Added to this you must also be the heir of persecution. He shall be joyful when he declares the Lord's name unto his brethren. Who can condemn? Soul, this suggests to thee a solemn enquiry, "Art thou in Christ or not?" Death has not abated a single note of their song; nay, more, I have known some of them who are like the fabled swan which is said never to sing till it dies. II. and secondly, how ought it to affect us? We remember to be grateful to all except our God. See you that stone rolled at the mouth of the sepulchre? The influence of his holy religion has made abundant atonement to the world for any wrong that you ever did to it. Grace in the soul is its new nature; the soul is alive to God, and has begun its holy happiness which shall endure for ever. So they are, but he that is with you is mightier far. Tell the world, once for all, that it may condemn you, if it pleases, for it condemned the Lord Jesus long ago, and say that, therefore, you think but little of the condemnation of your fellow-men. Here is a test for us all. The effectual call of grace is precisely similar; the sinner is dead in sin; he is not only in sin but dead in sin, without any power whatever to give to himself the life of grace. Speak we of his omniscience? If he adds anything at all, it is still something about that same Christ "yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. If so, then I have a hope that I may be among the called host whom God has predestinated. Oh! Can we glory that he is full of immutability, and changes not? No condemnation: that is the beginning of the chapter. There were no wild beasts to rend him, no rough winds to cause him injury, no blighting heats to bring him harm; but in this present world everything is contrary to us. He could not join the song, for he would not know the tune. It is Christ that died." Hear another, 2 Corinthians, vi. I have known a surly man act in that way; but Christ never turns us away because we only come to him when others fail us. He is heir of this world. Yet more, I fancy that. "Predestinated to be conformed to the image of his Son, that HE," "that HE" God is always driving at something for him, his well-beloved Son. says one, "I don't think anything of that, then." Gentlemen, the apostle Paul was well aware of your objections; and therefore mark how confidently he asserts the doctrine. We are like Adam now in weakness and pain, and we shall soon be like him in death, returning to the ground whence we were taken; but we shall rise again to a better life, and then shall we wear in glory and incorruption the image of the second Adam, the Lord from heaven. So it is with those prayers which are all broken up, wet with tears, and discordant with those sighs and inarticulate expressions and heavings of the bosom, and sobbings of the heart and anguish and bitterness of spirit, our gracious Lord reads them as a man reads a book, and they are written in a character which he fully understands. When the Church rejects you, casts you out, annoys, despises you, still be ready to defend her, and when you have an ill name even in the lips of God's people, still stand up for the common cause of Zion, the city of our solemnities. He was fighting evil in the high places and evil in the low, evil among the priests and evil among the people, evil in a religious dress, in Pharisaism, and evil in the dress of philosophy amongst the Sadducees; he fought it everywhere: he was the foe of everything that was wrong, false, selfish, unholy or impure. Oh! 12. It is only where God's hand has been that the vessel begins to assume the form of the model. Much need is there for the stone that it should be well secured, for within the sepulchre there is a putrid corpse. Be persuaded of that truth, and you are indeed happy men and happy women; what more could you wish to say than to be able truthfully to say that? Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee, and thou hast sinned; therefore, I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God; and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.". A little more than he said about the others. And I say it this morning, it is a shameful thing that ever idolatry should be able to breed better men than some who profess Christianity. Tell the men of the world that it is right that they condemn you for all your past life, for doubtless you have been what they say you are, you will not dispute that fact; but tell them also that what Paul wrote to the Christians at Corinth is true of you, "Ye are washed, ye are sanctified, ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." And whereas our experience sometimes leads our spirit to conclude that we are born of God, there are happy times when the eternal Spirit from off the throne, descends and fills our heart, and then we have the two witnesses bearing witness with each other, that we are children of God. I pray you consider yourself as being in Christ. Let me show you that you have not been hearing strange doctrine. Well, we confess that too; but then Christ suffered in his spirit. He gloated over the crucifixion once, and he has been distressed and terrified by it ever since. (+44) 01236 827 978. Out of stock. For this very reason, that we are saved, we groan for something beyond. "For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come nor height, nor depth nor any other creatures, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Here is the full receipt; the resurrection hath rent the bond in twain. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy." It speaks of the regenerate, of a special class me as having a claim to be God's children. My God, thou art my all in all the circle where my passions move, the centre of my soul. For spiritual blessings which we know to be according to the divine will we could ask with confidence, but perhaps these would not meet our peculiar circumstances. It is true that you are a believer, but you have sinned often, for years, in all sorts of way." Oh! The next argument for making us sure that they will speed is this that they are "the mind of the Spirit." Thank him for little grace, and ask him for great grace. you also shall bear a palm. And there may be many differences between godly men, as there undoubtedly are; they may belong to different sects, they may hold very opposite opinions, but all godly men agree in this, that they love God. This is a good seaworthy vessel: "It is Christ that died." We must suffer with him if we would be glorified with him. How many an event has seemed to be conflicting in its day, that has worked out good for us? I beseech you then, beloved, wherever you see a poor saint, wherever you behold an aged Christian, recollect he cannot be so much in debt to you as you are to him, for you have much, and he has but little, and he cannot be in debt for what he has not. He allows nothing to mar the glory of this one blessed fact, "It is Christ that died." And therefore the surety first groped through death to fight his way up to the eternal throne, and then mounting aloft by a glorious ascension, dragged his conquered foes behind him, and scattering mercies with both his hands, like Roman conquerors who scattered gold and silver coins in their triumph, entered heaven. "There's the respect that makes calamity of so long life," that there is so much longer time for temptation and trial. The promises are yea and amen to thee, but only in Christ Jesus, in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh at things after the counsel of his own will. There is no getting away from yourself, and when you yourself condemn yourself, then you are condemned indeed. Resignation to God's will takes the weight out of the cross, but a proud spirit that will not bow to God's will change a wooden cross into an iron one. All that the Church wants to-day is courage and devotion. Who is he that condemneth, then? Very likely all things will work together in a clean contrary way to that. Now, do you hate God for sparing you? and do we not feel that we shall lay all our honors, whatever they may be, at his dear feet, who hath according to his abundant mercy predestinated us to be conformed to the image of his Son? why art thou at enmity with God? Now God has never promised that "all things shall work together" for such good as that to his people. Thine infinite wisdom, O God, is mine to guide me. He begins by mentioning some of the things that are supposed to separate, and the first is, death. In this volume we give you Charles H. Spurgeon commentary on Paul's Epistle to the Romans. So it may by possibility be this morning; so it will be if the Spirit of God shall be our instructor, and fulfil his gracious promise to "lead us into all truth.". I will count it to be my highest glory if I may be made a knight of the cross, and may carry that cross upon my shoulder: to the world a badge of dishonor, but to me the ensign of glory, the escutcheon of honor. III. Thou canst bear faithful witness, if thou wouldst speak the truth, that each person here has so transgressed against God, so continually broken his laws, violated his Sabbath, trampled on his statutes, despised his gospel, that it is true, aye, most true, that "the carnal mind is enmity against God. 6. "Oh, I want to get home to my dear wife and children. I believe that the fall crushed man entirely, albeit, when it rolled like an avalanche upon the mighty temple of human nature, some shafts were still left undestroyed, and amidst the ruins you find here and there, a flute, a pedestal, a cornice, a column, not quite broken, yet the entire structure fell, and its most glorious relics are fallen ones, levelled in the dust. Every priest stands daily ministering and offering sacrifice for sin. You had a share in his death. The gold itself was fused in the atoning sacrifice, but the minting of it, making it into that which should be the current coin of the merchant, was the resurrection of Christ. 