From today's morning devotional by Charles Spurgeon:
"Accepted in the beloved" - Ephesians 1:6
What a state of privilege! It includes our justification before God, but the term “acceptance” in the Greek means more than that. It signifies that we are the objects of divinecomplacence, nay, even of divine delight. How marvellous that we, worms, mortals, sinners, should be the objects of divine love! But it is only “in the beloved.” Some Christians seem to be accepted in their own experience, at least, that is their apprehension. When their spirit is lively, and their hopes bright, they think God accepts them, for they feel so high, so heavenly-minded, so drawn above the earth! But when their souls cleave to the dust, they are the victims of the fear that they are no longer accepted. If they could but see that all their high joys do not exalt them, and all their low despondencies do not really depress them in their Father’s sight, but that they stand accepted in One who never alters, in One who is always the beloved of God, always perfect, always without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, how much happier they would be, and how much more they would honour the Saviour! Rejoice then, believer, in this: thou art accepted “in the beloved.” Thou lookest within, and thou sayest, “There is nothing acceptable here!” But look at Christ, and see if there is not everything acceptable there. Thy sins trouble thee; but God has cast thy sins behind his back, and thou art accepted in the Righteous One. Thou hast to fight with corruption, and to wrestle with temptation, but thou art already accepted in him who has overcome the powers of evil. The devil tempts thee; be of good cheer, he cannot destroy thee, for thou art accepted in him who has broken Satan’s head. Know by full assurance thy glorious standing. Even glorified souls are not more accepted than thou art. They are only accepted in heaven “in the beloved,” and thou art even now accepted in Christ after the same manner.
Charles H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening : Daily Readings, Complete and unabridged; New modern edition., September 23 AM (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2006
"...I have one thing more to mention before I bring this sermon to a close. The blessings of God’s grace are blessings indeed, which in right earnest we ought to seek after. By these marks shall ye know them. Blessings indeed, are such blessings as come from the pierced hand; blessings that come from Calvary’s bloody tree, streaming from the Savior’s wounded side — thy pardon, thine acceptance, thy spiritual life: the bread that is meat indeed, the blood that is drink indeed — thy oneness to Christ, and all that comes of it — these are blessings indeed. Any blessing that comes as the result of the Spirit’s work in thy soul is a blessing indeed; though it humble thee, though it strip thee, though it kill thee, it is a blessing indeed. Though the harrow go over and over thy soul, and the deep plough cut into thy very heart; though thou be maimed and wounded, and left for dead, yet if the Spirit of God do it, it is a blessing indeed. If he convinces thee of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment, even though thou hast not hitherto been brought to Christ, it is a blessing indeed. Anything that he does, accept it; do not be dubious of it; but pray that he may continue his blessed operations in thy soul. Whatsoever leads thee to God is in like manner a blessing indeed. Riches may not do it. There may be a golden wall between thee and God. Health will not do it: even the strength and marrow of thy bones may keep thee at a distance from thy God. But anything that draws thee nearer to him is a blessing indeed. What though it be a cross that raiseth thee? yet if it raise thee to God it shall be a blessing indeed. Anything that reaches into eternity, with a preparation for the world to come, anything that we can carry across the river, the holy joy that is to blossom in those fields beyond the swelling flood, the pure cloudless love of the brotherhood which is to be the atmosphere of truth for ever — anything of this kind that has the eternal broad arrow on it — the immutable mark — is a blessing indeed. And anything which helps me to glorify God is a blessing indeed. If I be sick, and that helps me to praise him, it is a blessing indeed. If I be poor, and I can serve him better in poverty than in wealth, it is a blessing indeed. If I be in contempt, I will rejoice in that day and leap for joy, if it be for Christ’s sake — it is a blessing indeed. Yea, my faith shakes off the disguise, snatches the visor from the fair forehead of the blessing, and counts it all joy to all into divers trials for the sake of Jesus and the recompense of reward that he has promised. “Oh that we may be blessed indeed!”
-C.H. Spurgeon
A man may sometimes seem self-assertive when, really, he has so completely lost himself in God that he does not care what people think about him,—whether they regard him as an egotist or not. Some men appear to be modest because they are proud, while others seem to be proud because they have sunk themselves, and only speak so boldly because they have their Master's authority at the back of their words.—C. H. S., in exposition of 1 Kings 17:1.
As the Roman sentinel in Pompeii stood to his post even when the city was destroyed, so do I stand to the truth of the atonement though the Church is being buried beneath the boiling mud-showers of modern heresy.—C. H. S., in sermon at the Tabernacle, 1887.
