05.02. The Christian's Pathway
John MacDuff, 1858
CHOICE EXCERPTS
Let your light shine!
"Let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16
There are many things connected with the Christian’s pathway—which worldlings cannot comprehend. They know nothing of the high and hidden walks of spiritual experience. What is said of the workings of the divine life in the soul—is regarded by them as foolishness and fanaticism. Its internal principles, its constraining motives and impulses, its heavenly aspirations, its rapturous bliss, and its agonizing struggles—are things which these strangers cannot comprehend!
But still, there is much which they are able to understand—such as . . .
whatever is consistent in character;
whatever is honest and straightforward between men;
whatever is kind and compassionate in behavior;
whatever is forbearing and forgiving under insults and injuries. Such features, when unostentatiously exhibited—excite their attention, and, generally, call forth their praise. The manner in which the ordinary duties of life are discharged, is something so tangible—that it lies within the province of their own observation. These things they can understand; and it is of the highest importance that all who profess to be Christians, should be distinguished by an exhibition of these practical fruits of righteousness.
What if a small band of Christians were placed in some locality, by whom the principles of the gospel were fully lived out. What a powerful effect, we may suppose, would their simple presence produce! Let them be connected with those around them—by the ordinary engagements of life; but without employing any direct means to promulgate their Christian views. There they are—"blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation." Their hearts are filled, not merely with love to God—but with sincere and ardent affection for all by whom they are surrounded. Selfishness, pride, resentment, censoriousness—have no place among them. Their entire spirit and deportment are influenced and controlled by those noble, and generous, and god-like sentiments and
feelings, which Christianity inculcates and inspires. The holy religion they profess, would appear in its true character and beneficent tendency; and men would be constrained by the good works which they beheld—to glorify God.
May the Lord strengthen you with all might, according to His glorious power—"that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way—bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God!"
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I am with you always
"Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with My victorious right hand." Isaiah 41:10
The Divine presence is . . .
the believer’s strength in weakness;
his support in suffering;
his consolation in the hour of death.
The blessed assurance, "I am with you," is sufficient to enliven every scene, and sweeten every condition. Its realization opens springs of joy in the cheerless waste of this desert world. The Divine presence . . .dissipates the thickest darkness, soothes the anguish of the keenest affliction, and lightens the heaviest load of poverty and distress.
Reader, be anxious to possess an abiding consciousness of the great truth—that the eye of God is ever upon you! Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing—set the Lord always before you. Having Him at your right hand, whatever difficulties and dangers may surround your path—you shall not be moved.
"Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:20
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All this, and unspeakably more!
"Receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:9
The full and final salvation of our souls, embraces the whole of what God has in reserve for His people
through eternity! It includes the enjoyment of those pleasures . . .
which no sin can ever pollute,
which no sorrow can ever becloud,
which no time can ever impair,
which no change can ever affect,
which no calamity can ever destroy!
The full and final salvation of our souls, includes . . .
whatever the infinite wisdom of God can devise;
whatever the infinite love of God can prepare;
whatever the infinite power of God can secure;
complete deliverance from the bondage of corruption;
entire emancipation from the power of every foe;
the body of sin and death forever left behind;
every grace, grown to perfect maturity;
all the ineffable treasures of eternal glory;
all this, and unspeakably more!
Welcome shame and sorrow—if such an end shall at length be ours! The ungodly world may despise us; even our nearest friends may forsake us. Yet we can well afford to bear their opposition without a single murmur, if we are only permitted to cherish the hope—that our course will eventually terminate in so blissful a consummation!
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We shall be sure to find something to annoy us!
"But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6
The believer is frequently exhorted to cultivate contentment, and there are many considerations by which the duty may be enforced.
One thing is very evident—that there is no condition in the present world, which is free from trouble! Let us pitch our tent wherever we may—we shall be sure to find something to annoy us! And if there is no situation without some inconvenience—had we not better make up our minds to be satisfied with
that condition in which we are now placed?
We are too much in the habit of judging by outward appearances. But things are often very different in reality—to what they appear to be.
