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The New Life - by Andrew Murray
Taken from www.WhatSaithTheScripture.com
The New Life
Words of God for Young Disciples of Christ
by Rev. Andrew Murray
1828-1917
"They go from strength to strength, Every one of them appeareth before
God in Zion"
"I go to the word and learn there
all the characteristics of a child of God;
and after each one of them I write:
this Jesus shall work in me:
I have him to make me to be a child of God."
(taken from THE NEW LIFE, Chapter 8: CHILDREN OF GOD)
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Table of Contents
This etext is in the public domain.
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Translator's Note:
A glance at the pages of this little work will show that it is more elementary
than the other writings of its honoured author. The reason is that is specially designed
for young disciples who have but recently chosen the better part, and consequently
need nothing so much as just to sit at the feet of Jesus and hear His word. Every
minister of a congregation in which young people have been brought to the Lord, will
remember the keen feeling of anxiety that swept over his heart as he contemplated
their entrance on the duties and responsibilities of a public Christian confession.
The supreme question at such a time is: How shall these young converts be built up
in the knowledge of the truth? How shall they be best taught the real nature of the
new life they have received, the dangers by which it is beset, and the directions
in which its energy may safely go forth? The desire to give a fitting answer to these
questions has given rise to many excellent manuals. In connection with every time
of revival, especially, new books for this circle of readers always make their appearance.
As Mr. Murray indicates in the Preface, it was in the midst of such a happy period
that the following chapters were written. The volume came under my notice whilst
I was recently traveling in Holland. A brief inspection showed me that it was one
of the most simple, comprehensive, and suggestive of its class. It is now translated
into English from the latest Dutch edition, that the many thousands who have profited
by Mr. Murray's other admirable works may have a suitable book to give or recommend
to those who are setting their faces towards an earnest and fruitful Christian life.
That it will be very helpful to this end I cannot doubt: especially if the directions
the author himself has given are faithfully adhered to. It will be noticed that
the chapters are comparatively short; but every one of them has a considerable number
of Biblical references. Let no reader be content to read what is written here without
turning up and examining the texts marked This practice, if persistently carried
out, cannot fail to yield much recompense. (WStS Note:
Emboldened emphasis is ours.) (Additional WStS Note: We have included the full Scripture
text at the points where you would have had to look them up, thus making it
easier for you to benefit from them.) There are just as many chapters in the book
as Sabbaths in the year. What an additional blessing it would bring, if the members
of a family who have had access to the book during the week, were to hear a chapter
read aloud every Sabbath evening, and were encouraged to quote the texts in each
that my have struck them most. I have only to add that the volume is now translated
and issued with Mr. Murray's cordial sanction. It has been to me a very pleasant
task to put it into an English dress for my younger brethren throughout the country.
Beyond this point, of course, my responsibility does not go. Should the book prove
useful in guiding the feet of those who have come to the Lord yet further into the
way of peace and holiness, it will be, both for author and translator, the answer
to many a fervent prayer.
J.P.L.
Abbroath, September 1891
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Preface
In intercourse with young converts, I have very frequently longed for a suitable
book in which the most important truths that they have need of for the New Life should
be briefly and simply set forth. I could not find anything that entirely corresponded
to what I desired. During the services in which, since Whitsuntide 1884, I have been
permitted to take part, and in which I have been enabled to speak with so many who
professed to have found the Lord, and who were, nevertheless, still very weak in
knowledge and faith, this want was felt by me still more keenly. In the course of
my journey, I felt myself pressed to take the pen in hand. Under a vivid impression
of the infirmities and the perverted thoughts concerning the New Life, with which,
as was manifest to me from conversations I had with them, almost all young Christians
have to wrestle, I wished, in some words of instruction and encouragement, to let
them see what a glorious life of power and joy is prepared for them in their Lord
Jesus, and how simple the way is to enjoy all this blessing.
I have confined myself in these reflections to some of the most important topics.
The first is the Word of God as the glorious and sure guide, even for the simplest
souls that will only surrender themselves to it. Then, as the chief element in the
word, there is the Son, the gift of the Father, to do all for us. Thereupon follows
what the Scriptures teach concerning Sin, as the only thing that we have to bring
to Jesus, as that which we must give to Him, and from which He will set us free.
Further, there is Faith, the great word in which is expressed our inability to bring
or to do anything, and that teaches us that all our salvation must be received every
day of our life as a gift from above. With the Holy Spirit also must the young Christian
make acquaintance, as the Person through whom the word and Jesus, with all His work,
and faith in Him, can become power and truth. Then there is the Holy Life of obedience
and of fruitfulness, in which the Spirit teaches us to walk. It is to these six leading
thoughts of the New Life that I have confined myself, with the ceaseless prayer that
God may use what I have written to make His young children understand what a glorious
and mighty life it is that they have received from their Father. It was often very
unwillingly that I took leave of the young converts who had to go back to lonely
places, where they could have little counsel or help, and seldom mingle in the preaching
of the word. It is my sure and confident expectation that what the Lord has given
me to write shall prove a blessing to many of these young confessors.
[I have, in some instances, attached the names of the places where the different
portions of this manual were written; in others, the names of the towns where the
substance of them was spoken, as a remembrance to the friends with whom I had intercourse.]
While writing this book I have had a second wish abiding with me. I have thought
what I could possibly do to secure that my little book should not draw away attention
from the word of God, but rather help to make the word more precious. I resolved
to furnish the work with marginal references, so that, on every point that was treated
of, the reader might be stirred up still to listen to the Word itself, to GOD HIMSELF.
I am hopeful that this arrangement will yield a double benefit. Many a one does not
know, and had nobody to teach him, how to examine the Scriptures properly. This book
may help him in his loneliness. If he will only meditate on one and another point,
and then look up the texts that are quoted, he will get into the way of consulting
God's word itself on that which he wishes to understand. But it may just as readily
be of service in prayer meetings or social gatherings for the study of the word.
Let each one read the portion fixed on at home and review those texts that seem to
him the most important. Let the president of the meeting read the portion aloud once.
Let him then request that each one who pleases should announce one and another text
on that point which has struck him most. We have found in my congregation that the
benefit of such meetings for bringing and reading aloud texts on a point previously
announced, is very great. This practice leads to the searching of God's word, as
even preaching does not. It stirs up the members of the congregation, especially
the young people, to independent dealing with the word. It leads to a more living
fellowship amongst the members of Christ's body, and helps also their upbuilding
in love. It prepares the way for a social recognition of the word as the living communication
of the thoughts of God, which with Divine power shall work in us what is pleasing
to God. I am persuaded that there is many a believing man and woman that asks what
they can accomplish for the Lord, who along this pathway could become the channels
of great blessing. Let them once a week bring together some of their neighbours or
friends (sometimes two or three household live on one farm) to hear read out texts
for which all have been previously searching: the Lord shall certainly give His blessing
there.
With respect to the use of this book in retirement, I would fain request one thing
more. I hope that no one will think it strange. Let every portion be read over at
least three times. The great bane of all our converse with Divine things is superficiality.
