03.08. The Touchstone of Christian STRENGTH

08. The Touchstone of Christian STRENGTH

I am afraid it must be acknowledged that there is a laxity and weakness in the Christianity of the present day. There is not that boldness, and strength, and vigor, which marked the religious life of the early followers of our Lord. Our present stature is a low one — and we do not come up to the height of those who served Christ formerly.

One cause of this is, that there is very little opposition now to the service of Christ; and where there is no opposition — there is generally a lack of growth. In the days of the Apostles anyone who came out from the world, and declared himself for Christ, was sure to meet with persecution. He must deny himself, and take up his cross — if he would be His disciple; and to do this, much courage and determination were needed. Whereas in the present day, and in this country, an outward profession of religion is expected of us as a matter of course — and a certain amount of inward religious feeling passes unobserved.

Here then is, I think, a reason why there is so large a class of half-hearted and half-devoted followers of Christ among us. The Apostles as with one voice urge us to buckle on our armor, and to put forth all our strength. They seem to say, ’You are in the midst of foes — you have a great battle to fight, and a glorious victory to win. You have need of courage to make a bold stand, and of strength to overcome your spiritual enemies. Act courageous like men — be strong! But Christians of the present day are not, I fear, what our Lord would have us to be. When we look around us, in our towns, and villages, and homes, what do we see? Plenty of eagerness and activity, of zeal and earnestness — about worldly things. But as regards those higher things which are eternal, and which concern us far the most — there is a deadness and coldness, a shrinking back and timidity, which are very sad to think of. Many are afraid to take up the cross — they dread its weight. They are ashamed to confess Christ — it would cost them too much. Here and there are a few bolder ones — a few who dare to range themselves on the Lord’s side. But they are the exception. And yet, what would you think of a soldier, who entered the army, but would have nothing to do with the active work belonging to his profession, who neglected the hours of drill, and when called upon to advance and fight, shrank back into the rear?

What would you think of a servant, who engaged himself to a master — but looked after his own gains and his own interest instead? And are not we all Christ’s soldiers and servants by profession? Have we not once for all joined the ranks of Christ, and given a solemn vow that we will be His? Then, ought we not to be real Christians? Jesus says to us, ’He who is not with me is against me.’ Oh, shame upon us, that we should clothe ourselves in His regimentals, and wear His livery — and yet be on the side of His enemies! That we should be numbered among His servants — and yet shrink from confessing Him before men! Manly courage and determination are needed — for a coward cannot follow Christ. But, alas! Many of us lack the courage that is needed. We are afraid . . .
to take the bold step,
to declare ourselves for Jesus,
to leave the world,
to follow Jesus,
to shake off the defilements of sin,
and to serve a holy God.

Now, it is well to find out our fault, and to own ourselves wrong. This is a step gained. But do not let us stop there. We should go much further. If we feel that we have been lacking in courage, and that ours has been but a feeble course — oh, let us wake up, and put on Christ’s strength. Let us make a great effort at once to live . . .
a more decidedly Christian life,
a more earnest life,
a more watchful and consistent life,
a higher spiritual life.

I say — live a more decidedly Christian life! The world is unchristian — therefore be not of the world, though living in it. "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty!" 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 To a certain extent, we are forced to do as others do. But the moment we find anything drawing us away from God — anything which seems to run counter to His word and will — we should make a stand, and keep ourselves in the strait and narrow path marked out for us. We must dare to take a Christian course, though it is different from the customs, and practice, and ways of the world around us — for there are times when we must be singular, and not follow the multitude to do evil!

I do feel that what we need is to live . . .
a more decidedly Christian life,
a more unworldly life,
a life nearer to God,
a Heavenly life,
walking now by faith, and not by sight,
looking not at the things which are seen and are temporal — but at those things which are unseen and are eternal, declaring plainly that we seek a better country, even a Heavenly one!

