Grace Gems

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There is room for you there amid the countless ones who fly to it for consolation, safety, and repose!

(Octavius Winslow)

"This was the one who had reclined on Jesus' bosom at the supper . . . " John 21:20

The bosom of Jesus still pillows the head of the weary, loving disciple of the Lord. There is no real rest for the soul, but in Jesus.

Where should the Christ-loved, the Christ-loving disciple lean, with his sins and sorrows, with his weariness and want--but upon the bosom of his Lord? It is the place of repose, of faith, and of love.

There is room for you there amid the countless ones who fly to it for consolation, safety, and repose! Go and lean with your burden, your grief, and your sin--where the beloved disciple reclined; and you shall realize the blessedness of the oneness, confidence, and affection which exist between Jesus and all the disciples whom He loves.

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Let all God's people look upon death through Scripture spectacles!

(A Funeral Sermon for Mr. Christopher Love on the following Sabbath-Day after he was executed. By Mr. Edmund Calamy, London, August 24, 1651)

"Our friend Lazarus sleeps." John 11:11
 
"And when Stephen had said this, he fell asleep." Acts 7:60

Let me beseech the people of God, that they would look upon death, not as it is presented unto us in nature's looking-glass, but as it is set down in a Scripture-dress. Nature presents death in a very terrible manner--and it is true, death is very terrible to a man outside of Christ. But to you who are in Christ, the sting of death is taken away--and death is nothing else but a quiet and placid sleep, a putting off of our clothes, and a going to bed until we awake in the morning of the resurrection.

Death to a child of God is nothing else but a putting off of his earthly tabernacle.

It is but a going from an earthly prison, into an heavenly palace.

Death is the letting of the soul out of prison, as a bird out of the cage, that it may flee to Heaven.

Death is change from a temporary Hell, to an eternal Heaven!

Death is not the death of the man, but the death of his sins.

It is the end of the pilgrim's journey--and the seaman's haven.

Death is being absent from the body, and being present with the Lord.

Let all God's people look upon death through Scripture spectacles, and consider it as it is sweetly represented in this text! A child of God should be as willing to die as to put off his clothes--because death is nothing else to him but a sleep.

Death is a departure from earth's misery--to the everlasting happiness of Heaven!

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." Psalm 116:15

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Clear views of Christ's priestly office and intercession

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

"But I have prayed for you Simon, that your faith may not fail." Luke 22:32

We see in this verse--one great secret of a believer's perseverance in the faith.
It was owing to Christ's intercession--that Peter did not entirely fall away.

The continued existence of grace in a believer's heart, is a great standing miracle. His enemies are so mighty--and his strength is so small; the world is so full of snares--and his heart is so weak; that it seems at first sight impossible for him to reach Heaven.

The passage before us explains his safety. He has a mighty Friend at the right hand of God, who ever lives to make intercession for him. There is a watchful Advocate, who is daily pleading for him--seeing all his daily necessities, and obtaining daily supplies of mercy and grace for his soul. His grace never altogether dies--because Christ always lives to intercede for him! (Hebrews 7:25.)

If we are true Christians, we shall find it essential to our comfort in religion--to have clear views of Christ's priestly office and intercession. Christ lives--and therefore our faith shall not fail. Let us beware of regarding Jesus only as one who died for us. Let us never forget that He is alive for evermore. Paul bids us to especially remember that He is risen again, and is at the right hand of God, and also makes intercession for us. Romans 8:34
 
The work that He does for His people, is not yet over. He is still appearing in the presence of God for them, and doing for their souls, what He did for Peter. His present life for them--is just as important as His death on the cross eighteen hundred years ago! Christ lives--and therefore true Christians "shall live also."

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The difference between the godly and the ungodly

(James Meikle, "The Traveler" June 14, 1758)

There is a wide difference in both principle and practice, between the the godly and the ungodly.

The affections of the godly are spiritually refined--and their desires are exalted.
The inclinations of the ungodly are corrupt--and their desires are groveling.

Sin has but a tottering standing, and a momentary abode--in the godly.
But sin has fixed its throne, and taken up its eternal residence--in the ungodly.

