Grace Gems for NOVEMBER

(Thomas Watson, "The Ten Commandments") LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

"You shall not murder." Exodus 20:13

Many murder their own souls! They willfully damn themselves, and throw themselves into Hell!

Who are those who murder their own souls?

They willfully murder their souls—who have no sense of God, or the world to come, and are past feeling. Tell them of God's holiness and justice, and they are not affected at all. "They made their hearts as an adamant stone!" Zechariah 7:12. Sinners have adamantine hearts—nothing will work upon them, neither ordinances nor judgments. They do not believe in God; they laugh at Hell. Thus they murder their own souls, and throw themselves into Hell as fast as they can!

They willfully murder their own souls—who resign themselves to their lusts, let what will come of it. "Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more!" Ephesians 4:19

Let ministers speak to them about their sins,
let conscience speak,
let afflictions speak—
they will have their lusts, even though they go to Hell for them! Do not these murder their own souls? Many say in their hearts, "Let our sins damn us—just so that they but please us!" Herod will have his incestuous lusts, though it costs him his soul.

For a drop of pleasure, men will drink a sea of wrath! These massacre and damn their own souls!

"A wicked man's iniquities entrap him;
he is entangled in the ropes of his own sin.
He will be lost because of his great stupidity." Proverbs 5:22-23

Oh! take heed of murdering your own souls!

(Thomas Watson, "The Christian Soldier" 1669) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

What an infinite mercy it is, that God has blessed us with the Scriptures! The barbarous Indians have their golden mines—but not the Scriptures, which are "more to be desired than much fine gold!"

Our Savior bids us search the Scriptures. We must not read these holy lines carelessly, as if they did not concern us, or run over them hastily—but peruse them with reverence and seriousness. The noble Bereans "searched the Scriptures daily."

The Scripture is the treasury of divine knowledge; it is the rule and touchstone of truth. Out of this well, we draw the water of life!

Read the Word as a book made by God Himself. Other books may be written by holy men, but this book is inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is the library of the Holy Spirit!

Read the Word as the perfect rule of faith; it contains all things essential to salvation. The Word teaches us how to please God; and how to order our lives in the world. It instructs us in all things that belong either to prudence or piety, and is "able to make us wise unto salvation."

When you read the Word, look on it as a soul-enriching treasury. Search it as for "hidden treasure!" In this Word are scattered many divine sayings—gather them up as so many jewels! This blessed book will enrich you—it fills your head with divine knowledge, and your heart with divine grace! In this field, the Pearl of great price is hidden! What are all the world's riches compared to these? Islands of spices, coasts of pearl, rocks of diamonds? These are but the riches which reprobates may have—but the Word gives us those riches which angels have!

Look upon the Word as a spiritual armory, out of which you fetch all your weapons to fight against sin and Satan:

Here are weapons to fight against SIN. The Word of God is a holy sword, which cuts asunder the lusts of the heart! When pride begins to lift up itself, the sword of the Spirit destroys this sin! When passion vents itself, the Word of God, like Hercules' club, beats down this angry fury! When lust boils, the Word of God cools that intemperate passion!

Here are weapons to fight against SATAN. When the devil tempted Christ, He wounded the old serpent three times with the sword of the Spirit—"It is written!" Satan soon foils that Christian when he is unarmed, and without Scripture weapons.

Look upon the Word as a spiritual looking-glass to dress yourselves by! It is a mirror for the blind, "The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes!" In other mirrors you may see your faces; in this mirror you may see your hearts!
This mirror of the Word clearly represents Christ. He is . . .
most precious;
altogether lovely;
a wonder of beauty;
a paradise of delight!

Look upon the Word as a shop of spiritual antidotes and remedies.
If you find yourself dead in duty, here is a medicine.
If you find your heart hard, the Word will soften and mollify it.
If you are poisoned with sin, here is an herb to expel it.

Look upon the Word as a sovereign elixir to comfort you in distress.
It comforts you against all your sins, temptations, and afflictions.
What are the promises, but divine cordials to revive fainting souls!

(Octavius Winslow, "Christ is Ever with You!" 1863) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

"Surely, I am with you always—even unto the end of the world!" Matthew 28:20

Christ is ever with His people, as a shield and deliverer. Our estimation of this truth will be proportioned to our intelligent apprehension of the number and potency of our enemies, and the costliness and preciousness of the treasure thus divinely protected.

There are assaults from which Christ alone can shield us!
Innumerable and invisible,
sleepless and restless,
working with an almost almighty power,
everywhere with an almost omnipresent existence,
ever plotting our ruin—
are the spiritual enemies of our soul, and the sworn foes of our faith!

The world and its fascinations,
Satan and his devices,
the flesh and its tendencies,
error and its disguises—
are all confederate against the child of God, opposing his every advance in holiness!

But Christ is our ever-present shield, near at the moment of assault, and skillful to deflect and disarm it! "Fear not Abram, I am your shield!" are words addressed to all who have like precious faith with him.

Oh yes! the Lord encompasses you. Encircled by danger, you are also encircled by the ever-present protection of Jesus!

"So do not fear, for I am with you!
Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand!"
Isaiah 41:10

With what unslumbering vigilance,
with what divine power,
with what changeless love—
does the Lord Jesus shield the work of grace in the soul of His people!

Who keeps that spark alive, in the midst of the ocean?

