Grace Gems

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The Holy Spirit

(James Smith, "The Way of Salvation Set Forth")

"That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." John 3:6

The Holy Spirit is the author of the great work of regeneration. He takes up His abode in the renewed heart, as His temple--He dwells in us, and shall be with us. Jesus does all for us, in our justification; and the Holy Spirit does all in us, for our sanctification.

The Holy Spirit is the source of all holy desires, consistent purposes, and good works. There is no good thing in us, but what He produces. He dwells within us as the Teacher, the Comforter, and the Advocate of the soul. He leads us . . .
  into truth,
  against Satan,
  and to labor for God. He . . .
warns us of evil,
directs us to Jesus, and
applies the blessings of salvation to our souls.
He is in us as a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Without the Holy Spirit there is not, there cannot be, genuine religion; for He is its author, guardian, and guide. To Him we are indebted . . .
  for every good desire,
  for every holy thought,
  for every good word, and
  for every fruitful work.
He works in us to will and to do of His own good pleasure.
Every tear of penitence,
every contrite sigh,
every fervent prayer,
every ray of spiritual light,
every holy emotion toward God
--is from the Holy Spirit.

If He left us--our graces would soon wither, fade, and die.

When we grieve Him . . .
  our comforts decline,
  our evidences are beclouded,
  and our hands wax feeble. But . . .
if we sow to the Spirit,
if we walk in the Spirit,
if we aim in all things to please Him--then . . .
  our souls are vigorous,
  our graces are lively, and
  we are enabled to find our joy in God.

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Afflictions are but medicines

(James Smith, "The Way of Salvation Set Forth")

"The Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives." Hebrews 12:6

The Christian may be chastened for his faults, and scourged for his follies--but he shall never be condemned along with the unregenerate world.

To the Christian, afflictions are but medicines prepared with a Physician's skill, and presented by the kind hand of a Father's love. Nothing shall by any means hurt him--but all things shall work together for his eternal good. He need not fear anything--but sin. Whatever God sends, is in love. Whatever happens, is under a divine arrangement. Our light afflictions which are but for a moment, work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory!

"Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:10-11

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Sin is bad!

(by Thomas Brooks)

Sin is bad in the eye,
worse in the tongue,
worse still in the heart--
but worst of all in the life!

"Behold, you have sinned against the LORD;
be sure your sin will find you out!" Num. 32:23

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What God will bestow upon His beloved people!

(James Smith, "The Way of Salvation Set Forth")

Sin degrades as well as endangers. Sin is a crime--a fearful, abominable, inexcusable crime against a loving God!
God's heart is love--but man's heart is enmity.
God's conduct is kindness--but man's conduct is ingratitude.
God's object is man's happiness--but man's object is the gratification of vile, base, and degrading passions!
Man is . . .
a prodigal feeding swine,
a slave working in chains,
a criminal awaiting execution.
Man is sunk, beyond description!
He is debased, beyond expression; being . . .
  more ignorant than the ox,
  more stupid than the donkey, and
  more contemptible than the worm!
He talks of honor--but knows not in what it consists. Honor comes from God alone. He confers it as a matter of grace, on all who believe in Jesus.

Is it an honor to be a son of God?
Believers are the sons of God.

Is it an honor to be a King?
Believers are Kings and Priests unto God.

Is it an honor to be a companion of the Prince of life?
Believers are the companions of Jesus.

Is it an honor to be the heir of God?
Believers are the heirs of God.

Is it an honor to be the bride of the Son of God?
Every believer is honored to stand in this precious relation.

But what shall I more say, for time would fail to speak of the honors, dignities, and blessings which are conferred upon the people of God!

There are crowns, thrones, scepters, kingdoms, white robes, golden harps, and rivers of pleasure at God's right hand--which are provided, preserved, and will be conferred on every child of God. Yet we do not, we cannot, fully know here, what God will bestow upon His beloved people!
His love is so vast,
His purposes are so deep,
His provision is so extensive,
and His thoughts are so grand--
that it were folly to attempt to dive into, much less to set forth the honors which He has in reserve for His redeemed children!

"No eye has seen,
 no ear has heard, and
 no mind has imagined--
what God has prepared for those who love Him!" 1 Corinthians 2:9

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Ladder-rungs

(J.R. Miller)

All base desires, all bad habits, all longings for ignoble things--which we vanquish and trample down--become ladder-rungs on which we climb upward out of earthliness and sinfulness--into purer and Christlier character. There really is no other way by which we can rise upward. If we are not living victoriously in our little common days--we surely are not making any progress. Only those who climb, are mounting toward the stars. Heaven itself at last, and the heavenly life here on earth--are for those only who overcome.

