Who Are They?
(Continued.)
3. PAUL had the mind of heaven on His way to heaven. “The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know His will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of His mouth” (Acts 22:1414And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. (Acts 22:14)).
Perhaps no two believers were arrested on their rebellious course exactly in the same way, but they are all arrested by the same Person. To this you are no exception, my reader.
True, you have not, with your natural eyes, “seen that Just One” as Saul of Tarsus did, but your heart has looked to Him. Outside Him there is nothing but judgment either for profligate sinners or religious sinners. Each must be brought to own, as another has expressed it―
“Other refuge have I none,
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee”;
and as he trustfully, joyfully, further adds―
“Thou, O Christ, art all I want,
More than all in Thee I find.”
Yes, with the “eyes of your heart” you have “seen that Just One” as well as heard His voice.
But with Saul of Tarsus this was not all.
Our Lord and Master is in heaven, but His eye is ever upon us, His heart ever caring for us.
And the privilege of distinctly knowing and heartily doing His will is as much ours in the twentieth century as it was Paul’s in the first. But today the difficulties are more subtle. With a great outside show of profession, the power is missing. Da you inquire the reason? Man’s will and pleasure have taken the place of God’s, is the sad answer.
“How to keep abreast with the times” is the great study of religious leaders today. That is no secret. But pause and consider. What “times”? Paul describes the last days as perilous or difficult “times” (2 Tim. 3:11This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Timothy 3:1)). But what are the marks of these times? Read for yourself: we shall now only quote a sentence or two.
“Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God: having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” Are these the “times,” and is this the state of things we are to “keep abreast” with? Let the Spirit answer: “From such turn away.” When the worldly-minded and the pleasure-loving are being catered for, heavenly power is no help, but a decided hindrance. It would be next to blasphemy to think that the Holy Spirit could link Himself with such work. Hence with these “times” there is a form of godliness to keep the conscience quiet, and an ignoring of the power in order to make their scheme a “success”― “DENYING THE POWER THEREOF.” How solemn!
It is this state of things, my dear reader, that we have to face today, and we shall either be overcomers or be overcome in the midst of it! Dead fishes can go “in the swim,” as it is called. Only a living affection for Christ, with a heart fixed on pleasing Him, can make us overcomers. The great question to put to ourselves is this, “Is this God’s will or man’s? Is it from heaven or of men?” Nor are we left to guess and speculate in the dark. Read 2 Timothy 3:16, 1716All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16‑17) and John 7:1717If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. (John 7:17). “If any man will do His will, He shall know of the doctrine,” said our blessed Lord. We must not look at others, and say, “What shall this man do?” “Follow thou Me” is what He says to each of us. Keep your eye upon Him.
Take an illustration. On the outskirts of a country town a nobleman’s park is situated, with his mansion in the center of it. The nobleman has a kind heart, and has granted to the inhabitants of this town the privilege of walking through his grounds whenever they please. Let as suppose a conversation between two of them.
“I am just going to join a few of my friends over there; come along with me and enjoy their entertaining company.”
“No, thank you. I cannot leave this gravel path,”
“Oh, but why be so isolated when, as I know, you enjoy good company? Our friends will be pleased enough to have us to swell their number.”
“Possibly, but on no pretext whatever could I go where they are, while this stands here,” pointing to a modest little notice placed near them―
“VISITORS ARE RESPECTFULLY REQUESTED TO KEEP TO THE GRAVEL PATH.”
“That is the Duke’s will, and he has been so wonderfully kind to me that I would not for anything grieve him by disregarding it. From die tower of the castle yonder he can see the whole park and everybody’s way of acting in it. And if he could not, I know what his will is, and that is enough for me.”
“Then do you want to make out that everyone must bow to your narrow way of thinking, and not do what he likes occasionally?”
“I only want to make out that this is plainly the way of his will, and that I, for one, intend to walk in it and in no other. I have no more authority, and no better title, for being in the park than you have, and as for the scores and hundreds of our townsmen whom I can see enjoying themselves away from the gravel path, I am only sorry that they have no more respect for his lordship’s wishes. Many of them are amongst my oldest acquaintances, and it is a great trial to me that I cannot have the pleasure of being with them and give the Duke pleasure at the same time. But till I get his authority, no one, I trust, shall tempt me off this gravel path. Oh that I had more to walk with me in it!”
“But one thing more,” he adds. “The end of this day will find me as an invited guest at his supper table, and how could I, just for my own pleasure, go contrary to his expressed wishes on the way?”
Is it needful, my reader, to apply the simple figure? Hardly. Suffice it to add that there is a Friend― you know His name―at whose hand you have experienced great kindness. You know that His eye is ever upon you. You are going to be welcomed presently to His Father’s house to share His pleasures there. Till then you and I are left to follow the way of His will.
The “gravel path has been clearly marked out for us in the Holy Scriptures. Love will find it, faith follow it. Though, in a day of heartbreaking departure, it may cost us something to walk in it, yet He is worthy, His love unchanging, His coming near. Oh, where will His coming find you? GEO. C.