Who guards this vineyard night and day, lest any hurt it?

Who preserves . . .
  faith from faltering,
  love from chilling,
  hope from dying?

Who . . .
strengthens the work of grace when it is feeble,
raises it when it droops,
restores it when it relapses,
keeps it in the cold of winter and the drought of summer;
and, when the frosts and winds of autumn would nip and scatter its foliage—clothes it with the freshness and bloom of spring?

Oh, it is Jesus, encircling with His all-protecting shield, the work of grace which His death has accomplished, and which His Spirit wrought!

Trembling believer! The work of grace in your heart shall never die! The kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in your soul—is indestructible! "They shall never perish!" is the declaration of the Shepherd who bought you with His blood! You are watched over by Christ, and kept by the power of God.

"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge!
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!"
Psalm 18:2

Above all else, guard your heart!

(Charles Simeon) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

"The Lord saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time!" Genesis 6:5

"The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked! Who really knows how bad it is?" Jeremiah 17:9

"For from within, out of a person's heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you!" Mark 7:21-23

Our heart by nature is divided among ten thousand vanities—all of which are sought in preference to God. Whatever can contribute to the satisfaction of the carnal heart, becomes an object of desire. Our hopes and fears, our joys and sorrows—are called forth into powerful and continual operation to obtain the fleshly desires of our heart!

But in order to have an acceptable walk with God, the desires of our heart must all center in Him. He will not accept a divided heart. God says, "My son, give Me your heart!" Proverbs 23:26, and it must be given to Him entirely. To Him it must be exclusively devoted, in all its faculties. At least, nothing must be an object of hope or fear, joy or sorrow—but in subservience to His glory, and in obedience to His commands.

Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money!" There is "a singleness of eye," and "a singleness of heart," that is indispensable to a right walking with God—to "Him who searches the heart and tries the thoughts!"

"Above all else, guard your heart,
for it determines the course of your life!" Proverbs 4:23

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends You,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life!" Psalm 139:23-24

Yes, He is altogether lovely!

(Octavius Winslow) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

Song of Songs 5:16
"Yes, He is altogether lovely!
This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend!"

You will never see the pure loveliness of Jesus
—until you see your own sinful deformity!

Never will you be enamored with His love—until you cease to admire and love yourself; and with Job are brought to exclaim, "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You! Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes!" Then, and not until then, will the King unveil His peerless beauty to your eye!

In the person of His Incarnate Son, God presents to your gaze the divinest, the greatest, the loveliest Being in the universe!

There is a loveliness in the love of Jesus which no author can describe, nor artist portray!

A mother's love, how self-sacrificing!
A father's love, how fond!
A sister's love, how pure!
Marital love, how deep!
But all human love pales and chills before the beauty of Christ's matchless love!

Romans 5:8
"God demonstrates His own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us!"

For the great love with which He loved us . . .
He relinquished Heaven, for earth,
He exchanged a crown, for a cross,
and the adoration and anthems of angels, for the wrath and execrations of men!

O King of righteousness! Was . . .
ever love so lovely,
ever love so intense,
ever love so self-sacrificing
—as Yours!
Let the beauty and attraction of Your incomparable love, win and bind my heart yet closer to You forever!

In proportion to our clearness of sight of the beauty of Christ—the closer will be our assimilation to Him.
The more we see Him, the more we shall admire Him!
The more we admire Him, the more we shall love Him!
The more we love Him, the more we shall seek to imitate and serve Him!

The outline may be imperfect, the reflection faint;
the frame which holds the picture, crude and fragile;
nevertheless, it is a resemblance to Jesus!
God recognizes and acknowledges it; and the Spirit, the Divine Artist, shall receive endless glory and praise.

1 John 3:1-3
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is! Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure!"

Ephesians 3:18-19
"May you have the power to understand, as all God's people should . . .
how wide,
how long,
how high, and
how deep,
His love is!
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully!"

It would crush the highest archangel in an instant!

(Charles Simeon) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

"I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep!" John 10:11

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus because He will save His people from their sins!" Matthew 1:21

Salvation is a work which no man could accomplish for himself; it is a work which all the angels in Heaven were unequal to perform!

The curse due to sin must be borne—even the wrath of Almighty God! Who could sustain this weight? It would crush the highest archangel in an instant!

None could endure it, but God's divine Son. He cheerfully undertaking to bear it in our place, the Father made Him our sin-atoning substitute; so that, divine justice being satisfied, and the law magnified by His obedience unto death—saving mercy might be extended unto us, and reconciliation be made between God and His chosen people.

Yet it was not enough for Jesus to die for their sin.
"He will feed His flock like a Shepherd.
He will carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to his heart.
He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young!" Isaiah 40:11

They were wandering afar off, and they must be searched out.
They were in rebellion, and must be subdued.

Even after they are truly converted in this poor world,
they are weak, and must be upheld;
they are tempted, and must be strengthened;
they are beset with enemies, and must be protected;
they must never be left to themselves one moment;
they must have everything done for them;
the whole care of preserving them, from first to last, must be devolved on Him who died for them! They must be "carried in the arms," "dandled on the knees," fed at the bosom, and be watched over exactly like new-born infants!

Nothing less than this will suffice for the redeemed people of God. Though there are millions of His redeemed sheep spread over the face of the whole globe, they must all be attended to as much as if there were only one!