When we read anything and understand it somewhat, we think that this is enough. No:
we must give time, that it may make an impression and wield its own influence upon
us. Read every portion the first time with consideration, to understand the good
that is in it, and then see if you receive benefit from the thoughts that are there
expressed. Read it the second time to see if it is really in accordance with God's
word: take some, if not all, of the texts that are adduced on each point, and ponder
them in order to come under the full force of what God has said on the point. Let
your God, through His word, teach you what you must think and believe concerning
Him and His will. Read it then the third time to find out the corresponding places,
not in the Bible, but in your own life, in order to know if your life has been in
harmony with the New Life, and to direct your life for the future entirely according
to God's word. I am fully persuaded that the time and pains spent on such converse
with the word of God under the teaching of this or some book that helps you in dealing
with it, will be rewarded tenfold. I conclude with a cordial brotherly greeting to
all with whom I have been permitted to mingle during the past year, in speaking about
the precious Saviour and His glorious salvation: also to all in other congregations,
who in this last season have learned to know the beloved Lord Jesus as their Redeemer.
With a heart full of peace and love, I think of you all, and I pray that the Lord
may confirm His work in you. I have not become weary of crying to you: the blessedness
and the power of the New Life that is in you are greater than you know, are wonderfully
great: only learn to know aright and trust in Jesus, the gift of God and the Scriptures,
the word of God. Only give Him time to hold converse with you and to work in you,
and your heart shall overflow with the blessedness of God.
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Now to Him who is able to do more than exceedingly above all that we can ask or think,
to Him be glory in the Church to all eternity.
ANDREW MURRAY. Wellington, 12th August 1885
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I. THE NEW LIFE
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"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." -- John 3:16
"For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Christ is our life."
-- Col. 3:3,4
"We declare unto you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father,
and was manifested unto us. God gave unto us eternal life; and this life is in His
Son. He that hath the Son hath the life." - 1 John 1:2,11,12
How glorious, then, is the blessing which every one receives that believes in
the Lord Jesus. Not only does there come a change in his disposition and manner of
life; he also receives from God out of heaven an entirely new life. He is born anew,
born of God: he has passed from death into life. (John 1:12-13; 3:5,7; 5:24; 1 John
3:14; 5:1)
- Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons
of God, even to them that believe on his name:
- Joh 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of
the will of man, but of God.
- Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born
of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
- Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
- Joh 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth
on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation;
but is passed from death unto life.
- 1Jo 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the
brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
- 1Jo 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every
one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
This new life is nothing less than Eternal Life. (John 3:15-16,36; 6:40,51; 6:25-26;
Romans 6:11,23; 8:2; 1 John 5:12,13)
- Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal
life.
- Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
- Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth
not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
- Joh 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth
the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up
at the last day.
- Joh 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of
this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which
I will give for the life of the world.
- Joh 6:25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said
unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?
- Joh 6:26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek
me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were
filled.
- Ro 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive
unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Ro 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Ro 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from
the law of sin and death.
- 1Jo 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God
hath not life.
- 1Jo 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the
Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on
the name of the Son of God.
This does not mean, as many suppose, that our life shall now no more die, but
shall endure into eternity. No: eternity life is nothing else than the very life
of God, the life that He has had in Himself from eternity, and that has been visibly
revealed in Christ. This life is now the portion of every child of God. (1 John 1:3;
3:1, 5:11)
- 1Jo 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may
have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his
Son Jesus Christ.
- 1Jo 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we
should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it
knew him not.
- 1Jo 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and
this life is in his Son.
This life is a life of inconceivable power. Whenever God gives life to a young
plant or animal, that life has in itself the power of growth, whereby the plant or
animal as of itself becomes large. Life is power. In the new life, that is, in your
heart, there is the power of eternity. (John 5:10,28; Heb. 7:16,28; 2 Cor 7:9; 8:4;
Col. 3:3-4; Phil. 4:13)
- Joh 5:10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day:
it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.
- Joh 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are
in the graves shall hear his voice,
- Heb 7:16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the
power of an endless life.
- Heb 7:28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word
of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
- 2Co 7:9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance:
for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in
nothing.
- 2Co 8:4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take
upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
- Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
- Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear
with him in glory.
- Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
More certain than the healthful growth of any tree or animal is the growth and
increase of the child of God, who in reality surrenders himself to the working of
the new life.
What hinders this power and the reception of the new spiritual life is chiefly two
things. The one is ignorance of its nature, its laws and workings. Man, even the
Christian, has of himself not the least conception of the new life that comes from
God: it surpasses all his thoughts. His own perverted thoughts of the way to serve
and to please God, namely, by what he does and is, are so deeply rooted in him, that,
although he thinks that he understands and receives God's word, he yet thinks humanly...
and carnally [WStS: when in sin] on Divine things. (Jos. 3:4; Matt. 16:23)
- Jos 3:4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits
by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go:
for ye have not passed this way heretofore.
- Mt 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou
art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those
that be of men.
Not only must God give salvation and life; He must also give the Spirit to make
us know what He gives. Not only must He point out the land of Canaan, and the way
thither; we must also, like the blind, be led every day by Himself. The young Christian
must try to cherish a deep conviction of his ignorance concerning the new life, and
of his inability to form right thoughts about it. This will bring him to the meekness
and to the childlike spirit of docility, to which the Lord shall make His secret
known. (Ps. 25:5,8-9; 143:8; Isa. 42:16; 64:4; Matt. 11:25; 1 Cor. 1:18-19; 2:7,10,12;
Heb. 11:8)
- Ps 25:5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation;
on thee do I wait all the day.
- Ps 25:8 Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the
way.
- Ps 25:9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
- Ps 143:8 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I
trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto
thee.
- Isa 42:16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead
them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and
crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
- Isa 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived
by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared
for him that waiteth for him.
- Mt 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of
heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and
hast revealed them unto babes.
- 1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but
unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
- 1Co 1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring
to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
- 1Co 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom,
which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
- 1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth
all things, yea, the deep things of God.
- 1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which
is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
- Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he
should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither
he went.
There is a second hindrance in the way of faith. In the life of every plant and
every animal and every child there lies sufficient power by which it can become big.
In the new life, God has made the most glorious provision of a sufficient power whereby
His child can grow and become all that he must be. Christ Himself is his life and
his power of life. (Ps. 18:2; 27:1; 38:3; 34:8; John 14:19; Gal. 2:20; Col. 3:3,4)
- Ps 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength,
in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
- Ps 27:1 <<A Psalm of David.>> The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
- Ps 38:3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is
there any rest in my bones because of my sin.
- Ps 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth
in him.
- Joh 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me:
because I live, ye shall live also.
- Ga 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ
liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the
Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
- Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
- Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear
with him in glory.
Yet, because this mighty life is not visible or cannot be felt, but works in the
midst of human weakness, the young Christian often becomes of doubtful mind. He then
fails to believe that he shall grow with Divine power and certainty. He does not
understand that the believing life is a life of faith whereby he reckons on the life
that is in Christ for him, although he neither sees, feels, nor experiences anything.
(Hab. 2:4; Matt. 6:27; Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38)
- Hab 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just
shall live by his faith.
- Mt 6:27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
- Ro 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:
as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
- Ga 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident:
for, The just shall live by faith.
- Heb 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul
shall have no pleasure in him.
Let every one then that has received this new life, cultivate this great conviction:
it is eternal life that works in me: it works with Divine power: I can and shall
become what God will have me be: Christ Himself is my life: I have to receive Him
every day as my life given by God to me, and He shall be my life in full power.
O my Father, who hast given me Thy Son that I may have life in Him, I thank Thee
for the glorious new life that is now in me. I pray Thee, teach me to know aright
this new life. I will acknowledge my ignorance and the perverted thoughts which are
in me, concerning Thy service. I will believe in the heavenly power of the new life
that is in me: I will believe that my Lord Jesus, who Himself is my life, will by
His Spirit teach me to know how I can walk in that life. Amen.