In the godly, grace and sin struggle for sovereignty.
In the ungodly, sin domineers and there is no struggle.

The godly is deeply concerned about world to come.
The ungodly has no concern about eternal realities.

The speech of the godly is seasoned with grace.
The discourse of the ungodly is insipid and vain.

The godly has his hope fixed on God.
The ungodly has no fear of God before his eyes.

The godly use the world without abusing it.
The ungodly, in using the world, abuse both themselves and it.

The godly sees God in his daily life, and rejoices in Him with his whole heart.
The ungodly says in his practice: "There is no God!" and wishes in his heart that there were no God.

The godly adores the Creator above all else.
The ungodly worships the 'creature' more than the Creator.

The godly uses God's name with profoundest reverence, and departs from iniquity.
The ungodly profanes God's name with impudence, and adds iniquity to sin.

The godly redeems his time.
The ungodly trifles away his time.

The godly studies his duty in obedience to all God's precepts.
The ungodly shakes himself loose from every command of God.

The godly forgives his foes.
The ungodly lays a snare for his foes.

The godly commits it to God to avenge wrongs done to him.
The ungodly, fiery and tumultuous--seeks revenge.

The godly loves purity in all things.
The ungodly wallows in impurity.

The godly is content with his condition.
The ungodly covets all the day long.

The godly is pure in heart.
The heart of the ungodly is like a cage full of unclean birds.

The godly walks at liberty in the ways of God.
The ungodly is the servant and slave of sin.

The Holy Spirit rules in the heart of the godly.
Satan rules in the heart of the ungodly.

The godly has his citizenship in Heaven.
The ungodly has his citizenship in Hell.

As there is such a wide difference in their principles and practices--so also, in their eternal destinies.
God is faithful--He has promised felicity to the pious, and threatened vengeance to the wicked.
"The wicked is thrust out in his wickedness; but the righteous has hope in his death." Proverbs 14:32

The godly are under the blessing of God's love.
The ungodly are under the curse of God's justice.

The godly with joy, draw water out of the wells of salvation.
The ungodly shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.

To the godly, pertain all the exceeding great and precious promises.
To the ungodly, pertain all the threatenings of God.

Heaven shall be the palace of the godly!
Hell shall be the prison of the ungodly!

While the godly shall dwell through eternity with God,
the ungodly shall be driven away into everlasting darkness!

Thus, the righteous and wicked are separated in their life, and divided in their death. They are divided . . .
  in their principles,
  in their practices,
  in their choices,
  in their joys,
  in their thoughts,
  in their company,
  in their speech,
  in their fears,
  in their expectations,
  in their death, and
  through eternity itself!

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You have a heart fit to do the deed!

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

"But they kept shouting: Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" Luke 23:21

Let us often pray that we may thoroughly understand the sinfulness of man's heart.

Christ is never fully valued--until sin is clearly seen.

We must know the depth and malignity of our disease--in order to appreciate the great Physician.

Few of us, it may be feared, have the least conception of the strength and virulence of the spiritual disease with which we are born! Few entirely realize that "the carnal mind is enmity against God," and that unconverted human nature, if it had the power--would cast its Maker down from His throne and crucify Him!

The behavior of the Jews before us--is only a picture of what every natural man would do to God, if he only could!

"If the bosom of God were within the reach of men, it would be stabbed a million of times in one moment! If the bosom of God were now within your reach, and one blow would rid the universe of God--you have a heart fit to do the deed!" Robert Murray M'Cheyne

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Bring nothing but your sins and miseries!

(Thomas Wilcox)

"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith." Philippians 3:8-9

When you come to Christ--you must leave behind you:
  all your own righteousness,
  all your own holiness,
  all your own sanctification,
  all your own duties,
  all your own tears,
  all your own repentings, etc.
Oh, this is hard!

You must bring nothing but your sins and miseries to Him. Otherwise, Christ is not fit for you--nor you for Christ!

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What are the marks of a true shepherd?