"My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish;
no one can snatch them out of My hand!" John 10:27-28

(Thomas Watson, "Body of Divinity") LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

Paul was a great admirer of Christ. He desired to know nothing but Christ, and Him crucified.

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain!" Philippians 1:21

"For to me, to live is Christ."
That is, "Christ is my life!"
Or thus, "My life is made up of Christ."
As a wicked man's life is made up of sin—so Paul's life was made up of Christ; he was full of Christ.

That I may give you the sense of the text more fully, take it in these three particulars:

1. "For to me, to live is Christ!" That is, Christ is the PRINCIPLE of my life. I fetch my spiritual life from Christ, as the branch fetches its sap from the root. "Christ lives in me." Galatians 2:20. Jesus Christ sends forth life into me, to quicken me to every holy action. Thus, Christ is the principle of my life—from His fullness I live, as the branch lives from the root.

2. "For to me, to live is Christ!" That is, Christ is the END of my life. I live not for myself, but for Christ. All my living, is to do service to Christ. "Whether we live, we live unto the Lord." Romans 14:8. We lay out ourselves wholly for Christ. The design of our life is to exalt Christ, and to make the crown upon His head flourish. In this sense, Christ is the end of my life—when my whole life is a living for Christ.

3. "For to me, to live is Christ!" That is, Christ is the JOY of my life. Psalm 43:4, "God my exceeding joy," or the cream of my joy! A Christian can rejoice in Christ, when worldly joys are gone. When the tulip in a garden withers—a man still rejoices in his jewels which are locked up in the house. Just so, when worldly joys are gone—a saint can rejoice in Christ, the Pearl of Great Price. In this sense, Christ is the joy of my life—if Christ were gone, my life would be a death to me.

"For to me, to live is Christ!" Christ is . . .
the principle of my life,
the end of my life,
the joy of my life.

If we can say, "For to me, to live is Christ," we may comfortably conclude, "and to die is gain!"

(Charles Simeon) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

"Man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward!" Job 5:7

"Man, born of woman, lives but a few days, and they are full of trouble!" Job 14:1

"In this world you will have trouble!" John 16:33

If there had been no sin, there would have been no sorrow. Sorrow is the fruit of sin, the fruit which immediately sprang up, as soon as this root of sin was planted in the human bosom. Until Adam fell into sin, he enjoyed the sweetest fellowship with his Creator; but after his transgression, instead of going forth as before to meet God, Adam fled from His face, and strove to hide himself. From that moment has the world become a "Bokim"—a land of weeping and of mourning! Judges 2:4-5

Sorrow is that inheritance to which every man is born; and even truly godly people, as long as they continue in this Valley of Tears, will, at a greater or smaller distance, be followed by two inseparable attendants: "sorrow and sighing."

It is only when they arrive at the portals of Heaven, that joy and gladness will be their sole companions! Then indeed, but never until then—will that Scripture be fulfilled, "Everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away!" Isaiah 35:10

"Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them.
They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes.
There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain,
for the old order of things has passed away!" Revelation 21:3-4

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst!" 1 Timothy 1:15

Dear Sir,
I have been grieved by several letters directed to Doctor Newton. I beg you to inform my friends in Scotland, that if any letters come to me addressed to Doctor Newton—I shall be obliged to send them back unopened. I know no such person—I never shall, and I never will—by the grace of God.

Do not think I am displeased with you or any of my kind friends, who mean kindness and honor by such an address. I only beg for my peace sake, that such 'titles' may never be repeated.

I have been informed that a college in America, I think in New Jersey, has given me the honorary degree of Doctor. As to the title itself, I renounce it heartily—nor would I willingly be known by it, if all the universities in Europe conferred it upon me!

My youthful years were spent in slavery in Africa, and I ought to take my degrees (if I take any) from thence. Shall such a compound of misery and mischief as I—be called Doctor? Surely not!

I very much object to the designation, "To the Reverend C.H. Spurgeon"—for no 'reverence' is due to me!

Assuredly, 'Reverend' and 'sinner' make a curious combination.
And as I know I am the second title—I repudiate the first title.

To me, it is surprising that such a flattering title should have been invented—and more amazing still, that men should be found who are angry if this title is not duly given to them!

Arthur Pink:

In ourselves we are poor, sinful erring creatures, and daily do we have occasion to blush and hang our heads in shame.

Therefore we respectfully request that none will address us as Reverend. No worm of the dust is due such a title!

God's Word:

"It is the Lord your God you must follow, and Him you must revere." Deuteronomy 13:4

". . . so that you may learn to revere the Lord your God always." Deuteronomy 14:23

". . . revere this glorious and awesome name: the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 28:58

"Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere Him." Psalm 33:8

"I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere Him." Ecclesiastes 3:14

"Who should not revere You, O King of the nations? This is Your due." Jeremiah 10:7

(Charles Simeon) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

"But whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things! I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ!" Philippians 3:7-8

One common testimony pervades the whole of Scripture regarding the surpassing value of eternal realities, as contrasted to earthly vanities. The things of time and sense are invariably represented as of no value, in comparison with invisible and eternal realities! The possession of the whole world would be a fool's choice, in exchange for the loss of the soul!