Just now, the Lord Jesus is betrayed by not a few of His professed ministers. He is being crucified afresh in the perpetual attacks of scepticism against His blessed gospel; and it may be that things will wax worse and worse. This is not the first occasion when it has been so, for, at various times in the history of the Church of God, His enemies have exulted, and cried out that the gospel of past ages was exploded, and might be reckoned as dead and buried. For one, I mean to sit over against the very sepulchre of truth. I am a disciple of the old-fashioned doctrine as much when it is covered with obloquy and rebuke as when it shall again display its power, as it surely shall. Sceptics may seem to take the truth, and bind it, and scourge it, and crucify it, and say that it is dead; and they may endeavour to bury it in scorn, but the Lord has many a Joseph and a Nicodemus who will see that all due honour is done even to the body of truth, and will wrap the despised creed in sweet spices, and hide it away in their hearts. They may, perhaps, be half afraid that it is really dead, as the wise men assert; yet it is precious to their souls, and they will come forth right gladly to espouse its cause, and to confess that they are its disciples. We will sit down in sorrow, but not in despair; and watch until the stone is rolled away, and Christ in His truth shall live again, arid be openly triumphant. We shall see a Divine interposition, and shall cease to fear; while they who stand armed to prevent the resurrection of the grand old doctrine shall quake and become as dead men, because the gospel's everlasting life has been vindicated, and they are made to quail before the brightness of its glory.—C. H. S., in sermon at the Tabernacle, 1878.
Controversy is never a very happy element for the child of God: he would far rather be in communion with his Lord than be engaged in defending the faith, or in attacking error. But the soldier of Christ knows no choice in his Master's commands. He may feel it to be better for him to lie upon the bed of rest than to stand covered with the sweat and dust of battle; but, as a soldier, he has learned to obey, and the rule of his obedience is not his personal comfort, but his Lord's absolute command. The servant of God must endeavour to maintain all the truth which his Master has revealed to him, because, as a Christian soldier, this is part of his duty. But while he does so, he accords to others the liberty which he himself enjoys.—C. H. S., in address at the Tabernacle, 1861.
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” Psalm 51:17
"How blessed are those who mourn, because it is they who will be comforted!” Matthew 5:4
“For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.” 2 Corinthians 7:10
We must now consider the Lord’s design and object in thus preaching the gospel to the poor and the meek. It was, you observe, that He might bind up the broken-hearted. “He hath sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted.”
Carefully give heed to the text, so that you may see whether this message applies to you. Are you broken-hearted because of sin; because you have sinned often, foully, grievously? Are you broken-hearted because because your heart will not break as you would desire that it should break; broken-hearted because you repent that you repent as you would, and grieved because you cannot grieve enough? Are you broken-hearted because you have not such the sense of sin as you ought to have? And such a deep loathing of it? as you perceive that others have? Are you broken-hearted with despair as to self-salvation; broken-hearted because you can not keep God’s law; broken-hearted because you cannot find comfort in cermonies; broken-hearted because the things which looked best have turned out to be deception; broken-hearted because, all the world over, you have found nothing but broken cisterns which can hold no water, which have mocked your thrist when you have gone to them; broken-hearted with longing after peace with God; broken-hearted because prayer does not seem to be answered; broken-hearted because, when you come to hear the gosple, you fear that it does not apply to you with power; broken-hearted because you had a little light, and yet slipped back into darkness; broken-hearted because you are afraid you have commited the unpardonable sin; broken-hearted because of blasphemous thoughts which horrify your mind, and yet will not leave it? I care not why or where fore you are broken-hearted; Jesus Christ came into the world, sent of God with this object, - “to bind up the broken-hearted.”
It is a beautiful figure, this binding up, - as though the Crucified One took the lininment and the strapping, and put it round the broken heart, and with his own dear gentle hand proceeded to close up the wound, and make it cease to bleed. Luke does not tell us that Jesus came to bind up the broken-hearted; if you examine his version of the text you will read that He came to heal them. That is going still further, because you may bind a wound up, and yet fail to cure it, but Jesus never fails in His surgery. He whose own heart was broken knows how to cure broken hearts. I have heard of people dying of a broken heart, but I always bless God when I meet with those who live with a broken heart because it is written, “A broken and contrite heart, O God, thou will not dispise.” If you have that broken heart within you, beloved, Christ came to cure you; and He will do it, for he never came in vain; “He shall not fail nor be dicouraged.” With soverign power, anointed from on high, He watches for the worst of cases. Heart disease, incurable by man, is His specialty! His gosple touches the root of the souls ill, the mischief which dwells in that place from whence are the issues of life with pitty, wisdom, power, and condescension, he bends over our broken bones; and heir he has done with them, He makes them all to rejoice and sing glory to His holy name. Give yourself up to His care, confide in His skill, rest in His love. What joy you shall have if you will do this at once! What joy shall I have in knowing that you do so! Above all, what joy will fill the heart of Jesus the beloved Physician, as he sees you healed by his stripes!
- Charles Haden Spurgeon
Last edited by least in the kingdom; 11-28-2008 at 08:56 AM.
PSALM 62
For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David
1 My soul waiteth in silence for God only: From him cometh my salvation.
2 He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my high tower; I shall not be
greatly moved. 3 How long will ye set upon a man, That ye may slay him,
all of you, Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence? 4 They only consult to
thrust him down from his dignity; They delight in lies; They bless with
their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah 5 My soul, wait thou in silence
for God only; For my expectation is from him. 6 He only is my rock and
my salvation: He is my high tower; I shall not be moved. 7 With God is my
salvation and my glory: The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in
God.
