My dear child,
You may well think it is natural for a parent to be concerned for a child at so great a distance away, so far out of view, and so far out of the reach of communication, where, if you should be stricken with any dangerous sickness that would result in death, you might probably be in your grave before we would hear of your danger. But yet, my greatest concern is not for your health or temporal welfare, but for the good of your soul.
Though you are at so great a distance from us, yet God is everywhere. You are much out of the reach of our care, but you are in His hands every moment! We have not the comfort of seeing you, but He sees you! His eye is always upon you. And if you may but live sensibly near to God, and have His gracious presence, it is no great matter if you are far distant from us. I had rather you should remain hundreds of miles distant from us and have God near to you than to have you always with us, and live at a distance from God.
And if the next news we would hear of you would be of your death, though that would be very sad; yet, if at the same time we had the best grounds to hope that you had died in the Lord, how much more comfortable would this be to us than if you died without the grace and favor of God!
It is comfortable to have the presence of earthly friends, especially in sickness, and on a death-bed; but the great thing is to have God as our friend, and to be united to Christ, who can never die and from whom our own death cannot separate us.
My desire and daily prayer is that you may meet with God where you are, and have much of His divine influences on your heart, wherever you may be; and that, in God's due time, you may be returned to us again, in prosperous circumstances in your soul.
I hope that you will maintain a strict and constant watch over yourself, against all temptations, that you do not forsake or forget God; and particularly, that you do not grow slack in secret piety. Retire often from this vain world, from all its bubbles and empty shadows, and vain amusements; and converse with God alone. Seek for that Divine grace and comfort, the least drop of which is worth more than all the riches, gaiety, pleasures, and entertainments of the whole world!
May you be sensible of your dependence on the care and kindness of God and of the vanity of all human helps. May you seek His face, to trust in Him, and walk closely with Him. Commending you to the care and special favor of our heavenly Father.
Your very affectionate father,
Jonathan Edwards, July 26, 1749
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Young Christians Warned
Be very careful about too frequent interaction with this temporal and wicked world. I write with a heart full of love--but I MUST caution you. There is nothing more dangerous to young Christians than indiscriminate interaction with the ungodly. In such company and friendships, it is far more likely that we would receive evil than impart good. Prudence and prayer are then especially needful, for we may more easily conform to the world than influence the world to conform to us. Happy are those who have the least to do with it, except in the way of absolute duty and necessity.
May no worldly trifles ever wean your affections from the unspeakably important subjects of eternity. Idols are bewitching, dangerous things and steal away the heart from God. The most lawful things may become idols, by fixing an unlawful degree of affection upon them. The world, even in its apparently harmless form, is a terrible snare to the young and untaught mind.
- Legh Richmond
When a good and healthy apple is close to rotten ones, do the rotten ones become good?
- Mack Tomlinson
May no worldly trifles ever wean your affections from the unspeakably important subjects of eternity. Idols are bewitching, dangerous things and steal away the heart from God. The most lawful things may become idols, by fixing an unlawful degree of affection upon them. The world, even in its apparently harmless form, is a terrible snare to the young and untaught mind.
- Legh Richmond
When a good and healthy apple is close to rotten ones, do the rotten ones become good?
- Mack Tomlinson
An Eloquent Sermon
A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the preacher decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The preacher found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his preacher's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited.
The preacher made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the preacher took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone then he sat back in his chair, still silent.
The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's' flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.
Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The preacher glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
As the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, 'Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday.'
We live in a world today, which tries to say too much with too little. Consequently, few listen. Sometimes the best sermons are the ones left unspoken.
- Geoff Thomas
The preacher made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the preacher took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone then he sat back in his chair, still silent.
The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's' flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.
Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The preacher glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
As the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, 'Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday.'
We live in a world today, which tries to say too much with too little. Consequently, few listen. Sometimes the best sermons are the ones left unspoken.
- Geoff Thomas
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Letter to a Dying Son from Legh Richmond
My ever dear son,
You are never out of my thoughts, but there is an eye which beholds and watches over you in a way that I cannot do. To Him I confide and commend you, for sickness and health, for time and eternity.