The very instant any man enters into the eternal world, he will realize these truths of Scripture. Do you think that there is a man in Heaven who is not like-minded with the teaching of the inspired volume on this subject? Or do you think that there is one in Hell who would not assent to it as a truth which he could no longer doubt?

Here on earth, men are blinded by the love of glittering earthly things; but in the eternal world, they view things as they really are. There is not one in Hell who would not prefer the state of Lazarus with all his sufferings and privations, to that of the rich man with all his worldly indulgences.

We must form a right estimate of our state before God. We must not judge of ourselves by our actions only, but by the desires and habits of our minds and hearts.

What is your taste? Is it for communion with God in holy exercises—or is it for the vanities of this present world?

God Himself teaches us to judge of ourselves by this standard, "Those who live according to the sinful nature, have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit, have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." Romans 8:5

"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" Mark 8:36-37

"I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far!" Philippians 1:23

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:18

(Octavius Winslow, "Christ is Ever with You!" 1863) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

"Surely, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world!" Matthew 28:20

Christ is with us, as our GUIDE. How deep our need of Him as such, and how endeared does it make Him!
So blind are we,
so dark is our future,
so perplexing is our present path;
that the very next step might be a false one . . .
taking us into a wrong direction,
entailing untold anxieties and sorrows,
or hurling us from a precipice into total ruin!
Yes, we need just such a guide as Christ!

What Alpine traveler would attempt the ascent of a steep glacier, or cross the dangerous pass, unattended by an experienced guide—one who knew the route, whose skillful eye could detect the treacherous crevice, and whose strong arm could fence the narrow, winding way?

Our path to eternity demands just such a guide as the prophet foretold Christ would be. "I have given Him," says God, "for a Leader and Commander to the people." His own gracious words corroborate this statement when speaking of Himself as the Shepherd of His flock, who "Goes before them, and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice."

Oh, what a privilege, in every path of doubt, in every circumstance of danger, where human judgment is either warped or beclouded, and your own mind hesitates and falters—to have such a wonderful Counselor, such a divine Guide as Christ at your side! As such, He is ever with you!

He will guide you . . .
with His eye of providence,
and with His hand of power,
and with His heart of love!

He knows the way that you take, for He has ordained it.

He knows every crook in your lot, for He has appointed it.

He will . . .
roll away the stone of difficulty,
level mountains,
fill up valleys,
make the crooked path straight,
and the rough place smooth!

Oh, be honest and upright with Him! Go to Him first, consult Him first, acknowledge Him in all your ways—before you consult any human guide. May Christ, in all the minute details of your life, have the pre-eminence. Learn to lay your own desires and thoughts at His feet.

"He guides the humble in what is right, and teaches them His way!" Psalm 25:9. Not our way, but "His way."

We must first surrender our way and will, before He will teach us His. He guides . . .
the "humble",
the childlike, trustful, unquestioning disciple,
who humbly locks his hand in Christ's and says,
"Lord, lead me and guide me—not in my own way, but in Yours!"

Oh, take a firm grasp of your unfailing Guide, and you shall travel safely and surely, through all your unknown future!

"You guide me with your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory!" Psalm 73:24

(Thomas Watson, "Body of Divinity") LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

"Leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His steps." 1 Peter 2:21

"The one who says he remains in Him should walk just as He walked." 1 John 2:6

"I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." John 13:15

True true religion is to imitate Christ.

There are four things in which we should labor to be like Christ:

1. Be like Christ in DISPOSITION.
He was of a most sweet disposition.
He has a heart to pity us.
He has breasts to feed us.
He has wings to cover us.

He would not break our heart, but with mercy. Let us be like Him in sweetness of disposition. Do not be of a morose spirit. It was said of Nabal, "He's so ill-tempered that no one can even talk to him!" Some are so sour, and breathe forth nothing but revenge! Or they are like those two men in the gospel, "possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs. They were so violent that no one could pass that way."

Let us be like Christ in mildness and sweetness.
Let us pray for our enemies, and conquer them by love.
David's kindness melted Saul's heart.
A frozen heart will be thawed, with the fire of love.

2 Be like Christ in HUMILITY.
"He humbled himself." He left the bright robes of His glory, to be clothed with the rags of our humanity—a wonder of humility! Let us be like Christ in this grace. Humility is the glory of a Christian. We are never so lovely in God's eyes, as when we are black in our own eyes. In this let us be like Christ. Indeed, what cause have we to be humble, if we look within us, about us, below us, and above us!

If we look within us, here we see our sins represented to us in the looking-glass of conscience—lust, envy, passion. Our sins are like vermin crawling in our souls! "How many are my iniquities!" Job 13:23. Our sins are as the sands of the sea for number; as the rocks of the sea for weight! Augustine cries out, "My heart, which is God's temple, is polluted with sin!"

If we look about us, there is that which may humble us.
We may see other Christians outshining us in graces, as the sun outshines the lesser planets. Others are laden with fruit, while perhaps we have but here and there, a berry!

If we look below us, there is that which may humble us.
We may see the mother earth, out of which we came. The earth is the most ignoble element. "They were viler than the earth." Job 30:8

"Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground." Genesis 2:7. "You will return to the ground from which you came. For you were made from dust, and to the dust you will return." Genesis 3:19. You who are so proud, behold your pedigree—you are but walking dirt! And will you be proud?
What is man? The son of dust!
And what is dust? The son of nothing!

