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Author
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Topic: STANDING, WALKING AND RUNNING
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Carol Swenson
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Member # 6929
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posted
Good post WildB
The persevering obedience of faith in Christ, was the race set before the Hebrews, wherein they must either win the crown of glory, or have everlasting misery for their portion; and it is set before us.
By the sin that does so easily beset us, understand that sin to which we are most prone, or to which we are most exposed, from habit, age, or circumstances. This is a most important exhortation; for while a man's darling sin, be it what it will, remains unsubdued, it will hinder him from running the Christian race, as it takes from him every motive for running, and gives power to every discouragement.
When weary and faint in their minds, let them recollect that the holy Jesus suffered, to save them from eternal misery. By stedfastly looking to Jesus, their thoughts would strengthen holy affections, and keep under their carnal desires. Let us then frequently consider him.
What are our little trials to his agonies, or even to our deserts? What are they to the sufferings of many others?
There is a proneness in believers to grow weary, and to faint under trials and afflictions; this is from the imperfection of grace and the remains of corruption. Christians should not faint under their trials. Though their enemies and persecutors may be instruments to inflict sufferings, yet they are Divine chastisements; their heavenly Father has his hand in all, and his wise end to answer by all.
They must not make light of afflictions, and be without feeling under them, for they are the hand and rod of God, and are his rebukes for sin. They must not despond and sink under trials, nor fret and repine, but bear up with faith and patience.
God may let others alone in their sins, but he will correct sin in his own children. In this he acts as becomes a father. Our earthly parents sometimes may chasten us, to gratify their passion, rather than to reform our manners. But the Father of our souls never willingly grieves nor afflicts his children. It is always for our profit. Our whole life here is a state of childhood, and imperfect as to spiritual things; therefore we must submit to the discipline of such a state.
When we come to a perfect state, we shall be fully reconciled to all God's chastisement of us now. God's correction is not condemnation; the chastening may be borne with patience, and greatly promote holiness. Let us then learn to consider the afflictions brought on us by the malice of men, as corrections sent by our wise and gracious Father, for our spiritual good.
(Matthew Henry)
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
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WildB
Moderator
Member # 2917
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posted
STANDING, WALKING AND RUNNING FOR GOD
by Cornelius R. Stam
In a way the Christian life is a stand; in another it is a walk, and in still another a race.
In I Cor. 15:1 the Apostle Paul writes of "the gospel... wherein ye stand" and in Rom. 5:2 of "this grace wherein we stand," while in Gal. 5:1 he bids us: "Stand fast... in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free." Perhaps all this is well summed up in his appeal to his beloved Philippians:
"Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown... stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved" (Phil. 4:1).
But the Christian life is more than a stand -- it is a walk (which in Scripture refers to conduct). Once, says Paul, we walked "in trespasses and sins" (Eph. 2:1,2) but having been saved by grace, through faith in Christ, we are now to "walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:4). Thus the Apostle bids us to "walk worthy of the Lord" (Col. 1:10), to "walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Eph. 5:15-16).
But the Christian life is even more than a walk; it is a race. Sad to say, many Christians whose "walk" is consistent and commendable, have never come to look upon the Christian life as a race. These never put enough into it so that it might be said of them that they are running. Yet the same great Apostle wrote, by divine inspiration:
"Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Heb. 12:1).
The word "patience" in this passage points up the fact that the Christian life is not a short "hundred-yard dash"; it requires much endurance. Thus we should put into it all that we have. "They which run in a race," says the Apostle, "run all," but they do not all receive the prize. Hence the admonition: "So run that ye may obtain" (I Cor. 9:24).
Those who have not trusted Christ as Savior have not even begun to stand, or walk, much less to run a race for Him. These might as well forget rewards until they first accept "the gift of God... eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23).
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That is all.....
Posts: 8775 | From: USA, MICHIGAN | Registered: Mar 2004
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