Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc03/v04750

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 11KB | 195 lines

04750
 #39-44 The ship that had weathered the storm in the open sea,
 where it had room, is dashed to pieces when it sticks fast.
 Thus, if the heart fixes in the world in affection, and cleaving
 to it, it is lost. Satan's temptations beat against it, and it
 is gone; but as long as it keeps above the world, though tossed
 with cares and tumults, there is hope for it. They had the shore
 in view, yet suffered shipwreck in the harbour; thus we are
 taught never to be secure. Though there is great difficulty in
 the way of the promised salvation, it shall, without fail, be
 brought to pass. It will come to pass that whatever the trials
 and dangers may be, in due time all believers will get safely to
 heaven. Lord Jesus, thou hast assured us that none of thine
 shall perish. Thou wilt bring them all safe to the heavenly
 shore. And what a pleasing landing will that be! Thou wilt
 present them to thy Father, and give thy Holy Spirit full
 possession of them for ever.
04756
 * Paul kindly received at Melita. (1-10) He arrives at Rome.
 (11-16) His conference with the Jews. (17-22) Paul preaches to
 the Jews, and abides at Rome a prisoner. (23-31)

 #1-10 God can make strangers to be friends; friends in distress.
 Those who are despised for homely manners, are often more
 friendly than the more polished; and the conduct of heathens, or
 persons called barbarians, condemns many in civilized nations,
 professing to be Christians. The people thought that Paul was a
 murderer, and that the viper was sent by Divine justice, to be
 the avenger of blood. They knew that there is a God who governs
 the world, so that things do not come to pass by chance, no, not
 the smallest event, but all by Divine direction; and that evil
 pursues sinners; that there are good works which God will
 reward, and wicked works which he will punish. Also, that murder
 is a dreadful crime, one which shall not long go unpunished. But
 they thought all wicked people were punished in this life.
 Though some are made examples in this world, to prove that there
 is a God and a Providence, yet many are left unpunished, to
 prove that there is a judgment to come. They also thought all
 who were remarkably afflicted in this life were wicked people.
 Divine revelation sets this matter in a true light. Good men
 often are greatly afflicted in this life, for the trial and
 increase of their faith and patience. Observe Paul's deliverance
 from the danger. And thus in the strength of the grace of
 Christ, believers shake off the temptations of Satan, with holy
 resolution. When we despise the censures and reproaches of men,
 and look upon them with holy contempt, having the testimony of
 our consciences for us, then, like Paul, we shake off the viper
 into the fire. It does us no harm, except we are kept by it from
 our duty. God hereby made Paul remarkable among these people,
 and so made way for the receiving of the gospel. The Lord raises
 up friends for his people in every place whither he leads them,
 and makes them blessings to those in affliction.

04766
 #11-16 The common events of travelling are seldom worthy of
 being told; but the comfort of communion with the saints, and
 kindness shown by friends, deserve particular mention. The
 Christians at Rome were so far from being ashamed of Paul, or
 afraid of owning him, because he was a prisoner, that they were
 the more careful to show him respect. He had great comfort in
 this. And if our friends are kind to us, God puts it into their
 hearts, and we must give him the glory. When we see those even
 in strange places, who bear Christ's name, fear God, and serve
 him, we should lift up our hearts to heaven in thanksgiving. How
 many great men have made their entry into Rome, crowned and in
 triumph, who really were plagues to the world! But here a good
 man makes his entry into Rome, chained as a poor captive, who
 was a greater blessing to the world than any other merely a man.
 Is not this enough to put us for ever out of conceit with
 worldly favour? This may encourage God's prisoners, that he can
 give them favour in the eyes of those that carry them captives.
 When God does not soon deliver his people out of bondage, yet
 makes it easy to them, or them easy under it, they have reason
 to be thankful.

04772
 #17-22 It was for the honour of Paul that those who examined his
 case, acquitted him. In his appeal he sought not to accuse his
 nation, but only to clear himself. True Christianity settles
 what is of common concern to all mankind, and is not built upon
 narrow opinions and private interests. It aims at no worldly
 benefit or advantage, but all its gains are spiritual and
 eternal. It is, and always has been, the lot of Christ's holy
 religion, to be every where spoken against. Look through every
 town and village where Christ is exalted as the only Saviour of
 mankind, and where the people are called to follow him in
 newness of life, and we see those who give themselves up to
 Christ, still called a sect, a party, and reproached. And this
 is the treatment they are sure to receive, so long as there
 shall continue an ungodly man upon earth.

