Grace Gems

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Behold the Man!

(James Smith, 1865)

"Behold the Man!" John 19:5

They scourge Him, crown Him with thorns, clothe Him with an old purple robe, smite Him with their fists--and now Pilate brings Him forth, saying, "Behold the Man!"

In His whole life He was holy, harmless, undefiled, full of mercy, and went about doing good. Yet, because He condemned sin, and required submission to God's righteousness--He was hated, persecuted, and murdered!

Let us behold this Man! He exercised all the virtues which could adorn humanity. See His meekness, gentleness, patience, faith, fortitude, pity, and perfect love to God and man. O lovely character! O perfect pattern of holiness!

Behold--and adore Him heartily.
Behold--and trust in Him implicitly.
My soul, behold the man!

See . . .
  His grief-stricken countenance,
  His battered frame,
  His breaking heart,
  His bleeding brow;
He is enduring all this for you!

Behold Him, and . . .
  do not doubt His love,
  nor question His veracity,
  nor fear your foes,
  nor dread your heavenly Father's wrath!

Behold Him, as . . .
  the proof of God's love to you,
  the confirmation of all the promises made to you,
  the pledge of all the blessings set before you.

Behold Him--and sympathize with Him; look on the pierced One, and "mourn for Him."

Behold Him--and give yourself afresh unto Him!

Behold Him--and crucify your flesh with its passions and lusts.

Behold Him--until a deep impression is made upon your heart, and the love of sin departs!

Behold Him--if tempted to murmur, or complain, or repine at any of the dispensations of Divine Providence.

Behold Him--when Satan or the world allures you to sin, or would draw you away from your God.

Behold Him--when death stares you in the face, and the grave is ready for you.

"Behold the Man!"

Behold--and love Him more!
Behold--and imitate Him more!
Behold--and serve Him more!

May the Man of Sorrows be daily before my eye!

And may I also behold Him--coming in power and great glory! What a contrast will there be, between His first and second coming:
His cross--and His throne;
His crown of thorns--and His crown of glory;
as He appeared before Pilate and the Jewish rabble--and as surrounded with all the armies of heaven, and all His saints with Him!

"Behold the Man!"

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How many of us have sacrificed our children to the idols!

(James Smith, "Affliction Regarded" 1865)

"They shed innocent blood--the blood of their sons and daughters whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; so the land became polluted with blood!" Psalm 106:38

We may plead guiltless as to the shedding of the blood of the body--but there is the blood of souls! How many of us have sacrificed our children to the idols of the present Canaan--fashion, custom, dress, amusements, and worldly conformity in general!

Look at the poor example we give them!

Look at the worldly company we choose for them!

Look at the carnal practices we allow them to indulge in!

O how many of our children have been sacrificed to custom, fashion, and the various idols of the world!

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The Rest!

(James Smith, "The Rest!" 1865)

"There remains therefore a rest for the people of God." Hebrews 4:9

We shall consider these words as referring to HEAVENLY rest:
our Father's house,
our Savior's home, and
our eternal dwelling-place!

To the weary and way-worn--there is something delightful in the thought of REST, and they love to think of Heaven as the place where they shall "rest from their labors."

REST gives us the idea of . . .
repose--the calm, quiet repose of the soul;
refreshment--the refreshment of the exhausted spirit after conflict, sickness, or toil;
restoration to vigor--after debility, languor, and fainting.

Heaven will be a rest . . .
from sin--which will no more grieve us;
from sorrow--which will no more trouble and distress us;
from fears--which will no more harass and perplex us; and
from conflicts--which will no more agitate and suppress us.

It will be a rest . . .
with God in His glory,
with Jesus in His immediate presence,
with saints and holy angels in full perfection and blessedness.

This rest is FUTURE--it remains for the people of God.

This rest is the object of our hope and DESIRE. We look forward to it, with holy longing and cheering anticipations.

