Evening Reading for March 29 John 7:1-9 Suggested further reading: 2 Timothy 4:9-18 That great scriptural doctrine, mans need of preventing and converting grace, stands out here, as if written with a sunbeam. It becomes all who question that doctrine to look at this passage and consider. Let them observe that seeing Christs miracles, hearing Christs teaching, living in Christs own company were not enough to make men believers. The mere possession of spiritual privileges never yet made anyone a Christian. All is useless without the effectual and applying work of God the Holy Ghost. No wonder that our Lord said in another place, `No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him (John 6:44). The true servants of Christ in every age will do well to remember this. They are often surprised and troubled to find that in religion they stand alone. They are apt to fancy that it must be their own fault that all around them are not converted like themselves. They are ready to blame themselves because their families remain worldly and unbelieving. But let them look at the verse before us. In our Lord Jesus Christ there was no fault either in temper, word, or deed. Yet even Christs own `brethren did not believe in him. Our blessed Master has truly learned by experience how to sympathize with all his people who stand alone. This is a thought `full of sweet, pleasant and unspeakable comfort. He knows the heart of every isolated believer and can be touched with the feeling of his trials. He has drunk this bitter cup. He has passed through this fire. Let all who are fainting and cast down, because brothers and sisters despise their religion, turn to Christ for comfort and pour out their hearts before him. He `has suffered himself being tempted in this way and he can help as well as feel (Heb. 2:18). For meditation: Never has anyone known desertion as our Lord knew it (Matt. 27:46). He is uniquely suited to sympathize with the lonely.
Posted on: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 18:11:49 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015