(Arthur Pink, "The Eye of Faith") and distributed by Grace Gems:
Faith is frequently represented in Scripture, under the metaphor of bodily sight. Of Moses it is said that "he endured as seeing Him who is invisible" Hebrews 11:27. That is, his heart was sustained through faith's being occupied with the mighty God.
The eye is a very delicate thing--it is soon hurt and easily damaged. A tiny speck of dust will cause pain and make it weep. It is very striking to note, that this is the very way to recovery--it weeps out the dust that gets into it.
Just so, faith is a most delicate grace, thriving best in a pure conscience. Hence the apostle speaks of "holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience" (1 Timothy 3:9). The lively actings of faith are soon marred by the dust of sin, or by the vanities of the world getting into the heart where it is seated. And wherever true faith is--if it is hurt by sin--it vents itself in a way of godly sorrow.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
The Ballast of Humiliation
An excerpt from John Piper's book "The Roots of Endurance," containing a quote from Charles Simeon, a main subject of the book. The following statement was made by Simeon after 40 years of serving and cherishing Christ.
"With this sweet hope of ultimate acceptance with God, I have always enjoyed much cheerfulness before men; but I have at the same time labored incessantly to cultivate the deepest humiliation before God. I have never thought that the circumstance of God's having forgiven me, was any reason why I should forgive myself; on the contrary, I have always judged it better to loathe myself the more, in proportion as I was assured that God was pacified towards me (Ezekiel 16:63)....There are but two objects that I have ever desired for these forty years to behold; the one, is my own vileness; and the other is, the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ; and I have always thought that they should be viewed together; just as Aaron confessed all the sins of all Israel whilst he put them on the head of the scapegoat. The disease did not keep him from applying to the remedy, nor did the remedy keep him from feeling the disease. By this I seek to be, not only humble and thankful but humbled in thankfulness, before my God and Savior continually."
"With this sweet hope of ultimate acceptance with God, I have always enjoyed much cheerfulness before men; but I have at the same time labored incessantly to cultivate the deepest humiliation before God. I have never thought that the circumstance of God's having forgiven me, was any reason why I should forgive myself; on the contrary, I have always judged it better to loathe myself the more, in proportion as I was assured that God was pacified towards me (Ezekiel 16:63)....There are but two objects that I have ever desired for these forty years to behold; the one, is my own vileness; and the other is, the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ; and I have always thought that they should be viewed together; just as Aaron confessed all the sins of all Israel whilst he put them on the head of the scapegoat. The disease did not keep him from applying to the remedy, nor did the remedy keep him from feeling the disease. By this I seek to be, not only humble and thankful but humbled in thankfulness, before my God and Savior continually."
A Service to the Flock
The other night I was thinking about the role of the pastor and shepherd of the flock. Part of that role includes church discipline, which I have seen first-hand place great pressure on men of God. While thinking about the weight placed on pastors to carry out church discipline I came across this quote in a book I am reading. It is an excellent quote from the perspective of a Shepherd that I was blessed by.
"Remember the nature of my office, and the care incumbent on me for the welfare of your immortal souls....Consider whatever may appear in my discourses harsh, earnest or alarming, not as the effects of enthusiasm, but as the rational dictates of a heart impressed with a sense both of the value of the soul and the importance of eternity....By recollecting the awful consequences of my neglect, you will be more inclined to receive favorably any well-meant admonitions." ~Charles Simeon
"Remember the nature of my office, and the care incumbent on me for the welfare of your immortal souls....Consider whatever may appear in my discourses harsh, earnest or alarming, not as the effects of enthusiasm, but as the rational dictates of a heart impressed with a sense both of the value of the soul and the importance of eternity....By recollecting the awful consequences of my neglect, you will be more inclined to receive favorably any well-meant admonitions." ~Charles Simeon
Sunday, August 2, 2009
A Faint Symbol of Unutterable Affection!
From Grace Gems:
"Yes, He is altogether lovely. This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend!" Song of Songs 5:16
In calling the Lord Jesus "altogether lovely," the redeemed Church asserts that she sees nothing in Him which she does not admire. The world may rail at His cross and call it shameful; but to her it is the very center and soul of glory. He is never without beauty to her! She presses His pierced feet to her embrace--and looks upon His wounds as jewels! Fools stand by His cross and find many a theme for jest and scorn; but she discovers nothing but solemn reason for reverent adoration and unbounded love!
