"Evidences of God's Work in the Soul"

"Some of the evidences of God's work in the soul,
are: a lively interest in the things which concern
our eternal welfare, a trembling at God's Word
and being suitably affected thereby, hatred of sin,
loathing of self, and a childlike love for the Lord.

Ah, we never prize Divine grace so much--as
when we have been afflicted by indwelling sin.
It is a sense of our pollution and filth--
which moves us to turn again to the Fountain
open for sin and for impurity!"

- Arthur Pink, "Experimental Preaching" 1937

Craving Contentment?

Murmuring, dissatisfaction, discontent

(J. C. Ryle, "Be Content" 1885)

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with such things as you have, because God has said--Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

These words are very simple. A little child might easily understand them. They contain no high doctrine; they involve no deep metaphysical question; and yet, as simple as they are--the duty which these words enjoin on us, is of highest practical importance to all Christians.

Contentment is one of the rarest graces. Like all precious things--it is most uncommon. To practice contentment, is very hard. To talk of contentment in the day of health and prosperity is easy enough; but to be content in the midst of poverty, sickness, trouble, disappointments, and losses--is a state of mind to which very few can attain!

The fallen angels had heaven itself to dwell in, and the immediate presence and favor of God--but they were not content. Adam and Eve had the garden of Eden to live in, with a free grant of everything in it excepting one tree--but they were not content. Ahab had his throne and kingdom, but so long as Naboth's vineyard was not his--he was not content. Haman was the chief favorite of the Persian king--but so long as Mordecai sat at the gate--he was not content.

It is just the same everywhere in the present day. Murmuring, dissatisfaction, discontent with what we have, meet us at every turn. To say, with Jacob, "I have enough," seems flatly contrary to the grain of human nature. To say, "I want more," seems the mother tongue of every child of Adam.

Paul's direction ought to come with power to all our consciences: "Be content with such things as you have," not with such things as you once used to have--not with such things as you hope to have--but with such things as you now have. With such things, whatever they may be--we are to be content. With such a dwelling, such a family, such health, such income, such work, such circumstances as we now have--we are to be content.

Ah! reader, if you would be truly happy--seek it where alone it can be found. Seek it not in money, seek it not in pleasure, nor in friends, nor in learning. Seek it in having a will in perfect harmony with the will of God. Seek it in studying to be content.

You may say, that is fine talking--but how can we be always content in such a world? I answer, that you need to cast away your pride, and know your deserts, in order to be thankful in any condition. If men really knew that they deserve nothing, and are debtors to God's mercy every day--they would soon cease to complain.

Let me tell you why there is so little contentment in the world. The simple answer is, because there is so little grace, and true godliness. Few know their own sin; few feel their desert; and so few are content with such things as they have. Humility, self-knowledge, a clear sight of our own utter vileness and corruption; these are the true roots of contentment.

Let me tell you--what you should do, if you would be content. You must know your own heart, seek God for your portion, take Christ for your Savior, and use God's Word for your daily food. Contentment must be learned at the feet of Jesus Christ. He who has God for his friend, and heaven for his home--can wait for his good things, and be content with little here below.

HT: Grace Gems

Grace Gems: That Spiritual Pipe

A friend recently e-mailed me this which he had found at Grace Gems:


That spiritual pipe (Thomas Watson, "Christ All in All")

"Christ is all in all." Colossians 3:11

All good things are transmitted and conveyed to us, through Christ. As our rich commodities, such as jewels and spices, come to us by the sea, so all heavenly blessings sail to us through the red sea of Christ's blood!

Christ is that spiritual pipe through which the golden oil of mercy empties itself into the soul!

Christ is all in all. He is a treasury and storehouse of all spiritual riches! You may go with the bee, from flower to flower—and suck a little sweetnesshere and there—but you will never have enough until you come to Christ—for He is all in all.
There is enough in Christ . . .
to scatter all our fears,
to remove all our burdens,
to supply all our needs.

"The unsearchable riches of Christ." Ephesians 3:8

There can be no defect, in that which is infinite.

Christ is the most supreme good. Put what you will in the balance with Christ—He infinitely outweighs it.

Christ is the most sufficient good. He who has Christ needs no more. He who has the ocean—needs not the cistern.

Christ is the most suitable good. In Him dwells all fullness, Colossians 1:19. Christ is whatever the soul can desire.
Christ is . . .
beauty to adorn,
gold to enrich,
balm to heal,
bread to strengthen,
wine to comfort,
salvation to crown!

Christ sweetens all our comforts. He who has Christ may say, "This mercy is given to me by the hand of my Savior! This is a love-token from Him—a pledge of glory!"

Christ sanctifies all our crosses. They shall be medicinal to the soul; they shall work sin out—and work grace in. Christ sees to it that His people lose nothing in the furnace of affliction—but their drossy impurities.

Christ is the most rare blessing. Christ is a jewel that few are enriched with. This should both raise our esteem of Him—and quicken our pursuit after Him. Many hear of Christ—but few have Him. Manyhave Christ sounded in their ears—but few who have Christ formed in their hearts.

Christ is the most choice good. God shows more love in giving us Christ—than in giving us crowns and kingdoms! God may give a man many worldly things—and hate him. God may give others a little gold and silver—but if He gives you Christ, He gives you all that ever He had!

Without Christ, nothing else is good. Without Christ, health is not good; it is fuel for lust. Without Christ, riches are not good; they are golden snares. WithoutChrist, ordinances are not good; they are as breasts without milk. Without Christ, they will damn us. Millions go to hell, loaded with ordinances.

Make Christ all, in your affections. Desire nothing but Christ. He is the aggregation of all good things. Why should the soul desire less? How can it desire more? Love nothing but Christ. Love is the choicest affection; it is the richest jewel the creature has to bestow. Oh, if Christ is all—love Him better than all! He who is all, let Him have all. Give Him your love—who desires it most, and deserves it best.

Oh, Christian, have you seen the Lord Jesus? Has this morning-star shone into your heart with its enlightening, quickening beams? Then rejoice and be exceeding glad! Shall others rejoice in the world—and will not you rejoicein Christ! How much better is He than all other things!It reflects disparagement upon Christ—when His saints are sad and drooping. Is not Christ yours? What more would you have!

Be thankful for Christ. God has done more for you in giving you Christ—than if He had made you angels, or had given you the whole world! God cannot give a greater gift than Christ—who is all in all.

Here is a breast of comfort to every believer—Christ is all. When a Christian sees a deficiency in himself, he may see an all-sufficiency in his Savior! He who has Christ, has no lack—for "Christ is all!"

In the hour of death, a believer may rejoice. When he leaves all—he is possessed of all. A godly man say, "I fear not death, because I have Christ to go to! Death will but carry me to that torrent of divine pleasure,which runs at His right hand forevermore!" I have the desire to depart and be with Christ—which is far better!"Philippians 1:23

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We have just published Watson's choice sermon, "Christ All in All".

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Our featured audio sermon this week is "Internal Salvation"—an outstanding message from Arthur Pink on the nature of salvation! (26 minutes)

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Compliments of Grace Gems! A treasury of ageless sovereign grace devotional writings