Try now to apprehend and appropriate the following lessons in your heart; --
1. It is eternal life, the very life of God, that you have now received through faith.
2. This new life is in Christ, and the Holy Spirit is in you to bring over to you
all that is in Christ. Christ lives in you through the Holy Spirit.
3. This life is a life of wonderful power. However weak you may feel, you must believe
in the Divine power of the life that is in you.
4. This life has need of time to grow in you and to take possession of you. Give
it time: it shall surely increase.
5. Forget not that all the laws and rules of this new life are in conflict with all
human thoughts of the way to please God. Be very much in dread of your thoughts,
and let Christ, who is your life and also your wisdom, teach you all things.
II. THE MILK OF THE WORD
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"As new-born babes, long for the spiritual milk that is without guile, that
ye may grow thereby unto salvation" -- 1 Peter 2:2
Beloved young Christians, hear what your Father has to say in this word. You have
just recently given yourselves to the Lord, and have believed that He has received
you. You have thus received the new life from God. you are now as new-born infants:
He would teach you in this word what is necessary that you may grow and wax strong.
The first point is: you must know that you are God's children. Hear how distinctly
Peter says this to those just converted: (1 Pet. 1:23; 2:2,10,25) 'You have been
born again,' 'you are new-born infants,' 'you are now converted,' 'you are now the
people of God.'
- 1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by
the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
- 1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow
thereby:
- 1Pe 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God:
which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
- 1Pe 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd
and Bishop of your souls.
A Christian, however young and weak he is, must know that he is God's child. Then
only can he have the courage to believe that he shall make progress, and the boldness
to use the food of the children provided in the word. All Scripture teaches us that
we must know and can know that we are children of God. (Rom 8:16; 1 Cor. 3:1,16;
Gal. 4:6,7; 1 John 3:2,14,24; 4:13, 5:10,13)
- Ro 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children
of God:
- 1Co 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto
carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
- 1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God
dwelleth in you?
- Ga 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into
your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
- Ga 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an
heir of God through Christ.
- 1Jo 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what
we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we
shall see him as he is.
- 1Jo 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the
brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
- 1Jo 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him.
And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
- 1Jo 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given
us of his Spirit.
- 1Jo 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he
that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record
that God gave of his Son.
- 1Jo 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the
Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on
the name of the Son of God.
The assurance of faith is indispensable to a healthy powerful growth in the Lord.
(Eph. 5:8; Col. 2:6; 1 Pet. 1:14,19)
- Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk
as children of light:
- Col 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
- 1Pe 1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former
lusts in your ignorance:
- 1Pe 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish
and without spot:
The second point which this word teaches you is: you are still very weak, weak as
new-bon children. The joy and the love which a young convert sometimes experiences
do indeed make him think that he is very strong. He runs the risk of exalting himself,
and of trusting in what he experiences. He must nevertheless learn much of how he
must become strong in his Lord Jesus. Endeavour to feel deeply that you are still
young and weak. (1 Cor. 3:1,13; Heb. 5:13,14)
- 1Co 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto
carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
- 1Co 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it,
because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of
what sort it is.
- Heb 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness:
for he is a babe.
- Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who
by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Out of this sense of weakness comes the humility which has nothing (Matt. 5:3;
Rom 12:3,10; Eph. 4:2; Phil. 2:3,4; Col. 3: 12)
- Mt 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Ro 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among
you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly,
according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
- Ro 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour
preferring one another;
- Eph 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another
in love;
- Phil. 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of
mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
- Phil. 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things
of others.
- Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
in itself, and therefore expects all from its Lord. (Matt. 8:8,15,27,28)
- Mt 8:8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest
come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
- Mt 8:15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered
unto them.
- Mt 8:27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even
the winds and the sea obey him!
- Mt 8:28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes,
there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce,
so that no man might pass by that way.
The third lesson is: the young Christian must not remain weak; he must grow and increase
in grace; he must make progress and become strong. God lays it upon us as a command.
His word gives us concerning this point the most glorious promises. It lies in the
nature of the thing: a child of God must and can make progress. The new life is a
life that is healthy and strong: when a disciple surrenders himself to it, the growth
certainly comes. (Judg. 5:31; Ps. 84:8, 92:13,14; Prov. 4:18; Isa. 40:31; Eph. 4:14;
1 Thess. 4:1; 2 Pet. 3:18)
- Jud 5:31 So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him
be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.
- Ps 84:8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
- Ps 92:13 Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the
courts of our God.
- Ps 92:14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and
flourishing;
- Pr 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and
more unto the perfect day.
- Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall
mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk,
and not faint.
- Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried
about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness,
whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
- 1Th 4:1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord
Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so
ye would abound more and more.
- 2Pe 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
The fourth and principal lesson, the lesson which young disciples of Christ have
most need of is: it is through the milk of the word that God's new-born infants can
grow. The new life from the Spirit of God can be sustained only by the word from
the mouth of God. Your life, my young brother, will largely depend on whether you
learn to deal wisely and well with God's word, or whether you learn to use the word
from the beginning as your milk. (Ps. 19:8,11; 119:97,100; Isa. 55: 2,3; 1 Cor. 12:11)
- Ps 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment
of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
- Ps 19:11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there
is great reward.
- Ps 119:97 MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
- Ps 119:100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
- Isa 55:2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour
for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which
is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
- Isa 55:3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live;
and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
- 1Co 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to
every man severally as he will.
See what a charming parable the Lord has given us here in the mother's milk. Out
of her own life does the mother yield food and life to her child. The feeding of
the child is the work of the tenderest love, in which the child is pressed to the
breast, and is held in the closest fellowship with the mother. And the milk is just
what the weak child requires, food gentle and yet strong.
Even so is there in the word of God the very life and power of God. (John 6:63; 1
Thess. 2:13; Heb. 4:12)
- Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words
that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
- 1Th 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received
the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but
as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
- Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged
sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints
and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
His tender love will through the word receive us into the gentlest and most intimate
fellowship with Himself. (John 10:4)
- Joh 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the
sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
His love will give us out of the word what is, like warm soft milk, just fitted
for our weakness. Let no one suppose that the word is too high or too hard for him.
For the disciple who receives the word, and trustfully relies on Jesus to teach him
by the Spirit, the word of God shall practically prove to be gentle sweet milk for
new-born infants. (Ps 119:18; John 14:26; Eph. 1:17-18)
- Ps 119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
- Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send
in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you.
- Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give
unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
- Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what
is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in
the saints
Dear young Christian, would you continue standing, would you become strong, would
you always live for the Lord? Then hear this day the voice of your Father: 'As new-born
babes, long for the spiritual milk that is without guile.' Receive this word into
your heart and hold it fast as the voice of your Father: on your use of the word
of God will your spiritual life depend. Let the word of God be precious to you above
everything. (Ps 119:14,47,48,111,127)
- Ps 119:14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
- Ps 119:47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
- Ps 119:48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved;
and I will meditate in thy statutes.
- Ps 119:111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are
the rejoicing of my heart.
- Ps 119:127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
Above all, forget not this: the word is the milk; the sucking or drinking on the
part of the little child is the inner, living, blessed fellowship with the mother's
love. Through the Holy Spirit your use of the milk of the word can become warm, living
fellowship with the Living Love of your God. O long then very eagerly for the milk.
