KenH
Well-Known Member
We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.—Romans 8:28.
A poor sensible sinner would naturally be ready to make one exception here, and say, "How can sin, which I know and feel to be the very worst of all evils, work for any good?" But the Holy Ghost hath not excepted even this. Will any one say, Then let us do evil that good may come? Paul makes a terrible application to such, "Whose damnation is just,"—Romans 3:8. Therefore such cannot be the language of a believer's heart, for his salvation is sure, "he that believes shall be saved." Such, and only such, most assuredly know that all things work together for good. They love God, and this love inspires them with hatred to sin. But yet they are sinners, both by original sin and actual transgression; nevertheless, through the all-wise overruling power of a gracious covenant God, even the worst of evils, sin, shall work for his glory and their good. Is the art of a chemist able to extract the most salutary medicine from noxious and poisonous ingredients? and cannot the infinitely wise Jehovah, who at the beginning spoke chaos and confusion into beauty, and order and darkness into light, make evil to work for good? He hath done it. He will do it. Canst thou think of that world of sin and evil which was produced by the fall of man? Dost thou not know the still greater good which it has been made to work for man by Jesus Christ? If man had not sinned the glorious attributes of Jehovah had not been so eminently displayed. As this is true of a world of sin in general, so also of every sin in particular. Sin is natural to man. To make it work for good is the supernatural power of God. Sin should never have entered into the world, nor should it continue in God's people, was it not to magnify his grace and advance the glory of his name. Judas delivers Christ to death for gain: the Jews for envy: Pilate for fear. The devil provokes each through enmity. God makes all work for the spiritual good and eternal salvation of his people. Peter's fall shall be made to work for his humility and self-diffidence, and to strengthen his brethren.
- excerpt from William Mason's A Spiritual Treasury for the Children of God, Volume 1, July 11
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities.—Romans 8:26.
How reviving to the soul! how encouraging to the mind of a disciple, is it to hear the experience of his brethren and companions in the faith of Jesus! To this end the blessed Spirit hath caused the saints of old to leave on record his dealings of love with their souls. Thus is the word of God most valuable for our instruction, edification, and comfort. Let no poor follower of the Lamb think he is singular in feeling an insupportable pressure of infirmities. No; the children of God in all ages knew and felt the same. Whether prophets or apostles, none were perfectly free from inward distresses, temptations, fears, dejections, etc. All which arise from our still possessing a fallen nature, which subjects us to these sensations and feelings. They are our burdens. We cannot but feel them and groan under them. O sad and dreadful fall, which has so terribly maimed and bruised the royal offspring of God! Though we are kings' sons, yet like Mephibosheth we are lame in our hands and feet. Our infirmities are the effects of our FALL. Shortly we shall be perfectly freed from them. This is our glorious hope. But alas! how oft doth present distress deject our hopes; infirmities bow down the soul; faith grows languid; love declines; hope seems at the last gasp, just as if giving up the ghost. And indeed all would end in gloomy dejection and melancholy despair, if the Lord was entirely to forsake his new creation. But that never can be while the Father loves, the Lamb pleads, and the Spirit hath power to help. Therefore when the Spirit sees the souls of his charge pressed above measure in themselves, and ready to sink under their burdens, he reaches forth a tender hand of assistance; helps against infirmities, by enabling the soul to look to the adorable Jesus, to an everlasting covenant, to precious promises, to a reconciled God; and puts this sweet cry in the heart, Abba, Father. Then confidence revives; hope springs afresh; love is excited; the power of prayer breaks forth in the heart, and ascends in sweet fervor from the soul. Whatever flesh and blood may allege to the contrary, infirmities are made profitable to the soul; or Paul would never have declared, "most gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities." Why? is there any good in them for which they should be desired? No; but "that the power of Christ may rest upon us."—2 Corinthians 12:9.
