Phil. 3:12. It is Christ's hold upon us that enables us, by faith,
to lay hold on and to keep hold of Him.
They who seem the most tried are not always those that have the
sharpest warfare.
Sometimes things appear to us so difficult that we are daunted;
at other times so easy that we think we are equal to them; and
thus in either case we fail.
He that is running a race looks not at witnesses admiring, but
only at the mark.
We need to "discern the Lord's body" [i.e. Christ as having been
crucified] (1 Cor. 11:29) for steadfastness of communion with
God, no less than to trust in His blood to obtain salvation from
wrath to come. (John 6:54.56.)
The fulfilling of God's promises depends not upon the creature's
strength, and cannot be prevented by the creature's weakness.
We need a close walk with God, a having respect to all His commandments,
if we would obtain of Him whatsoever we ask.
True persevering diligence in spiritual things always begins
in self-abasement.
It is one mark of growth in spirituality to be more afflicted
by the pleasing—than by the distressing—temptations of
Satan.
We should always take great trials and great temptations as the
forerunners of great blessings and growth of fellowship with
God.
The obedience of grace obtains for us the profitable knowledge
of truth, and teaches us to prize it more than much fine gold.
Mere knowledge puffeth up, and the talk of the lips tendeth only
to penury. (Prov. 14:23.)
Deep spirituality of mind is only obtained by a thorough crucifixion
of self: self-denial is discipline for life—the work of every
hour.
To make a good soldier, put him in front of the battle; a good
seaman, let him brave the storm: so with the Christian.
True readiness to confess sin, and joy in self-abasement, mark
a growth in grace and knowledge of the character of God.
I know of no one who, with so little promise in his beginnings
of faith, had a sunset so glorious as had Jacob. (Gen. 48, 49)
It is the constant crucifying the flesh in little things that
makes a giant in the Christian warfare. But true self-crucifixion
is a thing impossible, save by grace; and to have the needful
supplies of that grace we must be in perpetual communion with
God: it is only thus we shall overcome in little things.
It is a great salvation wrought for us, if the soul be resolved
to suffer the will of God, cost what it may.
Do you desire a humble mind, a soft heart, an obedient spirit?
Ask and receive, that your joy may be full. But remember, "The
soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing" (Prov. 13:4).
Be the clean vessel that God delights to fill and use.
Not God's answering prayer in respect of earthly things and earthly
gifts, but growth of the new man, is the true proof that we please
God.
We are commanded to lay aside every weight, and the sin that
does so easily beset us: if we contend not against the latter
-- that is unbelief—how shall we rightly deal with the former?
We have every one in himself his own peculiar hindrances—weights
which, if not laid aside, will clog the soul in her race.
How shall I run my race and not stumble? how shall I have Christ's
approval in the day of His appearing? are questions to be daily
put by every child of God to his own soul.