Gems from December 17-21, 2004
December 17
"Grace reign[s] through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:21)
It is only in redemption that this reign of grace could be seen. We may see in creation the reign of wisdom and power; we may see in providence the reign of goodness and long-suffering; but only in redemption do we see the reign of grace, and that, too, on the principle of righteousness. (C.H. Mackintosh)
N.J. Hiebert # 2101
December 18
"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." (Luke 16:10)
There is a serving of one's time; that is, you will not be entrusted with very great works until you have proved your competency in small ones. It is impossible but that a star must shine, and it is equally so, that if your eye were single, your whole body would be full of light. The cause of idleness, or ignorance of one's mission is, either that one is not fit for it, or not free and humble in heart enough to begin at the little works appointed for one to do. (J.B.S.)
N.J. Hiebert # 2102
December 19
"Jesus Himself drew near, and went with them." (Luke 24:15)
Jesus Himself! Nothing less is offered to us. If we want Him, we can have Him. All that He is, and all that He has, may be ours. Our Christianity, to be all that it ought to be and may be, must be just this - Himself.
The true and perfect knowledge of Him really settles every difficulty. To know Him is to know God, and to know God is to end our doubts. Christ had none, because this knowledge was His; and it may be ours.
"In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power." (Colossians 2:9,10) (Selected)
N.J. Hiebert # 2103
December 20
The wages of sin is death." (Romans 6:23)
Man may seek to hide his humiliation in various ways; to cover his retreat through the valley of death in the most heroic manner possible; to call the last humiliating stage of his career by the most honourable titles he can devise; to gild the bed of death with a false light; to adorn the funeral procession and the grave with the appearance of pomp, pageantry, and glory; to raise above the mouldering ashes a splendid monument, on which are engraved the records of human shame. All these things he may do; but death is death after all, and he cannot keep it off for a moment, or make it aught else than what it is; namely, "the wages of sin is death; BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD." "THANKS BE UNTO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT." (2 CORINTHIANS 9:15) (Selected) Having read this, can you be of good cheer?
N.J. Hiebert # 2104
December 21
"Ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord.... Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching." (Luke 12:36,37)
Our Lord would have us "watch" as well as "wait" for His coming. Both imply spiritual activity. Waiting souls are certainly not sleeping; for waiting according to our Lord's mind must be with girded loins, diligence in His service, and lights burning, thus bearing clear testimony to Him in the power of the Holy Spirit during the darkness of the night. (H.H.S.)
N.J. Hiebert # 2105