If we judge according to appearance, we shall be led to regard the most prosperous—as the happiest individuals. But we are assured by universal experience—that to be great is one thing, and that to be truly happy is altogether another thing! Under the glittering robes of the proudest nobilities—there are hearts pierced with anguish, and wrung with grief! In splendid palaces—there are many broken hearts to be found. To sit upon thrones may seem to be something very fascinating; but, "uneasy lies the head—which wears a crown!" This is a truth which receives fresh confirmation, from every passing year.
Let us not then, regard those who occupy the high places of the earth, with feelings of envy. Instead of envying them—it befits us rather to pity them and pray for them!
Reader, learn to distinguish between things that differ; and be well assured that things as they appear outwardly, and as they really are—do often differ, and that very substantially! Such knowledge will tend, under God’s blessing—to make you more contented with your present lot, notwithstanding its trials and privations.
It is not unusual—to be exposed to things which are grievous and hard to be borne. This is not some strange thing which is happening to us alone. Let us lay aside, therefore, all murmurings and complainings—and ever remember that God’s arrangements are the wisest and the best!
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His chastising hand
"I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, and that You have afflicted me in faithfulness." Psalms 119:75
Christian, cherish high thoughts of God in all His dealings towards you. Should your trials be great, still hold fast your confidence, and yield not to a complaining or desponding spirit. Remember that it is for the profit of His people, that God afflicts them; and, however hard to be borne at the time,
they have been brought to see at length, that they had cause to reckon their severest sorrows—as the chief of their mercies! By afflictions:they were weaned from the world; their affections were more ardently fixed upon heavenly things; their souls were purified, even as gold in the fire; the preciousness of Christ was realized as it had never been before; they were led to live, not merely nearer to Him—but more entirely upon Him, and also much more for Him!
May our afflictions produce such happy results! We shall then have abundant reason to bless God for His chastising hand.
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Grey hairs
"Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God." Revelation 3:2
The personal piety of many, there is great reason to fear—is in a very feeble and languishing condition. It has lost much of its hold upon their hearts and consciences—as an elevating, purifying, and satisfying reality. How few there are, who know what it is—to delight in God, to rejoice in the dying love of Christ, and to exult in a clear and unclouded prospect of heaven! How little is there of spirituality of mind, of mortification of sin, of habitual watchfulness, and of wrestling prayer! There may be no gross or glaring immorality—but in the absence of what would be deemed publicly disgraceful in religious professors, there is, in instances not a few, a manifest decline in vital and experimental godliness.
There is something exceedingly insidious, pertaining to a state of spiritual declension; and hence it is a common thing, for those who are under its influence—to be in a great measure unconscious of the fact. It is said of Ephraim, "Strangers have devoured his strength—and he knows it not! Yes, grey hairs are here and there upon him—yet he knows it not!" Hosea 7:10. So it is, alas! with many a professor in the present day. Instead of his soul being in a vigorous and thriving state, there has been a woeful decline—yet he knows it not. Others know it; they cannot fail to observe what an altered man he is now when compared with what he was a few years ago. They clearly perceive that the world has been gaining the ascendancy over him; that the conversation and company of the people of God are now but little relished; and that he is far less attentive to his pious duties than he was formerly. But while this is so palpable to others, it is, if not altogether, yet to a considerable extent—unknown to himself.
This may be accounted for by the fact, that declension generally comes on in a gradual manner. Had the person passed all at once into such a state, the transition would have been so great that he could not fail to perceive it. But it stole over him imperceptibly, and thus he knew it not.
Another cause of this ignorance, is the neglect of self examination. There are very few who rigidly scrutinize their own hearts, and it is, therefore, no wonder that their piety should decline without their knowing it. It is with many in spiritual things, as it is with some in reference to their temporal affairs; they take it for granted that all is going on well. Many a tradesman, had he examined his books in time, might have been preserved from bankruptcy; and many a spiritual bankruptcy might have been avoided, had the secrecies of the inner man been thoroughly scrutinized, with a full determination to know how matters really were.
