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Rejoicing Always
The Portrait of the Mature Christian {FOOTNOTE: Reprinted from The Herald of Christ’s Kingdom, April 1, 1924.} Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.— 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 One striking peculiarity of the apostolic epistles is that a large portion of them is devoted to an unfolding of the future high, exalted station that God sets before the consecrated ones of this Gospel age; and the remainder of the epistles are given to description of the effects that an acceptance of the call to run in the race for the great prize should produce in the lives of such. This we find to be true in this epistle of Paul to the Christian believers at Thessalonica. It is a fact well known that great truths may be taken into the head, may be intellectually discerned, and yet produce little or no effect in the life. In such cases it is not the truths that are at fault, but it is those who imperfectly receive them. It is therefore proper and reasonable to conclude that if these wonderful truths do not produce the effects that the inspired apostles describe, if they do not effect a change in the everyday life of those professing to be the recipients of the same, then such have not yielded, or are not yielding up their wills, all their ransomed powers to the one who purchased them with the pouring out of his life. “Ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19,20), are the solemn words of Christ’s chosen apostle, St. Paul. Description of One Closely United to God To know whether we are truly consecrated or not, it is absolutely necessary to have instruction not only concerning the high and heavenly calling itself, but also concerning the effects that a Scriptural reception of these blessed truths have when received into the heart and life. This Thessalonian epistle, like all the others, has much to say about the “high calling of God in Christ Jesus,” and the heavenly hope of the Christian. The words “rejoice evermore” are the first of seven exhortations which close the epistle. Examining closely these exhortations we discover that they describe those characterizing features that make up the life of the consecrated. In other words, these seven characteristics may very appropriately be termed a portrait of the perfect or mature man in Christ Jesus. These seven qualities mentioned by the apostle may be compared to a chain; if a single link be broken, the chain is rendered useless until it is repaired. There is no age or generation, no condition or circumstance in life where Christ is known, in which these apostolic exhortations are not only practical but indispensable. In days of sunshine and in days of gloom, in life’s bright scenes or in life’s dark scenes, in times of peace and quiet and in times of tribulation and distress, when the heart is bounding and when it is mourning, in times of prosperity or in times of adversity, it is always possible for the mature Christian to rejoice, to be unceasing in prayer, to quench not the spirit, to abstain from every appearance of evil, and in every thing to give thanks. All these features combined describe one who is closely united to God, and is thoroughly in earnest in his efforts to please him. These characteristics describe one who has a deep sense of his own unworthiness and deficiencies; but more than all this they describe a whole-hearted appreciation of the divine arrangement in Christ to make him acceptable, and to cause him to have fellowship and communion with the infinite God as a loving and kind Father. Rejoice Evermore It will be the first striking feature of this Christian portrait that we will consider at this time, namely “Rejoice evermore.” In these remarkable words we are reminded first of all that true Christianity is not a gloomy thing, not a depressed state of existence. It is true that pure Christianity does have the effect not only to separate one from the evils of the world, but to a certain extent also to separate from what may be termed legitimate, worldly pleasures, pursuits, and amusements. The thought of this, however, is not that the giving up of these things is depriving him of pleasure, rather, that he has come into the possession of higher enjoyments—pleasures that are eternal enjoyments that have only their beginning in the present life, and continue in a fuller and richer measure in the life beyond. In whatever the Christian gives up, he suffers no loss of real pleasure that he is not more than compensated for even in this life in the enjoyment and pleasures of a spiritual kind. The Christian is not exempt from the trials and tribulations, the adversities and perplexities which flesh is heir to, but he has one who is with him in all these circumstances and conditions, and the great ambition and purpose of his heart ever is that he may evidence by his life that this one who is with him lifts him above these trials and adversities, and enables him to bear them all with patience and fortitude. He knows that these earthly experiences that seem from the natural standpoint to work against him are being overruled for his development into the likeness of his master; he is enabled to see that these light afflictions which are but for a moment, work out for him a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while he looks not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. He is enabled to see that these seemingly adverse things, are providential occasions for him to show what faith in his Lord can do for him, and thus give a witness, a testimony to God’s favor and power in Christ. One has truly said, that even “the saddest aspects of a Christian’s daily life, are but the April showers of spring that usher in the bright and beautiful summer—the everlasting and the heavenly sunshine.” To many, perhaps to the great majority of those who take the name of Christian, the Christian life seems more like a penance than a life of fellowship with God. The Word of God does not so describe it; rather does it describe it as a blessed and exalted privilege. It is true, that if it were not for the “blessed hope” that looks beyond this vale of tears, the Christian would not be able to fulfil the exhortation of the text and “rejoice evermore.” The Christian life, therefore, cannot be separated from the hope of the life beyond. The more firmly this hope is laid hold of, the more it becomes a living reality, and the more the Christian is enabled to rejoice in all conditions. The hope that expresses not only desire, but confident expectation that it will be realized in “due time,” has the effect of causing the Christian to rejoice in tribulation, and even when experiencing bitter sorrow, to joy in God, knowing that all things are working together for his eternal good. Hope is an element that to a greater or less extent exists in all, although to the children of this world, because of not understanding God’s love as revealed in his purposes for them, it does not reach beyond this vale of tears. It serves, however, to tide them over many of earth’s sorrows and trials. The poet has expressed this in the words:
That My Joy Might Remain In You The Christian life is not a reluctant sacrifice wrung from us, but a joyous free-will offering, gladly and gratefully rendered by us. The Christian’s joy is not in the trials, difficulties, tribulations, and sorrows that he encounters, but in spite of them all, and in the midst of them all, he has a deep and abiding joy. His joy is in God—in the thought that he is in union with God through Christ; that he has been accepted by him. His joy is enhanced as he remembers that he is a branch in that heavenly vine that the heavenly Father is pruning that it might be fruitful. “These things [that is, that you are a branch in that vine] have I spoken unto you,” said the Savior, “that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” The Christian’s secret of a happy life is in knowing, and ever keeping in mind, that he is a child of God; that Christ is his elder brother; that his standing and acceptance are in him; that the God and father of the Lord Jesus Christ is his father; and that it is not by works of righteousness that he has done, but by his own mercy he saves him “by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the holy spirit.” How true, how encouraging, how thrilling are the words concerning this from one long since departed, but who has left his footprints in the sands of time: “Unless our hearts are filled with the joy that the gospel imparts, our life must become gloomier the longer it lasts. Unless a Christian feels the joy that this blessed book makes known, his life will grow sadder the nearer it draws to a close, and the most aged man will necessarily be the saddest. I appeal to experience. Do we not feel that as we grow older we become less susceptible of impressions from the joys that once shone so brilliantly and struck us with such force before? You now look at the child playing with his bubbles and wonder how the little child can be so pleased, perhaps forgetting that kings are only playing with bubbles more splendid, but no less empty, as seen by angels and the inhabitants of the higher spheres. Do not those who have reached the middle of life, and look back on the march they have left behind, notice that the procession of those who are no more with us grows longer every day; and scenes that made the heart bound and set the feelings all on fire twenty years ago, now cease to produce the least effect when repeated and even radiant with more than their former brilliancy. Do we not find that, try as we like, we cannot recall the romance of childhood, or rekindle the dying embers of departed youth, or restore to the canvas the bright colors that have faded, and gone forever and ever. “But here lies the charm of Christianity— here is the preciousness of the Gospel of Christ, that as natural joys ebb away and are spent, heavenly ones rush into their forsaken channels. As the past ceases to impress, the future and the heavenly begins to shower down new and better pleasures. As the old heart dies to the excitements that thrilled it once, the new heart begins to come under the influence of those brighter and better joys that come from the future. As earth ceases to attract, heaven begins, if we are Christians, more powerfully to draw us. We cease to look backward to a world that cannot give us real delight, and begin to look forward to a brighter and a better world, that, like a distant star, grows lovelier the nearer we approach it. Old age without religion loses two worlds at once; the world that is past is gone, and it has no future world to go to{FOOTNOTE: While the world has a future hope, it does not know it now.}; but old age inspired by living religion, only exchanges the old world that is ready to perish, for the new, the brighter and more glorious world that begins to burst upon it. Of all beings upon earth, we pity an old man without living religion. We pity the young that have not that which can sanctify their joy; but still more we pity the old whose hearts are dry and empty channels of streams that have evaporated, and are not replenished with the living waters that flow from the fountain of God and of the Lamb. Thus we see how precious religion is, even if for no other reason than that it takes the place of those joys that have withered, and cheers us as we go down the other side of the hill towards the valley of the shadow of death; so that as the pleasures of memory fade, the pleasures of a sure hope shall become brighter every day.” — John Cumming Why is it the privilege of the Christian to “rejoice evermore”? What is the foundation for his rejoicing? What has he in which to “rejoice evermore”? We answer: So far as he personally is concerned, the Christian as such has much in which to rejoice: he has nothing that need make him sad and dejected. God has forgiven all his past sins; in Christ he has redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. We have a throne of grace to which we may approach that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. We are frail and weak, and cumbered with infirmities; but we have a great high priest who is “touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” We have received of God’s own spirit, which bears witness with ours that we are his children, his sons. We have the blessed privilege of knowing that the great God of all is