A PORTION FOR ALL

(No. 85)

Grand Rapids, Michigan March 5, 1949

Beloved Congregation:

IN the concluding paragraph of my letter of last week I made a few remarks in regard to the grief of God’s children when they do not enjoy Christ’s actual presence.

The true disciples of Christ have experienced that grief, also Mary Magdalene and the two disciples from Emmaus. Great was their sorrow when they had to do without Christ’s bodily presence. Thoroughly dejected they sat down, and yet they were not inactive. How they employed the means to find Him! And that is the continual soul experience of all that love Jesus. Day and night their heart yearns for His presence. And when Christ reveals Himself unto them and stirs them up, then there is a solemn feast in their life. Then they, too, are set-agoing; then it is the desire of the spouse that Christ accompany her;—then it is, “Come, my Beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge in the villages,” Songs 7:11.

The soul, when it may taste that actual communion, is satisfied, for then the soul is in its element: “It is good for me to draw near to God,” Ps 73:28. Then, with Peter, they are content to remain on the mountain, Matth. 17. When Jacob, after a separation of so many years, is embraced by Joseph, then he longs but to die; then all the desires are fulfilled. But … Jacob had to live seventeen more years, and had to serve the will of God.

Those who love Jesus in sincerity, desire to be conformed to His image, to follow in His footsteps, and to be in all things like unto Him: to walk as He has walked.

Souls that love Jesus love also them that have received an interest in Him; be it ever so small. Paul speaks of “them that love His appearing.” They are a companion of all them that fear Him. And whenever they observe something of that foundation that is outside of the creature, or perceive something of that precious image, then their hearts go out after it and they feel themselves one with them.

If we love a person, we shall avoid all that might cause a separation; we’ll do all we can to please him or her.

Oh! how afraid are those who fear the Lord, to arouse the displeasure of Christ. How ardently desirous are they to obey His commandments, and to have grace whereby they may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear, with a willing mind. That question of Joseph, “How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” is also in their hearts. Such souls also take the part of God in regard to His name, His honor, and the things of God. They cannot endure it when Christ is affronted, when His Deity is assailed or His finished mediation is despised.

Whenever love is in action and predominates, then it reveals itself like a lion when the honor of God is concerned, but in regard to their personal honor they are like a lamb, provided grace is triumphant. Alas! frequently matters stand so entirely different inasmuch as one thing and another are wanting in practice.

He who loves Jesus in sincerity, speaks gladly and often of Him. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A ministration in which the sovereignty of God is exalted and Christ is presented as the only foundation of salvation, such a ministration is their life. It is the joy of their hearts when Christ, in His Person and in His finished mediation is preached to the people as necessary, indispensable, suitable and precious. The more they hear of Him the more their hearts are stirred up to testify of Him. They are pleased to meet with those who speak highly of Jesus. Such are their companions.

Again, when the love of Jesus is sincere, then they love Him not only in prosperity, but also in adversity, even in grievous tribulations. Job testified, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”

It is a love “strong as death, and cruel as the grave … many waters cannot quench it.” And the Lord Jesus Himself takes care of it that it will never fail. It is He who kindles that love in their heart and life, else there would be no love in their heart. All flows from Him and that, even causes them to fall down at His feet in adoration.

The more they receive of this love in their hearts, the more and the stronger they love Him in return. Out of infinite love Christ gave Himself; out of infinite love He entered into death for His people; out of infinite love He makes a dwelling place for Himself in their hearts. O what a wonder this is! For never has there been one of Adam’s sons and daughters who of his own accord inquired after a Surety. Scripture declares this so clear and explicitly; but inwardly it is also learned and realized that Christ died for His people while they were yet sinners.

Unfathomable, infinite, inconceivable, and unsearchable love! It is a love that causes them, whose heart is being filled with it, to say, “Lord Jesus, O that I could love Thee perfectly. There is nothing that I can give Thee, but it is my heart’s desire to give Thee everything.”

Now, do we know something of that love? If so, then we are no strangers to the life that is of God. Friends, examine your hearts before Him who searches the heart and tries the reins.

Love is the chiefest virtue of Christendom; it is as it were the soul of all other virtues, (1 Cor. 13:13). Though a man have all gifts and have not love, he is nothing and has nothing. Love is the fulfilling of the law.

To conclude this subject I’ll mention in my next letter, D. V., some things which are fruits of regeneration.

May the Lord shine upon us with the indispensable light of the Holy Spirit, and fill our hearts with the love of God in Christ Jesus by the Holy Ghost.

Hearty greetings to all,

Your Minister

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