Chapter 9: The Christian Life

Life's Great Object

As Christians, we ought always to be distinguished from the world in the great purpose of our life. As for worldly people, some of them are chasing wealth, others fame; some seek comfort, others pleasure. In a secondary way you may pursue any of these, but your main and primary motive as a Christian should always be to live for Christ. To live for glory? Yes, but for His glory. To live for comfort? Yes, but let all your consolation be in Him. To live for pleasure? Yes, but when you are happy, sing psalms and make melody in your heart to the Lord. To live for wealth? Yes, but to be rich in faith. You may store up treasure, but store it up in heaven, "where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal" (Matthew 6:20).

You can make the most ordinary job truly sacred by dedicating your daily life completely to the service of Jesus, taking as your motto, "For to me, to live is Christ" (Philippians 1:21). There is such a thing as living a consecrated life. And if anyone denies its possibility, let them stand self-convicted, because they do not obey the command: "Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Love's Circumference

The Christian's sympathy should always be of the widest kind, because he serves a God of infinite love. When the precious stone of love is thrown by grace into the clear pool of a renewed heart, it stirs the transparent waters into ever-widening circles of sympathy.

The first ring has no very wide circumference — we love our family, for whoever does not care for his own household is worse than an unbeliever. But notice the next circle expanding outward — we love the household of faith: "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren" (1 John 3:14). Look once more, for the ever-widening ring has reached the very edge of the lake and included all within its reach, for "supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks" are to "be made for all men" (1 Timothy 2:1). A follower of Jesus means a friend of humanity. A Christian is generous by profession and giving by the force of grace. As wide as the reach of sorrow is the stretch of his love, and where he cannot help, he still has compassion.

The Way to Heaven

There is no way to heaven, whatever your hopes may be, except through Christ. There is no way to the gates of pearl except through the wounded side of Jesus. These are the gates of paradise — these bleeding wounds. If you would find your way to God's bright throne, find first your way to Jesus' cross. If you would know the way to happiness, walk in that path of suffering which Jesus walked.

What — attempt another way? Are you foolish enough to think you can force open the gates of heaven by your own strength? Or do you think you can buy a place in paradise with your riches and your gold? What is your gold in a place where streets are made of it and where the gates are solid pearl — where the foundations are jasper and the walls are precious gems? And do you think you can get there by your merits? By pride the angels fell, and by your pride you fall. Heaven is not for people like that.

But you say, "I will leave my wealth to charities after I am gone. I will build a hospital, or feed the poor." Then let people pay you — you have worked for them; let them pay the debt. Let them raise the stone pillar and set your statue on top of it. If you have served your country, let your country pay you what they owe you. But God — what does He owe to you? You have forgotten Him. You have despised His Son. You have rejected His gospel. Be you warrior, statesman, or patriot — let people pay you. God owes you nothing. And everything you do, if you do not come the right way through Jesus Christ — who lived and died and is alive forevermore and holds the keys of heaven — will not persuade Him to admit you to His kingdom.

Religion Exemplified

I would not give much for your faith unless it can be seen. Lamps do not talk, but they do shine. A lighthouse sounds no drum, it beats no gong — and yet, far across the waters, its friendly spark is visible to the sailor. So let your actions shine out your faith. Let the main sermon of your life be illustrated by all your conduct, and it will not fail to be remarkable.

The Right Estimate

The higher a person is in grace, the lower he will be in his own estimation.

Vessels of Mercy

God's chosen ones are spoken of as "vessels of mercy" (Romans 9:23). Now, we know that a vessel is nothing but a container. A "vessel" is not a fountain, but only a holder of what is poured into it. Such are the redeemed of God — they are not fountains by nature, out of whom anything good naturally springs. They are simply receivers. At one time they are full of themselves, but grace empties them, and then as empty vessels they are placed in the path of God's goodness. God fills them to the brim with His lovingkindness, and so they are shown to be the vessels of His mercy.

They may, as "vessels," afterward pour out to others — but they can only give what God has put in them. They may work out their own salvation with fear and trembling, but they cannot work it out unless God works in them both to will and to do according to His good pleasure. They may overflow with gratitude, but only because God has filled them with grace. They may stream forth with holiness, but only because the Lord keeps the supply overflowing. They are receivers, and receivers only.

