From: Suzianty Herawati
"Called to be saints." --Romans 1:7
We are very apt to regard the apostolic saints as if they were "saints" in a
more especial manner than the other children of God. All are "saints" whom God
has called by His grace, and sanctified by His Spirit; but we are apt to look
upon the apostles as extraordinary beings, scarcely subject to the same
weaknesses and temptations as ourselves. Yet in so doing we are forgetful of
this truth, that the nearer a man lives to God the more intensely has he to
mourn over his own evil heart; and the more his Master honours him in His
service, the more also doth the evil of the flesh vex and tease him day by day.
The fact is, if we had seen the apostle Paul, we should have thought him
remarkably like the rest of the chosen family: and if we had talked with him,
we should have said, "We find that his experience and ours are much the same.
He is more faithful, more holy, and more deeply taught than we are, but he has
the
selfsame trials to endure. Nay, in some respects he is more sorely tried than
ourselves." Do not, then, look upon the ancient saints as being exempt either
from infirmities or sins;
and do not regard them with that mystic reverence which will almost make us
idolators. Their holiness is attainable even by us. We are "called to be
saints" by that same voice which
constrained them to their high vocation. It is a Christian's duty to force his
way into the inner circle of saintship; and if these saints were superior to us
in their attainments, as they
certainly were, let us follow them; let us emulate their ardour and holiness.
We have the same light that they had, the same grace is accessible to us, and
why should we rest satisfied
until we have equalled them in heavenly character? They lived with Jesus, they
lived for Jesus, therefore they grew like Jesus. Let us live by the same Spirit
as they did, "looking unto
Jesus," and our saintship will soon be apparent.
by CH Spurgeon
===========================================
From: Suzianty Herawati
"Fellow citizens with the saints." --Ephesians 2:19
What is meant by our being citizens in heaven? It means that we are under
heaven's government. Christ the king of heaven reigns in our hearts; our daily
prayer is, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." The proclamations
issued from the throne of glory are freely received by us: the decrees of the
Great King we cheerfully obey. Then as citizens of the New
Jerusalem, we share heaven's honours. The glory which belongs to beatified
saints belongs to us, for we are already sons of God, already princes of the
blood imperial; already we wear the
spotless robe of Jesu's righteousness; already we have angels for our
servitors, saints for our companions, Christ for our Brother, God for our
Father, and a crown of immortality for our
reward. We share the honours of citizenship, for we have come to the general
assembly and Church of the first-born whose names are written in heaven. As
citizens, we have common rights to all the property of heaven. Ours are its
gates of pearl and walls of chrysolite; ours the azure light of the city that
needs no candle nor light of the sun; ours the river of the water of
life, and the twelve manner of fruits which grow on the trees planted on the
banks thereof; there is nought in heaven that belongeth not to us. "Things
present, or things to come," all
are ours. Also as citizens of heaven we enjoy its delights. Do they there
rejoice over sinners that repent--prodigals that have returned? So do we. Do
they chant the glories of triumphant
grace? We do the same. Do they cast their crowns at Jesu's feet?
Such honours as we have we cast there too. Are they charmed with His smile? It
is not less sweet to us who dwell below. Do they look forward, waiting for His
second advent? We also look and long for His appearing. If, then, we are thus
citizens of heaven, let our walk and actions be consistent with our high
dignity.
by CH Spurgeon
===============================================
From: Suzianty Herawati
"Forget not all His benefits." --Psalm 103:2
It is a delightful and profitable occupation to mark the hand of God in the
lives of ancient saints, and to observe His goodness in delivering them, His
mercy in pardoning them, and
His faithfulness in keeping His covenant with them. But would it not be even
more interesting and profitable for us to remark the hand of God in our own
lives? Ought we not to look upon our own history as being at least as full of
God, as full of His goodness and of His truth, as much a proof of His
faithfulness and veracity, as the lives of any of the saints who have gone
before? We do our Lord an injustice when we suppose that He wrought all His
mighty acts, and showed Himself strong for those in the early time, but doth
not perform wonders or lay bare His arm for the saints who are now upon the
earth. Let us review our own lives. Surely in these we may discover some happy
incidents, refreshing to ourselves and glorifying to our God. Have you had no
deliverances ? Have you passed through no rivers, supported
by the divine presence? Have you walked through no fires unharmed? Have you had
no manifestations? Have you had no choice favours ? The God who gave Solomon
the desire of his heart, hath He never listened to you and answered your
requests?
That God of lavish bounty of whom David sang, "Who satisfieth thy mouth with
good things," hath He never satiated you with fatness? Have you never been made
to lie down in green pastures?
Have you never been led by the still waters? Surely the goodness of God has
been the same to us as to the saints of old. Let us, then, weave His mercies
into a song. Let us take the pure gold of thankfulness, and the jewels of
praise and make them into another crown for the head of Jesus. Let our souls
give forth music as sweet and as exhilarating as came from David's harp, while
we praise the Lord whose mercy endureth for ever.
by CH SPurgeon
===========================================
From: Suzianty Herawati
"Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord." --Exodus 14:13
These words contain God's command to the believer when he is reduced to
great straits and brought into extraordinary difficulties. He cannot retreat;
he cannot go forward; he is shut up on the right hand and on the left; what is
he now to do?
The Master's word to him is, "Stand still." It will be well for him if at such
times he listens only to his Master's word, for other and evil advisers come
with their suggestions. Despair
whispers, "Lie down and die; give it all up." But God would have us put on a
cheerful courage, and even in our worst times, rejoice in His love and
faithfulness. Cowardice says,
"Retreat; go back to the worldling's way of action; you cannot play the
Christian's part, it is too difficult. Relinquish your principles." But,
however much Satan may urge this course upon
you, you cannot follow it if you are a child of God. His divine fiat has bid
thee go from strength to strength, and so thou shalt, and neither death nor
hell shall turn thee from thy course. What, if for a while thou art called to
stand still, yet this is but to renew thy strength for some greater advance in
due time. Precipitancy cries, "do something. Stir yourself; to stand still and
wait, is sheer idleness." We must be doing something at once--we must do it so
we think--instead of looking to the Lord, who will not only do something but
will do everything. Presumption boasts, "If the sea be before you, march into
it and expect a miracle." But Faith listens neither to Presumption, nor to
Despair, nor to Cowardice, nor to Precipitancy, but it hears God say, "Stand
still," and immovable as a rock it stands. "Stand still";--keep the posture of
an upright man, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and
patiently awaiting the directing voice; and it will not be long ere God shall
say to you, as distinctly as
Moses said it to the people of Israel, "Go forward."
by CH Spurgeon
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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