Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc03/v05750

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 10KB | 171 lines

05755
 * The apostle, with others, proved themselves faithful ministers
 of Christ, by their unblamable life and behaviour. (1-10) By
 affection for them, And by earnest concern, that they might have
 no fellowship with unbelievers and idolaters. (11-18)

 #1-10 The gospel is a word of grace sounding in our ears. The
 gospel day is a day of salvation, the means of grace the means
 of salvation, the offers of the gospel the offers of salvation,
 and the present time the proper time to accept these offers. The
 morrow is none of ours: we know not what will be on the morrow,
 nor where we shall be. We now enjoy a day of grace; then let all
 be careful not to neglect it. Ministers of the gospel should
 look upon themselves as God's servants, and act in every thing
 suitably to that character. The apostle did so, by much patience
 in afflictions, by acting from good principles, and by due
 temper and behaviour. Believers, in this world, need the grace
 of God, to arm them against temptations, so as to bear the good
 report of men without pride; and so as to bear their reproaches
 with patience. They have nothing in themselves, but possess all
 things in Christ. Of such differences is a Christian's life made
 up, and through such a variety of conditions and reports, is our
 way to heaven; and we should be careful in all things to approve
 ourselves to God. The gospel, when faithfully preached, and
 fully received, betters the condition even of the poorest. They
 save what before they riotously spent, and diligently employ
 their time to useful purposes. They save and gain by religion,
 and thus are made rich, both for the world to come and for this,
 when compared with their sinful, profligate state, before they
 received the gospel.

05765
 #11-18 It is wrong for believers to join with the wicked and
 profane. The word unbeliever applies to all destitute of true
 faith. True pastors will caution their beloved children in the
 gospel, not to be unequally yoked. The fatal effects of
 neglecting Scripture precepts as to marriages clearly appear.
 Instead of a help meet, the union brings a snare. Those whose
 cross it is to be unequally united, without their wilful fault,
 may expect consolation under it; but when believers enter into
 such unions, against the express warnings of God's word, they
 must expect must distress. The caution also extends to common
 conversation. We should not join in friendship and acquaintance
 with wicked men and unbelievers. Though we cannot wholly avoid
 seeing and hearing, and being with such, yet we should never
 choose them for friends. We must not defile ourselves by
 converse with those who defile themselves with sin. Come out
 from the workers of iniquity, and separate from their vain and
 sinful pleasures and pursuits; from all conformity to the
 corruptions of this present evil world. If it be an envied
 privilege to be the son or daughter of an earthly prince, who
 can express the dignity and happiness of being sons and
 daughters of the Almighty?
05773
 * An exhortation to holiness, and the whole church entreated to
 bear affection to the apostle. (1-4) He rejoiced in their
 sorrowing to repentance. (5-11) And in the comfort they and
 Titus had together. (12-16)

 #1-4 The promises of God are strong reasons for us to follow
 after holiness; we must cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of
 flesh and spirit. If we hope in God as our Father, we must seek
 to be holy as he is holy, and perfect as our Father in heaven.
 His grace, by the influences of his Spirit, alone can purify,
 but holiness should be the object of our constant prayers. If
 the ministers of the gospel are thought contemptible, there is
 danger lest the gospel itself be despised also; and though
 ministers must flatter none, yet they must be gentle towards
 all. Ministers may look for esteem and favour, when they can
 safely appeal to the people, that they have corrupted no man by
 false doctrines or flattering speeches; that they have defrauded
 no man; nor sought to promote their own interests so as to hurt
 any. It was affection to them made the apostle speak so freely
 to them, and caused him to glory of them, in all places, and
 upon all occasions.

