Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. Acts 20:31
The passage from which this is an extract reveals clearly the nature of these warnings and the cause of them. He foresaw that grievous wolves (Acts 20:29) would enter in among them, not sparing the flock, and that of their own selves men would arise speaking perverse things.
The history of the church proves with what unerring wisdom and foresight the Apostle spoke, and to-day on every hand we see what mischief the wolves have wrought, and what perverse things are spoken everywhere.
If there was need for the Apostle to warn, how much more need is there for such warnings to-day, from all who have the true interests of Christ's sheep at heart.
The greatest need today is for every true servant of Christ, every one who cherishes the truth and to whom Christ's interests are dear, to remember the exhortation as well as the example of the Apostle, and to feed the church of God and warn the flock. Evidently every other kind of method was accompanied and supported by prayer, for at the close of the address this great servant of God (Paul) "kneeled down and prayed with them all." (Acts 20:36) Break of Day - Russell Elliott
N.J. Hiebert - 20466
October 19
Of His own will begat He us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of His creatures. James 1:18 But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:30
Our relationship with God and the Father is all settled, and settled forever. We are children, and our relations with God flow from that. We are to act as children of God and God deals with us as with children. We are not yet glorified, that is clear.
"For our conversation in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself. (Philippians 3:20,21) "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is." (1 John 3:2,3).
This hope keeps the heart turned to Christ where He is in the glory. Gazing upon Him there with the hope of being like Him soon, already has its purifying effect upon us now. How can we have such a wondrous hope of being like Christ? Solely because the blessed Son of God has been made "sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21).
There on the cross He was forsaken of God and dealt with as though He were that sinful person that we are. The moment we really believe that there is nothing actually too great for Him to do for us, we may expect anything! There is nothing His love would hold back from us after such a sacrifice of Himself.
J. N. Darby
Till Thou come, o keep us steady, keep us walking in Thy ways; At Thy call may w be ready, On Thee, Lord, with joy to gaze; And in heaven sing Thine everlasting praise. T. Kelly
N.J. Hiebert - 20467
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