Love in Action

It is not enough to state one's love for another, it must be acted upon. True love involves action. I was refreshed with this truth last evening as I was speaking with the deacon in my church. True love will not, indeed cannot, stop at simply expressing the truth in word, it must be followed by action. In the same way that faith must be followed by action or else it is not faith, so it is true of love. To state that I love my wife but never act upon that truth by loving her in action, my statement is false and empty. The greatest act of love in history is revealed to us in an ACT of Jesus dying upon the cross on our behalf; on behalf of His enemies. This act of love is and will always be the greatest act of love. Hollywood loves to show the act of heroism that involves somebody dying in the act of saving someone else. This person that they are saving is usually a loved one or one they deem worthy of life; so worthy that they are willing to give up their very own life in order to give them life. However, I have never seen Hollywood portray someone dying for their vilest of enemies. I have never seen anyone die for the bad guy in the movies. No, rather, it is usually portrayed that when the bad guy dies or gets what he deserves, there is a sense of satisfaction and delight over the outcome. So that truth that Christ died for us, His enemies, and the implication that we should do the same for our enemies, flies in the face of everything this world teaches us is right and good. It is contradictory to the philosophies of the world. And sadly, it reveals to us how much of the world has seeped into our churches that we often espouse the same view as the world. The truth is that we should be willing to pursue and love our enemies at all costs in order to win them to Christ and to save them from their own destructive paths. Christ pursued His enemies and what did it get Him? Ridicule; mocking; Spit in the face; Beatings; Humiliation (from hanging naked on the cross); the burden of our sins; the weight and wrath of God's anger and vengeance on sin; separation from His father; and a cursed death upon the cross.

ALL FOR AN EMEMY.

Do we not think that we should also love our enemies this way?

Do we not think that God wants us to love them this way?

Do we not think that God will enable us to love this way?

And the truth is, when we do love this way, we may not ever see it reciprocated or returned. We may love like this, at great personal cost and loss to ourselves and never see it reciprocated by them. However, when we love like this, God is pleased. God is glorified. And God, who sees all will reward in His own time and way. We do not love people for their sake. We love people for God's sake and with God's love. Thus when we love like God loves, even if it is never returned, it is okay because we were not doing it for them anyway, we were doing it for God. And God's approval is the only approval that we should be seeking.

True love requires action. True love and the deepest love is manifested when we love at 100% cost towards the unlovable, the ungodly, our enemies. This is when true love is revealed.

Tangles which our fingers cannot unravel

Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

"The unchanging Name"
 by John MacDuff
Play Audio! Download MP3

Audio messages are broadcast in high quality.

 ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Tangles which our fingers cannot unravel

(J. R. Miller, "For a Busy Day" 1895)

"Show me the way I should walk, for I have come to you in prayer." Psalm 143:8

We cannot know the way ourselves. The path across one little day seems very short, but none of us can find it ourselves. Each day is a hidden world to our eyes, as we enter it in the morning. We cannot see one step before us, as we go forth. An impenetrable veil covers the brightest day, as with night's black robes. It may have joys and prosperities for us--or it may bring to us sorrows and adversities. Our path may lead us into a garden--or the garden may be a Gethsemane. We have our plans as we go out in the morning--but we are not sure that they will be realized. The day will bring duties, responsibilities, temptations, perils, tangles which our fingers cannot unravel, intricate or obscure paths in which we cannot find the way.

What could be more fitting in the morning than the prayer, "Show me the way I should walk!" God knows all that is in the day for us. His eye sees to its close--and He can be our guide.

There is no promise given more repeatedly in the Bible, than that of divine guidance. We have it in the shepherd psalm, "He leads me in the paths of righteousness." Paths of righteousness are right paths. All God's paths are clean and holy. They are the ways of His commandments. But there is another sense in which they are right paths. They are the right ways--the best ways for us. Ofttimes they are not the ways which we would have chosen. They do not seem to be good ways. But nevertheless they are right--and lead to blessing and honor. We are always safe, therefore, in praying this prayer on the morning of any day, "Show me the way I should walk!"

 ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

We have posted J. R. Miller's superb 5 page article, "Loyalty to Christ".