What a word, what a thought, is ETERNITY! What prospects does it set before us! What inconceivable mysteries are involved in it! How it makes the things of time dwindle into insignificance! What questions of unspeakable importance are involved in it!
Sin, a corrupt nature, a broken law, an offended God, eternal punishment, conscience, guilt, regeneration, salvation by Christ, faith, hope, love, free grace, undeserved mercy, justification, effectual calling, adoption into God's family, pardon of sin, consolation in Christ, heaven and glory! These, and a thousand accompaniments are all connected with the idea and the reality of ETERNITY!
What a sad proof of the depravity of our heart is our indifference towards thinking upon things which belong to our everlasting peace; and which, if neglected, involve our eternal ruin! We need warnings--and the Lord sends them in many ways. Sickness, pain, bereavements, losses, disappointments all bring their message with them.
The great question between our souls and God is not whether we admit the truths of the Scripture into our understandings, but whether they are so applied to our hearts, so as to have wrought a change, and become vital principles of faith and practice. Nothing short of this can afford evidence of a saved and safe condition.
Be much in prayer and self-examination. The more we see of ourselves--the more we see our sin. And the more we see our sin, the more we flee to the death and righteousness of Christ for pardon, deliverance, and hope! Let nothing interrupt you in this continual work of self-examination; and let self-examination lead you to earnest and ardent prayer. Let no pursuits of literature, no delights of sense, no passing occurrences, no debility of body, no inferior subjects of recreation, prevent you from keeping your thoughts close to God and to eternity!
You have arrived at an age when many dangerous temptations will assail you, and you will be put to the test, whether your heart is right with God. You are thrown upon the world and its seductions, and you will find indeed, that it lies in wickedness-- multiplied, subtle, and appalling wickedness! May God preserve you, my dear son, and may you never wander from the way in which you have been trained!
Keep a continual watch over your disposition, temper, and thoughts. Pride in every form must be brought low.
Do not wonder, that I cannot rest contented with superficial religion, but that I look for a deeply experimental life of God in your soul. I place time and eternity before me in holy imagination. I strive, as it were, to penetrate the veil which separates them and to look earnestly at those things which belong to your everlasting peace!
Lay all these things to heart; make them the subject of unceasing petition at that throne, whence no believing seekers are ever sent empty away.
I commend you to Him, who has all events in His hands, whose consolations are neither few nor small, who gave his Son to die for your sins, and whose compassions never fail. The precious Redeemer shall protect, guard and comfort you. But seek Him aright--do not trifle with the great concerns of your soul.
Goodbye for the present, my child, my friend and, in Christ-- my brother,
Your father
You are never out of my thoughts, but there is an eye which beholds and watches over you in a way that I cannot do. To Him I confide and commend you, for sickness and health, for time and eternity.
What a word, what a thought, is ETERNITY! What prospects does it set before us! What inconceivable mysteries are involved in it! How it makes the things of time dwindle into insignificance! What questions of unspeakable importance are involved in it!
Sin, a corrupt nature, a broken law, an offended God, eternal punishment, conscience, guilt, regeneration, salvation by Christ, faith, hope, love, free grace, undeserved mercy, justification, effectual calling, adoption into God's family, pardon of sin, consolation in Christ, heaven and glory! These, and a thousand accompaniments are all connected with the idea and the reality of ETERNITY!
What a sad proof of the depravity of our heart is our indifference towards thinking upon things which belong to our everlasting peace; and which, if neglected, involve our eternal ruin! We need warnings--and the Lord sends them in many ways. Sickness, pain, bereavements, losses, disappointments all bring their message with them.
The great question between our souls and God is not whether we admit the truths of the Scripture into our understandings, but whether they are so applied to our hearts, so as to have wrought a change, and become vital principles of faith and practice. Nothing short of this can afford evidence of a saved and safe condition.
Be much in prayer and self-examination. The more we see of ourselves--the more we see our sin. And the more we see our sin, the more we flee to the death and righteousness of Christ for pardon, deliverance, and hope! Let nothing interrupt you in this continual work of self-examination; and let self-examination lead you to earnest and ardent prayer. Let no pursuits of literature, no delights of sense, no passing occurrences, no debility of body, no inferior subjects of recreation, prevent you from keeping your thoughts close to God and to eternity!