(Arthur Pink, 1939)

"Be an example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

How diligently should those who think of entering the ministry, scrutinize their motives; for thousands have abused this Divine institution through love of ease, desire for authority and fame, or love of money--and brought upon themselves "greater condemnation" (James 3:1). Thousands have invaded the pastoral office in an unauthorized manner--to fleece sheep rather than feed them--robbing Christ of His honor and starving His people.

Solemn beyond words is it to observe how sternly our Lord denounced these false shepherds of His day. (Matthew 23). As Ryle rightly said, "Nothing seemed so offensive to Christ as a false shepherd. Nothing ought to be so much feared by the Church, and be so plainly rebuked, opposed and exposed."

What are the marks of a true shepherd? How are God's people to identify those called and qualified by Him to minister unto His people?

First, the genuine pastor has the doctrine of Christ on his LIPS. The ministers of the new covenant are described as those who had "renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness." Christendom today is infested with men who are full of deceit and hypocrisy, trimming their sails according to whatever direction the breeze of public opinion is blowing.

"We have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God." (2 Corinthians 4:2). The true servant of Christ holds back nothing which is profitable, no matter how unpalatable it may be unto his hearers. He is one who magnifies not himself, nor his denomination, but Christ--His wondrous Person, His atoning blood, His exacting claims.

Second, the genuine pastor has the Spirit of Christ in his HEART. It is the Spirit who opens to him the mysteries of the Gospel, so that he is "the faithful and wise servant" (Matthew 24:45). It is the Spirit of Christ who gives him a love for His sheep, so that it is his greatest delight to lead them into the green pastures of His Word. It is the Spirit of Christ who enables him to use "great boldness of speech" (2 Corinthians 3:12), so that he shuns not to declare all the counsel of God. It is the Spirit of Christ who makes him to be "prepared in season and out of season; to correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction" (2 Timothy 4:2). It is the Spirit of Christ who gives efficacy to his ministry, making it fruitful according to the sovereign pleasure of God.

Third, the genuine pastor has the example of Christ in his LIFE, which is a conforming of him to the image of his Master. It is true, sadly true, that there is not one of them who does not fall far short both of the inward and outward image of Christ. Yet there are some faint tracings of His image visible in all His true servants. The image of Christ is seen in their words, spirit, and actions; otherwise we have no warrant to receive them as God's servants.

Find a man (no easy task today!) who has . . .
   the doctrine of Christ on his lips,
   the Spirit of Christ in his heart,
   the example of Christ in his life,
and you find one of His genuine ministers. All others are but thieves and robbers!

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Idiots catching flies!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless!" Ecclesiastes 1:2

Most people are not seeking to escape from the wrath to come--they are busy in worldly things while Hell is near them. They are like idiots catching flies on board a ship which is in the very act of sinking! We see them busy adorning their bodies, when their soul is in ruin. They are like a man painting the front door, when the house is in flames!

Men are in a restless pursuit after satisfaction in earthly things.
They will hunt the phantom of wealth,
they will travel the pathways of fame,
they will dig into the mines of knowledge,
they will exhaust themselves in the deceitful delights of sin.
Finding them all to be vanity and emptiness, they will become very perplexed and disappointed. But they still continue their fruitless search. Though wearied, they still stagger forward under the influence of spiritual madness, and though there is no result to be reached except that of everlasting disappointment--yet they press forward with much ardor.

Living for today is enough for them--that they are still alive, that they possess present comforts and present enjoyments--this contents the many.

As for the future, they say, "Let it take care of itself."

As for eternity, they leave others to care for its realities; the present life is enough for them.

Their motto is, "Let us feast and drink, for tomorrow we die!"

They have no forethought for their eternal state--the present hour absorbs them.

Carnal minds pursue earth's vanities with all their might; and when they are wearied in their pursuit they but change their direction, and continue the idle chase. They turn to another and another of earth's broken cisterns, hoping to find water where not a drop was ever discovered yet!

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

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The ant's nest!

(Thomas Boston, "Human Nature in its Fourfold State")

"The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked! Who really knows how bad it is?" Jeremiah 17:9

Never did any sin appear in the life of the vilest wretch who ever lived--but look into your own corrupt nature, and there you may see the seed and root that sin--and every other sin! There is atheism, idolatry, blasphemy, murder, adultery, and whatever is vile--in your heart! Possibly none of these are apparent to you; but there is more in that unfathomable depth of wickedness than you know.

