Grace Gems

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Love of Jesus

(Theodore Cuyler, "Wayside Springs
from the Fountain of Life" 1883)

"The love of Christ constrains us."
    2 Corinthians 5:14

Love of Jesus is essential to Christianity.
No privations can starve it, and no burdens
can break it down. It is the core of all true
piety. It is the only cure of the reigning
worldliness and covetousness and fashion
worship, which have made such havoc in
too many churches.

There is only one way to be a steadfast
Christian--it is to get the heart so full of love
to Jesus--that the world, and the lusts of
the flesh, and the devil can get no foothold.

A true Christian life is the continual
consecration of our bodily powers, of our
energies, our affections, our resources,
and our influence--to Him who bought
us with His precious blood.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of
 God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living
 sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is
 your spiritual act of worship." Romans 12:1

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The stunted professor

    (Theodore Cuyler, "Beulah-Land" or, "Words of Cheer for Christian Pilgrims", 1896)

    "The righteous will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green." Psalm 92:12-14

    The first quality of the cedar--is that it GROWS. It is a live tree. Where there is hearty life--there must be growth. It is the lamentable lack of inward godliness, which makes the stunted professor. There is not vitalizing sap enough in his heart-roots to reach up into the boughs of his outward conduct. There is not vigor enough in the trunk of his character, to stand erect. No showers brought down by fervent prayer, cleanse the dust of worldliness from his yellow, sicklied leaves.

    There he is--just as he set out in the church a score of years ago--no larger, no broader, no brighter in graces than he was then! The caterpillars of lust have spun their unsightly webs all over his branches. He has not grown an inch--in any one Bible trait. He has not yielded one single fruit of the Spirit. He is a cumberer of the ground--fit only to be cut down. He is all the while drinking up God's pure air and water--and yet fulfilling Satan's purpose! Not of such a prayer-neglecting professor, not of such a time-serving, money-loving, fashion-worshiping professor, could we honestly say, "He grows like a cedar in Lebanon."

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What abounding grace!

(Stephen Tyng, "Practical Meditations")

"But where sin abounded--grace did
 much more abound." Romans 5:20

What abundant grace has He displayed!

His forgiveness, how full and free it has been!
No sin remaining.

His justification, how complete!
No defect unforgiven.

His faithfulness, how unfailing!
No hour of my pilgrimage unwatched.

His forbearance, how tender!
No error of my life remembered.

His compassion, how affectionate!
No sorrow of my heart unconsoled.

His recompense, how abundant!
More than I have power to conceive.

What abounding grace has been thus
displayed to a creature so completely vile;
so destitute of all ground of hope or claim
in himself!

What an amount of guilt has He pardoned!
It is impossible to overstate this.
My original debasement,
my wayward youth,
my rejection of His love,
my rebellion against His authority,
my forgetfulness of His goodness,
my backslidings from His way,
my inconsistent profession,
my vain and sinful example,
the wickedness of my unconverted state,
the errors of my renewed state.
Alas! every day and every act brings up its
separate testimony. And all condemn me!

But He has freely pardoned!

He has blotted out this whole fearful record!

He will remember it no more!

"But where sin abounded--grace did
 much more abound." Romans 5:20

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The black hand--must then part with its white glove!

(William Secker, "The Consistent Christian" 1660)

There is in the same rose--honey for the bee, and poison for the spider.

The same Jesus who shall say, "Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world!" will also say, "Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels!"

As both blessing and cursing proceed out of the mouth of the same man--so both blessing and cursing will come out of the mouth of the same Christ! Man's curse is a curse of wicked execration--but Christ's curse is a curse of righteous execution.

As the same wind--may send one vessel into the haven, and sink another in the ocean; so shall the same voice of Christ--doom the sinner to eternal damnation, and welcome the saint to eternal salvation! That same gate which is opened for a citizen to go abroad for recreation, may also be opened for a malefactor to go out to execution!