04778
 #23-31 Paul persuaded the Jews concerning Jesus. Some were
 wrought upon by the word, and others hardened; some received the
 light, and others shut their eyes against it. And the same has
 always been the effect of the gospel. Paul parted with them,
 observing that the Holy Ghost had well described their state.
 Let all that hear the gospel, and do not heed it, tremble at
 their doom; for who shall heal them, if God does not? The Jews
 had afterwards much reasoning among themselves. Many have great
 reasoning, who do not reason aright. They find fault with one
 another's opinions, yet will not yield to truth. Nor will men's
 reasoning among themselves convince them, without the grace of
 God to open their understandings. While we mourn on account of
 such despisers, we should rejoice that the salvation of God is
 sent to others, who will receive it; and if we are of that
 number, we should be thankful to Him who hath made us to differ.
 The apostle kept to his principle, to know and preach nothing
 but Christ and him crucified. Christians, when tempted from
 their main business, should bring themselves back with this
 question, What does this concern the Lord Jesus? What tendency
 has it to bring us to him, and to keep us walking in him? The
 apostle preached not himself, but Christ, and he was not ashamed
 of the gospel of Christ. Though Paul was placed in a very narrow
 opportunity for being useful, he was not disturbed in it. Though
 it was not a wide door that was opened to him, yet no man was
 suffered to shut it; and to many it was an effectual door, so
 that there were saints even in Nero's household, #Php 4:22|. We
 learn also from #Php 1:13|, how God overruled Paul's
 imprisonment for the furtherance of the gospel. And not the
 residents at Rome only, but all the church of Christ, to the
 present day, and in the most remote corner of the globe, have
 abundant reason to bless God, that during the most mature period
 of his Christian life and experience, he was detained a
 prisoner. It was from his prison, probably chained hand to hand
 to the soldier who kept him, that the apostle wrote the epistles
 to the Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Hebrews; epistles
 showing, perhaps more than any others, the Christian love with
 which his heart overflowed, and the Christian experience with
 which his soul was filled. The believer of the present time may
 have less of triumph, and less of heavenly joy, than the
 apostle, but every follower of the same Saviour, is equally sure
 of safety and peace at the last. Let us seek to live more and
 more in the love of the Saviour; to labour to glorify Him by
 every action of our lives; and we shall assuredly, by his
 strength, be among the number of those who now overcome our
 enemies; and by his free grace and mercy, be hereafter among the
 blessed company who shall sit with Him upon his throne, even as
 He also has overcome, and is sitting on his Father's throne, at
 God's right hand for evermore.
04787
 ** The scope or design of the apostle in writing to the Romans
 appears to have been, to answer the unbelieving, and to teach
 the believing Jew; to confirm the Christian and to convert the
 idolatrous Gentile; and to show the Gentile convert as equal
 with the Jewish, in respect of his religious condition, and his
 rank in the Divine favour. These several designs are brought
 into one's view, by opposing or arguing with the infidel or
 unbelieving Jew, in favour of the Christian or believing
 Gentile. The way of a sinner's acceptance with God, or
 justification in his sight, merely by grace, through faith in
 the righteousness of Christ, without distinction of nations, is
 plainly stated. This doctrine is cleared from the objections
 raised by Judaizing Christians, who were for making terms of
 acceptance with God by a mixture of the law and the gospel, and
 for shutting out the Gentiles from any share in the blessings of
 salvation brought in by the Messiah. In the conclusion, holiness
 is further enforced by practical exhortations.

 * The apostle's commission. (1-7) Prays for the saints at Rome,
 and expresses his desire to see them. (8-15) The gospel way of
 justification by faith, for Jews and Gentiles. (16,17) The sins
 of the Gentiles set forth. (18-32)

 #1-7 The doctrine of which the apostle Paul wrote, set forth the
 fulfilment of the promises by the prophets. It spoke of the Son
 of God, even Jesus the Saviour, the promised Messiah, who came
 from David as to his human nature, but was also declared to be
 the Son of God, by the Divine power which raised him from the
 dead. The Christian profession does not consist in a notional
 knowledge or a bare assent, much less in perverse disputings,
 but in obedience. And all those, and those only, are brought to
 obedience of the faith, who are effectually called of Jesus
 Christ. Here is, 1. The privilege of Christians; they are
 beloved of God, and are members of that body which is beloved.
 2. The duty of Christians; to be holy, hereunto are they called,
 called to be saints. These the apostle saluted, by wishing them
 grace to sanctify their souls, and peace to comfort their
 hearts, as springing from the free mercy of God, the reconciled
 Father of all believers, and coming to them through the Lord
 Jesus Christ.

04794
 #8-15 We must show love for our friends, not only by praying for
 them, but by praising God for them. As in our purposes, so in
 our desires, we must remember to say, If the Lord will, #Jas
 4:15|. Our journeys are made prosperous or otherwise, according
 to the will of God. We should readily impart to others what God
 has trusted to us, rejoicing to make others joyful, especially
 taking pleasure in communing with those who believe the same
 things with us. If redeemed by the blood, and converted by the
 grace of the Lord Jesus, we are altogether his; and for his sake
 we are debtors to all men, to do all the good we can. Such
 services are our duty.