- excerpt from William Mason's A Spiritual Treasury for the Children of God, Volume 1, July 12
A poor sensible sinner would naturally be ready to make one exception here, and say, "How can sin, which I know and feel to be the very worst of all evils, work for any good?" But the Holy Ghost hath not excepted even this. Will any one say, Then let us do evil that good may come? Paul makes a terrible application to such, "Whose damnation is just,"—Romans 3:8. Therefore such cannot be the language of a believer's heart, for his salvation is sure, "he that believes shall be saved." Such, and only such, most assuredly know that all things work together for good. They love God, and this love inspires them with hatred to sin. But yet they are sinners, both by original sin and actual transgression; nevertheless, through the all-wise overruling power of a gracious covenant God, even the worst of evils, sin, shall work for his glory and their good. Is the art of a chemist able to extract the most salutary medicine from noxious and poisonous ingredients? and cannot the infinitely wise Jehovah, who at the beginning spoke chaos and confusion into beauty, and order and darkness into light, make evil to work for good? He hath done it. He will do it. Canst thou think of that world of sin and evil which was produced by the fall of man? Dost thou not know the still greater good which it has been made to work for man by Jesus Christ? If man had not sinned the glorious attributes of Jehovah had not been so eminently displayed. As this is true of a world of sin in general, so also of every sin in particular. Sin is natural to man. To make it work for good is the supernatural power of God. Sin should never have entered into the world, nor should it continue in God's people, was it not to magnify his grace and advance the glory of his name. Judas delivers Christ to death for gain: the Jews for envy: Pilate for fear. The devil provokes each through enmity. God makes all work for the spiritual good and eternal salvation of his people. Peter's fall shall be made to work for his humility and self-diffidence, and to strengthen his brethren.
- excerpt from William Mason's A Spiritual Treasury for the Children of God, Volume 1, July 11
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities.—Romans 8:26.
How reviving to the soul! how encouraging to the mind of a disciple, is it to hear the experience of his brethren and companions in the faith of Jesus! To this end the blessed Spirit hath caused the saints of old to leave on record his dealings of love with their souls. Thus is the word of God most valuable for our instruction, edification, and comfort. Let no poor follower of the Lamb think he is singular in feeling an insupportable pressure of infirmities. No; the children of God in all ages knew and felt the same. Whether prophets or apostles, none were perfectly free from inward distresses, temptations, fears, dejections, etc. All which arise from our still possessing a fallen nature, which subjects us to these sensations and feelings. They are our burdens. We cannot but feel them and groan under them. O sad and dreadful fall, which has so terribly maimed and bruised the royal offspring of God! Though we are kings' sons, yet like Mephibosheth we are lame in our hands and feet. Our infirmities are the effects of our FALL. Shortly we shall be perfectly freed from them. This is our glorious hope. But alas! how oft doth present distress deject our hopes; infirmities bow down the soul; faith grows languid; love declines; hope seems at the last gasp, just as if giving up the ghost. And indeed all would end in gloomy dejection and melancholy despair, if the Lord was entirely to forsake his new creation. But that never can be while the Father loves, the Lamb pleads, and the Spirit hath power to help. Therefore when the Spirit sees the souls of his charge pressed above measure in themselves, and ready to sink under their burdens, he reaches forth a tender hand of assistance; helps against infirmities, by enabling the soul to look to the adorable Jesus, to an everlasting covenant, to precious promises, to a reconciled God; and puts this sweet cry in the heart, Abba, Father. Then confidence revives; hope springs afresh; love is excited; the power of prayer breaks forth in the heart, and ascends in sweet fervor from the soul. Whatever flesh and blood may allege to the contrary, infirmities are made profitable to the soul; or Paul would never have declared, "most gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities." Why? is there any good in them for which they should be desired? No; but "that the power of Christ may rest upon us."—2 Corinthians 12:9.
- excerpt from William Mason's A Spiritual Treasury for the Children of God, Volume 1, July 12