iChristian

The Preciousness of Jesus!

Wilhelmus à Brakel,
1 Peter 2:7, “To you who believe, He is precious!”

To the regenerate soul, Jesus Christ is the chief delight and treasure of the heart.

The world may see no beauty in Him, but to the one born of God, Jesus is altogether lovely and worthy of all of our love, honor, and adoration.

His preciousness lies first in His Person. In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and yet He took upon Himself true humanity. What mystery, that He who upholds all things by the word of His power, also humbled Himself to become obedient to death–even death on a cross! Who can fathom such condescension? Who is like this glorious Mediator, who is both the Son of God and the Son of Man?

Christ is also precious in His offices.

As Prophet, He reveals the Father’s will, teaching us the way of salvation with divine authority and tenderness.

As Priest, He offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins, and ever lives to intercede for us.

As King, He rules over us with perfect righteousness and protects us from all our enemies. Each office meets our deepest need, and each one displays His surpassing worth.

Further, He is precious in His benefits. Who but Jesus can give . . .
  rest to the weary,
    peace to the troubled,
      righteousness to the guilty,
        and life to the dead?

His blood cleanses from all sin.

His Spirit renews the heart.

His intercession secures both our perseverance and preservation.

His promises are sure and sweet.

And His presence is the joy of the believer’s soul.

All the infinite treasures of grace are found in Him!

The more we grow in grace, the more Christ becomes our all. The soul cannot but long for Him, be satisfied with Him, and rejoice in Him above all things! This longing is not merely sentimental; it flows from a spiritual apprehension of His beauty through the Word and by the Spirit. This is the cry of every true Christian: “Whom have I in Heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You!” Psalm 73:25

Let us then prize Christ above all. Let us . . .
   seek Him diligently,
    love Him fervently,
      and trust Him implicitly.

Nothing but Jesus can truly satisfy the soul of men. In life and death, time and eternity–Jesus alone is the soul’s eternal portion and inheritance. O believer, cling to Him as your only treasure–for He is infinitely precious.

“Lord Jesus, open my heart more fully to see Your surpassing worth. Let the world grow dim, and let Your glory shine brighter in my heart. May I count all things loss for the sake of knowing You, and may my soul be ever ravished with Your loveliness. You are altogether precious. Amen.”

What are you doing, groaning through the world beneath a load of fears and cares? 

Thomas Guthrie, 1803-1873 
Matthew 10:29-31, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” 

There is no such thing as chance. All the reins that guide and govern the world, are gathered into the hands of Jesus. His care of His people extends to the most common, and apparently trivial matters; all are links in the golden chain of providence. 

Divine Providence is a comforting doctrine, too precious to be parted with! 
Let the thought that Jesus . . .
  watches over all your affairs, 
  and guards your welfare,
  and guides all your ways–
banish your every anxious care. 

I do not say that you will never be disappointed, but certainly you ought never to be discontented. Many things in your circumstances may occasion anxious thought, but nothing should cause or can excuse sinful repining. 

Child of God! He has numbered the hairs of your head, as well as the stars of Heaven!

Believer,  what are you doing, groaning through the world beneath a load of fears and cares? What should discourage you? What should disturb your peace? What can ruffle the calm spirit of a man who knows that the hands which were once nailed to the tree for him, now hold the helm of his destiny? The blessed Savior, who by love’s golden scepter reigns within his heart, holds sovereign sway over earth and Heaven; and . . . 
  by both bitter and sweet providences, 
  by both coffins and cradles, 
  by both disappointments and joys, 
  by both losses and gains, 
shall cause all things to work together for good to those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purpose. 

Mortification and Vivification

Arthur Pink,
Ephesians 4:22-24, “You were taught with reference to your former way of life, to lay aside the old man who is being corrupted in accordance with deceitful desires–to be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and to put on the new man who has been created in God’s image–in righteousness and holiness that comes from truth.”

The Christian life is not a playground, but a battlefield. We are called to take up arms against two mighty foes: the indwelling corruption of our flesh; and the sluggishness of our hearts toward God. Scripture speaks of this double duty as mortification of sin, and vivification of grace.

Whenever the Holy Spirit regenerates someone, He implants a holy principle within that person which always manifests itself in the ongoing work of mortification and vivification. That is, the practical putting off of the old man and the putting on of the new man. This mortification and vivification is continued throughout life, and will not end until glorification.

First, the mortification of sin. The flesh is a restless rebel, forever plotting treason against its rightful King. Pride, envy, lust, sloth, anger, impurity–these are no trifles, but serpents whose venom would destroy the soul if left unchecked. Our duty is not to pamperthem, but to slay them. The believer must take the sword of the Spirit and pierce through every darling sin, however small it may appear. Yet we cannot mortify any sin by the sheer strength of our will. Only as we walk in the Spirit, will He enable us to mortify sin.