"To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with Me on My throne!" Revelation 3:21

"He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be My son!" Revelation 21:7

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The only thing that concerns us

(J.R. Miller)

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Is not God wise enough to manage the complications of our lives--and to bring order and beauty out of them? Has He not skill enough? Is He not our Father? and will He not always do the very best and wisest thing for us? Should we not trust Him--and cease to be anxious about anything that we have committed to Him? Is not anxiety, doubt? and is not doubt, sin? We are simply to commit our way to the Lord, trust Him, and be at peace.

The only thing that concerns us, is our DUTY. God will weave the complicated web of our lives, into patterns of beauty--unless we mar it by our follies and sins. But His plans are sometimes very long, and our impatience may mar them, as well as our sins. The buds of His purposes, must not be torn open. We must wait until His fingers unfold them.

"Commit your way to the LORD. Trust also in Him--and He shall bring it to pass." Psalm 37:5

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Jelly-fish Christianity

(J.C. Ryle)

The consequences of this widespread dislike to distinct biblical doctrine are very serious. Whether we like it or not, it is an epidemic which is doing great harm, and especially among young people. It creates, fosters, and keeps up an immense amount of instability in religion. It produces what I must venture to call, if I may coin the phrase, a 'jelly-fish' Christianity in the land--that is, a Christianity without bone, or muscle, or power.

A jelly-fish, as everyone who has been much by the seaside knows, is a pretty and graceful object when it floats in the sea, contracting and expanding like a little delicate transparent umbrella. Yet the same jelly-fish, when cast on the shore, is a mere helpless lump, without capacity for movement, self-defense, or self-preservation.

Alas! it is a vivid type of much of the religion of this day, of which the leading principle is, 'No dogma, no distinct beliefs, no doctrine.' We have hundreds of ministers who seem not to have a single bone in their body of divinity! They have no definite opinions; they are so afraid of 'extreme views,' that they have no views at all. We have thousands of sermons preached every year, which are without an edge or a point or a corner--they are as smooth as marble balls, awakening no sinner, and edifying no saint!

We have legions of young men annually turned out from our universities, armed with a few scraps of second-hand philosophy, who think it a mark of cleverness and intellect to have no decided opinions about anything in religion--and to be utterly unable to make up their minds as to what is Christian truth. Their only creed, is a kind of 'nothingism.' They are sure and positive about nothing!

And last, and worst of all, we have myriads of respectable church-going people, who have no distinct and definite views about any point in theology. They cannot discern things that differ, any more than color-blind people can distinguish colors. They think . . .
  everybody is right--and nobody is wrong,
  everything is true--and nothing is false,
  all sermons are good--and none are bad,
  every clergyman is sound--and no clergyman unsound.

They are 'tossed to and fro, like children, by every wind of doctrine;' often carried away by some new excitement and sensational movement; ever ready for new things, because they have no firm grasp on the old; and utterly unable to 'render a reason of the hope that is in them.'

All this, and much more, is the result of that effeminate dread of distinct doctrine which has been so strongly developed, and has laid such hold on many pastors in these days.

I turn from the picture I have exhibited with a sorrowful heart. I grant it is a gloomy one; but I am afraid it is only too accurate and true. Let us not deceive ourselves. Distinct and definitive doctrine is at a premium just now. Instability and unsettled notions are the natural result, and meet us in every direction.

Cleverness and earnestness are the favorite idols of the age!

What a man says matters nothing--however strange and heterogeneous are the opinions he expresses! If he is only brilliant and 'earnest'--he cannot be wrong! Never was it so important for believers to hold sound systematic views of truth, and for ministers to 'enunciate doctrine' very clearly and distinctly in their teaching.

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First there comes bitterness

(J.R. Miller)

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus . . . who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God!" Hebrews 12:2

Christ Himself had humiliation, darkness, and the shame of the cross--and then exaltation, power, and glory. In Christian life, the same law holds: First there comes bitterness--but out of the bitterness, sweetness flows.

There is the deep sorrow of penitence--but this gives way to the blessed joy of forgiveness.

First there are self-denial and cross-bearing--but out of these experiences comes a holy peace which fills all the heart.

Sorrows are to be endured--but the good wine of comfort is poured into the empty cup.

