February 13

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost. - 1 Thessalonians 1:5.

WE need not be informed that all to whom the gospel comes do not receive it. The Scripture speaks of such persons as these under various awful representations: as neglecters of the grace of God, “as turning away from him that speaketh from heaven,” “as treading under foot the Son of God,” as making light of the message of his servants, and going their way, one to his farm, another to his merchandise. It addresses their eyes, but, alas! they are closed; It addresses their ears, but they are stopped up. It addresses their hearts, but they are hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. It addresses their passions, but they are all running mad after the things of the world.

But as to the Thessalonians, it came to them in the “demonstration of the Spirit, and with power.” They received it therefore as an immediate revelation from God, though delivered by man. To the Thessalonians it was a novelty, even in itself; to us, who are born in a land of vision, it is a novelty only as a matter of experience. But when the ministry of the word becomes the ministry of the Spirit, the man is then “called out of darkness into his marvellous light;” and, however acquainted with the things before, they now impress him as new. Thus he resembles one born blind, who, if his eyes were opened, would not see a new sun, but the same which has been shining from the beginning; but it would be a new sun to him, for he never saw it before.

There are some who receive the gospel more feelingly and suddenly; and they resemble Zacchaeus in the tree, who, as soon as he heard our Saviour say, “Make haste, and come down, for today I must abide at thy house,” made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. Some are more slow under admonition. The man is gradually impressed and enlightened; he has to feel and fight his way, and to drop his prejudices by degrees; he sets off, like the dawn, with a few rays, but his “path is like the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Another from no good motive goes to hear the word; he gives the preacher a look half wondering and half frowning. As the preacher proceeds, he begins to feel, and he blushes, as if he were “known of all and judged of all.” He is full of alarm and resentment, and yet he cannot leave the place. He goes home, and, being uneasy, is fretful and discontented. He betakes himself to his companions in dissipation, but they no longer please:- “miserable comforters are they all.” He hates the place where he was made so uneasy, yet he cannot keep away. Again he goes, and learns more of his depravity and danger. He determines, therefore, that he will mend, and that he will not only “turn over a new leaf,” but become “a new creature.” But soon he feels that he is unable to perform his vow; and now is the danger lest he should be induced to say, There is no hope; lest despair should link him effectually to an unconverted state. He goes again and now he learns that what hinders his salvation is not his depravity, is not his guilt, is not his weakness, but his unbelief and his pride. He finds that it is unnecessary to build a refuge of his own: there is a refuge already provided; he has only to enter it. Instead of furnishing himself with a righteousness, he has to submit only to the righteousness which is of God. He finds that “to him that worketh not, but believeth in him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted to him for righteousness.” Obedience he sees is required, but it is already provided for him in that dear One in whom he has not only righteousness but strength.

He now regards good-works, not as peace-offerings, but as thank-offerings; and, “by the mercies of God, presents his body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God as his reasonable service.”