Do not take the word as something that is hard and troublesome to understand: in
that way you lose all delight in it. Receive it with trust in the love of the living
God. With a tender motherly love will the Spirit of God teach and help you in your
weakness. Believe always that the Spirit will make the word in you life and joy,
a blessed fellowship with your God.
Precious Saviour, Thou hast taught me to believe Thy word, and Thou hast made
me by that faith a child of God. Through that word, as the milk of the new-born babes,
wilt Thou also feed me. Lord, for this milk shall I be very eager: every day will
I long after it. Teach me, through the Holy Spirit and the word, to walk and hold
converse every day in living fellowship with the love of the Father. Teach me always
to believe that the Spirit has been given me with the word. Amen.
1. What texts do you consider the best for proving that the Scriptures teach us that
we must know we are children of God?
2. What are the three points in which the sucking child is to us a type of the young
child in Christ in his dealing with the word?
3. What must a young Christian do when he has little blessing in the reading of God's
word? He must set himself through faith in fellowship with Jesus Himself: he must
reckon that Jesus will teach him through the Spirit and so trustfully continue in
the reading.
4. One verse chosen to meet our needs, read ten times and then laid up in the heart,
is better than ten verses read once. Only so much of the word as I actually receive
and inwardly appropriate for myself, is food for my soul.
5. Choose out for yourselves what you consider one of the most glorious promises
about making progress and becoming strong; learn it by heart, and repeat it continually
as the language of your positive expectation.
6. Have you learned well to understand what the great means for growth in grace is?
III. GOD'S WORD IN OUR HEART
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"Therefore shall ye lay up these My words in your heart and in your soul.' --
Deut. 11:18
"Son of man, all My words that I shall speak unto thee, receive in heart.' --
Ezek. 3:10
"Thy word have I laid up in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.'
- Ps. 119:11
Long for the milk, that ye may grow thereby. This charming word taught every young
Christian that, if he would grow, he must receive the word as milk, as the living
participation of the life and the love of God. On this account is it of so great
importance to know well how we must deal with the word. The Lord says that we must
receive it and lay it in our heart. (Deut. 30:14; Ps. 1:2; 119:34,36; Is. 51:7; John
5:38; 8:31; 15:7; Rom. 10:8-9; Col. 3:16)
- De 30:14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart,
that thou mayest do it.
- Ps 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate
day and night.
- Ps 119:34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe
it with my whole heart.
- Ps 119:36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
- Isa 51:7 Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart
is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
- Joh 5:38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him
ye believe not.
- Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue
in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
- Joh 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will,
and it shall be done unto you.
- Ro 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy
heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
- Ro 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe
in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
- Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and
admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace
in your hearts to the Lord.
The word must possess and fill the heart. What does that mean? The heart is the
temple of God. In the temple there was an outer court and an inner sanctuary. So
also is it in the heart. The gate of the court is the understanding; what I do not
understand cannot enter into the heart. Through the outer gate of the understanding,
the word comes into the court. (Ps. 119:34; Mat.. 13:19; Acts 8:30)
- Ps 119:34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe
it with my whole heart.
- Mt 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not,
then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This
is he which received seed by the way side.
- Ac 8:30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias,
and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
There it is kept by memory and reflection. (Ps. 119:15,16)
- Ps 119:15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
- Ps 119:16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Still it is not yet properly in the heart. From the court there is an entrance
into the innermost sanctuary; the entrance of the door is faith. What I believe,
that I receive into my heart. (John 5:38; Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:10,17)
- Joh 5:38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him
ye believe not.
- Ac 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.
And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
- Ro 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation.
- Ro 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Here it then becomes held fast in love and in the surrender of the will. Where
this takes place, there the heart becomes the sanctuary of God. His law is there,
as in the ark, and the soul cries out: 'The law is within my heart.' (Ex. 25:16;
Ps. 37:31; 40:9; Col. 3:16)
- Ex 25:16 And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.
- Ps 37:31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
- Ps 40:9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not
refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
- Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and
admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace
in your hearts to the Lord.
Young Christian, God has asked your heart, your love, your whole self. You have given
yourself to Him. He has received you, and would have you and your heart entirely
for Himself. He will make that heart full of His word. What is in the heart one holds
dear, because one thinks continually on that which gives joy. God would have the
word in the heart. Where His word is, there is He Himself and His might. He considers
Himself bound to fulfil His word; when you have the word, you have God Himself to
work in you. (Gen. 21:1; Josh. 23:14)
- Ge 21:1 And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah
as he had spoken.
- Jos 23:14 And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know
in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the
good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto
you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.
He wills that you should receive and lay up His words in your heart: then will
He greatly bless you. (Deut. 11:10; 28:1,2; Ps. 1:2,3; 119;14,45,98,165; John 17:6,8,17)
- De 11:10 For the land, whither thou goest in to possess it, is not as the land
of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst it
with thy foot, as a garden of herbs:
- De 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the
voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command
thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the
earth:
- De 28:2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou
shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
- Ps 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate
day and night.
- Ps 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth
forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he
doeth shall prosper.
- Ps 119:14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
- Ps 119:45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
- Ps 119:98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies:
for they are ever with me.
- Ps 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend
them.
- Joh 17:6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of
the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
- Joh 17:8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they
have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have
believed that thou didst send me.
- Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
How I wish that I could bring all young Christians to receive simply that word of
their Father, 'Lay up My words in your heart,' and to give their whole heart to become
full of God's word. Resolve then to do this. Take pains to understand what you read.
When you understand it, take then always one or another word to keep in remembrance
and ponder. Learn words of God by heart; repeat them to yourself in the course of
the day. The word is seed; the seed must have time, must be kept in the ground: so
must the word be carried in the heart. Give the best powers of your heart, your love,
your desire, the willing and joyful activity of your will, to God's word. 'Blessed
is the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate
day and night.' Let the heart be a temple, not for the world and its thoughts, but
for God and His thoughts. (Ps. 119:69; John 15:3,7)
- Ps 119:69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts
with my whole heart.
- Joh 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
- Joh 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will,
and it shall be done unto you.
He that, every day, faithfully opens his heart to God's voice to hear what God
says, and keeps and carries about that word, shall see how faithfully God also shall
open His heart to our voice, to hear what we say to Him in prayer.
Dear Christian, pray read yet once again the words at the head of this section. Receive
them as God's word to you -- the word of the Father who has received you as a child,
of Jesus who has made you God's child. God asks of you, as His child, that you give
your heart to become filled with His word. Will you do this? What say you? The Lord
Jesus would complete His holy work in you with power along this way. (John 14:21,23;
1 John 2:14,24; Rev. 3:8,10)
- Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth
me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will
manifest myself to him.
- Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my
words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode
with him.
- 1Jo 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is
from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and
the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
- 1Jo 2:24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning.
If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall
continue in the Son, and in the Father.
- Re 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no
man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast
not denied my name.
- Re 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee
from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that
dwell upon the earth.
Let your answer be distinct and continuous: 'I have hid Thy word in my heart;'
'How love I thy law: it is my mediation all the day.' Even if it appears difficult
for you to understand the word, read it only the more. The Father has promised to
make it a blessing in your heart. But you must first take it into your heart. Believe
then that God will by the Holy Spirit make it living and powerful in you.
O my Father, who hast said to me: 'My son, give Me thine heart,' I have given
Thee mine heart. Now that Thou chargest me to lay up and to keep Thy word in that
heart, I answer: 'I keep Thy commands with my whole heart.' Father, teach me every
day so to receive Thy word in my heart that it can exercise there its blessed influence.