Grace Gems (choice ELECTRONIC books, sermons & quotes)

Grace Audio Treasures (choice AUDIO sermons)

Sovereign Grace Treasures (choice PRINTED books)

You may simply 'unsubscribe' at our home page.

It kisses--and kills!

Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

"A heaven unto me!"
 by Thomas Brooks
Play Audio! Download MP3

Audio messages are broadcast in high quality.

 ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

It kisses--and kills!

(George Swinnock)

"The deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 3:13

Sin goes in a disguise--and thence is welcome.

Like Judas, it kisses--and kills!

Like Joab, it salutes--and slays!

Grace Gems (choice ELECTRONIC books, sermons & quotes)

Grace Audio Treasures (choice AUDIO sermons)

Sovereign Grace Treasures (choice PRINTED books)

You may simply 'unsubscribe' at our home page.

The process was not easy!

Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

"It is utterly impossible!" 
by Octavius Winslow
Play Audio! Download MP3

Audio messages are broadcast in high quality.

 ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

The process was not easy!

(J. R. Miller, "The Friendships of Jesus" 1897)

"Jesus looked at him and said--You are Simon, son of John.
You will be called Cephas (which means 'Rock')." John 1:42

"You are Simon." That was his name then.
"You will be called Cephas." That was what he would become.

This did not mean that Simon's character was changed instantly into the quality which the new name indicated. It meant that this would be his character by and by--when the work of grace in him was finished. The new name was a prophecy of what he was to become--the man that Jesus would make of him. Now he was only Simon--rash, impulsive, self-confident, vain--and therefore weak and unstable.

The process was not easy!

Simon had many hard lessons to learn!

Self-confidence had to be changed into humility.

Impetuosity had to be disciplined into quiet self-control.

Presumption had to be awed and softened into reverence.

Heedlessness had to grow into thoughtfulness.

Rashness had to be subdued into prudence.

Weakness had to be tempered into calm strength.

Thus lesson after lesson did Simon have to learn, each one leading to a deeper humility.

It took a great deal of severe discipline to make him into the strong, firm man of rock, that Jesus set out to produce in him. The price which he had to pay to attain this nobleness of character and this vastness of holy influence--was not too great.

But how about ourselves? It may be quite as hard for some of us to be made into the image of beauty and strength, which the Master has set for us. It may require that we shall pass through experiences of loss, trial, temptation and sorrow.

Life's great lessons are very long, and cannot be learned in a day; nor can they be learned easily. But at whatever cost, they are worth while. It is worth while for the gold to pass through the fire--to be made pure and clean. It is worth while for the gem to endure the hard processes necessary to prepare it for shining in its dazzling splendor. It is worth while for a Christian to submit to whatever severe discipline may be required--to bring out in him the likeness of the Master, and to fit him for noble living and serving.

Grace Gems (choice ELECTRONIC books, sermons & quotes)

Grace Audio Treasures (choice AUDIO sermons)

Sovereign Grace Treasures (choice PRINTED books)

You may simply 'unsubscribe' at our home page.

The rose taught me a lesson

Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

"The wrath of God!"

Powerful 5 minute video clip by Al Martin

 ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

The rose taught me a lesson

(J. R. Miller, "Miller's Year Book--a Year's Daily Readings")

"Turn my eyes from looking at what is worthless." Psalm 119:37

We must be always turning--if we would keep our life true and according to God's commandments.

There are some flowers which always turn toward the sun. There was a little potted rose-bush in a sick-room which I visited. It sat by the window. One day I noticed that the one rose on the bush was looking toward the light. I referred to it; and the sick woman said that her daughter had turned the rose around several times toward the darkness of the room--but that each time the little flower had twisted itself back, until again its face was toward the light. It would not look into the darkness.

The rose taught me a lesson--never to allow myself to look toward any evil--but instantly to turn from it. Not a moment should we permit our eyes to be inclined toward anything sinful. To yield to one moment's sinful act--is to defile the soul. One of the main messages of the Bible is, "Turn from the wrong, the base, the crude, the unworthy--to the right, the pure, the noble, the godlike!" We should not allow even an unholy thought to stay a moment in our mind--but should turn from its very first suggestion, with face fully toward Christ, the Holy One.

