Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc03/v04600

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 6KB | 103 lines

04602
 #12-24 False religious principles, adopted by carnal men, urge
 on to such wickedness, as human nature would hardly be supposed
 capable of. Yet the Lord readily disappoints the best concerted
 schemes of iniquity. Paul knew that the Divine providence acts
 by reasonable and prudent means; and that, if he neglected to
 use the means in his power, he could not expect God's providence
 to work on his behalf. He who will not help himself according to
 his means and power, has neither reason nor revelation to assure
 him that he shall receive help from God. Believing in the Lord,
 we and ours shall be kept from every evil work, and kept to his
 kingdom. Heavenly Father, give us by thy Holy Spirit, for
 Christ's sake, this precious faith.

04615
 #25-35 God has instruments for every work. The natural abilities
 and moral virtues of the heathens often have been employed to
 protect his persecuted servants. Even the men of the world can
 discern between the conscientious conduct of upright believers,
 and the zeal of false professors, though they disregard or
 understand not their doctrinal principles. All hearts are in
 God's hand, and those are blessed who put their trust in him,
 and commit their ways unto him.
04626
 * The speech of Tertullus against Paul. (1-9) Paul's defence
 before Felix. (10-21) Felix trembles at the reasoning of Paul.
 (22-27)

 #1-9 See here the unhappiness of great men, and a great
 unhappiness it is, to have their services praised beyond
 measure, and never to be faithfully told of their faults; hereby
 they are hardened and encouraged in evil, like Felix. God's
 prophets were charged with being troublers of the land, and our
 Lord Jesus Christ, that he perverted the nation; the very same
 charges were brought against Paul. The selfish and evil passions
 of men urge them forward, and the graces and power of speech,
 too often have been used to mislead and prejudice men against
 the truth. How different will the characters of Paul and Felix
 appear at the day of judgement, from what they are represented
 in the speech of Tertullus! Let not Christians value the
 applause, or be troubled at the revilings of ungodly men, who
 represent the vilest of the human race almost as gods, and the
 excellent of the earth as pestilences and movers of sedition.

04635
 #10-21 Paul gives a just account of himself, which clears him
 from crime, and likewise shows the true reason of the violence
 against him. Let us never be driven from any good way by its
 having an ill name. It is very comfortable, in worshipping God,
 to look to him as the God of our fathers, and to set up no other
 rule of faith or practice but the Scriptures. This shows there
 will be a resurrection to a final judgment. Prophets and their
 doctrines were to be tried by their fruits. Paul's aim was to
 have a conscience void of offence. His care and endeavour was to
 abstain from many things, and to abound in the exercises of
 religion at all times; both towards God. and towards man. If
 blamed for being more earnest in the things of God than our
 neighbours, what is our reply? Do we shrink from the accusation?
 How many in the world would rather be accused of any weakness,
 nay, even of wickedness, than of an earnest, fervent feeling of
 love to the Lord Jesus Christ, and of devotedness to his
 service! Can such think that He will confess them when he comes
 in his glory, and before the angels of God? If there is any
 sight pleasing to the God of our salvation, and a sight at which
 the angels rejoice, it is, to behold a devoted follower of the
 Lord, here upon earth, acknowledging that he is guilty, if it be
 a crime, of loving the Lord who died for him, with all his
 heart, and soul, and mind, and strength. And that he will not in
 silence see God's word despised, or hear his name profaned; he
 will rather risk the ridicule and the hatred of the world, than
 one frown from that gracious Being whose love is better than
 life.

04647
 #22-27 The apostle reasoned concerning the nature and
 obligations of righteousness, temperance, and of a judgment to
 come; thus showing the oppressive judge and his profligate
 mistress, their need of repentance, forgiveness, and of the
 grace of the gospel. Justice respects our conduct in life,
 particularly in reference to others; temperance, the state and
 government of our souls, in reference to God. He who does not
 exercise himself in these, has neither the form nor the power of
 godliness, and must be overwhelmed with the Divine wrath in the
 day of God's appearing. A prospect of the judgment to come, is
 enough to make the stoutest heart to tremble. Felix trembled,
 but that was all. Many are startled by the word of God, who are
 not changed by it. Many fear the consequences of sin, yet
 continue in the love and practice of sin. In the affairs of our
 souls, delays are dangerous. Felix put off this matter to a more
 convenient season, but we do not find that the more convenient
 season ever came. Behold now is the accepted time; hear the
 voice of the Lord to-day. He was in haste to turn from hearing
 the truth. Was any business more urgent than for him to reform
 his conduct, or more important than the salvation of his soul!
 Sinners often start up like a man roused from his sleep by a
 loud noise, but soon sink again into their usual drowsiness. Be
 not deceived by occasional appearances of religion in ourselves
 or in others. Above all, let us not trifle with the word of God.
 Do we expect that as we advance in life our hearts will grow
 softer, or that the influence of the world will decline? Are we
 not at this moment in danger of being lost for ever? Now is the
 day of salvation; tomorrow may be too late.