This rest is PERFECT--free from all mixture of anything that will agitate, give pain, or cause grief.

This rest is UNINTERRUPTED--nothing will ever occur to disturb, distress, or agitate us any more.

This rest is GLORIOUS--as bright as the meridian sun, as balmy as the most pleasant morning, as glowing with holiness, splendor, and majesty.

This rest is ETERNAL--and this is best of all. The possibility of a change, of a return to former scenes--would spoil all. But that rest will be enduring--as changeless as the Divine nature, and as glorious as the Divine perfections.

Blessed be God for such a rest for the weary, suffering, and downcast believer in Jesus! Oh, to keep the eye fixed upon it, and the heart expecting it--amidst all the troubles and trials of time!

This rest is FOR the redeemed people of God. They are now a poor, tried, tempted, and restless people; strangers and pilgrims upon the earth, as all their fathers were.

Satan tempts them,
sinners try them,
fears harass them,
Providence perplexes them,
and they often cry out, "O that I had wings like a dove--then would I fly away and be at rest!"

Believer, let the prospect of this eternal glorious rest, cheer you in toil and trouble! Your work will soon be finished, your trouble will soon come to an end--and then rest--the glorious rest, remains for you!

Let your Heavenly rest, quicken your pace homewards! You are going to a rest--a perfect, uninterrupted, and eternal rest--a rest in Heaven, a rest with Jesus, a rest in the presence of your God forever! Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, and press on towards the mark, cheered by the prospect of the end of the race.

Remember, Christian, this rest is SECURE, for Jesus has taken possession of it for you. "I am going," said He, "to prepare a place for you." Yes, Jesus has gone there for you, He has taken possession in your name, He is preparing your place, and will soon come and receive you to Himself!

Remember too, that it is NEAR--very near. Perhaps much nearer than you may think!

You may be sighing, sorrowing, striving, wrestling, doubting, fearing, and cast down today; and tomorrow you may be in your Heavenly rest!

Today, you may be lying like Lazarus, at the rich man's gate, full of sores; tomorrow, you may be basking in the beams of Immanuel's glory!

Today, you may be on the bed of sickness, suffering, and pain; tomorrow, you may be in the presence of Jesus, where there is no more pain, neither sorrow nor crying!

Who can tell how near we all are to our Heavenly and everlasting rest?

Remember also, that your very trials, toils, and sufferings here on earth, may SWEETEN your rest to you! And that soon, very soon--you may be rejoicing over your present sorrows, and praising God for what now fills you with grief and sadness. Things will look very different there--from what they do here. Never, never forget, then, in your darkest nights, in your most trying days, in the midst of every storm and tempest, when passing over burning sands and under a scorching sky--that there remains a rest for the people of God, and a rest for you!

"Arise and depart; for this is not your resting place, because it is defiled, it is ruined, beyond all remedy!"

"There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary are at rest!"

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The object of God's tender, perfect and ceaseless care!

(James Smith, "Divine Care!" 1865)

"Casting all your care upon Him--for He cares for you!" 1 Peter 5:7

Our cares must be cast upon our God, or they will prove a burden too heavy for us--they will depress, bewilder, and make us wretched!

WHO is it that cares for us? It is the Lord Almighty--the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is holy! It is He whom the angels obey, the seraphim adore, and all creation glorifies!
It is the Lord--who is so great, that we have no adequate conception of His greatness!
It is He who is so good--that it is impossible fully to set forth His goodness!
It is He who is so glorious--that no sinner can see His face and live!
It is He who created all things with His Word!
It is He who governs all things by His wisdom!
It is He who upholds all things by His power!
It is He whose resources are infinite!
It is He whose compassion is exquisite!
It is He whose patience is without limit!

But though He is so exalted, so happy, and so unspeakably great--He cares for you!

He cares for you--as base as you are.
He cares for you--as sinful as you are.
He cares for you--as depressed and discouraged as you are.

HE cares for YOU!