05777
 #5-11 There were fightings without, or continual contentions
 with, and opposition from Jews and Gentiles; and there were
 fears within, and great concern for such as had embraced the
 Christian faith. But God comforts those who are cast down. We
 should look above and beyond all means and instruments, to God,
 as the author of all the consolation and good we enjoy. Sorrow
 according to the will of God, tending to the glory of God, and
 wrought by the Spirit of God, renders the heart humble,
 contrite, submissive, disposed to mortify every sin, and to walk
 in newness of life. And this repentance is connected with saving
 faith in Christ, and an interest in his atonement. There is a
 great difference between this sorrow of a godly sort, and the
 sorrow of the world. The happy fruits of true repentance are
 mentioned. Where the heart is changed, the life and actions will
 be changed. It wrought indignation at sin, at themselves, at the
 tempter and his instruments. It wrought a fear of watchfulness,
 and a cautious fear of sin. It wrought desire to be reconciled
 with God. It wrought zeal for duty, and against sin. It wrought
 revenge against sin and their own folly, by endeavours to make
 satisfaction for injuries done thereby. Deep humility before
 God, hatred of all sin, with faith in Christ, a new heart and a
 new life, make repentance unto salvation. May the Lord bestow it
 on every one of us.

05784
 #12-16 The apostle was not disappointed concerning them, which
 he signified to Titus; and he could with joy declare the
 confidence he had in them for the time to come. Here see the
 duties of a pastor and of his flock; the latter must lighten the
 troubles of the pastoral office, by respect and obedience; the
 former make a due return by his care of them, and cherish the
 flock by testimonies of satisfaction, joy, and tenderness.
05789
 * The apostle reminds them of charitable contributions for the
 poor saints. (1-6) Enforces this by their gifts, and by the love
 and grace of Christ. (7-9) By the willingness they had shown to
 this good work. (10-15) He recommends Titus to them. (16-24)

 #1-6 The grace of God must be owned as the root and fountain of
 all the good in us, or done by us, at any time. It is great
 grace and favour from God, if we are made useful to others, and
 forward to any good work. He commends the charity of the
 Macedonians. So far from needing that Paul should urge them,
 they prayed him to receive the gift. Whatever we use or lay out
 for God, it is only giving him what is his own. All we give for
 charitable uses, will not be accepted of God, nor turn to our
 advantage, unless we first give ourselves to the Lord. By
 ascribing all really good works to the grace of God, we not only
 give the glory to him whose due it is, but also show men where
 their strength is. Abundant spiritual joy enlarges men's hearts
 in the work and labour of love. How different this from the
 conduct of those who will not join in any good work, unless
 urged into it!

05795
 #7-9 Faith is the root; and as without faith it is not possible
 to please God, #Heb 11:6|, so those who abound in faith, will
 abound in other graces and good works also; and this will work
 and show itself by love. Great talkers are not always the best
 doers; but these Corinthians were diligent to do, as well as to
 know and talk well. To all these good things the apostle desires
 them to add this grace also, to abound in charity to the poor.
 The best arguments for Christian duties, are drawn from the
 grace and love of Christ. Though he was rich, as being God,
 equal in power and glory with the Father, yet he not only became
 man for us, but became poor also. At length he emptied himself,
 as it were, to ransom their souls by his sacrifice on the cross.
 From what riches, blessed Lord, to what poverty didst thou
 descend for our sakes! and to what riches hast thou advanced us
 through thy poverty! It is our happiness to be wholly at thy
 disposal.

05798
 #10-15 Good purposes are like buds and blossoms, pleasant to
 behold, and give hopes of good fruit; but they are lost, and
 signify nothing without good deeds. Good beginnings are well;
 but we lose the benefit, unless there is perseverance. When men
 purpose that which is good, and endeavour, according to their
 ability, to perform also, God will not reject them for what it
 is not in their power to do. But this scripture will not justify
 those who think good meanings are enough, or that good purposes,
 and the mere profession of a willing mind, are enough to save.
 Providence gives to some more of the good things of this world,
 and to some less, that those who have abundance might supply
 others who are in want. It is the will of God, that by our
 mutual supplying one another, there should be some sort of
 equality; not such a levelling as would destroy property, for in
 such a case there could be no exercise of charity. All should
 think themselves concerned to relieve those in want. This is
 shown from the gathering and giving out the manna in the
 wilderness, #Ex 16:18|. Those who have most of this world, have
 no more than food and raiment; and those who have but little of
 this world, seldom are quite without them.