Grace Gems

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Heaven's great store-house!

(James Smith)

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ!" Ephesians 1:3

"The unsearchable riches of Christ!" Ephesians 3:8

The Lord Jesus is heaven's great store-house, in whom is laid up all treasures, and from whom we are to receive all our supplies!

All that we can need,
all that we can enjoy, and
all that we can desire--is in Christ!

All the perfections and attributes of God, are in Him.
Justice and grace,
mercy and holiness,
love and power--
in all their fullness are in Him, and are displayed by Him.

All the promises of God are in Him--confirmed by His death, to be fulfilled by His own hand.

All the blessings of grace, and all the riches of glory, are in Him; He possesses and He bestows them.

All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Him--and from Him we must receive them.

All saving offices are in Christ--for His people.
He is our Surety--to pay all our sin debts.
He is our Substitute--to impute His perfect righteousness to us.
He is our Redeemer--to ransom us.
He is our Mediator--to reconcile us to the Father.
He is our Physician--to cure all our soul-diseases.
He heals the diseases . . .
  of the mind; as our Prophet--He imparts saving knowledge,
  of the conscience; as our Priest--He gives peace us with God,
  and of the will; as our King--He governs His people.

All we need, therefore, is in Christ!

All God intends to bestow, is in Christ!

To Him therefore, we should apply for all;
from Him, we should expect to receive all.

Every need--should send us to Christ!

Every desire--should lead us to Christ!

In all things--we should have to do with Christ. Everywhere, we should realize the presence of Christ. In a word, we should daily make Christ in our experience, what God has made Him to us in His Word--our Alpha and Omega, our first and last, our all in all. Everything should lead us to Him; and everything should serve to endear Him to us--who is at once our present fountain, and our everlasting portion!

"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus!" Philippians 4:19

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The very best things--for the very worst of men!

(James Smith, "Glad Tidings of Good Things" 1861)

"The glorious gospel of the blessed God!" 1 Timothy 1:11

"Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel!" 2 Timothy 1:10

The gospel is most appropriately called "Glad Tidings," for it brings tidings calculated to gladden the heart of the most depressed and sorrowful of men. It reveals God's wondrous love, it tells us of the Savior's grace, and makes known the promise and the power of the Holy Spirit. It is indeed "Glad Tidings of Good Things"--for it informs us of . . .
  pardon for the guilty,
  peace for the troubled,
  wealth for the poor,
  rest for the weary, and
  salvation for the lost!

The gospel brings tidings from heaven, tidings for sinners, tidings of good things for them; yes, tidings of the very best things--for the very worst of men!

It is the glorious glad tidings of the blessed God . . .
  giving correct views of His nature,
  revealing His loving heart,
  publishing His gracious thoughts, and
  making known His mercy to sinful men!

These tidings are calculated to . . .
  gladden the saddest heart,
  cheer the desponding mind, and
  fill the despairing soul with joy and peace.

Never were there such Glad Tidings! No one but an infinite God could have devised them. No one but the All-merciful God would have sent them to rebellious sinners!

Jesus is an almighty Savior. Jesus is an ever willing Savior. Jesus is a loving Savior; therefore He is able to save the vilest, to save freely, and to save all who apply to be saved by Him. The man or woman who reads these lines, is as really, as sincerely invited by Jesus, to come and be saved by Him--as if a letter had been hand-written by Jesus and addressed to that person by name!

Can you conceive of anything better than this!
  A Savior for vile sinners;
  a Savior to deliver sinners from the lowest hell;
  a Savior to raise sinners to the highest heaven;
  a Savior from sin--the cause of suffering;
  a Savior from guilt--the source of fear;
  a Savior from the world--which is doomed to destruction!

The gospel is also the good news of a better country, even a Heavenly one. Heaven is . . .
  a rest for the weary,
  a home for the homeless, and
  the best company for the lonely and desolate.

Heaven comprises . . .
  all that can feast the intellect,
  all that can satisfy the heart,
  all that can fill the soul.
It is enriched with all the wealth of God,
it is filled with the glory of God, and
it is the house and home of God.

