Oh, crucified let all self be, That thou mayst shine thy light through me.
I would not be so dazzling bright That all the world might see my light, But in some quiet nook of thine, An out-of-way place, there I"d shine.
"Tis not for me to shine afar, Like blazing sun or brilliant star; Just help me at my door to be A little candle-light for thee.
G.o.dLY LIVING.
When some one is spoken of as living a worldly life, it is meant that he lives in a worldly manner, or in a manner like the world. Likewise, when some one is spoken of as living a G.o.dly life, it is meant that he lives in a G.o.dly manner, or in a manner like G.o.d. To many this is a hard saying, but it is possible for man to live just such a life; in fact, it is the only right way of life. A G.o.dly life is the only true life. Such a life is demanded by the Scriptures. We are to live "soberly, righteously, and G.o.dly in this present world" (t.i.t.2:12).
G.o.d"s dear children are told to be "followers of him" (Eph. 5:1). In some translations this reads, "Be ye imitators of G.o.d," and in some others, "Be ye mimickers of G.o.d." From this we understand that to be a follower of G.o.d is to live or act in a manner like him. Again, it is said of those who abide in Christ, that they should walk even as he walked. Our manner of life should be as was the life of Jesus. It is said of Christ that "when he was reviled, he reviled not again." Although he was treated most shamefully by his enemies, he did not seek to avenge himself. When insulting remarks were made to him, he gave no reply. To live a G.o.dly life is to live in the same manner. When Christians are reviled, they bless; when they are persecuted, they suffer meekly and patiently. When Jesus was being put to death by his enemies, he prayed the Father to forgive them.
When a man who had come to take Jesus had his ear cut off, Jesus in his tender compa.s.sion healed this bitter persecutor"s wound. This is the true spirit of G.o.dliness.
The full standard of G.o.dliness is attained to only when the whole tenor of the life is in simplicity and G.o.dly sincerity. The apostle Paul said in testimony that his rejoicing was this: the testimony of his conscience that in simplicity and G.o.dly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of G.o.d, he had had his conduct in the world. A G.o.dly life is wholly free from ostentation; every act is done in purest simplicity and truest sincerity. As G.o.d scrutinizes every act by his all-seeing eye, he discovers no impure motive, as vain-glory or lifting up of self; for all is in G.o.dly sincerity.
The grace of G.o.dliness in the Christian character is capable of cultivation and increase. There is a law in both the material and spiritual that exercise is conducive to growth. The Spirit-filled apostle said, "Exercise thyself unto G.o.dliness." In the Emphatic this reads, "Train thyself for piety." Here is something for every soul that has any aspiration to be more G.o.dly in life. Train yourself for piety. To become of deeper piety and more G.o.dly is the joy of the Christian heart. By training we become more pious. The lawn-tender forms an espalier by intertwining the branches of the vine. He keeps intertwining them as they grow, and by such training forms a latticework made of shrubbery. The soul intertwined with the meek and lowly life of Jesus will form a character of deep piety and sincere G.o.dliness. The daily life should be intertwined with the life of Jesus. Let there be no reaching out for anything outside of him. For a proper development of the Christian graces there must be a constant training or intertwining of the soul with G.o.d. This linking more tightly is the result of growth, and growth is produced by exercise, and exercise consists in reading the Scriptures, in prayer, and in deep thought or heart-communion with G.o.d. The athlete takes such exercises and eats such foods as will most properly develop and strengthen his muscles.
The soul that has any longings for more of G.o.d must exercise to have its yearnings gratified. To be conscious of a growing up into Christ, to feel the soul intertwining more and more with the life of G.o.d, is fulness of joy and perfect happiness. Christian reader, is there an ardent flame of pure love in your heart? Do you walk with Jesus in a devout, trustful, reverential spirit? Do you oftentimes find your mind contemplating the wonders of creation and the glories of salvation? Is your soul habituated to breathe in the atmosphere of heaven deeply? Is that holy awe filling you? Is that tender sensibility of spiritual things filling your heart? Is that fine, keen edge upon your soul that gives such avidity for holy things? Is to become more G.o.dly a sincere desire of your heart? Then diligently perform all the duties that belong to a G.o.dly life. Some give great diligence for a time and make spiritual gain and then lose it all in a day of slackness. But do not slack, be constant, be persevering, be encouraged, reach forth, press forward,--and the prize of meekness, peace, and G.o.dliness will crown your life.
