It is a sorrowful and humbling exercise for the conscience, to contrast the untiring activity and the large expenditure of money which we can often so readily render to the things of time and sense, with the scanty measure of our bestowments on the things of eternity. The real cause of all this is the absence of vitality of soul, of a true and full enjoyment of heavenly things. We make many excuses, but the Lord has one answering and rebuking word for them all: “Thou hast left thy first love.” (Rev. 2:44Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (Revelation 2:4).)
So long as the saints are content with the thought of their souls being secure, touching the matter of salvation, and retire as it were from that affecting word, “Do as I have done to you,” they of course can make no progress in the divine life, nor, as a consequence, in the service of Christ. A vast quantity of divine precept is lost sight of, and the resulting blessing not realized. It would be wholesome when we are not bringing forth fruit, to fear being taken away (John 15); when we are lukewarm, to fear being spewed out of the Lord’s mouth (Rev. 3:1616So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:16)); when we are not visiting and clothing the Lord’s suffering ones, to fear being cast into everlasting punishment (Matt. 25:31-4631When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (Matthew 25:31‑46)); when we are not serving in the Master’s house, to fear having a portion with hypocrites (Matt. 24:42, 61); when we are hiding our talent, to fear being cast out as an unprofitable servant. (Matt. 25:14-3014For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 19After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 24Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:14‑30).) If we have this world’s goods, and shut up the bowels of our compassion, we should each one ask ourselves, “How dwelleth the love of God in me?” (1 John 3:1717But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? (1 John 3:17).) When we allow anger or enmity to dwell within us against our brother, we should Consider whether we are in darkness. (1 John 2:99He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. (1 John 2:9).) “He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” I make no system of doctrine to evade the full force of these solemn and searching warnings. Alas! how often do we dangerously rest upon doctrines as to our safety, without seeking after, and seeing that we have the things that “accompany salvation.” That field which bringeth forth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whilst that only which bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God. (Heb. 6) Israel lost the vineyard. Why? Because they brought not forth its fruit to God (see Isa. 5. Matt. 21:33, 4633Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: (Matthew 21:33)
46But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet. (Matthew 21:46)); rather than do so they killed the Son of God. It is a solemn and searching word, that the controversy between God and Israel was regarding fruit. Jesus came to receive the fruits of the vineyard, and rather than give them they killed Him. They failed not in their profession―in this they abounded―but there was no fruit for the taste and table of the householder.
The thought in these days, it seems to me, in the minds of many of the Lord’s children, is being served and cared for, rather than serving others. Large and jealous demands are made for personal attention and sympathy, whilst on their part they overlook doing the same to others. The consequence is, that a sickly and dissatisfied state of soul is engendered. Surely service to Christ comes within the reach of all. There are few who, with a little self-denial, might not have pence to give away, if not pounds. Few who might not so redeem their time as to have it in their power to make visits of sympathy, or to say a word to a poor perishing soul. At any rate, all can spend some time, had they the heart for it, before a throne of grace, and thus draw down by the prayer of faith showers of blessing.
The notion of a minister caring for me destroys the far more blessed idea of myself caring for others. The order of God is, “That the members should have the same care one for another.” (1 Cor. 12:2525That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. (1 Corinthians 12:25).) That the body of Christ should edify itself by the effectual working in the measure of every part. (Eph. 4) The Lord has constructed and tempered the body spiritually, as well as naturally, to this end. I am solemnly convinced that no church can prosper where this is not the case. What are saints left on earth for? Is it not to bring forth fruit to God, to be helpers of the gospel, and caretakers of His people? The language of Cain was, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The saint should be a light before men, in the house, and in the world. (Matt. 5) He is not his own, he is bought with a price, even the precious blood of the Son of God; therefore he should glorify God in his body and spirit, which are His. He is called from darkness to light to show forth His praises. The Lord hath said, “Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of God.” Do we care for our families, our business, and ourselves? Do not even the publicans the same? “After all these things the Gentiles seek.” Did not Jesus say, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness?” (Matt. 6) The sin of the age when Christ comes is not the neglect of temporal matters, but absorption in them; so that by reason of these things they will be unprepared to meet Him. (Matt. 24:36-4136But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (Matthew 24:36‑41).) The failure of the virgins is, they all slumber and sleep; they have, when He comes, ceased to watch and be ready. Their loins are not girded, nor their lights burning. Zeal for God is now for the most part lost sight of. Questions and persons are discussed, whilst the power of practical self-denying life is quenched. Activity in every branch may be seen, save in the service of Christ. The Laodicean’s state is ours.
