Till He Come

Posted on December 29, 2014 by The Editor

I Corinthians 11:26
       For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

C. H. SPURGEON (1834-1892): At the Lord’s Supper, there is no discerning the Lord’s body unless you discern His first coming; but there is no drinking His cup to its fullness, unless you hear Him say, “Until I come.” You must look forward, as well as backward.

JAMES HARRINGTON EVANS (1785-1849): Why was it said, [two thousand] years ago, “The coming of the Lord draweth nigh,” James 5:8?―That men might watch for it.

J. C. RYLE (1816-1900): The ancient Christians made it a part of their religion to look for His return. Backward they looked to the cross and the atonement for sin, and rejoiced in Christ crucified. Upward they looked to Christ at the right hand of God, and rejoiced in Christ interceding. Forward they looked to the promised return of their Master, and rejoiced in the thought that they would see Him again. And we ought to do the same.

ROBERT MURRAY M’CHEYNE (1813-1843): You will be incomplete Christians, if you do not look for the coming again of the Lord Jesus.

JOHN ANGELL JAMES (1785-1869): We do not think enough of Christ’s second coming. What would be said of the wife who, when her husband was away in another county, could be happy without him, and be contented to think rarely of him? On the contrary, the loving wife longs for her husbands return. “Oh, when will he come back!” is her frequent exclamation. Wife of the Lamb, Church of the Saviour, where is thy waiting, hoping, longing for the second coming of thy Lord? Is this thy blessed hope, as it was of the primitive church. O Christian, art thou not wanting here? Every morsel of that bread thou eatest at the table, every drop of wine thou drinkest, is the voice of Christ saying to thee, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; and it should draw forth thy longing desires, Come, Lord Jesus; even so come quickly.

W. H. HEWITSON (1812-1850): To say, Come quickly is the result only of close walking with God.

WILLIAM PERKINS (1558-1602): The daily persuasion of the speedy coming of Christ is of notable use; for, first, it will daunt the most desperate wretch, and restrain him from many sins. And if a man belong to God, and be yet a loose liver, this persuasion will rouse him out of his sins and make him turn to God; for who would not seek to save his soul, if he were persuaded that Christ is now coming to give him his final reward? Secondly, if a man have grace and does believe, this persuasion is a notable means to make him constant in every good duty, both of piety to God and of charity towards his brethren. Thirdly, this serveth to comfort any person that is in affliction; for, when he shall believe that which Christ hath said, I come shortly, he cannot but think but that this deliverance is at hand.

C. H. SPURGEON: His own words are, “Behold, I come quickly!” Revelation 22:7. That is not quite the meaning of what He said; it was, “Behold, I am coming quickly!” He is on his way, his chariot is hurrying towards us the axles of the wheels are hot with speed…The long-suffering of God delays Him, till sinners are brought in, till the full number of his elect shall be accomplished; but He is not delaying; He is not lingering; He is not slack, as some men count slackness; He is coming quickly.

JAMES HARRINGTON EVANS: My brother, do you and I know, to a certainty, that the Son of God shall not come this day? Do we know, to a certainty, that we shall not this day hear the trump of the archangel?

HUDSON TAYLOR (1832-1905): Since He may come any day, it is well to be ready every day.

WILLIAM PERKINS (1558-1602): These are the days of grace, but how long they will last, God only knoweth.

WILLIAM ROMAINE (1714-1795): At the time appointed He came to suffer for the sins of the world, and at the time appointed He will come to Judgment. His second advent is as certain as His first. It was foretold in the Old Testament, and promised in the New, and the Scriptures cannot be broken. God had revealed it in the clearest manner to patriarchs, so that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of it, saying—Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them, of all their ungodly deeds, which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches, which ungodly sinners have spoken against him, Jude 14 & 15.

EDWARD LEIGH (1602-1671): Let us long for His appearance, and thirst after the great day when He shall come to judge the quick and dead.

MATTHEW HENRY (1662-1714): The Lord Jesus will certainly come, and come in His glory…The believing thoughts and expectations of the second coming of Christ should put us upon prayer to God for ourselves and others.

LADY THEODOSIA POWERSCOURT (died 1836): What a thunderclap of hallelujah when all the prayers of the saints for our poor world, long, long laid up, shall be answered in one event.

C. H. SPURGEON: The shout shall be heard, “Alleluia! Alleluia! The Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.” Will you not remember Him? Soon will His hand be on the door; soon for you, at any rate, He may cry, “Arise, my love, my dove, my fair one, and come away;” and soon He may be here among us…Christians! be ye waiting for the second coming of your Lord Jesus Christ!

GEORGE WHITEFIELD (1714-1770): We do not live up to our dignity, till every day we are waiting for the coming of our Lord from heaven.

 

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The Character of True Christian Forgiveness

Posted on December 23, 2014 by The Editor

Luke 17:3,4; Matthew 18:21,22
      Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
      Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

JOHN TRAPP (1601-1699): “Lord,” saith Peter, “how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?” This he thought a mighty deal, a very high pitch of perfection. Our Saviour tells him, till seventy times seven times, that is, infinitely, and without stint: yet He alludes to Peter’s seven, and, as it were, derides it, and his rashness in setting bounds to this duty.

MATTHEW HENRY (1662-1714): It does not look well for us to keep count of the offences done against us by our brethren. There is something of ill-nature in scoring up the injuries we forgive, as if we would allow ourselves to be revenged when the measure is full. God keeps an account, Deuteronomy 32:34, because He is the Judge, and vengeance is His; but we must not, lest we be found stepping into His throne.

MATTHEW POOLE (1624-1679): But it seems hard that Christians should be obliged to forgive another his private wrongs so often as he doth them, if he will go on without end multiplying affronts and injuries to us.