“Walk in the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh!” (Galatians 5:16)

Second, the vivification of our graces, so that we increase in strength and make further advances in true piety. To mortify sin is to pull up the weeds–but we must also nurture the flowers of holiness. We can do this, only as we vivify our graces: faith must be exercised, love  must be kindled, hope must be nourished, prayer must be cultivated. A barren soul is not a safe soul. When our graces are not growing, then our sins will be spreading. But again, here is our weakness: left to ourselves, we can no more make faith flourish than we can make the lilies grow. It is the Spirit who breathes life, waters every grace, and makes the believer fruitful in every good work.

Thus the Christian is ever cast upon the Spirit. Only through Him, can we kill sin and cultivate holiness. Let us then walk by the Spirit, pray in the Spirit, and depend wholly on the Spirit–until that day when sin shall be no more, and grace shall blossom into glory!

“Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” (Romans 13:14)

The workings of grace in the heart

J.C. Ryle 
“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:8
 
The workings of grace in the heart are utterly mysterious and unsearchable. 
  
We cannot explain why the Word produces effects on one person in a congregation, and not upon another. 
  
We cannot explain why, in some cases; with every possible advantage, and in spite of every entreaty–people reject the Word, and continue dead in trespasses and sins. 
  
We cannot explain why in other cases; with every possible difficulty, and with no encouragement–people are born again, and become decided Christians. 
  
We cannot define the manner in which the Spirit of God conveys life to a soul, and the exact process by which a believer receives a new nature. 
  
All these are hidden things to us. 
We see certain results, but we can go no further. 
  
This is deeply instructive. It is humbling no doubt to ministers, and teachers of others. 
  The highest abilities, 
    the most powerful preaching, 
      the most diligent working, 
        cannot command success. 
 
God alone can give spiritual life! 
 
But it is a truth at the same time, which supplies an admirable antidote to excessive anxiety and despondency. Our principal work is to sow the seed. That done, we may wait with faith and patience for the result. We may leave our work with the Lord. He alone can, if He thinks fit, give success. 
  
Romans 9:15, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

The whole Christian life is drawn in one line

Charles Spurgeon, “Coming, Always Coming” 
1 Peter 2:4, “Coming to Him”

This is an apt description of the whole of the Christian life. I consider it to be a complete picture of a saint, drawn with one stroke. In all circumstances and conditions, we are to come to Jesus alone.

The Christian life is begun, continued, and perfected altogether in dependence upon the Lord Jesus. He is both the author and the finisher of our faith.

If we begin aright, we begin with “Christ is all!”
If we live aright, we live with “Christ is all!”
And if we finish aright, we finish with “Christ is all!”

We are to be always coming to Him:
coming to Him for spiritual nourishment;
coming to Him for needed grace;
coming to Him for cleansing, guidance, support and comfort;
coming in fact, for everything. 

The whole Christian life is drawn in one line–it is a continuous “coming to Jesus!”

I am persuaded that the only happy, holy, safe way for a Christian to live, is to live in daily dependence upon Jesus and to come to Him at all times, in all respects, under all circumstances, for everything!

May it be the habit of our lives to be incessantly coming to our loving and merciful Savior.

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior!” Isaiah 43:1-3

Better than wine!

Charles Spurgeon, et al. 
Canticles 1:2, “Your love is better than wine!”

The believer finds his truest joy, not in the fleeting pleasures of this world, but in the enduring and soul-satisfying love of the Lord Jesus Christ. “Your love is better than wine,” says the Bride to her Beloved–and the heart of every redeemed soul echoes the same. Earthly joys may sparkle for a moment, but they soon fade. Christ’s love is better–it is . . .
  purer,
    deeper,
      richer,
        and forever satisfying.

Wine may gladden the heart of man, but it cannot quiet his conscience. It may brighten the face, but it cannot cleanse the soul. But the love of Christ–what comfort, what peace, what delight it brings! One moment in communion with Him, outweighs a lifetime of the world’s pleasures. We have tasted His love, and it is like honey from the comb–sweeter than anything earth can offer.
His presence lifts the downcast.
  His fellowship strengthens the weary.
    His nearness satisfies every longing.

Beloved, consider how Christ has poured out His love for you. Not in word only, but in blood–love proven on the cross; love triumphant over sin, death, and Hell.
He loved you when you were unlovable.
He sought you when you were wandering.
He died for you when you were madly rushing to Hell.
And now He bids you to draw near and drink deeply of His love.
He is the Fountain of living waters, the true Vine from which every drop of heavenly joy flows.