dealing with us as his sons; and while he sees best at times to chasten us, we know that these chastenings are necessary and for our good, in order that we might become a partaker of his holiness. We are made aware of the fact that there is a special providence over us —that all things work together for our good because we love God, and are the called according to his purpose. Jesus tells us that the Father loves us, and that he himself will love us to the end. Faith Lays Hold of the Promises The inspired apostle tells us that he that hath begun a good work in us will complete it unto the day of Jesus Christ. Another apostle tells us that “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” are freely given to us of God. If persecution comes to us because of our identification with Christ, or for his sake, he tells us to rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is our reward in heaven. We not only have the spirit witnessing with ours that we are the children of God, but witnessing also that we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ if so be that we suffer with him. We know that we are no longer under condemnation, no longer subject to bondage, for we have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but we have received the spirit of adoption [sonship] whereby we cry, Abba, Father. We have the witness that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren. We are enabled as our faith lays hold of these exceeding great and precious promises, to rejoice in tribulation, knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy spirit that is given unto us. As for spiritual blessings, which are the greatest of all blessings, we are told that even now by faith we are raised up and privileged to sit with Christ in heavenly places. We have the blessed privilege of having made known to us of God the mystery of his will, according to the good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself; that it is his purpose in the dispensation of the fullness of times to gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth. We have the promise of Christ that he will come again and receive us unto himself that where he is there we may be also; that when he who is our life shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in glory. Furthermore, we have had made known to us God’s wonderful Plan of the Ages—that all mankind are objects of his love; that he gave his son to be a ransom for all to be testified in due time; that our loved ones, who in the present life are not able to see his love, will in a due time appointed be privileged to learn of it, and profit by it to the extent of being offered the privilege of attaining everlasting life. In other words, there is not only set before the church an opportunity to obtain eternal glory, but there is a hope to be set before the world, that of obtaining restitution or earthly glory. And we are told that nothing shall separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. I Know In Whom I Have Believed “What more can he do for me?” says one. “He has given me his Word to guide me, his holy spirit to teach and comfort me, and the bright promise of an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away. And as if to make me sure of all, he has said, All things are yours, Paul, or Apollas, or Cephas, the world, things present, things to come; life or death—all are yours, because you are Christ’s. In what sense are all yours? All the world’s troubles and trials are mine, to keep me from presumption—all the world’s joys and blessings are mine, to keep me from despair or doubt—all things that are in the world work for good to them that love God, and who are the called according to his purpose. I see nothing in the law that can harm me—nothing in the Bible that can depress me, but much in every page, more in every providential arrangement of heaven, to cheer me, and to make me respond with joyous utterance to the prescription of the apostle, rejoice evermore.” While the Bible does not teach that the full assurance of faith is an absolute duty, it does teach that it is a blessed possibility. There are unquestionably Christians who can say with unfeigned lips, “I know in whom I have believed and am persuaded, that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12). And there are doubtless others who can say, “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee; and when heart and flesh fail, thou wilt be the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.” As one has said, “Faith believes in Christ for salvation; assurance, which is a step higher, believes that in Christ we already have salvation. Both are saving. The first is saving only, the second is saving and comforting too. And an apostle writing says, “These things I write unto you—wishing them to have full assurance—that your joy may be full.” The Christian’s joy may be increased even beyond that of full assurance of joy, on account of his own acceptance and hope of the eternal inheritance in the future. A Christian has something to give to others. If we wish to retain and keep this full assurance of joy, we must give out liberally of that good we have received of God; we must remember and practice the words of the Lord Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” In all you give to the needy, in all you give to those in distress, in all you lay on the altar of sacrifice, there is not the slightest ground for boasting, but there is much in it that will increase your joy evermore. It is the great unchanging law of God, that the more you give out of a heart that is moved by the spirit of the Great Giver himself, the richer the harvest of joy will be reaped now and evermore. The one who gives most, enjoys most. The Blessedness of Giving One has most eloquently expressed this: “Every cup of cold water that you give to the thirsty, every kind look that you reflect on the needy, every morsel of bread that you impart to the hungry, every helping hand you hold out to the down-trodden, every text truth you whisper in the ear of the dying, every page of the Bible you send forth to the distant ignorant, comes back to you in waves of swelling joy, and by a beautiful reaction you reap whilst you sow, and taste