Reader, how sad is that tragedy--which shall never be ended! Ah, how can you hear the doleful knell--of an everlasting funeral! Will those transient glances at former prosperity, lessen the intolerable weight of eternal calamity? The wheat and the chaff may grow together--but they shall not always lie together. There may be but of a few moments of breathing, between the sinner--and his everlasting burning! The day of separation, will prove to him a day of retribution. While the wheat is secured in the garner--the tares are consumed in the fire!

Sinner, you would then give a thousand worlds--to be the companion of the godly! Then their enjoyments will be incomparably pleasant--while your torments shall be intolerably painful. The sea of damnation--will not be sweetened with a drop of compassion! If once you fall into hell--after millions of ages have elapsed--you will be as far from coming out, as you were at going in! There will not be a sinner in heaven--to interrupt the joys of saints; nor will there be a saint in hell--to soften or soothe the anguish of sinners!

How will those ministers appear--who like the dog and wolf--combine to macerate and fleece the flock! Who instead of nurturing the child--have strangled the child!

How will fair-faced, gilded professors appear--when they shall be found no better than hell's freeholders! How will they appear--when the painted sepulcher shall be opened--and the dead men's bones disclosed! They will not be judged by the whiteness of their hands--but by the blackness of their hearts! The black hand--must then part with its white glove! That solemn day of judgment, will be too critical--for the hypocritical.

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The spy-glass of faith!

(Theodore Cuyler, "Words of Cheer for Christian Pilgrims")

    "This is not your resting place, because it is defiled, it is ruined, beyond all remedy!" Micah 2:10. This world is not our rest. It is only--our temporary lodging-place, our battle-ground to fight sin and Satan, our vineyard in which to labor for our Master until sundown, our training-school for the development of character and growth in grace.

    In a little while, perhaps within a few days for some of us--the veil which hides the eternal world may drop--and the gates of the Father's house may open before our astonished vision! If heaven is ready for Christ's redeemed people--then surely they should be making ready for heaven. We ought to think more about our everlasting home. If our treasures are there, then our hearts should be there also--in frequent and joyful anticipations.

    A Christian, to whom Jesus Christ is real, and the glories of the world to come are real, and who has set his affections set on things above--must inevitably have some deep meditations about his eternal home, and his magnificent inheritance. He loves to read about it, and gathers up eagerly the few grand, striking things which his Bible tells him about that glorious City of God.

    Sometimes, when cares press heavily, or bodily pains wax sharp, or bereavements darken his house--he gets homesick, and he says, "Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest!" Psalm 55:6

    Such devout meditations do not prove any Christian to be a dreamy mystic. They are not the pious sentimentalizings of mourners to whom this world has lost all its charm; nor of enthusiasts whose religion evaporates in mere emotion. The hundred-handed Paul constantly reminds his fellow-workers that "Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ!" Philippians 3:20

    It is no wonder that some professors do not catch more distinct glimpses of the celestial world--as their vision is obscured. A very small object when held close to the eye--will hide the noonday sun. Just so, a professor may hold a dollar so close to the eye of his soul--as to shut out both Christ and heaven!

    Fish shut up in a dark cavern for a long time--become blind. In the same way, we will lose the faculty of spiritual sight--if we shut ourselves up in a cavern of carking worldliness!

    Those whose hearts are in heaven, and who keep it constantly before their view, have abundant sources of spiritual joy. They renew their strength as they push upward and heavenward. What is it to them--
      that the road is long;
      that the hills of difficulty are steep;
      that there are often lions in the way;
      that there are crosses to be carried;
      and that not far ahead--is that river of
        death over which there is no bridge!
    None of these things disturb them! Heaven lies at the end of the way--clothed in its glorious light! From the hilltops they can, with the spy-glass of faith, bring heaven so near--that they can see its gates, and its streets of shining gold, and the Lamb on His throne!

    These views of our imperishable inheritance of glory, ought to quicken our zeal greatly. The time is short--and shortening every day! It is certain, that he who doesn't love Christ--doesn't love heaven; and he who doesn't love heaven--will never see heaven.