Has the world disappointed you? 
Has its wine turned sour in your mouth?
Come again to the Savior. Let His love be your comfort, your song, and your strength. Here is no deceit, no regret, no after-bitterness–only pure delight, joy unspeakable and full of glory.

O believer, dwell often beneath the shadow of the Cross. Sit down under His banner of love, and feast on the riches of His grace. The love of Jesus is the joy of Heaven begun on earth, and the foretaste of eternal bliss! Drink to the full, and be satisfied in Him!

A new creation!

Charles Spurgeon, et al. 
2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

Whenever anyone is saved by the sovereign grace of God, and regenerated by the Holy Spirit–he becomes a new creation in Christ. This is not a mere moral improvement, nor a religious reformation, nor the adoption of a more wholesome lifestyle–but a supernatural work of the Spirit, producing a new nature.

Having experienced this miracle of salvation, the new man now has new views, new ambitions, new convictions, new desires, new notions, new hopes, new dreads, new pleasures, new aims, new principles, new affections, new joys, and new pursuits. Everything about him is changed. He does, as it were, live in a new world!

He was once spiritually dead, enslaved to sin, governed by the flesh, blind to truth, and hostile to God!

Now, his affections are changed–he loves what he once hated, and hates what he once loved!

Now, his mind is renewed–he no longer sees life through the lens of popular culture, but through the lens of Scripture.

Now, his will is liberated–he longs to do the will of God, though not without struggle. Though sin still remains in his flesh, it no longer  reigns in his life.

The believer is brought into a new realm: from darkness, to light; from death, to life; from the kingdom of Satan, to the kingdom of God. He is  adopted as God’s child, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and sealed  for the day of redemption. In Christ, every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms is now his! (Ephesians 1:3-8).

His past is forgiven,
his present is transformed,
and his future is secured.

But the glory of this new creation lies not in the man himself, but in the One who made him new. Just as the original creation displayed the majesty of God–so this new creation displays the greatness of His sovereignty, mercy, and grace.

Christian, never forget who you are–you are not what you once were. And though you are not yet what you will be–you are already made new in Christ. Let this truth humble you, encourage you, and move you to walk in newness of life, to the glory of God who “has rescued us from the dominion of darkness, and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins!” Colossians 1:13–14

Judge not, lest you be judged!

Charles Spurgeon, et al.
Few verses are more misunderstood or misused than the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:1, “Judge not, lest you be judged!” In our day of moral relativism, blame-shifting, and self-justification, this verse is regularly pulled out of context to silence any voice that dares to call sin what it is. Yet such misuse turns the Lord’s words on their head, distorting both His meaning and His purpose.

First, what Jesus is NOT saying: He is not forbidding all forms of judgment. Scripture itself commands believers to discern between good and evil (Hebrews 5:14), to expose the fruitless deeds of darkness (Ephesians 5:11), and to confront a brother or sister who is in sin (Galatians 6:1). In fact, just a few verses later in Matthew 7, Jesus warns against giving what is sacred to dogs (verse 6), and identifying false prophets by their fruits (verses 15-20)–both of which require spiritual discernment and righteous judgment. Clearly then, Jesus is not promoting a blind tolerance of sin, or moral indifference.

Nor is He forbidding the correction of others. His very command, “then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye”–implies that helping a brother overcome sin is a necessary and loving work. But it must be done with humility, self-awareness, and sincerity.

What Jesus IS condemning, is self-righteous, hypocritical judgment–the kind that sees minor faults in others, while ignoring major ones in ourselves. He is exposing the pride that delights in criticizing others from a position of moral superiority, while remaining blind to our own sin.

The image which Jesus paints is intentionally exaggerated in order to make His point: a man with a plank sticking out of his eye, trying to remove a speck of dust from someone else’s eye. None are more unjust in their judgments of others, than those who have a high opinion of themselves.

Until we have first humbled ourselves before God, repented of our own sin, and been cleansed by His grace–we are not fit to help others. We must first judge ourselves rightly–only then will we be able to see clearly and act compassionately.

In the end, this passage is not a prohibition against loving confrontation. The real force of Jesus’ words is this: Judge yourself first. Deal with your own sinful heart, before you presume to deal with another’s. And when you do speak to others about their sin, let it be from a place of grace, truth, and godly love–never from hypocrisy.

Judgment that aligns with God’s Word, is exercised in humility and aims at  restoration–is not only permitted–it is commanded. The problem is not judgment itself, but self-righteous, hypocritical, or unjust judgment.

“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should  restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.” Galatians 6:1