make them. If they be not by faith kept under our feet, they will by unbelief become our masters.
Our song of praise can never be checked unless we rejoice in Circumstances, and in things around us, more than in God Himself.
It is to our shame that we are easily wrought upon by shifting Circumstances. How good for us that we have an unchangeable God to rest in!
The natural man is the slave of Circumstances.
Never let me be compelled to say, I have driven my stakes so deep into the earth that I cannot pull them up; but rather let me so pitch my tent that in a moment I may strike it at the bidding of the Lord. (Num. 9:15-23.)
All things are working together for good to them that love God; albeit sometimes in the way of chastening and judgment.
If we honour God in the little matters of our daily life, He will prepare greater occasions for our faith, and so put honour on the obedience that was little known to any but Himself. Abraham had so dealt with God about all the daily little matters of tent and household, that when the great occasion comes (Gen. 22) the man of faith shines forth.
God orders our steps in our natural state (the guilt of our sins our own) to further us in His service after regeneration. (Gal. 1:15.)
It matters little what our Circumstances, if in the spirit of our mind we be before God offering up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to Him by Jesus Christ. To faith all Circumstances are opportunities of pleasing God and serving Christ.
That station of life is most desirable which has least in it to cumber the spirit, and to entice away the heart from Christ. Shall we not then rather desire to stoop with our Lord, than to rise with the men of the world? Every state in life has temptations; but these thicken upon us, and grow in seducing power, according to rise in earthly honour.
Howsoever we may deplore the sin of one that has injured us, we ought to be thankful for the occasion of showing the mind of Christ towards the wrong-doer.
If our hearts be set upon enjoying the light of our Father's countenance, we shall find that all Circumstances, bitter as well as sweet, will afford us opportunity of bearing something, or doing something, for His sake.
My happiness in Christ will grow through every new Circumstance, if I have no will but God's. God, by all Circumstances, delights to make glad His obedient children. (2 Thess. 3:16.)
If we judge not God's character by His providences, but His providences by His character, we shall be able to rejoice when the flesh would repine.
When Elijah in unbelief fled from Jezebel he had the meet rebuke from the Lord; but the fault of the hour of temptation did not hide from God's gracious eye the faithfulness of His servant. (1 Kings 19) In like manner dealt the Lord Jesus with that other Elijah—John the Baptist—when he seemed like a reed shaken with the wind. (Matt. 11:2-15.) We are to be imitators of God as dear, as pleasant, children; and if we are not to suffer sin upon our brethren, whatever their grace, neither should the fault in them be a cover to our eyes of their grace and service to Christ.
Strength and Continuance
Phil. 3:12. It is Christ's hold upon us that enables us, by faith, to lay hold on and to keep hold of Him.
They who seem the most tried are not always those that have the sharpest warfare.
Sometimes things appear to us so difficult that we are daunted; at other times so easy that we think we are equal to them; and thus in either case we fail.
He that is running a race looks not at witnesses admiring, but only at the mark.
We need to "discern the Lord's body" [i.e. Christ as having been crucified] (1 Cor. 11:29) for steadfastness of communion with God, no less than to trust in His blood to obtain salvation from wrath to come. (John 6:54.56.)
The fulfilling of God's promises depends not upon the creature's strength, and cannot be prevented by the creature's weakness.
We need a close walk with God, a having respect to all His commandments, if we would obtain of Him whatsoever we ask.
True persevering diligence in spiritual things always begins in self-abasement.
It is one mark of growth in spirituality to be more afflicted by the pleasing—than by the distressing—temptations of Satan.
We should always take great trials and great temptations as the forerunners of great blessings and growth of fellowship with God.
The obedience of grace obtains for us the profitable knowledge of truth, and teaches us to prize it more than much fine gold. Mere knowledge puffeth up, and the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. (Prov. 14:23.)
Deep spirituality of mind is only obtained by a thorough crucifixion of self: self-denial is discipline for life—the work of every hour.
To make a good soldier, put him in front of the battle; a good seaman, let him brave the storm: so with the Christian.
True readiness to confess sin, and joy in self-abasement, mark a growth in grace and knowledge of the character of God.
