William Mason --Spiritual Treasury for the Children of God
- Thread starter crossnote
- Start date
-
Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.
If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!
To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
November 18,
Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines: for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace. Heb_13:9.
The doctrines of grace are streams which flow from the fountain-head, the covenant of grace. They all lead to Jesus, the surety of the covenant. All doctrines that oppose the covenant-engagements of the Holy Trinity, for the salvation of sinners, are diverse, and strange doctrines. They direct to a different hope than Christ, and lead souls from the truth, as it is in him. With these diverse and strange doctrines, men may evidence great zeal for holiness and good works, while they have rooted enmity against the leading truths and capital doctrines of the gospel. Who talk more of holiness, and contend more for good works, than Arians and Socinians, and yet deny the proper deity of Christ? So many of another cast, carry their notions of holiness and perfection to the greatest height; yet vehemently oppose the doctrines of grace, election of grace, salvation by grace, justification by the righteousness of Christ, and the sure and certain perseverance of all his saints to eternal glory. We are in danger of being carried about, like clouds and meteors in the air, by the wind; so as to have our minds always fluctuating, wavering, and unsettled, by diverse and strange doctrines, touching our acceptance with God, and the hope of eternal life.
But as a remedy against this evil, says the apostle, “It is a good thing that the heart be established with grace;” with the doctrines of grace, and with an experience of the grace of those doctrines. But this is not to be expected, if the doctrines of grace are not constantly attended to, cordially believed, and highly prized, as making the everlasting love and salvation of the Trinity precious to our souls. Some are all for warm affections, but care little for solid judgment. These soon grow giddy-headed. Others are all for doctrines, and aim only to have clear heads and a sound judgment; but care not whether the heart is warmly affected, and the life powerfully influenced. Such are like dry sticks in a garden, which support vegetables, but neither grow, nor bring forth any fruit to Christ’s glory. O Christian, be concerned to have thy heart established with the grace of Christ, rooted in the love of Christ, and animated by the Spirit of Christ! “Built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” Col_2:7. This is the good thing which you should earnestly covet day by day.
Tho’ men and Satan me perplex
About a thousand things;
Christ’s word is simple and directs
Where hope and comfort springs.
Whatever tends to drive away
My faith and hope in Christ
Shall never with my spirit stay,
But boldly I’ll resist.
Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines: for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace. Heb_13:9.
The doctrines of grace are streams which flow from the fountain-head, the covenant of grace. They all lead to Jesus, the surety of the covenant. All doctrines that oppose the covenant-engagements of the Holy Trinity, for the salvation of sinners, are diverse, and strange doctrines. They direct to a different hope than Christ, and lead souls from the truth, as it is in him. With these diverse and strange doctrines, men may evidence great zeal for holiness and good works, while they have rooted enmity against the leading truths and capital doctrines of the gospel. Who talk more of holiness, and contend more for good works, than Arians and Socinians, and yet deny the proper deity of Christ? So many of another cast, carry their notions of holiness and perfection to the greatest height; yet vehemently oppose the doctrines of grace, election of grace, salvation by grace, justification by the righteousness of Christ, and the sure and certain perseverance of all his saints to eternal glory. We are in danger of being carried about, like clouds and meteors in the air, by the wind; so as to have our minds always fluctuating, wavering, and unsettled, by diverse and strange doctrines, touching our acceptance with God, and the hope of eternal life.
But as a remedy against this evil, says the apostle, “It is a good thing that the heart be established with grace;” with the doctrines of grace, and with an experience of the grace of those doctrines. But this is not to be expected, if the doctrines of grace are not constantly attended to, cordially believed, and highly prized, as making the everlasting love and salvation of the Trinity precious to our souls. Some are all for warm affections, but care little for solid judgment. These soon grow giddy-headed. Others are all for doctrines, and aim only to have clear heads and a sound judgment; but care not whether the heart is warmly affected, and the life powerfully influenced. Such are like dry sticks in a garden, which support vegetables, but neither grow, nor bring forth any fruit to Christ’s glory. O Christian, be concerned to have thy heart established with the grace of Christ, rooted in the love of Christ, and animated by the Spirit of Christ! “Built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” Col_2:7. This is the good thing which you should earnestly covet day by day.
