Notes of an Address.
(John 14:12-1412Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 13And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. (John 14:12‑14); James 4:77Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7); 1 Peter 5:8, 98Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (1 Peter 5:8‑9); John 11:39-4439Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. 40Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 41Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 43And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. (John 11:39‑44); Revelation 3:1616So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:16).)
IN a day like this, when so many are morbidly occupied with the low condition of saints, and weakness of testimony, it is well to look up and consider the almighty power and changeless love of our God. It was when David had been acting very badly, and the people of Israel had widely departed from Jehovah, when all human resources had utterly failed, we are told that “David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” Jehovah was his God. This he knew; and reckoning upon His arm of strength, and His abundant mercy, when despair was filling everyone else, “David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” Nor was it in vain. David’s God abundantly responded to David’s trust. The sequel tells us how largely God honored the faith of His poor failing servant. And is God changed? Are His resources less than they were? Or is He less willing to be found now of His servants who truly seek Him than He was then? We know it is not so.
In a later day, when the apostle Paul was leaving the much-loved saints of Ephesus, and saw the terrible flood of evil that was coming in upon them, did he not say, “I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace”? To be sure he did; for where else can those look, who desire to be true to Christ, than to the living and true God? And surely the word, which tells us of the sufficiency of His grace, is able to encourage and strengthen our hearts in the most trying and failing circumstances; for,
“Though all things change, He changeth not;
He ne’er forgets, though oft forgot;
His love’s unchangeably the same,
And as enduring as His name.”
And so now. Christians have deeply failed we know. The manifest current of things around is to exalt man, and make little of Christ. The candlestick has been shattered. The living stones of the Church of God are found scattered here and there. Its manifested unity is gone, and, so far as we gather from Scripture, never again to be re-constructed on earth. Such is the present ruin. Nevertheless God abideth faithful. He cannot deny Himself. With Him is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. His word, which endureth forever, is still with us. The Holy Ghost, the Comforter, who is in us, abides with us forever. Jesus, the Head of “the body,” and “Son over His own house,” our life, righteousness, and High Priest in God’s presence, is as much for us as ever; for He is “the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” He has given us plain directions in His word for the present time, and abundant encouragement for our poor hearts in Himself, constantly bidding us to look away from difficulties and felt need to Himself. “Verily, verily,” said Jesus, “I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to the Father.” Observe, 1St That the Lord is here addressing believers, and says, “He that believeth,” he that exercises faith in Me. It is one thing to be a believer, it is another to be a believing believer―hanging on Christ, cleaving to Him, drawing from Him, expecting from Him. Mark, then, it is “he that believeth.” On another occasion we are told, that when the Lord “saw their faith” He gave the blessing; and again we read that, in another place, “He did not many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.” O the mighty power of faith! ―looking off man, off circumstances, off self, and simply taking hold of the almightiness and grace of our Lord Jesus, relying on His strength, and wisdom, and grace. Thus we see that the blessing is promised to him that believeth. 2nd. The result promised is, “The works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do.” How these wondrous words raise our expectations! How they silence unbelief, and bid us cleave unto the Lord with full purpose of heart! 3rd. The reason given is not because of our faithfulness, our worthiness, our ability, but because Jesus is at God’s right hand― “because I go to the Father.” Only let us look to Him, who has sent down the Holy Ghost, who has all power in heaven and in earth, and reckon upon Him, whatever be the difficulties or need, and we shall surely prove that His grace is sufficient for us, that His strength is made perfect in weakness, and that He is able to do above all that we ask or think.
But with the abundant encouragements of Scripture there are many warnings; and we need to watch and pray, lest we enter into temptation. Satan is a mighty foe. Few seem to believe it. We are told that he is our adversary, and that he walks about, as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. These are solemn words, and are addressed to Christians. Let us think of these things. He lays his snares. Satan’s aim is always to get us to dishonor Christ, in doctrine or practice. May we not yield to his devices. He is a wily enemy, and can transform himself into an angel of light. But if God be for us, who can be against us? We are to resist the devil. How? By steadfastness in the faith―looking up believingly to Jesus, who is gone to the Father. And what then? Satan will flee from us. We are to beware, then, of this mighty foe, and we are commanded to resist him.
We must also beware of carnal reasoning and unbelief. It was the purpose of Jesus to raise up Lazarus. It was also His will to associate His saints with Himself in connection with this mighty work. Therefore “Jesus said, Take ye away the stone.” But, instead of willing obedience to the Lord’s word, there was unbelief and carnal reasoning. Unbelief is very clever at reasoning. “By this time he stinketh,” said one; as much as to say, “It is no use now to think of his being restored to life; it is too late.” But the Lord suspends His working till the stone is removed. He reproves this unbelief by saying, “Said I not unto thee, that if thou wouldst believe thou shouldst see the glory of God?” Martha had forgotten the Lord’s word, and began to reason about the matter. This is unbelief. Hence the Lord’s work was hindered. He must have a believing vessel to use; for no other gives Him the glory. Faith always acts on God’s word. The Master’s reproof however is heeded. It seemed to quicken faith; for we are told, “Then they took away the stone;” and this was followed by the accomplishment of the Lord’s purpose in raising Lazarus from the dead. If we are cleaving to the Lord, and to His word, we shall readily obey His voice, and not hinder His work by unbelief.
Indifferentism, too, which is a marked feature of these days, must be carefully watched against, and prayed against. The surrounding religious atmosphere easily draws into its luke-warmness. It is the spirit of the world―present ease and prosperity to the exclusion of Christ; hence indifference to Christ’s honor, Christ’s truth, Christ’s ways, Christ’s interest, Christ’s members. If Christ Himself has His right place in our affections, we cannot be indifferent to what affects Him. Of all things indifferentism seems most intolerable to Christ. He cannot, will not own such in His service. He said, “Because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” Let us earnestly watch against indifferentism. If earthly riches, or any other objects are valued more than Christ, the pure gold tried in the fire, ―if what is due to Christ has not the first consideration with us, something else must have usurped His place in our hearts. If Christ be the object of our souls, and we are seeking to know Him, to serve Him, to please Him, we shall be encouraged ourselves, and able to help others to walk in His ways. May our loving coming Lord Jesus be more precious to our souls.
O Lord, the way, the truth, the life,
Henceforth let unbelief and strife.
Drop off like autumn leaves;
Henceforth, as privileged by Thee,
Simple and undistracted be
My soul which to Thee cleaves.
Let me my feebleness recline
On that eternal love of Thine,
And human thoughts forget;
Child-like attend what Thou wilt say,
Go forth and serve Thee while ‘tis day,
Nor leave Thy sweet retreat.