DECEMBER 17, 2024

 “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:14)

The word “zeal” in our text is defined as “a burning emotion,” or “an inner feeling boiling over.” It is to be fervent, or hot, in spirit. Godly zeal is a burning flame for the Lord and the things of the Lord. It is a fervent, or hot, desire for the Lord and all that belongs to Him. We see in our text that it is the work of Christ to raise up for Himself a people who are zealous for good works. Zeal is fitting for the saints of God and the saints desire zeal for God! The desire of the saints is that all of God’s dear children would be zealous for the Lord! Therefore, none get offended when one’s zeal for Christ is expressed in a godly fashion. Rather, they rejoice because God’s work is being done in the soul. The work of God in the soul, as it pertains to zeal, is for God’s glory, the welfare of His saint, and the good of those in his life! Zeal for God, and for the things of God, is Christ’s work in the soul and is a great gift to all. The expression of joy and zeal for God is never to be frowned upon by any, but something we must always be in pursuit of and rejoice when it is present.

The sad thing is that it is often frowned upon by many. Let us consider just two reasons why:

1. Zeal is frowned upon by those who care not to have it but feel condemned by it in the lives of others. Here we see that those who feel condemned by godly zeal do not properly understand the goodness of this gift. Zeal should never condemn those who do not have it, but rather should stir them up to obtain it themselves. Zeal is a flame that is not to be kept to oneself but passed on to others. A cold hand never feels condemned by a hot flame but draws near so that it may partake of its heat.

2. Zeal is frowned upon by those who care more for others listening to them than they do for others listening to Christ and rejoicing in Him. This reveals a misunderstanding of the One who produces zeal and His reason for it. Christ is the One who produces zeal in the soul of men, and He does so for the glory of our God. Zeal is a gift from Christ and is always intended to be shared with others for the glory of God alone. A man who is lost in darkness does not envy the man who comes along with a torch but seeks to have his own torch lit by the flame that the man carries.

Zeal in God’s people is to be found in all ages of God’s saints. It is to be found in the young and it is to be found in the mature. When zeal is found in the little ones, those who are mature must first rejoice in their zeal. As time presses forward, they must seek to shape that zeal by the word of God. This is a work that is to be done with joy, patience, and grace. This work begins with teaching the little ones by way of example. The little ones ought to have seen godly zeal in the life of the mature; and they must see it in their daily lives. Showing the little ones by way of the godly life lived. Following, the little ones must be instructed with the Word of God with instruction that fits the need, building precept upon precept. It is not enough to know one must be fashioned into a mature saint, but one must seek to fashion the little ones by divine wisdom. This is accomplished by sound instruction that fits the current needs of the little ones.

If one is not careful, caring for the souls of the little ones, they may find themselves putting cold water on the zeal of God’s saints. Instead of working with the Lord to produce glorious fruits, one may find themselves kicking against God’s pricks. Let us rejoice when zeal is present in God’s saints and seek to shape it aright, when necessary, by the word of God, with great joy and grace! Christ produces zeal in the life of His people. This is done for the glory of God and the good of His people. Rejoice in this precious gift and be sure to always possess it in your soul!

DECEMBER 12, 2024

 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” (Proverbs 3:5-7)

The faithful Christian will never put his trust in a creature – even the best, holiest, or highest – but in the Lord, who creates. He must be the object of our trust, and in Him only should we find our faith in the Father, as the God of nature and providence. For all temporal blessings and for all eternal happiness and hope, which He has provided, promised, and freely gives.

Trust in Him at all times; in times of affliction, temptation, and darkness, because all power and strength are in Him to help. His love, grace, and mercy move Him to it, and they are always the same. Considering what He has done for others who have trusted in Him in the past and the things done for us now should induce and encourage our hearts. Those who trust in Him are truly happy; they enjoy peace and safety and see His displeasure in those who distrust Him.

Lean on God the Son: in His person for acceptance, in His righteousness for justification, in His blood for pardon, in His power for protection and preservation, and Him alone for salvation and eternal life. We need to lean on God the Spirit to carry on and finish the work of grace on our hearts, and we can be confident that it will be completed where it begins. This trust in Father, Son, and Spirit should be with all your heart, cordial and sincere. Our faith must be genuine; it is not merely a saying but a reality. The declaration should be made with the whole heart.

We can no longer hold to our understanding because it stands opposed to trusting in the Lord. Men should not depend upon their wisdom and knowledge in civil life but should seek the direction and blessing of God and His providence. Man’s knowledge is darkened by sin, much like the first earth was covered with darkness until the light was let into it by the Lord, and therefore not to depend on. The word of God is our rule of judgment and the standard of our faith and practice. We must be directed by it and not “lean unto [our] own understanding.”

We should always acknowledge the Lord and keep Him in view, taking no step without His leave or advice. Daily, we must consult His word and make the Scriptures our counselors. God needs to be our guide so we may walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. We will acknowledge that all we have is from Him, in good and bad.

We can’t be wise in our understanding to act independently of God or avoid seeking His help and direction. Instead, we should fear the Lord and flee evil. Fear of the Lord opposes human pride and vain conceit. Fearing the Lord includes reverence for God, dependence on Him, and seeking His direction in everything. We must also run from all evil to avoid sin and abstain from all appearances of it. Our only hope is to lean on God and His understanding while avoiding pride.