JOHN FLAVEL (1630-1691): First, let us enquire what this Christian forgiveness is. And that the nature of it may the better appear, I shall you both what it is not, and what it is.
      First, it consists not in a Stoical insensibility of wrongs and injuries. God hath not made men as insensible, stupid blocks that have no sense of feeling of what is done to them―nay, the more deep and tender our resentments of wrongs and injuries are, the more excellent is our forgiveness of them…Secondly, Christian forgiveness is not a concealment of our wrath and revenge, because it will be a reproach to discover it; or because we want an opportunity to vent it. This is carnal policy, not Christian meekness. So far from being the mark of a gracious spirit, that it is apparently the sign of a vile nature.
      Nor is Christian forgiveness that moral virtue, for which we are beholden to an easier and better [disposition], and the help of moral rules and documents. There are certain virtues that are attainable without the change of nature―such as temperance, patience, justice etc. These are of singular use to conserve peace and order in the world: and without them, the world would soon break up, and its civil societies disband. But yet, though these are the ornaments of nature, they do not argue the change of nature―and lastly, Christian forgiveness is not an injurious giving up of our rights and properties to the lust of every one that hath a mind to invade them.
      But then, positively, Christian forgiveness is a Christian lenity, or gentleness of mind, not retaining, but freely passing by the injuries done to us, in obedience to the command of God.

JOHN TRAPP: This happens when my brother returneth and saith, It repents me. But what if he does not? In forgiving an offender, say divines, there are three things:
                                     1. The letting fall all wrath and desire of revenge.
                                     2. A solemn profession of forgiveness.
                                     3. Re-acceptance into former familiarity.
      The first must be done however―if you are suffering from a bad man’s injustice, forgive him lest there be two bad men―For the second, if he say, I repent, I must say, I remit, Luke 17:4. To the third, a man is bound till satisfaction be given.

MATTHEW POOLE: We must therefore know, that our Saviour by this precept doth not oblige any to take his enemy into his bosom, and make him his intimate or confidant again; but only to lay aside all malice, all thoughts and desires of revenge towards him, to put on a charitable frame of spirit towards him, so as to be ready to do him any common offices of friendship. Thus far we are obliged to forgive those that do us injuries, so often as they stand in need of forgiveness.

JOHN FLAVEL: This gracious lenity inclines the Christian to pass by injuries, as neither to retain them revengefully in the mind, or requite them when we have opportunity with the hand: yea, and that freely, not by constraint, because we cannot avenge ourselves, but willingly. We abhor to do it when we can. So that as a carnal heart thinks revenge its glory, the gracious heart is content that forgiveness should be his glory―it is his glory to pass over transgression, Proverbs 19:11. And this it does in obedience to the command of God―“Be ye kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you,” Ephesians 4:32. This is Christian forgiveness.

JOHN NEWTON (1725-1807): Because he lives upon much forgiveness, he will be ready to forgive.

JOHN GILL (1697-1771): It is certainly the will of God, that we should forgive one another all trespasses and offences. The examples of God and Christ should lead and engage unto it; the pardon of sin received by ourselves from the hands of God strongly enforces it; the peace and comfort of communion in public ordinances require it; the reverse is contrary to the spirit and character of Christians, is very displeasing to our heavenly Father, greatly unlike to Christ, and grieving to the Spirit of God.

C. H. SPURGEON (1834-1892): Forgive, and forget. When you bury a mad dog, don’t leave his tail above the ground―those who say they will forgive but can’t forget, simply bury the hatchet but leave the handle out for immediate use.

R. C. CHAPMAN (1803-1902): Pride nourishes the remembrance of injuries: humility forgets as well as forgives them.

JOHN CALVIN (1509-1564): This requires to be the more diligently observed, because, commonly, the greater part weakly conclude that they forgive offences if they do not retaliate them; as if indeed we were not taking revenge when we withdraw our hands from giving help.

THOMAS FULLER (1608-1661): If God should have no more mercy on us than we have charity one to another, what would become of us?

WILLIAM JAY (1769-1853): I once heard Rowland Hill repeat the Lord’s prayer, and witnessed the great effect produced when he said, “Forgive us our trespasses,” by making a considerable pause before he added, “as we forgive them that trespass against us;” as if he almost feared to utter it, lest he should condemn himself and others.

 

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Communion with God: The Reward of Obedience & Holy Dedication

Posted on December 19, 2014 by The Editor

John 14:21, 23, 24; John 15:10, 11
       He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
       If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

JAMES DURHAM (1622-1658): Although the Lord loves the elect, and the believer always, yet there are special times or occasions upon which, or ways by which, He manifests His love to them. There is an inseparable and peremptory connection betwixt holiness in a believer’s walk, and Christ’s manifesting of His favour thus unto them.

WILLIAM GURNALL (1617-1679): It is holiness, and that maintained in its power, that capacitates us for communion with God in this life…The Spirit of God gives the lie to that man who saith he hath any acquaintance with God while he keeps his acquaintance with any unrighteousness: “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie,” I John 1:6. The apostle is willing to pass for a loud liar himself, if he walks in darkness, and pretends to have fellowship with God…Communion is founded on union, and union upon likeness. And how alike are God and the devil, holiness and unholiness.

JOSEPH CARYL (1602-1673): They who separate themselves from whatsoever is unholy, have Him nearest them, who is altogether holy.

MARTYN LLOYD-JONES (1899-1981): “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,” Matthew 6:13. Evil here includes not only Satan, but evil in every shape and form―there is an evil also in our hearts, so we need to be delivered from that, and from the evil in the world as well. Why should we ask that we may be kept from evil? For the great and wonderful reason that our fellowship with God may never be broken…Our supreme desire should be to have a right relationship with God, to know Him, to have uninterrupted fellowship and communion with Him. That is why we pray this prayer, that nothing may come between us and the brightness and radiance and the glory of our Father which is in heaven.

THOMAS HALYBURTON (1674-1712): The joy of the Lord is only to be retained when we walk tenderly and circumspectly; it is inconsistent, not only with the entertainment of any gross sin, but with a careless walk.

JAMES DURHAM: There is nothing a believer should watch more against―as that which mars fellowship with Christ―than taking excessive contentment in created things. Often a condition which abounds in worldly contentments and delights, is very scarce of Christ’s company.

C. H. SPURGEON (1834-1892): Now, if the soul has come to look at the mere trifles of this world as all-important, is it any marvel that it should be unable to perceive the exceeding preciousness of Christ Jesus? Who will care for the wheat when he dotes on the chaff?

WILLIAM JAY (1769-1853): If a man prayed to be heavenly minded, would he go and wait in a theatre for the answer?

C. H. SPURGEON: Was Jesus found at the theatre?

JOHN NEWTON (1725-1807): The theatres are fountains and means of vice.