Tho’ men and Satan me perplex
About a thousand things;
Christ’s word is simple and directs
Where hope and comfort springs.
Whatever tends to drive away
My faith and hope in Christ
Shall never with my spirit stay,
But boldly I’ll resist.
Others are all for doctrines, and aim only to have clear heads and a sound judgment; but care not whether the heart is warmly affected, and the life powerfully influenced.
This is something I have had to struggle with in teaching/counseling women. Sometimes I felt I didn't love them, even as I was giving them truth. I have had to pray for Christ's love for each women to be in my heart. I felt disconnected.
Just praying that prayer has made a difference, and slowly it happened. Now, I can more and more weep with those who are weeping (even while giving them counsel). I'm finding myself "loving" them. But it was the Holy Spirit who caused me to realize that I was lacking in empathetic love.
I loved truth - the word of God - even more than I loved people.
Yet, God gave us truth and His word because he loved us.
This is something I have had to struggle with in teaching/counseling women. Sometimes I felt I didn't love them, even as I was giving them truth. I have had to pray for Christ's love for each women to be in my heart. I felt disconnected.
Just praying that prayer has made a difference, and slowly it happened. Now, I can more and more weep with those who are weeping (even while giving them counsel). I'm finding myself "loving" them. But it was the Holy Spirit who caused me to realize that I was lacking in empathetic love.
I loved truth - the word of God - even more than I loved people.
Yet, God gave us truth and His word because he loved us.
November 19,
Good and upright is the LORD, therefore will he teach sinners in the way. Psa_25:8.
Here are two characters the most opposite: a good and upright Lord-wicked and perverse sinners. Good and upright as the Lord is, he might justly damn sinners. But no, O condescending grace! He will not leave sinners to perish, in their ignorance and obstinacy: he will teach them. It is said of one, that after his conversion, he could scarcely mention the name of JESUS, without a tear. O had it not been for his redemption, no sinner would have had divine teaching! but all whom Christ has redeemed by his blood, the Spirit teaches by his power. This is his office in the covenant of grace. This implies, that so ignorant are sinners of divine truths, that no teaching besides the Lord the Spirit, can instruct and make them wise unto salvation.
Come sinner, come down from the altitudes of thy fancied wisdom and boasted knowledge, and learn this humbling truth to-night. If thou seest thy own ignorance, and thy want of being divinely taught, rejoice at this declaration. Cry to the Spirit, Lord teach me. He will teach. Whom? Only such as are good and upright like himself? No, but such as are of a contrary character, Sinners: whose carnal minds are enmity against his holy law, who “are sold under sin, and in whose flesh dwelleth no good thing.” Is this thy character? The Lord will teach such. In the way. What way? Not in the way of sin, that is contrary to his holiness. Not in the way of self-righteousness, that is contrary to his truth. But in the knowledge of Christ, who is the way: the way of access to God, acceptance with God, justification before God, and everlasting life as the free gift of God, according to the covenant-grace and everlasting love of God.
By repentance unto life in this way of peace, in this walk of faith, in this path of love, truth and holiness, the Spirit will teach redeemed sinners on earth, till he brings them to glory. His teaching shall be as effectual to their glorification, as the death of Christ for their salvation. Poor sinner, who like me, art often distressed and dejected with thy wicked nature, take comfort to-night from these two truths. Till Satan can blot them out of God’s book, or make us worse than sinners, they stand on record for our comfort: “Christ Jesus came to save sinners.” God will teach sinners, Look then to the finished salvation of Jesus. Look to the Spirit to teach thee the glory of it, to bear witness to thy soul of interest in it, and to fill thee with joy and peace by it.