Brethren, the time is short. The night cometh when no man can work. Soon we shall have to render an account to God of all the deeds done in the body; and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. A conflict exists now between Christ and Satan. We are on the one side or the other. Mere profession settles not the question. The Lord has said, “He that gatheredeth not with Me scattereth.” If we are not for Him, we are against Him. Service to Christ conduces to our happiness, and to the glory of God. As we sow so shall we reap. “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly, and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” (2 Cor. 9:66But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. (2 Corinthians 9:6).) “Blessed is he that soweth beside all waters.” “This man shall be blessed in his deed.” (James 1:2525But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. (James 1:25).) If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
It is painful to see a professor of religion spending his days with no higher thoughts, as far as can be traced in his actings, than considering his own matters. Looking only on his own things. No widow’s heart is by him made to rejoice. No orphan finds in him a father’s care. No saint’s feet by him are washed. Heaven is never made to rejoice over one sinner that he has been the means of leading to repentance. He spends his days like the beast that perisheth, the earth beneath his feet being what he lives upon. Can such a one be a christian? It was the Lord Himself who said, “By their fruits ye shall know them.” In these days where are we to find the true-hearted self-denying christian, he who is bearing the burden and heat of the day for his Master’s glory? Sonship is one thing, to be a faithful servant and soldier of the cross is another. Christ was a servant; He is one now. He has declared plainly that He loves His Master, His wife, and children. From their service He has pledged Himself never to go free. (Ex. 21:55And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: (Exodus 21:5); Psa. 40:66Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. (Psalm 40:6); Isa. 1:55Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. (Isaiah 1:5).) His freedom, His delight, His meat and drink, are in the service of them He loves. To Him therefore God appoints the highest place, and crowns Him with many crowns. “He shall divide the spoil with the strong.” (Isa. 53) At the well of Samaria, the need of the poor harlot was more to Him than His own food, and this is the true spirit of service, the only service that has Christ for its impress.
There is a great reward in faithful service. (See 1 Cor. 15:5858Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58); Hebrews 6:1010For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (Hebrews 6:10).) Brethren, let us remember these things; seek to be able to say that we are free from the blood of all men, our life and walk testifying of Jesus. Let us seek by well doing to put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, by our good works to glorify our heavenly Father. Let us not be like those who, in the days of the Lord’s conflict with His enemies, abode among the sheepfolds. Gilead abode beyond Jordan. Dan remained in ships. Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his creeks (margin). Whilst Zebulon and Napthali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field. (Judg. 5:16, 1816Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart. (Judges 5:16)
18Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field. (Judges 5:18).) They lived not for themselves, but for God, while their brethren shut themselves up in the heart and center of their worldliness. The Lord felt this slight, this walking according to the course of this world, and not according to the current of His Spirit. In the days of David’s prosperity, whilst Israel was in conflict, at the very time that kings go forth to battle, he sends forth his servants, but remains himself at home. He tarries still at Jerusalem. Instead of being a witness and a helper in the struggle, sharing Israel’s fare, he sees the beautiful Bathsheba, and she, and not the enemies of Israel, secured his fall. It is ever so. To retire from the service of Christ, and the afflictions of the gospel, into the course and current of our own things, is to peril our safety. Our place is conflict and service. To be off the battle field, is to be a deserter from our post, and to place ourselves at the disposal of Satan. Of those who confess themselves to be pilgrims and strangers, it is said “God is not ashamed to be called their God.” “Let no man take thy crown,” is a word for every servant. Brethren, suffer not failure in others, or unrequited services, to throw you back. If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom. 12:20, 2120Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:20‑21).) When Isaiah saw the grace and glory of Jesus, his answer to “Whom shall I send? and who will go for us?” was, “Here am I, send me.” (Isa. 6) When Elias was spending his time in speaking against Israel, and exalting himself, (for these two failings generally accompany each other,) the Lord asked him “What doest thou here, Elijah?” When again asked the same question, he repeats the same things. The Lord then puts Elisha in his room. (1 Kings 19.)
Brethren, may the Lord awake our hearts to righteousness, that we sin not! May He plant in us larger desires than the world can satisfy! May He so fill us with Himself, and cause our hearts so to overflow with His fullness, that out of our bellies may flow rivers of living water! Then, “our enemies, being judges,” shall have to say of us, that we have been with Jesus. Many shall then have to rejoice on account of us in the day of glory. Above all, how truly blessed to hear Jesus say to us at the last day, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Amen. Amen.
Paul’s preaching at Corinth “was in demonstration of the Spirit and in power,” but he tells us that he “determined not to know anything among them, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.”