William Mason --Spiritual Treasury for the Children of God
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December 6,
The law worketh wrath. Rom_4:15.
Our misery, as sinners, is greatly heightened, for want of duly considering the end and design of the holy law, and of the everlasting gospel; and through our blending them together in our consciences. Consider what is meant by the word, working wrath. (1st.) “Sin is the transgression of the law.” (1Jn_3:4.) (2d.) “The law was added because of transgressions.” (Gal_3:19.) (3d.) “By the law is the knowledge of sin.” Therefore, (4th.) “By the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified in God’s sight.” (Rom_3:20.) For, (5th.) “It is a ministration of condemnation.” (2Co_3:9.) “Cursed is every one who continueth not in ALL things, which are written in the book of the law to do them,” (Gal_3:10.) Hence is it any marvel, that we, that are transgressors of the law, and cursed by the law, if we examine ourselves by the law, and judge of ourselves according to the law, that it should work in us a sense of wrath, a sense of condemnation, and a fearful looking for of judgment, and of fiery indignation? Therefore we must see and own, that by nature we are children of wrath, even as others-deserve hell as well as others, and can do no more to save ourselves than others. Now have we thus seen ourselves under the law, and felt the law working wrath in our consciences? If so, this is the certain consequence. “Our mouth is stopped. We are become, (O awful word!) guilty before God.” (Rom_3:19.)
(2d.) How do we expect to get relief to our guilty minds, and ease from wrath in our consciences? For as the law works wrath, sin works deceitfully in our proud natures. Dear Spirit of truth, leave us not in this momentous point to seek death in the error of our ways: either to palliate our sins-to extenuate the rigour of the law-or to strive by any future obedience to the law to quell its wrath. O blessed comforter! lead us to our law fulfilling Head-shew us, that Jesus hath suffered all the penalties of the law for us-took away all its wrath and curse from us-and obtained everlasting peace with God for us. Here then it is manifest, whether we have received the spirit of truth, or are blinded by the spirit of error. If we attempt to set up any works or doings of our own, to obtain relief from the wrath of the law, sin blinds our eyes and deceives our hearts. If we flee from the wrath of the law, to the grace of Christ, we are enlightened by the Spirit of truth. “For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, hath made us free from the law of sin and death.” (Rom_8:2.)
A sinner curs’d by holy law,
I flee from wrath to come:
Lord, fill my refuge soul with joy,
While here below I roam.
Let conscience find in thee sweet peace,
From all law’s threat’ning wrath:
I’ll glory in thy righteousness.
Tho’ law works sin and death.
The law worketh wrath. Rom_4:15.
Our misery, as sinners, is greatly heightened, for want of duly considering the end and design of the holy law, and of the everlasting gospel; and through our blending them together in our consciences. Consider what is meant by the word, working wrath. (1st.) “Sin is the transgression of the law.” (1Jn_3:4.) (2d.) “The law was added because of transgressions.” (Gal_3:19.) (3d.) “By the law is the knowledge of sin.” Therefore, (4th.) “By the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified in God’s sight.” (Rom_3:20.) For, (5th.) “It is a ministration of condemnation.” (2Co_3:9.) “Cursed is every one who continueth not in ALL things, which are written in the book of the law to do them,” (Gal_3:10.) Hence is it any marvel, that we, that are transgressors of the law, and cursed by the law, if we examine ourselves by the law, and judge of ourselves according to the law, that it should work in us a sense of wrath, a sense of condemnation, and a fearful looking for of judgment, and of fiery indignation? Therefore we must see and own, that by nature we are children of wrath, even as others-deserve hell as well as others, and can do no more to save ourselves than others. Now have we thus seen ourselves under the law, and felt the law working wrath in our consciences? If so, this is the certain consequence. “Our mouth is stopped. We are become, (O awful word!) guilty before God.” (Rom_3:19.)