    A godly life is just a tarrying and a toiling in this earthly tent for Christ--until we go into the heavenly mansions with Christ! Brethren! the miles to heaven are few and short; let us be found busy in heart and hand when the summons sounds, "Come up here!" And they rose to heaven! Revelation 11:12

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Keep watch over the door of my lips!

(Arthur Pink, "Evil Speaking" 1935)

    "Do not speak evil against each other, brethren." James 4:11

    That which is here forbidden, is the saying of anything, be it true or false, to the harm of another. God requires that our words should be governed by "the law of kindness" (Proverbs 31:26), and anything which would hurt or injure the reputation of another, is to be rigidly shunned. Whenever I cannot speak well of my brother or sister, I must say nothing at all. To speak evil of others, proceeds from ill will or malice--desiring that they should be made odious in the esteem of others.

    It is devilish to take delight in exposing the faults of fellow-Christians, and stirring up prejudice and bitter feelings against them (Rev. 12:10). God requires that our words should agree with love--as well as with truth. Since Christians are brethren, the last thing they should be guilty of is defaming one another!

    Except where the glory of God plainly requires it, and the good of that person demands it--we must refrain from all evil speaking of others. If we are duly occupied with and humbled over our own many faults--we shall have neither time nor inclination to dwell upon or publish those of others! If we properly heed the exhortation of Philippians 4:8, we shall cultivate the habit of admiring the graces in our brethren--instead of being like filthy flies, settling on their sores!

    Well may we pray, "Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord! Keep watch over the door of my lips!" Psalm 141:3

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A Morning Prayer

(by S. E. Pierce, 1820)

    We again draw near unto You, O Lord our God, beseeching You to grant us audience with Your Divine majesty. We appear before You in the name and Person, righteousness and sacrifice, intercession and advocacy of the holy and immaculate Lamb. At Your throne of grace, as the monuments of Your sacred mercy, we desire to extol and praise Your most holy name.

    O Lord, we have nothing in ourselves--but sin. We are all impurity--to us belong shame and confusion of face. We are in the uttermost sense--lost, undone, sinful, guilty, and vile. We entreat You to behold us in Christ Jesus. View us in Him, O Lord.

    O let our souls be under the mighty, all-constraining, all-conquering influence of Your everlasting love today. We beg You to keep us this day from sinning against You. Lord, we are in ourselves, and when left to ourselves--as unstable as water. O support us. O defend us. O be near unto us this day, and uphold us with the right hand of Your righteousness.

    Lord, we are full of sin; O lead us to the fountain opened for sin and impurity! We are all emptiness in ourselves. Lord, lead us to the fullness of Jesus for the supply of all our needs.

    Blessed God and Father, do most graciously sympathize with us. Guide us with Your eye. O keep us near Yourself. Allow no iniquity to have dominion over us; save us from ourselves! Save us, O Lord, from our constitutional sins, tempers, and corruptions. O let them be kept under control, and subdued by the omnipotent power of Your grace.

    We beseech You, O Holy Spirit, to bring our minds and hearts under the mighty power of all-conquering grace. O Lord, let not sin, nor Satan, prevail against us. We leave ourselves with You, Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

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I asked the Lord that I might grow

(Arthur Pink, "Experimental Preaching" 1937)

    "Make Your ways known to me, Lord; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me." Psalm 25:4-5

    There are two ways of learning of Divine things. The one is to acquire a letter knowledge of them from the Bible, the other is to be given an actual experience of them in the soul, under the Spirit's teaching.

    Many suppose that by spending a few minutes in a concordance, they can discover what humility is; that by studying certain passages of Scriptures, they may obtain an increase of faith; or that by reading and re-reading a certain chapter, they may secure more love.

    But that is not the way those graces are experimentally developed. Humility is learned by a daily smarting under the plague of the heart, and having its innumerable abominations exposed to our view. Repentance is learned by feeling the load of guilt, and the heavy burden of conscious defilement, bowing down the soul. Faith is learned by increasing discoveries of unbelief and infidelity. Love is learned by a personal sense of the undeserved goodness of God to the vilest of the vile. Patience cannot be learned from books--it is acquired in the furnace of affliction! It is thus with all the spiritual graces of the Christian.