13:1-14. So it is true; we constantly forget that salvation is by grace alone. We will go into the next. It was said of king Cyrus, that he was a prince of so amiable a disposition, that when at any time he sat down at meat, if there were aught that pleased his appetite, he would order it to be taken away and given to his friends with this message, "King Cyrus found that this food pleased his palate, and he thought his friend should feed upon that which he enjoyed himself." He rose again, I must rise, and though I die yet shall I live again. for if not, inasmuch as you reject one part of the inheritance you reject the rest. says the accuser "but you sinned against light and knowledge. The Spirit of God never prompts us to ask for anything that is unholy or inconsistent with the precepts of the Lord. Yes, but Christ died a blasphemer's death, and he died tor blasphemers. Is Christ a priest? Brother owes to brother what he cannot pay until he dies. There is nothing about death that should make Christ cease to love us; our bodies will be under his protection and guardian care, and our souls shall be with Christ, which is "far better" than being anywhere else. Jesus Christ is coming in to call some one, for it is written he must abide in some man's house. Oh! "Ask of me," said his rather, "and I will give thee the heathen for thy inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." So the Spirit confirms the witness of my spirit that I am born of God. and then, even if any charges should be brought against them, he defies all our foes to secure an adverse verdict: "Who is he that condemneth?" We know not how to mingle these sacred spices in the incense of prayer. The face of Jesus is more lovely to God than all the worlds, his eyes are brighter than the stars, his voice is sweeter than bliss; therefore doth the Father will to have his Son's beauty reflected in ten thousand mirrors in saints made like to him, and his praises chanted by myriads of voices of those who love him, because his blood has saved them. The saints of God must not expect crowns where Christ found a cross; they must not reckon to ride in triumph through those streets which saw the Savior hurried to a malefactor's death. Sanctification is the Lord's work in us. Who can tell the fearful consequences to future generations if we now betray our trust. leaving not so much as a single drop of wormwood or gall for any to drink who put their trust in him. To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient. The first ears of corn were offered to the Most High, and surely our new nature, with all its powers, must be regarded by us as a consecrated thing. Some would have said within themselves "Let the caitiff nation be cut off. Home; Shop. My soul was in raptures when I mused yesterday upon two sweet thoughts; they are but simple and plain, but they were very interesting to me. You may judge of a man by what he groans after. Wherefore, brethren, you and I also are patiently to endure, to hold on even to the end, and God's sure promise will never fail us. Oh what riches! The Secret Power in Prayer January 8, 1888 by . The adoption is not manifested yet, the children are not yet openly declared. God loves Christ, and we love Christ, so we have a meeting-place; we love the same blessed Person, and that brings us to love one another. I know this I believe God was at work with my heart for years before I knew anything about him. I pray you never think lightly of the supplications of your anguish. The Lord bless you! Oh, yes, rivers of consolation flow from my calling. Inasmuch as we are of the seed of the woman, there must be enmity between us and the seed of the serpent. Old Testament or Considerable Portions Thereof. We may understand it in a thousand sense, for indeed we are debtors. But no, Camillus gathers together his body of followers, falls upon the Goths, routs them and enters in triumph into Rome though he was an exile. This is condescension indeed! The shot took effect, the bird fell, down came Zaccheus, invited the Saviour to his house, and proved that he was really called not by the voice merely but by grace itself, for he said, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give unto the poor, and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore unto him fourfold;" and Jesus said, "This day is salvation come unto thy house." Therefore it is that we groan. He has not done enough "never enough;" conscience always says, "this is not perfection; it ought to have been better," Salvation for enemies must be by an ambassador, by an atonement, yea, by Christ. Are you prepared now to be despised and rejected of men that you may at last ascend up on high, leading captivity captive? Romans 8 - A New and Wonderful Life in the Spirit A. He took the payment and bore it to God, took his wounds, his rent body, his flowing blood, up to his Father's very eyes, and there he spread his wounded hands and pleaded tor his people. ", I. Forty cubits upwards hath this red sea prevailed. you have had many troubles, have you not? And yet another picture. for who hath resisted his will? The Holy Spirit's mind is seen in our intercessions when under his sacred influence we order our case before the Lord, and plead with holy wisdom for things convenient and necessary. What fiery lips shall ever speak of his possessions, of his riches, the unsearchable riches of God in Christ Jesus. Without faith prayer cannot speed, for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed, and such an one may not expect anything of the Lord; happy are we when the Holy Spirit removes our wavering, and enables us like Abraham to believe without staggering, knowing full well that he who has promised is able also to perform. Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Sailors throw their anchors downwards; we throw ours upwards. As soon as the Israelite had plucked the first handful of ripe ears, they were to him so many proofs that the harvest was already come. Mark then, with care, that OUR CONFORMITY TO CHRIST IS THE SACRED OBJECT OF PREDESTINATION. Come now, though this be an exceedingly noisome spot, though it be a piece of ground which thou wouldst fain leave out and give to thine enemies, yet there is a possibility of getting great treasure and great riches out of it; therefore do not scorn it. But Solomon did not add, that things are not what they seem. Why the Lord may use any words. Recollections of the Rev. There are different senses to the word "good." Poor prodigal sinner, may our Father bring thee home, for there is an inheritance even for thee. But oh! These are blessed subjects, though I cannot speak upon them as I would. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God; and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." And, did not that suffice, I would point you to the delusions of the heathen; I would tell you of their priestcraft, by which their souls have been enthralled in superstition; I would drag their gods before you; I would let you witness the horrid obscenities, the diabolical rites which are to these besotted men most sacred things. What about your present sinfulness?" What need we have to go to Christ for the blessing of the Holy Ghost, which is peculiar to the children of God, and can only be ours by faith in Christ Jesus! We shall overcome and sit down with him upon his throne. We are apt to think that the motion of the world and the different evolutions of the stars are but like the turning round of a child's windmill; they produce nothing. He shall joy in their joy, and be glad in their gladness. Well, if not in this text, there is in another. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 26. Ye may train him up, ye may make his intellect almost angelic, ye may strengthen his soul until he shall take what are riddles to us, and unravel them with his fingers in a moment; ye may make him so mighty, that he can grasp the iron secrets of the eternal hills and grind them to atoms in his fist; ye may give him an eye so keen, that he can penetrate the arcana of rocks and mountains; ye may add a soul so potent, that he may slay the giant Sphinx, that had for ages troubled the mightiest men of learning; yet, when ye have done all, his mind shall be a depraved one, and his carnal heart shall still be in opposition to God. It must condemn sin, for "the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just and good." He may have thought, with a great many in the present day, that it was necessary to caution believers against falling from grace, and to be a little dubious about their final perseverance in the ways of God; but, if he ever had such fears, he gave them up, and said, "I am, yes, I am persuaded that nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.". Paul himself counted not his life dear unto him that he might win Christ, and be found in him; wherefore he says that he is persuaded that neither death, nor life, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Now, beloved, it is in such a plight as this that the Holy Ghost aids us with his divine help. It is not the pain of death we feel, but the pain of life. Now I must confess there is something very pretty about this theory, something so fascinating that I do not wonder that some of the ablest minds have been wooed and won by it. He may see the earth burned, but into the fire of hell he can never go. I know, besides this, nothing which could support this new theory. ", I do not seem to want to preach. The plain, simple spirit of the humble-minded Christian cries, "I am God's child." Keep that groan in your ear, for I want you to hear another. "You know how you used to blaspheme his name." Oh! Know ye not that the saints shall judge the world! Well, that wish to change God, proves that thou art not in love with the God that now is, the God of heaven and earth; and though thou mayest talk of natural religion, and boast that thou dost reverence the God of the green fields, the grassy meads, the swelling flood, the rolling thunder, the azure sky, the starry night, and the great universe though thou lovest the poetic beau ideal of Deity, it is not the God of Scripture, for thou hast wished to change his nature, and in that hast thou proved that thou art at enmity with him. See how his father teaches him. Lecture 1: A Chat about Commentaries. Brethren, faith can do wonders. Is not this Bible opened and read by us all, the gift of their self-denying faithfulness? In prayer we might grow weary, but the Comforter encourages and refreshes us with cheering thoughts. Brethren, we are debtors to our covenant God; that is the point which swallows up all. When Christ gave himself for us, he gave us all the rights and privileges which went with himself, so that now he has, as our Brother, no heritage apart from us, although, as Eternal God, he hath essential rights to which no creature may venture to pretend. It is true, that by birth we are at enmity with God. "All things work together for good." How are we to judge between them? This is called "the first-fruits of the Spirit," by which I understand the first works of the Spirit in our souls. "What!" Now, his fellow workman, who worked beside of him, as it was getting very late, wished himself at home, and therefore groaned. 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