If we look above us; there is that which may humble us.
If we look up to Heaven, there we may see God resisting the proud. God pursues the proud in vengeance. He threw proud Lucifer out of Heaven! The proud man is the mark which God shoots at, and He never misses the mark! Oh then, be like Christ in humility!

3. Be like Christ, in the contempt of the WORLD.
Christ was not ambitious for titles or honor. He declined worldly dignity and greatness, as much as others seek it. When they would have made Him a king, He refused it. He chose rather to ride upon the foal of an donkey, than be drawn in a chariot. He chose rather to hang upon a wooden cross, than to wear a golden crown! He scorned the pomp and glory of the world. He ignored secular affairs. "Who made Me a judge?" He did not come into the world to be a judge, but a Redeemer. He minded nothing but Heaven.

Let us be made like Him, in heavenliness and contempt of the world. Let us not be ambitious for the empty honors and glories of the world.
Let us not purchase the world, with the loss our soul.
What wise man would damn himself, to grow rich;
or throw his soul down to hell, to build up an earthly estate?

Be like Christ in a holy contempt of the world.

4. Be like Christ in HOLINESS of life.
No temptation could fasten upon Him. Temptation to Christ, was like a spark of fire upon a marble pillar, which glides off. "As the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct." 1 Peter 1:15

A Christian should be both a magnet and a diamond!
A magnet, in drawing others to Christ.
A diamond, in casting a sparkling luster of holiness in his life.

Oh let us be . . .
so just in our dealings,
so true in our promises,
so devout in our worship,
so unblamable in our lives;
that we may be the walking pictures of Christ!

~ ~ ~ ~

(Charles Simeon) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

The believer must ever conduct himself with kindness and love towards the wicked. Yet there is in many religious professors, almost the same acrimony against the ungodly world—as there is in the ungodly world against them!

How unfitting this is! For if there is any difference between us and others—it is God alone who has made us to differ! 1 Corinthians 4:7. If we see the ungodly still living in their natural enmity and rebellion against God—then their forlorn state calls for nothing but pity and compassion!

Romans 12:17, 20, 21.
"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. On the contrary,
If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
Do not be overcome by evil,
but overcome evil with good!
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else."

Matthew 5:43-45.
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you—that you may be sons of your Father in Heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous!"

Luke 6:27-29.
"But I tell you who hear Me:
Love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you,
pray for those who mistreat you.
If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also."

1 Peter 2:23.
"When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats."

We must set the Lord Jesus Christ ever before us, and endeavor to drink into His spirit, and to walk in His steps. This must be our constant habit.

(Thomas Watson, "The Lord's Prayer") LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

"May Your will be done." Matthew 6:10

We pray here, that we may have grace to submit to God's will patiently, in whatever He inflicts.

Patient submission to God's will, is a gracious frame of soul, whereby a Christian is content to be at God's disposal, and acquiesces in His wisdom. "It is the Lord's will, let Him do what He thinks best!" 1 Samuel 3:18

Patient submission to the will of God, lies in seeing His hand in the affliction. "Affliction does not spring from the soil, and trouble does not sprout from the earth!" Job 5:6. Affliction does not come by chance! Job eyed God in all that befell him. "The Lord gave me everything I had—and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!" Job 1:21. Job looks beyond second causes, he sees God in the affliction! "The Lord has taken it away." There can be no submission to God's will, until there is an acknowledging of God's hand in the affliction.

Patient submission to God's will, lies in justifying God. God is holy and just, not only when He punishes the wicked, but when He afflicts the righteous. "Now we are being punished because of our wickedness and our great guilt. But we have actually been punished far less than we deserve." Ezra 9:13

While we live here in this valley of tears, patient submission to God's will is much needed. The Lord sometimes lays heavy afflictions upon us. "Your arrows have struck deep, and Your blows are crushing me!" Psalm 38:2. God sometimes lays many afflictions upon us. "He multiplies my wounds." Job 9:17. God shoots many kinds of arrows!

God sometimes afflicts with POVERTY, which is a great affliction.
To have an estate reduced almost to nothing, is hard to flesh and blood. "The Almighty has made life very bitter for me. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me home empty." Ruth 1:20, 21

God sometimes afflicts with REPROACH.
Dirt may be cast upon a pearl. Just so, those names may be blotted, which are written in the Book of Life. Piety shields from Hell, but not from slander.

God sometimes afflicts with the DEATH of loved ones.
"Son of man, I am going to take away your dearest treasure. Suddenly she will die!" Ezekiel 24:16

God sometimes afflicts with INFIRMITY of body.
Sickness takes away the comfort of life. Sometimes God lets the infirmity continue long. Some diseases are chronic, and linger and hang about the body for many years. The Lord is pleased to exercise many of His precious ones with chronic infirmities.

God tries His people with various afflictions—so that they have need of patient submission to His will.

Murmuring is not consistent with submission to God's will. Murmuring is the height of impatience, it is a kind of mutiny in the soul against God. "They began to murmur against God!" Numbers 21:5

When water is hot, then the scum boils up! When the heart is heated with anger against God, then murmuring boils up!

Murmuring springs from pride! Men think they have deserved better at God's hand; and, when they begin to swell with pride, they spit poison!