Good and upright is the LORD, therefore will he teach sinners in the way. Psa_25:8.
Here are two characters the most opposite: a good and upright Lord-wicked and perverse sinners. Good and upright as the Lord is, he might justly damn sinners. But no, O condescending grace! He will not leave sinners to perish, in their ignorance and obstinacy: he will teach them. It is said of one, that after his conversion, he could scarcely mention the name of JESUS, without a tear. O had it not been for his redemption, no sinner would have had divine teaching! but all whom Christ has redeemed by his blood, the Spirit teaches by his power. This is his office in the covenant of grace. This implies, that so ignorant are sinners of divine truths, that no teaching besides the Lord the Spirit, can instruct and make them wise unto salvation.
Come sinner, come down from the altitudes of thy fancied wisdom and boasted knowledge, and learn this humbling truth to-night. If thou seest thy own ignorance, and thy want of being divinely taught, rejoice at this declaration. Cry to the Spirit, Lord teach me. He will teach. Whom? Only such as are good and upright like himself? No, but such as are of a contrary character, Sinners: whose carnal minds are enmity against his holy law, who “are sold under sin, and in whose flesh dwelleth no good thing.” Is this thy character? The Lord will teach such. In the way. What way? Not in the way of sin, that is contrary to his holiness. Not in the way of self-righteousness, that is contrary to his truth. But in the knowledge of Christ, who is the way: the way of access to God, acceptance with God, justification before God, and everlasting life as the free gift of God, according to the covenant-grace and everlasting love of God.
By repentance unto life in this way of peace, in this walk of faith, in this path of love, truth and holiness, the Spirit will teach redeemed sinners on earth, till he brings them to glory. His teaching shall be as effectual to their glorification, as the death of Christ for their salvation. Poor sinner, who like me, art often distressed and dejected with thy wicked nature, take comfort to-night from these two truths. Till Satan can blot them out of God’s book, or make us worse than sinners, they stand on record for our comfort: “Christ Jesus came to save sinners.” God will teach sinners, Look then to the finished salvation of Jesus. Look to the Spirit to teach thee the glory of it, to bear witness to thy soul of interest in it, and to fill thee with joy and peace by it.
Nice,...... today's message reminds me of these verses.......
Isaiah 54:11
O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.
12And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.
13And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
14In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.
Romans 7:13
Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
Romans 6:20
For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Peter 5:10
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Isaiah 54:11
O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.
12And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.
13And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
14In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.
Romans 7:13
Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
Romans 6:20
For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Peter 5:10
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
November 20,
When the chief Shepherd shall appear, he shall receive a crown of glory, that fadeth not away. 1Pe_5:4.
St. Peter speaks with the utmost confidence of the appearing of Christ, and of his members being crowned in glory. Yes, he knew better than to make his Lord a liar. For if any one of them should perish in their sins, and by the force and fraud of Satan be dragged down to hell, then they would lose their crown of glory. But how then would the goodness of their Shepherd appear, if he suffered this? St. Peter never received, nor ever taught such absurd, unscriptural doctrine. He too well knew the unchangeable love of the chief Shepherd. He knew Christ could not be glorified, nor would his heavenly Father be satisfied, without each and every one, of his chosen, redeemed, justified, believing members, crowned in glory.
He says, “I am the good Shepherd: I know my sheep, I give my life for my sheep,” (Joh_10:11.) If but one of them was missing, he would search hell and the grave to find him, and to crown him. For,
(1st.) Christ is our chief Shepherd. The sheep are all his own.
(1st.) By the gift of his Father, (Joh_17:2.)
(2d.) By the purchase of his blood. Our souls are bought with that precious price, (1Co_6:20.)
(3d.) As a shepherd, he calls us and gathers us to himself, by the grace of his word and the power of his Spirit.