There is also a constant progression in the blessings of the Divine life. We never get to the end of them; indeed, we never get to the best. There is always something better yet to come. Heaven will make amends for all!

"Weeping may endure for a night--but joy comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5

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O parents, parents!

(James Smith)

"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4

Children are keen observers, and are much more powerfully affected by what they see--than by what they hear. It is of little use to talk to them of the gospel--if we do not adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in our lives. Thousands of children are ruined by the conduct of their parents--and many of them professing Christian parents!

O parents, parents! Take care what you are teaching your children by your example. You are always influencing them for good--or evil. You are leading them to Heaven--or Hell. Not a day passes, but you produce impressions--perhaps permanent impressions--either good or bad.

When parents profess to be Christians, and do not carry out Christian principles in their daily lives--can we be surprised if their children turn out ungodly?

I fear that the blood of many children's souls--will be found on their parents' garments! I fear the open criminality of many children--is but a public exposure of the secret inconsistency of many professedly Christian parents!

How much attention is frequently paid to the body--how little to the soul! How much time and expense are spent on nurturing the mind--and how little on the heart! How many educate for time--not for eternity! How many prepare their children to take a wealthy place in the world--how few endeavor to prepare their children to take a place in Heaven!

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I know your thoughts!

(James Smith, "God Knows Our Thoughts" 1859)

"I know your thoughts!" Job 21:27

Do we pay sufficient attention to our thoughts?

Every thought has a character--it is either good or bad.

Every thought produces an effect--it either sanctifies or depraves.

Sin begins in thought;
holiness begins in thought;
misery begins in thought;
happiness begins in thought.

Thought decides the state of man--hence the Bible says, "As he thinks in his heart--so is he."

We cannot tell what a man is by his words, nor always by his acts--but if we could get at his thoughts, we could. God attends to our thoughts, and he wishes us to do so. He asks, "How long shall your vain thoughts lodge within you?" He testifies, "I know the thoughts that come into your mind--every one of them!" Not only so--but Jesus has declared, "I am He who searches the thoughts and the heart!"

Reader, God knows the thoughts that come into your mind!

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She had left her heart behind her!

(J. C. Ryle, "The Gospel of Luke" 1858 )

"Remember Lot's wife!" Luke 17:32

Observe what a solemn warning our Lord gives us against unsound profession.

Lot's wife went far in religious profession. She was the wife of a "righteous man." She was connected through him with Abraham, the father of the faithful. She fled with her husband from Sodom in the day when he escaped for his life by God's command.

But Lot's wife was not really like her husband. Though she fled with him, she had left her heart behind her! She willfully disobeyed the strict injunction which the angel had laid upon her. She looked back towards Sodom, and was at once struck dead. She was turned into a pillar of salt, and perished in her sins!

"Remember" her, says our Lord, "Remember Lot's wife!"

Lot's wife is meant to be a beacon and a warning to all professing Christians. It may be feared that many will be found like her in the day of Christ's second coming. There are many in the present day who go a certain length in religion. They conform to the outward ways of Christ's true people. They speak the "language of Canaan." They use all the outward ordinances of religion. But all this time their souls are not right in the sight of God. The world is in their hearts--and their hearts are in the world!

Their Christianity will prove rotten at the core!

Let us remember Lot's wife, and resolve to be real in our religion. A mere formal religion will never save our souls. Let us serve Christ for His own sake. Let us never rest until we have the true grace of God in our hearts, and have no desire to look back to the world.

"Remember Lot's wife!" Luke 17:32

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He does according to His will in Heaven, earth, and Hell!

(James Smith, "The Love of Christ! The Fullness, Freeness, and Immutability of the Savior's Grace Displayed!")

"His dominion is an eternal dominion; His kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as He pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth." Daniel 4:34-35

"Our God is in heaven; He does whatever pleases Him!" Psalm 115:3

"The LORD does whatever pleases Him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths!" Psalm 135:6

The Lord Jesus Christ is the sole Lord and Lawgiver of His Church. All His laws proceed from His loving heart--and are framed with a view to His people's good, and His own glory. They are all merciful, just, and necessary. They cannot be dispensed with--or His glory would be obscured, and His people injured.

Jesus reigns over His people, He reigns in them, He reigns for them! He reigns . . .
  over them, by His Word and servants,
  in them, by His grace and Spirit,
  for them, by His wise and holy providence.

He can do as He will--for His power is absolute!

He will do as He has said--for His faithfulness is unimpeachable!

Every being in creation is under His eye!

Every movement in the universe, is by His power and permission!