In Heaven there is . . .
 no pain or privation,
 no grief or sorrow,
 no losses or crosses,
 no temptations or trials,
 no wants or woes.

Heaven contains the highest manifestations of the greatness, grandeur, and magnificence of God. Heaven is the home of the brightest, holiest, and most dignified of God's intelligent creation. Heaven! What is it? Heaven! What does it comprise and comprehend? "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined--what God has prepared for those who love Him!" No one can give the faintest guess at what Heaven is; but whatever it is, whatever it contains--the gospel tells us that it is for saved sinners!

The gospel is God's best message to man. It contains the promise of all that man can need, and all that God can give--to every one who sincerely believes the message. Take heed therefore how you treat the gospel; for we can conceive of no greater sin--than disbelieving God's message; or of any greater insult offered to God--than to treat His message with contempt!

Precious gospel--that such sinners as we are--so vile, so poor, so feeble, so utterly worthless--may obtain God's Heaven, and dwell in it with the Savior forever!

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The voice!

(James Smith, "The Voice of Christ" 1861)

"Truly, truly, I say unto you: the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God--and those who hear shall live!" John 5:25

Every believer hears the voice of Jesus--and becomes spiritually alive. He becomes deeply, intensely concerned about the things of God--to know them, to possess them, and to enjoy them.

To please Jesus--becomes his delight.
To be like Jesus--becomes his highest desire.
To be with Jesus--becomes his Heaven.

See then, what we need--that Jesus should speak:
  speak to sinners--and convert them;
  speak to drowsy professors--and arouse them.
Ministers may speak--but none will heed them.
Teachers may teach--but none will be aroused by them.
It is the omnipotent voice of Jesus which is needed!
His sheep hear His voice--and follow Him!

See, why some are quickened--it is because Jesus speaks to them! He may speak with the preacher--or without him. He speaks just as He pleases--and to whom He pleases.

See, the dignity and power of the Redeemer--He has the power of life and death. It is but for Him to speak--and those who hear shall live! He quickens whomever He will. He gives eternal life--to as many as the Father has given Him.

O the millions to whom He has effectually spoken--and every one of those millions has heard and responded! They lived a life of faith on earth, and they are now living a life of unspeakable joy in Heaven!

See, to Whom we should look. Do we want . . .
  our children converted,
  our churches revived,
  our neighbors brought to God,
  the heathen turned from darkness to light,
  or our own souls quickened?
We must look to Jesus!

O Jesus, speak to my soul and revive it!

Means without Jesus, are powerless! As the lame man lay for years at the pool of Bethesda, without a cure until Jesus came--so may we. It is Jesus, and Jesus alone--who can infuse life into the means we use, and render them effectual!

See then, Who should have the praise. Have we been quickened? Are we living by faith in the Son of God? Then Jesus has spoken to us! He has done the work--and to Him belongs all the glory. Let us praise His holy name!

"The dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear shall live!"

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Am I like Jesus--or not?

(J. R. Miller)

"Jesus got up from supper, laid aside His robe, took a towel, and tied it around Himself. Next, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples' feet and to dry them with the towel tied around Him." John 13:4-5

Serving is not an easy lesson to learn. But it is a lesson which we must learn--if ever we would become like our Master. Jesus did not come to be served--but to serve. He served to the uttermost, just as He loved to the uttermost. Any service that needed to be done for another--He did as naturally and as simply as He breathed! He loved people, and was interested in them and was ready always to be helpful to them. It never mattered what the service was, whether it was the saving of a soul, the curing of a grievous sickness, or washing feet--He did the least service--as graciously and as divinely as the greatest!

The washing of feet was the lowliest service any man could do for another. It was the work of the lowliest slave. Yet Jesus without hesitation, did this service for His own disciples. Thus He taught them that nothing anyone may ever need to have done by another--is unfit for the holiest hands. We begin to be like Christ--only when we begin to love others enough to serve them, regardless of the lowliness of the particular service.

