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Paul’s criterion

(James Smith, “The Believer’s Triumph” 1862)  Play Audio!  Download Audio

“And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” Romans 8:9

This is Paul’s criterion. No matter what a man has, if he does not have the Spirit of Christ–“he does not belong to Christ!” 

This divine agent, as the Spirit of Christ, always convinces the soul of its need of Christ. He always leads to the cross of Christ! He will not allow the soul to stop at, or rest in, sacraments, ceremonies, or any duties it may perform. 
He points to the cross. 
He leads to the cross. 
He fixes the sinner’s eye upon the cross. 
He brings peace to the soul through the cross. 
He dedicates and devotes the sinner to God’s service at the cross. 
Every one who has the Spirit of Christ, knows something of the worth, virtue, and efficacy of the cross of Christ.

The Spirit of Christ always conforms to the image of Christ. Christ is the model after which the Spirit works; and by the Word and ordinances, by providence and His own inward operations–He stamps the likeness of Christ upon the soul. He fixes the eye on Jesus, who, as a mirror, represents and sets forth the glory of God; and by looking at Jesus, a divine transformation takes place, and we are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Unless, therefore, we have been taught our need of Christ as a Savior; unless we have been led to the cross of Christ to seek salvation there; unless we are in some degree conformed to Christ, and are daily seeking more conformity–we have not the Spirit of Christ. “And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.”

The Spirit of Christ is the great proof that we are Christ’s. There may be much feeling, a moral reformation, and a profession of religion, without this. But if we have the Spirit of Christ, our thoughts will be engaged with Him, our hearts will be going out to Him, and we shall at times long to depart that we may be with Him, and see Him as He is!

The Spirit of Christ always renders Christ precious, and produces the highest possible esteem of Him.

The Spirit of Christ always makes its possessor like Christ. Not perfectly, here on earth–yet He kindles and keeps alive a desire for perfect likeness. This is the great, the grand, the habitual aim of the soul, always and everywhere–to be like Christ!

The sufferings of this present time!

(James Smith, “No Comparison!” 1862)  Play Audio!Download Audio

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us!” Romans 8:18

Paul compares present sufferings, with future glory. 

Believers are exposed to all kinds of suffering–and instead of obtaining an exemption from afflictions, they are assured that it is through much tribulation that they must enter into the kingdom of God.

Some endure inward suffering, with which no one is fully acquainted but God Himself. They have such darkness, gloom, distress, agitation, trouble, and sorrow–as would not be easy to describe. 

Some suffer much in body, from the stressed and disordered state of the nervous system, from chronic diseases, or deformities in the physical frame. They seldom move without suffering, and for years together have but little freedom from weakness and pain. They live a life of suffering, a kind of dying life, and think much of Heaven as of a place where there is no more pain.

Some suffer much financially. Scarcely anything seems to prosper with them, losses, crosses, and opposition meet them at every turn. And though they live honestly, and conduct their business honorably–they are thwarted, hindered, and filled with perplexity. No one can tell what they suffer from financial trials and difficulties.

Others suffer from reproach, misrepresentation, strife, and persecution in the world, or in the Church, or both! No one seems to understand them, or is prepared to sympathize with them; they are like “a sparrow alone upon the house-top.” False friends and open enemies unite to trouble and distress them, so that they often sigh, and say, “O that I had wings like a dove, for then would I fly away and be at rest!”

Others in the domestic circle, or from some of the relationships of life, are called to suffer long and seriously.

But whether from trouble of mind, sickness of body, trials in business, family difficulties, or persecution for Christ’s sake, all suffer, and most believers suffer much!

But compare their present sufferings, with their future glory:
Glory which will exclude all pain and suffering; all sin and sorrow! 
Glory beyond the reach of all foes and the cause of all trouble! 
Glory which includes happiness; perfect, perpetual, never-ending happiness! 
Glory which includes honor; the highest, holiest, and most satisfying honor! 
Glory, or splendor, which will fill the soul, clothe the body, and dignify the entire person forever!

Filled with light, peace, and joy; clothed with beauty, brightness, and magnificence, they will appear with Christ in glory, filling them with wonder and unutterable delight!

This glory will be possessed by us, as part of our marriage portion and inalienable inheritance. But we can form no adequate idea of that glory, for “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him!” 1 Corinthians 2:9

Her life-lesson was comprised in four words

(James Smith, “Keep Close to Christ” 1857)

A Christian minister was dying. He had a young sister whom he tenderly loved, and in whose welfare he felt the deepest interest. She came to pay the last visit, and receive from his lips the last words of advice. The words of a dying minister, realizing the value of the soul, and the solemnity of eternity, are important words. Taking her by the hand, and fixing his eyes upon her with a loving look, he said: “Keep close to Christ!”

