I. _What is it_, _then_, _which God would have us to follow_? The faith
of those who are “guides.”
This leads me to observe _one view which every Christian ought to take of
his position_. He is called to be a guide in the faith—by his life, if
not by his words.
Now, brethren, I am aware that this is held to be almost exclusively the
duty of ministers. The text is usually so applied. I have no wish to
shift off the responsibility from them. They, if any, ought to go before
the flock. Nor do I wish to put young Christians out of their proper
place.
But I do hold very strongly that this responsibility of ministers is
shared by all the servants of Christ. Whatever their position—whatever
their measure of grace or gifts, they are called of God to lead on others
in the faith, _in some measure_. One star may differ from another star
in glory, or degree of brightness. One member of the body may differ
from another in size and shape. But the least star has its place and
power, and the least member its work and fitness for that work (1 Cor.
xii. 21, 22). And so of each Christian. “As every man hath received the
gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the
manifold grace of God.” Your standing as a Christian may not be
advanced. Your measure of grace, to your own thinking, may be somewhat
scant—but your working and example _up to the extent of that grace_, are
necessary for the well-being of the whole body. To you, as well as to
others, is this word spoken “Ye are my witnesses,” and by you, as well as
by others, may comfort be afforded to some soul not yet gathered, some
sheep yet straying upon the dark mountains. None are too small in God’s
sight to be useful. None are so low down but they may help to lift up
others. Every atom has a shadow. Every Christian has an influence.
Believe me there is no such thing as an idle life—you are either a blight
or a blessing.
This, then, I say, is one view which every Christian ought to take of his
position. If he has faith, he has a faith to be followed. And this,
too, is the view which others are to take of every such Christian.
Wherever any such have realised their high calling, and risen to it,
there would God have us remember them, and follow, or imitate, their
faith.
But whilst I say this of all, it is emphatically true with respect to
those who, by the grace of God, were, _in faith_, what they were.
Need I say that, until very lately, we had one in our midst who _did_
take a right view of his position, and who has left a pattern of faith
which we should be only too glad to follow.
Looking at him as a Christian, I might justly use the words in which his
spiritual helper of former days (Bishop Wilson) described Mr. Cecil: “All
the finer materials which distinguished him as a man, were wrought up, if
I may so say, and sanctified by the Holy Ghost.” But as it was more
especially as a _man of faith_ that he stood out before the world, it is
in this character that I would ask you to look at him.
And, here let me say once for all, that in speaking of him to-day, I
desire to speak of him as _God’s handywork_.
I have no wish to exalt the creature. You know how he would have loathed
any approach to that. But I do wish, however faintly, to set forth what
God’s grace did for a poor, weak, sinful, erring man, of like passions
with us. To that grace he owed all, and to the honour of that grace
alone, I ascribe all his eminence as a guide in the faith.
_He believed through grace_. I am not aware of the exact time, or of the
exact circumstances of his conversion, but I have reason to believe that
for fifty years he had believed, and known Him in whom he believed.
The _ground_ and warrant of his faith was the sure Word of God.
The _object_ of it was _God in Christ_—a reconciling Father, a sufficient
Saviour, an ever-present Counsellor and Comforter. He received that
which was delivered to him—as it is also to us—that “Christ died for our
sins according to the Scriptures.” This all-perfect, all-satisfying
substitution and atonement of the Lord Jesus was from the first, and to
the last, the one foundation of his trust, the one source of his life and
strength. He felt this, and nothing less than this, to be necessary. He
found this, and this alone, to be sufficient. He realised it. He rested
on it. He rejoiced in it.
For among the more leading features of his faith, these two stand
out:—its _fixedness_, and its _joyousness_.
_It was a fixed faith_. Having received the Word of God, he dealt with
it as the Word of God. He submitted himself to its declarations with the
simplicity of a little child. Where it warned, he took heed. Where it
led, he followed. Where it promised, he took hold. And so having found
it written therein that “they who believe are justified,” he believed,
and was justified.
His faith grew into a full assurance, for assurance is but faith
intensified. As such it wrought wondrously. By it he became what he
was. It helped him to choose for God, and to be decided for the right.
It enabled him to confess Christ before man, and to be steadfast when
others were wavering. By this he overcame the world when it bid fair and
high for his service, and by this he attempted not a few things for God,
in a day when there were but few to stand by him. From this came his
calmness in the midst of trouble, and from this his confidence in the
hour of death. For thus he could say whilst passing into eternity:—“Were
it not for mercy I should be lost; but by the mercy of God in Christ _I
am saved_. Wonderful!” And again, “What _should_ I do without Christ.
