Gold Nugget 304 - First Germ of True Religion

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Deuteronomy 110.doc (24 KB)
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      A parent has claims beyond all other men upon our love, obedience, and service.  Parents are deserving our heartfelt honour.  They claim this on the ground of position and relationship, irrespective of personal merit. 

      Parents stand towards their children, through all the years of infancy, in the stead of God.  For years the human babe is wholly dependent upon its parent; and this serves as schooling and discipline, whereby it learns its dependence upon a higher Parent yet.  The disposition and conduct required in us towards our parents is the same in kind as that required towards God.

      Filial reverence is the first germ of true religion.  Hence the promises of reward are akin.  The family institution is the foundation of the political fabric.  The health and well-being of the home is the fount of national prosperity.  If parents are honoured, “it shall be well with thee.”  This, a law for individuals, a low for society, and a low for nations.

 

The Pulpit Commentary, Deuteronomy p. 110, Deuteronomy 5:6-21.. (D. Davies)

 

Gold Nugget 304

First Germ of True Religion

 

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Gold Nugget 303 - Stamp of True Dignity

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Deuteronomy 99.doc (24 KB)
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      We regard man’s nature as triple – body, soul, and spirit.  As an acute and learned divine remarks, “The body is the link between the soul and the world, the soul is the link between the body and the spirit; the spirit is the link between the soul and God.”

      It is in reference to our spirit-nature that we are made in the image of God.  He is “the Father of spirits.”  The same Book which reveals God to us, reveals us to ourselves.  Any one who understands the structure of his own nature, will perceive which part thereof was meant to rule the rest.

      The body is to be at the service of the soul, the soul is to be regulated by the spirit, and God is to govern all.  But it is by the great work of redemption that the stamp of true dignity has been most clearly impressed on man.  The Apostle Paul tells us that it was through the cross that he learned truly to estimate human nature. …

      No part of the body is base unless basely used.  All its functions are to be discharged “in sanctification and honour.”

 

The Pulpit Commentary, Deuteronomy p. 99, Deuteronomy 5:18, (C. Clemance)

See also:  2 Corinthians 5:16)

 

Gold Nugget 303

Stamp of True Dignity

 

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Gold Nugget 302 - A Piece of Bare Justice

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Deuteronomy 95-97.doc (26 KB)
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      … “Honor thy father and thy mother.”... If parents were bad, the best honour the children can render them is to become better than they were.  So that we may note, once for all … that the commandment recognizes it as incumbent on parents to see that their lives and rules are such as their children can honour, and that their precepts accord with those of the Father of spirits. …

      During the earlier stages of life, while needing the fostering care and sheltering love of the home, implicit obedience is a child’s first duty. … The parent’s precepts may be distasteful, even rigid, but if they are right, it is the child’s part implicitly to obey.

      Honouring parents is the form which obedience will take when the child is growing up towards manhood.  No wise parent would think of directing a lad of sixteen as closely as he would a child of six years; at the same time, though the father may give him more liberty, it may not be either wise or right on the son’s part to take all the liberty which is given.  At that age his own sense of honour and right ought to be sufficiently strong to guide him; and respect and reverence for his parents will create a loyal regard to their wishes when once they are known, and will lead him to deny himself a great deal that might be gratifying to him, rather than cause pain to or cross the wishes of those to whom he owes his life.  Rude words to a parent … disputing his rule in the house, will be utterly out of the question where a youth wishes to live in the fear of God.

      Supporting them may become a duty.  There will come a time, if the parents are spared to see their children grow up in life, when they will lean on the children, rather than the children on them.  If the children are worthy, they will let their parents lean on them, and will show them that they can be as faithful to their parents in their weakness, as the parents when in their strength were to them.

      Becoming an honour to them is another way of honouring them … by living so that they can feel proud of what their children are, quite apart from what they do.  If a father can say, “My son never gave me an uneasy thought about him,” that is such a testimony as a son might well wish him to be able to bear. …

      We may honour our parents by honouring that holy marriage tie which made them what they were to us. … We may well desire to honour them by taking on our lips that dear Name which gladdened them in life and sustained them in death.

      Obedience to parents is simply a piece of bare justice.  For, consider how much we owe them.  When we first came into being their care and watchfulness guarded and supplied us long ere we knew aught.  They thought us, perhaps, something wonderful, when no one else thought anything of the kind, save in the reverse sense.  Ought not all this to be repaid? … It will be no small addition to the joy of retrospect, if, as we afterwards look back on our home life, we can think of it as one of filial loyalty on one side and of parental delight on the other!