(4th.) He is, what no other Shepherd can be, and in this he is chief indeed to our souls. He is our life. Our life is not in our own keeping. It can never be lost or forfeited. It is in our Head: safe and sure, certain and eternal. Being in union to, and communion with Christ in faith, we now enjoy the earnest of glory, in the spiritual blessings and comforts of this life. When we find our hearts holy and happy, it is because Christ is our life. When we groan under sin, and hunger and thirst after righteousness, it is because Christ is our life. Thus Christ, our chief Shepherd, appears now, in the spirit and life of our souls.
(2d.) Christ shall appear. As verily, as he once appeared, as a mean man, and hung, as a vile malefactor, to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself; he shall appear to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them who believe. But, says a poor sensible sinner, how shall I appear before him? I deserve ever to be banished from him. True. But,
(3d.) You shall receive from him, a never-fading crown of glory. That dear hand which was nailed to the cross for you, shall be stretched forth to crown you. O Lord! is it possible? I am not worthy of this. True. So will you think to all eternity. Therefore you will sing, “Worthy is the Lamb,” etc. Rev_5:12.
(forgive the numbering system used, I couldn't make heads or tails of it myself
)
When the chief Shepherd shall appear, he shall receive a crown of glory, that fadeth not away. 1Pe_5:4.
St. Peter speaks with the utmost confidence of the appearing of Christ, and of his members being crowned in glory. Yes, he knew better than to make his Lord a liar. For if any one of them should perish in their sins, and by the force and fraud of Satan be dragged down to hell, then they would lose their crown of glory. But how then would the goodness of their Shepherd appear, if he suffered this? St. Peter never received, nor ever taught such absurd, unscriptural doctrine. He too well knew the unchangeable love of the chief Shepherd. He knew Christ could not be glorified, nor would his heavenly Father be satisfied, without each and every one, of his chosen, redeemed, justified, believing members, crowned in glory.
He says, “I am the good Shepherd: I know my sheep, I give my life for my sheep,” (Joh_10:11.) If but one of them was missing, he would search hell and the grave to find him, and to crown him. For,
(1st.) Christ is our chief Shepherd. The sheep are all his own.
(1st.) By the gift of his Father, (Joh_17:2.)
(2d.) By the purchase of his blood. Our souls are bought with that precious price, (1Co_6:20.)
(3d.) As a shepherd, he calls us and gathers us to himself, by the grace of his word and the power of his Spirit.
(4th.) He is, what no other Shepherd can be, and in this he is chief indeed to our souls. He is our life. Our life is not in our own keeping. It can never be lost or forfeited. It is in our Head: safe and sure, certain and eternal. Being in union to, and communion with Christ in faith, we now enjoy the earnest of glory, in the spiritual blessings and comforts of this life. When we find our hearts holy and happy, it is because Christ is our life. When we groan under sin, and hunger and thirst after righteousness, it is because Christ is our life. Thus Christ, our chief Shepherd, appears now, in the spirit and life of our souls.
(2d.) Christ shall appear. As verily, as he once appeared, as a mean man, and hung, as a vile malefactor, to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself; he shall appear to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them who believe. But, says a poor sensible sinner, how shall I appear before him? I deserve ever to be banished from him. True. But,
(3d.) You shall receive from him, a never-fading crown of glory. That dear hand which was nailed to the cross for you, shall be stretched forth to crown you. O Lord! is it possible? I am not worthy of this. True. So will you think to all eternity. Therefore you will sing, “Worthy is the Lamb,” etc. Rev_5:12.
(forgive the numbering system used, I couldn't make heads or tails of it myself
)
I never think much about them but we may be casting them back at Jesus' feet..
the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."
(Rev 4:10-11)
the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."
(Rev 4:10-11)
John 10:25
Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. 26But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
James 1:12
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Matthew 25:31
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Thank you brother crossnote for today's reminder from our friend William Mason to keep our eyes on the crown of glory and life that awaits us at our redemption while enduring the trials of this life here; and while trusting in the Great Shepard of our souls Jesus Christ to keep us from failing. When we are gathered into the great congregation, what a great and precious day that will be friends!