I know of no one who, with so little promise in his beginnings of faith, had a sunset so glorious as had Jacob. (Gen. 48, 49)
It is the constant crucifying the flesh in little things that makes a giant in the Christian warfare. But true self-crucifixion is a thing impossible, save by grace; and to have the needful supplies of that grace we must be in perpetual communion with God: it is only thus we shall overcome in little things.
It is a great salvation wrought for us, if the soul be resolved to suffer the will of God, cost what it may.
Do you desire a humble mind, a soft heart, an obedient spirit? Ask and receive, that your joy may be full. But remember, "The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing" (Prov. 13:4). Be the clean vessel that God delights to fill and use.
Not God's answering prayer in respect of earthly things and earthly gifts, but growth of the new man, is the true proof that we please God.
We are commanded to lay aside every weight, and the sin that does so easily beset us: if we contend not against the latter -- that is unbelief—how shall we rightly deal with the former? We have every one in himself his own peculiar hindrances—weights which, if not laid aside, will clog the soul in her race.
How shall I run my race and not stumble? how shall I have Christ's approval in the day of His appearing? are questions to be daily put by every child of God to his own soul.
Character
In the members of Christ, even those in whom much excellency of character is manifest, too often, alas! we find the "flies of death" in the apothecary's ointment (Eccles. 10:1); but in the Lord Jesus all excellences are blended in full perfection and harmony: He is the "altogether lovely" (Song Sol. 5:16). But oh for a conversion of saints!—that we who are renewed, anointed, and sealed by the Spirit of God; that we in whom dwells that Holy Spirit of promise, who are the temple of God—might be altogether like our Lord, altogether pleasing to Him Blessed be God His people Israel must be by-and-by His delightsome child knowing and doing His will. (Isa. 62)
Walking with God teaches us the courtesy and kindness of love.
We do not glorify God so much by what we do, as by what we are. It is the spirit of our mind which glorifies Him. "I dwell," says Jehovah, "in the high and holy place; with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit." (Isa. 57:15.)
If we walk much with God and with Christ, it will give us a certain _rightness of character_, so that we shall have the ready grace for every circumstance.
God with us makes our service honourable, be that service what it may.
Obedience
David was keeping sheep in the wilderness with no eye upon him but God's. In prompt obedience to his father he went to the valley of Elah, taking loaves and cheeses to his brethren: if we are content to serve God in mean things, God will bring us forth in greater. In the valley of Elah was Goliath ready for David's sling. (1 Sam. 17:17-23.)
Obedience to Christ brings upon us opposition from Satan, the world, the flesh in ourselves, and the unbelief, ignorance, and lack of mind of Christ in our brethren. To meet all these aright, let it be our business, even in the smallest matters, _to please Christ_, that we may have His power and His truth for our strength and guidance. He trod this path before us, and has also given His Holy Spirit to lead us and to comfort us through the journey.
The highest attainment in the spiritual life is to be able always and in all things to say, "Thy will be done!" Gen. 22 gives us a perfect sample of the obedience of faith.
There is no prevailing against our enemies without full obedience to God. When Israel must fight, Joshua must take heed that they are keeping God's commandments. (See Joshua 7)
He that allows himself in small sins will at length break out in great ones: be it our business, then, to watch against the beginnings of departure from God, or these will surely lead to bitter endings.
The Word of the Lord, and the attentive ear of the faithful servant, are all we need to carry us safely and happily onward.
Whatever imperfections were in Abraham, whatever his haltings and stumblings, he never settled down, as to purpose, into half-hearted obedience; so if any child of God, howsoever he may fail, have a steady, fixed purpose to please God, he will surely become strong in faith at the last.
All the children of God receive Christ as Redeemer from curse and wrath; but they do not all take Him for their portion and inheritance: if we do this, we cannot fail to be witnesses for Him, and lights in this dark world.
Cares
Have you one anxious thought you do not bring to Jesus? Have you one care you deem too light, too small, to lay before Him? It is then too small to give you one moment's concern. Either cast your care (great or small) upon Him that careth for you, or cast it away from you altogether: if it be unfit for His sympathy, it is unworthy of you. (1 Peter 5:7.)
If we examine the troubles of God's children, we shall find that too many of them arise from unbelieving fears concerning the future; let me but remember that Christ, at the right hand of God, counts all _my_ troubles _His own_; and then away with all my fears concerning the morrow! It is only at the Mercy-seat we may lawfully think of the morrow.