You have arrived at an age when many dangerous temptations will assail you, and you will be put to the test, whether your heart is right with God. You are thrown upon the world and its seductions, and you will find indeed, that it lies in wickedness-- multiplied, subtle, and appalling wickedness! May God preserve you, my dear son, and may you never wander from the way in which you have been trained!
Keep a continual watch over your disposition, temper, and thoughts. Pride in every form must be brought low.
Do not wonder, that I cannot rest contented with superficial religion, but that I look for a deeply experimental life of God in your soul. I place time and eternity before me in holy imagination. I strive, as it were, to penetrate the veil which separates them and to look earnestly at those things which belong to your everlasting peace!
Lay all these things to heart; make them the subject of unceasing petition at that throne, whence no believing seekers are ever sent empty away.
I commend you to Him, who has all events in His hands, whose consolations are neither few nor small, who gave his Son to die for your sins, and whose compassions never fail. The precious Redeemer shall protect, guard and comfort you. But seek Him aright--do not trifle with the great concerns of your soul.
Goodbye for the present, my child, my friend and, in Christ-- my brother,
Your father
Monday, February 23, 2009
Theology and True Godliness to the Heart
"The teaching that promotes godliness." 1 Timothy 6:3
"The knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness." Titus 1:1
[An exerpt from a father's letter to his son]
My son, it is much easier to be a 'Bible scholar' than a sincere Christian. It is much easier to be a 'theologian' than a true pastor. Theology itself, important as are its themes, sinks into a mere science of literary attainments, unless accompanied by an earnest and devotional application of its principles to the soul.
You should not only study the Scriptures, but always be pondering some searching experimental book as a bosom companion. A love of such reading proves a useful test of godly character. There are many books about religious matters which, after all, do not bring home true godliness to the heart.
- Legh Richmond
"The knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness." Titus 1:1
[An exerpt from a father's letter to his son]
My son, it is much easier to be a 'Bible scholar' than a sincere Christian. It is much easier to be a 'theologian' than a true pastor. Theology itself, important as are its themes, sinks into a mere science of literary attainments, unless accompanied by an earnest and devotional application of its principles to the soul.
You should not only study the Scriptures, but always be pondering some searching experimental book as a bosom companion. A love of such reading proves a useful test of godly character. There are many books about religious matters which, after all, do not bring home true godliness to the heart.
- Legh Richmond
Saturday, February 21, 2009
In Word Only
For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. (1 Thess. 1:5) If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. (2 Cor. 5:17) You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. (Rev. 3:1)
To one who is a student merely, these verses might be interesting, but to a serious man intent upon gaining eternal life, they might well prove more than a little disturbing. For they evidently teach that the message of the gospel may be received in either of two ways: in word only without power, or in word with power. Yet it is the same message whether it comes in word or in power. And these verses teach also that when the message is received in power, it effects a change so radical as to be called a new creation. But the message may be received without power, and apparently some have so received it, for
they have a name that they are alive, but are dead. All this is present in these texts.
By observing the ways of men at play, I have been able to understand better the ways of men at prayer. Most men, indeed, play at religion as they play at games, religion itself being of all games the one most universally played. The various sports have their rules and their balls and their players; the game excites interest, gives pleasure, and consumes time, and when it is over, the competing teams
laugh and leave the field. It is common to see a player leave one team and join another and a few days later play against his old mates with as great zest as he formerly displayed when playing for them. The whole thing is arbitrary. It consists in solving artificial problems and attacking difficulties that have been deliberately created for the sake of the game. It has no moral roots and is not supposed to have. No one is the better for his self- imposed toil. It is all but a pleasant activity that changes nothing and settles nothing at last.
If the conditions we describe were confined to the ballpark, we might pass it over without further thought, but what are we to say when this same spirit enters the sanctuary and decides the attitude of men toward God and religion? For the Church has also its fields and its rules and its equipment for playing the game of pious words. It has its devotees, both laymen and professionals, who support the game with their money and encourage it with their presence, but who are no different in life or character from many who take no interest at all in Christianity.
