01.07. The Light of the Cross

But before going out even to speak to one we shall do well to take our true measure in The Light of the Cross There we shall see love and death embracing.

There we shall learn to judge self; there learn the love that has severed us from it by taking our place in death, that by the Spirit we might be united to Him beyond it. For us He has left all that is of the flesh in the place of judgment - prefigured by the ashes of the sin-offering - that He might serve us in the place where He now is in glory.

We have only to do what He has done, namely, Make use of death for the ends of love, and rejoice in the honour of doing so.

Selfishness is the very opposite of love; the greatest antagonist to its display.

Self must be excluded if love is to be seen. But how subtle it is! It will do its best to discover a good reason for sparing itself the discomfort and reproach of going personally to those who really need the gospel, and will even consider itself “spiritual” for its ingenuity! But bring it to the cross. Its love of ease, its fear of man’s scorn, its spiritual pride will surely get a greater shock there than it could possibly get in an hour’s visiting amongst the most careless, or in standing in some back street to set forth the praises of Him Who, for our sakes, once endured the insults and mockery of that shameful cross!

“Faith cometh by hearing”. But if they will not come to us, how are they to hear if we do not go to them?

Aged Anna “spake of Him”, and so may we; and we have far more to tell than she had! Oh, for as much heart to tell it! Can we not each tell how we found Him; of the welcome we got; of His faithful friendship and patient kindness and tender sympathy and timely succour ever since? Can we not warmly assure them of the same welcome, and lovingly encourage them to come to Him? And should they have neither time nor inclination to listen to us, can we not leave some little printed message and call again? If all we leave is the impression that we care for them we shall not have called in vain.

We have only one thing to fear - the fear of hiding Christ by intruding ourselves.

Perhaps the less we say to them of the place we go to the better. They will only put us down as canvassers for one of the rival sects of Christendom; and this we should avoid with all our powers. It is our common shame and their serious stumbling-block.

We may freely speak to them of the place we are going to, and of the Person Who makes that place what it is. There is no doubt that what men see in us bears its own peculiar witness to them, but it is to Christ alone that we should direct them, and neither to ourselves nor our place of meeting. Should they become interested they will not be slow to inquire where we meet together; and when they come they should find a beautiful expression of the “household of God”, His peace resting, no discord intruding, holiness dwelling and love divine filling every bosom.

Oh, what an impression would be made amongst men if, by the Spirit of God in the power of the love and compassions of Christ, and with the jealous exclusion of the “great hinderer”, every true Christian in the land were moved to care for those who go nowhere! If Jesus died for them, are they not worth our seeking?

What unity would there be in such a testimony! What an honour to the Christ we love! What a joy to the heart of the God Who sent the gospel.

Oh, that just before our Lord’s return He may bring it about! He only can.