Chastisement
To quarrel with the instruments God used for our correction is to quarrel with God Himself. It is, in fact, to say to Him, "I do not approve of Thy government, and I could order matters better if they were left to me." What is this but to aim at casting down God from His throne, and setting ourselves thereon?
Though the Lord often spares reproof, He never spares commendation. He is slow to anger; He makes haste to be gracious. (Neh. 9:17; Ps. 40:13.)
Jacob underwent discipline and chastisement for upwards of fifty years, for the withering in him the evil root of the spirit of unbelieving contrivance. God blesses His child, and in His very love withholds not the rod of correction.
The pain that God's discipline gives us shows its wisdom: it is the diseased part that _feels_ under the surgeon's hand.
God never puts us to shame before the world, or even before the church, unless we compel Him.
The Lord always deals with us according to the state of our souls.
How small the knowledge of God that Job would have attained to, but for the deep and marvellous discipline whereby he was sifted and taught!
When we deal with God in prayer about the difficulties of our path, we must not set Him a time for clearing away those difficulties, but wait upon Him, who accepts the sacrifice of our willing hearts.
The Lord's jewels need grinding, and cutting, and polishing. Why forget?
It is not of necessity that a child of God beginning well goes on well; but if he take good heed to his ways—according to Psalm 119., 2 Peter 1:5-7, and like Scriptures—he will surely run well to the end of his race.
The more bitter the cup of discipline, the more reason for our thankfulness. If we be not thankful, let us give God no rest, nor ourselves, until He make us so.
Correction despised brings sharper correction.
When God visits us with certain special discipline, it is our wisdom to accept the cup and drink it cheerfully, however bitter, for health is in it.
Let us have no reserves of conscience. When God gives us light, let us follow it whithersoever it may lead; for, while God has no judgments of curse for His children, He has judgments of displeasure of love because of disobedience.
Be more desirous of inward help and deliverance, than the removal of God's hand, when He lays affliction upon you.
Impatience under God's corrections only shows our need of the discipline He is pleased to visit us with. We can least bear correction when we most need it.
One of the evil fruits of long-continued spiritual negligence, is the soul's ignorance of its own state.
How often, under discipline, are the children of God struggling amidst the thickets and briers of circumstances, instead of judging the state of their hearts! This lack of pondering their ways, prevents their seeing the equity of God's dealings with them.
Discipline
Wherefore all the discipline with which Job was exercised? He could say in truth, "I know that my Redeemer liveth" (Job 19:25). As God's witness there was none like him in all the earth. He walked in uprightness, humility, patience, and wisdom; a perfect and upright man, fearing God and eschewing evil. Why then his afflictions and humiliations, before unheard-of among the saints? There was the flesh in Job; and the sifting discipline went on, until Job had learnt so to know both God and himself as to abhor himself, and justify God.
I seek to keep short accounts with God: this saves not only much trouble and time, but also much sharp discipline.
"A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool." (Prov. 17:10.)
It is indeed rare, when judgments come upon men, that those judgments yield their due profit. Those who walk with a tender spirit before God profit more by a word or gentle rebuke of His love, that none but themselves know of, than do others, who are careless walkers, by heavy judgments. If, however, great afflictions come, the heart being prepared, the end will be the double blessing. (Job 42)
The cry of "Abba, Father!" in the time of trouble, is often a sign of quick deliverance. When we kiss the hand that smites, the rod drops. Is it not to resist the will of God when we flee from those trials which He sends to prove our faith?
As children we may ask for understanding of our Father's will; but it belongs not to us to think for Him.
We may be sorrowful, yet not unhappy. Unhappiness is caused by self-will, that frets against the Lord's way of dealing with us. But we may have sorrow without sinning, and by such sadness the heart is made better. (Eccl. 7:3.) Grace does not steel the heart, but makes it more tender. We may feel, but must not rebel.
Every child of God needs to be put into the sieve: but when sifted, if we be willing to endure the Lord's dealings with us, we shall not be put to shame.
How few the words of Jesus when all the earth, in its representatives -- Herod, Pilate, priests and elders—rose up against Him! He never uttered more or less than was needed for God's glory. That perfect guidance of the tongue proceeded from the perfect subjection of His will to God.