Nick Roark's Blog, page 67

“Heralds of the love of Calvary” by Charles Spurgeon

“We are altogether saved by faith. The brightest day that ever dawned upon us was the day in which we first “looked unto Him, and were lightened.”

It was all dark till faith beheld the Sun of Righteousness. The dawn of faith was to us the morning of life; by faith only we began to live.

We have since then walked by faith. Whenever we have been tempted to step aside from the path of faith, we have been like the foolish Galatians, and we have smarted for our folly.

I trust we have not “suffered so many things in vain.” (Gal. 3:4). We began in the Spirit, and if we have sought to be made perfect in the flesh, we have soon discovered ourselves to be sailing upon the wrong tack, and nearing sunken rocks.

“The just shall live by faith,” is a truth which has worked itself out in our experience, for often and often have we felt that, in any other course, death stares us in the face; and, therefore, “we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.” (Gal. 5:5).

Now, brethren, as our pedigree is of faith, and our claim to the privileges of the covenant is of faith, and our life in its beginning and continuance is all of faith, so may I boldly say that our ministry is of faith, too.

We are heralds to the sons of men, not of the law of Sinai, but of the love of Calvary.

We come to them, not with the command, “This do, and thou shalt live,” but with the message, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31)

Ours is the ministry of gracious faith, and is not after man, nor according to the law of a carnal commandment.

We preach not man’s merit, but Christ crucified.”

–Charles H. Spurgeon, An All-Round Ministry: Addresses to Ministers and Students (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1900/1960), 2.

“We are a spectacle to the universe” by John Newton

“Our all-sufficient God can give seasons of refreshment in the darkest hours, and break through the thickest clouds of outward affliction or distress.

To you it is given not only to believe in Jesus, but to suffer for his sake (Phil. 1:29): for so we do, not only when we are called to follow Him to imprisonment or death, but when He enables us to bear afflictive dispensations with due submission and patience.

Then He is glorified: then His grace and power are manifested in us.

The world, so far as they know our case, have a proof before them that our religion is not merely notional, but that there is a power and reality in it.

And the Lord’s people are encouraged by what they see of his faithfulness to ourselves.

And there are more eyes upon us still. We are a spectacle to the universe, to angels as well as to men.

Cheer up: the Lord has put you in your present trying situation, that you may have the fairer opportunity of adorning your profession of the Gospel.

And though you suffer much, He is able to make you abundant amends.

Nor need I remind you that He has suffered unspeakably more for you: He drank for your sake a cup of unmixed wrath, and only puts into your hand a cup of affliction mixed with many mercies.”

–John Newton, The Works of John Newton, Volume 2 (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1988), 2: 191-192.

“My soul is kept alive as it were by miracle” by John Newton

“My soul is kept alive as it were by miracle.”

–John Newton, The Works of John Newton, Volume 2 (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1988), 2: 185.

“Let us adore Him for His love” by John Newton

“O for a ray of Divine light to set me at liberty, that I might write a few lines worth reading, something that might warm my heart and comfort yours!

Then the subject must be Jesus.

But of Him what can I say that you do not know? Well, though you know Him, you are glad to hear of Him again and again.

Come then, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. (Psalm 34:3)

Let us adore Him for His love, that love which has a height, and depth, and length, and breadth, beyond the grasp of our poor conceptions; a love that moved Him to empty Himself, to take on Him the form of a servant, and to be obedient unto death, even the death of the cross; a love that pitied us in our lost estate, that found us when we sought Him not, that spoke peace to our souls in the day of our distress; a love that bears with all our present weakness, mistakes, backslidings, and shortcomings; a love that is always watchful, always ready to guide, to comfort, and to heal; a love that will not be wearied, cannot be conquered, and is incapable of changes; a love that will in the end prevail over all opposition, will perfect that which concerns us, and will not leave us till it has brought us perfect in holiness and happiness, to rejoice in His presence in glory.

The love of Christ: it is the wonder, the joy, the song of angels; and the sense of it shed abroad in our hearts makes life pleasant and death welcome.

Alas! What a heart have I that I love Him no better!

But I hope He has given me a desire to make Him my all in all, and to account everything loss and dross that dares to stand in competition with Him.”

–John Newton, The Works of John Newton, Volume 2 (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1988), 2: 180-181.

“Our Shepherd is the Lord Almighty” by John Newton

“I doubt not but the Lord whom you love, and on whom you depend, will lead you in a sure way, and establish and strengthen and settle you in His love and grace.

Indeed he has done great things for you already.