One day a stranger entered an artist's studio in Milan. The artist was working on a painting of the head of Christ and appeared to take no notice of the stranger. At last he broke the silence, looked at the man and asked, "Sir, does it look like Jesus--or not?"

There is no surer test of the genuineness of Christian life--than in this matter of serving others. In serving others, we should inquire, "Am I like Jesus--or not?" We are too careful of our dignity. When we see the Son of God washing His disciples' feet--we should be ashamed ever to ask whether anything another may need to have done--is too menial for us to do. A king may do the lowliest kindness to the poorest peasant in his realm--and his honor will only be enhanced by it.

"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet--you also should wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example that you also should do, just as I have done for you." John 13:14, 15

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Everything short of Hell is mercy!

(James Smith, "Good and Evil Alike from God" 1861)

"What? shall we receive good at the hands of God--and shall we not receive evil?" Job 2:10

Jehovah's Prerogative: He sends GOOD--all good. He sends EVIL--not moral evil, for God cannot be the author of sin, nor in any way give His sanction to it.

But He does send afflictions, bereavements, losses, crosses, pains and sorrows. He sends good and evil sometimes in quick succession. He sent the fish to preserve the life of Jonah, and the gourd to screen him from the sun--but He sent also the worm to destroy the gourd, and teach Jonah a beneficial lesson. Who can read the life of Jacob or Joseph, of David or Daniel, and not see that the Lord sends both good and evil upon His people. Hence the prophet asks, "Shall there be evil in a city--and the Lord has not done it?"

The Believer's Duty. We should receive all as from God's hand. The reference is not so much to the receiving--for we must receive it; but the manner of receiving--as from God. We often receive good as from God--but we do not so receive evil; yet both alike should be so received.

GOOD should be received with gratitude and praise, with humility and love--with a deep sense of our unworthiness, and God's unmerited goodness. Nor should we forget, that we are held responsible for the use of all the good things we receive from God.

EVIL should be received with patience and submission, saying with Eli, "It is the Lord--let Him do what seems good unto Him." There should be a recognition of His justice, as Aaron, when his two sons were slain--he held his peace. He was dumb, he opened not his mouth, because the Lord did it. There should also be confidence in His love, because the dispensations of His hand--never prove a change in His heart. He loves us as much when He sends evil--as when He sends good; for His love is not only everlasting--but unchangeable.

We should receive good and evil alike--as from a sovereign, wise, gracious, and holy God!

The Expostulation. "What? shall we receive good at the hands of God--and shall we not receive evil?" Are we to view good alone as coming from God? Are we not to look at evil--at our trials, troubles, and tribulations--as coming from Him?

Are we to forget His favors, lose sight of His paternal relationship, quarrel with His wisdom and love--and thus act the rebel and the ingrate?  Alas! this is too often the case. One trouble swallows up the remembrance of many mercies. We think more of one loss--than we do of the gains of years; and we are more affected with one hour's pain and sickness--than we are with months of ease and health. But it would not be so--if we were properly affected with a due sense of our sinfulness, ingratitude, and unworthiness. Then in the midst of our good things, we would say with Jacob, "I am not worthy of the least of all Your mercies!" And in the midst of our evil things we would say with Job, "The Lord gave--and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord"

It is folly to lose sight of God's hand in our troubles. We should rather say, "This also comes forth from the Lord Almighty, who is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working."

Nor is it wise to complain of His dealings with us, for a sinner out of Hell--can never have any reason to complain. Everything short of Hell is mercy!

He assures us that all that He does, is in love. His word to us, when things are at the worst is, "As many as I love--I rebuke and chasten." Silence befits us, though to justify God would befit us more.

We should not make too much of the instruments by which we suffer. Joseph said unto his brethren, "It was not you--but God." David said of Shimei, "Let him curse--for the Lord has bidden him." The holiest of men have always looked more at God who uses the rod--than at the rod which He used. If He appoints it--it is wise. If He permits it--it is for our good. He does nothing, He permits nothing to be done, which affects His children--but they would do themselves--if they were as wise, as judicious, and as far-seeing as He is. Nor is there a doubt--but in eternity we shall bless and praise His holy name--for the very things that grieve and distress us now. Believer, receive everything, whether painful or pleasant--as from God's hand! And bless a taking God--as well as a giving God.