MARTYN LLOYD-JONES: The same is true of books, especially novels, radio programs, television and also the cinema…These things are generally a source of temptation.

JOHN ANGELL JAMES (1785-1869): Although some of these entertainments may not be demoralizing, yet they abate seriousness and spirituality, promote levity and frivolity of mind, are a great waste of time, and are a part of that conformity to the world in which Christians are forbidden to indulge. It is a sad proof of little or no true vital piety, when people feel it a hardship to be debarred by their profession from such engagements.

R. C. CHAPMAN: The so-called innocent amusements of the world are only contrivances to forget God.

C. H. SPURGEON: This is the age of excessive amusement. Everybody craves for it, like a babe for its rattle…Was Jesus seen, think you, in any of the amusements of the Herodian court? Not He.

DAVID DICKSON (1583-1662): There is more joy in God’s felt presence.

JOHN CALVIN (1509-1564): Let every one then bear in mind, that as he is called to this fellowship he is to throw off all hindrances.

R. C. CHAPMAN (1803-1902): Communion with Christ can only be kept up by constant watchfulness. Where there is much love between friends, a cold look is matter of complaint. Let us be very jealous over ourselves for the Lord; watching against the least shyness between the soul and Christ.

THOMAS WILCOX (1622-1687): Treasure up manifestations of Christ’s love.

C. H. SPURGEON: I am afraid that the visits of Christ to our souls have been disesteemed, and the loss of those visits has not caused us corresponding sorrow. We did not sufficiently delight in the beauty of the Bridegroom when He did come to us; when our hearts were somewhat lifted up with His love, we grew cold and idle, and then He withdrew His conscious presence; but, alas! we were not grieved, but we wickedly tried to live without him…now you are carnal and worldly, and careless, and quite content to have it so, [and] Jesus hides His face.

IRENÆUS (130-202): To those who abide in His love, He gives communion with Himself…On those who stand aloof from Him, He inflicts the separation which they have chosen for themselves.

R. C. CHAPMAN: Another may take away my substance, or my life, but cannot spoil me of my communion with God; if I lack this, I am myself the thief and the robber.

A. W. PINK (1886-1952): The felt presence of the Lord is the stay, the strength, the consolation of the believer; the lifting up of the light of His countenance upon us, is what sustains and cheers us in this dark world. But when that is withheld, when we no longer have the joy of His presence with us, drab indeed is the prospect.

C. H. SPURGEON: If you want the blessing of God, keep in constant communion with God. When may a Christian be safely out of communion with God? Never―if we are weak in communion with God we are weak everywhere…I must add here, if we are to enjoy the power of God, we must manifest great holiness of life.

R. C. CHAPMAN: It is impossible for God to meet His saints in the way of fellowship, except in the path of obedience.

DAVID BRAINERD (1718-1747): The way to enjoy the Divine presence, and be fitted for distinguishing service for God, is to live a life of great devotion and constant self-dedication to Him.

 

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Athenian Curiosity

Posted on December 13, 2014 by The Editor

Acts 17:21
       All the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.

MATTHEW HENRY (1662-1714): The reason why they were inquisitive concerning Paul’s doctrine, not because it was good, but because it was new. It is a very sorry character which is here given of these people.

JOHN GILL (1697-1771): The Jewish doctors, at this time, were much of the same cast in their divinity schools; the usual question asked, when they met one another, was, “what new thing” have you learned in the divinity school today?

MARTYN LLOYD-JONES (1899-1981): There is nothing more important in the Christian life than the way in which we approach the Bible, and the way in which we read it.

A. P. GIBBS (1890-1967): Many suffer from what might be termed “Athenianitus”—like the people of Athens, they spend their time in nothing else, but either to tell or hear of some new thing. This is a mischievous malady indeed.

THOMAS MANTON (1620-1677): We must not study the Word merely out of curiosity, that we may know what is said there; as men will pry into civil art and discipline; so the Athenians flocked about Paul; so, for novelty’s sake, men may have an affection and a delight in the Word.

A. W. PINK (1886-1952): Some read it to satisfy their sense of curiosity, as they might any other book of note…Some read it inquisitively, to satisfy curiosity and feed intellectual pride―they specialize on prophecy, the types, numerics, and so on.

JAMES DURHAM (1622-1658): There is an inquiring to satisfy curiosity, which the Lord abhors; as we may gather from Exodus 19:21, where the Lord, being to deliver His will, says to Moses, “Go down, charge this people”―a word of peremptory command―“lest they break through unto the Lord to gaze, and many of them perish.” The Lord is not displeased that His people should endeavour to behold, and take Him up aright; but when their end is not good, but to satisfy an itch of curiosity, it displeases Him.

MARTYN LLOYD-JONES: Of course we are to be interested in everything in the Bible, but we are not to be mastered by the mechanics. It is good to be interested in figures, in Biblical numerics for instance; but you can easily spend the whole of your life working at such problems, and thereby forget the true interests of your soul.

THOMAS ADAM (1701-1784): The Scripture is unto us what the star was to the wise men; but if we spend all our time in gazing upon it; observing its motions, and admiring its splendour, without being led to Christ by it, the use of it will be lost to us.

JOHN WESLEY (1703-1791): The Scriptures were written not to gratify our curiosity, but to lead us to God.

MARTYN LLOYD-JONES: Very well; it is obviously important that we should approach this Book in the right manner.

JAMES DURHAM: The great end and design of all endeavours for knowledge, should not be to rest in speculation, but to be furthered in practice…Though we would wish that many had a holy curiosity to know God’s mind toward them.

THOMAS MANTON: For a man to study the Scripture only to satisfy curiosity, only to know what is right and good, and not to follow it with all his heart, is but to make a rod for his own back, and doth but cause his own condemnation to be sore and terrible, Luke 12:47. To be able to dispute for truth, and not lie under the power of it; to avoid heresy, and live in vice, will never bring him to Heaven. It is not them that are able to talk of it, but to walk according to this rule, Galatians 6:16; not to play with it, but to work with it. Knowledge and practise must be joined together; they do never well asunder, but excellently together.