Such a poor sinner! but complete and accepted in the Beloved! Such a
sure foundation. Such a great salvation!” “He will never leave me nor
forsake me.” “I am complete in Him!”
_It was a joyous faith_. He did not barely know and assent, and rely—he
_delighted_. Christ was the joy of his soul as well as the soul of his
joys. His heart ran over with gladness as he thought of the freeness and
sufficiency of the great Salvation. The grace that brought it—the power
that wrought it—the blood which bought him for it—and the love which
taught him how to use it—were the subjects of his unceasing thankfulness
and praise.
The result of all this was a very sunny Christianity. He was not without
his trials—what Christian is? But, with all, he seemed to have real
enjoyment of his religion. The good news was good news to him, and he
shewed it. “He joyed in God.”
O for a few more Christians of the same sort—men and women who believe,
and live as if they believed! What a reproach would be rolled from the
faith if we could but hold up our heads a little more! We do not want
any alteration of doctrine to make Christian truth more attractive, but
we do want more attractive cheerfulness in those who believe and know
that truth.
Such, then, brethren in outline at least, is the faith which you and I
are to follow. God would have us remember this guide, who thus spoke to
us His word, and imitate, or copy, his faith.
_Are you_, _at this present speaking_, _an unbeliever_? Solemnly and
personally, God calls upon you to believe. Do not say that it is out of
the question for such an one as you are. Here was one who, like
yourself, was once a stranger to God. But he obtained mercy. “The grace
of our Lord was exceeding abundant toward him in faith.” That grace is
offered to you—can work in you. Go to God for it as he went. You are
invited to come. He is waiting to be gracious. He cannot deny you.
Tell Him that you have come in Christ’s name, for the blessedness of
those who know the joyful sound, and you will go forth walking in the
light of His countenance.
_Are you weak in faith_? Be encouraged by this example, to believe more
fixedly, more confidently. You have the same warrant, the same ground
for your faith to rest upon—the word of truth, the Gospel of your
Salvation. That assures you that all is done for you,—that a double
punishment has been laid for you upon the Surety,—a double satisfaction
rendered on your behalf by Him (Isaiah xl., 2), “Look at Christ set
before you in the Gospel, and faith will come into exercise.” Then you
will come to rest where our departed friend rested. It is no impossible
attainment, no act of presumption. When the Lord is saying “Eat, O
friends, yea drink—drink abundantly, O beloved,” surely we ought not to
reply to His large-hearted offers with any other response than a
large-hearted confidence.
And you, brethren, _who are walking in the steps of this faith_, set it
still before you. Be not slothful. Follow on. Carry out this principle
of foundation-faith which I have been illustrating.
_You have still much to gain_. You can never sit down like the conqueror
in old day who wept because there were no more worlds to conquer. There
remaineth yet much land to be possessed. There are many enemies to be
overcome. There is much grace to be attained to. There is a closer
intimacy and fellowship with the Lord Jesus to be won. For all this
faith must be in action.
_You have still much to meet_.
Duties—decisions—disappointments—cares—troubles. The pressure will be
great both from within and from without. You have to learn better how to
refer all things to a spiritual standard—how to commit everything to the
guidance of a faithful and present God—how to endure as seeing Him who is
invisible. For all this faith must be increased. It is the only secret
of power.
If you aim at this, suffer me to remind you of that in our departed
friend which tended to make his faith what it was.
No plant of righteousness can grow without being nourished in secret. No
Christian soul can thrive unless it be fed from hidden sources. Our
friend knew this, and therefore largely used those “nether springs” of
the Word of God and prayer. He loved both. With both his hand was
diligent, and by this diligence he was made rich.
But it is of his _habit of prayer_ that I would more particularly speak.
The flame of his faith was fed by the oil of prayer. He had “the gift of
the knees.”
Of him it might be truly said that he gave himself unto prayer. Late at
night and early in the morning was he known to be pleading before the
Throne. His voice was indeed that of Jacob, and so the faith and the
walk were those of Enoch.
Oh, brethren—one great spring of sure and successful believing lies in
sustained secret prayer. When the one wanes, the other withers. When
the hands droop Amalek prevails. Many a lost jewel of assurance—of
comfort—of usefulness, must be looked for in the place where you dropped
it—your place of prayer. If, then, you would believe more, pray more.
Gird yourselves afresh to His work. Open your mouth wide and God will
fill it. Why remain poor with a boundless treasury to draw upon?
II. I pass now from what God would have us follow, to _what He would
have us to consider_, viz.:—