Abide With Me # 5

Abide With Me # 5

The great thing needed by the Church, in order to its union, harmony, and increase - is the Spirit in His fullness and in power. That blessing would remove our prejudices against each other, break down all the walls and hedges that keep us asunder, lead us more fully into the truth, and fill us with love to one another. 

Then we would love one another as Christ has loved us, and this being the case, the Church of Jesus would soon "appear like the dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, majestic as the stars in procession!"

Then the poor, selfish worldlings around us, would be compelled to exclaim, "See how these Christians love one another!" And then the conviction would be forced on every conscience, that the religion of Christ is a divine reality, a holy power, and a supernatural nature. Nothing will impact the world - like the holiness of the Church! This, then, is what we need for the Church - not worldly titles, places, or honors; not so much great gifts, splendid talents, or powerful minds - but the Holy Spirit in His fullness and in power!

This is the great thing needed by the world. It has the Gospel, the Christian ministry, the Church, and all various religious societies - and yet it still lies in the power of the wicked one! There are comparatively few conversions, while multitudes are hardening in sin. Nothing but the Spirit in His fullness and in power - will awaken sinners to a sense of their danger, convince them of sin before God, or lead them to the Cross for life and salvation. The world is God's enemy. The world is governed by satan. The world hates the light. And in this state it will continue "until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high" - and then there will be deep convictions, numerous conversions, and the glory of the Lord will be revealed!

Reader, are in in Christ? This is a very solemn and important question. Press it home on your heart, nor rest until you can say, "Yes, blessed be God, through free and sovereign grace - Christ and my soul are one!'

If you are in Christ - are you intimate with Christ? Is there a constant fellowship carried on between Christ and your soul, in reference to all things, both temporal and spiritual? Remember, if you are a Christian, the Lord Jesus feels interested in everything that affects you, however insignificant it may appear.

Do you act for Christ? Is the honor and glory of Jesus the great end at which you aim, the chief object which you have habitually in view? Think for Jesus. Speak for Jesus. Act for Jesus. Let your whole life be consecrated to Jesus.

Are you like Christ! If you would be like Christ, you must be much with Christ; and if you are much with Christ, you will in Christ see the glory of God, and be gradually changed "into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

Will you receive the fullness of the Spirit from Christ? He has it! He has promised it. He is prepared to bestow it. But He will have us feel our need of it, ardently long for it, earnestly seek it, until we obtain it. We have not - because we ask not.

And now to conclude, let us pity the Church - torn and divided, comparatively powerless and feeble as it is. Let us set our hearts upon obtaining the empowering of the Holy Spirit for it, in greater fullness than it has been enjoyed by it in our day.

And while we pray that the Holy Spirit may descend upon it, let us speak to all about us of Jesus, and try, as if all depended on our efforts - to save souls from death. The secret of success lies here, in our being united to Christ, abiding in Christ, and acting for Christ; acting for Christ - as if everything depended on what we do - and yet depending upon the Holy Spirit - as if everything depended on His presence, power, and fullness alone.

Gracious Lord, make us thorough Christians, and use, oh, use us, to bring about a revival of pure and undefiled religion, for Christ's sake! Amen.

~James Smith~

(The End)