LOVE DID THE MIGHTY DEEDS ~ GRACE REIGNS

"...whose names are in the book of life." -Philippians 4:3 [KJV]

How did the apostle know that? Had he seen the book of life, when caught up to the third heavens? No: but he very plainly and evidently saw, the work of God’s Spirit upon these persons’ souls, by their fruits of faith, and labours of love, to the glory of the Lord Jesus. Hence, he speaks so confidently of them. This furnishes us with these glorious truths. 

(1st.) That the names of all God’s chosen people are registered in the book of life, called the Lamb’s book of life (Revelation 21:27.) This implies the eternal love of God to them, His choice of them, personal knowledge of each of them, value for them, care over them, and their certain enjoyment of Him in heaven and glory. For, says the LORD of hosts, "they shall be Mine in that day when I make up My jewels” (Malachi 3:17.) But may not the name of a believer in Christ be blotted out of this book of life, and he suffered to perish? No; saith the Lamb, I will not blot his name out of the book of life (Revelation 3:5.) It is His book: they are too dearly beloved, and too dearly bought, to be blotted out. Not all the powers of sin, earth, and hell, can make Him a liar. 

He hath said, “I give unto My sheep eternal life; they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of My hand” (John 10:28.) Say, believer, what hadst thou done to deserve thy name to be enrolled in the annals of eternal love? What canst thou do to merit its continuance in the book of life? Methinks thy generous, loving soul recoils at these thoughts. Love did the mighty deed: grace reigns: salvation from first to last is all of free gift to God’s glory. 

(2d.) Those whose names are written in the book of life, may attain to a comfortable knowledge of it. How? Not by seeing this book: not by any voice, visions, and fresh revelations from heaven. But, says St. Paul of these, “They laboured with me in the gospel.” This implies, faith in the Lord Jesus, love to Him, delight in Him, and in the gospel of His grace. When the gospel is indeed good news to us miserable sinners; when we see the glory of Father, Son, and Spirit, shine in it; when it captivates our affections, enlivens our hearts, invigorates our minds, animates our hopes, brings peace to our consciences, and subdues the whole man, to give up all for it, and to live under the influence of it, we may be well assured our names are written in heaven. For the power of God hath effected this upon our hearts, as a consequence of it, and a sure evidence to prove it. 

Hence, (3d.) you see the genuine effects of God’s electing love. “We are chosen from the beginning to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth” (II Thessalonians 2:13.) Without a holy faith in Jesus, a holy life from Him, and a holy walk before Him, we can enjoy no comfort from electing love. But these are evident tokens of the salvation of God. See Philippians 1:28.

 

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

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

CHRIST OUR ONLY AND PERFECT RIGHTEOUSNESS

" The flesh lusteth against the Spirit." —Galatians 5:17 [KJV] Christian experience fully proves this apostolic truth. Hence the children of God cannot do the things that they would: nor have we any authority from God's word to conclude this lusting ever ceased in any of the saints till they got to glory; none are delivered from it while in the flesh. For, as the renewed soul or spirit loves to enjoy spiritual and heavenly objects, so the flesh, or unrenewed part, lusts after those objects it is naturally conversant with, and from which it derives its happiness.  Here is thy conflict, O Christian. Hence the necessity of thy Lord's command, "Watch always." This is the use of the doctrine. What woeful effects have fulfilling the lusts or desires of the flesh produced in eminent saints! Thou standest by faith, be not high-minded, but fear. The conceptions of lust are the productions of sin.— see James 1:15 . The commission of sin contracts fresh s
Read more

Encouragement in Christ JESUS ~ 04 October, 2023 A.D.

" All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient." —I Corinthians 6:12 [KJV] The constraints of love and jealousy of fear sweetly unite in the believing heart. Where the faith of Jesus prevails, love constrains. It holds and keeps us in our station and duty, as soldiers are kept together under a banner or ensign displayed. What cheerfulness and activity of soul do we experience, when we can say with the church in the Canticles (Songs of Solomon), ch. 2, vs4. "Jesus' banner over me was love!" Then how sweetly do we judge and determine our conduct by the law of Christ, which is LOVE!  This excites a godly fear lest we should allow ourselves a latitude in things in themselves indifferent, to the wounding and hurt of our souls or our fellow-soldiers. Though all things of an indifferent nature, which are innocent in themselves, are lawful to us; yet the cause and interest of our dear Saviour, and the good and edifying of His beloved memb
Read more

JESUS - Rock of Ages

Jesus remains the same in all ages. He is the One who is constant when everything and everyone else fails. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever; the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. He is our R ock [I SAMUEL 2:2 ] . In the Old Testament, in Exodus 33, Jesus is pictured as the Cleft Rock. In that chapter, verse 18 and following, Moses desired to see the glory of the Lord, but was told, "You cannot see My face; for there shall no man see My face and live.” And the Lord said, “There is a place by Me, and you shalt stand upon a rock: and it shall come to pass, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by." Notice that as Moses stood upon the rock, the Lord hid him in the cleft. This wonderfully applies to us today! Believers are both standing on and hidden in Christ [COLOSSIANS 3:3 ] . We are both in and on the Rock. As life with its many bitter events presses upon us,
Read more