May I pass through the present world under the impression, "I am the object of God's tender, perfect and ceaseless care!"

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Watch His hand!

(James Smith, "Direction For the Perplexed" 1865)

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him--and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

This implies that God is always present with us, is willing to be consulted by us, and will surely attend to us.

This implies that our way is likely to be difficult, dark, and perplexing; a way in which we have never traveled before, and in which we are likely to be misled.

This implies that only way to be safe, to walk securely--is to seek Divine direction; and this God is willing to give--but He will have us ask it of Him. We are dependents--and we must realize our dependence. We are but children--and we must feel it, and act as under the impression of it.

"In all your ways acknowledge Him."

You have His Word--consult it; make it your counselor, your directory and your guide.

You have His promise--believe it; He says, "I will teach you and instruct you in the way which you shall go, I will guide you with My eye."

You have His throne of grace--flee to it, and plead with Him as a man pleads with his friend.

And, while you consult His Word, believe His promise, and pray for direction--watch His hand! Providence is God working; working to accomplish His purposes, to fulfill His promises, and to answer the prayers of His people.

In His Word--He speaks to us;
on His throne--He listens to us,
by His providence--He works for us, and those who keep their eye open--will be sure to see His hand.

While you watch His hand--seek grace to submit to His will. He wills to do you good, the greatest good; and if His will crosses yours, depend upon it--it is just because it is most for your benefit.

Gratefully acknowledge His favors as you receive them. Remember that, as sinful creatures, being criminals and traitors--we have no "rights".
Consequently, everything short of hell--is a mercy!
Everything but eternal punishment--is a favor!
How many favors and mercies you receive--and how few praises you render!
How many mercies are given you--and how few acknowledgments you make!

He who habitually . . .
  consults God's holy Word,
  believes His faithful promises,
  pleads at His gracious throne for direction,
  watches His working hand,
  submits to His righteous will, and
  gratefully acknowledges His sovereign favors--
will never be allowed to go far wrong, or to go wrong for long; for "He shall direct your steps!"

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Our path is often slippery!

(James Smith, "Preservation Sought" 1865)

"But as for me, my feet had almost slipped! I had nearly lost my foothold!" Psalm 73:2

The Christian is always on dangerous ground!

We may fall into sin--even when we cannot fall into hell.
We may break our bones--when we cannot break our neck.
We may make sad work for repentance--when we do not incur a sentence of final condemnation.
We are liable to fall by error--which is specious and powerful.
We are liable to fall by Satan--who is crafty and malicious.
We are liable to fall by our weakness--which is very great.
We are liable to fall by sinful pleasures--in which the flesh takes delight.
We are liable to fall by our unhallowed tempers--which need constant watchfulness and incessant prayer.
We are liable to fall by erroneous people--who may, like Satan, lie in wait to deceive us.

We therefore need keeping--constant keeping, divine keeping!

Our path is often slippery--and we are apt to be incautious. But it is our unspeakable mercy, that God has promised to keep us. "He keeps the feet of His saints."

But He will have us feel our weakness, and need of His keeping--and plead with Him to keep us: "Hold me up--and I shall be safe!" Psalm 119:117

"My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!
 He will not let you stumble; the One who watches over you will not slumber.
 Indeed, He who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.
 The Lord Himself watches over you!
 The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.
 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever!"
     Psalm 121

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Look up!

(James Smith, "A New Year's Motto" 1865)

"Look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near!" Luke 21:28

We are entering upon a new year, we shall have
  new toils,
  new trials,
  new temptations, and
  new troubles.

In whatever state, in whatever place, into whatever condition we may be brought this year--let us seek grace to follow our Lord's loving advice, and "look up!"

Do not look back--as Lot's wife did.

Do not look within--as too many do.

Do not look around--as David did.

But "look up!" Look up to God--He is your Father, your Friend, your Savior. He can help you. He will help you. He says, "Look unto Me, and be delivered--for I am God!"

