64. “Β. Y.” We truly sympathize with you in your present state of soul; but can hardly attempt to enter upon it in a brief reply. One thing we must say, namely this, you want to come as an utterly lost one—a complete bankrupt, to the Savior; your reasonings will drive you to distraction. Come, like a little child, to Jesus; rest in Him and in His finished work. In Him you will find salvation, strength, and victory. Do come!
65. “C. II. K,” Faversham. 2 Cor. 12 gives the positive standing and the possible state of a Christian. His positive standing is that of “a man in Christ.” His possible state is, either to be in paradise with Christ, or sunk in all the wretchedness presented in the last two verses. Flesh is incurable; even the third heavens cannot mend it. Thank God, we are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit. May we walk in the Spirit! May we remember that, at any moment, our place may be paradise with Christ! May we mortify our members!
66. “Η. Η. H.” We can see no sort of sense or meaning in a person breaking bread by himself. Where is there the expression of the unity of the body? Where is the fellowship? We can hardly imagine such an idea entering into the mind.
67. “G. K,” Sydenham. The parable of the unjust steward, in Luke 16, has nothing whatever to do with salvation, forgiveness, or eternal life. Its object is to press upon those who are saved the importance of using the present with their eye on the future—of using the things of time with a view to eternity. Compare 1 Tim. 6:17-1917Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Timothy 6:17‑19). We have lately gone into this subject in our “Correspondence.”
68. “J. R.,” Stratford. The term “angel” in Revelation 2, 3. refers to the mystic representative of the church before God. The angel and the church are sometimes used interchangeably. For instance, “Unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write.... behold, the devil will cast some of you.” He passes from the angel to the church as though they were one and the same. In short, the term “star” or “angel” is the church mystically represented above; the “candlestick” is the church responsible below.
70. “J. M. and “ Τ. M.,” Bradford. We believe there are two evils involved in such membership as you name. In the first place, you are unequally yoked together with unbelievers, which you are expressly told not to be. (2 Cor. 6:1414Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14).) In the second place, you surrender your individual responsibility, and become merged in an organization for whose every act you are morally responsible.
70. “J. C,” Tunbridge Wells. The subject of your letter is deeply interesting: but it is, as you will doubtless admit, hardly in our line.
71. “L. L.,” Malvern. We commend you to God and the word of His grace. May He keep you close to Himself!
72. “H. S. Α.,” Reading. Some copies read Rev. 22:1414Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (Revelation 22:14) thus, “Blessed are they that have washed their robes.” We do not presume to judge as to the correctness of this reading; but it would quite remove your difficulty. If the reading in our authorized version be correct, we should quite accept your interpretation.
73. “J. W.,” Forest Hill. Assuredly we all need to watch against the creeping in of a Laodicean spirit. May the Lord keep us!
74. “W. H. J.,” Cambridge. Your acrostic is interesting; and, owing to the occasion of it, most touching; but it would not do for insertion.
75. “A Sister,” Cheltenham. We refer you to — for an answer to your inquiry.
70. “S. G.,” Chipping Sodbury. It is perfectly useless for anyone to send us such questions, we are fully determined that nothing shall induce us to discuss them in the pages of “Things New and Old.”
77. “C. L. E.,” We should think that Peter’s case furnishes a very distinct answer to your question. Did not he fall, and that grievously? And was not he restored both to communion and to service—yea deeper communion and higher service than ever? Read John 21:1-191After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise showed he himself. 2There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. 3Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. 4But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. 5Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. 6And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. 7Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. 8And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. 9As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. 10Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. 11Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. 12Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. 13Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. 14This is now the third time that Jesus showed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. 15So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. (John 21:1‑19).
78. “J.B.M.D.,” Blackrock. We consider the two statements perfectly compatible; but we cannot enter upon the matter just now. A few words of conversation would be more effectual than pages of writing. God bless you!
79. “Ε. B.,” Hurst. Accept our best thanks for your kind letter. We feel assured the Lord will be better to you than all your fears. Seek to get very close to Him in the spirit of your mind. Give Him the full confidence of your heart. Then will your peace flow as a river, and your lips and your life speak His worthy praise.