(2d.) How do we expect to get relief to our guilty minds, and ease from wrath in our consciences? For as the law works wrath, sin works deceitfully in our proud natures. Dear Spirit of truth, leave us not in this momentous point to seek death in the error of our ways: either to palliate our sins-to extenuate the rigour of the law-or to strive by any future obedience to the law to quell its wrath. O blessed comforter! lead us to our law fulfilling Head-shew us, that Jesus hath suffered all the penalties of the law for us-took away all its wrath and curse from us-and obtained everlasting peace with God for us. Here then it is manifest, whether we have received the spirit of truth, or are blinded by the spirit of error. If we attempt to set up any works or doings of our own, to obtain relief from the wrath of the law, sin blinds our eyes and deceives our hearts. If we flee from the wrath of the law, to the grace of Christ, we are enlightened by the Spirit of truth. “For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, hath made us free from the law of sin and death.” (Rom_8:2.)
A sinner curs’d by holy law,
I flee from wrath to come:
Lord, fill my refuge soul with joy,
While here below I roam.
Let conscience find in thee sweet peace,
From all law’s threat’ning wrath:
I’ll glory in thy righteousness.
Tho’ law works sin and death.
Romans 5:18
Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
[video=youtube_share;LkASXisY9hQ]http://youtu.be/LkASXisY9hQ[/video]
Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
[video=youtube_share;LkASXisY9hQ]http://youtu.be/LkASXisY9hQ[/video]
December 7,
If we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment, and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. Heb_10:26-27.
Awful words! enough to make one’s heart tremble, excite a holy fear, and provoke a godly jealousy. Wilful sin brings on woeful complaints. Yes, says a soul, I find it so by dreadful experience. I have received the knowledge of the truth of salvation by Christ Jesus, and O what have I done! Sinned wilfully, and now I must be punished eternally. There is no hope nor help. My sin is unpardonable. There remains no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain, fearful looking for of destruction. I am shut up in despair. I wait with terror my dreadful doom. Stop a little. Write not such bitter things against thyself. True, thou art condemned for thy past wicked conduct. It is proper you should take shame to yourself, and repent in dust and ashes. But this text never was intended to drive to despair, even the wilful sinner, who sees and is sorry for his vile conduct. Consider, if every wilful sin is unpardonable, after a person has received the knowledge of the truth, the whole must be condemned for ever: not one sinner would be saved. If so, that word could not be true, “The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin,” (1Jn_1:7.) Then backsliding sinners must perish without hope. God himself must prove false to his word; “I will heal their backslidings,” (Hos_14:4.) And Christ must be a false prophet when he declares, “All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men,” (Mat_12:31.)
Consider well, two words in this text. (1st.) There remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. Now this awful sin, is rejecting the one sacrifice of Jesus-treading underfoot the Son of God-accounting his blood an unholy thing, and expecting to be saved some other way. Here is a total apostasy and final unbelief. Whereas your guilty conscience seeks no sacrifice beside the one offering of the Son of God. (2d.) Mind it is the adversary who is to be devoured. Is your heart set against Christ? Do you turn from him? Do you desire to have nothing to do with him? O no? I will answer for you, the one desire of your soul is to be pardoned through him, accepted in him, and saved by him. Then you are not an adversary to Christ. You shall not be devoured. This text no more belongs to you, than to angels in heaven. But this does: “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” (1Ti_1:15.)
Backsliders, who your misery feel,
Attend your Saviour’s call;
Return, he’ll your backslidings heal;
O crown him Lord of all.
If we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment, and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. Heb_10:26-27.
Awful words! enough to make one’s heart tremble, excite a holy fear, and provoke a godly jealousy. Wilful sin brings on woeful complaints. Yes, says a soul, I find it so by dreadful experience. I have received the knowledge of the truth of salvation by Christ Jesus, and O what have I done! Sinned wilfully, and now I must be punished eternally. There is no hope nor help. My sin is unpardonable. There remains no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain, fearful looking for of destruction. I am shut up in despair. I wait with terror my dreadful doom. Stop a little. Write not such bitter things against thyself. True, thou art condemned for thy past wicked conduct. It is proper you should take shame to yourself, and repent in dust and ashes. But this text never was intended to drive to despair, even the wilful sinner, who sees and is sorry for his vile conduct. Consider, if every wilful sin is unpardonable, after a person has received the knowledge of the truth, the whole must be condemned for ever: not one sinner would be saved. If so, that word could not be true, “The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin,” (1Jn_1:7.) Then backsliding sinners must perish without hope. God himself must prove false to his word; “I will heal their backslidings,” (Hos_14:4.) And Christ must be a false prophet when he declares, “All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men,” (Mat_12:31.)