MATTHEW POOLE (1624-1679): Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments, Ezra 7:10. The order of things in this verse is very observable; first he endeavours to understand God’s law and word, and that not for curiosity or ostentation, but in order to practise; next, he conscientiously practiseth what he did understand, which made his doctrine much more effectual; and then he earnestly desires and labours to instruct and edify others, that they also might know and do it.

A. W. PINK: God has given the Word to us as a revelation of Himself―of His character, of His government, of His requirements. Our motive in reading it, then, should be to become better acquainted with Him, with His perfections, with His will for us. Our end in perusing His Word should be learn how to please and glorify Him; and that, by our characters being formed under its holy influence, and our conduct regulated in all its details by the rules He has there laid down.

MARTYN LLOYD-JONES: Beware then of becoming a student of the Bible in a wrong sense.

WILLIAM JAY (1769-1853): Let me tremble at God’s Word, and let me, in reading it, keep three purposes in view:
                                      1. To collect facts rather than form opinions.
                                      2. To regulate practise rather than encourage speculation.
                                      3. To aid devotion rather than dispute.

THOMAS MANTON: Our knowledge of it, and delight in it, must be directed to practice.

JOHN CALVIN (1509-1564): Another rule to be followed is, in reading the Scripture, continually to direct our attention to investigate and meditate upon things conducive to edification; not to indulge curiosity or the study of things unprofitable.

WILLIAM JAY: The Scripture is given to establish our faith, and comfort our hearts, and sanctify our lives, but not to amuse us and to gratify our curiosity.

 

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The Blessed Assurance in Jesus Christ’s Promise of Persecution

Posted on December 9, 2014 by The Editor

John 15:20; Matthew 5:10-12
         Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
         Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

BROWNLOW NORTH (1810-1875): The Christian has no right to expect better treatment from the world than Christ received.

MATTHEW HENRY (1662-1714): Those that bear Christ’s name must expect to bear the cross for His name.

A. W. PINK (1886-1952): The Lord Jesus Christ dealt openly in this matter, and plainly made known what was likely to befall those whom He called to follow Him, and expressly affirmed that He would admit none into the ranks of His disciples save those who denied themselves, took up their cross, and engage to undergo all sorts of sufferings for His sake and the Gospel’s. He deceived none with fair promises of a smooth and easy passage through this world.

THOMAS WATSON (1620-1686): Persecution is the legacy bequeathed by Christ to His people.

JOHN GILL (1697-1771): All that will live godly in Christ Jesus must expect it in one shape or another.

WILLIAM JAY (1769-1853): Suffering is commonly connected with service in the divine life. It was so invariably in the beginning of the gospel. Then it was deemed impossible for any one to live godly in Christ Jesus and not suffer persecution. Therefore no sooner was Paul converted, than he was told how great things he had to suffer. “For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake,” Acts 9:16.

MARTYN LLOYD-JONES (1899-1981): Why then does he rejoice in it? Why should he be exceeding glad? Here are the Lord’s answers. The first is that this persecution which he is receiving for Christ’s sake is proof to the Christian of who he is and what he is. “For so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” So if you find you are being persecuted and maligned falsely for Christ’s sake, you know you are like the prophets, who were God’s chosen servants, and who are now with God, rejoicing in glory. Now that is something to rejoice about.

JOHN CALVIN (1509-1564): Persecutions are, in a way, seals of adoption to the children of God…Persecution is indeed a true test whereby God discovers which are His.

THOMAS BROOKS (1608-1680): The Lord trieth the righteous, Psalm 11:5. Times of affliction and persecution will distinguish the precious from the vile, it will difference the counterfeit professor from the true. Persecution is a Christian’s touchstone, it is a lapis lydius that will try what metal men are made of, whether they be silver or tin, gold or dross, wheat or chaff, shadow or substance, carnal or spiritual, sincere or hypocritical…To stand fast in fiery trials argues much integrity within.

MARTYN LLOYD-JONES: This is one of the ways in which our Lord turns everything into a victory. In a sense He makes even the devil a cause of blessing. The devil through his agencies persecutes the Christian and makes him unhappy. But if you look at it in the right way, you will find a cause for rejoicing, and will turn to Satan and say, “Thank you; you are giving me proof that I am a child of God, otherwise I should never be persecuted like this for Christ’s sake.” James, in his Epistle, argues likewise that this is proof of your calling and sonship; it is something which makes you know for certain you are a child of God. Or, take a second argument to prove this. It means, of course, that we have become identified with Christ. If we are thus being maligned falsely and persecuted for His sake, it must mean that our lives have become like His. We are being treated as our Lord was treated, and therefore we have positive proof that we do indeed belong to Him.

J. C. RYLE (1816-1900): Persecution is like the goldsmith’s hallmark on real silver and gold; it is one of the marks of a converted man.

MARTYN LLOYD-JONES: As we saw, He Himself prophesied before His going that this was going to happen and this teaching is found everywhere in the New Testament. The apostle Paul, for example, says, “Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake,” Philippians 1:29.

JOHN GILL: The same persons to whom it is given to believe in Christ, to them it is given to suffer for Him; and they all do in some shape or another, though some more, others less; yet all are partakers of sufferings for Christ, and so are conformed to Him [who is] their head, and hereby enter the kingdom.

MARTYN LLOYD-JONES: The second cause of rejoicing and of joy is, of course, that this persecution is proof also of where we are going. “Rejoice and be exceeding glad.” Why? “For great is your reward in heaven.” Here is one of these great central principles that you find running all the way through the Bible. It is this consideration of the end, our final destiny. If this happens to you, says Christ in effect, it is just the hallmark of the fact that you are destined for heaven. It means you have a label on; it means your ultimate destiny is fixed. By thus persecuting you the world is just telling you that you do not belong to it, that you are a man apart; you belong to another realm, thus proving the fact that you are going to heaven. And that, according to Christ, is something which causes us always to rejoice and be exceeding glad.

WILLIAM GURNALL (1617-1679): Christ’s cross is made of sweet wool, for there are comforts peculiar to those who suffer for righteousness.

THOMAS BROOKS: By grace God makes men vessels of silver and vessels of gold, and then casts them into the fire to melt and suffer for His name, and a higher glory He cannot put upon them on this side of glory.

HOWEL HARRIS (1714-1773): The greatest honour we poor mortals can be capable of is to be persecuted for righteousness’s sake. O what a favour it is to bear reproach for Christ!

