November 1

And exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. - Acts 11:23.

OBSERVE, first, The importance of the admonition-that they would “cleave unto the Lord.” Who did he mean by the Lord? Unquestionably the Lord Jesus. Him they had received; in him they were to walk. He possessed every excellency to excite their admiration, and every claim upon their obedience. He and he alone was equal to the relief of all their exigencies; and therefore “he exhorted them all that with purpose of heart they should cleave unto the Lord.” If we had heard Barnabas explaining his own exhortation, probably it would have been something to this effect: Cleave, my brethren, to him; cleave to him as your Teacher; hear ye him. If others go off murmuring and complaining, saying this is a “hard saying, who can hear it,” and he says unto you, “Will ye also go away?” return the same answer as we are doing, “Lord, to whom can we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” Cleave to him as your Redeemer, whose blood cleanseth from all sin; whose righteousness alone can give you boldness and access, with confidence in all your dealings with Cod. Cleave to him as your Support in all your duties, and in all your conflicts, and in all your trials, for in him you have not only righteousness, but strength. “Without him you can do nothing,” but through his “strengthening you, you can do all things.” Cleave to him as your Comforter; he is the “hope” and “consolation of Israel;” in him alone you can have peace; while “in the world you shall have tribulation.” Cleave to him as your Master; remember that he bought you with his blood, and that you have dedicated yourselves entirely to his service. Cleave to him as your Example. Seek to be more and more like him, “to deny yourselves and take up your cross,” and “follow the Lamb wheresoever he goeth.”

Observe, secondly, The nature of the admonition. It was “that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.” Now this impulse-not only conviction but resolution-always issues from the heart; and what is religion unless the heart be engaged from the beginning to the end. God therefore says, “My son, give me thine heart.” When this is given, everything else will be surrendered. When there is purpose of heart, when the heart is fixed, the possessor of it will go forward notwithstanding difficulties, and will convert opposition and hindrances into furtherances and aids.

Thirdly, The extensiveness of the admonition. It was universal; he “exhorted them all;” not only those who were weak, but the strong; not only the young, but the aged. When is a man beyond the snares of Satan? Solomon’s heart was led away in his old age: and does not the Apostle warn Timothy, who was young, to “flee youthful lusts?” Who is ever entitled to live without caution? Those who think they stand in need of no admonition or caution are those who are most in danger; for “pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”