CHRIST HAS DONE ALL FOR US

"...and confessed they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." -Hebrews 11:13 [KJV]

O, ye worldly-minded professors, can ye read this without being ashamed and reproved? What will bring a man to this confession? Will sickness, and a near approach to death? O! no. Men return from the most dangerous illness, to greater love of the world, and more ardent pursuit after the things of it. Look at a dying worldling. See him, like a drowning man, clinching the faster what he has grasped for his hope and help. Men not only live fools, but die fools too. 

Their senses beguile them: their reason befools them: they reject the plainest truths before them. Nothing will kill the love of a bewitching world in a deceitful heart, but the view of heaven by faith. No man will confess himself a stranger to the world, and a pilgrim on the earth, until he sees himself “a fellow-citizen with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19.) As we say, we will not quit a certainty for an uncertainty. Admire these ancient heroes of faith. View and imitate their conduct. What caused this confession? 

(1st.) They had not received the promises. The Messiah was not then come from heaven, with all the inestimable blessings of His kingdom. Yet they believed in Him, looked to Him and lived by faith upon Him, as promised to come. 

For, (2d.) though they saw the precious promises afar off, yet they were realized to their hearts by faith: the distance of them did not weaken their confidence in the existence of them. Faith brought them nigh to their minds. 

For, (3d.) they were persuaded of them, and embraced them. They esteemed the promises of God as the chief delight, and greatest joy of their souls. Carnal men cry, O, faith is to do all for you. No, not so: Christ has done all for us. By faith we enjoy all the comforts of it. Hence we commence followers of Christ: “Strangers and pilgrims on the earth,” and travellers to our Father’s kingdom. 

Have you had no respect paid by carnal men? Do they see nothing about you to laugh at, and deride you for? No: then you have great reason to question, whether you are a real follower of a despised, crucified Lord. The world will love its own. Are you striving to keep God and the world? Of all men upon earth, you are most to be pitied; for you will be most miserable. Most joyful to say, “I am a stranger and sojourner, as all my fathers were.” Psalm 39:12. 

 

My heart, my hope, my portion is 

In Christ, my Lord, above: 

I wander here, and find no bliss, 

That’s worthy of my love. 

Men think me strange that I can’t join 

With them to take my part, 

In carnal joys, in mirth and wine, 

But, Lord, Thou hast my heart.

 

-preacher Wm. Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

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