Consider well, two words in this text. (1st.) There remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. Now this awful sin, is rejecting the one sacrifice of Jesus-treading underfoot the Son of God-accounting his blood an unholy thing, and expecting to be saved some other way. Here is a total apostasy and final unbelief. Whereas your guilty conscience seeks no sacrifice beside the one offering of the Son of God. (2d.) Mind it is the adversary who is to be devoured. Is your heart set against Christ? Do you turn from him? Do you desire to have nothing to do with him? O no? I will answer for you, the one desire of your soul is to be pardoned through him, accepted in him, and saved by him. Then you are not an adversary to Christ. You shall not be devoured. This text no more belongs to you, than to angels in heaven. But this does: “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” (1Ti_1:15.)
Backsliders, who your misery feel,
Attend your Saviour’s call;
Return, he’ll your backslidings heal;
O crown him Lord of all.
December 8,
He who eateth me, even he shall live by me. Joh_6:57.
Why is the meek Saviour so very wroth against self-righteous people, while he is nothing but love and tenderness to poor sensible sinners? Why does he stamp the highest indignity and contempt on the character of the former, while he receives the publicans and harlots with open arms? Is it not hard, because a man esteems his own righteousness, and values his own perfection, that the Saviour should reject him? Are we not to do good, to be very good, yea, to strive to be as righteous as an angel? Yes, we are to have a better righteousness than angels ever had. But if we think that righteousness is to be obtained by us, to cover our wicked nature, to recommend us to God, and to justify us either first or last, in whole or in part, we deceive ourselves-the truth is not in us-there is the pride of the devil at the bottom of all this. “Woe unto us, we are full, but we shall hunger.” (Luk_6:25.) If full of a proud conceit, and high opinion of our own righteousness, our souls will famish and starve. “The full soul loatheth the honeycomb.” (Pro_27:7.) It has no appetite to feed upon Christ, and to live by him, as its only food and clothing. “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.” (Mat_5:6.)
That soul is truly convinced of sin, by the Spirit, who sees he has no righteousness of his own, is sensible, that he must perish everlastingly, without a perfect, spotless righteousness; knows this is only in Christ, and therefore hungers and thirsts after his righteousness. This is the soul who eats Christ- feeds upon him, and shall live by him. A hungry soul is a self- emptied soul. Is yours such? Does it go out after Christ, as a hungry appetite does after food? Will nothing satisfy you, but the flesh and blood, the righteousness and atonement of the Son of God? Bless the Lord, you have David’s experience, “I will go in the strength of the Lord God.” He fed on Christ, and received his strength from him. “I will make mention of his righteousness, even of his ONLY. My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee, and my soul which thou hast redeemed.” (Psa_71:23.) Holy Paul’s language is yours: “I count all things but loss for the excellency of Christ Jesus my Lord. I esteem all things but dung, that I may win Christ. The whole and sole desire of your soul is, to be found in him,” (Php_3:9.) You have the sure word of Christ. You shall live by ME. Live by his grace in time: live with him in glory to all eternity.
‘Tis sweet to live and daily feed
On Jesus’ flesh and blood:
His flesh and blood are drink indeed,
To all who’re by him lov’d.
Lord, may I love thee more and more,
For every word thou saith:
Increase my hunger ev’ry hour,
To feed on thee by faith.
[video=youtube;9hdOeKznqN4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hdOeKznqN4[/video]
He who eateth me, even he shall live by me. Joh_6:57.