"I will set before my eyes no vile thing!" Psalm 101:3

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things!" Philippians 4:8

Grace Gems (choice ELECTRONIC books, sermons & quotes)

Grace Audio Treasures (choice AUDIO sermons)

Sovereign Grace Treasures (choice PRINTED books)

You may simply 'unsubscribe' at our home page.

A threefold cord which cannot be broken!

Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:
"The continued teachings of the Spirit" J. C. Philpot
Play Audio! Download MP3
Audio messages are broadcast in high quality.

 ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

A threefold cord which cannot be broken!

(J. R. Miller)

"When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven!" Nehemiah 1:4

TEARS were not all. Nehemiah also carried the burden to God in prayer. He did this before he took any step himself for the relief of the suffering, and the advancement of his work. Compassion is Christlike; but tears alone are not enough. This is a lesson we should not forget in our compassion for others: God cares more for them than we do, and His compassion is deeper than ours; we may, therefore, be sure of interest upon His part--when we speak the names of our friends into His ear. Besides, He knows best how to help. We should take the burden to Him first--and then be ready to do whatever He may tell us to do.

The best way for us to help others--usually is to PRAY for them. Of course praying is not all we should do; Nehemiah did not stop with tears and prayers. He gave himself to the work in behalf of his people. He left the luxurious palace, and journeyed away to Jerusalem, and took earnest hold with both hands, giving all his energy and influence to the cause.

Likewise, more than tears and prayers are needed; there is something for us to DO. Many people can weep over distress, and then pray fervently for the relief that is needed--but never DO anything themselves!

Nehemiah's way is better: sympathy, prayer, work.

This makes a threefold cord which cannot be broken!

Grace Gems (choice ELECTRONIC books, sermons & quotes)

Grace Audio Treasures (choice AUDIO sermons)

Sovereign Grace Treasures (choice PRINTED books)

You may simply 'unsubscribe' at our home page.

Only a 'kiss'

Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

"Sovereign supreme disposal!" 
by J. C. Philpot
Play Audio! Download MP3

Audio messages are broadcast in high quality.

 ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Only a 'kiss'

(J. R. Miller, "The Friendships of Jesus" 1897)

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends--if you do what I command. . . . I have called you friends." John 15:13-15

The central fact in every true Christian life, is a personal friendship with Jesus. Men were called to follow Him, to leave all and cleave to Him, to believe on Him, to trust Him, to love Him, to obey Him; and the result was the transformation of their lives into His own beauty! That which alone makes one a Christian, is being a friend of Jesus.

Friendship transforms--we become like those with whom we live in close, intimate relations. Life flows into life, heart and heart are knit together, spirits blend, and the two friends become one.

We have but little to give to Christ; yet it is a comfort to know that our friendship really is precious to Him, and gives Him joy--poor and meager though its best may be. But He has infinite blessings to give to us. The friendship of Jesus includes all other blessings for time and for eternity! If Christ is our friend, all of life is made rich and beautiful to us.

"I have called you friends." No other gift He gives to us--can equal in value, the love and friendship of His heart.

When King Cyrus gave Artabazus, one of his courtiers, a 'gold cup'; he gave Chrysanthus, his favorite, only a 'kiss'. And Artabazus said to Cyrus, "The gold cup you gave me, was not so precious as the kiss you gave Chrysanthus."

No good man's money is ever worth as much as his love. Certainly the greatest honor of this earth, greater than rank or station or wealth--is the friendship of Jesus Christ.

The stories of the friendships of Jesus when He was on the earth, need cause no one to sigh, "I wish that I had lived in those days, when Jesus lived among men--that I might have been His friend too--feeling the warmth of His love, my life enriched by contact with His, and my spirit quickened by His love and grace!" The friendships of Jesus, whose stories we read in the New Testament, are only patterns of friendships into which we may now enter--if we are ready to consecrate our life to Him in faithfulness and love.

Grace Gems (choice ELECTRONIC books, sermons & quotes)

Grace Audio Treasures (choice AUDIO sermons)

Sovereign Grace Treasures (choice PRINTED books)

You may simply 'unsubscribe' at our home page.