 

The Pulpit Commentary, Deuteronomy p. 95-97, Deuteronomy 5:16, (C. Clemance)

 

Gold Nugget 302

A Piece of Bare Justice

 

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Gold Nugget 301 - A Well-Directed Purpose

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II Corinthians 231.doc (24 KB)
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      Physical life is maintained in us by certain natural processes which never cease from the moment of birth to the moment of death.  The lungs play always, and the heart beats always.  We call these automatic movements, as being not dependent on our volition.  They continue when we are fast asleep.  But moral and spiritual life rises above mere automatism, and requires for its continuance and growth a succession of moral volitions, a steady and well-directed purpose.

      Now, is this state of the will possible?  Reason will answer that it is the proper habit of a healthy and vigorous mind.  Weak minds are obstinate or fickle; dull minds are stolid and monotonous; but those that are strong and intelligent have a steady moral pulse, a wise tenacity of purpose, and a careful balance of temper and will.

      It is the most rational, healthy and happy condition of man to believe firmly what he believes, and to maintain an even tenor of conduct in harmony with his belief.

 

The Pulpit Commentary, II Corinthians p. 231, II Corinthians 9:8, (D. Fraser)

 

Gold Nugget 301

A Well-Directed Purpose

 

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Gold Nugget 300 - Coals Put Together

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      The languid and unemotional, the cold and calculating, however they may pride themselves upon their justice and reasonableness, are not the people who do the good, the benevolent work of the world.  It is good to be zealously affected in a good cause. …

      We are members one of another, and it is not desirable, it is not possible, for any person, for any community, to be indifferent to the welfare of others.  And the conduct of each has some influence upon the conduct of others.  It is not easy to be zealous when all around are unconcerned and inactive, whilst, on the other hand, the spectacle of zealous devotion and self-denial is stimulating and encouraging. …

      It cannot but be acknowledged that emulation may lead to ostentation.  Who can question that the motive of some givers to charitable and religious institutions is impure?  One wishes to excel another, for the pleasure of triumphing over him, or of cutting a more important figure in the eyes of his fellow-men.  And thus the true motive is lost sight of, and a moral injury is wrought. …

      We may learn from the case of others what may be done where there is consecration, self-denial, and prayerful effort.  Our apathy may be rebuked, our flagging benevolence revived.  It is when the coals are not only kindled, but put together, that the fire burns clear and bright, and gives forth its genial warmth.

 

The Pulpit Commentary, II Corinthians p. 225, II Corinthians 9: 2, (R. Tuck)

 

Gold Nugget 300

Coals Put Together

 

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Gold Nugget 299 - A Familiar Old Saying

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II Corinthians 216.doc (24 KB)
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      There is a familiar old saying that “Hell is paved with good intentions;” it might have been with “good associations.”  Such associations are good if they are used as helps, but not if they are relied on as sufficient.  They are only evil if they are allowed to hinder personal anxiety.  Religion is personal or it is nothing.

 

The Pulpit Commentary, II Corinthians p.216, II Corinthians 8:5, (R. Tuck)

 

Gold Nugget 299

A Familiar Old Saying

 

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Gold Nugget 298 - The Twin Guides

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I Corinthians 274.doc (24 KB)
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      Knowledge without love leads to pride; intolerance; selfishness; injury to others; many blunders in thought, feeling, and action.  Knowledge is not enough for a people.  We may have abundance of knowledge, and yet be very unwise, very injurious, and very unlovable.

      Love without knowledge leads to moral catastrophe.  It is impossible to predict what conduct may result from mere affection.  Knowledge is necessary to determine within what limits we may rightly act.  Knowledge can decide for us what is “lawful.”  Love determines what, within the circle of the lawful, we should choose. 

      Knowledge and love united lead us to that more perfect, that penetrating, that true practical knowledge … True love controlling sound knowledge leads to a deeper insight – in other words, to a truer knowledge. …

      Knowledge says, “Do all that you have a right to do;” Love says, “Consider others, especially the weak.”  Knowledge alone leads to contempt of the weak and ignorant and to indifference as to how they are affected; but Love champions the cause of those who specially need consideration and help. … This is the path of the truest knowledge; for here we learn not only what we may do, but what in the highest sense we ought to do. …

      We need, for safe guidance, the twin guides, knowledge and love. 