JOHN NEWTON (1725-1807): From Paul’s declaration, that “all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution,” 2 Timothy 3:12, we may expect it will always be so, while human nature and the state of the world remain as they are.

JEROME (340-420): You err, my brother, you err, if you think that anywhere a Christian is not to suffer persecution.

 

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Slanderous Lies: The Fuel of Anti-Christian Persecution

Posted on December 5, 2014 by The Editor

Matthew 11:18,19; John 15:20; Matthew 5:11, 12
       John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners.
       The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
       Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

JOHN CALVIN (1509-1564): Lies are Satan’s chief weapons against God’s saints.

JOHN TRAPP (1601-1699): Count it not strange to be traduced, disgraced, scandalized―there are tongue-smiters, as well as hand-smiters; such as malign and molest God’s dearest children, as well with their virulent tongues as violent hands: “Such as will revile you,” saith our Saviour. Austere John hath a devil; sociable Christ is a wine bibber, and the scribes and Pharisees―whose words carry such credit―say as much.

MATTHEW HENRY (1662-1714): Herein they show themselves the devil’s children, for he is a liar, and the father of lies (John 8:44).

JOHN ROBINSON (1575-1625): Slanderers may be called devilish, seeing the devil hath his name of slandering.

G. CAMPBELL MORGAN (1863-1945): The world hates Christian people if they can see Christ in them.

JOHN GILL (1697-1771): The treatment they meet with is on His account, and the same that He Himself met with; the like reproaches fell on Him.

MATTHEW POOLE (1624-1679): Reviling and speaking evil of persons falsely, because of their profession of Christ, and because they dare not sin against God, is a species of persecution, Genesis 21:9; Galatians 4:29, though the lowest degree of it. It hath been the constant lot of God’s servants. David said that false witnesses did rise up, and laid to his charge things that he knew not, Psalm 35:11. Thus John and Christ were served.

WILLIAM GURNALL (1617-1679): Persecutors may pretend what they please, but it is the saint’s religion and piety that their spite is at.

MATTHEW HENRY: Whatever pretence persecutors have, it is the power of godliness that they have an enmity to; it is really Christ and his righteousness that are maligned, hated, and persecuted.

HUGH MARTIN (1822-1885): Now here is the principle on which all persecution against the godly is conducted. It is not for being godly that the world professedly persecutes them. The world feels that decency forbids to touch them till a semblance of some other charge is raised to cover and, if possible, conceal the real ground of hatred. It is not as a holy and benevolent teacher, winning the esteem of the nation, that Jesus is arrested: it is as a felon. It is not as holy and heavenly minded men that primitive Christians are persecuted. It is as disturbers of the peace of the Roman empire; as setters forth of strange gods; enemies of the imperial authority, as it prescribes the imperial religion. It is in that character they are given to the wild beasts at Ephesus or at Rome.

JOHN GILL: But all were malicious lies of men, invented on purpose to bring them and Christianity into disgrace.

MATTHEW HENRY: Those who have had no power in their hands to do them any other mischief, could yet do this; and those who have had power to persecute, had found it necessary to do this too, to justify themselves in their barbarous usage of them; they could not have baited them, if they had not dressed them in bear-skins; nor have given them the worst of treatment, if they had not first represented them as the worst of men.

JOHN NEWTON (1725-1807): Paul was treated with contempt and despite, his character traduced, his doctrine misrepresented: and, though his natural and acquired abilities were great, and he spoke with power and the demonstration of the Spirit, yet he was esteemed the filth and off-scouring of all things, a babbler, and a madman.

HUGH MARTIN: It is the same principle and policy in all cases, great or small. Look into the family, the field, the workshop, where the ungodly scorn and ridicule the righteous. It is not under the character of righteous that they persecute him. That would be too obviously and visibly the very spirit of hell. It must be a little masked and hidden from the view of others; aye, they seek even to hide it from themselves. It is not because he is a Christian, righteous, godly man they hate him. They cannot condemn him under that which is the true aspect of his character. They must misrepresent him first.

WILLIAM GREENHILL (1591-1677): It matters not much what the world saith of men: it called Paul a babbler, Acts 17:18, a heretic, Acts 24:14, a pestilent fellow, Acts 24:5; but what said God of him? “He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.” Job’s friends and the devil said that Job was hypocrite; but God said he was a perfect man, fearing God, and eschewing evil, Job. 1:1.

MATTHEW POOLE: Others had trial of cruel mockings, Hebrews 11:36. The same gospel faith enabled prophets and saints as Micaiah, (1 Kings 22:24); Elisha, (2 Kings 2:23); Isaiah, (Isaiah 8:18); Amos, (Amos 7:10); readily, cheerfully, and patiently to accept and receive the experience and trials of mocking, from the insulting, cruel enemies of God and his church, both national and aliens; being exposed and made a laughing-stock by reproaches, sarcasms, and nicknames.

MATTHEW HENRY: Note—there is no evil so black and horrid, which, at one time or other, has not been said, falsely, of Christ’s disciples and followers.

JOHN TRAPP: Elijah, for telling truth, shall hear, troubler; Jeremiah, traitor.

A. W. PINK (1886-1952): It has ever been the portion of God’s servants and people to be derided, reproached and insulted; and, my reader, if we are not being “mocked”—sneered at, scoffed at—it is because we are too lax in our ways and too worldly in our walk. Human nature has not changed; Satan has not changed; the world has not changed; and the more Christlike is our life the more we shall drink—in our measure—of the cup He drank from.

C. H. SPURGEON (1834-1892): On one occasion, when John Wesley was preaching, he said, “I have been falsely charged with every crime of which a human being is capable, except that of drunkenness.” He had scarcely uttered these words before a wretched woman started up and screamed out at the top of her voice, “You old villain!―will you deny it? Did you not pledge your bands last night for a noggin of whiskey, and did not the woman sell them to our parson’s wife?” [Then she] sat down amid a thunder-struck assembly.
       Wesley lifted his hands to heaven, and thanked God that his cup was now full, for they had said all manner of evil against him falsely for Christ’s name’s sake.

