OUR standing is always the same, our state varies. “Of his own voluntary will,” should be “for his acceptance.” Mr. Bellett used to say, “It’s not merely an acceptance, but it’s a delighted acceptance.” It’s all Christ, what He is before God.
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Restoration is the end of God’s ways with us, and should be the end of any faithfulness on our part towards our brethren. God does not get rid of us, He restores us.
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The “open vessel” is generally supposed to mean our unguarded thoughts or affections — Christ not being a covering to the eyes. But we have here, when a man dies in a tent, “all that come into the tent and all that is in the tent,” the persons and the surroundings or circumstances. If sin has occurred in any family, all are affected by it, and the things around have been perverted from their proper use: they should have been for the Lord (verse to). Even if you apply yourself to the redress of anything, you become defiled.
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Does it not show how dear to the Lord are our poor communings and intimacy? He provides for us in every detail, when they are interrupted.
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Bright days do not make Christ any brighter, dull days don’t take anything from His luster.
ROCHFORT HUNT.