Shine As Lights # 4

Shine As Lights # 4

Thus let your eye be ever toward the Lord Jesus. Look to Him day by day, and very frequently through the day. Regard Him as ever being near at hand to help you in temptation or in trouble. His loving presence will exercise at all times a calming, soothing influence in your heart.

Think of His life;
think of His death;
think of His present mediation for you at God's right hand;
think of His glorious return in the coming kingdom;
think of His gracious promises;
think of His precepts given to guide and assist you;
think of His Spirit, the Comforter whom He has sent to teach and strengthen and sanctify you.

Dwell in the holy atmosphere of His presence, and you will shrink more and more from all that is evil. Just as, coming from the clear, fresh air, it is doubly painful to inhale the impure air of a close and crowded dwelling or of a sick chamber - so the more we abide in the secret of Christ's presence, the more shall we turn from anything that is contrary to His mind and Spirit.

Leaving the foundation principle of holy living, a few thoughts may be added as to the practical manifestation of it in our daily walk.

Learn to act continually from principle, and not from emotions, or the impulse of the moment.

This direction covers a large expanse of a Christian's life. It will save you from many a snare, and will make your course a much more even and happy one if you follow it. Following the impulse of your own passing feelings, leads to a life as changeable as the wind.

Perhaps at one time you have heard an earnest sermon, and on the spur of the moment you speak just as a Christian should. At another time you are irritated by some annoyance, something ruffles your temper, and you react just like a child of the world.

When you are accustomed to follow mere impulse, you may be drawn aside to evil in almost any direction. You may do immense harm where in your better moments, you would long to do good. You may put out a candle, where you would desire to guard the glimmering light. You may put a stumbling block in the way of some work for God, or discourage some weak and trembling Christian. Now this ought not to be. Therefore settle in your mind that you must not act in this spirit. Get a few great principles rooted in your mind, and never lose sight of them.

"God must be first, and man second."

"I have a daily conflict with evil, and I must be on my watch-tower."

"Better lose anything than the favor of God and the peace of my own conscience."

"Whatever I possess, I am but a steward - and for all I must give account."

"I must take heed to my words."

"A word may be lightly spoken, and yet may do a world of mischief."

Endeavoring continually to follow out such principles as these, will greatly assist you in spending your life for God.

Another thought. Every Christian must be a cross-bearer. There is no escaping this. It is as clear as any of the promises. The "any man" and "whoever" of promise are very encouraging, but they occur equally in the precept: "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me." (Luke 9:23). "Whoever does not carry his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple" (Luke 14:27).

We must be willing to suffer for Christ's sake; we must crucify self and the flesh; we must be willing to perform unpleasant duties, and make sacrifices of things we might like to retain. Our religion must cost us something. Sloth, and ease, and self-indulgence, and a worldly spirit must be cut up by the roots.

Self might whisper, "Take things easily; stay at home and pass your evenings happily and pleasantly; give your customary shilling to such a society, and be quite content." Whereas all the while the Lord may be calling you to act very differently: "My son, my daughter, go work for Me, and gather souls for My kingdom; teach the young; gather the outcasts; visit the poor and needy, and tell them of My love; labor even to weariness in My service; give time and money for the interests of My kingdom, and great shall be your joy hereafter. Many a jewel shall you thus be privileged to win for Me."

Ah, that the Lord would give to each of His people the spirit to deny self and work for Him!

~George Everard~

(continued with # 5)