Why is the meek Saviour so very wroth against self-righteous people, while he is nothing but love and tenderness to poor sensible sinners? Why does he stamp the highest indignity and contempt on the character of the former, while he receives the publicans and harlots with open arms? Is it not hard, because a man esteems his own righteousness, and values his own perfection, that the Saviour should reject him? Are we not to do good, to be very good, yea, to strive to be as righteous as an angel? Yes, we are to have a better righteousness than angels ever had. But if we think that righteousness is to be obtained by us, to cover our wicked nature, to recommend us to God, and to justify us either first or last, in whole or in part, we deceive ourselves-the truth is not in us-there is the pride of the devil at the bottom of all this. “Woe unto us, we are full, but we shall hunger.” (Luk_6:25.) If full of a proud conceit, and high opinion of our own righteousness, our souls will famish and starve. “The full soul loatheth the honeycomb.” (Pro_27:7.) It has no appetite to feed upon Christ, and to live by him, as its only food and clothing. “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.” (Mat_5:6.)
That soul is truly convinced of sin, by the Spirit, who sees he has no righteousness of his own, is sensible, that he must perish everlastingly, without a perfect, spotless righteousness; knows this is only in Christ, and therefore hungers and thirsts after his righteousness. This is the soul who eats Christ- feeds upon him, and shall live by him. A hungry soul is a self- emptied soul. Is yours such? Does it go out after Christ, as a hungry appetite does after food? Will nothing satisfy you, but the flesh and blood, the righteousness and atonement of the Son of God? Bless the Lord, you have David’s experience, “I will go in the strength of the Lord God.” He fed on Christ, and received his strength from him. “I will make mention of his righteousness, even of his ONLY. My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee, and my soul which thou hast redeemed.” (Psa_71:23.) Holy Paul’s language is yours: “I count all things but loss for the excellency of Christ Jesus my Lord. I esteem all things but dung, that I may win Christ. The whole and sole desire of your soul is, to be found in him,” (Php_3:9.) You have the sure word of Christ. You shall live by ME. Live by his grace in time: live with him in glory to all eternity.
‘Tis sweet to live and daily feed
On Jesus’ flesh and blood:
His flesh and blood are drink indeed,
To all who’re by him lov’d.
Lord, may I love thee more and more,
For every word thou saith:
Increase my hunger ev’ry hour,
To feed on thee by faith.
[video=youtube;9hdOeKznqN4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hdOeKznqN4[/video]
The lyrics for the above video...
[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness
Author: Nikolaus L. von Zinzendorf
Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness
My beauty are, my glorious dress;
’Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed,
With joy shall I lift up my head.
Bold shall I stand in Thy great day;
For who aught to my charge shall lay?
Fully absolved through these I am
From sin and fear, from guilt and shame.
The holy, meek, unspotted Lamb,
Who from the Father’s bosom came,
Who died for me, e’en me to atone,
Now for my Lord and God I own.
Lord, I believe Thy precious blood,
Which, at the mercy seat of God,
Forever doth for sinners plead,
For me, e’en for my soul, was shed.
Lord, I believe were sinners more
Than sands upon the ocean shore,
Thou hast for all a ransom paid,
For all a full atonement made.
When from the dust of death I rise
To claim my mansion in the skies,
Ev’n then this shall be all my plea,
Jesus hath lived, hath died, for me.
This spotless robe the same appears,
When ruined nature sinks in years;
No age can change its glorious hue,
The robe of Christ is ever new.
Jesus, the endless praise to Thee,
Whose boundless mercy hath for me—
For me a full atonement made,
An everlasting ransom paid.
O let the dead now hear Thy voice;
Now bid Thy banished ones rejoice;
Their beauty this, their glorious dress,
Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness
Author: Nikolaus L. von Zinzendorf
Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness
My beauty are, my glorious dress;
’Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed,
With joy shall I lift up my head.
Bold shall I stand in Thy great day;
For who aught to my charge shall lay?
Fully absolved through these I am
From sin and fear, from guilt and shame.
The holy, meek, unspotted Lamb,
Who from the Father’s bosom came,
Who died for me, e’en me to atone,
Now for my Lord and God I own.
Lord, I believe Thy precious blood,
Which, at the mercy seat of God,
Forever doth for sinners plead,
For me, e’en for my soul, was shed.
Lord, I believe were sinners more
Than sands upon the ocean shore,
Thou hast for all a ransom paid,
For all a full atonement made.