Btw, It's nice that we all can share our thoughts and opinions with each other in communion together while hearing these fine meditations that call to our hearts. It's also nice to have a place in CC here where we don't have to participate in a big debate for sharing our hearts.
Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. 26But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
James 1:12
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Matthew 25:31
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Thank you brother crossnote for today's reminder from our friend William Mason to keep our eyes on the crown of glory and life that awaits us at our redemption while enduring the trials of this life here; and while trusting in the Great Shepard of our souls Jesus Christ to keep us from failing. When we are gathered into the great congregation, what a great and precious day that will be friends!
Btw, It's nice that we all can share our thoughts and opinions with each other in communion together while hearing these fine meditations that call to our hearts. It's also nice to have a place in CC here where we don't have to participate in a big debate for sharing our hearts.
Last edited:
November 21,
Judge O LORD according to my righteousness, and according to my integrity that is in me. Psa_7:8.
What! is David become a self-justifier? Does he trust in, and depend upon his own righteousness? Does he plead it, even before the Lord, and expect justification by it? Hath he not elsewhere declared, “In thy sight shall no man be justified”? (Psa_143:2.) Why then does he here talk of my righteousness? and why does he say, “The Lord reward me, according to my righteousness?” (18:20.) It was far from David’s heart, to make his own righteousness the ground of his acceptance before God, or to place his hope of eternal life on it. He was a poor sinner. He knew it well. He confesses it constantly to the Lord. He declines it in point of justification, “I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine ONLY,” (Psa_71:16.) Why then does he here talk of his own righteousness? Let not this puzzle thy mind, nor pervert thy judgment, O Christian! You now also do the same, in the same sense. Consider, David is here speaking of false calumnies, and unjust against him by Saul, his cruel and unkind enemy.
Hast thou not met with the same treatment? Has thy conscience acquitted thee of what has been laid to thy charge? Hast thou known, that thy hands were clean, thy heart pure, and thine integrity free from base imputation? Then thou hast a right to carry thy cause to the Lord, and to plead thy righteousness, uprightness, and integrity of conduct, in this sense before him: thank him for his grace which kept thee from doing, as thy enemies unjustly charge thee, and enabled thee to do what was just and right: and to beseech the Lord to save thee from them, who unjustly persecute thee: to pity their cruelty before him: to pray to thy Lord for them. All this is perfectly consistent with thy faith, thy hope, and thy love.
Study to profit by thy enemy’s treatment. Cease ye from man. Like thy Lord, learn obedience by the things which you suffer, (Heb_5:8.) Commit thy cause unto the Lord. “For all men have not faith.” (2Th_3:2.) A Christian’s moral character should be held most sacred by him. Righteousness, integrity, and uprightness to all men, should ever be practiced by him, that the way of truth be not blamed on his account. O it grieves one to the very heart, when professors give cause to the enemies of Christ to say, See, here are your saints! they pay no regard to moral righteousness and integrity! Be careful to “give no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed.” 2Co_6:3.
The rule of right, the way that’s just,
O may I ever prize!
Tho’ in my works I dare not trust,
Yet works faith justifies.
Dear Lord, I daily need thy grace,
Each duty to fulfil.
Blameless to walk before thy face,
Tho’ charged with ev’ry ill.
Judge O LORD according to my righteousness, and according to my integrity that is in me. Psa_7:8.
What! is David become a self-justifier? Does he trust in, and depend upon his own righteousness? Does he plead it, even before the Lord, and expect justification by it? Hath he not elsewhere declared, “In thy sight shall no man be justified”? (Psa_143:2.) Why then does he here talk of my righteousness? and why does he say, “The Lord reward me, according to my righteousness?” (18:20.) It was far from David’s heart, to make his own righteousness the ground of his acceptance before God, or to place his hope of eternal life on it. He was a poor sinner. He knew it well. He confesses it constantly to the Lord. He declines it in point of justification, “I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine ONLY,” (Psa_71:16.) Why then does he here talk of his own righteousness? Let not this puzzle thy mind, nor pervert thy judgment, O Christian! You now also do the same, in the same sense. Consider, David is here speaking of false calumnies, and unjust against him by Saul, his cruel and unkind enemy.