SOMETHING TO DO.
There is so much to do that every one is needed to help in doing it. In this great, busy world of life there is something for every one to do. The command is, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."
Think over these words for a moment. Does not your heart feel that they imply great earnestness in life? They mean a life of labor--a life of service. "Do with your might" implies putting your whole heart into your work. Do it in just such a manner as shows you expect to make a success of it.
G.o.d has a work for every one that comes into the world. This world is going to be made a little better by your having come into it, or it will be made worse. Which shall it be? No one can do the work of another, since every one is given all he can do. It is true we are told to bear one another"s burdens. I am to help you bear your burdens; that is a part of my work. You are to help me. We need the help of each other. But I can not do what you ought to do; for I have all I can do. What you neglect to do will have to go undone. If some one stops to do what you ought to do, just as large a rent is made in his life"s work as would have been made in yours, but the reflection is on you.
A father who had five sons left them a certain work to do. He gave to each his portion according to his ability. Upon his return he found that four of them had done their part and done it well, but one had only partially done his. Consequently, there was a neglected spot--a dropped st.i.tch-- which constantly showed itself. If we fail to do the work in life that G.o.d in his wisdom has a.s.signed us, there will be in the Father"s great plan a blank s.p.a.ce, a neglected part, that will show through all eternity. Is your life or mine going to be the dropped st.i.tch in the great web of human life? Down in our heart there is a No for an answer, is there not?
Let not the precious moments of your life flee away unimproved. Jesus is our example. He went about doing good. Everywhere he went, he left evidences that he had pa.s.sed along that way. O pilgrim on life"s journey, what are you leaving along the way to show in after-years that you have pa.s.sed along? Is it flowers you are strewing? Is it sunshine to cheer and lighten the hearts of others? Sad indeed if there is none to say, "He did me good."
It matters not how small may be the part of his great work the Father has a.s.signed you, do that little and do it well and do it with all the earnestness of your heart. It is your part, and you should do it with as much earnestness and interest as those who are engaged in the greater works do their parts. If your part is not done well, there will not be completeness in the divine plan. A single st.i.tch dropped shows a blemish in the garment. In the sight of G.o.d the most menial task is as sacred as that of the highest order, and when well done as greatly meets his approval.
That is a beautiful thought expressed by the Mohammed Bible. It tells of Gabriel"s being sent to earth to do two things. One was to keep King Solomon from becoming so much engaged with the affairs of his kingdom as to neglect the hour of prayer. The other was to give a.s.sistance to a little ant that was trying to bear its load of food up a hillside. To Gabriel the one duty was as important as the other because both came in the plan of G.o.d. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." Think these words over again. Let them have the full force of meaning to your heart. Take as much interest in helping the little child get the tangle out of the string as in building a church edifice.
Many are working, but alas! how few are doing their best! So much time and labor are being wasted; so many things are being done that had as well not be done. G.o.d wants not only our service but our best service. We are under obligation to do our best every day. If we let a day pa.s.s by without doing what we could and in the best way we could, our work is not perfectly done.
G.o.d pours his blessings out upon us, but the blessing is not to end with itself. Remember these words: "Freely ye have received, freely give." Seek to be blessed of G.o.d, that you may pa.s.s the blessing on to others. Leave some footprints here upon the sands of time, so that in after-years they may guide some one to a n.o.ble deed and better way. When you reach the end of life, you can experience no greater consolation than to know you have done what you could. Improve the moments of time while you have them. They are pa.s.sing swiftly. They will not wait for you. Some people are going to do, but behold, the opportunity pa.s.ses before they are ready.
