Go Ye Out to Meet Him and True Worship: Extracts From the Writings of William Kelly
William Kelly
Table of Contents
"Go Ye Out to Meet Him"
"Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him." (Matthew 25:6.)
Let me ask, have you gone out? There were those who not only believed when they heard the cry, but went out. Have you left everything that is contrary to Him? Ask yourselves whether you are ready to meet Him: if so you need not be afraid. Be assured that anything the will of man wants to keep is not worth the pains. It is gain to go out from all to meet Him; it is joy to be in the path of His sorrow. Has this reached your heart? Do not be content with saying, "I have got oil in my vessel, and it does not matter where I am." What more selfish and unholy? The Lord grant that such may not be your feeling!
He has saved me that I might think of Him. He wishes me to go out to meet Him—to value the precious hope of His coming. Do you not know? This is a question between your own conscience and the Lord. When you have kept what you do know, you will learn more and find it the truest liberty to serve Him.
From the writings of William Kelly
True Worship
The Philadelphians in Revelation 3 seem specially those who entered into worship, because they appreciated the Person and character of the Lord Jesus. It is this that draws out the heart. Thus when Jesus revealed Himself after giving sight (John 9), the blind man paid Him homage. Worship is little enjoyed in general even by real children of God. A man might receive favor from God, and give thanks heartily for it, and yet know little of worship. This is a higher step and nearer to Himself. It does not merely appreciate the favors that come down to us from God, but what the God is who gives them. Real worship is always this.
The Father seeks worshippers, but it is to draw them back to the source from which the grace has flowed. Not that the worship is used in the address to Philadelphia, except in verse 9, where it is in quite a different sense, merely signifying that the men who were now scorners would have to humble themselves and give honor to those they had despised. Worship is the drawing near to God in the appreciation not only of what He does, but of Himself. There is this which always prepares the way for worship—the full and simple knowledge of our being brought near to God, as well as the work of Christ and its blessed results for us.
William Kelly