DECEMBER 3, 2024

“For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.” (I Peter 3:17)

The Apostle takes for granted that all humanity suffers. The wicked may appear to live trouble-free, (Psalm 73:5) but the way of the ungodly is not exempt from suffering, even at present. Setting aside the judgement and wrath to come, they often suffer from the hands of men as a result of wrong-doings, and also from the hand of God, Who causes sinners to “eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own schemes.” (Prov. 1:31) Even so, when Peter says, “It is better that ye suffer for well doing than for evil doing,” he may have in mind the comparison suggested in the next chapter, where the sufferings of the righteous are seen as temporal, while those of the ungodly are not only more severe, but eternal. (Ch. 4:16-18)

The immediate context of Peter’s statement (regarding the suffering that is to be preferred) is an exhortation to be always ready to give an answer to enquirers for the hope that we have in Christ. We are also exhorted to keep a clear conscience, as there are those who speak maliciously against us, and slander us as evil doers for no reason other than our good behavior and well doing. In the previous chapter the Apostle offers this encouragement: “Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (Ch. 2:12)

“It is better, if it be God’s will, that ye suffer for well doing…” The Christian seeks to do God’s will. Nothing quiets the mind and calms the soul more than this. If it is God’s will that we suffer for Christ’s sake, then we have the highest possible reason for continuing to give reason for our hope without fear. If we will what God wills, even in suffering, that makes it joyful. The Apostles, who endured far greater suffering than mere verbal attacks, departed from the council “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.” (Acts 5:41)

When our thinking goes along with God’s, we willingly move with the stream of Providence, which will carry us with it even when we row against it. God’s children, convinced of their Father’s love and wisdom, know that His will is always best for them. Sufferings are unpleasant to the flesh, and it will grumble. But the voice of God’s Spirit in His children is similar to that of the good King Hezekiah: “The Word of the Lord you have spoken is good.” This is always to be our answer. Let the Lord do what seems good in His sight. We might think that the things we suffer should cease, but if our all-wise heavenly Father thinks otherwise, then Our Lord’s final answer must be ours, “Not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” No soul will ever enjoy peace and contentment as much as when he renounces himself and only has God’s will.

Suffering will result from the path you choose to travel. If you choose the way of wickedness, you will not escape suffering, even though much of your motivation in taking that path may be to avoid suffering. For those who choose to follow Christ, He would have them to know that it requires taking up a cross. Thus, it comes as no surprise that suffering is involved, but it is far better to suffer for well doing than for evil doing.

NOVEMBER 28, 2024

 “The full soul loatheth the honeycomb; but to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.” (Prov. 27:7)

It is a great blessing when food and appetite meet together. Some have appetite, but no food. Others have food, but no appetite. Both are to be pitied. One has not food for his stomach; the other has not stomach for his food. Surely, when we have both, it is cause for thanksgiving.

Commentators seem to be in agreement with Mr. Poole, that “this proverb is intended to show the inconvenience that at times comes with plenty.” As Matthew Henry puts it: “Those who fare sumptuously every day nauseate food, as the Israelites did the quail.” It has happened that folks have been so luxuriously fed that appetite has departed from them altogether. “A full soul loatheth the honeycomb.” Was it not so with the Israelites in the wilderness respecting the bread from heaven? Even of that provision, which is referred to as angel’s food, the children of Israel came to say, “our souls loathe this light bread.”

There is a segment of our society for whom only the finest will do. They crave the pungent sauces and signature flavorings from the top chefs who cater to them. There is a true proverb, which say, “the best sauce for meat is hunger.” While the confectioners labor to produce their dainty dishes, nature teaches us what it is that best whets the appetite, namely, not to eat it until we want it, because “a full (stomach) loatheth the honeycomb.”

There is, however, a deeper meaning to this proverb, which is also (I believe) the primary understanding. The rules that apply to the bodily appetite hold equally true with the spiritual. Are not souls capable of falling into the same conditions respecting the true Bread from heaven, as the Israelites did respecting the manna? “Our souls loathe this light bread,” they said. Perhaps it would not be so expressed, but do not professing Christians sometimes sit at a table spread with the rarest delights yet “The full soul loathes the honeycomb?” David said, “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth.” (Psa. 119:103) He found them to be “sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.” (Psa. 19:10) It is a great tragedy for a soul to become full, so that it loatheth the honeycomb.

To the hungry soul God’s Word is a true delight. Jeremiah found it to be so: “Thy words were found and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart.” (Jer. 15:16) But, there is a fullness of soul that causes the Word of God to be loathsome. Worldly riches and pleasures make one to loathe the holy precepts of the Scriptures. Even as it sees death on the marrow, it continues to eat, drink and be merry. (Luke 12:19) Thus, the spiritually wise man will say “give me neither…riches…lest I be full and deny thee.” (Prov. 30:8, 9) Jesus pronounced as blessed all who have a hunger and thirst after righteousness.

There is an imbibing of worldly wisdom that makes men loathe the counsel of God. Secularism is so full of itself that it loathes the Bible. It says with Pharaoh of old, “Who is the Lord that I should obey him?”Preaching is sparsely attended, and Bibles gather dust because full souls loathe the honeycomb.

With many professing Christians it is clear that something has taken the edge off their appetite for the Word of God. That which fills them may be known simply by observing why they forsake the assembly. We must realize that one sure proof of spiritual life is an appetite for the Word of God. Let us remember that Christ Himself is the true Sweetness which the soul that is full of the world will despise. May we all be able to say in truth, “All that thrills my soul is Jesus.”