Christian Diligence

We find in Scripture that most of the great appearances made to distinguished saints were made when they were busy. Moses was keeping his father-in-law's flock when he saw the burning bush. Joshua was circling the city of Jericho when he met the angel of the Lord. Jacob was in prayer when the angel of God appeared to him. Gideon was threshing and Elisha was plowing when the Lord called them. Matthew was at his tax office when he was told to follow Jesus, and James and John were fishing. The Almighty Lover of human souls does not usually reveal Himself to idle people. The one who is lazy and inactive cannot expect to have the sweet company of his Savior.

Comfort My People

God never gives His children a duty without giving them the means to do it. And when He tells us to "comfort" His people, we may be certain that there are ways by which they may be comforted.

Child of God, are you at a loss for a way to comfort the aching heart? Tell them of the ancient things, the stories of days gone by. Whisper in the mourner's ear of electing grace, and redeeming mercy, and divine love. When you find a troubled soul, tell him of the covenant, in all things ordered well. Tell him what the Lord has done in former days. Tell him the wonderful story of God's dealings with His people. Tell him that God, who divided the Red Sea, can make a highway for His people through the deep waters of affliction — that He who appeared in the burning bush, which was not consumed, will support him in the furnace of hardship. Tell him of the marvelous things God has done for His chosen people — surely there is enough there to comfort him.

Tell him of his present blessings. Tell him that he has much left, though much is gone. Tell him there is "now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). Tell him that now he is accepted in the Beloved. Tell him that he is adopted and that his standing is secure. Tell him that Jesus is above, pleading his cause. Tell him that though earth's foundations shake, God is a refuge for us. Tell the mourner that the everlasting God does not fail, nor does He grow weary.

But if this is not enough, tell him of the future. Whisper to him that there is a heaven with pearly gates and golden streets. Tell him that only a few more days remain, and he will reach the heavenly shore — and therefore he may well bear his sorrows. Tell him that Christ is coming, and that His return is near. He will soon appear to judge the earth with fairness and His people in righteousness.

And if even that is not enough, tell him all about that Savior who lived and died. Take him to Calvary. Picture for him the bleeding hands, and side, and feet. Tell him of the thorn-crowned King of grief — the mighty Monarch of suffering who wore the scarlet of mockery, which was yet the purple of the empire of sorrow. Tell him that He Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree. By God's blessing, you will accomplish your mission and "comfort" one of His people. "Comfort, yes, comfort My people, says your God" (Isaiah 40:1).

Self

Faith will never be weak if self is weak, but when self is strong, faith cannot be strong. "Self" is very much like what the gardener calls the "sucker" at the bottom of the tree — the shoot that never bears fruit but only draws away the nourishment from the tree itself. Self is that sucker which diverts the nourishment from faith. You must cut it off, or else your faith will always be "little faith," and you will have difficulty maintaining any comfort in your soul.

Strength through Joy

It is when the mind is happy that it can work hard. "The joy of the LORD is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10).

The Refiner's Fire

There is not a bar of silver in heaven's treasury that has not been in the furnace on earth and purified seven times. There is not a gem that the Divine Jeweler has not subjected to every kind of test. There is not an atom of gold in the Redeemer's crown that has not been melted among the hottest coals to rid it of its impurities. This is universal for every child of God. If you are a servant of the Lord, you must be tested "as gold is tried."

Heart-Learning

We can learn nothing of the gospel except by feeling its truths. There are some subjects that may be learned by the mind, but the knowledge of Christ crucified can only be learned by the heart.

The Hope of Heaven

Believers are not only to be with Christ and to see His glory — they are to be like Christ and to be glorified with Him. Is He glorious? So shall they be. Is He enthroned? So shall they be. Does He wear a crown? So shall they. Is He a priest? So shall they be — kings to share His dominion and priests to offer acceptable sacrifices forever. Notice that in all Christ has, believers share. They are to reign with Christ and have a portion of His joy — to be honored with Him, to be accepted in Him.

This is heaven indeed! If you have this hope, I urge you — hold it fast, live on it, rejoice in it. Live near your Master now, so your assurance will be bright; and when you come to cross the final river, you will see Him face to face, and what that is, only those can tell who enjoy it every hour.

But if you do not have this bright hope, how is it that you can live content? You are going through a dark world to a darker eternity. I urge you — stop and pause. Consider for a moment whether it is worth it to lose heaven for this poor earth. What? Trade eternal glories for the small change of a few moments of the world's pleasures? No — stop, I urge you. Weigh the bargain before you accept it. What shall it profit you to gain the whole world and lose your soul? What wailing and grief will there be over the carelessness by which people lose such a heaven as this?