"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son." Hebrews 12:5-6

(Octavius Winslow, "The Weaned Child") LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

"But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother—like a weaned child is my soul within me." Psalm 131:2

The first object from which our heavenly Father weans his child, is the idol SELF! Of all idols, this he finds the hardest to abandon! When man in paradise aspired to be as God, God was dethroned from his soul, and the creature became as a deity to itself! From that moment, the idolatry of self has been the great and universal crime of our race!

In the soul of the regenerate, divine grace has done much to dethrone this idol, and to reinstate God. The work, however, is but partially accomplished. The dishonored and rejected rival is reluctant to relinquish his throne, and yield to the supreme control and sway of another. Thus, much still lingers in the heart which the Spirit has renewed and inhabits, of . . .
self-esteem,
self-confidence,
self-seeking,
and self-love.
From all this, our Father seeks to wean us!

From our own wisdom, which is but folly;
from our own strength, which is but weakness;
from our own wills, which are often as an uncurbed steed;
from our own ways, which are crooked;
from our own hearts, which are deceitful;
from our own judgments, which are dark;
from our own ends, which are narrow and selfish—
He would wean and detach us, that our souls may get more and more back to their original center of repose, God Himself!

From SELF, God would gently and tenderly, but effectually, wean us, that we may learn . . .
to rely upon His wisdom,
to repose in His strength,
to consult His honor, and
to seek His glory and smile, supremely and alone.

John Newton: "That monster, SELF, has more lives than a cat! It is more than twenty-five years since I hoped it was fast nailed to the Cross! But alas, it is alive—and still mixing with and spoiling everything I do!"

They are never separated!

(Thomas Watson, "The Lord's Prayer") LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

"You were sanctified; you were justified." 1 Corinthians 6:11

Justification and sanctification are not the same.

Justification is without us; sanctification is within us.

The one is by righteousness imputed; the other is by righteousness imparted.

Justification is once and for all; sanctification is gradual.

One person is sanctified more than another; but one cannot be more justified than another. One has more grace than another; but he is not more justified than another.

The matter of our justification is perfect, namely, Christ's righteousness.
But our sanctification is imperfect, there are the spots of God's children. Our graces are mixed with sin, our duties are defiled.

Thus justification and sanctification are not the same.

Yet for all that, they are never separated!

God never pardons and justifies a sinner, but He also sanctifies him.

"This is He who came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ." 1 John 5:6. Christ comes to the soul by blood, which denotes remission of sin; and by water, which denotes sanctification.

Let no man say he is pardoned, who is not made holy! This I urge against those who talk of their sin being forgiven, and having a part in Christ—and yet remain unconverted, and live in the grossest sins!

Where God pardons, He purifies.

Whoever God forgives, He transforms.

Let no man say his sins are forgiven, who does not find an inherent work of holiness in his heart. "I will place My Spirit within you and cause you to follow My statutes and carefully observe My ordinances." Ezekiel 36:27

(Charles Simeon) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

Salvation is the elevation of an immortal soul from the lowest state of sin and misery, to all the glory and felicity of Heaven!

Thus will the poor and contrite soul be raised . . .
from guilt, to peace;
from sin, to holiness;
from the very gates of Hell, even to the throne of God!

It is impossible to know anything of the saving grace of God, and not be lost in wonder and praise! Profound adoration and devotion are the proper posture of a redeemed soul.

Christian! God has wrought these wondrous things for you, by taking on Himself your miseries, that you may be partakers of His glory. To view the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ aright, you must bear in mind, that "though He was rich—yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might be rich!" 2 Corinthians 8:9

Yes, "He was made sin for you, that you might be made the righteousness of God in Him!" 2 Corinthians 5:21

O extol Him, praise Him, magnify Him, adore Him—and let all that is within you bless His holy name!

Your most sincere inquiry should be: "What shall I render unto the Lord for all the benefits he has done unto me?" Psalm 116:12

"Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all His benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion!" Psalm 103:1-4

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ!" Ephesians 1:3

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:15

"Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might—be to our God forever and ever! Amen." Revelation 7:12

(Charles Simeon) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

"You have delivered . . .
my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
and my feet from falling!
I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living!"
Psalm 116:8-9

What a miracle of mercy it is, if our feet are kept!

Consider with what innumerable snares and temptations we are beset on every side!

Consider what corruptions reign in our own hearts, ready to precipitate us into any evil!

Consider the deceitfulness of sin also—what pleasing and even innocent forms it will assume!

Consider also the malice and subtlety of our great adversary, who is going about continually as a roaring lion seeking to devour us!

Consider more particularly, how many holy people in the past have fallen into sin—a David, a Solomon, a Peter!

O have not we reason to adore our God, if our feet have been kept from falling. And more especially, when we reflect how near we have been to many grievous falls, when nothing but God's infinite mercy has held us up!

"This is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of all whom He has given Me, but raise them up at the last day!" John 6:39

"I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand!" John 10:28-30

"The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory for ever and ever! Amen." 2 Timothy 4:18

"To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ!" Jude 1

[You might want to sing/pray the following lyrics as you listen to the song.]

O the wonder of wonders, that God should love me!
Love a sinner so guilty, so vile and unclean.
To love the unlovely, O how can it be done?
'Tis only in Jesus, through His blessed Son!

Long before I ever knew Him, my Lord first knew me;
Before I ever sought Him, my Lord first sought me!
When I was in darkness, His sworn enemy,
He purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree!