 

The Pulpit Commentary, I Corinthians p.274, Corinthians 8:1-11, (E. Hurndall)

 

Gold Nugget 298

The Twin Guides

 

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Gold Nugget 297 - A Settled Purpose

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Ezekiel II 295-296.doc (25 KB)
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      There is in all men’s nature a principle assuming various forms – impulse, propensity, passion.  If there were no such principle, we cannot see how human life could go forward.  It is the spring, the motive power, of the machine.  It is not implanted within us in order that it may be eradicated, but in order that it may be governed, directed, controlled.  It itself is not bad.  But passions become bad when misdirected and uncontrolled by reason and conscience. …

      Anger, lust, or some other passion prompts to a certain course of action.  The mischief is wrought when the man, in the exercise of choice, accepts as the motive of his action, and identifies himself with, a passion, the indulgence of which works evil, preferring such a principle of action to a higher and better one. …

      It is not a single feeling, a single purpose, which usually accounts for a man’s, a nation’s evil ways.  The mischief, when isolated, might be checked.  But it is too often fostered and thus encouraged, complicated, and multiplied, as the mind broods upon it.  A mere fancy becomes, when encouraged, a desire; a desire, when encouraged, becomes a settled purpose. …

      The desire does not long remain such; it tends to its satisfaction.  The device is a means to an end, and achieves itself.  God’s mercies are permitted, in some cases and to some extent, to “bring wicked devices to pass.”  For wise purposes, the Ruler of all suffers men to only think evil thoughts, but to accomplish evil deeds. …

      The oft-quoted proverb is a true one, “Man proposes, God disposes.”  The All-wise has his own plans, the Almighty has his own means; and the wisdom and the power of men, measured against the Divine resources, will surely be brought to nothing.  “Hitherto shalt thou go, and no further; and here shall thy proud waves be stayed.”  There is no occasion for the people of Christ to be dismayed or overmuch distressed when evil devices enter into the minds of their adversaries. …

      “He taketh the wise in their own craftiness,” their wisdom is seen to be but folly.  “In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength;”  “The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”  The enemy may devise; but he will not be suffered to execute his devices.

 

The Pulpit Commentary, Ezekiel p. 295-296, Ezekiel 38:14-22, (J. R. Thomson)

 

Gold Nugget 297

A Settled Purpose

 

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Gold Nugget 296 - Abandoned to Themselves

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Ezekiel II 282.doc (26 KB)
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      Individuals, or families, or small groups of those who have once cherished hopes, perhaps high hopes, of a happy life, but who find themselves hopeless, cut off, away from all their resources, abandoned to themselves, with nothing but misery and death in view; it may be the marooned or castaway, left on some lonely island to pine and die; or it may be the condemned felon when the last effort to obtain a reprieve has failed; or it may be the family in the great city allowed to perish for lack of food; or it may be the helpless straggler whom the army has left behind to fall into the hands of a barbarous enemy.  Sad and pitiable in the last degree is the fate of those who have to lament that they are “cut off (and abandoned) to themselves.

      Distinguished from these are:  The spiritually hopeless.  Those who are perplexed and distressed in heart, because they cannot satisfy their minds as to the reality of sacred truths, as to the soundness of Christian doctrine; or because they cannot find the peace and rest of heart they have been long seeking; or because they fancy that they have sinned beyond forgiveness and restoration.  These souls cannot find the help they need; it seems to them that “no man careth for their soul,” or can enter into their feelings, or go down to the dark depths of their necessity.  They do not know what to do in their extremity; everything and every one has failed them; their “hope is perished;” they are “cut off” and abandoned. …

      The great and supreme fact that God “remembered us in our low estate;” that when we were as a race utterly undone, “cut off” from all resources, with no hope whatever in man, he had compassion on us, and stooped to save us; - this is the strong, unfailing assurance that God will not desert us, even though we abandon one another.  However low be our condition, and in what ever sense we may be hopeless, we may confidently count upon the near presence of God; the tender sympathy of our Divine Friend; his gracious and timely succour.

      This will come to us, indeed, in our own time and way, which may not be after our choice or according to our expectation.  Bit it will come; for it is quite impossible that the eternal Father will abandon his children, that the once-crucified and now exalted Savoir will leave to their fate those for whom he died, and who turn earnest eyes to him for help and for salvation.

 

The Pulpit Commentary, Ezekiel II p. 282 Ezekiel 37:11 (W. Clarkson)

 

Gold Nugget 296

Abandoned to Themselves

 

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Gold Nugget 295 - The Everlasting No

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Ezekiel I 391.doc (23 KB)
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      Mere destruction perfects nothing.  It is necessary only as a preliminary to something constructive.  Blank nihilism is the most barren philosophy.  The “everlasting no” is not a gospel for hungry humanity.  After the revolution there must be a new order, and after repentance there must be a new life. 

 

The Pulpit Commentary, Ezekiel p. 391, Ezekiel 21:27, (W. F. Adeney)

 

Gold Nugget 295

The Everlasting No

 

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