8 Trust in him at all times, ye people; Pour out your heart before him: God
is a refuge for us. Selah 9 Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of
high degree are a lie: In the balances they will go up; They are together
lighter than vanity. 10 Trust not in oppression, And become not vain in
robbery: If riches increase, set not your heart thereon. 11 God hath spoken
once, Twice have I heard this, That power belongeth unto God. 12 Also
unto thee, O Lord, belongeth lovingkindness; For thou renderest to every
man according to his work.
8 It is better to take refuge in Jehovah Than to put confidence in
man. 9 It is better to take refuge in Jehovah Than to put confidence in
princes. 10 All nations compassed me about: In the name of Jehovah I will
cut them off. 11 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me
about: In the name of Jehovah I will cut them off. 12 They compassed me
about like bees; They are quenched as the fire of thorns: In the name of
Jehovah I will cut them off. 13 Thou didst thrust sore at me that I might
fall; But Jehovah helped me. 14 Jehovah is my strength and song; And he is
become my salvation. 15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents
of the righteous: The right hand of Jehovah doeth valiantly. 16 The right
hand of Jehovah is exalted: The right hand of Jehovah doeth valiantly. 17 I
shall not die, but live, And declare the works of Jehovah. 18 Jehovah hath
chastened me sore; But he hath not given me over unto death.
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will enter into them, I will give
thanks unto Jehovah. 20 This is the gate of Jehovah; The righteous shall
enter into it. 21 I will give thanks unto thee; for thou hast answered me,
And art become my salvation. 22 The stone which the builders rejected Is
become the head of the corner. 23 This is Jehovah’s doing; It is marvellous
in our eyes. 24 This is the day which Jehovah hath made; We will rejoice
and be glad in it. 25 Save now, we beseech thee, O Jehovah: O Jehovah, we
beseech thee, send now prosperity. 26 Blessed be he that cometh in the
name of Jehovah: We have blessed you out of the house of Jehovah.
5 For we preach not
ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for
Jesus’ sake. 6 Seeing it is God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness,
who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of
God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen
vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not
from ourselves;
8 we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto
despair; 9 pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed;
10 always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of
Jesus may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always
delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be
manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in
you. 13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is
written, I believed, and therefore did I speak; we also believe, and therefore
also we speak; 14 knowing that he that raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise
up us also with Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15 For all things are
for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may
cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of God. 16 Wherefore we
faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is
renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is for the moment,
worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;
18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which
are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things
which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:5-17
"But indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead." Philippians 3:8-11
"3:1-11 Sincere Christians rejoice in Christ Jesus. The prophet calls the false prophets dumb dogs, Isa 56:10; to which the apostle seems to refer. Dogs, for their malice against faithful professors of the gospel of Christ, barking at them and biting them. They urged human works in opposition to the faith of Christ; but Paul calls them evil-workers. He calls them the concision; as they rent the church of Christ, and cut it to pieces. The work of religion is to no purpose, unless the heart is in it, and we must worship God in the strength and grace of the Divine Spirit. They rejoice in Christ Jesus, not in mere outward enjoyments and performances. Nor can we too earnestly guard against those who oppose or abuse the doctrine of free salvation. If the apostle would have gloried and trusted in the flesh, he had as much cause as any man. But the things which he counted gain while a Pharisee, and had reckoned up, those he counted loss for Christ. The apostle did not persuade them to do any thing but what he himself did; or to venture on any thing but that on which he himself ventured his never-dying soul. He deemed all these things to be but loss, compared with the knowledge of Christ, by faith in his person and salvation. He speaks of all worldly enjoyments and outward privileges which sought a place with Christ in his heart, or could pretend to any merit and desert, and counted them but loss; but it might be said, It is easy to say so; but what would he do when he came to the trial? He had suffered the loss of all for the privileges of a Christian. Nay, he not only counted them loss, but the vilest refuse, offals thrown to dogs; not only less valuable than Christ, but in the highest degree contemptible, when set up as against him. True knowledge of Christ alters and changes men, their judgments and manners, and makes them as if made again anew. The believer prefers Christ, knowing that it is better for us to be without all worldly riches, than without Christ and his word. Let us see what the apostle resolved to cleave to, and that was Christ and heaven. We are undone, without righteousness wherein to appear before God, for we are guilty. There is a righteousness provided for us in Jesus Christ, and it is a complete and perfect righteousness. None can have benefit by it, who trust in themselves. Faith is the appointed means of applying the saving benefit. It is by faith in Christ's blood. We are made conformable to Christ's death, when we die to sin, as he died for sin; and the world is crucified to us, and we to the world, by the cross of Christ. The apostle was willing to do or to suffer any thing, to attain the glorious resurrection of saints. This hope and prospect carried him through all difficulties in his work. He did not hope to attain it through his own merit and righteousness, but through the merit and righteousness of Jesus Christ."
-Matthew Henry
Last edited by least in the kingdom; 11-28-2008 at 08:43 AM.
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