What could he say of more import? Her life-lesson was comprised in four words: “Keep close to Christ!” She had come to Jesus, she  loved Jesus, she found happiness in Jesus; but the dying brother knew . . .
  the deceitfulness of the human heart; 
  the power of the world’s fascinations, 
  and the craft and subtlety of Satan, 
therefore he exhorts: “Keep close to Christ!”

May the Lord give us grace to get near to Him; and then give us more grace, to keep near to Him; for alas! how many of us, like Peter, follow Him afar off!

What must we do, to keep close to Jesus?

We must keep close to His Word. Here He . . . 
  reveals His mind,
  displays His love, and
  exhibits His beauty!

It is a revelation of His deepest, sweetest, kindest thoughts!

It is an exhibition of His infinite, eternal, deathless love!

It is a mirror in which we may see His unparalleled beauty and excellency!

No one can keep close to Jesus who does not daily, seriously, and prayerfully read His Word. That Word . . .
  received into the heart by faith,
  digested by meditation, and
  reduced to practice in the life, 
will bring the soul and Christ together! 

For the more we know of Christ, the more we shall love Him; the more we shall prize, pant for, and seek to enjoy His presence!

Blessed Spirit, help us so to read the Word, as always to find Christ in it; and by it endear Him more and more unto us, and bring us into closer fellowship with Him!

The biggest loser!

(James Smith, “The Safe Side!“)  LISTEN to audio!Download audio

There are usually two sides:
the one dangerous, the other safe; 
the one is uncertain, and the other is sure. 

It is always the wisest to be found on the safe side!

Look at the unbeliever: 
He denies the Bible to be God’s book. 
He walks by his own reason. 
He gratifies his senses and his lusts. 
He lives in sin.
He must soon die. 
He has no Savior. 
He has no true hope. 
If the Bible is false, then he is safe. BUT if the Bible is true, then he is damned forever!

He is certainly not on the safe side!

There are many things in the Bible which he does not like. 
He is prejudiced against it. 
It never prophecies good concerning him, but always evil.
It requires him to change his present sinful course, but he loves it. 
He loves sin, and the Bible condemns it. 
He gratifies the lusts of the flesh, and the Bible bids him to mortify them. 
In a word, there is as much opposition between the Bible and him, as between:
  light and darkness,
  holiness and sin,
  truth and error. 
Therefore he hates it!

At the best, with him all is uncertain, unsatisfactory, and vexatious. He is certainly not on the safe side!

Now look at the true Christian:
He believes the Bible to be from God, 
  he has examined it, 
  he has evidence of its inspiration in his heart, 
  he fully believes it. 
What the Bible says of himself as a sinner, he knows to be true. 
What it says of Jesus as a Savior, he has proved to be a fact. 
As guilty, he has applied to God for pardon, and obtained it. 
As impure, he has sought the cleansing operations of the Holy Spirit, and has experienced them. 
His guilt is gone, therefore he has no slavish fears.
His soul is justified, therefore he has peace with God. 
He approves of the inspired precepts, and regulates his life by them. 
He carries his cares to God, and is sustained under them. 
He realizes that God is his Friend, his Father, and his everlasting Portion! 
He is peaceful. He is often happy.
To him death has no sting, and eternity has no terror. 
He knows Jesus as his Savior, and trusts in Him. 
He knows God as his Father, and walks with Him.
He knows the HolySpirit as his comforting Teacher, and listens to Him. 

He is, perhaps, more tried than the unbeliever–but he has supports, consolations, and pleasures, of which the unbeliever knows nothing. He lives . . .
  to bless others,
  to honor God,
  to prepare for a glorious immortality. 

He would not change his worst day, for the unbeliever’s best day!

He is on the safe side!

If the unbeliever should be right, then the Christian is no loser. 

But if the Christian is right, and he is–then the unbeliever is the biggest loser, an infinite loser!

Reader, on which side are you? There is but one safe side. 

There is no safety for a sinner now, but at the Cross!

There will be no safety at death and judgment, but in Christ!

He who is on the safe side now, will be on the safe side then! 

There will be no changing sides then!