Nothing is too insignificant for Him to regard.

Nothing is too cunning to escape His all-penetrating eye! Nothing in all creation is hidden from His sight. All things are naked and open before Him--and sin has no covering.

He does according to His will in Heaven, earth, and Hell! He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers! He brings princes to naught, and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing! He remains King forever!

His people love His person, His government, and His laws! Whatever the sovereign King does--pleases all His redeemed people.

He is the omnipotent Lord God--and He reigns and rules over all!

"Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns!" Revelation 19:6

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He never lacks an apple for an Eve

("The Mute Christian Under the Smarting Rod" or, "The Silent Soul with Sovereign Antidotes" by Thomas Brooks, 1659, London.)

"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour!" 1 Peter 5:8

The devil is . . .
  not a lamb--but a lion;
  not a sleeping lion--but a roaring lion;
  not a lion standing still--but a lion prowling around to devour!
He is not satisfied with the prey he has already gotten, but is restless in his designs to fill Hell with damned souls.

He never lacks . . .
  an apple for an Eve,
  nor a grape for a Noah,
  nor a change of clothing for a Gehazi,
  nor a wedge of gold for an Achan,
  nor a crown for an Absalom,
  nor a bag of silver for a Judas,
  nor a world for a Demas!

If you look into . . .
  one company--you shall find Satan a-dishing out his dainties to every palate.
  another company--you shall find him fitting a lace to every shoe.
  a third company--you shall find him suiting a garment to every back.

Here, with Jael, he allures poor souls in with milk--and murders them with a nail!
There, with Joab, he embraces with one hand--and stabs with another!
Here with Judas, he kisses--and betrays!
And there, with the whore of Babylon, he presents a golden cup--with poison in it!

"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour!" 1 Peter 5:8

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A picture of what every Christian life should be!

(J.R. Miller)

A writer tells of going with a group of visitors, down into a coal mine. On the side of the passageway grew a flower which was perfectly white. The visitors were astonished, that there, where the coal dust was continually flying--this little flower would be so pure and white. A miner, who was with them, took a handful of black coal dust and threw it upon the plant, but not a particle adhered. Every atom of the black dust rolled off. The visitors themselves repeated the experiment, but the coal dust would not cling. There was a wonderful enamel on the folds of the white flower to which no speck could adhere. Living there amid clouds of black dust--nothing could stain its snowy white!

This is a picture of what every Christian life should be. We live in an evil world. We go among the ungodly continually in our daily walk and work. Unholy influences breathe all around us; but it is our mission to be pure amid all this vileness--undefiled, unspotted from the world.

If God can make a little flower, so that no black dust can stain its whiteness--can He not by His grace so transform your heart and life, that no sin can cling to you? If God can keep a little flower stainless, as white as snow, amid clouds of black coal dust--can He not keep hearts of His people in like purity, in this world of sin?

"So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe!" Philippians 2:15

"Religion that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this . . . to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world!" James 1:27

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God knows best what cross we need to bear!

(J.R. Miller)

There is a poem called "The Changed Cross." It represents a weary one who thought that her cross was surely heavier than those of others whom she saw around her, and wished that she might choose another cross instead of her own.

She slept, and in her dream she was led to a place where many crosses lay--crosses of various types, shapes and sizes.

There was a little cross most beauteous to behold, set in jewels and gold. "Ah, this I can wear with comfort," she said. So she took it up, but her weak form shook beneath it. The jewels and the gold were beautiful, but they were far too heavy for her.

Next she saw a lovely cross with fair flowers entwined around its sculptured form. Surely that was the one for her. She lifted it, but beneath the flowers were piercing thorns which tore her flesh.

At last, as she went on, she came to a plain cross, without jewels, without ornate carving, with only a few words of love inscribed upon it. This she took up, and it proved the best of all, the easiest to be borne. And as she looked upon it, bathed in the radiance which fell from Heaven--she recognized her own old cross. She had found it again, and it was the best of all, and lightest for her!

God knows best what cross we need to bear!

We do not know how heavy other people's crosses are.

We envy one who is rich--his is a golden cross set with jewels. But we do not know how heavy it is.

Here is another whose life seems very lovely. She bears a cross entwined with flowers. But we do not know what sharp thorns are hidden beneath the flowers.

If we could try all the other crosses which we think are lighter than ours, we would at last find that not one of them suited us as well as our own!

"I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right and righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me!" Psalm 119:75

"God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it!" Hebrews 12:10-11