Lord, pardon our folly and forgive our sins, for we have been guilty of both in our conduct toward you; and help us in future if tempted to repine, or if rebellious feelings arise in our hearts to say, "What? shall we receive good at the hand of God--and shall we not receive evil also?"

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The Christian's Walk

(James Smith, "The Christian's Walk")

Let us daily walk looking unto Jesus. He is our adorable Redeemer. He is our source of supply. Looking to Him will . . .
   enlighten us in darkness,
   cheer us in solitude,
   strengthen us in weakness,
   fortify us in conflict,
   embolden us in danger,
   comfort us in sorrow, and
   render us more than conquerors over every foe.

Let us daily walk leaning on Jesus. He will be at our side, He will lend us His arm, yes, His bosom! The posture of the Church should be ours, "Who is this coming up out of the wilderness, leaning on her Beloved?" As we get nearer to Jesus--we get further from the world! The world loses its attractions--and old sinful habits lose their power.

Let us daily walk communing with Jesus. He loves to converse with us. Let us tell Him of our foes, fears, afflictions, privations, griefs, and woes. Let us tell Him everything that tries or troubles us. He says, "Let Me hear your voice!" Yes, O Savior, You shall hear me; for I will bring all my sorrows and joys, all my trials and triumphs, all my doubts and deliverances--to You!

Let us daily walk imitating Jesus. He has left us an example, that we should follow in His footsteps. In the family, in the world, and in the church--let us endeavor to imitate Jesus. And may we receive grace to conform our conduct to His, that all who see us may take knowledge of us, that we have learned of Him who is "meek and humble in heart;" who was "holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners."

May our spirit, temper, course, and conduct--all conspire to bear testimony that we are walking with Jesus!

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A sound creed is exceedingly valuable!

(James Smith, "Preservation Sought" 1865)

"The doctrine which is according to godliness" 1 Timothy 6:3

Doctrines that lead us to hate sin, loathe self, prize the Savior, and cleave to the Lord--are of the greatest importance!

A sound creed is exceedingly valuable--IF it is adorned with a holy life!

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The eternity of God, and heaven, and hell

(J. C. Ryle)

"And just as each person is appointed to die once--and after that comes judgment!" Hebrews 9:27

"And they will go away into eternal punishment; but the righteous will go into eternal life." Matthew 25:46

The state of things after the judgment--is changeless and without end. The misery of the lost, and the blessedness of the saved--are both alike forever. Let no person deceive us on this point. It is clearly revealed in Scripture. The eternity of God, and heaven, and hell--all stand on the same foundation. As surely as God is eternal--so surely is heaven an endless day without night, and hell an endless night without day!

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The creature has a little honey in its mouth--but it has wings!

(Thomas Watson, "A Divine Cordial" 1663)

"Do not love the world--or anything in the world." 1 John 2:15

It is better to love God, than the world.

If you set your love on worldly things--they will not satisfy. You may as well satisfy your body with air--as your soul with earth! If the globe of the world were yours--it would not fill your soul. Will you set your love on that which will never give you contentment? Is it not better to love God? He will give you that which shall satisfy your soul to all eternity!

If you love worldly things--they cannot remove trouble of mind. If there is a thorn in the conscience--all the world cannot pluck it out. King Saul, being perplexed in mind, all his crown jewels could not comfort him (1 Samuel 28:15). But if you love God, He can give you peace when nothing else can. He can apply Christ's blood to refresh your soul. He can whisper His love by the Spirit, and with one smile scatter all your fears and disquiets.

If you love the world--you love that which may keep you out of heaven. "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" (Mark 10:23). Prosperity, to many, is like a large sail to a small boat, which quickly overturns it.

By loving the world--you love that which will endanger you. But if you love God, there is no fear of losing heaven. He will be a Rock to hide you--but not to hurt you. By loving Him, we come to enjoy Him forever.