    Ah, my reader, we beg the Lord to teach us--but the fact is, that we do not like His method of teaching us! Fiery trials, storms of afflictions, the dashing of our carnal hopes--are indeed painful to flesh and blood; yet it is by them that the heart is purified.

    We say that we wish to live to God's glory--but fail to remember that we can do so only as SELF is denied and the Cross be taken up. God's ways of teaching His children are, like all His ways, entirely different from ours!

   

I asked the Lord that I might grow,
    In faith and love and every grace,
    Might more of His salvation know,
    And seek more earnestly His face.

    It was He who taught me thus to pray,
    And He I trust has answered prayer.
    But it has been in such a way,
    As almost drove me to despair!

    I hoped that in some favored hour,
    At once He'd answer my request.
    And by His love's constraining power,
    Subdue my sins and give me rest!

    Instead of this, He made me feel,
    The hidden evils of my heart.
    And let the angry powers of hell,
    Assault my soul in every part!

    Yes, more with His own hand, He seemed,
    Intent to aggravate my woe.
    Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
    Blasted my gourds, and laid me low!

    "Lord, why is this?" I trembling cried.
    Will You pursue Your worm to death?"
    "This is the way" the Lord replied,
    "I answer prayer for grace and strength."

    "These inward trials I employ,
    From self, and pride, to set you free;
    And break your schemes of earthly joy,
    That you may find your all in Me!"
        --John Newton

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It is a sense of our pollution and filth!

(Arthur Pink, "Experimental Preaching" 1937)

Some of the evidences of God's work in the soul,
are: a lively interest in the things which concern
our eternal welfare, a trembling at God's Word
and being suitably affected thereby, hatred of sin,
loathing of self, and a childlike love for the Lord.

Ah, we never prize Divine grace so much--as
when we have been afflicted by indwelling sin.
It is a sense of our pollution and filth--
which moves us to turn again to the Fountain
open for sin and for impurity!

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Your many defects and corruptions

(Arthur Pink, "Christ our Exemplar")

    "Leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps." 1 Peter 2:21

    Sincere believers are often cast down by the realization of how far, far short they come to measuring up to the standard which Christ has set before them. According to the yearnings of the new nature--you have sincerely endeavored to follow Christ's example, but being weak in grace and meeting with much opposition from the flesh and temptations from the Devil--you have been frequently turned aside from the holy purposes and designs of your honest hearts--to the great grief and discouragement of your souls. You can heartily say with David, "O that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes!" (Psalm 119:5), and you have tried hard and long to follow after exact holiness, "if by any means you might attain unto it." But your efforts have been repeatedly thwarted, your aspirations dashed, and you have to cry out, "O wretched man that I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin!" (Romans 7:24)

    First, let us assure the genuinely exercised soul, that such defects in obedience do not invalidate your justification, or in any way affect your acceptance with, and standing before God. Your justification is not built upon your obedience--but upon Christ's. However imperfect you are in yourself, you are "complete in Him" (Col. 2:10). Woe had it been to Abraham, Moses, David, and Paul--if their justification had depended upon their own holiness and good works. Let not, then, your sad failures dampen your joy in Christ--but rather be increasingly thankful for His robe of righteousness, which hides your filthy rags!

    Second, your heart-anguish over your unlikeness to Christ, evidences that you have a sincere acquaintance with the evil of your heart, a deep loathing of sin, and truly love God. The most eminent saints have made the bitterest lamentation on this account, "My sins have flooded over my head; they are a burden too heavy for me to bear. My wounds are foul and festering because of my foolishness!" (Psalm 38:4-5)

    Third, the Holy Spirit makes an excellent use of your infirmities, and turns your failures unto spiritual advantages. By those very defects--He humbles you, subdues your self-righteousness, causes you to appreciate more deeply the riches of free grace, and to place a higher value upon the precious blood of the Lamb. By your many falls--He makes you to long more ardently for Heaven--and gradually reconciles you to the prospect of death. The more a holy soul is buffeted by sin and Satan--the more sincerely will he cry out, "Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest!" (Psalm 55:6). "O the blessed chemistry of Heaven, to extract such mercies--out of such miseries!" (John Flavel), to make sweet flowers--spring up out of such bitter roots!