Reader, seek to know yourself—for all wisdom centers there. Be honest with yourself, and do not allow plausible appearances to impose upon you. Be continually jealous over yourself, and that with a godly jealousy. The fruits of self-confidence have been truly disastrous; while a befitting dread of self-deception has produced the happiest results. With the Royal Psalmist, then, let your daily prayer be, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." Psalms 139:23-24 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
It will not matter a single straw!
"We labor, that we may be accepted of Him." 2 Corinthians 5:9
Reader, it will matter but little what you may possess—if you live and die destitute of this great blessing! Were you to attain everything that mankind regard as enviable; were all the treasures of the globe to be heaped upon you; were you endowed with all knowledge, so that the wisest sages would think it an honor to sit at your feet; were the most magnificent titles to be conferred upon you, and your fame to ring to earth’s remotest bounds; were you raised to the heights of universal empire, having all the nations of the world as your willing subjects; in a word, had you all that the most unbounded ambition in her loftiest heights and most extravagant wishes ever panted after—what would the whole be if, instead of being accepted of God, you were disowned and rejected by Him, and exposed to His everlasting wrath!
But, enjoying His favor, which is life; and His loving-kindness, which is better than life—it matters but little whether we are rich—or poor; whether the sun of prosperity shines—or the clouds of adversity lower; whether we are reveling in health—or stretched upon beds of languishing; whether we are toiling as slaves—or wearing crowns and diadems. After a few more rising and setting suns—it will not matter a single straw—what our earthly lot may have been! The only matter of importance then—will be whether we have been accepted of God!
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Communion with God
"And truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ." 1 John 1:3
It is said of Moses that "the Lord spoke to him face to face, as a man speaks to his friend." Now there is an important sense in which the words may be applied to every true believer. He is favored with intimate and endearing fellowship with his Heavenly Father. View him on his bended knees, in the secrecy of his closet, having shut out the world for a while, with its manifold anxieties. How sweet the privilege he enjoys—that of making all his requests known by prayer and supplication unto God!
Is he conscious of his own weakness, of the temptations which surround him, and the many foes which beset him? His earnest cry is, "Hold me up—and I shall be safe!" Well, God is there, being ever near to those who call upon Him in truth, and says to him in return, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior!" Isaiah 43:1-3
Does he feel sorely perplexed as to the course he should pursue, when conflicting claims are pressing upon him? He looks upward, and says in the language of the Psalmist, "Teach me Your way, O Lord; and lead me in a plain path because of my enemies." And what answer does God unto unto him? "I will instruct you, and teach you in the way which you shall go; I will guide you with My eye." "I will lead you in paths that you have not known; I will make darkness light before you, and crooked things straight; these things will I do unto you, and not forsake you."
Is he oppressed under a deep sense of his exceeding sinfulness, his iniquities being set in fearful array against him, staring him in the face, and covering him with shame and confusion? He knows, however, what it is to look to Him whom he has so often found to be gracious; he therefore prays, "Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities!" And God remembers him with the favor which he bears to His people, and in the plenitude of His compassion He proclaims, "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and will not remember your sins!" "I will be merciful to your unrighteousness, and your sins and your iniquities, will I remember no more."
Sometimes the child of God is in great trouble concerning his temporal needs, his earthly prospects being dark and gloomy. But knowing that He who is the God of grace, is also the God of providence, he draws near to the divine footstool for himself and family, and he there cries, "Remember us, O God, for good; oh! leave us not destitute." And He who hears the young ravens, hears him, and says to him, "Fear not, My poor child; no evil shall befall you, and no plague shall come near your dwelling. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will never lack any good thing."
Sometimes, looking forward to the future, he says, "Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone." And the voice from heaven proclaims, "I created you and have cared for you since before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you!"
And so with all his needs, and all his wishes—he draws near to God, and God draws near to him, and thus sweet fellowship is enjoyed between them!