The Lord is your Shepherd; a comprehensive word.

The sheep can do nothing for themselves: the Shepherd must guide, guard, feed, heal, recover. Well for us that our Shepherd is the Lord Almighty.

If His power, care, compassion, fulness, were not infinite, the poor sheep would be forsaken, starved, and worried.

But we have a Shepherd full of care, full of kindness, full of power, who has said, ‘I will seek that which was lost, and bind up that which was broken, and bring again that which was driven away, and will strengthen that which was sick.’ (Ezekiel 34:16)

How tender are these expressions, and how well fulfilled!

His sheep feed in the midst of wolves, yet are preserved safe; for, though they see Him not, His eye and His heart are upon them.”

–John Newton, The Works of John Newton, Volume 2 (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1988), 2: 177.

“A little grace is worth a thousand worlds” by John Newton

“A little grace, a spark of true love to God, a grain of living faith, though small as mustard-seed, is worth a thousand worlds.”

–John Newton, The Works of John Newton, Volume 2 (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1988), 2: 175.

“Let us simply depend upon Him and do our little best” by John Newton

“The Lord’s thoughts are not like ours: in His love and in His ways there are heights which we cannot reach, depths which we cannot fathom, lengths and breadths beyond the range of our feeble sight.

Let us then simply depend upon Him, and do our little best, leaving the event in His hand.”

–John Newton, The Works of John Newton, Volume 2 (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1988), 2: 173.

“Give Jesus the honor due to His name” by John Newton

“Let us then, dear madam, be thankful and cheerful; and while we take shame to ourselves, let us glorify God, by giving Jesus the honor due to His name.

Though we are poor, He is rich.

Though we are weak, He is strong.

Though we have nothing, He possesses all things.

He suffered for us: He calls us to be conformed to Him in sufferings.

He conquered in His own person, and He will make each of His members more than conquerors in due season.

It is good to have one eye upon ourselves; but the other should ever be fixed on Him who stands in the relation of Saviour, Husband, Head, and Shepherd.

In Him we have righteousness, peace, and power.

He can control all that we fear; so that if our path should be through the fire or through the water, neither the flood shall drown us, nor the flame kindle upon us, and ere long He will cut short our conflicts, and say, Come up hither.

Then shall our grateful songs abound, and every fear be wiped away.

Having such promises and assurances, let us lift up our banner in His name, and press on through every discouragement.”

–John Newton, The Works of John Newton, Volume 2 (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1988), 2: 171-172.

“I am sure He will do you good in the end” by John Newton

“Here is the mercy, that His ways are above ours as the heavens are higher than the earth. Though we are foolish and unbelieving, He remains faithful: He will not deny Himself.

I recommend to you especially that promise of God, which is so comprehensive that it takes in all our concernments,—I mean, that all things shall work together for good. (Romans 8:28)

How hard is it to believe, that not only those things which are grievous to the flesh, but even those things which draw forth our corruptions, and discover to us what is in our hearts, and fill us with guilt and shame, should in the issue work for our good!

Yet the Lord has said it.

All your pains and trials, all that befalls you in your own person, or that affects you upon the account of others, shall in the end prove to your advantage.

And your peace does not depend upon any change of circumstances which may appear desirable, but in having your will bowed to the Lord’s will, and made willing to submit all to His disposal and management.

Pray for this, and wait patiently for Him, and He will do it.

Be not surprised to find yourself poor, helpless, and vile; all whom He favours and teaches will find themselves so. The more grace increases, the more we shall see to abase us in our own eyes.

And this will make the Saviour and His salvation more precious to us. He takes His own wise methods to humble you, and to prove you.

And I am sure He will do you good in the end.”

–John Newton, The Works of John Newton, Volume 2 (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1988), 2: 148-149.

“When you cannot see your way, be satisfied that He is your leader” by John Newton

“Hide yourself under the shadow of His wings.

Rely upon His care and power.

Look upon Him as a physician who has graciously undertaken to heal your soul of the worst of sicknesses, sin.

Yield to His prescriptions, and fight against every thought that would represent it as desirable to be permitted to choose for yourself.

When you cannot see your way, be satisfied that He is your leader.

When your spirit is overwhelmed within you, He knows your path: He will not leave you to sink.

He has appointed seasons of refreshment, and you shall find He does not forget you.

Above all, keep close to the Throne of Grace.

If we seem to get no good by attempting to draw near Him, we may be sure we shall get none by keeping away from Him.”

–John Newton, The Works of John Newton, Volume 2 (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1988), 2: 147-148.