18. L. Β. R, London. “The present truth” (2 Pet. 1:12) is the truth as then revealed, and for the whole period of Christianity. Peter had no expectation of apostolic succession, or of what men call development He therefore wrote, “that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.” (Ver. 15.) Surely this very epistle contains both the truth that preserves, as in this chapter, and also is full of warnings and descriptions of the last times, which then even had begun.
The other verse you refer to, 2 Tim. 3:16, is of the same character. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished [or perfected] unto all good works.” All scripture, the inspired word of God, is sufficient for the complete instruction of the man of God in righteousness. Righteousness here is consistency of state and walk, in contrast with instruction in wickedness, of all who do not regard the scriptures as all-sufficient. The man of God will be the man who receives the scriptures as of God. Such an one is always in contrast with the man of tradition and development. Yes, even the law of Moses which kills is profitable. It is well for the old man to be killed, that Christ may be all. By it we learn our utter powerlessness.
19. W. K., Leeds. “How may I know that I am called to preach the gospel?” I now send you again an assortment of tracts. In answer to your inquiry, How are you to know if you are called to preach the gospel? I would say, Is it real love to souls? Do you desire to earn your own bread, and serve the Lord in the gospel? If you are sent of the Lord you will win souls. Jesus said to Peter, the fisherman, “From henceforth thou shalt catch men.” What a fisher of men he was in Acts 2. Yes, a fisherman is a man who catches fish. A sent preacher of the gospel is a man who catches men; who wins souls to Christ. Now I send you a parcel of tracts, these are baits for lost souls. A good fisherman would not throw his baits into the water, and think no more about them; he would try to use each bait to catch a fish. Do not throw these tracts into the sea of humanity, and think no more about them, but seek to use each tract to catch a soul.
If you catch souls, you are a fisher of men. Do you see that man with rod and basket, you will find he goes where he hopes to catch the fish. There is a likely place for a trout; see how carefully he puts in the bait in the water. See, he has got a nibble; does he say that is enough, and leave it? No, how carefully he seeks to land his fish. Ah, the fishers of fish are wise in their work. We might learn a lesson from them. You might find a quiet suitable place to try these baits for precious souls. I will tell you a quiet fishing-place. The cemetery. You need the wisdom of God which bait to use. It may be that little flyleaf “Your dying hour,” or “Thy sins be forgiven thee,” or for some fish a larger tract.
Watch the effect of each bait. Is there a nibble, is there manifest interest? Now you need the wisdom of God to deal with that soul; such wisdom as He gives to those He sends. Then it is a mistake to suppose the fish will come to a room always, or a chapel. Oh, go and sow beside all waters. God may use in divine sovereignty the broadcast sowing.
And He may use the gospel net in the open air, or in the preaching-room; but there is a field of labor, and especially in the use of tracts, that has been little tried. From house to house; in the street, or lane, or court, or village; and in not throwing a lot of tracts, as it were, away, like fisherman’s bait, in the water, but in seeking to use each one as a bait, or an introduction, to one individual soul. If you will tell me how many souls you have won to Christ by this parcel of tracts, I shall then know pretty clearly if the Lord has sent you to catch men.
20. Ε. Β. H., Ottawa. “Will every Christian receive a crown of righteousness? If not, who will?” (2 Tim. 4:8.)
1 Cor. 3 shows this will not be the case, whilst through grace every believer will be forever with the Lord. But as to reward, it is, If any man’s work abide.... he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved: yet so as by fire.” The crown of righteousness is this mark of approval, of reward, that the righteous Judge would give to Paul. He had walked and served consistently with the heavenly truth he preached. However he might be misjudged and forsaken by his brethren, the righteous judge would make no mistake; and not only as to him, but to all who love His appearing. How many would draw away the true consistent child of God in this day. Jesus says, “I come quickly hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” (Rev. 3:11.)
How few hold fast the heavenly position of the believer, waiting for Him from heaven. The righteous Judge will only give this crown of righteousness to those who are walking practically in righteousness, that is consistently with the truth they hold. To all such, and to none others, will He give this mark of approval; perhaps the greatest test as to who they are, to you and to me, is this, do we love His appearing; do we long for His manifestation in glory? when all we are doing shall be made manifest? Have we Enoch’s testimony that we please God? If so, the righteous judge will give us the crown of righteousness.
It is the subject of faithful service in this chapter, and hence the crown of righteousness is the mark of reward. When it is the grace of God, all are crowned: “Clothed in white raiment, and they had on their heads crowns of gold.” Crowned with divine righteousness—made kings and priests unto God and His Father. This is His work, not our reward. Brought to God, sitting on thrones, crowned and clothed. We must not confound this with the mark of approval that each will have according to his faithfulness down here. The Lord use these thoughts to make us more watchful and dependent.