There are some who are disposed to sneer at the idea of spiritual communion with God. But let them sneer as they may; let them regard it, if they are so disposed, as a dream of enthusiasm. The believer, however, is not to be laughed out of his enjoyments. Fellowship with God is a privilege with which he would not part for ten thousand worlds! Of all precious things, it is to him the most precious. He regards it as the dawn of eternal day, and feels it to be glory begun below! Fellowship with God is to him, like the grapes of Eshcol which were brought down to the wilderness; it is a draught from those crystal streams which make glad the city of the Most High; it is a flower plucked from the amaranthine bowers of the Paradise above. In a word, fellowship with God is the prelude and pledge of the fullness of joy which is at God’s right hand, and in which consists the very essence of that transporting bliss which will be realized by saints and angels forever and ever! And while he gazes upon the toilsome pursuits of men for the things which perish in their using, his language is—
"Let others stretch their arms like seas,
And grasp in all the shore;
Grant me the visits of Your grace,
And I desire no more!"
Christian, is there any ambition in your breast? Here is a noble field for its display! O how unspeakable the honor of holding familiar fellowship with the King of kings! And this honor has, not only the more favored servants of God—but all the saints! This is the hidden manna they have to eat—of which the world knows nothing. This is the joy they possess, which a stranger cannot understand. This is the honor they realize, which comes from God alone. They may be poor and afflicted; they may be frowned upon by an ungrateful and ungodly world; but this makes amends for all—"they have fellowship with the Father, and with His Son, Jesus Christ."
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Love to God
The various graces which dignify and adorn the Christian’s character, are only so many modifications of his love to God. What is repentance—but love giving vent to its emotions in tears of godly sorrow. What is faith—but love receiving the testimony that God has given concerning His Son, and resting implicitly upon it for life and salvation. What is zeal—but the fire of love, the Christian being led, under the influence of redeeming love—to live no longer to himself—but to Him who died for him, and rose again. What is holiness—but love assimilating the whole character to the likeness of Him who is its great object. What is resignation—but love receiving the cup of sorrow from a Father’s hand, and saying in gentle accents, "May Your will be done." And so with all the other fruits of the Spirit; we behold in them a living embodiment of this crowning grace, of love to God, and a practical manifestation of its diversified operations.
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Too short to speak His praise
Who can think of the sacrifices Christ made, of the sufferings He endured, and of the cruel death which He died—without consecrating talents, opportunities, wealth, influence, all the faculties of our souls, and all the members of our bodies—to the service of Him who displayed love so amazing, so divine; love which originated the whole interposition of mercy on our behalf; love which still glows in His breast, uncooled by distance, and undiminished by the matchless splendors which now surround Him; love, concerning which, when imagination is wearied, and all language is utterly exhausted—we can only say that it is—as ancient as eternity, as boundless as eternity, as endless as eternity. "Eternity is too short to speak His praise, or fathom this profound of love to man!"
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"My beloved is mine—and I am His," is the language of the Christian in the book of Canticles. How great is the blessedness involved, in such an assurance! "My beloved is mine"—
mine in the dignity of His person;
mine in the suitability of His offices;
mine in the immensity of His love;
mine in the efficacy of His atonement;
mine in the riches of His abounding grace!
His righteousness is mine to justify me!
His Spirit is mine to sanctify me!
His power is mine to defend me!
His wisdom is mine to guide me!
His heaven is mine to receive me!
And what does Christ say to the believer in return? He says, "I am yours—and all that I have. I have boundless and unsearchable riches—and those riches are for you! I have happiness to bestow, such as the mind in its largest grasp has never been able to conceive—and that happiness is for you! I have crowns and scepters at My disposal—and all those dignities are for you! Yes, to him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, even as I also overcame, and have sat down with My Father on His throne."
Death, which quenches every other love, kindles that of the believer for Jesus—into a purer and intenser flame! Death, which snatches every other object from our grasp, brings us to the full enjoyment of Him, who is the fountain of life, the great center and source of all being and of all
blessedness.
