03.09. The Touchstone of Christian ACTIVITY and REPOSE

09. The Touchstone of Christian ACTIVITY and REPOSE

Activity and earnestness should certainly be a prevailing feature in the Christian character. He should be ever working for the great Master whom he serves. He should be intent on the occupation which he has in hand, doing it for the Lord, and not for man. Paul exhorts us: ’Never be lacking in zeal — but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.’ And yet, at the same time, there is a calm, peaceful repose, which should also adorn our character. May we not say, then, that there is a time for patient quietness — and there is also a time for activity and effort; a time to be up and doing — and a time to bear, to suffer, to be still? For is it not in the pure, peaceful, and unruffled water that the heavens reflect most clearly their beauty?

Let us begin by inquiring WHEN it is that this stillness and quietness befits us.

First, when God lifts up His arm to afflict us. It is of little use at such times to struggle against His almighty power — to be restless and complaining when His heavy hand is laid upon us. Our wisdom is . . .
to bear the burden which oppresses us with patience,
to submit cheerfully to the will of God, and
to kiss the painful rod which scourges us.

We should remember that our Father does not afflict His children willingly, that is, for His own pleasure — but for their profit. He loves them; and when He punishes them, it is for their discipline, and to make them what He would have them to be — partakers of His holiness.

We should look at our afflictions in this light — and not let a murmur escape our lips. Our language should be, ’It is the Lord — let Him do what seems good to Him!’ So also when we meet with ill-treatment from our fellow-men, it is well to exercise the same quiet spirit of endurance. Our Lord bids us, when smitten on one cheek — to turn to the smiter the other also. We should be ready to do so. This is the spirit in which the Christian should act — not rendering evil for evil, and violence for violence; ’Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing.’ Of course there are occasions when it is lawful, and expedient too, to punish the offender. And there are other times, when forbearance degenerates into cowardice, and when our quiet acceptance of injuries would only encourage the oppressor. But in most cases it is both our wisdom and our duty to exercise that Christian charity ’which bears all things,’ and ’which suffers long, and is kind.’ For this we have our Lord’s example, Who said of His persecutors, ’Father, forgive them!’ And the conduct of the Apostles, when they departed from the council, ’Rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name,’ shows that they had indeed ’the mind which was in Christ, their Master.’

I will mention another case in which to be still is the Christian’s duty; namely, when danger seems to be near, and nothing but God’s interposition can deliver us. On such occasions it is well to ’trust, and not be afraid, ’to look up with quiet confidence that God will, if He sees fit, protect us, and to be willing to place ourselves unreservedly under His sheltering care. But more especially should this be the case, when we are clearly in the path of duty, and have some Scriptural authority for believing that God will come to our aid. We sometimes, in our folly, run here and there for help — but we do not obtain it; we lean upon an arm of flesh — but we find no support. It was so with the unbelieving Jews. They were constantly looking to the Egyptians in the hour of their distress. The Prophet Isaiah speaks of this folly: "Woe to the obstinate children," declares the LORD, "to those who carry out plans that are not mine — forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin; who go down to Egypt without consulting me; who look for help to Pharaoh’s protection, to Egypt’s shade for refuge. But Pharaoh’s protection will be to your shame, Egypt’s shade will bring you disgrace. Therefore have I cried concerning this: Their strength is to sit still."

They would have been much stronger, their minds would have been more undisturbed, they would have honored God more — if they had simply trusted in His promise, and stayed themselves upon Him. And it is often our duty, in the hour of trial or of difficulty, to be still, to lie passive in God’s hands, ’to hope, and quietly to wait, for the salvation of the Lord.’ And now let us take the other view. It is sometimes our wisdom, our duty, and our strength to bestir ourselves, and to summon all our energy. And if we fail in doing this, we shall be acting unworthily of our character as Christians. For instance, if there is any great and good work to be accomplished — then we sin against God by refusing to take our part. It is a sad thing to be leading a useless and inactive life — and to be a mere ’cumberer of the ground.’ It is still more sad to be active in the pursuit of our own pleasures, or our own gains, and to work hard for the advancement of our own interests in the world — but to be doing nothing to advance the glory of God.

There is always some work to be done. The Christian may always find employment for God. Some work, however humble, may be accomplished in His name. There are millions of heathen in the world — we may do something for them. There are numbers of ungodly ones around our homes — we may make an effort to improve their spiritual condition, and to bring one and another to Christ. There are men laboring for the Lord both at home and abroad — can we not help them? Can we not bind up some broken heart, heal some wound, or save some soul? We may fail, it is true — but still God will own the effort. Oh then let us try. Let us be up and doing. Why do we sit still?

If the corn were ripe, it would be sinful to let it lie upon the ground, and take no steps to gather it. If numbers were dying in our streets, would not the physicians be to blame if they made no efforts to heal them? If an enemy were to invade our country, what would we think of our soldiers if they remained at ease in their barracks? And so, if there is a spiritual harvest to be gathered in, if there are souls perishing, and we have the gospel remedy in our hands — if Satan is busy among us, and we have the means of opposing him — then are we not to blame, if we do not use them? But further, does it not sometimes happen that God is dishonored, that wicked men wax bold, and speak scornfully of that Name which is above every name? We hear religion treated with contempt, and God’s people ridiculed. What then? Are we to act the coward’s part, and conceal our colors? Are we to pass it by in silence? If we are reproached — then it may be well to bear it; but if God is dishonored — then surely to sit still would be a disgrace to us as Christians; we would be making ourselves partakers of other men’s sins.

There is one more occasion, which I must mention, when it would be a reproach to us to be inactive; namely, when a brother or sister is suffering, and we can help them. In the Parable spoken by our Lord, of the man who ’fell among thieves,’ He describes the sufferer lying helpless by the roadside. And one and another sees him, but passes by with unconcern. At length a traveler comes, and not only looks upon him with a pitying eye, but does all in his power to help him in his distress. And here is a lesson for us. We should relieve the needy, comfort the sorrowful, and exercise a brother’s spirit even towards a stranger. We should never remain still — if by any effort of ours we can do an act of kindness and of love.

Let us then ask God, when He would have us to ’sit still’ — and when to step forward and exert ourselves. Let us be ready either to be quiet and trustful — or to be up and doing.

There are two Scripture characters that we shall do well to copy — Martha’s and Mary’s. For there is something to be learned from both. Martha, though she erred in being ’cumbered about much serving’ — was actively engaged in caring for the Savior. She felt it to be an honor to have such a Guest under her roof; and therefore she spared no pains to bid Him welcome.

Just so, let us also spend and be spent for, Christ. Let us employ all our energy, and use every means, to advance His glory. Above all, let us take care that, not as to outward things merely, but as to our hearts within, we are ever in a state of readiness for our Lord’s reception; so that when He knocks at the door we may be prepared to admit Him, and He may be willing to take up His abode within us, to sup with us, and we with Him. And let us also be like Mary, in her quiet calmness and fervent love. Her position of lowliness, and her willingness to be taught, were as welcome to Christ — yes, and more welcome — than her sister’s activity in His service. Let us often ’sit still’ at our Lord’s feet, and there learn those blessed lessons which He alone can teach us.