Playing With Words
As an athlete uses a ball, so do many of us use words: words spoken and words sung, words written and words uttered in prayer. We throw them swiftly across the field; we learn to handle them with dexterity and grace; we build reputations upon our word skill and gain as our reward the applause of those who have enjoyed the game. But the emptiness of it is apparent from the fact that after the
pleasant religious game, no one is basically any different from what he had been before. The basis of life remains unchanged; the same old principles govern, the same old Adam rules.
- A. W. Tozer
To one who is a student merely, these verses might be interesting, but to a serious man intent upon gaining eternal life, they might well prove more than a little disturbing. For they evidently teach that the message of the gospel may be received in either of two ways: in word only without power, or in word with power. Yet it is the same message whether it comes in word or in power. And these verses teach also that when the message is received in power, it effects a change so radical as to be called a new creation. But the message may be received without power, and apparently some have so received it, for
they have a name that they are alive, but are dead. All this is present in these texts.
By observing the ways of men at play, I have been able to understand better the ways of men at prayer. Most men, indeed, play at religion as they play at games, religion itself being of all games the one most universally played. The various sports have their rules and their balls and their players; the game excites interest, gives pleasure, and consumes time, and when it is over, the competing teams
laugh and leave the field. It is common to see a player leave one team and join another and a few days later play against his old mates with as great zest as he formerly displayed when playing for them. The whole thing is arbitrary. It consists in solving artificial problems and attacking difficulties that have been deliberately created for the sake of the game. It has no moral roots and is not supposed to have. No one is the better for his self- imposed toil. It is all but a pleasant activity that changes nothing and settles nothing at last.
If the conditions we describe were confined to the ballpark, we might pass it over without further thought, but what are we to say when this same spirit enters the sanctuary and decides the attitude of men toward God and religion? For the Church has also its fields and its rules and its equipment for playing the game of pious words. It has its devotees, both laymen and professionals, who support the game with their money and encourage it with their presence, but who are no different in life or character from many who take no interest at all in Christianity.
Playing With Words
As an athlete uses a ball, so do many of us use words: words spoken and words sung, words written and words uttered in prayer. We throw them swiftly across the field; we learn to handle them with dexterity and grace; we build reputations upon our word skill and gain as our reward the applause of those who have enjoyed the game. But the emptiness of it is apparent from the fact that after the
pleasant religious game, no one is basically any different from what he had been before. The basis of life remains unchanged; the same old principles govern, the same old Adam rules.
- A. W. Tozer
Thursday, February 19, 2009
A Sermon that Peter Never Forgot
"At that moment the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter." Luke 22:61
See the infinite mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. There was a deep meaning in that look. It was a sermon that Peter never forgot.
The love of Christ toward His people is a deep well which has no bottom! Let us never measure it by comparison with any kind of love of man or woman. It exceeds all other love, as far as the sun exceeds the candle light. There is about it a mine of compassion, patience, and readiness to forgive sin, of whose riches we have but a faint conception.
Let us not be afraid to trust that love when we first feel our sins. No man need despair, however far he may have fallen, if he will only repent and turn to Christ. If the heart of Jesus was so gracious when He was a prisoner in the judgment hall, we surely need not think it is less gracious when He sits in glory at the right hand of the Father!
- J. C. Ryle
See the infinite mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. There was a deep meaning in that look. It was a sermon that Peter never forgot.
The love of Christ toward His people is a deep well which has no bottom! Let us never measure it by comparison with any kind of love of man or woman. It exceeds all other love, as far as the sun exceeds the candle light. There is about it a mine of compassion, patience, and readiness to forgive sin, of whose riches we have but a faint conception.
Let us not be afraid to trust that love when we first feel our sins. No man need despair, however far he may have fallen, if he will only repent and turn to Christ. If the heart of Jesus was so gracious when He was a prisoner in the judgment hall, we surely need not think it is less gracious when He sits in glory at the right hand of the Father!
- J. C. Ryle
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