December 10
Holding Fast What We Have
The Christian's Daily Treasury"Behold, I come quickly; hold fast that which thou hast."—Revelation 3:11.
THE Christian has certain talents committed to him, of which he is not the proprietor, but the steward; and by and by he will be called to give in his account. In the passage before us we may notice three things:—
A POSSESSION ACKNOWLEDGED. "That which thou hast." We have the word and doctrines of Christ, and the ordinances of religion; and if true believers, we have the impression of divine truth in the heart, and the laws of God engraven on the mind; we have saving knowledge, sincere love, evangelical repentance, unfeigned faith, and Gospel obedience.
A DUTY ENJOINED. "Hold that fast which thou hast;" that is, be eager and zealous in your continuance in the ways of religion. This we are to do boldly. We have glorious examples of this:—Moses would rather suffer persecution, Daniel would rather be cast into the lion's den, than lose what he had; the three Hebrew youths would rather expose themselves to the flames; Isaiah would rather be sawn asunder; Stephen would rather be stoned; and martyrs and confessors seal their testimony to the truth of the Gospel with their blood. But it must be done meekly. The meekness of the lamb must be combined with the boldness of the lion. Blind and infuriated zeal is offering strange fire to the Lord. It must be done constantly. Our zeal must not resemble the morning cloud and the early dew, which soon pass away, but be like the never-tiring sun, performing its course regularly.
A MOTIVE SUPPLIED. "Behold I come quickly."
The solemnity of the event. "I come." This alludes to his second advent; he shall come to reckon with his servants, to punish his enemies, and reward his friends. Should not this excite us to the performance of the duty? The manner of his approach. "Quickly." Nearly two thousand years have elapsed since this declaration was made. The Lord is at hand! the Judge is at the door! The attention it demands. "Behold!" "Behold!" and act as one who shall be personally concerned in its solemnities.