Christian, rejoice in your union with Jesus! The changes of time cannot touch it; the storms of life cannot injure it; the sword of persecution cannot sever it; the damps of death cannot affect it; the malice of hell cannot move it. It is a union which will last forever! If you are a partaker of it—you will be . . .
rich forever,
safe forever,
dignified forever,
blessed forever!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ From its ruthless grasp
It is appointed, by the irrevocable decree of heaven—that all men must die. There is no discharge in that war, no release from that mortal struggle. Wealth has no bribe which death will receive; wisdom has no art by which it can be avoided; power has no defense, and even religion has no security from its stroke. Beauty has no charm to its eye; the voice of eloquence is lost to its ear. Here the mightiest conqueror is vanquished, and the proudest of monarchs finds himself a slave. From its ruthless grasp—no age, no condition can escape. Those who are in the bloom and freshness of youth cannot, for "man, at his best estate, is altogether vanity." The great and prosperous cannot, for "the rich man also died and was buried." The wicked cannot; he is driven, yes, dragged away in his wickedness; the most fearful of all deaths is his—that of dying in his sins. Neither can the righteous escape; he must go the way of all the earth, and become a tenant of the silent grave.
But, at that solemn season, it shall be well with him. When the last sands of the numbered hour will be running out; when his earthly friends will be compelled to leave him; when the cold dews of death will be standing in large drops upon his pallid brow; when every nerve and vein may be racked and wrenched in fearful agonies by the irresistible power of the grim tyrant; even then it shall be well with him. The dying strife will soon be over, and through death’s gloomy portals—he will enter upon that blessed state where all is peace and assurance forever!
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Beset with difficulties
"Conflicts on the outside, fears within." 2 Corinthians 7:5
Says Peter, "if the righteous is saved with difficulty." The words clearly show that the Christian’s pathway is beset with difficulties; and that it is not that easy work, which many seem to imagine, to get to heaven.
How startling is the announcement—"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms!" Christian! all the armed legions of hell are against you! And if, with all their combined energies, they can keep you out of heaven—out of heaven you will assuredly be! No diligence will be lacking on their part to draw you astray, and prevent you from ever reaching that blessed abode. And were you properly to realize the solemn fact that such mighty and malicious foes surround you, and that their sleepless aim and object is to effect your destruction—it would be impossible for you to be lukewarm or unconcerned!
And then there is the flesh, with its deceitful lusts, which war against the soul. There is the world also, with its pomps and pleasures, its smiles and frowns! The world in various ways endeavors to win our affections; or by its cares to engross our thoughts. And saved we cannot be—unless we overcome the world, unless we crucify the flesh, and unless we resist and defeat the devil.
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At all times, and under all circumstances
"God has said—Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 8:5
All the promises of God are faithful and true, and have never been forfeited yet. They are called precious promises, and while there are many particulars which render them such, their absolute certainty is one of the chief.
"God has said"—He is not a man that He would lie, or change His mind. He with whom saying and doing, promising and performing—as far as sureness is concerned—are one and the same. Man, weak, fickle, faithless man—may deceive us; but if we make the Great Unchangeable our trust, disappointment is a thing altogether impossible.
But what has He said? "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." The believer is thus assured that God will be with him at all times, and under all circumstances, and that He will especially be with him in every time of need. His presence shall go with him when he is called to the performance of any arduous duties; it shall go with him when he has to pass through the furnace of affliction; and, above all, it shall go with him when he has to enter the dark valley, and bid a final adieu to all things here below. "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with My victorious right hand." Isaiah 41:10
We might confidently conclude that God will be then with the Christian, even had no express intimation been given us on the subject. It is not likely that He who was with him during the whole of his voyage, to preserve him from the winds and waves, the rocks and quicksands—will forsake him when the vessel is entering the port. It is not likely that He who shielded him during the heat of the battle—will desert him when the victory is about to be won. It is not likely that He who was with him through his wanderings in the desert, supplying all his needs, delivering him from all his enemies, and directing him during the entire course of his pilgrimage—will abandon him when he treads the verge of Jordan, and beholds beyond its foaming billows the brightness and the beauty of the promised land. The thing is not for a single moment, to be supposed! God’s love and compassion, as well as His faithfulness and truth, forbid the entertainment of such a thought!