Look up for light to guide you--and He will direct your path.

Look up for grace to sanctify you--and the grace of Jesus will be found sufficient for you.

Look up for strength to enable you to do and suffer God's will--and His strength will be made perfect in your weakness.

Look up for comfort to cheer you--and as one whom his mother comforts, so will the Lord comfort you.

Look up for courage to embolden you--and the Lord will give courage to the faint; and to those who have no might--He will increase strength.

Look up for endurance to keep you--and the God who preserves you will enable you quietly to bear the heaviest burden, and silently to endure the most painful affliction.

Look up for providence to supply you--and the jar of flour will not be used up, and the jug of oil will not run dry; but God shall supply all your needs, according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Look up in faith--exercising confidence in the Word of a faithful God.

Look up in prayer--asking for what God has graciously promised.

Look up in hope--expecting what you ask in the name of Jesus.

Look up with adoration--and adore the sovereignty, righteousness, and wisdom of God.

Look up constantly--let nothing daunt or discourage you! Rather say, "Our eyes are on the Lord our God--until He shows us mercy."

Look up--for this will keep . . .
  the head from swimming,
  the heart from sinking,
  the knees from trembling,
  the feet from slipping, and
  the hands from hanging down!

It is impossible to say what will happen to us, or what will be required of us this year--but "Look up!" This direction, if properly attended to, will . . .
  procure for us all that we need,
  secure us against all that we dread, and
  make us more than a match for all our foes and fears!

Fellow-Christian, are you fearful? "Look up" and hear Jesus saying to you, "Do not be afraid--I Myself will help you!"

Are you discouraged? "Look up"--and your youth shall be renewed like the eagle's, and fresh light, comfort, and courage shall be given to you!

Are you desponding? "Look up" for Jesus never breaks the bruised reed, nor quenches the smoking flax.

Do not look too much at your sin--look at the infinitely meritorious blood of God's dear Son!

Do not look too much at self--but look at Jesus, who ever lives to make intercession for you in Heaven.

Are you stripped of your comforts, your props, and your goods? Then look up! He who stripped you--loves you! He will be more than all these to you! He will . . .
  bind up your broken heart,
  calm your perturbed spirit,
  cheer your drooping mind, and
  fill you with His own peace and happiness.

Look up . . .
  for all that you need;
  from all that you fear;
  through all that would obstruct your way.

Look up every day, saying with David, "In the morning, O Lord, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You--and will look up!" Psalm 5:3

Look up in every trial, saying "I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from whence comes my help: my help comes from the Lord, who made Heaven and earth!"

Do not look at your sin--it will discourage you!

Do not look at your self--it will distress you!

Do not look at Satan--he will bewilder you!

Do not look to men--they will deceive, or disappoint you!

Do not look at your trials--they will deject you!

"Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us--looking unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith!" Hebrews 12:1-2

Look only, look always, look intently--to Jesus!

Run looking, work looking, fight looking, suffer looking, live looking, and die looking--to Jesus, who is at God's right hand in glory.

Oh, look, look, look to Jesus!

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His teaching makes practical Christians!

(James Smith)

"But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name--He will teach you all things!" John 14:26

The Holy Spirit is the Teacher of the church. To Him the promise refers, "All Your children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children."

He taught the apostles all things necessary for their office and work.

He teaches the true ministers of Christ, leading them into the truth as it is in Jesus.

And he teaches every believer--all that is really necessary for him to know!

The Bible is the lesson-book,
the believer is the scholar,
the blessed Spirit is the teacher, and
experimental religion is the education!

No one teaches like Him!
He teaches us . . .
  gradually,
  silently, and
  always effectually!
For only what the Spirit teaches us--do we really know!

He teaches us . . .
what God requires in His Word,
what He has provided in His gospel;
what Christ is to His people,
what His people are to Him.

His teaching makes practical Christians--for He always teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in the present world!

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Afterwards you will understand!