Opportunities do not wait. Do good while you may. You are going to give the flower tomorrow, but tomorrow the flower may have faded. You intended to speak a kind word yesterday, but thought you would defer until another day. But the strain was so great the life went out, and your kind word came too late. Today is the day to save the lost. Tomorrow may be too late. How sad that a soul through all eternity will be crying out, "You were going to help me, but you came too late." O G.o.d! help us to be up and doing while it is called today. What work you are going to do, do it now as the poet urges in the following beautiful lines:
"Let"s not be living in the past, On what we have been doing, Nor building castles in the air And after them pursuing.
"Work in my vineyard, go today": The Master"s time is narrow For yesterday we"ll see no more-- We may not see tomorrow.
"If for discouragements you look, You certainly shall find them, But they are not discouragements Except to those who mind them.
The future for itself will care, We"ll not its trouble borrow; Sufficient evil is today, Then think not of the morrow.
"Let"s cast our bread upon the flood, In many days to gather, But then at eve hold out the hand For present blessings rather.
We hide the seed deep in the ground And watch the closing furrow, When, lo! the field"s already white, Not waiting for the morrow.
"The sower and the reaper both May now rejoice together, For what they sow and gather in Is fruit that lives forever.
The saint rejoices evermore, E"en in the midst of sorrow; He knows the weeping"s but a night, Joy cometh on the morrow."
Man was made to labor. He is so const.i.tuted that he can not find true rest and enjoyment in idleness. How much the Bible says about good works! We are "created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which G.o.d hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Jesus purifies unto "himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." We are told by the scriptures to "be careful to maintain good works" to "be not weary in well-doing," and to "do good unto all men." Time is given us to spend in usefulness, not in idleness. Money lost may be regained, but a moment never.
As Christians we have the mind of Jesus. With such a mind we can not be contented unless we are doing the will of G.o.d and making the proper use of the moments he gives us. Mind is the same quality whether it be in Jesus, in angels, or in men, and it is governed by the same laws. It is true that after man"s transgression he was told that in the sweat of his face he should eat bread, but this does not imply that the disposition to labor is a result of the fall. The disposition to labor that we find in man"s const.i.tution is not the fruit of corruption in his nature, but is a part of his original const.i.tution. We find this disposition in the mind of angels. They are ministering spirits. They are doing the will of G.o.d. How often we read in the Book that tells of heaven how angels have visited this transitory world of ours on errands of help, mercy, and consolation.
They have closed the mouths of lions, opened prison doors, stilled the waves, whispered comforting words, rolled away the stone, and ministered strength and help to the needy.
Man is not designed for prayer and praise only; he is designed for service as well. His mission is twofold: he is to adore and praise his Creator and to serve his fellow men. Some have symbolized the two functions of man"s life by the ascending and descending of the angels on the ladder that Jacob saw in his dream. They ascended to G.o.d and descended to man. Life should be spent in praising G.o.d and in serving man for G.o.d"s sake.
There is something to do. There is much to do. There is too much to do for us to idle away one moment of time. A full and well-spent life is one which is spent in doing good out of pure love to G.o.d and man. When we shall have come down to the end of life"s journey, how sweet it will be to know that we have done all we could to help other pilgrims make their journey in safety! There is a reward for every generous act. Heaven is faithful and will repay. What we do here will find an eternity of reward.
Let not, therefore, one day pa.s.s you by without your doing something purposely for G.o.d.
SPIRITUAL DRYNESS.
We often meet with those who complain of dryness and deadness in their worship. They are very unlike the Psalmist"s picture of the "blessed man."
"He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither." This is a true picture of the Christian life. The soul should be as a watered garden--fresh and green and sparkling. It should be a springtime. You have seen a garden in the spring or one that is well-watered. All is beauty, freshness, and vigor. Such a garden is used by the prophet to symbolize the Spirit-filled soul. He says, "And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not." Isa. 58:11.
In order to have such a happy experience, however, the children of G.o.d must meet certain conditions. The context says, "If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul." If our souls are not drawn out in pity for the hungry and we fail to do what we can to relieve them, we need not expect anything other than a spiritual drought in our own cases.
