77. ON CHRISTIAN
OBEDIENCE
Obedience to the divine command is essential to the character of a child of
God. "A son honors his father. If, then, I be a father, where is my honor,
says the Lord of hosts?" "If you love me, keep my commandments." "He that
has my commandments and keeps them, he it is that loves me." How far removed
from the truth as it is in Jesus, are those who consider it legal to enforce
obedience to the moral law! The life of Christ was an undeviating display of
perfect holiness, and sinless obedience to the will of his Father. From the
manger to the cross, he has left us an example that we should follow his
steps. The obedience of Christ was without reserve; "I seek not mine own
will, but the will of the Father which has sent me." "My food and drink is
to do the will of him who sent me, and to finish his work." "Oh my Father,
if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, may your will be
done." Oh, that we may have grace to drink deeply into the spirit of our
divine Emanuel, and under every suffering dispensation to say, "The will of
the Lord be done."
What blessedness is treasured up in this single petition; "Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven." If we could live under the daily influence of
believing prayer, we would indeed be happy. Our wills being molded into the
will of God, we would acquiesce in all the divine dispensations. With Eli,
we would say, "It is the Lord, let him do what seems good to him." With
Aaron, we would hold our peace. With Job, under the deprivation of earthly
comforts, we would exclaim, "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
blessed be the name of the Lord." With David, our language would be; "I was
dumb, I opened not my month; because you did it." With Habakkuk, we would
sing, "Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes
on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and
barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are
empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my
salvation. The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He will make me as surefooted
as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains." Thus, with holy Paul, we
would learn, in whatever state we are in, therewith to be content. Oh how
happy we would be, if we never felt in our hearts one desire or affection
contrary to the will of our heavenly Father! It is the lack of perfect
conformity to the commands of God, which occasions so much darkness and
distress, so much sin and suffering in the world. The more we resemble
Jesus, in his life and spirit; the more we are made willing to do and to
suffer the holy will of God; the more of joy and peace will dwell in our
souls. If the will of God were done on earth as it is in heaven, what
showers of blessings would descend upon it! Then would be realized the
glowing descriptions of the latter-day glory, when the kingdoms of this
world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall
reign forever and ever.
As pilgrims, journeying through a darksome wilderness, our heavenly Father
has provided for us a lamp, to lighten our path, and to cheer us on our way.
David prized this blessing; "Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light
unto my path." Oh how greatly should we value it, now that it contains the
full revelation of the will of God to man! Let us daily study and pray over
the book of God; then the word of Christ will dwell in us richly in all
wisdom and spiritual understanding, and make us fit, through the Spirit, for
the inheritance of the saints in light.
Are any asking, what does the Lord require of us? Hear, and your souls shall
live.
1. "God commands all men everywhere to repent." Acts xvii, 30. "This is his
commandment, that we should believe on the name of his son Jesus Christ." I
John iii 23. Have we done the will of God, by turning away from all our
iniquities and receiving Christ as our only Savior? Repentance and faith are
the gifts of grace; "Jesus is exalted to be a prince and a Savior, to give
repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins." "He is the author and
finisher of our faith." Under the conviction of our own helplessness, and
his fullness of power and love, have we prayed to him for strength to repent
and believe with the heart unto righteousness? What evidence do we possess
of having obtained help from the Lord? Is our stubborn will subdued? Are our
earthly desires mortified? Have we renounced our own righteousness, and
thrown ourselves upon Christ for every blessing, as the fruit of his perfect
atonement, and obedience to the law for man? Are we willing to be nothing,
that Christ may be all in all?
2. "This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you."
John xv, 12. Sweet and delightful precept!—To a renewed mind, the
commandments of Jesus are not grievous; his service is perfect freedom; his
yoke is easy, and his burden is light. Holiness would be our happiness, were
it not for that carnal mind which is enmity against God. Love reigns,
wherever Christ dwells. God is love, and he that dwells in love, dwells in
God, and God in him. Oh what a happy world would this be, if love governed
every heart, and directed every action. Are our hearts alive to the welfare
of our fellow-creatures? Passing over the boundaries of kindred, sect, and
nation, can we feel a Christian affection for all, of every climate and of
every color, who bear the Savior's image, who are the objects of his love,
and the subjects of his kingdom? Does our charity manifest its indwelling by
acts of kindness, liberality, and sympathy; by spiritual communion, and
intercessory prayer? Is the love of Christ to us the pattern of our love to
others? Lord, shed abroad your love in our hearts, that we may prove our
discipleship by dwelling in the element of holy love.
