“Take Heed Unto Yourself” (1 Tim 4:8-16)

If you want to help others, help yourself first: 

“Take heed unto yourself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this, you will both save yourself and them that hear you” (1 Tim 4:16).

The Lord gives us godliness, and thereby, we receive the life that now is - love, joy, and peace - and we receive heaven sure to come.  Continue in these things, abide in this truth, and fight every foe by the gospel. God is your Savior, and He’s worth believing in a world filled with sin - “For bodily exercise profits for a little time: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (vs8).

We are commanded, exhorted, and taught to be godly. It isn’t an option, like I can have Christ and not worry about my behavior. Godliness is the believer’s EVIDENCE that his faith is real, that he sacrifices for Christ and endures unto the end.  Godliness will be rewarded, and we’re to command and teach people how to do it by faith in Christ - “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, for therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially [specifically] of those that believe. ” (vs9-10).

It isn’t enough to say “do”, we must point them to Christ and faith.  It isn’t enough to say “believe”, but we unfold the risen Christ as successful in accomplishing everything needful to save the sheep. He laid down His life for us, and He gives us EVERYTHING necessary freely.  Keep on believing this truth unto obedience, and you’re safe and blessed - “These things command and teach” (vs11).

We are not to be babyish in our thinking, as if being babes in Christ is an excuse to indifference or sin: everyone is to be an example of godliness to others.  Paul says, “Let no man despise your youth; but be you an example of the believers in word”, what you say, “in conduct”, how you behave, “in love“, how your respond to people, “in spirit”, in your attitude amidst difficulty and loss, “in faith”, in believing great and precious promises, “in purity”, in holiness before men and in your heart (vs12).

Be these things without fail.  He says, “Till I come, give ATTENDANCE to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine”, so that salvation makes us diligent rather than slothful (vs13). We don’t say, “I’m saved” and shift to neutral, but we keep the peddle to the floor, believing unto a flaming life.

Don’t neglect God’s gifts to you.  You heard the gospel, believed, and by faith in the gospel preached, you received gifts that are noticeable. - “Neglect not the gift that is in you, which was given you by prophecy [preaching], with the laying on of the hands [approval] of the elders.  Meditate upon these things; give yourself completely to them; that your profiting may appear in all things” (vs14-15).  Don’t sit around and waste your gifts, and don’t count on someone else to serve. Use what you have, wholeheartedly, for Christ’s cause, and get the most out of safe and holy living.

We are to be zealous, hot, diligent, and utterly concerned with our conduct.  We can’t teach others what we have not learned, and before I can heal my neighbor, I need my own spirit put in peace.  I can’t preach my way to heaven, but I must LIVE my gospel, too. And, I can’t preach “any old thing” and expect to make it.  The New Living Translation says, “Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you“ (vs16).

Examine yourself diligently, carefully, and consistently, repenting, confessing, and obtaining mercy to do it right.  Take heed to what you say and how you live, and you’ll save yourself and those that hear you.

There is no other way.

“Conceive Seed” (Numb 5:28)

“And  when he has made her to drink the water, then it shall come to pass, that, if she be defiled, and have done trespass against her husband, that the water that causes the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall rot: and the woman shall be a curse among her people.  And if the woman be not defiled, but be clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive seed.” (vs27-28)

Fruitfulness comes by the trial of self-examination, as we are discerned before God. If we are true believers, then the Lord will bear record that we are His children, we have REPENTED from sin, and He will give us the FRUIT of repentance, faith, and assurance, which is GOOD works, more faith, and MORE assurance, so that we’re BLESSED by examining ourselves, whether or not we are believers - “Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know you not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except you be reprobates“ (2 Cor 13:5). If you are true, then examination helps you, and if you are not true, then discern it now and be saved.

There is no reason to perish when God HEALS filthy sinners; you and I can be saved today. There is no reason to quit God because He has REVEALED your sins; He forgives, and He gives holiness by forgiveness only, for “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness“ (1 John 1:9).  Fellowship with God in the blood of Christ, and you’ll be FORGIVEN and cleansed; He will not let you down .

I ask you, “Examine yourself and see where you are with God by repentance and faith”. Do you believe that you can live as commanded by the grace of God, the blood of Christ, and the Spirit’s power? Then you shall. Do you believe that you must obtain power to obey God?  If so, then you will, freely, by the blood of Christ and the promises of God through prayer, faith, and by the word. Do not DESPAIR, but enter into this examination for your good; it will be BETTER for you to have made sure of your election by works in this life, than to live in doubt, “hoping for the best and wishing upon a star“, but missing Christ.  Even true believers hurt themselves by not taking stock… but by the gospel, in remembrance that we’re but dust, God causes us to REPENT and make sure of ourselves with God, giving us the FRUIT of assurance, which is love, joy, peace, the fruit of the Spirit.