You may love worldly things--but they cannot love you in return. You love gold and silver--but your gold cannot love you in return. You give away your love to the creature--and receive no love back. But if you love God, He will love you in return. "If any man loves me, my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him" (John 14:23). God will not be behindhand in love to us. For our drop of love to Him--we shall receive an ocean of His love!

While you love the world--you love that which is infinitely below the worth of your souls.  When you lay out your love upon the world, you hang a pearl upon a swine--you love that which is inferior to yourself. As Christ speaks in another sense of the birds of the air: "Are you nor much better than they?" (Matthew 6:26), so I say of worldly things: "Are you not much better than they? You love a fair house, or a beautiful garment--are you not much better than they?" But if you love God, you place your love on the most noble and sublime object--you love that which is better than yourselves. God is better than the soul, better than angels, better than heaven!

You may love the world--and receive hatred for your love. Would it not vex one, to lay out money upon a piece of ground which, instead of bringing forth grain or fruit--should yield nothing but nettles? Thus it is with all earthly things--we love them, and they prove nettles to sting us! We meet with nothing but disappointment. But if we love God, He will not return hatred for love. "I love those who love me" (Proverbs 7:17). God may chastise His children--but He cannot hate them. Every believer is part of Christ, and God can as well hate Christ, as hate a believer.

You may over-love the creature. You may love wine too much, and silver too much; but you cannot love God too much. It is our sin that we cannot love God enough. How weak is our love to God! If we could love God far more than we do--yet it can never be proportionate to His worth; so that there is no danger of excess in our love to God.

You may love worldly things--and they die and leave you. Riches take wings! Relations drop away! There is nothing here abiding. The creature has a little honey in its mouth--but it has wings! It will soon fly away. But if you love God, He is "a portion forever" (Psalm 73:26). As He is called a Sun for comfort, so a Rock for eternity.

Thus we see, that it is better to love God than the world.

"Do not love the world--or anything in the world." 1 John 2:15

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You suck in God's mercy!

(Thomas Watson)

"The life of every living thing is in His hand, as well as the breath of all mankind." Job 12:10

Every time you draw your breath--you suck in God's mercy!

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Everything in this world is liable to change!

(James Smith)

"Long ago You established the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You will endure; all of them will wear out like clothing. You will change them like a garment, and they will pass away. But You are the same, and Your years will never end!" Psalm 102:25-27

Everything in this world is liable to change!
Health may give place to sickness,
pleasure may give place to pain,
plenty may give place to poverty,
love may give place to enmity,
honor may give place to disgrace,
strength may give place to weakness,
and life may give place to death.

Remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. But though all our circumstances and friends should change--there is One who never changes! "He is unchangeable; who can oppose Him? He does whatever He pleases!" Job 23:13. With Him is no variableness. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever--and He is our best Friend, our nearest relation, our gracious Savior!

Yesterday--His name was Jesus; His nature was love; His purpose was to do us good with His whole heart and soul. Today--He is the same; we cannot expect too much from Him, or be too confident in Him, if we are walking humbly with Him. He will be our God--and we shall be His people!

Let us cultivate . . .
  intimacy with Him,
  dependence upon Him,
  concern to please Him,
  fear to offend Him,
  zeal to glorify Him;
and it must be well with us in health and sickness, in plenty and poverty, in life and death! For He is the same, and will never turn away from doing us good--but remain the Fountain of love and holiness forever! "Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!" Psalm 103:1

This God is the God we adore,
Our faithful, unchangeable Friend;
Whose love is as great as His power,
And neither knows measure nor end!

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A lamp for my feet

(J.R. Miller)

"Your Word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path." Psalm 119:105

God's Word is represented as a lamp for the feet.

It is a "lamp"--not a blazing sun, nor even a lighthouse--but a plain, common lamp or lantern which one can carry about in the hand.

It is a lamp "for the feet," not throwing its beams afar, not illumining a hemisphere--but shining only on the one little bit of road on which the pilgrim's feet are walking.