When from the dust of death I rise
To claim my mansion in the skies,
Ev’n then this shall be all my plea,
Jesus hath lived, hath died, for me.
This spotless robe the same appears,
When ruined nature sinks in years;
No age can change its glorious hue,
The robe of Christ is ever new.
Jesus, the endless praise to Thee,
Whose boundless mercy hath for me—
For me a full atonement made,
An everlasting ransom paid.
O let the dead now hear Thy voice;
Now bid Thy banished ones rejoice;
Their beauty this, their glorious dress,
Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Like music from heaven, thank you brother
Ephesians 5:19
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
A hungry soul is a self- emptied soul
This phrase I used in my last talk to women - that to drink fully of the Lord, they need to be thirsty. And to be really thirsty, they would have to surrender what they think they have a right to - their goals - their life - their expectations of people, etc.
What's left is this incredible thirst that can only be filled by drinking deeply of the Lord.
And of course how to drink deeply was the workshop that this talk led into.
I remember the moment when I totally gave up everything that I thought would/did satisfy me. I remember it was a struggle, but afterwards I felt an incredible peace. And also an incredible hunger and thirst which Jesus has filled when I didn't just read the bible, but really "ate and drank" it.
Don't you find that you can recognize the people who eat and drink the Lord? They seem to have a peace deep in their spirit no matter what happens.
This was a good meditation tonight.
This phrase I used in my last talk to women - that to drink fully of the Lord, they need to be thirsty. And to be really thirsty, they would have to surrender what they think they have a right to - their goals - their life - their expectations of people, etc.
What's left is this incredible thirst that can only be filled by drinking deeply of the Lord.
And of course how to drink deeply was the workshop that this talk led into.
I remember the moment when I totally gave up everything that I thought would/did satisfy me. I remember it was a struggle, but afterwards I felt an incredible peace. And also an incredible hunger and thirst which Jesus has filled when I didn't just read the bible, but really "ate and drank" it.
Don't you find that you can recognize the people who eat and drink the Lord? They seem to have a peace deep in their spirit no matter what happens.
This was a good meditation tonight.
For you who are on this site, I'm taking the rest of the month off from this chat room. I need to spend the month working on other things I've been putting off. Art, more devotional time, more reading, and some preparations for upcoming talks. Even making handmade Christmas cards. Along with everything else I do.
Even when I return in January, I'm going to limit myself more so this does not become so much of my life. It draws me in completely, because even when you post, you want to hear the responses. And so it goes on and on. And this has been way too much fun.
I have learned to really like you all - so in a big sense there will be a gap in my days. But there are lots of things waiting to fill that gap.
I have the book that Crossnote is posting from so I will not miss these devotionals.
I wish you all a very wonderful season with family and friends. You have been a gift to me in many ways.
Joi
Even when I return in January, I'm going to limit myself more so this does not become so much of my life. It draws me in completely, because even when you post, you want to hear the responses. And so it goes on and on. And this has been way too much fun.
I have learned to really like you all - so in a big sense there will be a gap in my days. But there are lots of things waiting to fill that gap.
I have the book that Crossnote is posting from so I will not miss these devotionals.
I wish you all a very wonderful season with family and friends. You have been a gift to me in many ways.
Joi
December 9,
I will lift up my hands in thy name. Psa_63:4.
From the little which carnal men see of the conduct of saints, they pronounce them fools and madmen. But were they to follow them to their closets, and be witness to what passes there, between God and their souls, they would deem it the excess of folly, and the height of madness. Two Christian friends were conversing together of the plague of their hearts, and the workings of hypocrisy and evil in their best duties. An unconverted brother of one of them overheard, and upbraided them, saying, I always thought you were two hypocrites, now I have heard it from your own mouths. I have no wandering thoughts at church-I always go with a good heart. Brother, replied the Christian, putting a piece of money in his hand, that is your own, if, when you go to church next, you will watch your heart, and tell me honestly, if you found no wandering thoughts. The poor man faithfully returned the money, and frankly owned, I was scarcely got into the church, before I thought how many looms might be set to work in it. He was a weaver.