His love is a mountain that I cannot scale!
As wide as an ocean that I cannot sail!
I'll never lay hold of, my mind fully see,
This love that in mercy first laid hold of me!

Not that I first did choose Him, for that could not be!
Still this heart would refuse Him, had He left it to me.
I'd still fight that battle that no man can win,
I'd still bar the heart's door that letteth Him in!

His love is a mountain that I cannot scale!
As wide as an ocean that I cannot sail!
I'll never lay hold of, my mind fully see,
This love that in mercy first laid hold of me!

"Having loved His own who were in the world, He now loved them to the uttermost!" John 13:1

"Just as the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you!" John 15:9

"The Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me!" Galatians 2:20

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding!" Proverbs 9:10

"The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death!" Proverbs 14:27

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding!" Psalm 111:10

"I will put fear of Me in their hearts so they will never again turn away from Me!" Jeremiah 32:40

The fear of God is the essence of saving religion. It manifests itself by:
   a deep humiliation for sin before God,
   a simple trust in the Lord Jesus Christ,
   and an unreserved obedience to His will.

Genuine fear of God does not consist in a mere assent to the truths of the gospel, or a mere profession of it as the only way to eternal glory. True fear of God is a real surrender of ourselves to Him as His redeemed people.

The fear of God, when genuinely existing in the soul, is true wisdom. Without this fear of God, a man views nothing aright, and does nothing aright; in his eyes earthly vanities have an importance which does not properly belong to them; and heavenly realities are in no respect appreciated according to their real worth.

But when God has put His fear into our hearts, then our misconceptions are rectified. Sin is no longer that light and trivial evil which we before supposed it to be. Nor is salvation judged to be a trivial thing as once thought. The salvation of the soul becomes from that moment, the one thing needful; and all the concerns of time are swallowed up in those of eternity!

Fearing God is accounted to be folly by the ignorant and ungodly world; but Scripture declares it to be genuine wisdom; and such it will prove itself to be in the outcome.

"An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes!" Psalm 36:1

(Thomas Watson, "The Lord's Prayer") LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

"God disciplines us for our profit." Hebrews 12:10

What profit is in affliction?
Afflictions are disciplinary.
Afflictions teach us; they are the school of the cross.

Affliction shows us more of our own hearts.
Water in a glass looks clear, but set it on the fire and the scum boils up! Just so, when God sets us upon the fire, corruption boils up which we did not discern before.

Sharp afflictions are to the soul, as a soaking rain to the house; we do not know that there are holes in the roof until the shower comes, but then we see it drop down here and there. Just so, we do not know what unmortified lusts are in the soul, until the storm of affliction comes, then the hidden evils of the heart come dropping down in many places. Affliction is a sacred eye-salve—it clears our eye-sight. Thus the rod gives wisdom.

Affliction quickens the spirit of prayer.
Jonah was asleep in the ship, but at prayer in the whale's belly! Perhaps in a time of health and prosperity we prayed in a cold and formal manner; we put no fire to the incense. Then God sends some affliction or other, to stir us up to take hold of Him. "They poured out a prayer, when Your chastening was upon them." Isaiah 26:16. In times of trouble we pray feelingly and fervently.

Affliction is a means to purge out our sins.
Affliction cures the pestilence of pride, and the fever of lust.
Affliction is God's file, to scrub off our rust.
Affliction is God's flail, to thresh off our husks.
The water of affliction is not to drown us, but to wash off our spots.

Affliction is a means to wean us from the world.
The world often proves, not only a spider's web, but a cockatrice egg. Corrupting worldly things, are great enchantments. They hinder us in our passage to heaven. Affliction sounds a retreat, to call us off the immoderate pursuit of earthly things. When two things are frozen together, the best way to separate them is by fire; so, when the heart and the world are together—God has no better way to separate them than by the fire of affliction.

Affliction is a means to purify us.
It works us up to further degrees of sanctity. "God disciplines us for our profit, that we may share in His holiness." Hebrews 12:10

The vessels of mercy are the brighter for scouring. As you pour water on your linen when you would whiten it—so God pours the waters of affliction upon us to whiten our souls. Afflictions are in themselves bitter, but they bring forth the sweet fruits of righteousness. Hebrews 12:11

(Charles Simeon) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

"Vanity of vanities! Vanity of vanities—all is vanity!" Ecclesiastes 1:2

By the word "vanity," we understand all those things which are apt to engross the desires and affections of men. The Apostle John classes them all under:
"the lust of the flesh,
the lust of the eye,
and the pride of life!"

They all justly deserve to be called vanities, because they are sure to disappoint the desires and expectations of all who look to them for any solid and permanent satisfaction.

Yet these worldly vanities altogether captivate and enslave the minds of the generality of men. The unsaved man seeks nothing but them. His mind is not occupied with anything above them. He "is in the flesh;" he "walks according to the flesh," "fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind." His "affections are altogether set upon things below, and not on things above." His thoughts, his conversation, his labors from day to day—all arise from, and terminate in, the things of time and sense. And from these things alone, spring all his hopes and fears, his joys and sorrows!

In order to escape the ensnaring power and deadly influence of worldly vanities, we should set a guard upon all our senses. The senses are inlets to all manner of evil! Alas! alas! how often has the mind been contaminated by what it has either seen or heard!

