“Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” Hebrews "12":4 What is the meaning of Christian suffering? Unless we are called to martyrdom, our resisting and striving against sin has not reached the point of bloodshed. Nevertheless, we still deplore our lot. Do we expect to have a prosperous road in this life—to […]
“Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?” Song of Songs "8":5 The Holy Spirit draws our attention to this surprising sight which is none other than the mystery of the Church. She has the world behind her for she is coming away from the wilderness; and she is making
“Ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians "15":58 If our work for God is truly accomplished in His strength, it cannot but bring results. Yet supposing we have been commissioned by Him and have labored for eight or ten years without seeing any results at all, can we continue
“And Moses cried unto Jehovah, saying, Heal her, O God, I beseech Thee.” Numbers "12":13 When Miriam and Aaron combined to challenge Moses’ unique position, no words of self-vindication came from the lips of God’s servant. He had nothing to say in his own defense. During the whole affair, he acted as though he were
“Make full my joy that ye be of the same mind.” Philippians "2":2 I would like to point out that this request for the saints to be like-minded is not addressed to the universal Church. Though the universal Church can learn from it, the words apply especially to the Philippians to whom Paul wrote this
“And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.” Exodus "34":8 Moses first worships, then he prays. He first acknowledges the rightness of God’s ways, and then he seeks God’s grace. Unlike us, he does not at once beseech God on the ground of His grace to reverse His decision. We
“Friendship of the world is enmity with God.” James "4":4 Notice what this statement says. It does not suggest that we should treat the people of the world as enemies. Jesus never made hostility to the world a condition for loving Him. It does mean, though, that when you become a believer, former deep friendships
“And he made us to be a kingdom, to be priests unto his God and Father.” Revelation "1":6 At Sinai, God told the people of Israel that He would set them up as a kingdom of priests. China is a nation of etiquette, and India of philosophy, but Israel’s role was unique. Everyone, man or
“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James "4":7 A child of God must not be inordinately curious. There are byways he need not explore where Satan stands ready to entice the inquisitive with false information. At first, the Christian may be attracted to such knowledge as beneficial, but unless these dangerous thoughts
“Now ye are the body of Christ, and severally members thereof.” 1 Corinthians "12":27 The living consciousness of our fellowship in Christ is a very precious thing. It awakens in us a growing and deepening sense of “belonging.” The nature of the butterfly, always “going it alone,” gives place to the nature of the bee,