(James Smith)

"You do not understand now what I am doing--but afterwards you will understand." John 13:7

We are to walk by faith--not by sight.

We are to trust His heart--when we cannot see His hand!

We are to believe Him--when we cannot understand His mysterious workings!

The Lord is now working in nature, providence, and grace--and He does many things which we do not understand at present. But when His work is complete, and it lies stretched out before us in the light of eternity--we shall then . . .
  comprehend His design,
  admire His wisdom, and
  adore His divine workings!

Beloved, is God cleansing you by fiery trials, or causing you to pass through deep waters? Are you at a loss to know what His design is, or where the present affliction will end?

Be still. Wait His time.

There is a divine working time--which is the present;
and there is a divine revealing time--which is to come.

The wisest Christians are often in the dark now--but the simplest Christians will see all things clearly by and by.

A little more patience, a little more faith--and all will end well.

"We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God, and who are called according to His purpose!" Romans 8:2

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He has done all things well!

By Octavius Winslow

"He has done all things well!" Mark 7:37

Yes, from first to last, from our cradle to our grave, from the earliest pang of sin's conviction, to the last thrill of sin's forgiveness, from earth to heaven--this will be our testimony in all the way the Lord our God has led us in the wilderness: "He has done all things well!"

In providence and in grace,
in every truth of His Word,
in every lesson of His love,
in every stroke of His rod,
in every sunbeam that has shone,
in every cloud that has shaded,
in every element that has sweetened,
in every ingredient that has embittered,
in all that has been mysterious, inscrutable, painful, and humiliating,
in all that He gave,
in all that He took away,
this testimony is His just due, and this our grateful acknowledgment through time and through eternity: "He has done all things well!"

Has He converted us through grace by a way we had thought the most improbable?
Has He torn up all our earthly hopes by the roots?
Has He thwarted our schemes, frustrated our plans, disappointed our expectations?
Has He taught us in schools most trying, by a discipline most severe, and lessons most humbling to our nature?
Has He withered our strength by sickness, reduced us to poverty by loss, crushed our heart by bereavement?

And have we been tempted to exclaim, "All these things are against me!"
Ah! no! faith will yet obtain the ascendancy, and sweetly sing:
"I know in all things that befell,
 My Jesus has done all things well!"

Beloved, it must be so, for Jesus can do nothing wrong!

Study the way of His providence and grace with the microscopic eye of faith--view them in every light, examine them in their minutest detail, as you would the petal of a flower, or the wing of an insect; and, oh, what wonders, what beauty, what marvelous adaptation would you observe in all the varied dealings with you, of your glorious Lord!

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The Golden Key! The Golden Thread!

by Octavius Winslow   

Jesus is the one great theme both of the Old Testament and the New. The whole Bible is designed to testify of Christ, "The Scriptures point to Me!" John 5:39

In Christ the Messiah, in Jesus the Savior, in the Son of God the Redeemer--all the truths of the Bible center.

To Him all the types and shadows point!

Of Him all the prophecies give witness!

All the glory of the Scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation--culminates at the cross of Christ!

The Bible would be an inexplicable mystery apart from Christ, who unfolds and explains it all.

He is the golden Key which unlocks the divine treasury of Scriptural revelation!

Until He is seen, the Bible is, in a sense--a great mystery. But when He is found, it is a glorious revelation. Every mystery is opened, every enigma explained, every discrepancy harmonized, and every truth and page, sentence and word, quickened with a life and glowing with a light flowing down from the throne of the Eternal God.

Christ is the substance of the Gospel.
All its divine doctrines,
all its holy precepts,
all its gracious instructions,
all its precious promises,
all its glorious hopes--
meet, center, and fill up their entire compass in Jesus!

He is the Alpha and the Omega of the Bible, from the first verse in Genesis--to the last verse in Revelation.

Oh, study the Scriptures of truth with a view of learning Christ.