“But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit upon His glorious throne! All the nations will be gathered in His presence, and He will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at His right hand, and the goats at His left. 
Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world!’ (the safe side)
Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons!’ (the perilous side)
And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life!” Matthew 25:31-46

He was infinitely happy and glorious without us! 

(James Smith, “The Pastor’s Morning Visit”)

“Christ, who loved us!” Romans 8:37

No condition can possibly be more dreary, than to feel that no one loves or cares for us!

There is something peculiarly sweet and pleasant, in being the object of another’s love. Even the love of a poor child is sweet. But to be loved by one who is most wealthy, most exalted in station, and most honorable in character–must be peculiarly delightful!

How, then, should we rejoice; how happy should we be–who are loved by the Lord Jesus! Especially when we consider: 
on the one hand . . .
  how despicable,
  how poor,
  how worthless, and
  how unlovely WE are! 
And, on the other hand . . .
  how glorious,
  how wealthy,
  how worthy,
  how lovely JESUS is! 

To be loved by Jesus, is to be preferred before the possession of a world!

Think of . . .
  the glory of His person,
  the vastness of His possessions,
  the number of His angelic attendants,
  the unlimited sovereignty which He exercises,
  and the excellent character He bears!

Also bear in mind that He knew what loving us would cost Him–how He would be treated by us and by others, for our sakes! 

Yet He fixed His love upon US! 

He loved US, just because He would!

He passed by others more dignified in nature, more exalted in station–but He chose US!

He did not, could not, NEED us–for He was infinitely happy and glorious without us! 

Yet He loved us!

He still loves us!

Go to Him just as you are, and receive from Him all you need!

(James Smith, “The Pastor’s Morning Visit”)
“Come unto Me!” Matthew 11:28

Jesus calls you to His throne of grace. He is there waiting to hear, relieve and bless you. You are to go to Him just as you are, and receive from Him all you need.

He will give you:
  wisdom, to direct your steps; 
  peace, to keep your hearts; 
  strength, to do His will; 
  righteousness, to justify your souls; 
  and rest, unspeakably sweet. 

He is glorified in bestowing these blessings upon you. He calls you this morning, this moment–to receive all you need, without money and without price. What a precious Savior is Jesus! What a kind and tender Friend!

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

“Come!” He says, “Come to Me! 

Do not go to SELF, to the world, to the empty cisterns which creatures idolize; but come unto Me, and I will do immeasurably more than all you can ask or imagine!
Your sins, I will pardon; 
your graces, I will revive; 
your comforts, I will restore; 
your holiness, I will increase; 
your efforts to glorify Me, I will crown with success; 
I will bless you, and you shall be a blessing!”

Our great lesson!

(James Smith, “The Pastor’s Morning Visit”)
“I will instruct you.” Psalm 32:8
At best we know but little, and we are slow to learn. 
But the Lord has promised to instruct us. 
The Lord’s teaching always produces . . .
  humility,
  self-loathing,
  confidence in God,
  zeal for His glory, and
  heart devotion to Him!

The Lord’s teaching always . . .
  brings us to the feet of Jesus, and
  delivers us from the present evil world. 

Under Divine instruction we learn . . .
  the true nature of sin,
  the vanity of the world,
  the emptiness of creatures, and
  the fullness and preciousness of Christ!

Is God willing to instruct us? 
Then let us be early and often at His throne of grace, praying, as the Psalmist did, 
“Show me Your ways, O LORD,
 teach me Your paths;
 guide me in Your truth and teach me;
 for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.” Psalm 25:4-5 

Then shall we exclaim, as Elihu did, 
“God is exalted in His power. Who is a teacher like Him!” Job 36:22 

The Lord will teach us to profit, and sanctify us through the truth He imparts. 

Christ is our great lesson, and to know Him rightly is life, peace and joy!

Is Jesus your Teacher? Then . . .
  sit at His feet,
  treasure up His Words, 
  and show forth His praise! 

He says, “Learn of Me.” Learn to . . .
  know Him,
  love Him,
  obey Him, and
  live upon Him!

“Teach me Your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path!” Psalm 27:11 

We begin at the lowest grade

(J.R. Miller, 1909)

“Learn from Me–for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29

All of Christian life is a school. “Learn from Me,” said the Master. We are only beginners when we first become Christians, and enter Christ’s school. We begin at the lowest grade. We do not have to wait until we know a great deal before we begin to attend school. School is not for finished scholars, but for the most ignorant. We may come to Christ when we know almost nothing. He is the teacher, and all believers are learners. 

