Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc03/v05150

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 10KB | 180 lines

05150
 #14-18 Christ deals gently with those who have true grace,
 though they are weak in it. Consider the design of Christ's
 death: also that drawing a soul to sin, threatens the
 destruction of that soul. Did Christ deny himself for our
 brethren, so as to die for them, and shall not we deny ourselves
 for them, so as to keep from any indulgence? We cannot hinder
 ungoverned tongues from speaking evil; but we must not give them
 any occasion. We must deny ourselves in many cases what we may
 lawfully do, when our doing it may hurt our good name. Our good
 often comes to be evil spoken of, because we use lawful things
 in an uncharitable and selfish manner. As we value the
 reputation of the good we profess and practise, let us seek that
 it may not be evil-spoken of. Righteousness, peace, and joy, are
 words that mean a great deal. As to God, our great concern is to
 appear before him justified by Christ's death, sanctified by the
 Spirit of his grace; for the righteous Lord loveth
 righteousness. As to our brethren, it is to live in peace, and
 love, and charity with them; following peace with all men. As to
 ourselves, it is joy in the Holy Ghost; that spiritual joy
 wrought by the blessed Spirit in the hearts of believers, which
 respects God as their reconciled Father, and heaven as their
 expected home. Regard to Christ in doing our duties, alone can
 make them acceptable. Those are most pleasing to God that are
 best pleased with him; and they abound most in peace and joy in
 the Holy Ghost. They are approved by wise and good men; and the
 opinion of others is not to be regarded.

05155
 #19-23 Many wish for peace, and talk loudly for it, who do not
 follow the things that make for peace. Meekness, humility,
 self-denial, and love, make for peace. We cannot edify one
 another, while quarrelling and contending. Many, for meat and
 drink, destroy the work of God in themselves; nothing more
 destroys the soul than pampering and pleasing the flesh, and
 fulfilling the lusts of it; so others are hurt, by wilful
 offence given. Lawful things may be done unlawfully, by giving
 offence to brethren. This takes in all indifferent things,
 whereby a brother is drawn into sin or trouble; or has his
 graces, his comforts, or his resolutions weakened. Hast thou
 faith? It is meant of knowledge and clearness as to our
 Christian liberty. Enjoy the comfort of it, but do not trouble
 others by a wrong use of it. Nor may we act against a doubting
 conscience. How excellent are the blessings of Christ's kingdom,
 which consists not in outward rites and ceremonies, but in
 righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost! How preferable
 is the service of God to all other services! and in serving him
 we are not called to live and die to ourselves, but unto Christ,
 whose we are, and whom we ought to serve.
05160
 * Directions how to behave towards the weak. (1-7) All to
 receive one another as brethren. (8-13) The writing and
 preaching of the apostle. (14-21) His purposed journeys. (22-29)
 He requests their prayers. (30-33)

 #1-7 Christian liberty was allowed, not for our pleasure, but
 for the glory of God, and the good of others. We must please our
 neighbour, for the good of his soul; not by serving his wicked
 will, and humouring him in a sinful way; if we thus seek to
 please men, we are not the servants of Christ. Christ's whole
 life was a self-denying, self-displeasing life. And he is the
 most advanced Christian, who is the most conformed to Christ.
 Considering his spotless purity and holiness, nothing could be
 more contrary to him, than to be made sin and a curse for us,
 and to have the reproaches of God fall upon him; the just for
 the unjust. He bore the guilt of sin, and the curse for it; we
 are only called to bear a little of the trouble of it. He bore
 the presumptuous sins of the wicked; we are called only to bear
 the failings of the weak. And should not we be humble,
 self-denying, and ready to consider one another, who are members
 one of another? The Scriptures are written for our use and
 benefit, as much as for those to whom they were first given.
 Those are most learned who are most mighty in the Scriptures.
 That comfort which springs from the word of God, is the surest
 and sweetest, and the greatest stay to hope. The Spirit as a
 Comforter, is the earnest of our inheritance. This
 like-mindedness must be according to the precept of Christ,
 according to his pattern and example. It is the gift of God; and
 a precious gift it is, for which we must earnestly seek unto
 him. Our Divine Master invites his disciples, and encourages
 them by showing himself as meek and lowly in spirit. The same
 disposition ought to mark the conduct of his servants,
 especially of the strong towards the weak. The great end in all
 our actions must be, that God may be glorified; nothing more
 forwards this, than the mutual love and kindness of those who
 profess religion. Those that agree in Christ may well agree
 among themselves.