Hast thou not met with the same treatment? Has thy conscience acquitted thee of what has been laid to thy charge? Hast thou known, that thy hands were clean, thy heart pure, and thine integrity free from base imputation? Then thou hast a right to carry thy cause to the Lord, and to plead thy righteousness, uprightness, and integrity of conduct, in this sense before him: thank him for his grace which kept thee from doing, as thy enemies unjustly charge thee, and enabled thee to do what was just and right: and to beseech the Lord to save thee from them, who unjustly persecute thee: to pity their cruelty before him: to pray to thy Lord for them. All this is perfectly consistent with thy faith, thy hope, and thy love.
Study to profit by thy enemy’s treatment. Cease ye from man. Like thy Lord, learn obedience by the things which you suffer, (Heb_5:8.) Commit thy cause unto the Lord. “For all men have not faith.” (2Th_3:2.) A Christian’s moral character should be held most sacred by him. Righteousness, integrity, and uprightness to all men, should ever be practiced by him, that the way of truth be not blamed on his account. O it grieves one to the very heart, when professors give cause to the enemies of Christ to say, See, here are your saints! they pay no regard to moral righteousness and integrity! Be careful to “give no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed.” 2Co_6:3.
The rule of right, the way that’s just,
O may I ever prize!
Tho’ in my works I dare not trust,
Yet works faith justifies.
Dear Lord, I daily need thy grace,
Each duty to fulfil.
Blameless to walk before thy face,
Tho’ charged with ev’ry ill.
A man trusting in his own self for righteousness that he never had is like a man who glues a pair of wings to his back, then thinks he is a bird, and attempts to fly by jumping off from a great height....... It never works that way as the man only deceives himself into thinking he is alright only to find himself falling to his death. David knew that only God was righteous and that He had imputed righteousness to David through faith as He did with Abraham.
Throughout history this battle between those who justify themselves through their own works vs those who are justified by God through faith has played out and will continue to play out until Jesus Christ returns to redeem us.
Thank you brother crossnote for your part in posting this, (you didn't have to but you did friend) and thanks be to God for the many encouragements that have been given to all of us believers in Christ at CC who have stopped in here to read this series of meditations by William Mason as well
Throughout history this battle between those who justify themselves through their own works vs those who are justified by God through faith has played out and will continue to play out until Jesus Christ returns to redeem us.
Thank you brother crossnote for your part in posting this, (you didn't have to but you did friend) and thanks be to God for the many encouragements that have been given to all of us believers in Christ at CC who have stopped in here to read this series of meditations by William Mason as well
November 22,
Come and see. Joh_1:39.
Thus replies the Lamb of God, to an inquiry after where he dwelt. How came these two disciples of John to make this inquiry? John had pointed them from himself, to Jesus, with Behold the Lamb of God. Just as though he had said, “Look at that dear man. Take special notice of him. He has a whole world of sinners to save. He loved them from all eternity. He is come as an innocent, meek Lamb, to be slain as a sacrifice for them. And his precious blood taketh away all their sins. You and I are poor miserable sinners. We have no object to look to, but that Lamb. Nothing can take away our sins; nothing can bring pardon to our hearts, peace to our consciences, and salvation to our souls, but his blood. Nothing can make us holy and happy here on earth, but, looking to, and living upon this Lamb of God.” They believed this. No wonder then, that they followed Jesus, and asked him, “where dwellest thou?” he said, Come and see. O what a sweet, free, and loving invitation is here! Just so it is now, that disciples are gathered to Jesus.
