May 25

Teaching us. - Titus 2:12.

LET us attend to what is here said of the influence of the gospel. It is expressed by “teaching.” It teaches by way of precept. Some of those precepts are particular, and others are more general. It teaches by way of example; and as example goes much further than precept, everything in the gospel is thrown down before us in instances and facts. We are not only told of the Christian warriors, but we see the warriors engaged; and we see the pilgrims, and mingle with them; we travel with them, and hold converse with them. We see the actings of faith in Abraham; of meekness in Moses; of patience in Job; of zeal in Paul; and we have the perfect example of one who did no evil- in whom was no sin-the Holy One of God-godliness incarnate- the ten commandments walking up and down in the flesh.

The gospel also teaches in the way of motive. It addresses every principle of our nature; every passion of our bosom; our hope, our fear, our joy, our sorrow, our abhorrence, and our admiration. It draws back the veil, and we see a burning world-a descending Judge-the rising dead-the dead, small and great, standing before God-the glories of heaven and the flames of hell. It addresses our discouragements, our unworthiness, and the sense of our weakness. It says, “Fear not, for I am with thee,” &c. “My grace is sufficient for thee; my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

It also teaches by way of real, Spiritual, and efficient operation. It is here that none teaches like him: he not only gives the lesson, but the capacity to receive it; not only the light, but the seeing eye; not only the sound, but the hearing ear. It teaches the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the dead to feel. Precept and example may suit those who are already alive; but what will they do with those who are “dead in trespasses and sins,” unless there be something more? There is this distinction between the gospel and all other moral means: all other moral means are left to their own unaided strength; but this is not the case with the gospel. The gospel is connected with the presence and energy of God, and this is insured to us.

The gospel is the “ministration of the Spirit.” “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.” And when it is effectual for our salvation it comes, as the Apostle says to the Thessalonians, “not in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.”