 

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The Awesome, Glorious Presence of Our Exalted Lord Jesus Christ

Posted on November 24, 2014 by The Editor

Revelation 1:8
       I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Editor’s Note: Perhaps it is better to let Scripture speak on a subject such as this. Here then are the personal testimonies of Moses, Isaiah, Daniel, and John, by nature being only sinful men of like passions as ourselves, but all of them, by grace, holy men who saw our Lord Jesus Christ in His heavenly exaltation, and heard His words. Their accounts contain none of the glib familiarity that we hear today from those who claim to have intimate communion with Him.
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MOSES (Exodus 33:18-23; 34:29,30): “I beseech thee, show me thy glory.”
      And He said, “I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.”
      And He said, “Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.”
      And the LORD said, “Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: and it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: and I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.”
      And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai…that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while He talked with him. And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.

ISAIAH (Isaiah 6:1-5): In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
      Then said I, “Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.”

JOHN (John 12:41): These things saith [Isaiah], when he saw His glory, and spake of Him.

ISAIAH (Isaiah 6:6-8): Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: and he laid it upon my mouth, and said, “Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.” Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”
      Then said I, “Here am I; send me.”

DANIEL (Daniel 10:1,2,4-9,16-19): In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia―I Daniel was mourning three full weeks―and in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel; then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: His body also was like the beryl, and His face as the appearance of lightning, and His eyes as lamps of fire, and His arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of His words like the voice of a multitude. And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. Yet heard I the voice of His words: and when I heard the voice of His words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground…
      And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, “O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength. For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.”
      Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, And said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong.” And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.”

JOHN (Revelation 1:9-18): I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, “I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last…”
      And I turned to see the voice that spake with me.
      And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; and in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire; and His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters. And He had in his right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp two edged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in His strength.
      And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.
      And He laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, “Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

DANIEL (Daniel 7:9,10): I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, Whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

 

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Pride: The Source of Error, Envy & Every Evil Work

Posted on November 19, 2014 by The Editor

Proverbs 13:10; James 4:1; James 3:14, 16
       Only by pride cometh contention.
       From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members.
       If ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not…for where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

JONATHAN EDWARDS (1703-1758): The first and worst cause of error that prevails in our day is spiritual pride…It is the chief inlet of smoke from the bottomless pit to darken the mind and mislead the judgment, and the main handle by which Satan takes hold of Christians to hinder a work of God.

THOMAS MANTON (1620-1677): Wrath and contention come by pride. Every one seeks to be eminent, and would excel, not in graces and gifts; that is, a holy emulation; but in rank and place. We set too high a price on ourselves; and, when we meet not with that respect and honour which we affect, we fall into contention, and break out into strifes, supposing ourselves neglected.

RICHARD BAXTER (1615-1691): A proud mind is high in conceit, self-esteem, and carnal aspiring.

THOMAS MANTON: But this should not be: Let each esteem other better than themselves, Philippians 2:3…Most men are too great and too good in their own esteem. Self-love representeth ourselves to ourselves in a feigned shape and likeness, much more wise, and holy, and just, than we are.

D. L. MOODY (1837-1899): There are many people who start out with idea that they are great and other people are small, and they are going to bring them up on the high level with themselves…You cannot find a man who holds any false doctrine of religion who is not proud of it.

WILLIAM TYNDALE (1490-1536): The source of all heresies is pride.

RALPH ERSKINE (1685-1752): Pride of reason founds Socinianism;* pride of the will, Arminianism;* pride of self-righteousness, Neonomianism.*

JOHN FLAVEL (1630-1691): Errorists are usually hot and passionate, proud and daring persons…Hence arise debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults.

WILLIAM GURNALL (1617-1679): I am persuaded some men take more pains to furnish themselves with arguments to defend some one error they have taken up, than they do for the most saving truths in the Bible; yea, they could sooner die at a stake to defend one error they hold, than for all the truths they profess…O it is hard to reduce a person deeply engaged in the defence of an error! How oft had the Pharisees their mouths stopped by our Saviour? yet few or none reclaimed. Their spirits were too proud to recant…They will rather go on, and brave it out as well as they can, than come back with shame, though the shame was not to be ashamed of their error, but ashamed to confess it.

JOHN NEWTON (1725-1807): Hence proceed divisions, subdivisions, distinctions, refinements, bitterness, strife, envyings.

THOMAS MANTON: Another expression of pride is impatiency of admonitions and reproofs.

MATTHEW POOLE (1624-1679): Hypocrites can never endure to have their beloved lusts touched, and persons that have drunk in an error have no patience to hear it contradicted.

THOMAS MANTON: Contempt is the fruit of pride…Surely it argueth a proud spirit, when men cannot endure friendly counsel, and will not have their secret sores touched, but they grow fierce and outrageous, especially when they excel others in rank and power; as when the Prophet reproved Amaziah, “Art thou made of the king’s counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten?” 2 Chronicles 25:16.

C. H. SPURGEON (1834-1892): Pride is the egg of persecution.

WILLIAM GURNALL: Satan comes first with a spirit of error and then of persecution. He first corrupts men’s minds with error, and then enrageth their hearts against the professors of truth. It is impossible that error, being a brat of hell, should be peaceable.

THOMAS MANTON: Proud men would be admired by all, well thought of and spoken of by all, and preferred above all; and, if it be not so, they are discontented, and a secret enmity and malignity invaded their spirits, and settleth itself there; it is an apparent fruit of natural corruption; “The spirit that dwelleth in us, lusteth to envy,” James 4:5. Men cannot endure either the real or reputed excellency of others. The proud creature would shine alone. Therefore we are secretly nibbling at the credit of others, blasting their reputation, and desire by all means to lessen them, or that they should be lessened.

JOHN ROBINSON (1575-1625): Persons oftener slander others out of love to themselves, than of hatred to them; thinking therein to build their own credit, upon the ruins of other men’s.

THOMAS MANTON: And, where this disposition prevaileth into any degree of strength and tyranny, it groweth outrageous: “Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?” Proverbs 27:4. For when we are grieved at the prosperity and excellency of others, we seek to undermine them by all the means we can devise, as when the brothers of Joseph sought to put him out of the way. And when Saul envied David, he was still plotting his destruction: so when the Pharisees envied Christ, “If we let him alone, all men will run after him;” this brought them to “crucify the Lord of glory.” Anger venteth itself in sudden flashes, and wrath in some present act of violence; but envy is injurious and treacherous. Anger and wrath suppose some offence; but envy is troubled at the goodness and excellency of others. Anger and wrath are assuaged by degrees, and, when the raging billows and tempest cease, there is a calm; but envy groweth by time, and is exasperated more and more, the longer those whom we envy are in good condition.