"You are absolutely beautiful, my Beloved--with no imperfection in You!" Song of Songs 4:7. Viewing Him in every office and relationship--she cannot discover a flaw! She knows too well, His perfect Godhead and His spotless manhood--to offer a moment's shelter to the thought of a blemish in His immaculate person! She abominates every teaching that debases Him! She spurns the most gorgeous religious drapery that would obscure His beauteous features! Yes, so jealous is she of His honor, that a hint against His unsullied purity would stir her soul to holy wrath--and speedy would be her execration, and relentless her execution of the heresy! Nothing has ever aroused the ire of the Church so much--as a word against her beloved Redeemer. To all true believers, this is high treason and an offense which cannot be treated lightly.
Jesus is without a single blot or blemish--yet this negative praise, this bold denial of any fault--is far from representing the fullness of the loving admiration of the Church. Jesus is positively lovely in her eyes! Not merely lovely--His beauties are attracting beauties, and His glories are such as charm the heart. But although this utterance of the Church is the very climax of the language of praise, and was doubtless intended as the pinnacle of all description--yet it is not possible that this one sentence, even when expanded by the most careful meditation, should be able to express more than a mere particle of the admiration felt. Her description towers above all others; but its stature fails to reach the towering height of Heaven-born love. It is but a faint symbol of unutterable affection! It is a choice pearl washed on shore, from the deep sea of Divine love.
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"Yes, He is altogether lovely. This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend!" Song of Songs 5:16
I was thinking on this verse after getting the Grace Gems email. What a wonderful thought that we can call Jesus friend! I am still trying to grasp this concept in its fullness. A close friend is someone that you can confide all things in. But who do we run to when there are trials, when there is something bothering us, or when there is something that has taken place to be thankful and rejoice over? There is nothing wrong with confiding in earthly friends, but above all we should confide in our heavenly friend who graciously gives us all things.
"Yes, He is altogether lovely. This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend!" Song of Songs 5:16
In calling the Lord Jesus "altogether lovely," the redeemed Church asserts that she sees nothing in Him which she does not admire. The world may rail at His cross and call it shameful; but to her it is the very center and soul of glory. He is never without beauty to her! She presses His pierced feet to her embrace--and looks upon His wounds as jewels! Fools stand by His cross and find many a theme for jest and scorn; but she discovers nothing but solemn reason for reverent adoration and unbounded love!
"You are absolutely beautiful, my Beloved--with no imperfection in You!" Song of Songs 4:7. Viewing Him in every office and relationship--she cannot discover a flaw! She knows too well, His perfect Godhead and His spotless manhood--to offer a moment's shelter to the thought of a blemish in His immaculate person! She abominates every teaching that debases Him! She spurns the most gorgeous religious drapery that would obscure His beauteous features! Yes, so jealous is she of His honor, that a hint against His unsullied purity would stir her soul to holy wrath--and speedy would be her execration, and relentless her execution of the heresy! Nothing has ever aroused the ire of the Church so much--as a word against her beloved Redeemer. To all true believers, this is high treason and an offense which cannot be treated lightly.
Jesus is without a single blot or blemish--yet this negative praise, this bold denial of any fault--is far from representing the fullness of the loving admiration of the Church. Jesus is positively lovely in her eyes! Not merely lovely--His beauties are attracting beauties, and His glories are such as charm the heart. But although this utterance of the Church is the very climax of the language of praise, and was doubtless intended as the pinnacle of all description--yet it is not possible that this one sentence, even when expanded by the most careful meditation, should be able to express more than a mere particle of the admiration felt. Her description towers above all others; but its stature fails to reach the towering height of Heaven-born love. It is but a faint symbol of unutterable affection! It is a choice pearl washed on shore, from the deep sea of Divine love.
-------------------------------------------------------------
"Yes, He is altogether lovely. This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend!" Song of Songs 5:16
I was thinking on this verse after getting the Grace Gems email. What a wonderful thought that we can call Jesus friend! I am still trying to grasp this concept in its fullness. A close friend is someone that you can confide all things in. But who do we run to when there are trials, when there is something bothering us, or when there is something that has taken place to be thankful and rejoice over? There is nothing wrong with confiding in earthly friends, but above all we should confide in our heavenly friend who graciously gives us all things.
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