Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc03/v05350

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 8KB | 135 lines

05353
 #10-16 Man and wife must not separate for any other cause than
 what Christ allows. Divorce, at that time, was very common among
 both Jews and Gentiles, on very slight pretexts. Marriage is a
 Divine institution; and is an engagement for life, by God's
 appointment. We are bound, as much as in us lies, to live
 peaceably with all men, #Ro 12:18|, therefore to promote the
 peace and comfort of our nearest relatives, though unbelievers.
 It should be the labour and study of those who are married, to
 make each other as easy and happy as possible. Should a
 Christian desert a husband or wife, when there is opportunity to
 give the greatest proof of love? Stay, and labour heartily for
 the conversion of thy relative. In every state and relation the
 Lord has called us to peace; and every thing should be done to
 promote harmony, as far as truth and holiness will permit.

05360
 #17-24 The rules of Christianity reach every condition; and in
 every state a man may live so as to be a credit to it. It is the
 duty of every Christian to be content with his lot, and to
 conduct himself in his rank and place as becomes a Christian.
 Our comfort and happiness depend on what we are to Christ, not
 what we are in the world. No man should think to make his faith
 or religion, an argument to break through any natural or civil
 obligations. He should quietly and contentedly abide in the
 condition in which he is placed by Divine Providence.

05368
 #25-35 Considering the distress of those times, the unmarried
 state was best. Notwithstanding, the apostle does not condemn
 marriage. How opposite are those to the apostle Paul who forbid
 many to marry, and entangle them with vows to remain single,
 whether they ought to do so or not! He exhorts all Christians to
 holy indifference toward the world. As to relations; they must
 not set their hearts on the comforts of the state. As to
 afflictions; they must not indulge the sorrow of the world: even
 in sorrow the heart may be joyful. As to worldly enjoyments;
 here is not their rest. As to worldly employment; those that
 prosper in trade, and increase in wealth, should hold their
 possessions as though they held them not. As to all worldly
 concerns; they must keep the world out of their hearts, that
 they may not abuse it when they have it in their hands. All
 worldly things are show; nothing solid. All will be quickly
 gone. Wise concern about worldly interests is a duty; but to be
 full of care, to have anxious and perplexing care, is a sin. By
 this maxim the apostle solves the case whether it were advisable
 to marry. That condition of life is best for every man, which is
 best for his soul, and keeps him most clear of the cares and
 snares of the world. Let us reflect on the advantages and snares
 of our own condition in life; that we may improve the one, and
 escape as far as possible all injury from the other. And
 whatever cares press upon the mind, let time still be kept for
 the things of the Lord.

05379
 #36-40 The apostle is thought to give advice here about the
 disposal of children in marriage. In this view, the general
 meaning is plain. Children should seek and follow the directions
 of their parents as to marriage. And parents should consult
 their children's wishes; and not reckon they have power to do
 with them, and dictate just as they please, without reason. The
 whole is closed with advice to widows. Second marriages are not
 unlawful, so that it is kept in mind, to marry in the Lord. In
 our choice of relations, and change of conditions, we should
 always be guided by the fear of God, and the laws of God, and
 act in dependence on the providence of God. Change of condition
 ought only to be made after careful consideration, and on
 probable grounds, that it will be to advantage in our spiritual
 concerns.
05384
 * The danger of having a high conceit of knowledge. (1-6) The
 mischief of offending weak brethren. (7-13)

 #1-6 There is no proof of ignorance more common than conceit of
 knowledge. Much may be known, when nothing is known to good
 purpose. And those who think they know any thing, and grow vain
 thereon, are the least likely to make good use of their
 knowledge. Satan hurts some as much by tempting them to be proud
 of mental powers, as others, by alluring to sensuality.
 Knowledge which puffs up the possessor, and renders him
 confident, is as dangerous as self-righteous pride, though what
 he knows may be right. Without holy affections all human
 knowledge is worthless. The heathens had gods of higher and
 lower degree; gods many, and lords many; so called, but not such
 in truth. Christians know better. One God made all, and has
 power over all. The one God, even the Father, signifies the
 Godhead as the sole object of all religious worship; and the
 Lord Jesus Christ denotes the person of Emmanuel, God manifest
 in the flesh, One with the Father, and with us; the appointed
 Mediator, and Lord of all; through whom we come to the Father,
 and through whom the Father sends all blessings to us, by the
 influence and working of the Holy Spirit. While we refuse all
 worship to the many who are called gods and lords, and to saints
 and angels, let us try whether we really come to God by faith in
 Christ.

05390
 #7-13 Eating one kind of food, and abstaining from another, have
 nothing in them to recommend a person to God. But the apostle
 cautions against putting a stumbling-block in the way of the
 weak; lest they be made bold to eat what was offered to the
 idol, not as common food, but as a sacrifice, and thereby be
 guilty of idolatry. He who has the Spirit of Christ in him, will
 love those whom Christ loved so as to die for them. Injuries
 done to Christians, are done to Christ; but most of all, the
 entangling them in guilt: wounding their consciences, is
 wounding him. We should be very tender of doing any thing that
 may occasion stumbling to others, though it may be innocent in
 itself. And if we must not endanger other men's souls, how much
 should we take care not to destroy our own! Let Christians
 beware of approaching the brink of evil, or the appearance of
 it, though many do this in public matters, for which perhaps
 they plead plausibly. Men cannot thus sin against their
 brethren, without offending Christ, and endangering their own
 souls.
05397
 * The apostle shows his authority, and asserts his right to be
 maintained. (1-14) He waved this part of his Christian liberty,
 for the good of others. (15-23) He did all this, with care and
 diligence, in view of an unfading crown. (24-27)

 #1-14 It is not new for a minister to meet with unkind returns
 for good-will to a people, and diligent and successful services
 among them. To the cavils of some, the apostle answers, so as to
 set forth himself as an example of self-denial, for the good of
 others. He had a right to marry as well as other apostles, and
 to claim what was needful for his wife, and his children if he
 had any, from the churches, without labouring with his own hands
 to get it. Those who seek to do our souls good, should have food
 provided for them. But he renounced his right, rather than
 hinder his success by claiming it. It is the people's duty to
 maintain their minister. He may wave his right, as Paul did; but
 those transgress a precept of Christ, who deny or withhold due
 support.