Do not study the Bible as a mere history.
Do not read it as a mere poem.
Do not search it as a book of science.
It is all that, but infinitely more.
The Bible is the Book of Jesus!
It is a Revelation of Christ!

Christ is the golden thread which runs through the whole!

Blessed Lord Jesus! I will read and study and dig into the Scriptures to find and learn more of You!
You, Immanuel, are the fragrance of this divine box of precious ointment.
You are the beauteous gem sparkling in this divine cabinet.
You are the Tree of life planted in the center of this divine garden.
You are the Ocean whose stream quickens and nourishes all who draw water out of this divine well of salvation.

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The infinite ocean of Christ's love!

By Octavius Winslow  Download Audio

LISTEN to Audio while you read along with the quote below!

The mind has often been sensible of a feeling of awe as we have stood upon the shore, and gazed upon the vast expanse of the ocean. With a similar, yet far transcending emotion--we approach the infinite ocean of Christ's love!

Like the eternity of God, we cannot fathom where His love begins, or where it terminates.

There is no other solution to the marvelous mysteries of His Incarnation and Sacrificial Death but this--Christ has loved us!

Love originated all, explains all, illustrates all.

Love is the interpreter of every Divine mystery.

There is not a circumstance of our Lord's history which is not another form or manifestation of love.
His incarnation--is love stooping.
His sympathy--is love weeping.
His compassion--is love supporting.
His grace--is love acting.
His teaching--is the voice of love.
His silence--is the repose of love.
His patience--is the restraint of love.
His obedience--is the labor of love.
His suffering--is the travail of love.
His cross--is the altar of love.
His death--is the burnt offering of love.
His resurrection--is the triumph of love.
His ascension into heaven--is the enthronement of love.
His intercession in heaven--is the prayer of love.

Such is the deep, the vast, the boundless ocean of Christ's love! The soul muses in silent awe as it gazes upon this fathomless, limitless sea!

Nothing short of a divine love could or would have borne our sins--and the punishment of our sins. The weight of the one, and the terribleness of the other--would have crushed and annihilated a mere 'created' affection. There existed no love but the love of Jesus, which was equal to the work of salvation.

Who was willing, who was able--to bear that heavy load, to endure that overwhelming curse--but Jesus?

Oh, think, beloved reader, what the love of Christ has done and suffered for you:
the burden it bore,
the sorrow it felt,
the humiliation it underwent,
the insults,
the ignominy,
the privation through which it traveled;
its groans,
its sighs,
its tears,
its darkness;
how inconceivably it agonized,
how freely it bled,
how voluntarily it died,
the sins it has pardoned,
the guilt it has cleansed,
the declensions it has restored,
the backslidings it has healed,
the sorrows it has soothed,
the patience it has exercised,
the gentleness it has exhibited--
and then ask, could any other but the love of Jesus have done all this, and endured all this?

Such is the love of Christ!

To have saved us upon such terms--
a stoop so low,
a humiliation so profound,
a labor so immense,
mental anguish so acute,
bodily suffering so agonizing,
a death so ignominious--
Was there ever a love like this?

Was it ever equaled? Where shall we find its parallel?

Love less divine, less strong, less gentle--could never have won your heart, uprooted your enmity, torn you from your idols--enthroning Christ, all of Christ, Christ only, Christ supremely, Christ forever!

The love of Christ will be the wonder, the study, and the song of all pure, holy creatures through eternity!

Beloved, nothing shall take the love of Christ from you--or separate you from it.
It does not ebb with the ebbing of your feelings;
it does not chill with the chill of your affections;
it does not change with the changing scenes and circumstances of your life.

The love of Christ has depths we cannot sound, heights we cannot explore, an infinite fullness and freeness tiding over all the sins, infirmities, and sorrows of its blessed and favored objects!

Seek to know this love of Christ, though it is so vast that it 'passes knowledge.' Infinite though it is--you may . . .
experience its reality,
taste its sweetness, and
be influenced by its all commanding, all constraining power!

