grace gems
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 9:17 pmGAZING ON JESUS
I fear we do not gaze enough upon that face covered with
the bloody sweat, for if we did, we should be more like
him; we should love him better; we should live more
passionately for him, and should spend and be spent, that
we might promote his glory.
-Spurgeon, "Fragrant Graces"
I asked the Lord that I might grow,
In faith and love and every grace,
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek more earnestly His face.
It was He who taught me thus to pray,
And He I trust has answered prayer.
But it has been in such a way,
As almost drove me to despair.
I hoped that in some favored hour,
At once He'd answer my request.
And by His love's constraining power,
Subdue my sins and give me rest.
Instead of this, He made me feel,
The hidden evils of my heart.
And let the angry powers of hell,
Assault my soul in every part.
Yes, more with His own hand, He seemed,
Intent to aggravate my woe.
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.
"Lord, why is this?" I trembling cried.
Will You pursue Your worm to death?"
"This is the way" the Lord replied,
"I answer prayer for grace and strength."
"These inward trials I employ,
From self, and pride, to set you free;
And break your schemes of earthly joy,
That you may find thy all in Me."
—John Newton
True faith!
from Thomas Reade's, "On Faith"
True faith is not a mere passive impression,
or an inoperative notion. It is a holy principle
wrought in the soul by the Spirit of God,
producing gracious habits, holy affections,
filial reverence, and obedience.
True faith is seated in the heart, influencing
and purifying the whole inner man.
True faith unites the soul to Christ, as the
branch to the vine. It draws virtue from him,
whereby the believer is rendered fruitful in
every good work. The sweet fruits of the Spirit
appear and abound in rich luxuriance on these
favored branches, to the glory of God.
True faith feeds upon Christ continually, as
the true bread which came down from heaven,
of which, whoever eats shall live forever.
True faith works by love to God, his people, and
his word. It evidences its vitality by its fruits.
True faith purifies the heart from sin, waging
war against all internal and external evil.
True faith overcomes the world, both
when it smiles and when it frowns.
True faith views the glorious land of promise
as its own, and triumphs over all intervening
difficulties and dangers which bestrew its path
to Heaven.
True faith makes the believer confident, yet
watchful; bold, yet cautious; aspiring, yet humble.
He is confident, since the promises of God are
kindly given him to rest upon; watchful, since he
feels the deceitfulness of his rebellious heart.
Bold, since the honor of the Savior demands
his confession; cautious, lest he should be only
gratifying a proud spirit. Aspiring after that
honor which comes from God only; yet humble,
since he remembers his own vileness and utter
unworthiness of the least of the divine mercies.
If it be asked, how can faith effect such wonders?
The reply is, because faith is the gift of God, and
the power of God. The believer, abiding in Christ,
and deriving continual supplies of grace and
strength out of his fullness, becomes mighty
through this power which works in him mightily.
He is strengthened with might by his Spirit in
the inner man, to fight the good fight of faith,
and to lay hold on eternal life.
Weak and helpless in himself, he is strong in
the grace that is in Christ Jesus his Lord and
finally obtains the palm of victory through the
blood of the Lamb.
Thus, faith in Christ leads it to all true holiness.
Such is the faith of God's elect; a
faith which is according to godliness.
I fear we do not gaze enough upon that face covered with
the bloody sweat, for if we did, we should be more like
him; we should love him better; we should live more
passionately for him, and should spend and be spent, that
we might promote his glory.
-Spurgeon, "Fragrant Graces"
I asked the Lord that I might grow,
In faith and love and every grace,
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek more earnestly His face.
It was He who taught me thus to pray,
And He I trust has answered prayer.
But it has been in such a way,
As almost drove me to despair.
I hoped that in some favored hour,
At once He'd answer my request.
And by His love's constraining power,
Subdue my sins and give me rest.
Instead of this, He made me feel,
The hidden evils of my heart.
And let the angry powers of hell,
Assault my soul in every part.
Yes, more with His own hand, He seemed,
Intent to aggravate my woe.
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.
"Lord, why is this?" I trembling cried.
Will You pursue Your worm to death?"
"This is the way" the Lord replied,
"I answer prayer for grace and strength."
"These inward trials I employ,
From self, and pride, to set you free;
And break your schemes of earthly joy,
That you may find thy all in Me."
—John Newton
True faith!
from Thomas Reade's, "On Faith"
True faith is not a mere passive impression,
or an inoperative notion. It is a holy principle
wrought in the soul by the Spirit of God,
producing gracious habits, holy affections,
filial reverence, and obedience.
True faith is seated in the heart, influencing
and purifying the whole inner man.
True faith unites the soul to Christ, as the
branch to the vine. It draws virtue from him,
whereby the believer is rendered fruitful in
every good work. The sweet fruits of the Spirit
appear and abound in rich luxuriance on these
favored branches, to the glory of God.
True faith feeds upon Christ continually, as
the true bread which came down from heaven,
of which, whoever eats shall live forever.
True faith works by love to God, his people, and
his word. It evidences its vitality by its fruits.
True faith purifies the heart from sin, waging
war against all internal and external evil.
True faith overcomes the world, both
when it smiles and when it frowns.
True faith views the glorious land of promise
as its own, and triumphs over all intervening
difficulties and dangers which bestrew its path
to Heaven.
True faith makes the believer confident, yet
watchful; bold, yet cautious; aspiring, yet humble.
He is confident, since the promises of God are
kindly given him to rest upon; watchful, since he
feels the deceitfulness of his rebellious heart.
Bold, since the honor of the Savior demands
his confession; cautious, lest he should be only
gratifying a proud spirit. Aspiring after that
honor which comes from God only; yet humble,
since he remembers his own vileness and utter
unworthiness of the least of the divine mercies.
If it be asked, how can faith effect such wonders?
The reply is, because faith is the gift of God, and
the power of God. The believer, abiding in Christ,
and deriving continual supplies of grace and
strength out of his fullness, becomes mighty
through this power which works in him mightily.
He is strengthened with might by his Spirit in
the inner man, to fight the good fight of faith,
and to lay hold on eternal life.
Weak and helpless in himself, he is strong in
the grace that is in Christ Jesus his Lord and
finally obtains the palm of victory through the
blood of the Lamb.
Thus, faith in Christ leads it to all true holiness.
Such is the faith of God's elect; a
faith which is according to godliness.