R. C. CHAPMAN (1803-1902): Pride has always an envious eye and an envious tongue: envy is but the vexation of pride.

THOMAS MANTON: Envy. It is a sin that feeds upon the mind…Envy is an evil disease that dwelleth in the heart, and betrays itself mostly in thoughts.

MARTYN LLOYD-JONES (1899-1981): If we ever know the feeling of being rather pleased when we hear something unpleasant about another, that is this wrong spirit. If we are jealous, or envious, and then suddenly hear that the one of whom we are jealous or envious has made a mistake and find that there is an immediate sense of pleasure within us, that is it.

WILLIAM GURNALL: I have known one that, when he had some envious unkind thoughts stirring in him against any one―and who so holy as may not find such vermin sometimes creeping about him―he would go to the throne of grace where he would most earnestly pray for the increase of those good things in them which he before had seemed to grudge.
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*Editor’s Note: Briefly, these errors are as follows: Socinianism rejects the eternal Deity of Jesus Christ, the Trinity, and original sin; Arminianism rejects unconditional election and believes that man is saved by the exercise of his own free will (see the sitemap series on election and predestination); Neonomianism turns the Gospel of salvation by grace into salvation by works, whereby man is saved by keeping the law by faith.

 

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Some Thoughts on Dust, Both Serious & Silly

Posted on November 12, 2014 by The Editor

Genesis 2:7; Genesis 18:27
       The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
       And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes.

MATTHEW HENRY (1662-1714): Those that are admitted into fellowship with God are, and must be, very humble and very reverent in their approaches to Him.

A. W. PINK (1886-1952): Abraham acknowledged he was “dust and ashes.”

ADAM CLARKE (1760-1832): By these expressions he shows how deeply his soul was humbled in the presence of God.

THOMAS BROOKS (1608-1680): The most holy men are always the most humble men.

A. W. PINK: He who is experimentally acquainted with the “plague of his own heart” (I Kings 8:38) is one in experience with the most eminent of God’s saints.

WILLIAM JAY (1769-1853): The more he advances in the divine life, the more he sinks in his own estimation: Job―“Behold, I am vile;” David―“Who am I, and what is my father’s house;” Jacob―“I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies;” John the Baptist―“the lachet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose,” Paul―“I am not worthy to be called an apostle,” and, “I am less than the least of all saints.” These have been the self-annihilations of men who were all great in the sight of the Lord; and these must be the best proofs, as they will be the certain effects, or our growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour.

JOHN NEWTON (1725-1807): I believe our hearts are all alike, destitute of every good, and prone to every evil. Like money from the same mint, they bear the same impression of total depravity; but grace makes a difference, and grace deserves the praise…The Scripture declares the principles, desires, and feelings of a Christian. It is true that you feel contrary principles, that you are conscious of defects and defilements; but it is equally true, that you could not be right, if you did not feel these things. To be conscious of them, and humbled for them, is one of the surest marks of grace; and to be more deeply sensible of them than formerly, is the best evidence of growth in grace.

A. W. PINK: One of the principle things which distinguishes a regenerate person from an unregenerate one may be likened unto two rooms which have been swept but not dusted. In one, the blinds are raised and the sunlight streams in, exposing the dust still lying on the furniture. In the other, the blinds are lowered, and one walking through the room would be unable to discern its real condition. Thus it is in the case of one who has been renewed by the Spirit: his eyes have been opened to see the awful filth which lurks in every corner of his heart. But in the case of the unregenerate, though they have occasional twinges of conscience when they act wrongfully, they are very largely ignorant of the awful fact that they are a complete mass of corruption into the pure eyes of the thrice holy God.

SAMUEL RUTHERFORD (1600-1661): Dust particles are in a room before the sun shines, but they only appear then.

JOHN NEWTON: This discovery is indeed very distressing; yet, till it is made, we are prone to think ourselves much less vile than we really are, and cannot so heartily abhor ourselves and repent in dust and ashes.

A. W. PINK: Sinful self and all its wretched failures should be sufficiently noticed so as to keep us in the dust before God. Christ and His great salvation should be contemplated so as to lift us above self and fill the soul with thanksgiving.

C. H. SPURGEON (1834-1892): The most healthy state of a Christian is to be always empty in self and constantly depending upon the Lord for supplies; to be always poor in self and rich in Jesus, weak as water personally, but mighty through God to do great exploits; and hence the use of prayer, because, while it adores God, it lays the creature where it should be, in the very dust.

JOHN NEWTON: Indeed these may be said to be great attainments; but they who have most of them are most sensible that they, in and of themselves, are nothing, have nothing, can do nothing, and see daily cause for abhorring themselves.

ROWLAND HILL (1744-1833): Poverty of spirit is the bag into which Christ puts the riches of His grace.

C. H. SPURGEON: When Abraham pleaded with God for Sodom, the Lord patiently listened to his renewed pleading. How instructive is that story of the Patriarch’s pleading for Sodom! How humbly he speaks!—“I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, even I that am but dust and ashes.” Yet how boldly he pleads!

JOHN WESLEY (1703-1791): He speaks as one amazed at his own boldness, and the liberty God graciously allowed him, considering God’s greatness, He is the Lord; and his own meanness, but dust and ashes. Whenever we draw near to God, it becomes us reverently to acknowledge the vast distance that there is between us and Him. He is the Lord of glory, we are worms of the earth.

WILLIAM GURNALL (1617-1679): Pray, then, with an humble boldness.

GEORGE SWINNOCK (1627-1673): Remember, that when thou doth speak unto the Lord, thou art but dust and ashes.

WILLIAM JENKYN (1613–1685): Our father was Adam, our grandfather dust, our great-grandfather nothing.

C. H. SPURGEON: A very favourite expression [once used in 19th century prayer meetings was] “Thy poor unworthy dust”—We have heard of a good man who, in pleading for his children and grandchildren, was so beclouded in the blinding influence of this expression, that he exclaimed, “O Lord, save Thy dust, and Thy dust’s dust, and Thy dust’s dust’s dust!”