the blessedness whilst you exercise beneficence of giving to them who need your sympathy and assistance. It is a grand and blessed law in God’s holy providence, that if you try to increase your own joy by gratifying your desires and appetites, you find that you stimulate them by indulgence, and the more you give them, the more they necessarily crave. But, on the other hand, if you wish to increase your joy by denying your own desires and appetites, and giving as a ministry to the wants and necessities of others, you will find that though your desires and appetites are thus unstimulated, yet will your gratification increase; the more you give the more you will swell the current of happiness, and multiply the joys of your heart. To rejoice always, therefore, give always. There is that that scattereth that increaseth. The story is told of a man who had made an ample fortune and retired to a country-seat to enjoy it. But when he had nothing to do, he became absolutely wretched, so much so that he formed the horrible idea of committing suicide. Going to drown himself he met a poor woman who had not tasted bread for four and twenty hours; she was cold, ragged, wretched, and starving. She implored aid, he gave her a shilling. The grateful smile reflected from that starving woman’s face stopped him in his tracks, and he returned a wiser and a better man, saying to himself, “If God makes me the instrument of giving happiness by the gift of a shilling, I think he must have more work for me to do in the world.” How different does the Bible describe the experiences of some of God’s saints who lived in the Law age with its lesser light and privilege, compared to the experiences of average Christians all around us. The tendency is to read the utterances of some of the old prophets and saints as though they were simply beautiful ideals that can never be realized, instead of real practical experiences, expressions of faith and confidence in God. One of these old saints of God when brought under circumstances in which everything of earthly comfort was slipping from his grasp gave utterrance to the beautiful words, “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:17,18). The words describe a state of famine, desolation, and abject poverty. Under such circumstances what would the average man say? The stoic would say, “I will render myself insensible to it; I will be like the granite rock.” The mere man of the world would say, “I will destroy myself.” The mere philosopher would say, “I will submit to it.” But the mature Christian, who has come to know him in whom he has believed, will triumphantly say, “I will [notwithstanding all this] rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” We Sorrow Not As Others Perhaps you have suffered a more severe trial than is described in these words. It may be that the dearest object of your earthly affections has been taken away. There is no condition or circumstance that can come to some which so tends to crush the human heart, and open the flood gates of grief and sorrow, like that of the loss of a loved one, no condition that is more calculated to make one feel forlorn and alone, and cause earth to have no more attractions and charms. As we look down into the palid face of the one we loved on earth better than all others, who was the companion of our life, the one above all others that we felt we could not bear to part with, the one on whom perhaps we depended and whom we could least of all spare, the one who seemed actually a part of ourself; as we gaze into the face of our beloved dead, can we then rejoice, when our hearts are crushed with sorrow and our eyes are filled with tears; or when our grief is so great, when our sorrow is so deep, that even tears, which would bring some measure of relief, refuse to flow: Can we then rejoice? Yes, we reply, even then the Christian may rejoice. He may realize an undertone of peace and joy even in his bitterest sorrow; for if the loved one was a Christian then there is no loss; he has only gone quietly to rest in the tomb which is only the inn, the resting place for a night of the weary traveler on the way to the New Jerusalem, the city of God. When we part from our friends, our loved ones here on earth, for a few months we say Good-bye, and are not sure we will meet them again. But when Christians part from Christians, they know it is only for a “little while” until they will meet again in the morning that shall usher in the bright day that shall never end. If the loved one be not a Christian, yet there is hope. Such only sleep in Jesus, who purchased them with his own precious blood, and when God’s “due time” shall come, they too shall awake in a better land where they shall be able to learn of God’s great love; there they will be free from the distraction and confused teaching that hindered them from learning it in the present life. But there is another hour that must come to us, to all, both young and old, the hour when we ourselves must come face-to-face with the grim monster, the great enemy death. In this dark hour Christians have rejoiced, and Christianity teaches us that we may rejoice. The one having been faithful will realize as he approaches this hour inspired by God, that the life and body that is being yielded up are but the worn out and broken temple in which divine service is now ended. Such an one can rest confidently in the hope that in God’s due time he shall gloriously triumph over death and be clothed with the immortal body from heaven. Consequently death, while an enemy, comes to the Christian clad in no robes of terror, but with a bright and joyous welcome. And why should not a Christian rejoice at death, for he simply goes to rest with others, waiting to join the companionship of those with whom he took sweet counsel upon earth; and more than all else, to meet his Father and his beloved Lord and master. So if you are a Christian, rejoice. It gives honor to the one who bought you if you rejoice. Indeed, you owe it to God, to show to the world that your savior enables you to rejoice. It is in this way that perchance you may draw someone to that spring from which you have received the life-giving medicine that makes even the present life one of joy and rejoicing. |