Many of the vilest lusts have found an entrance into the heart by the senses! Some have found to their cost, that one sinful idea which they have either seen in a book or picture, or heard in conversation—has abode with them through life, when they have greatly desired to forget it; while hundreds of sermons which they would have been glad to have remembered, have passed from their minds like the morning cloud!

Behold David, the man after God's own heart; what reason had he to curse the day that he ever looked upon Bathsheba! What reason too had Solomon's fool to lament that ever he listened to the voice of the enchanting adulteress! Proverbs 7:6-23. It is not without reason that Solomon advises us not to look upon the wine when sparkling in the glass, Proverbs 23:31-32

We must resist the very first entrance of sin into the soul; for it will operate like fire on a house of wood. Alas! "how great a matter does a little fire kindle!" James 3:5. Sin's progress is very rapid. Who shall stop the conflagration, when once it has begun? "When lust has conceived, it brings forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death!" James 1:15

We exhort all then, like Job, to make a covenant with their eyes, and with their ears also; yes, and with the very imaginations of their heart, that neither their physical nor intellectual eyes become an entrance to sin, or traitors to their souls.

O! bear in mind the true character of worldly pleasures—they are altogether vanity!

"Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity!" Psalm 119:37

(Charles Simeon) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

Who can comprehend the height, and the width, and depth—of God's love displayed in the salvation of His people! That God should so pity us as to give His only-begotten Son to die for us! That He should lay our iniquities on Jesus, as our sin-bearer, and thus make a way for the display of all His glorious perfections in the salvation of ruined and rebellious man! What shall we say to this? Every part of salvation is inestimable and far exceeding all finite comprehension!

The riches of grace contained in salvation, are "unsearchable!"
The peace flowing from salvation, "surpasses understanding!"
The joy imparted by salvation, is "unspeakable and full of glory!"

The whole mystery of salvation . . .
as planned by the Father in election,
as accomplished by the Son in redemption,
as applied by the Spirit in regeneration,
as experienced in the souls of the elect,
is so great, that we cannot contemplate it for a moment without exclaiming, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!" Romans 11:33

"May you have the power to understand, as all God's people should—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is! May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully!" Ephesians 3:18-19

(Octavius Winslow) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." Galatians 6:14

Jesus could accomplish man's redemption in no other way than by crucifixion. He must die—and die the death of the cross. What light and glory beam around the cross!
Of what prodigies of grace is it the instrument,
of what glorious truths is it the symbol,
of what mighty, magic power is it the source!

Around it, gathers all the light of the Old Testament economy.
It explains every symbol,
it substantiates every shadow,
it solves every mystery,
it fulfills every type,
it confirms every prophecy,
of that dispensation which had eternally remained unmeaning and inexplicable—except for the death of the Son of God upon the cross!

Not the past only, but all future splendor gathers around the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ! It assures us of the ultimate reign of the Savior, and tells of the reward which shall spring from His sufferings! And while its one arm points to the divine counsels of eternity past—with the other it points to the future triumph and glory of Christ's kingdom in the eternity to come. Such is the lowly, yet sublime; the weak, yet mighty instrument—by which the sinner is saved, and God eternally glorified!

The cross of Christ is the grand consummation of all preceding dispensations of God to men.

The cross of Christ is the meritorious procuring cause of all spiritual blessings to our fallen race.

The cross of Christ is the scene of Christ's splendid victories over all His enemies and ours.

The cross of Christ is the most powerful incentive to all evangelical holiness.

The cross of Christ is the instrument which is to subjugate the world to the supremacy of Jesus.

The cross of Christ is the source of all true peace, joy, and hope.

The cross of Christ is the tree beneath whose shadow, sin expires and grace lives!

The cross of our Lord Jesus Christ! What a holy thrill these words produce in the heart of those who love the Savior! How significant their meaning—how precious their influence! Marvelous and irresistible, is the power of the cross!

The cross of Christ has subdued many a rebellious will.
The cross of Christ has broken many a marble heart.
The cross of Christ has laid low many a vaunting foe.
The cross of Christ has overcome and triumphed—when all other instruments have failed.
The cross of Christ has transformed the lion-like heart of man—into the lamb-like heart of Christ.
And when lifted up in its own naked simplicity and inimitable grandeur—the cross of Christ has won and attracted millions to its faith, admiration, and love!

What a marvelous power does this cross of Jesus possess! It changes the Christian's entire judgment of the world. Looking at the world through the cross—his opinion is totally revolutionized. He sees it as it really is—a sinful, empty, vain thing! He learns its iniquity—in that it crucified the Lord of life and glory. His expectations from the world, his love to the world—are changed. He has found another object of love—the Savior whom the world cast out and slew! His love to the world is destroyed, by that power which alone could destroy it—the crucifying power of the cross!

It is the cross which eclipses, in the view of the true believer—the glory and attraction of every other object!

What is the weapon by which faith combats with, and overcomes the world? What but the cross of Jesus! Just as the natural eye, gazing for a while upon the sun, is blinded for the moment by its overpowering effulgence, to all other objects; so to the believer, concentrating his mind upon the glory of the crucified Savior, studying closely the wonders of grace and love and truth meeting in the cross—the world with all its attraction fades into the full darkness of an eclipse! Christ and His cross are infinitely better, than the world and its vanities!