Your corrupt heart is like an ant's nest, which, while the stone lies on it, none of them appear. But take off the stone, and stir them up but with a straw--and you will see what a swarm is there, and how lively they are! Just such a sight would your heart afford you--did the Lord but withdraw the restraint He has upon it--and allow Satan to stir it up by temptation!

Christian! the remembrance of what you are by nature, should keep you humble.

"For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly." Mark 7:21, 22

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Satan's workshop!

(J.A. James, speaking of the power of the press in 1848)

"So that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes." 2 Corinthians 2:11

The press has a great power for evil. Infidel and immoral writers are pouring forth a deluge of skepticism and vice, which are depositing a poisonous and toxic slime over the minds of the people.

Let it be imagined, if imagined it can be, what must be the state of multitudes in this country, when millions of pestiferous publications are annually going out among the masses of our population. Let the minds of all Christian people dwell upon . . .
  the insult offered to God,
  the ruin brought upon souls,
  the injury done to morals, and
  the mischief perpetrated in the nation,
by such a state of things!

These ungodly publications originate from Satan's workshop, and reflect the scenes of that dreadful laboratory of mental poison! These authors, printers, publishers, booksellers, vendors, by myriads, are all busy and indefatigable--to do what?
To destroy the Bible,
to corrupt the mind,
to pull down the cross,
to dethrone God,
to subvert true religion,
to turn man into a speaking brute,
to overturn all morality,
to poison the springs of domestic happiness,
to dissolve the ties of social order,
to involve our country in ruin!

Satan, and all his emissaries upon earth, are in earnest in ruining men's souls!

We have an evil to contend with--
  so gigantic in its strength,
  so diffused in its influence all around us,
  so infectious and malignant in its effects!

The enemy is coming in like a flood!

Infidelity and immorality are invading us!

The alarm bell must be rung!

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The eternal duration of Hell's torments!

(Matthew Mead, "The Eternal Duration of Hell's Torments" 1629-1699)

"It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!" Hebrews 10:31

How can it be consistent with the justice and righteousness of God . . .
  to punish temporal sinning, with everlasting suffering;
  to inflict eternal vengeance, for momentary offences;
  to cast a sinner into unending misery, for committing a few sins here which quickly have an end?

This has made some conclude against the eternal duration of Hell's torments--as if God were so merciful that He would not let the unrepentant lie under His wrath forever. But I answer this with the Apostle, "Is God unjust in bringing His wrath on us? Certainly not!" (Romans 3:5-6). God is holy, just, and righteous--even when He punishes momentary offences with everlasting torments. And this will appear, by considering the following:

It is necessary for the governing of the world, that the penalty should be so stated. It is necessary for the preserving the authority of God's law in its full force and vigor, and to render it more solemn and dreadful. The design of God is to have the punishment so great as to check all the temptations to sin which a man can have. There is in man since the fall, such a propensity to sensual things, that, without this fear of Hell, nothing is able to keep it down. Fleshly lusts are so pleasing to corrupt nature, that they need to be checked with the severest threatenings. Therefore, God has told us beforehand, "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient!" Ephesians 5:6

God wisely balances the sinner's delights with the fear of punishment, that by setting eternal pains against momentary pleasures, we may the better escape temptation. The pleasures of sin, which are but for a season--entail on us torments which are eternal!

God has wisely left to our own choice whether we will have the passing pleasures of sin here on earth--or those eternal pleasures which come hereafter. Things at hand will far more prevail than things to come, if those eternal things are not considerably greater. Here on earth the pain is short, and so is the pleasure--but in the eternal world both the pain and the pleasure are eternal. In the wisdom of God, those who work out their salvation with fear and trembling here, should have pleasures at the right hand of God for evermore--and those who will have their sinful pleasures here, should have everlasting misery in the eternal world.

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This God is our God forever and ever!