“Learn from Me–for I am gentle.” Gentleness is a lesson which we are to learn. It will probably take us a good long while to learn this lesson, but we must learn it because it is in Christ’s curriculum for all His students.

Contentment is another lesson which we must learn. When he was well along in life, Paul said, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” It was a long and difficult lesson for him to learn. 

Patience is a lesson that has to be learned. 
An impatient person is not a complete Christian. 

Thoughtfulness is a necessary lesson. There are a great many thoughtless Christians. They are always blundering in their interactions with others. They say the wrong word, they do the wrong thing. They are always hurting other people’s feelings, giving pain to gentle hearts. Yet it is all from thoughtlessness. “I didn’t mean to offend him. I didn’t mean to be unkind. I just never thought!” There are few lessons in Christian life that more people need to learn, than this of thoughtfulness.

We have to learn to trust. Worry is a sin. It is probably as great a sin as dishonesty or profanity or bad temper. Yet a good many Christian people worry, and one of the most important lessons in Christ’s school, is to learn not to worry. 

Kindness is a lesson we must learn. It takes many years to learn the one little lesson of kindness.

Joy is a lesson to be learned. 

Peace is another. 

Humility is another necessary lesson. 

Praise is a great lesson. 

All of life is a school, and it is in learning these lessons that Jesus says we shall find rest for your souls. Christ Himself is our teacher, and with Him we should never fail to learn, though it be only slowly. Then as we learn our lessons, our lives will grow continually more and more into quietness, peace and Christlikeness.

“The Christian is not superficial in any sense, but is fundamentally serious and fundamentally happy. You see, the joy of the Christian is a holy joy, the happiness of the Christian is a serious happiness. … it is a solemn joy, it is a holy joy, it is a serious happiness; so that, though he is grave and sober-minded and serious, he is never cold and prohibitive.” 
― David Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount

Have you learned your lesson so badly?

(George Mylne, “Lessons for the Christian’s Daily Walk” 1859)
“All is vexation of spirit!” Ecclesiastes 1:14

Who has not felt vexation?
Who knows not what it means?

The infant in its cradle,
the schoolboy at his play,
youth in all its vitality,
manhood in its prime,
and especially old age—
all, all have felt vexation!

My soul, you know it well! Your sins, your fallen nature, your infirmities–all lay you open to vexation. 
How easily irritated you get! 
How quick to feel offenses! 
How swift to gather sorrows to yourself through your excess of sensitivity!
Often have you murmured at your lot, rising in mutiny against your Maker! 
How often has your patience failed! 
What trifles have often wounded you! 
Some scheme of pleasure has been thwarted–and you were quite vexed! 
A rainy day, or even some trifling inconvenience–has often ruffled your composure. 
How often a kind reproof, a friendly warning–some imagined slight–a look–a smile withheld, and yet with no intention of unkindness–has filled you with vexation! 
How often has . . .
  wounded pride; 
  a humbling sense of your infirmities;
  a deep conviction of your lack of judgment; 
  the fear of standing low in man’s opinion
–vexed you beyond expression! 

My soul, you are not singular in your vexation. 
Go where you will, you will find it. 
The world is full of vexation. “All is vexation of spirit!”

This does not mean that . . .
 woes may lawfully be brooded over, or 
 sense of injuries may be cherished in the soul, or 
 that morbid feelings may be indulged in, or 
 that moody silence, brooding vexation, and carking care–are healthful for the soul! Oh, no! 

If God is true, if Scripture precept has its weight, and promises their meaning–then vexation, O my soul, should have no part in you! Open you must be to its trials day by day. But . . .
  where is your grace; 
  where is your holiness; 
  where is your consistency; 
  where is your strength, your comfort, and your steadfastness
–if you are conquered by vexation?

Have you, then, learned of Christ, the lowly and the meek One–and not found rest for your soul? (Matthew 11:29.) Have you learned your lesson so badly? Go, learn it over again. Fight, then, against this habit of vexation. Give it no place within you. Look to the Comforter to help you. Taste the tranquility of God. Take every trial, as it rises, to Jesus, your Savior-Friend. Then peace shall be your portion–not vexation.

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you.
 I do not give to you as the world gives.
 Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid!” John 14:27 

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, 
 will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus!” Philippians 4:7

A life-giving stream for parched pilgrims!

The Word and the Spirit are so intimately conjoined, that we are scarcely warranted in thinking of the one without the other. The Word does not operate without the Spirit’s agency; and the Spirit does not work apart from the Word.

It was by the Spirit’s inspiration that the Word was first given, for “holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21).