3. "I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to
those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and
persecute you." Difficult and self-denying duty! Oh how counter does this
precept run to the stream of natural corruption! And yet, divine grace can
enable us to practice this command of love also. It is true, we cannot, nor
are we required to love our enemies, if they be enemies for the Gospel's
sake, as we would love our dear Christian friends; yet, we must feel towards
them a love of compassion for their souls; we must pray for their
conversion; and requite them good for evil. We must resemble him who makes
his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and
on the unjust.
4. "This is the will of God, even your sanctification." 1 Thess. iv, 3. The
great design of Christ's coming into the world, was to save sinners; to save
them from their sins; from this present evil world; and from the wrath to
come. Having made atonement for us by his death upon the cross, and ascended
up, far above all principality and power, he now sheds forth the Holy
Spirit, to purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous foe good works. He
has promised, and encouraged us to pray for the Spirit of truth, the
Comforter. Are we daily seeking after this blessing by fervent, believing
prayer? What evidence have we that our prayer has been answered? Have our
minds been guided into all truth? Are we lead by the Spirit out of ourselves
to the cross of Christ? Do we walk in the Spirit, under the daily power of
his sanctifying grace? Do we seek the extermination of every bosom-sin, and
labor to crucify the flesh, with the affections and lusts?
5. "In every thing give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus
concerning you." I Thess. v, 18. Gracious command! Truly God wills the
happiness of his people, when he wills that they shall have a thankful
heart. Who is so happy as the rejoicing believer, saved through the blood of
Jesus? How varied soever be his crosses and trials, he can bless God for
them all, because on each he can read, in legible characters, "whom the Lord
loves, he chastens." As the affliction abounds, the consolation does also
abound; for when all around him is storm and tempest, he can sing, "God is
our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Thus he rejoices
in the Lord always, and in everything gives thanks.
Have we thus done the will of God, endeavoring, through the Spirit, to
maintain a praising frame? Filled with gratitude for the blessing of
redemption, do we delight in speaking good of his name, and telling of his
salvation from day to day? Oh what happiness we lose, by not cultivating a
thankful spirit! Were we deeply sensible of our deserts, as sinners, we
would be overwhelmed at the sight of our mercies, so freely and abundantly
poured out upon us through Jesus Christ. May the Lord make us duly thankful;
then, we shall devote all our powers to his service and glory, who has
redeemed us at so rich a price.
"Come, Oh Spirit of holiness, come into our hearts, and make your abode
within us. Come, precious pledge of all spiritual and eternal blessings, and
be within us, as the witness of our adoption into the family of God; the
seal of our salvation. Make us willing to welcome your approach, and to
receive you with joy and gladness. Mold our souls into the image of Jesus;
conform our wills to the will of God. Fill us with the light of truth, and
the fire of love. Oh give us a foretaste of celestial happiness, by the
inward manifestations of your favor. Teach us to know ourselves. Guide us
into the way of peace. Preserve us from the wiles of Satan, the
deceitfulness of sin, the corruption of the flesh, the allurements of the
world. Arm us for the spiritual combat. Strengthen us by your power, and
make us more than conquerors through him who has loved us, and given himself
for us. Sustain us, as we pass through the valley of the shadow of death,
and bring us, with songs of triumph, into the heavenly Zion. To free,
sovereign, boundless love, be all the praise."
Gracious is our heavenly king,
Let us each his praises sing,
Ever loving, ever kind,
Seek—for all who seek shall find.
Let us seek Him in his Son,
Who by grace our hearts has won;
Seek him, through the Spirit's power,
Wait the soft refreshing shower.
Lord, to us yourself impart,
Cheer and bless each longing heart;
Keep us all from evil free,
Make us live for heaven and thee.
May we all your love possess,
Traveling through this wilderness,
Until we reach your dwelling place,
And behold you face to face.