The law of divine guidance is, "Step by step". One who carries a lantern on a country-road at night, sees only one step before him. If he takes that step, he carries his lantern forward, and thus makes another step plain. At length he reaches his destination in safety, without once stepping into darkness. The whole way has been made light for him, though only a single step of it at a time. This illustrates the usual method of God's guidance.

If this is the way God guides, it ought never to be hard for us to find our duty. It never lies far away, inaccessible to us--but is always near. It never lies out of our sight, in the darkness, for God never puts our duty where we cannot see it. The thing that we think may be our duty--but which is still lying in obscurity and uncertainty, is not our duty yet, whatever it may be a little farther on. The duty for the very moment is always clear--and that is as far as we need concern ourselves; for when we do the little that is clear, we will carry the light on, and it will shine on the next moment's step.

Jesus said, "He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness." Prompt, unquestioning, undoubting following of Christ--takes all the perplexity out of Christian life and gives unbroken peace. There never is a moment without its duty; and if we are living near to Christ and following Him closely, we shall never be left in ignorance of what He wants us to do.

Our daily prayer should be, "Direct my footsteps according to Your Word; let no sin rule over me." Psalm 119:133

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Jesus is only precious to believers

(James Smith, "Christ Precious!" 1861)

"Unto you therefore who believe--He is precious!" 1 Peter 2:7

Every believer VALUES Christ. Let others think of Him as they may--all who are taught of God, think highly of Him. They can never honor Him as they wish, or enjoy Him to their full satisfaction.

Every believer feels their NEED of him.
No weary traveler ever felt his need of rest,
no hungry laborer ever felt his need of food,
no drowning mariner ever felt his need of a life-boat
--as the believer has felt his need of Christ!
They need to be saved--and only Christ can save them.
They need to be happy--and only Jesus can make them happy.
They need His blood to cleanse them from sin, and procure their pardon.
They need His righteousness to clothe their souls, and justify them before God.
They need His Spirit to sanctify their nature, and make them fit for Heaven.
They need His intercession to secure them from evil, and procure for them good things.
They need His fullness of grace to supply all their needs, from earth to Heaven.

Every believer discovers the exact SUITABILITY of Christ to them.
He is just what they need--He has all that they need!
They are foolish--and He has wisdom.
They are unrighteous--and He has righteousness.
They are unholy--and He has holiness.
They are weak--and He has strength.
They are in bondage--and He has redemption.
They are lost--and He has salvation.
In a word, they are led to see that God has stored up everything in Jesus, and that possessing Him--they have all things!

Every Christian believes on Him to the saving of the soul. They trust Him to procure their pardon, peace with God, and everlasting life.
Their heart goes out to Him,
they repose confidence in Him,
they commit their souls to Him,
they build on Him--as God's foundation;
they hide in Him--as the sinner's refuge; and
they trust themselves with Him--as the almighty Savior.

"Unto you therefore who believe--He is precious!"

But Jesus is only precious to believers. Others do not feel their need of Him, do not see His adaptation to them, and do not depend on Him for pardon, peace with God, and everlasting life.

Beloved, do you have this saving faith--which renders Christ so precious?

If so, admire the sovereign and distinguishing grace of God, which has conferred so great a blessing upon you--for not all are given saving faith.

If so, realize the importance of this faith--which renders Christ so precious.
It is the eye--which sees the beauty of Christ.
It is the foot--which travels to Christ.
It is the hand--which lays hold of Christ.
It is the mouth--which tastes the sweetness of Christ.
It is the inward principle--which clings and cleaves to Christ.

Avoid therefore whatever weakens faith, or interrupts its exercise; and prize whatever strengthens it, and makes it vigorous!

[nChrist]

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Losses, crosses, disappointments and bereavements

(James Smith, "Christ Precious!" 1861)

"Unto you therefore who believe--He is precious!" 1 Peter 2:7

Christ is especially precious to believers--when the emptiness of the world is discovered. The soul having tried the world, has found it . . .
  false and fickle,
  an empty cistern,
  a dry well,
  a cloud without water,
  only vanity and vexation of spirit!

The Christian has experienced that . . .
  the world's pleasures--end in pain,
  its honors--end in disgrace,
  and its wealth--ends in absolute poverty.