ADAM CLARKE: Can any be so silly, and so preposterously absurd?

C. H. SPURGEON: When Abraham said, “I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes,” the utterance was forcible and deeply expressive; but in its misquoted, perverted, and abused form, the sooner it is consigned to its element―[the dust-bin]―the better.

MATTHEW HENRY: Better say nothing, than nothing to the purpose, or that which tends to the dishonour of God and the grief of our brethren…As therefore it is best for a lame man to keep his seat, so it is best for a silly man, or a bad man, to hold his tongue.

 

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Preparing for the Lord’s Supper

Posted on November 7, 2014 by The Editor

Amos 4:12
       Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.

C. H. MACKINTOSH (1820-1896): It may be asked, Is there no preparation necessary? Are we to sit down at the table of the Lord with as much indifference as if we were sitting down to any ordinary supper table? Surely not.

C. H. SPURGEON (1834-1892): I believe there ought to be a preparation before the Lord’s Supper. I do not believe in Mrs. Toogood’s preparation, who spent a week in preparing, and then finding it was not the Ordinance Sunday, she said she had lost all the week. I do not believe in that kind of preparation, but I do believe in a holy preparation for the Lord’s Supper: when we can on a Saturday if possible, spend an hour in quiet meditation on Christ, and the passion of Jesus.

MATTHEW HENRY (1662-1714): Self-examination is necessary to a right attendance at this holy ordinance.

JOHN FLAVEL (1630-1691): Prepare with all diligence―Take pains with thy dull heart; cleanse thy polluted heart; compose thy vain heart; remember how great a presence thou art approaching.

RICHARD SIBBES (1577-1635): And even if we are not so prepared as we should be, yet let us pray as Hezekiah did: “The good LORD pardon every one that prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purifications of the sanctuary,” II Chronicles 30:18,19. Then we come comfortably to this holy sacrament, and with much fruit. This should carry us through all duties with much cheerfulness, that, if we hate our corruptions and strive against them, they shall not be counted ours.

JOHN CALVIN (1509-1564): Here is a method that is easy to learn. If you want to make right use of the benefits Christ bestows, bring faith and repentance to the Supper. The test of whether you are truly prepared is found in these two things.

J. C. RYLE (1816-1900): A man’s repentance may be very imperfect. Never mind! Is it real? Does he truly repent at all? His faith in Christ may be very weak. Never mind! Is it real?

ROBERT MURRAY M’CHEYNE (1813-1843): Some seem to think that we are to find peace at first by looking to Christ, and afterwards by seeing the life of God advancing in your own soul.

MARY WINSLOW (1774-1854): In the Acts of the Apostles, you will find that they invariably stated to sinners the things concerning Jesus, and when they heard they believed and rejoiced. You do not find that they looked into their own hearts for evidences when they were called to believe.

C. H. SPURGEON: “I feel as if I were coming to the communion table quite unfit to come.” Is that what you say?

D. L. MOODY (1837-1899): A great many are saying, “Do you feel this and that? Do you feel, do you feel, do you feel?” God does not want you to feel: He tells you to believe. He says, “When I see the blood I will pass over you;” and, if you are sheltered behind the blood, you are perfectly safe and secure. Suppose I say to a man, “Do you feel that you own this piece of land?” He looks at me a moment, and thinks I must be crazy. He says, “Feel? Why, feeling has nothing to do with it. I look at the title: that is all I want.” Do you see? all you have to do with is the title.

MARTYN LLOYD-JONES (1899-1981): There is nothing of any value in any of us, and if you are looking to yourself in any sense you are in the hands of the devil, he has defeated you with his wiles. You must see clearly that, as you are, if you are looking to Christ, and relying only upon His perfect work on your behalf, you are saved. He saves you by the work He completed on your behalf, and by that alone. That is the answer!

JOHANN VON STAUPITZ (1460-1534): Why torment thyself with all these speculations and high thoughts? Look to the wounds of Jesus Christ, to the blood which He has shed for thee: then thou shalt see the grace of God. Instead of making a martyr of thyself for thy faults, throw thyself into the arms of the Redeemer.

C. H. SPURGEON: When you look within, it should be to see with grief what the filthiness is; but to get rid of that filthiness you must look beyond yourself. I remember D. L. Moody saying that a looking-glass was a capital thing to show you the spots on your face; but you could not wash in a looking-glass. You want something very different when you would make your face clean. So let your eyes look right on—“To the full atonement made, to the utmost ransom paid.” Forget yourself, and think only of Christ.

MARY WINSLOW: Precious friend, look full at Jesus. Look no longer to your own weak, sinful heart…All your trouble arises from your looking for evidences within; and when Satan blinds your eye, and you cannot find them directly you think you have no part or lot in this matter. Your salvation does not hinge in the slightest degree upon what is done in you or by you, but what Christ has done for sinners.

ROBERT MURRAY M’CHEYNE: Clear away all dimness. Look ever on the sinless One, in Whom alone you stand.

R. C. CHAPMAN (1803-1902): Let us not be discouraged by any humiliating discoveries we may make of the evils of our hearts. God knows them all, and has provided the blood of Jesus Christ His Son to cleanse us from all sin.

J. C. RYLE (1816-1900): A sense of our own utter unworthiness is the best worthiness we can bring. A deep feeling of our own entire indebtedness to Christ for all we have and hope for, is the best feeling we can bring with us.

JOHN CALVIN: If humbled by a knowledge of your misery, you lean wholly on Christ’s grace and rest upon it, then be assured that you are a guest worthy to approach that table.

MARTIN LUTHER (1483-1546): Never are men more unfit, than when they think themselves most fit, and best prepared for their duty; never more fit, than when most humbled and ashamed, in a sense of their own unfitness.

RALPH ERSKINE (1685-1752): Are there any here, who, under a sense of sin, see their absolute need of this sacrifice of Christ; who, under a sense of their unworthiness, are fearing and trembling to approach the Lord’s table, and yet would give all the world for a share of the saving and healing virtue of this glorious sacrifice; and see nothing in all the world so fit for them as Christ? I invite them to the Lord’s table.

 

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