    Fourth, your bewailed infirmities do not break the bond of the Everlasting Covenant! That holds firm, notwithstanding your many defects and corruptions. "Iniquities prevail against me" said David--yet in the same breath he added, "You shall purge them away!" (Psalm 65:3)

    Fifth, though the defects of your obedience are grievous to God--yet your deep sorrows for them are well-pleasing in His sight, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit--a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise!" (Psalm 51:17)

    Sixth, your very grief is a conformity to Christ--for when here, He was "the Man of sorrows." If He suffered because of our sins--shall we not be made to weep over them?

    Seventh, "Though God has left many defects to humble you--yet He has given many things to comfort you. This is a comfort--that your sins are not your delight as once they were--but your shame and sorrow! This is a comfort--that your case is not singular, but more or less the same complaints and sorrows are found in all gracious souls in the world!" (John Flavel)

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Religious superstitions!

(Arthur Pink, "Christ Despised" 1937)

"He was despised and rejected by men." Isaiah 53:3

    One reason why Christ was despised and rejected, was because He denounced religious traditions. Despite the Fall, man is essentially a religious creature. The peoples of the world pay homage to gods of their own devising; and there are few things on which they are more sensitive--than their religious superstitions! He who condemns or even criticizes the devotees of any religious belief or practice--will be greatly disliked.

    Christ drew upon Himself the hatred of Israel's leaders, by His denunciation of their religious inventions. "Jesus replied--And why do you break the command of God--for the sake of your tradition?" Matthew 15:3

    "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." Colossians 2:8

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This so riled them!

(Arthur Pink, "Christ Despised" 1937)

"He was despised and rejected by men." Isaiah 53:3

    Another reason why Christ was despised and rejected, was because He repudiated empty profession. Nothing so infuriated the Jews, as Christ's exposure and denunciation of their vain pretensions.

    Being omniscient--it was impossible to impose upon Him! Being inflexibly righteous--He could not accept deceptions! Being absolutely holy--He must insist upon sincerity and reality. When they declared "Abraham is our father!" He answered, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham!" When they added "We have one Father, even God," He replied, "If God were your Father, you would love Me . . . you are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do!" This so riled them, that they exclaimed, "Aren't we right in saying that You are a Samaritan and demon-possessed!" (John 8:39-48 ).

    Men will not tolerate One who pierces their religious disguise, exposes their shams, and repudiates their fair, but empty profession!

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He was a constant thorn in their sides!

(Arthur Pink, "Christ Despised" 1937)

"He was despised and rejected by men." Isaiah 53:3

        Another reason why Christ was despised and rejected, was because He exposed and denounced sin. Ah, this explains why Christ was not wanted here. He was a constant thorn in their sides! His holiness condemned their unholiness! Men wish to go their own way, to please themselves, to gratify their lusts. They want to be comfortable in their wickedness--therefore they resent one who searches the heart, pierces the conscience, and rebukes their evil. Christ was absolutely uncompromising. He would not wink at wrong-doing, but unsparingly denounced it, in whoever it was found. He boldly affirmed, "For judgment I have come into this world" (John 9:41), that is, to unveil men's secret characters, to prove they are blind in spiritual things, to demonstrate they loved darkness rather than light. His Person and preaching tried everything and everyone He came into contact with!

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The counsel of the wicked

(Arthur Pink, "The Blessed Man")

    Conversion is the soul's surrender to God, and acceptance of God--as Guide through this world of sin.