Let us try also to live a more earnest life. We are, I trust, warm in our friendships, warm in our family affections, warm in our loyalty to our Queen and Country. But is this all that is required of us? Can it be right to be earnest and devoted towards a brother, or a friend, or towards our king — but cold towards God? And yet it seems as if we were afraid, lest we should give to God too much of our love, when we know that He deserves it all — a thousand times more than we can give Him! I would say to each one of you — to you who have never thought on the subject — and to you also who have now and then felt a little moving of the heart towards better things, but are still wavering and undecided — yes, and to you also who have given your allegiance to Christ — be bold, be zealous, be thorough. May the Lord give you not only grace to obey Him — but a burning zeal in His cause; not only a wish to be His — but a holy love for Him, and a desire to serve Him with an undivided heart! May He breathe new life into your souls, and inspire you with a spirit of earnestness and of power!

Those people who sometimes earnestly serve Christ — and at other times coldly turn away from Him; who are in earnest on Sundays — but lukewarm in the week; who are fervent perhaps in their talk — but slow in doing anything for their Lord; who are regular in going to church — but neglectful of private prayer and Bible reading; who are bold in conversation with church people — but keeping a cowardly silence before the careless and worldly. Such people are not real Christians — and theirs is but a poor, shallow kind of religion, unworthy of those who would be followers of Christ.

Further, let us endeavor to live a watchful and consistent life. Let us never forget — whether we are in our own quiet parishes, where everyone knows us; or away from home, where those whom we meet are almost strangers to us — let us never forget that we are the professed followers of Christ, and that (wherever we may be) He marks every step we take, and every word we speak. If we would have God’s presence with us, and the comfort of His blessing, we should be ever trying to serve Him consistently. Be very careful with regard to the companions you meet. Avoid those who speak irreverently of Him on whom all our hopes rely. Be very careful as to the books you read, and as to the words you utter.

It is no easy matter . . .
to act rightly and consistently,
to keep the torch alight amidst the rough and stormy atmosphere of the world,
to preserve an even track amidst the many windings of your daily course.

It will require your whole strength, and the constant help of God’s grace, to enable you to be faithful. ’What then I say unto you, I say unto all: Watch!’

Lastly, endeavor to lead a higher life — not only higher, as compared with the worldly life of those around you — not higher merely, as compared with the life which you once lived — but higher, as being more like the life described to us in the Word of God, or the life of Jesus — who was holy, harmless, and undefiled, who lived for us a pure and pattern life. By a ’higher life,’ I mean a more spiritual life, a more unworldly life, a life of faith, a closer walk with God. We need not go out of the world to lead such a life. We may live it in our homes; we may live it amidst our daily occupations. God has called us to such a life, and He will give us grace to live watchfully and prayerfully in the world; yes, and usefully too, a blessing to others, while we enjoy peace in our own souls. Oh that we could say — alas, how few can say: ’To me, to live is Christ!’ ’The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God!’ But you will perhaps complain of the difficulty of such a life, and of its almost impossibility in your particular position. No, it is not impossible — though I well know its difficulty. ’Good thoughts (you will say) now and then come over me — but then comes a strong wave of worldliness, and sweeps them all away. I am powerless. The road is too narrow for me to walk in, the mountain too high for me to climb.’ And yet, what is the Apostle’s language in Ephesians 6? Does he not say, ’Be strong?’ Is he trifling with us when he says this? Can he be aware of our weakness? Yes — but he adds three little words which are full of meaning. He knows of a secret, which he gladly divulges. He speaks of a hidden strength, an unseen strength, all ready to be given us. ’Be strong (he says) in the Lord.’ Our strength is not in ourselves — it comes from above.

How was it that the early followers of Christ were so devoted, and did such great things for God, enduring trials, and even martyrdom, rather than deny Him? Many of them were weak in body, and were among the insignificant of the earth. But they were ’strong’ in the highest sense. And we should be strong for Christ. We should be daring enough to stand up for our Lord, in the midst of those who love Him not — we should be firm, and take the right side, never holding back for fear of others, or lest we should forfeit their good opinion.

Oh pray for heavenly strength to be given you. Draw near to God, and entreat His blessing. To serve the Lord faithfully will require a daily effort. But do not be discouraged. He will give you all the help you need, if you apply to Him. And ever bear in mind that saying of the Apostle, ’When I am weak, then am I strong’ — weak in myself, but ’strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might!’