Do not limit your heart experience of Christ's love, for it is infinite in its nature, and boundless in its extent.

As yet, how many of us stand but upon the shore of this ocean!

How little do we know, experimentally, of the love of Christ in our souls!

Bring your heart with--
its profoundest emptiness,
its most startling discovery of sin,
its lowest frame,
its deepest sorrow--and
sink it into the depths of the Savior's love!

That infinite sea will flow over all, erase all, absorb all--and your soul shall swim and sport amid its gentle waves, exclaiming in your joy and transport, "Oh, the depths!"

May the Lord direct your heart into the love of God!
Just as it is:
hard,
cold,
fickle,
sinful,
sad and
sorrowful.

Christ's love touching your hard heart--will dissolve it!

Christ's love touching your cold heart--will warm it!

Christ's love touching your sinful heart--will purify it!

Christ's love touching your sorrowful heart--will soothe it!

Christ's love touching your wandering heart--will draw it back to Himself!

Only bring your heart to Christ's love!

Believe that He loves you, and just as love begets love, so the simple belief in the love of Jesus will inspire you with a reflected, responsive affection; and your soul, like the flower, will burst from its captivity, and bloom, and, soaring in life, liberty, and beauty--will float in the sunbeams of Gods full, free, and eternal love! And, in a little while, will find itself in heaven--where all is love!

"Blessed Jesus! Your love, like Your agonies, is an unknown and unfathomable depth! It surpasses knowledge. Let it rise and expand before me, until it fills the entire scope of my soul's vision; occupies every niche of my heart; and bears me onward by its all commanding, all constraining influence--in the path of a holy loving obedience and surrender."

[nChrist]

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He never thought that he would sink into Hell!

(James Smith, "Suppose I Should Die Suddenly!" 1865)

Death has a voice--it is sent with a message to us. It says, "I am coming for you soon! Be ready!"

Sudden death reminds us . . .
   that time is short,
   that life is uncertain,
   that death is always near,
   that we may be die at any moment,
   that there is only a thin veil between us and eternity,
   that dying is going to an eternal abode, from whence we shall never return!

Death is always solemn! SUDDEN death is peculiarly so. It should make as serious. It should lead to reflection.

Suppose I should die suddenly? I may. There is no security against it. It is possible, if not probable:
"Dangers stand thick all around,
 To push us to the tomb!"
Any one of these dangers may push me down, and in a moment the body and soul may part. Well, suppose it should be so--am I ready?

To the true Christian, sudden death--is sudden glory! The soul departs to be with Christ--which is far better than remaining here on this poor earth.

But would this be my case? Am I truly in Christ? Am I truly born again? Solemn inquiries these! Without the new birth, there can be no salvation. If I should imagine that I am born again when I am not, and then if, while deceived by such a vain hope, I should die suddenly--what dreadful consequences would follow! Such a mistake could never be rectified. The effects of it must be endured forever!

Suppose I should die suddenly today! I may! And if I do,
  where will I spend this night?
  Where will I be tomorrow?
  What will be my portion forever?

Jesus tells us of one who in this life, had everything his heart could wish for; and to warn us against neglecting the soul, while feasting the body, He utters these solemn words: "The rich man died and was buried; and in Hell he lift up his eyes being in torments!" Most likely, he was taken by surprise--he never thought that he would sink into Hell!

I dare say, that none of his friends supposed that he was lifting up his eyes in Hell, being in torments. But it was so, and he is in torments now--and in these torments he will remain forever!

O fearful case! But will it be mine? Oh, it is possible--it is more than possible!

If I die suddenly as a true Christian--how glorious the transition will be. How wonderful, to be one hour in a poor world like this--engaged in its difficult duties, enduring its sore trials, and suffering from its evil habits and customs; and the next moment to be in the presence of God, suddenly free from sin, sorrow, care, and trouble; beyond the reach of doubt, fear, and the devil; and to enjoy safety, satisfaction, and the fullness of joy forever.