Strengthen me in the deep conviction that even though I do not actually apprehend
its meaning and power, I can still reckon on Thee to make the word living and powerful
in me. Amen.
1. What is the difference between the reading of the word to increase knowledge and
the receiving of it in faith?
2. The word is as a seed. Seed requires time ere it springs up. During this time
it must be kept silently and constantly in the earth. I must not only read God's
word, but ponder it and reflect upon it: then shall it work in me. The word must
be in me the whole day, must abide in me, must dwell in me.
3. What are the reasons that the word of God sometimes has so little power in those
that read it and really long for blessing? One of the principal reasons is surely
that they do not give the seed time to grow, that they do not keep it and reflect
upon it, in the believing assurance that the word itself shall have its working.
4. What is the token of His disciples that Jesus mentions first in the high-priestly
prayer? (John 17)
- Joh 17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said,
Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
- Joh 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal
life to as many as thou hast given him.
- Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God,
and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
- Joh 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou
gavest me to do.
- Joh 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory
which I had with thee before the world was.
- Joh 17:6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of
the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
- Joh 17:7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are
of thee.
- Joh 17:8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they
have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have
believed that thou didst send me.
- Joh 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast
given me; for they are thine.
- Joh 17:10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
- Joh 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and
I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given
me, that they may be one, as we are.
- Joh 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those
that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition;
that the scripture might be fulfilled.
- Joh 17:13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that
they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
- Joh 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because
they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
- Joh 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that
thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
- Joh 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
- Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
- Joh 17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them
into the world.
- Joh 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified
through the truth.
- Joh 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe
on me through their word;
- Joh 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee,
that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
- Joh 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may
be one, even as we are one:
- Joh 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and
that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast
loved me.
- Joh 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me
where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst
me before the foundation of the world.
- Joh 17:25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known
thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
- Joh 17:26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the
love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
5. What are the blessings of a heart filled with the word of God?
IV. FAITH
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"Blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a fulfilment of the things
which have been spoken to her from the Lord.' -- Luke 1:45 "I believe God, that
it shall be even so as it hath been spoken unto me.' -- Acts 27:25
"Abraham waxed strong through faith, being fully assured that what He had promised,
he was able also to perform.' -- Rom. 4:21
God has asked you to take and lay up His words in your heart. Faith is the proper
avenue whereby the word is taken and received into the innermost depths of the heart.
Let the young Christian then take pains always to understand better what faith is:
he will thereby gain an insight into the reasons why such great things are bound
up with faith. He will yield his perfect assent to the view that full salvation is
made every day dependent on faith. (2 Chron. 20:20; Mk. 9:23; Heb. 11:33,35; 1 John
5:4,5)
- 2 Chr 20:20 Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the
LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
- Mr 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to
him that believeth.
- Heb 11:33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained
promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
- Heb 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured,
not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
- 1Jo 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory
that overcometh the world, even our faith.
- 1Jo 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus
is the Son of God?
Let me now ask my reader to read over once again the three texts which stand above,
and to find out what is the principal thought that they teach about faith. Pray,
read nothing actually beyond them, but read first these words of God, and ask yourself
what they teach you about faith. They make us see that faith always attaches itself
to what God has said or promised. When an honourable man says anything, he also does
it: on the back of the saying follows the doing. So also is it with God: when He
would do anything, He says so first through His word. When the man of God becomes
possessed with this conviction and established in it, God always does for him what
He has said. With God, speaking and doing always go together: the deed follows the
word: 'Shall He say it and not do it?' (Gen. 21:1; 32:12; Num. 14:17,18,20; 23:19;
Josh. 21:45; 23:14; 2 San. 7:25,29; 1 Chron. 8:15,24; Ps. 119:49)
- Ge 21:1 And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah
as he had spoken.
- Ge 32:12 And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the
sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.
- Nu 14:17 And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great, according
as thou hast spoken, saying,
- Nu 14:18 The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and
transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the
fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.
- Nu 14:20 And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word:
- Nu 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he
should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall
he not make it good?
- Jos 21:45 There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken
unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.
- Jos 23:14 And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know
in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the
good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto
you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.
- 2Sa 7:25 And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant,
and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said.
- 2Sa 7:29 Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant,
that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it:
and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.
- 1Ch 8:15 And Zebadiah, and Arad, and Ader,
- 1Ch 8:24 And Hananiah, and Elam, and Antothijah,
- Ps 119:49 ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused
me to hope.
When I have a word of God in which He promises to do something, I can always remain
sure that He will do it. I have simply to take and hold fast the word, and there
with wait upon God: God will take care that He fulfils His word to me. Before I ever
feel or experience anything, I hold fast the promise, and I know by faith that God
will make it good to me. (Luke 1:38,45; John 3:33; 4:50; 11:40; 20:29; Heb. 11:11,18)
- Lu 1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according
to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
- Lu 1:45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of
those things which were told her from the Lord.
- Joh 3:33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is
true.
- Joh 4:50 Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed
the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.
- Joh 11:40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest
believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
- Joh 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast
believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
- Heb 11:11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed,
and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful
who had promised.
- Heb 11:18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called
What, now, is faith? Nothing other than the certitude that what God says is true.
When God says that something subsists or is, then does faith rejoice, although it
sees nothing of it. (Rom. 1:17; 4:5; 5:1; Gal. 3:27; Eph. 1:19; 3:17)
- Ro 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:
as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
- Ro 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the
ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
- Ro 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ:
- Ga 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
- Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe,
according to the working of his mighty power,
- Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted
and grounded in love
When God says that He has given me something, that something in heaven is mine,
I know by faith with entire certitude that it is mine. (John 3:16,17,36; 1 John 5:12,13)
- Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
- Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that
the world through him might be saved.
- Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth
not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
- 1Jo 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God
hath not life.
- 1Jo 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the
Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on
the name of the Son of God.
When God says that something shall come to pass, or that He will do something
for me, this is for faith just as good as if I had seen it. (Rom. 8:38; Phil. 3:21;
1 Thess 5:24; 1 Pet. 1:4,5)
- Ro 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities,
nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
- Phil 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto
his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all
things unto himself.
- 1Th 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
- 1Pe 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away,
reserved in heaven for you,
- 1Pe 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to
be revealed in the last time.
Things that are, but that I have not seen, and things that are not yet, but shall
come, are for faith entirely sure. 'Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the
proving of things not seen.' (Heb. 11:1) Faith always asks only for what God has
said, and then relies on His faithfulness and power to fulfil His word. Let us now
review again the words of Scripture. Of Mary we read: 'Blessed is she that believed;
for there shall be a fulfilment of the things which have been spoken to her from
the Lord.' All things that have been spoken in the word shall be fulfilled for me:
so I believe them. Of Abraham it is reported that he was fully assured that that
which had been promised, God was also able to fulfil. This is assurance of faith:
to be assured that God will do what He has promised. Exactly thus is it in the word
of Paul: 'I believe God that it shall be even so as it hath been spoken unto me.'
It stood fixed with him that God would do what He had spoken.
Young disciples in Christ, the new, the eternal life that is in you is a life of
faith. And do you not see how simple and how blessed that life of faith is? I go
every day to the word and hear there what God has said that He has done and will
do. (Gal. 2:20; 3:2,5; 5:5,6; Heb. 10:35; 1 Pet. 1:2)
- Ga 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ
liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the
Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
- Ga 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of
the law, or by the hearing of faith?