The Lord Judges Me (I Cor 4)

The Lord Judges Me (I Cor 4)

“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yes, I judge not my own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judges me is the Lord.”

The Lord Jesus is man’s judge, so my life’s ambition is to please Him. Knowing that I shall be judged, not by what I think or people say, I labor to be found acceptable of God in Christ, examining myself to be sure I’m in the faith – “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup” (I Cor 11:27).

We are to make our CALLING and election sure, evidencing and assuring ourselves that we know God. We take the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ in its glory and all it does for men, and then we BELIEVE it, and by BELIEVING, we have life. Then, we examine ourselves to make sure that we’re living in harmony with scripture. Where we are not, we repent, lest we suffer wrath – “But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are worked in God” (John 3:21).

The fear of the Lord is GOD’S gift to us. We don’t have it naturally, and even believers need growth in this fundamental knowledge that God is to be obeyed. Until we FEAR the Lord, obedience is optional at best, and we shall eat of our ways. But, knowing the terror of the Lord, we PREPARE ourselves and persuade men, even if we are called crazy because of the passion we serve with.

We beg, weep, labor, and PREACH because God is going to judge the world, and part of SELF-preparation is getting others ready. Christ said, “Go you therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt 28:19). You and I cannot RECEIVE the grace of God without becoming messengers of salvation. We serve Christ by loving people.

First, faithfulness is mandatory for ministers/stewards, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (I Cor 4:2). We must not be exciting, new, brilliant, popular, and many other things humans seek. But, we MUST be faithful to Jesus Christ and the gospel of His grace, proclaiming Him to be all in life and truth. He is the Savior of the world, so we preach, exalt, and honor Him, giving no glory to the flesh, no credit to ourselves, and all praise to God who saves by GRACE only.

Salvation by grace makes us weep tears of thankfulness, indebtedness, and joy. We REJOICE to see that we are REAL sinners, really rotten, and we’ve OBTAINED salvation by grace. He chose us, He died for the sins, and He came to us when we were venomous against Him. He washes our feet daily and pardons the DARKEST of transgressions. I thought recently what I often think with regard to forgiveness and indebtedness, “You don’t understand”. How can anyone understand the obligation that believers have to the Lord? Only by seeing how UTTERLY depraved we are… not were… that we ARE the chief of sinners and vilest of men… and for you and I to be saved, for me to be called to PREACH the gospel of Christ… is a privilege our brains cannot develop fully. But, we are OBLIGATED to honor Him who died for us, Him who taught us grace, Him who cleanses us from fall after fall, and He who makes us BETTER able to serve Him by the grace that DELIVERS us from sin.

Secondly, the apostle’s life was not one of ease, and neither is the life of faith – “Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place” (I Cor 4:9-11). Spiritual maturity doesn’t mean that you’re on easy street. God will keep you and I weak, so that we can minister by the power of Christ. We will not have ability to SAVE ourselves, so when He saves us by grace, glory goes to Him. Don’t expect an easy life, and don’t think that high spirituality means that you look down upon others and enjoy yourself. God afflicts those He makes a blessing so that we bless others from a Christ that is real and STRENGTH that’s of God, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (II Cor 12:9). It can’t be head knowledge. And, since the world hates our gospel, we have trials, heartbreak, and woe. Yet, this is the path of faithfulness, as we ENDURE these things in love, humility, and by grace, rather than sin, “being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it” (I Cor 4:12).

Lastly, the gospel is God’s method of salvation, so do everything you can for it – “For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have you not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel” (I Cor 4:15). Paul labored, preached, and served because he BELIEVED the gospel was God’s power to salvation. And, when people believe this, then they LIVE to make it known. We go from hearers to DOERS of the word, making sure that someone else can hear too – “But be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 2:22).

We spend our lives ADORNING the gospel, so that people will be drawn to the Lord, so that He will be honored, whether they come or not. We know that character matched with truth is what God uses to save; it is His weapon.

If the gospel is God’s power of salvation, then PREACH, live, and SERVE the gospel of Christ. Live that He be known in truth, following the counsel yourself.

Gleanings in the Vintage CIV (William Huntington)

(Concerning Fear and Love)

Church-street, Paddington.

YOURS came safe to hand. You fear of failing of the grace of God; this fear often springs from a knowledge of one's own heart, and the desperate deceitfulness of it; from pious suspicion, and godly, jealousy, and well becomes the young ––, as it is a spur to his prayers and inquiries. It excites a desire of being searched and tried, and led in the way everlasting. It is planted there to keep thee from stopping short, from settling on the old legal bottom, and from resting in thy former attainments: It will make thee forget those things which are behind, and keep thee pressing after those things which are before. Be thou in this fear all the day long, that thou mayest not depart from him.