Now turning from the world, to Jesus--it finds . . .
  solid happiness,
  substantial pleasure,
  full supplies.

It obtains . . .
  a deep and lasting peace which passes all understanding,
  unsearchable riches in Christ, and
  honors which will never pass away.

O how precious is Jesus, when this world appears to be a valley of tears! Almost everything earthly is at times calculated to . . .
  cause sorrow,
  fill us with sadness,
  and draw forth tears.
Losses, crosses, disappointments and bereavements--all conspire to make us sad. Earth is to us a Valley of Achor--the place of trouble and sorrow.

Now turning to Jesus, we find a friend who loves at all times, and a brother born for adversity.
He makes up for every loss,
He sanctifies every disappointment,
and He fills for us every relation.

His presence is . . .
  like a flowing spring--in a dreary desert,
  like a cheering fire--on a piercing winter's night,
  and like a happy home--to the exhausted traveler.

O how precious is Jesus now!

[nChrist]

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The almighty power of God is exerted!

(James Smith, "The New Creation" 1861)

"Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature." 2 Corinthians 5:17

It is a miraculous thing to be a Christian--for real Christianity is the effect of a new creation! To make a Christian, requires the same power as to make a world--nothing less can raise a sinner from a death in trespasses and sins!

In every instance of real conversion--the almighty power of God is exerted!

The distinguishing PRIVILEGE of the believer, is that he is "in Christ." We were all originally in fallen Adam, and from his loins we flowed. No one is in Christ by nature--but only by an act of sovereign grace. Yet all Christians are in Christ--nor can anyone be a Christian without being vitally united to Christ.

As the manslayer fled to the city of refuge for safety--so does the believer flee to Christ.

As Noah entered into the ark for preservation from the deluge--so does the believer hide in Christ, that he may be preserved from the wrath to come.

As the branch is in the vine, supported and supplied by the vine, and forms a part of the vine--so is the believer in Christ, supported and supplied by Christ!

As the member is in the body, presided over by the head, and forms part of the body--so the Christian is in Christ, is presided over by Christ, and forms part of Christ. "For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones."

Christ dwells in the believer--as His temple.
The believer dwells in Christ--as his refuge, stronghold, and ark of safety.

The invariable RESULT of being in Christ, is that "he is a new creature."

Being in Christ, we are new created--and have a new LIFE, which is spiritual, derived from a new source, not from Adam but from Christ.

Being in Christ, we feed on new PROVISION--even the bread of life which came down from Heaven, and the living water which only Jesus can give.

Being in Christ, we are occupied with new SUBJECTS, which are placed before us by the gospel--and engage our thoughts, affections, and time.

Being in Christ, we are engaged in new EMPLOYMENTS, we work the works of God, endeavor to do the will of God from the heart, and to glorify our glorious Savior.

Being in Christ, we walk in a new PATH--the way of holiness. We walk in newness of life. We walk with God--and desire to walk worthy of God, who has called us unto His kingdom and glory.

Being in Christ, we act from new MOTIVES, for the love of Christ constrains us, and we no longer labor for eternal life, because we have it; nor for Heaven, because we have already received a title to it--but as bought with a price, we desire only to glorify God in our acts and thoughts.

Being in Christ, we join a new SOCIETY, for we choose the company of the saints, whom we esteem as the excellent of the earth; and therefore we join ourselves to the disciples.

Being in Christ, we look for a new HEAVEN, and in order to the possession of it, we wait for Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come.

O blessed state--to be in Christ! O glorious privilege and distinction--to be new creatures!

Union to Christ is of the greatest IMPORTANCE. Without this there is no eternal safety, no true dignity, no solid happiness. It is only as one with Christ--that we are justified, that we are sanctified, that we can be glorified. Let us never rest satisfied with anything short of union to Christ, and that manifested in living fellowship with Christ.

Only by a new birth, only as born of the Spirit--can we come into the enjoyment of this blessed privilege, or enjoy this high distinction. Let no one therefore stop short of that thorough change of heart, which results from saving union with the Lord Jesus Christ.