    "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked." Psalm 1:1

    Notice exactly how this is expressed--it is not "does not walk in the open wickedness" nor even "the manifest folly of the wicked," but "does not walk in the counsel of the wicked." How searching that is! How it narrows things down!

    The ungodly are ever ready to "counsel" the believer, seeming to be very solicitous of his welfare. They will warn him against being too strict and extreme, advising him to be broad-minded and to "make the best of both worlds." But the policy of the "ungodly"--that is, of those who leave God out of their lives, who have no "fear of God"--is regulated by self-will and self-pleasing, and is dominated by what they call "common sense."

    Alas, how many professing Christians regulate their lives by the advice and suggestions of ungodly friends and relatives--heeding such "counsel" in their business career, their social life, the furnishing and decorating of their homes, their dress and diet, and the choice of school or avocation for their children!

    But not so with the "blessed man." He "does not walk in the counsel of the wicked." Rather is he afraid of it, no matter how plausible it sounds, or apparently good the intention of those who offer it. He shuns it, and says "Get behind me, Satan!"

    Why? Because Divine grace has taught him that he has something infinitely better to direct his steps. God has given him a Divine revelation, dictated by unerring wisdom, suited to his every need and circumstance, designed as a "lamp unto his feet and a light unto his path." His desire and his determination is to walk by the wholesome counsel of God, and not by the corrupt counsel of the ungodly.

    The "blessed man" does not walk according to the maxims of the world. "But his delight is in the Law of the Lord." "The carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the Law of God" (Romans 8:7). The worldling seeks his "delight" in the entertainment furnished by those who scorn spiritual and eternal things. Not so the "blessed" man--his "delight" is in something infinitely superior to what this perishing world can supply, namely, in the Divine Scriptures. The unregenerate delight in pleasing self--but the joy of the Christian lies in pleasing God. His Word is the daily bread of the "blessed" man.

    "And in His Law, he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2). Thereby does he evidence his "delight" therein--for where his treasure is, there is his heart also! Here, then, is the occupation of the blessed man. The voluptuary thinks only of satisfying his senses; the giddy youth is concerned only with sports and pleasures; the man of the world directs all his energies to the securing of wealth and honors; but the "blessed" man's determination is to please God, and in order to obtain a better knowledge of His will, he meditates day and night in His holy Word. Thereby is light obtained, its sweetness extracted, and the soul nourished!

    "Your Words were found, and I ate them; and Your Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart!" (Jeremiah 15:16). Meditation stands to reading--as digestion does to eating. It is as God's Word is pondered by the mind, turned over and over in the thoughts, and mixed with faith--that we assimilate it. That which most occupies the mind and most constantly engages our thoughts--is what we most "delight" in.

    "He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season." Fruit is an essential character of a gracious man, for there are no fruitless branches in the true Vine. "In season," for all fruits do not appear in the same month, neither are all the graces of the Spirit produced simultaneously.

    Times of trial--call for faith.
    Times of suffering--call for patience.
    Times of disappointment--call for meekness.
    Times of danger--call for courage.
    Times of blessings--call for thanksgiving.
    Times of prosperity--call for joy.

    How far, dear reader, do you resemble this "blessed man"?

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God's sin-purging medicine

(Arthur Pink, "A Fourfold Salvation" 1938 )

"God chastens us for our good--that we may
 share in His holiness." Hebrews 12:10

Chastening is God's sin-purging medicine, sent . . .
  to wither our fleshly aspirations,
  to detach our hearts from carnal objects,
  to deliver us from our idols, and
  to wean us more thoroughly from the world.

God has bidden us, "put to death whatever in you
is worldly: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil
desire, and greed." (Col. 3:5) If we refuse to comply
with this unpleasant task, then we may expect God
Himself to use the pruning knife upon us!

"My son, do not take the Lord's chastening lightly,
or faint when you are reproved by Him." (Heb. 12:5)
This is a beneficial warning. So far from despising the
Lord's chastening, we should be grateful for it--that
God cares so much and takes such trouble with us,
and that His bitter medicine produces such healthful
effects. "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 12:11)