Continuance in Well-Doing
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"If you continue in My Word — then are you My disciples indeed." John 8:31.
There is an account given of a certain slave who had been treated with great kindness by his master. The favour shown to him was well deserved, for he appears to have been eminently faithful and devoted. At length the master resolved, as a reward for his good conduct, to grant him his liberty; and he was informed that he could go wherever he pleased, and serve any employer he thought proper. His instant reply was, "Me leave you, my dear master — Oh no! not for all the world! I need no wages to serve you!" And with special emphasis he added, "if you turn me out at one door — this poor nigger will come back in at once through the other!"
The spirit which this slave manifested, is one after which we ought to aspire in reference to Him, whose servants we profess to be. He loved his master, and the thought of leaving his service — he could not entertain for a single moment. He resolved to abide with him, for better and for worse, a resolve to which he gave utterance in the above simple, but very striking and emphatic words.
What the Saviour demands is not a mere temporary allegiance and devotedness — but He requires us to be steadfast and immovable to the end of our days. In order to this, several things are indispensable; but to have a thorough renewal of heart is doubtless the chief thing. There may be deep convictions, and warm and lively emotions, in the absence of this great change; but without a thorough renewal of heart — there will be nothing lasting. Unless the heart of stone is taken away, and a heart of flesh implanted in its stead — all will be in vain. We may be moved and melted, like stones in damp weather, which appear as if they were beginning to dissolve; but the dampness soon evaporates, and they are found to be stones still — cold, hard, and unyielding. So will it be with us — if we are satisfied with anything short of the fulfilment of the gracious promise, "I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone — and give you a heart of flesh. I will place My Spirit within you — and cause you to follow My statutes and carefully observe My ordinances."
If a new heart is created in us, and a right spirit is renewed within us, there will assuredly be patient continuance in the ways of the Lord. That the principles of divine grace in the soul possess a character of permanence, is a truth clearly set forth in the inspired volume. They are not like the summer's brook, which may soon dry up; but they resemble the full and over-flowing fountain. "Whoever drinks of this water," said Jesus, "shall thirst again: but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him — shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life!"
Of all the evidences of the possession of saving grace, a steady growth therein, is the most conclusive. If we spotted, towards the hour of early dawn, a faint gleam of light streaking the eastern horizon, and were not certain whether it was the break of day or not, what would be the best course to be pursued in seeking to decide the matter? It would evidently be to wait a little while. If it is the light of day, then it is sure to increase, and half an hour's patience will be more than sufficient to settle the point. While on the other hand, if it remains stationary, or, after a few fitful glimmerings, altogether disappears, it may be safely concluded that it is only the reflection of some artificial illumination.
Just so with the great concern. "The path of the just is as the shining light, which shines more and more, unto the perfect day." His course is steady, progressive, continuous; and it behoves us seriously to inquire whether ours is of that nature. May He who is able to preserve our goings, grant to us His continuing grace, so that, firmly rooted and grounded, we may never be moved away from the hope of the gospel.
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