- Ga 3:5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles
among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
- Ga 5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
- Ga 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision;
but faith which worketh by love.
- Heb 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence
of reward.
- 1Pe 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification
of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace
unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
I take time to lodge in my heart the word in which God says that, and I hold it
fast, entirely assured that what God has promised, He is able to perform. And then
in a childlike spirit I await the fulfilment of all the glorious promises of His
word. And my soul experiences: Blessed is she that believed; for the things that
have been spoken to her from the Lord shall be fulfilled. God promises -- I believe
-- God fulfils: that is the secret of the new life.
O my Father, Thy child thanks Thee for this blessed life of faith in which we
have to walk. I can do nothing, but Thou canst do all. All that Thou canst do hast
Thou spoken in Thy word. And every word that I take and trustfully bring to Thee,
Thou fulfillest. Father, in this life of faith, so simple, so glorious, will I walk
with Thee. Amen.
1. The Christian must read and search the Scriptures to increase his knowledge. For
this purpose he daily reads one or more principal portions. But he reads the Scriptures
also to strengthen his faith. And to this end he must take one or two verses to make
them the subject of special reflection, and to appropriate them trustfully for himself.
2. Pray, do not suffer yourselves to be led astray by those who speak as if faith
were something great and unintelligible. Faith is nothing other than the certitude
that God speaks truth. Take some promises of God and say to Him: I know for certain
that this promise is truth, and that Thou wilt fulfil it. He will do it.
3. Never mourn over unbelief as if it were only a weakness which you cannot help.
As God's child, however weak you may be, you have the power to believe, for the spirit
of God is in you. You have only to keep in mind this: no one apprehends anything
before that he has the power to believe; he must simply begin and continue with saying
to the Lord that he is sure that His word is truth. He must hold fast the promise
and rely upon God for the fulfilment.
V. THE POWER OF GOD'S WORD
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'Faith cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.' -- Rom. 10:17
'Receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.' --
James 1:21
'We also thank God without ceasing, that, when ye received from us the word of the
message, even the word of God, ye accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it
is in truth, the word of God, which also worketh in you that believe.' -- 1 Thess.
2:13
'For the word of God is living and active.' -- Heb. 4:12
The new life of a child of God depends so much on the right use of God's word,
that I shall once again speak of it with my young brothers and sisters in the Lord.
It is a great thing when the Christian discerns that he can receive and accomplish
all only through faith. He has only to believe; God will look to the fulfilling of
what is promised. He has every morning to trust in Jesus, and the new life as given
in Jesus and working in himself; Jesus will see to it that the new life works in
him. But now he runs the risk of another error. He thinks that the faith that does
such great things must be something great, and that he must have a great power in
order to exercise such a great faith. (Luke 17:5-6; Rom. 10:6-8)
- Lu 17:5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
- Lu 17:6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might
say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted
in the sea; and it should obey you.
- Ro 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not
in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from
above:)
- Ro 10:7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again
from the dead.)
- Ro 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy
heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach
And, because he does not feel this power, he thinks that he cannot believe as
he ought. This error may prove a loss to him his life long. Come and hear, then,
how perverted this thought is. You must not bring this mighty faith to get the word
fulfilled, but the word comes and brings you this faith which you must have. "The
word is living and powerful." The word works faith in you. The Scripture says,
"Faith is by the word." (Rom. 10:17; Heb. 4:12)
- Ro 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
- Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged
sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints
and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Think on what we have said of the heart as a temple, and of its two divisions. There
is the outer court, with the understanding as its gate or entrance. There is the
innermost sanctuary, with the faith of the heart as its entrance. There is a natural
faith -- the historic faith -- which every man has; with this must I first receive
the word into my keeping and consideration. I must say to myself, "The word
of God is certainly true. I can make a stand upon it." Thus I bring the word
into the outer court, and from within the heart desire reaches out to it, seeking
to receive it into the heart. The word now exercises its divine power of life; it
begins to grow and shoot out roots. As a seed which I place in the earth sends forth
roots and presses still deeper into the soil, the word presses inwardly into the
holy place. The word thus works true saving faith. (1 Thess. 2:13; Jas. 1:21; 1 Pet.
1:23)
- 1Th 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received
the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but
as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
- Jas 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and
receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
- 1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by
the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Young Christian, pray understand this. The word is living and powerful; through the
word you are born again. The word works faith in you; through the word comes faith.
Receive the word simply with the thought that it will work in you. Keep yourselves
occupied with the word, and give it time. The word has a divine life in itself; carry
it in your inmost parts, and it will work life in you. It will work in you a faith
strong and able for anything.
O be resolved then, pray, never to say, I cannot believe. You can believe. You have
the Spirit of God in you. Even the natural man can say, This word of God is certainly
true or certainly not true. And when he with a desire of the soul says, "It
is true; I will believe it," the living Spirit, through whom the word is living
and powerful, works this living faith. Besides, the Spirit is not only in the word,
but also in you. Although you do not feel as if you were believing, know for certain
you can believe. (Deut. 32:46,47; Josh. 1:7,9)
- De 32:46 And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify
among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the
words of this law.
- De 32:47 For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through
this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess
it.
- Jos 1:7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to
do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from
it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou
goest.
- Jos 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid,
neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Begin actually to receive the word; it will work a mighty faith in you. Rely upon
it, that when you have to do with God's word, you have to do with a word that can
be surely trusted that it of itself works faith in you.
And not only the promises, but also the commands have this living power. When I first
receive a command from God, it is as if I felt no power to accomplish it. But if
I then simply receive the word as God's word, which works in those that believe,
-- if I trust in the word to have its working, and in the living God which gives
it its operation, -- that commandment will work in me the desire and the power for
obedience. When I weigh and hold fast the command, it works the desire and the will
to obey; it urges me strongly towards the conviction that I can certainly do what
my Father says. The word works both faith and obedience of faith. I must believe
that through the Spirit I have the power to do what God wills, for in the word the
power of God works in me. The word, as the command of the living God who loves me,
is my power. (Rom. 1:3; 16:6; Gal. 6:6; 1 Thess. 1:3; Jas. 1:21)
- Ro 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of
David according to the flesh;
- Ro 16:6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.
- Ga 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth
in all good things.
- 1Th 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and
patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
- Jas 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and
receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Therefore, young disciples in Christ, learn to receive God's word trustfully.
Although you do not at first understand it, continue to meditate upon it. It has
a living power in it; it will glorify itself. Although you feel no power to believe
or to obey, the word is living and powerful. Take it, and hold it fast; it will accomplish
its work with divine power. The word rouses and strengthens for faith and obedience.
Lord God, I begin to conceive how Thou art in Thy word with Thy life and Thy power,
and how that word itself works faith and obedience in the heart that receives and
keeps it. Lord, teach me to carry Thy every word as a living seed in my heart, in
the assurance that it shall work in me all Thy good pleasure. Amen
1. Forget not that it is one and the same to believe in the word, or in the person
that speaks the word, or in the thing which is promised in the word. The very same
faith that receives the promises receives also the Father who promises, and the Son
with the salvation which is given in the promises. Pray see to it that you never
separate the word and the living God from each other.
2. See to it also that you apprehend thoroughly the distinction betwixt the reception
of the word "as the word of man" and "as the word of God, which works
in you that believe."
3. I think that you now know what is necessary to become strong in faith. Exercise
as much faith as you have. Take a promise of God. Say to yourself that it is certainly
true. Go to God and say to Him that you rely on Him for the fulfilment. Ponder the
promise, and cleave to it in converse with God. Rely upon Him to do for you what
He says. He will surely do it.