Spiritual dryness is sometimes the result of attachment to the world. "Set your affections on things above, and not on things on the earth." Unless we live by the Bible, we can not be spiritual. A little affection for the things of earth robs the soul of spiritual life. In this matter Satan is an excellent reasoner. He will suggest that your desires are only for the glory of G.o.d; that you have no affection for the worldly object, but desire it only for G.o.d"s glory. A young lady to whom I gave warning said that her desires were pure and that she had no affection for the object, but sought only to please the Lord. Very soon, however, she came to the realization that her soul was a desert place, and all because she had believed the falsehood of Satan. Beware how you desire earthly things for G.o.d"s glory. Underneath may be a desire for self-gratification, ease, or luxury. If you are troubled by a lack of sensible devotion in worship, examine your affections. Possibly you may find some tiny roots twining around something of this world.
Spiritual dryness may be the result of sloth. "Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep." Prov. 19:15. Spiritual idleness soon results in spiritual dryness. That sophism of Satan"s, "No time for prayer," is very dangerous.
Any neglect of spiritual devotion must result in lukewarmness. Oh, how unreasonable is man and how easily the desires of the flesh deceive! If you neglected to water your garden, you would not wonder for a moment why it was drying up. Then, when you are neglecting to water the soul in vigorous, spiritual exercises, why do you wonder at your being so spiritually dull? "Awake, thou that sleepest!" Up and away to the hill of the Lord. Be the frequent witness of a sunrise scene from the mount of prayer.
The San Jose scale works imperceptibly at first. Oftentimes its presence will be detected only by the experienced. Its presence will perhaps be known first by the fruit. If your spiritual fruit is not as beautiful, well-flavored, and fully developed as it should be, look for the presence of sloth in the soul. The poison of sloth will get into the soul little by little. First there will be a momentary delay of spiritual duties. Satan is too wise to suggest an entire abandonment of them, but he will suggest a little postponement. One delay will soon be followed by another and then by another. These delays are an opiate that dulls the spiritual senses, and thus they will yield more readily to postponements and finally find pleasure in them.
Let me make this still more simple, for some may need it made very easy to understand. When the soul is like a watered garden, it will be drawn to G.o.d in prayer in the early morning. Any delay will cause uneasiness and restlessness. The soul longs to hasten away to the presence of G.o.d. But one little delay after another brings on a morbid condition. The soul loses its keen relish; its senses become deadened, so that there is no uneasiness; while the senses of the self-life will find pleasure in sloth.
When the soul once gets into the habit of idleness, it experiences no little difficulty in getting out. On becoming aware of his state, the individual may acknowledge his inactivity and make half-formed resolves to be more earnest and diligent, only very soon to relapse into the same former sluggishness. This virus of sloth inoculates the entire spiritual being, poisoning the will and making spiritual activity most disagreeable.
Not only does it destroy the will of the soul, but it blindfolds the eyes so that the individual can see no necessity for great fervency in spirit or for diligence in spiritual exercise. In a half-dazed manner he acknowledges that the "watchings often" and "fastings often" and "praying always" of the apostle Paul were very consistent in him, but does not realize that such would be as desirable in his own Christian profession.
He wonders why he is not healed as people were in the days of Paul. Why wonder? He does not wonder why the flowers wither when it does not rain.
It is the fervent, earnest prayer that G.o.d hears.
Nothing but the greatest diligence and determination and strong laying hold upon G.o.d will ever put spiritual sloth to death. In this respect it is like the South American animal called the sloth. Though one species of the sloth is only the size of a cat, and is extremely slow on the ground, its highest rate of speed there being not more than ten feet an hour, yet it is difficult to exterminate.
One reason why so many are slothful is that they do not realize the true worth of prayer. Oh, I would to G.o.d that men rightly valued communion with G.o.d or a few thoughts of him! The lifting of the heart to G.o.d in praise or adoration is of greater value than the wealth of worlds. It is not enough to know much about the doctrine of the Bible, to be acquainted with this present reform, and to live a fair outward life; we must be filled with the Spirit. We must be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, whose leaf does not wither. Take plenty of time to gain heaven. Take time to be spiritual. A home in heaven is worth laboring for. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Spiritual dryness is the result of spiritual indolence. Be active, and you will not be unfruitful.