His ministers preach of, and point poor lost sinners to him. They tell of the love of his tender heart, the virtue of his precious blood, and the lamblike meekness of his nature, to receive every poor sinner who comes to him. Hence poor sin-sick souls, dejected, distressed hearts, and troubled minds, hear, are encouraged, and follow him. He turns and sees, and asks them, “What seek ye?” They ask him, where dwellest thou? Then saith Jesus, Come and see. Come, and live with me, upon all the fulness of grace, which I have for your needy souls. Come and see, all the fulness of my salvation for your destroyed souls: the full atonement my blood has made for your sins: the glorious righteousness I have wrought out to justify your persons: the peace I have made on the cross for your souls.
Come and see, that this is effectually and for ever done, and is fully to be enjoyed by faith. Hence learn, (1st.) There cannot an inquiry arise in a poor sinner’s mind concerning Christ, but he has a meek and loving answer to give. He has compassion on the ignorant, and them who are out of the way. (2d.) Do we inquire where Christ dwells? He answers, Come and see. I the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, dwell also in your nature: I became flesh for you, that you may freely come to me, joyfully see, and richly partake of my fulness to supply all your wants, and all your need. (3d.) Here is a free invitation. Come and see. Without money. You have nothing to bring. Come, see, and enjoy all freely without money, and without price. Lastly, Jesus will soon say, Come and see, all the glory of my kingdom above. Glory be to thee, O Lord!
A bonus...
[video=youtube;3AhDpeQMQjY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AhDpeQMQjY[/video]
Come and see. Joh_1:39.
Thus replies the Lamb of God, to an inquiry after where he dwelt. How came these two disciples of John to make this inquiry? John had pointed them from himself, to Jesus, with Behold the Lamb of God. Just as though he had said, “Look at that dear man. Take special notice of him. He has a whole world of sinners to save. He loved them from all eternity. He is come as an innocent, meek Lamb, to be slain as a sacrifice for them. And his precious blood taketh away all their sins. You and I are poor miserable sinners. We have no object to look to, but that Lamb. Nothing can take away our sins; nothing can bring pardon to our hearts, peace to our consciences, and salvation to our souls, but his blood. Nothing can make us holy and happy here on earth, but, looking to, and living upon this Lamb of God.” They believed this. No wonder then, that they followed Jesus, and asked him, “where dwellest thou?” he said, Come and see. O what a sweet, free, and loving invitation is here! Just so it is now, that disciples are gathered to Jesus.
His ministers preach of, and point poor lost sinners to him. They tell of the love of his tender heart, the virtue of his precious blood, and the lamblike meekness of his nature, to receive every poor sinner who comes to him. Hence poor sin-sick souls, dejected, distressed hearts, and troubled minds, hear, are encouraged, and follow him. He turns and sees, and asks them, “What seek ye?” They ask him, where dwellest thou? Then saith Jesus, Come and see. Come, and live with me, upon all the fulness of grace, which I have for your needy souls. Come and see, all the fulness of my salvation for your destroyed souls: the full atonement my blood has made for your sins: the glorious righteousness I have wrought out to justify your persons: the peace I have made on the cross for your souls.
Come and see, that this is effectually and for ever done, and is fully to be enjoyed by faith. Hence learn, (1st.) There cannot an inquiry arise in a poor sinner’s mind concerning Christ, but he has a meek and loving answer to give. He has compassion on the ignorant, and them who are out of the way. (2d.) Do we inquire where Christ dwells? He answers, Come and see. I the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, dwell also in your nature: I became flesh for you, that you may freely come to me, joyfully see, and richly partake of my fulness to supply all your wants, and all your need. (3d.) Here is a free invitation. Come and see. Without money. You have nothing to bring. Come, see, and enjoy all freely without money, and without price. Lastly, Jesus will soon say, Come and see, all the glory of my kingdom above. Glory be to thee, O Lord!
A bonus...
[video=youtube;3AhDpeQMQjY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AhDpeQMQjY[/video]
Last edited: