Evangelical Obedience # 2 (and others)

Evangelical Obedience # 2 (and others)

Nowhere else in Scripture, are the character and conduct of a saint so clearly and fully delineated as in Psalm 119, and the conscientious Christian should frequently compare himself with it. All through that Psalm, we find holy resolution and earnest endeavor side by side with conscious weakness and frailty - but dependence upon God: "You have commanded us to keep your precepts diligently" - O that my ways were directed to keep your statutes" - I will keep your statutes: O forsake me not utterly" - "With my whole heart have I sought you: O let me not wander from your commandments" - "I will run the way of your commandments, when you shall enlarge my heart" - "Consider how I love your precepts: quicken me, O Lord, according to your loving-kindness" - "Let your hand help me; for I have chosen your precepts". Thus, there are both holy yearning and activity - yet constant looking to God for strength and ennoblement.

Thus will it be seen that sincere obedience consists not of a sinless conformity to God's will - but of genuine desires and proportionate efforts after it. It comprises two parts:

1. The mortification of our corrupt affections, and 
2. the vilification of our graces, so that we increase in strength and make further advances in true piety.

So also has it two adjuncts or attendants:

1. repentance for past sins, and
2. the exercise of faith for present grace.

Failures are reflected upon with hatred and shame, are confessed to God with sorrow and contrition - while earnestly resolving and endeavoring to abstain from any further repetition of them. Faith looks to the merits of Christ, pleads the virtues of His blood, rests upon His intercession for us in Heaven, lays hold of the promises, and counts upon God's acceptance of our imperfect obedience for His Son's sake - knowing that it deserves not His approbation, and is rewarded not as a matter of debt - but of pure grace.

Let none conclude that they have no grace, because there are so many imperfections in their obedience. A child may be weak and sickly - yet a legitimate one! Renew your repentance daily, rely wholly on the mediation of Christ, and draw upon His fullness!

~A. W. Pink~

(The End)
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Our Church?!

"I will build My church" (Matthew 16:18). 

The power of a church is simply a right to put their own interpretation upon the laws of Christ, and to obey His laws, in a way which they think will be most agreeable to Him.

This is neither understood nor remembered with as much distinctness as it should be. Hence it is a very usual thing for churches to consider themselves as met to make laws, and set in order the affairs of the spiritual kingdom. A great deal is said about "our church," and "rules that we have established in our church." Our church??? When did it become OURS??? THE CHURCH IS CHRIST'S!!! The rules WE have established?? The sole right of making laws, is with Him to whom the church belongs!!! 

In the whole business of church government, we are to acknowledge HIS authority, and consider ourselves
 as doing HIS will. Nothing is left to our will, to our wisdom, to our caprice; but in all things we are to be guided by the laws of Jesus, as laid down in HIS WORD!!!

In the choice of officers, in the admission of members, in the exercise of discipline - we are not to act upon views and principles of our own. We are to be guided by those we find in the New Testament. We have no power to legislate; but merely to interpret God's law - and obey.

When we meet, Christ is in the midst of us, not only by His essential presence - but by His revealed will. Every authoritative voice is hushed - but that which speaks to us from the sacred Word of God!!

When a new member is proposed, we are not to ask, "Is he such a one as we think will add respectability to our church? Is he of long standing in the ways of God? Is he peculiar in his habits? Our only question is, "Is he one who Christ has received as His child??"

Every act of church government must be an explicit acknowledgement of the authority of Jesus, as King of HIS church, and an act of obedience to HIS laws!!

It is impossible for this sentiment to be stated too frequently or too forcibly. It lays the axe to the root of all errors on church government, which have crept into the world.

~John Angell James~