("Every Day!" Author unknown, 1872)

"This God is our God forever and ever! He will be our Guide even unto death!" Psalm 48:14

Those who have fled for refuge to the hope set before them in the gospel, all who are living a life of faith--are privileged to say of the Lord, "This God is our God forever and ever!"

Believers are privileged to say that the God who has all power in Heaven and earth, whose understanding is infinite, who is good, and who does good continually: "This God is our God forever and ever!"

Believers are privileged to say the God of holiness, righteousness, and justice; the God of mercy, truth, and grace; the "just God and the Savior": "This God is our God forever and ever!"

Believers are privileged to say the God whose name and whose nature is love, and who has manifested His love toward us in sending His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him: "This God is our God forever and ever!"

Believers are privileged to say the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort; the Refuge of the oppressed, the Helper of the helpless, the Hope of the hopeless, and the Savior of the lost: "This God is our God forever and ever!"

Believers are privileged to say the Source of every good and perfect gift; the promise-keeping God: "This God is our God"--and always will be; for He never leaves nor forsakes His redeemed people. "He will be our Guide even unto death," and our portion forever and ever!

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

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The Word of God

"His delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night." Psalm 1:2

"Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors." Psalm 119:24

"I delight in Your commands because I love them." Psalm 119:47

"The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold." Psalm 119:72

The Word of God is:
  a light to our path,
  the key of the kingdom of Heaven,
  our comfort in affliction,
  our shield and sword against Satan,
  the school of all wisdom,
  the mirror in which we behold God's face, and
  the only food and nourishment for our souls!
(Preface to the Geneva Bible)

"Oh, how I love Your law! I meditate on it all day long." Psalm 119:97

"Truly, I love Your commands more than gold, even the finest gold." Psalm 119:127

"I obey Your statutes, for I love them greatly." Psalm 119:167

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Christ, who is our life

(Charles Spurgeon)

"When Christ, who is our life, appears--then you also will appear with Him in glory!" Colossians 3:4

Paul's marvelously rich expression indicates that Christ is the source of our life. "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins!" Ephesians 2:1. That same voice which brought Lazarus out of the tomb, raised us to newness of life.

Christ is now the substance of our spiritual life. It is by His life that we live. He is in us, the hope glory, the spring of our actions, the central thought which moves every other thought.

Christ is the sustenance of our life. What can the Christian feed upon but Jesus? O wayworn pilgrims in this wilderness of sin--you never get a morsel to satisfy the hunger of your spirits, unless you find it in Him!

Christ is the solace of our life. All our true joys come from Him. In times of trouble, His presence is our consolation. There is nothing worth living for but Him. His loving-kindness is better than life!

Christ is the object of our life. As speeds the ship towards the port--so the believer hastens towards the haven of his Savior's bosom. As the arrow flies to its goal--so the Christian flies towards fellowship with Christ Jesus.

Christ is the exemplar of our life. If we live in near fellowship with the Lord Jesus, then we shall grow like Him. We shall set Him before us as our Divine copy, and we shall seek to tread in His footsteps. "Whoever claims to live in Him, must walk as Jesus did." 1 John 2:6

Oh! how safe, how honored, how happy is the Christian--since Christ is our life!

"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain!" Philippians 1:21

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Let us fix our eyes on Jesus!

(Octavius Winslow)

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith!"

We cannot keep our eyes too exclusively or too intently fixed on Jesus.

All salvation is in Him.
All salvation proceeds from Him.
All salvation leads to Him.
And for the assurance and comfort of our salvation, we are to repose believingly and entirely on Him.

Christ must be all!
Christ the beginning,
Christ the center,
Christ the end.

Oh sweet truth to you who are sensible of your poverty, vileness, and insufficiency, and of the ten thousand flaws and failures of which, perhaps, no one is cognizant but God and your own soul!

Oh the blessedness--to turn from self, and rest in Christ:
  a full Christ,
  a loving Christ,
  a tender Christ,
whose heart's love never chills,
from whose eye darts no reproof,
from whose lips breathes no sentence of condemnation!

"He whose daily life is a fixing his eyes on Jesus, has heaven on his way to heaven!" Henry Law

"And when Christ, who is your life, appears--then you also will appear with Him in glory!" Colossians 3:4