4. The Spirit and the word always go together. I can be sure concerning all of which
the word says that I must do it, that I also can do it through the Spirit. I must
receive the word and also the command in the confidence that it is the living word
of the living God which also works in us who believe.
VI. GOD'S GIFT OF HIS SON
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'For God so loved the world, that He have His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
on Him should not perish, but have eternal life.' -- John 3:16
'Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.' -- 2 Cor. 9:15
Thus dear did God hold the world. How dear? That He gave His only-begotten Son
for every one in the world who will trust in Him. And how did He give? He gave Him,
in His birth as man, in order to be for ever one with us. He gave Him, in His death
on the cross as Surety, in order to take our sin and curse upon Himself. He gave
Him on the throne of heaven, in order to arrange for our welfare, as our Representative
and Intercessor over all the powers of heaven. He gave Him in the outpouring of the
Spirit, in order to dwell in us, to be entirely and altogether our own. (John 1:14,16;
14:23; Rom. 5:8; 8:32,34; Eph. 1:22; 3:17; Col. 2:9-10; Heb. 7:24,26; 1 John 4:9-10)
- Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
- Joh 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
- Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my
words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode
with him.
- Ro 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us.
- Ro 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how
shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
- Ro 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is
risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for
us.
- Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head
over all things to the church,
- Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted
and grounded in love,
- Col 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
- Col 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and
power:
- Heb 7:24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
- Heb 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled,
separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
- 1Jo 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent
his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
- 1Jo 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent
his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Yes; that is the love of God, that He gave His Son to us, for us, in us.
Nothing less than His Son Himself. This is the love of God; not that He gives us
something, but that He gives us some one -- a living person -- not one or another
blessing, but Him in whom is all life and blessing -- Jesus Himself. Not simply forgiveness,
or revival, or sanctification, or glory does He give us; but Jesus, His own Son.
The Lord Jesus is the beloved, the equal, the bosom-friend, the eternal blessedness
of the Father. And it is the will of the Father that we should have Jesus as ours,
even as He has Him. (Matt. 11:27; John 17:23,25; Rom. 8:38-39; Heb. 2:11)
- Mt 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the
Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to
whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
- Joh 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and
that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast
loved me.
- Joh 17:25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known
thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
- Ro 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities,
nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
- Ro 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate
us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Heb 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of
one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren
For this end He gave Him to us. The whole of salvation consists in this: to have,
to possess, to enjoy Jesus. God has given His Son, given Him wholly to become ours.
(Ps. 73:25; 142:6; John 20:28; Heb. 3:14)
- Ps 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I
desire beside thee.
- Ps 142:6 Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors;
for they are stronger than I.
- Joh 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
- Heb 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our
confidence stedfast unto the end
What have we, then, to do? To take Him, to receive and to appropriate to ourselves
the gift, to enjoy Jesus as our own. This is eternal life. 'He that hath the Son
hath life.' (John 1:12; 2 Cor. 3:13,5; Col. 2:6; 1 John 5:12)
- Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons
of God, even to them that believe on his name:
- 2Co 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children
of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
- 2Co 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves;
but our sufficiency is of God;
- Col 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
- 1Jo 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God
hath not life.
How I do wish, then, that all young Christians may understand this. The one great
work of God's love for us is, He gives us His Son. In Him we have all. Hence the
one great work of our heart must be to receive this Jesus who has been given to us,
to consider Him and use Him as ours. I must begin every day anew with the thought,
I have Jesus to do all for me. (John 15:5; Rom. 8:37; 1 Cor. 1:30; Eph. 1:3; 2:10;
Phil. 4:13; 2 Tim. 1:12)
- Joh 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.
- Ro 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that
loved us.
- 1Co 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom,
and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
- Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed
us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
- Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
- Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
- 2Ti 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not
ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep
that which I have committed unto him against that day.
In all weakness or darkness or danger, in the case of every desire or need, let
your first thought always be, I have Jesus to make everything right for me, for God
has given Him to me. Whether your need be forgiveness or consolation or confirmation,
whether you have fallen, or are tempted to fall, into danger, whether you know not
what the will of God is in one or another matter, or know that you have not the courage
and the strength to do this will, let this always be your first thought, the Father
has given me Jesus to care for me.
For this purpose, reckon upon this gift of God every day as yours. It has been presented
to you in the word. Appropriate the Son in faith on the word. Take Him anew every
day. Through faith you have the Son. (John 1:12; 1 John 5:9,13)
- Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons
of God, even to them that believe on his name:
- 1Jo 5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for
this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
- 1Jo 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the
Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on
the name of the Son of God.
The love of God has given the Son. Take Him, and hold Him fast in the love of
your heart. (1 John 4:4,19)
- 1Jo 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater
is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
- 1Jo 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.
It is to bring life, eternal life, to you that God has given Jesus. Take Him up
into your life; let heart and tongue and whole walk be under the might and guidance
of Jesus. (2 Cor. 5:15; Phil 3:8)
- 2Co 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth
live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
- Phil 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of
the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things,
and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ
Young Christian, so weak and so [WStS: tending to sin- not presently living in
it] sinful, listen, pray, to that word. God has given you Jesus. He is yours. Taking
is nothing else but the fruit of faith. The gift is for me. He will do all for you.
O my Lord Jesus, today anew, and every day, I take Thee. In all Thy fulness, in
all Thy relations, without ceasing, I take Thee for myself. Thee, who art my Wisdom,
my Light, my Leader, I take as my Prophet. Thee, who dost perfectly reconcile me,
and bring me near to God, who dost purify and sanctify me and pray for me, I take
as my Priest. Thee, who dost guide and keep and bless me, I take as my King. Thou,
Lord, art All, and Thou art wholly mine. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.
Amen.
1. Ponder much the word Give. God gives in a wonderful way: from the heart, completely
for nothing, to the unworthy. And He gives effectually. What He gives He will really
make entirely our possession, and inwardly appropriate for us. Believe this, and
you shall have the certitude that Jesus will, to the full, come into your possession,
with all that He brings.
2. Ponder much also that other word Take. To take Jesus, and to hold Him fast and
use Him when received, is our great work. And that taking is nothing but trusting.
He is mine with all that He has. Take Jesus -- the full Jesus -- every day as yours.
This is the secret of the life of faith.
3. Then weigh well also the word Have. 'He that hath the Son hath light.' What I
have is mine, for my use and service. I can dispose of it, and can have the full
enjoyment of it. 'He that hath the Son hath life.'
4. Mark especially that what God gives, and what you take, and what you now have,
is nothing less than the living Son of God. Do you receive this?
VII. JESUS' SURRENDER OF HIMSELF
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'Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself up for it; that He might sanctify
it; that He might present the Church to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot
or wrinkle; but that it should be holy and without blemish.' -- Eph. 5:24-47
So great and wonderful was the work that Jesus had to do for the sinner, that
nothing less was necessary than that He should give Himself to do that work. So great
and wonderful was the love of Jesus towards us, that He actually gave Himself for
us and to us. So great and wonderful is the surrender of Jesus, that all that same
thing for which He gave Himself can actually and completely come to pass in us. For
Jesus, the Holy, the Almighty, has taken it upon Himself to do it: He gave Himself
for us. (Gal. 1:4; 2:20; Eph. 5:2,25; 1 Tim. 2:6; Titus 2:14)
- Ga 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present
evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
- Ga 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ
liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the
Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
- Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself
for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
- Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and
gave himself for it;
- 1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
- Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity,
and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
And now the one thing that is necessary is that we should rightly understand and
firmly believe this His surrender for us.
