81. “J. F.,” London. 1 John 2:7, 87Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. 8Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. (1 John 2:7‑8). In one sense, it was not a new commandment, but that which was from the beginning. In another sense, it was a new commandment, inasmuch as Christ is revealed in a new way, by the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, consequent upon Christ’s glorification at God’s right hand. Eternal life was always in Him; but now it is true in Him and in His people, because they are united to Him by the Holy Ghost. It could not have been said, “In him and in you” until redemption was accomplished, and the Holy Ghost had come down to baptize believers into one body and unite them to the Head; but this latter is unfolded in the writings of Paul. John gives us the subject of eternal life. Paul develops the doctrine of the Church.
82. “W. W. S.,” Selby. The question of Judas’ presence at the Lord’s Supper, has been handled in a former number. See “Nine Years’ Answers to Correspondents.” To be had of the publisher, or through any bookseller.
83. “F. Ε. B.” Your question has been repeatedly gone into. Our friends will, we trust, kindly excuse our refusal to handle subjects a second time.
84. “T. S.,” Lander. 2 Cor. 12:99And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9) refers to the thorn in the flesh. It, most certainly, was not sin, but something which rendered the apostle contemptible in his preaching. (See Gal. 4:13, 1413Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. 14And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. (Galatians 4:13‑14).) He had been up in the third heaven, and the poor heart might be led to boast of this, and be puffed up about it. Even paradise itself with all its seraphic visions and revelations could not remedy the evil of the flesh. Hence, the need of the thorn to keep nature down. How could any one suppose that Paul would “gladly glory” in sin? The idea is perfectly monstrous.
85. “W. H. G.,” Hampshire. We can most fully enter into your feelings. We entirely agree with your thoughts in reference to the Lord’s day. The Lord has, most unquestionably, marked it off and stamped it with His own Name. It is the resurrection day—the Church’s day—the Christian’s day. There is no law about it, no legal yoke, no bondage; but, none the less but much more on that very account, should we love and prize it, and devote it wholly to the things of Christ. We could have no sympathy whatever with a professing Christian engaging in his worldly calling on the Lord’s day. We have repeatedly referred to this subject. It is quite true that we should live to the Lord every day in the week; but, at the same time, we are convinced from scripture that the Lord’s day, the first day of the week, is distinctly marked off from all other days, and that it should be held sacred by all true Christians. As to your own present position and future path, beloved, the Lord will guide you. Wait on Him. Do not be in haste. He will open your way before you. We certainly should not deliberately settle down in any place where we could not enjoy the communion of saints at the Lord’s table. If God places us in circumstances in which we must forego that immense privilege, He will sustain us therein; but if we, for personal ends of any kind, place ourselves in such a position, our souls must assuredly suffer loss. The spiritual life is sure to droop and wither when we, for worldly gain, or any selfish motive, settle down at a distance from our brethren and from the table of our Lord. May God Himself undertake for you, in all things! Only cling to Him.
86. “L. B. D.” We should feel no difficulty whatever in the case you name. There is a vast difference between a few Christians meeting casually in a place, and there, for once in a way, partaking of the Lord’s Supper together, and the formal setting up of a table. No doubt, it is always well to act in full fellowship; but then we must beware of tying each other down to certain conventionalities of our own in matters as to which scripture is totally silent. There is a beautiful freedom and largeness in the way of the Spirit of God which we may well seek to cultivate. A rule is often a very needful and a very good thing; but a rule may very often prove a stumbling-block in the way of God’s people, and a positive hindrance to the flow of the Spirit’s energy. God alone can guide us and keep us straight at all times, and under all circumstances. We are ever prone to run into extremes. Sometimes in our zeal against rules we traverse the principles of divine truth. At other times, in our jealousy for rules, we rudely brush away the lovely bloom and verdure of divine grace. The only remedy, the only safeguard, is to walk with God.
87. “M. A. F.” We see no difficulty in Psalm 31:1919Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! (Psalm 31:19). We understand the word “before” to mean, “in the presence of.” As to your second question, we should not adopt such a mode of seeking the Lord’s mind. God guides us by His word—by His Spirit—by His eye. Do we want more than this? God forbid.