A hypocrite is a stage-player; the part that he always acts is that of a saint of God, as the devil does that of an elect angel. He is one that begs at the door of mercy, but never hungered after the bread of life, nor the righteousness of Christ, having never felt the sting of death, nor the curse of a broken law. He covets the name of a saint, but in heart hates the grace that is in him. He mocks God in words, and men in appearance--it is all to be seen of men. His mouth goes one way, and his heart another; with the former he draws near to God, with the latter he is far from him. His outward appearance is righteous before men, his inward, extortion and excess; his religion is all in the crowd, none in the closet. He cannot believe, because he seeks honour from men, and not the honour that cometh from God only, John v. 44. He groans much under a sermon, but is never sick nor sorry; he often turns up his eyes to God, but has not one thought or affection with him. He is swift to speak, and slow to hear; often in raptures, but never in contrition; quick-sighted in the faults of others, but blind to all his own; sees a mote in a rival, and overlooks a beam in self. Ire loves to be flattered, but hates to be searched; talks much of relieving the poor, but steals half that is in the poor's bag; cannot endure waste in the ointment, but sells innocent blood for half the value. He strains at a Gnat, but swallows a camel; he treasures up wrath in religion, and cries not when God binds him for his dissimulation.

To love the Lord above every object, is doubtless the criterion of a saint; but as the carnal mind is enmity, and as the law stirs that enmity up, it is not expected to be found in an awakened soul, when the anger of God appears against it, and servile fear is predominant; which fear always has the wrath of God for its object, as filial fear has the goodness of God for the object of it. Moreover, all the time we doubt whether God loves us or no, our love will be clogged, it will be smoking flax; but it will not flame till a sense of God's love to us draws it forth. We may love a creature that does not love us, for nature loves nature, and corrupt affections love corruption, "With my flesh I love the law of sin;" but we cannot love God till he loves, or discovers a love to us moreover, "Where little is forgiven, the same loveth little." Again, love works according to the proportion of faith; if faith be weak, love will be languid; if strong, love will be warm, for faith works by love, Gal. v. 6.

There must be a love to him, where there is a restlessness for him, a dissatisfaction with every thing short of him, and an earnest desire for him, and the heart making diligent search after him "O thou whom my soul loveth, tell me where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon," Cant. i. 7. But that which swallows up all our love, is a love-visit from Christ, when we visits us with his free and full salvation; and faith in full exercise receives it, with a sense of God's love to us, shed abroad in our hearts-then, "Whom having not seen ye love; in whom though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory," I Pet. i. 8.

W. H

Not Grieved for Joseph (Amos 6:6)

“Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountains of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came… That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.” (vs1, 6)

People who don’t love God’s elect are not saved – (I John 4:7-8) “and every one that loves is born of God, and knows God. He that loves not knows not God; for God is love.” The Lord Jesus removes this selfishness from us, because He chastises the heart and makes us see everything is vain, except Him.

We’d destroy ourselves, but He rescues by affliction, causing us to see our shame. He says, “Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself”, but this happens to us in this life (Amos 2:14). He makes everything I would be enamored by, everything that would choke out the word, to become fruitless and empty. I can’t find the peace, love, and power that I need, and when all else is gone, Jesus Christ the Comforter of my soul comes in to give me faith and life by what He did.

He takes away earthly joy, to give us joy everlasting and spiritual. He removes earthly hope, so that we can have the true hope – (II Cor 4:17-18) “For our light affliction, which is but for a momen6t, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporary; but the things which are not seen are eternal”.

Some are not chastened, and they go on in their way, but God’s people are afflicted for our good. The Lord teaches us by what we endure, so that Asaph would not have looked and worshiped God, if he had not seen the folly of his unbelief. He said, after coveting the life of the ungodly, “My flesh and my heart fails: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever” (Ps 73:26).

The flesh crowds the word and wants vengeance upon us, but the Lord Jesus makes me care for others, by pardoning my sin – “Wherefore I say unto you, Her sins, which are many, have been forgiven; for she loved much”, this is how we know, “but to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little” (Luke 7:44-47). He gives us hearts to help the church and love people, because He gives us love for Himself in the remission of sins and acceptance in the Beloved.

The religion of Christ PRODUCES love to people, and those that don’t have it, don’t know God’s grace – “He that loves not knows not God; for God is love” (I John 4:8). The Word means nothing to us, unless we love.