To what end, then, was it that He gave Himself for the Church? Hear what God says.
In order that He might sanctify it, in order that it might be without blemish. (Eph.
1:4; 5:27; Col. 1:22; 1 Thess. 2:10; 3:13; 5:23,24)
- Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
- Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot,
or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
- Col 1:22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable
and unreproveable in his sight:
- 1Th 2:10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably
we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
- 1Th 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before
God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
- 1Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole
spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
- 1Th 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
This is the aim of Jesus. This His aim He will reach in the soul according as
the soul falls in with it so as to make this also its highest portion, and then relies
upon Jesus' surrender of Himself to do it. Hear still a word of God: 'Who gave Himself
for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a people
for His own possession, zealous of good works.' (Titus 2:14) Yes: it is to prepare
for Himself a pure people, a people of His own, a zealous people, that Jesus gives
Himself. When I receive Him, when I believe that He gave Himself to do this for me,
I shall certainly experience it. I shall be purified through Him, shall be held fast
as His possession, and be filled with zeal and joy to work for Him.
And mark, further, how the operation of this surrender of Himself will especially
be that He shall then have us entirely for Himself: 'that He might present us to
Himself.' 'that He might purify us to Himself, a people of His own.' The more I understand
and contemplate Jesus' surrender of Himself for me, the more do I give myself again
to Him. The surrender is a mutual one: the love comes from both sides. His giving
of Himself makes such an impression on my heart, that my heart with the self-same
love and joy becomes entirely His. Through giving Himself to me, He of Himself takes
possession of me; He becomes mine and I His. I know that I have Jesus wholly for
me, and that He has me wholly for Him. (Ex. 19:4,5; Deut. 26:17,18; Isa. 41:9,10;
1 Cor. 6:19,20; 1 Pet. 2:10)
- Ex 19:4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles'
wings, and brought you unto myself.
- Ex 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant,
then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth
is mine:
- De 26:17 Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in his
ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken
unto his voice:
- De 26:18 And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people,
as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;
- Isa 41:9 Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from
the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee,
and not cast thee away.
- Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right
hand of my righteousness.
- 1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which
is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
- 1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body,
and in your spirit, which are God's.
- 1Pe 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God:
which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
And how come I then to the full enjoyment of this blessed life? 'I live in faith,
the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.' (John
6:29,35; 7:38; 10:10,38; Gal. 2:20)
- Joh 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye
believe on him whom he hath sent.
- Joh 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to
me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
- Joh 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly
shall flow rivers of living water.
- Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:
I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
- Joh 10:38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may
know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
- Ga 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ
liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the
Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Through faith I reflect upon and contemplate His surrender to me as sure and glorious.
Through faith I appropriate it. Through faith I trust in Jesus to confirm this surrender,
to communicate Himself to me and reveal Himself within me. Through faith I await
with certainty the full experience of salvation which arises from having Jesus as
mine, to do all, all for me. Through faith, I live in this Jesus who loved me and
gave Himself for me. and I say, 'No longer do I live, but Christ liveth in me.' Christian,
pray believe it with your whole heart: Jesus gives Himself for you: He is wholly
yours: He will do all for you. (Matt. 8:10; 9:2,22; Mark 11:24; Luke 7:50; 8:48;
17:19; 18:42; Rom. 4:16,21; 5:2; 11:20; Gal. 3:25,26; Eph. 1:19; 3:17)
- Mt 8:10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily
I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
- Mt 9:2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed:
and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer;
thy sins be forgiven thee.
- Mt 9:22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be
of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from
that hour.
- Mr 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray,
believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
- Lu 7:50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
- Lu 8:48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made
thee whole; go in peace.
- Lu 17:19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
- Lu 18:42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.
- Ro 4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise
might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that
also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
- Ro 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also
to perform.
- Ro 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand,
and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
- Ro 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by
faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
- Ga 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
- Ga 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
- Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe,
according to the working of his mighty power,
- Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted
and grounded in love
O my Lord Jesus, what wonderful grace is this, that Thou gavest Thyself for me.
In Thee is eternal life. Thou Thyself art the life and Thou givest Thyself to be
in my life all that I need. Thou purifiest me and sanctifiest me, and makest me zealous
in good works. Thou takest me wholly for Thyself, and givest Thyself wholly for me.
Yes, my Lord, in all thou art my life. O make me rightly understand this. Amen.
1. It was in His great love that the Father gave the Son. It was out of love that
Jesus gave Himself. (Rom. 3:15; Eph. 5:26)
- Ro 3:15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:
- Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the
word
The taking, the having of Jesus, is the entrance to a life in the
love of God: this is the highest life. (John 14:21,23,; 17:23,26; Eph. 3:17,18)
- Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth
me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will
manifest myself to him.
- Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my
words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode
with him.
- Joh 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and
that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast
loved me.
- Joh 17:26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the
love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
- Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted
and grounded in love,
- Eph 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length,
and depth, and height
Through faith we must press into love, and dwell there. (1 John
4:16-18)
- 1Jo 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is
love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
- 1Jo 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day
of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
- 1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because
fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
2. Do you think that you have now learned all the lesson, to begin
every day with the childlike trust: I take Jesus this day to be my life, and to do
all for me.
3. Understand that to take and to have Jesus, presupposes a personal dealing with
Himself. To have pleasure in Him, to hold converse gladly with Him, to rejoice in
Him as my friend and in His love -- to this leads the faith that truly takes Him.
VIII. CHILDREN OF GOD
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'As many as received Him, to them gave He the right to become children of God, even
to them that believe on His name.' -- John 1:12
What is given must be received, otherwise it does not profit. If the first great
deed of God's love is the gift of His Son, the first work of man must be to receive
this Son. And if all the blessings of God's love come to us only in the ever-new,
ever-living Son of the Father, all these blessings enter into us from day to day
through the always-new, always-continuing reception of the Son.
What is necessary for this reception, you, beloved young Christians, know, for you
have already received the Lord Jesus. But all that this reception involves must become
clearer and stronger, the unceasing living action of your faith. (2 Cor. 10:15; 1
Thess. 1:8; 3:10; 2 Thess. 1:3)
- 2Co 10:15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's
labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged
by you according to our rule abundantly,
- 1Th 1:8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and
Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that
we need not to speak any thing.
- 1Th 3:10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might
perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
- 2Th 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because
that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward
each other aboundeth
Herein especially consists the increase of faith. Your first receiving of Jesus
rested on the certitude which the word gave you, that He was for you. Through the
word must your soul be still further filled with the assurance that all that is in
Him is literally and really for you, given by the Father in Him to be your life.
The impulse to your first receiving was found in your want and necessity. Through
the Spirit you become still poorer in spirit, and you see everything every moment:
this leads to a ceaseless, ever-active taking of Him as your all. (Matt 5:3; 2 Cor.
3:10,13,16; 6:10; Eph. 4:14,15; Col. 2:6)
- Mt 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- 2Co 3:10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect,
by reason of the glory that excelleth.
- 2Co 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children
of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
- 2Co 3:16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken
away.
- 2Co 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as
having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
- Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried
about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness,
whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
- Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things,
which is the head, even Christ:
- Col 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him
Your first receiving consisted in noth |