05167
 #8-13 Christ fulfilled the prophecies and promises relating to
 the Jews, and the Gentile converts could have no excuse for
 despising them. The Gentiles, being brought into the church, are
 companions in patience and tribulation. They should praise God.
 Calling upon all the nations to praise the Lord, shows that they
 shall have knowledge of him. We shall never seek to Christ till
 we trust in him. And the whole plan of redemption is suited to
 reconcile us to one another, as well as to our gracious God, so
 that an abiding hope of eternal life, through the sanctifying
 and comforting power of the Holy Spirit, may be attained. Our
 own power will never reach this; therefore where this hope is,
 and is abounding, the blessed Spirit must have all the glory.
 "All joy and peace;" all sorts of true joy and peace, so as to
 suppress doubts and fears, through the powerful working of the
 Holy Spirit.

05173
 #14-21 The apostle was persuaded that the Roman Christians were
 filled with a kind and affectionate spirit, as well as with
 knowledge. He had written to remind them of their duties and
 their dangers, because God had appointed him the minister of
 Christ to the Gentiles. Paul preached to them; but what made
 them sacrifices to God, was, their sanctification; not his work,
 but the work of the Holy Ghost: unholy things can never be
 pleasing to the holy God. The conversion of souls pertains unto
 God; therefore it is the matter of Paul's glorying, not the
 things of the flesh. But though a great preacher, he could not
 make one soul obedient, further than the Spirit of God
 accompanied his labours. He principally sought the good of those
 that sat in darkness. Whatever good we do, it is Christ who does
 it by us.

05181
 #22-29 The apostle sought the things of Christ more than his own
 will, and would not leave his work of planting churches to go to
 Rome. It concerns all to do that first which is most needful. We
 must not take it ill if our friends prefer work which is
 pleasing to God, before visits and compliments, which may please
 us. It is justly expected from all Christians, that they should
 promote every good work, especially that blessed work, the
 conversion of souls. Christian society is a heaven upon earth,
 an earnest of our gathering together unto Christ at the great
 day. Yet it is but partial, compared with our communion with
 Christ; for that only will satisfy the soul. The apostle was
 going to Jerusalem, as the messenger of charity. God loves a
 cheerful giver. Every thing that passes between Christians
 should be a proof and instance of the union they have in Jesus
 Christ. The Gentiles received the gospel of salvation from the
 Jews; therefore were bound to minister to them in what was
 needed for the body. Concerning what he expected from them he
 speaks doubtfully; but concerning what he expected from God he
 speaks confidently. We cannot expect too little from man, nor
 too much from God. And how delightful and advantageous it is to
 have the gospel with the fulness of its blessings! What
 wonderful and happy effects does it produce, when attended with
 the power of the Spirit!

05189
 #30-33 Let us learn to value the effectual fervent prayers of
 the righteous. How careful should we be, lest we forfeit our
 interest in the love and prayers of God's praying people! If we
 have experienced the Spirit's love, let us not be wanting in
 this office of kindness for others. Those that would prevail in
 prayer, must strive in prayer. Those who beg the prayers of
 others, must not neglect to pray for themselves. And though
 Christ knows our state and wants perfectly, he will know them
 from us. As God must be sought, for restraining the ill-will of
 our enemies, so also for preserving and increasing the good-will
 of our friends. All our joy depends upon the will of God. Let us
 be earnest in prayer with and for each other, that for Christ's
 sake, and by the love of the Holy Spirit, great blessings may
 come upon the souls of Christians, and the labours of ministers.
05193
 * The apostle recommends Phoebe to the church at Rome, and
 greets several friends there. (1-16) Cautions the church against
 such as made divisions. (17-20) Christian salutations. (21-24)
 The epistle concludes with ascribing glory to God. (25-27)

 #1-16 Paul recommends Phoebe to the Christians at Rome. It
 becomes Christians to help one another in their affairs,
 especially strangers; we know not what help we may need
 ourselves. Paul asks help for one that had been helpful to many;
 he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Though the care
 of all the churches came upon him daily, yet he could remember
 many persons, and send salutations to each, with particular
 characters of them, and express concern for them. Lest any
 should feel themselves hurt, as if Paul had forgotten them, he
 sends his remembrances to the rest, as brethren and saints,
 though not named. He adds, in the close, a general salutation to
 them all, in the name of the churches of Christ.