O what an awful thing it is to be ignorant of one’s own heart! And yet the knowledge of its desperate wickedness, and superlative deceitfulness, often dejects and puts disciples to the stand. Here is a blessed remedy at all times, the loving kindness of the Lord. This is better than life. This superabounds all the aboundings of sin in us. This enables us to say, joyfully, “I will bless the Lord while I live:” and with boldness, “I will lift up my hands in thy name.” In our work and warfare, against all our spiritual enemies, there is a blessed name, which is above every other name, to animate us with courage, even the name of Jesus. However dejected or despised, can we think of, believe in, and look to, that glorious name, person, work, and salvation, with which God is well pleased, without lifting up our hands with comfort and joy? Here I am tonight, a poor sinner, empty of all good, full of all evil. No worth, work, or excellency, to recommend me to God, yet will I lift up my empty hand, to receive a gift from the God of all grace. O that under a sight of my ruined state, and helpless impotency, the Spirit may teach me that heavenly art, “I will go in the strength of the Lord God, I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only, O Jesus.” (Psa_71:16.) It is from hence that feeble knees are strengthened, hands which hang down are lifted up, and fearful hearts made strong. Consider Christ Jesus. Heb_3:1.
What name so sweet to sinners’ ears,
As that of Christ, our king?
‘Tis this repels our doubts and fears,
And joy of soul doth bring.
My hands to thee I will lift up,
A blessing to receive,
From thee my Christ, my only hope;
In whom I will believe.
I will lift up my hands in thy name. Psa_63:4.
From the little which carnal men see of the conduct of saints, they pronounce them fools and madmen. But were they to follow them to their closets, and be witness to what passes there, between God and their souls, they would deem it the excess of folly, and the height of madness. Two Christian friends were conversing together of the plague of their hearts, and the workings of hypocrisy and evil in their best duties. An unconverted brother of one of them overheard, and upbraided them, saying, I always thought you were two hypocrites, now I have heard it from your own mouths. I have no wandering thoughts at church-I always go with a good heart. Brother, replied the Christian, putting a piece of money in his hand, that is your own, if, when you go to church next, you will watch your heart, and tell me honestly, if you found no wandering thoughts. The poor man faithfully returned the money, and frankly owned, I was scarcely got into the church, before I thought how many looms might be set to work in it. He was a weaver.
O what an awful thing it is to be ignorant of one’s own heart! And yet the knowledge of its desperate wickedness, and superlative deceitfulness, often dejects and puts disciples to the stand. Here is a blessed remedy at all times, the loving kindness of the Lord. This is better than life. This superabounds all the aboundings of sin in us. This enables us to say, joyfully, “I will bless the Lord while I live:” and with boldness, “I will lift up my hands in thy name.” In our work and warfare, against all our spiritual enemies, there is a blessed name, which is above every other name, to animate us with courage, even the name of Jesus. However dejected or despised, can we think of, believe in, and look to, that glorious name, person, work, and salvation, with which God is well pleased, without lifting up our hands with comfort and joy? Here I am tonight, a poor sinner, empty of all good, full of all evil. No worth, work, or excellency, to recommend me to God, yet will I lift up my empty hand, to receive a gift from the God of all grace. O that under a sight of my ruined state, and helpless impotency, the Spirit may teach me that heavenly art, “I will go in the strength of the Lord God, I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only, O Jesus.” (Psa_71:16.) It is from hence that feeble knees are strengthened, hands which hang down are lifted up, and fearful hearts made strong. Consider Christ Jesus. Heb_3:1.
What name so sweet to sinners’ ears,
As that of Christ, our king?
‘Tis this repels our doubts and fears,
And joy of soul doth bring.
My hands to thee I will lift up,
A blessing to receive,
From thee my Christ, my only hope;
In whom I will believe.
P
1 Cor 1:20-25
Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom;
but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,
but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
oh, and pretty much all of 2 Cor 4.
Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom;
but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,
but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
oh, and pretty much all of 2 Cor 4.
John 15:5
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:9
As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 11These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
1 Corinthians 1:4
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 1:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:9
As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 11These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
1 Corinthians 1:4
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 1:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.