But the alternative! Ah, the alternative! If I die suddenly, and die unholy and unsaved--how dreadful even the supposition! But what must the reality be? To be one hour in comfort, surrounded by kind relatives and friends, in the land of hope and mercy--and the next moment in the regions of eternal despair, filled with anguish, bitter regrets, and hopeless misery!

Reader, you may die suddenly! You may die today--and if you do, your state will be fixed forever. There is no certainty of life--beyond the present moment. Therefore make your calling and your election sure!

[nChrist]

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Felix has had some eighteen hundred years in Hell years to rue his folly!

(James Smith, "PROCRASTINATION" 1865)

"As Paul reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix trembled and replied: Go away for now. When it is more convenient, I will send for you!" Acts 24:25

Here is Felix listening to the apostle Paul. He is attentive. He is interested. He is affected. He trembles. He realizes something of the solemnity of eternity. He feels concern--but it is not deep enough, therefore he says, "Go away for now. When it is more convenient, I will send for you!" He does not positively refuse--but he postpones the matter. He thought there would be a more convenient time--but there never was! Felix has had some eighteen hundred years in Hell years to rue his folly! He is regretting it at this moment--and he will regret it forever!

Many have imitated his foolish conduct. They say to God's ministers, "Go away for now. When it is more convenient, I will send for you!"

What they are really saying is, "I love sin. It is my element. It is my delight. I cannot give it up just now. The dance--the jovial party--the customs of the present world--these are things that I like. I am not prepared to part with them, and embrace the gospel you preach. Go away for now. I had rather remain as I am--at least a little longer. I do not wish to be saved at present. By and bye, when I am too old to enjoy sin, or when sickness has made me too weak to follow any carnal pleasures--then, at this convenient season, I will send for you."

Oh, sinner, sinner! Will you spurn God's gracious invitation--will you turn a deaf ear to the message of mercy?

Will you persevere in sin--until you lie down in black despair?

Will you go to Hell--when so near the gates of Heaven?

Will you perish in your own deceivings?

Have you no fear of God?

Have you no dread of eternal torments?

Have you no wish to escape from the wrath to come?

What will you do in that dread day . . .
  when death arrests you,
  when the just Judge passes sentence upon you,
  when Satan seizes you,
  when Hell opens to engulf you, and
  when the gates of the infernal pit close upon you forever?

What will you do?

What can you do?

To whom will you flee for help?

How will you, how can you, escape?

Alas! escape then, will be impossible!

Then the door of hope will be forever shut!

[nChrist]

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The sparkling diamond in the ring of glory!

(Thomas Brooks, "Paradise Opened" 1675)

"Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, and to see My glory!" John 17:24

Christ can never rest satisfied until His gracious communion with His people here on earth, issues in their perfect and glorious communion with Him in heaven.

Christ is very desirous of His people's fellowship and company. It is a part of Christ's joy--that they should be where He is. Christ will not be happy alone. As a tender father, He can enjoy nothing if His children may not have part with Him. Even now--He is always with them . . .
  to eye their behavior,
  to hear their prayers,
  to guide their way,
  to protect their persons,
  to cheer their spirits, and
  to delight in their presence.

The greatest part of the happiness which we shall have in heaven, lies in this--that then we shall be with Christ, and have immediate communion with Him. O sirs! the great end of our being in heaven, is to behold and enjoy the glory of Christ!

Certainly the glory and happiness of heaven to the elect, will consist much in being in Christ's company, in whom they delight so much on earth. To follow the Lamb wherever He goes, to enjoy Him fully, and to be always in His presence--is the heaven of heaven, the glory of glory! This is the sparkling diamond in the ring of glory!

The day is coming wherein believers shall be completely happy in a sight of Christ's glory, and shall visibly and immediately behold and enjoy Him!

"Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, and to see My glory!" John 17:24