It is by the Spirit that we are enlightened (Ephesians 1:17, 18), yet the Word is the means He employs. 

It is by the Spirit that we are sanctified (Romans 15:16), yet not apart from the Truth (John 17:17). 

It is by the Spirit, that we are strengthened (Ephesians 3:16) as He causes the Word to dwell in us richly (Colossians 3:16). 

It is by the Spirit, that we are comforted (Acts 9:31) as He applies the Divine promises to our hearts. 

How appropriate, then, that the grand instrument employed by the Spirit of grace, should be termed “the Word of His grace.”

The “Word of His grace” proclaims . . .
  rest for the weary,
  pardon to the guilty,
  justification to the ungodly,
  adoption to the outcast,
  eternal heavenly treasures for spiritual paupers! 

It is “the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind” who are to be called to the feast which free grace has spread! (Luke 14:13)

“The Word of His grace” not only instructs us where grace is to be found, and how further supplies of it are to be obtained–but it is the principal medium through which grace is actually imparted to the soul. It is a life-giving stream for parched pilgrims–as they journey through this “wilderness of sin.” 

As its sacred pages are reverently perused–
  the mind is instructed,
  the conscience is enlightened,
  the affections are warmed,
  and the will is moved. 

As its exceeding great and precious promises are meditated upon and treasured up in the heart–new strength is imparted to the soul. 

As its holy precepts are turned into earnest prayer–help is obtained for the discharge of duty. 

As its timely warnings and admonitions are heeded–temptations lose their power and the snares of Satan are avoided.

As its cheering revelation of what God has prepared for those who love Him is received by faith–new hope is kindled in the heart, and the trials of life are borne with greater fortitude. And as the end of the journey is neared–death loses its terrors and the call to leave this “valley of tears” becomes more desirable. 

Without “the Word of His grace” we would be mariners upon the sea of life–without chart or compass!
 
“Now I commit you to God and to the Word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified!” Acts 20:32 

The transforming power of the Spirit!

(J.C. Ryle, “The Lord’s Garden“)
“To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints.” Romans 1:7

Believers are separated from the world by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit calls them out from the world, and separates them as effectually as if a wall were built between them and it. He puts in them . . .
  new hearts,
  new minds,
  new tastes,
  new desires,
  new sorrows,
  new joys,
  new wishes,
  new pleasures,
  new longings.

He gives them . . . 
  new eyes,
  new ears,
  new affections,
  new opinions. 

He makes them new creatures. They are born again–and with a new birth they begin a new existence. Mighty indeed is the transforming power of the Spirit!

No longer will there be any curse!

(Maria Sandberg, “Glimpses of Heaven!” 1880)

“No longer will there be any curse!” Revelation 22:3 
Our beautiful world, filled with the wonderful works of God, bears evident traces that it is not what it was created at first. It bears everywhere, the marks of a great change–which change is accounted for in the Bible by the fall of Adam. God made everything very good–but man sinned, and the curse came upon himself and the whole creation! Though still beautiful, yet how much is its beauty marred and defaced! Now, thorns and thistles spring up, where once were only lovely flowers and sweet fruits. The wild beasts of the forest, though still beautiful in outward form–now possess violent and ferocious dispositions; and the beasts of burden groan under the tyranny of man. Man himself is subject to labor and toil, to sorrow and sickness and death. Even his most innocent enjoyments are marred by sin!

But thanks be to God, the promise of deliverance from the curse sounds in our ears in this blessed Scripture, “No longer will there be any curse!” Where then, is this land of blessing and perfection? It is that Paradise which Christ has gone to prepare for His people; that “Rest which remains for the people of God.” 

Here on earth, even our very blessings are mixed with signs of the curse. 
But there shall be no more curse in our Heavenly home:
  no more toil and labor,
  no more weariness and faintness,
  no more hunger or thirst,
  no more bitter cold or burning heat,
  no more disappointment, 
  no more sorrow,
  no more pain,
  no more sickness, 
  no more death! 

In Heaven there shall be no more curse, but all will be the perfection of bliss. Who can conceive the happiness of such a state? For this, the whole creation groans and travails in pain, eagerly waiting for its consummation.

Let us, then, who have such exceedingly great and precious promises, when sighing under the effects of the curse in any of its forms–gladly turn our thoughts to meditate on Heaven’s glorious realities! And when admiring the beautiful works of God, which still exist to show us what they once were–let us also turn our thoughts to the greater beauty and glory of our Paradise above!