PROFITABLE LESSONS

Part II (continued from Dec, 1976 issue)

We need nothing to puff us up, but we need grace to bring us low so that we cannot raise ourselves above the dust. An old spiritual friend, now deceased, often said: “We become something with everything that comes from us, but are brought down with everything that comes from above.” He had learned that, and therefore he could give such sound instruction. Oh, that the Lord would again give such instructors in our dark times.

Instructors, instructed from heaven; through Christ, the Supreme Wisdom and Teacher of righteousness; Yea, it is necessary above all things to be lead in all truths by God the Holy Ghost. Let us especially remember, that it is a poor doctrine, and a poor ministry, if in the pulpit we must help ourselves with what we have read and what we have heard from man. That would be a cold truth. Though we knew the whole Bible by heart, and also all the old writers, and had no more than that, then for ourselves we are greatly to be pitied, but also the congregation which must continually listen to us, especially those in whose hearts are the ways of righteousness, who have been taught by God.

Those people are so often puzzled with themselves. They have so many soul problems that must be solved, they sit with so many tangled knots, that they say, “Lord, let Thy servant disentangle them, because I myself cannot.” And unto that end God wants to use His called and anointed servants.

One of our godly forefathers once said about his sermons: “Such sermons are learned at the gate of heaven by prayer and meditations.” And if it may be that way, then it is also profitable. The preaching of a contemplative knowledge, where the true life of God is lacking, is death for God’s people. We can sometimes go far, but that it is all still dead. The unction of God’s Spirit is lacking, much can be copied and other men’s words be repeated, but the grit and marrow are lacking. The continual discoverings and revelations of the Spirit of God are the maintenance of God’s church, people and servants. It becomes such a dry diet, when we must continually help ourselves with old experiences. The Bride says in the Song of Solomon 7:13, “At our gate are all manner of pleasant fruits; new and old, not the reverse “old and new”. No, God’s Spirit makes no mistakes, but through the renewed administration of that Spirit, the old experiences, teachings and instructions again receive their value and lustre. But what I wanted to write about, and to lay the emphasis on, is that if it is right with God’s people, then they cannot miss each other. The hand cannot say to the foot, “I have no need of thee.” Oh yes, that is also a point, to bring us to confusion. If we observe the revelations of life in our days, then we would almost be inclined to strike out various portions of God’s Word, but, of course, we cannot do that. But it goes to show how far we are away from God and the practice of godliness. Always remember this, in order to be able to instruct others, we ourselves must be instructed. And that is very profitable, personally and officially, so that our want may be discovered. It is so unprofitable if we are so pleased with ourselves and think that we know it all. Oh, that selfcomplacency is an abomination in the sight of God, and personally it causes us “to dweil in a dry land.” Alas there are not many “Fathers” anymore, and experienced instructors. Jacob is brought very low.

Surely, by virtue of God’s electing love there will always be “Jacobs” until the end of time, who shall ask after God, and will seek His face - Ps. 24:6. But Jacobs, with a Bethel and a Peniel, have become very few. In general there is much more a living upon that which has once been, than an actual administration out of Christ. There are few visits, little life, little practice, and that is the reason why the mouths of so many of God’s people are silent. The man that reproveth in the gate is missing so much. And that is one of the reasons that everything just goes on. God’s Word also speaks of a time when the prudent shall be silent, and that should be considered as one of God’s judgments, but in a time of owning more than was received, the eyes are closed for that. There is so much ignorance in regard to the order of faith and the way of salvation, and that is the reason why there is so much owning of what was not received, and driving of our own ideas. It was a blessing for Apollos that Aquila and Priscilla took him along to their house, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. Of course, that which is wanting cannot be numbered. Eccl. 1:15. And because a man is a thief, therefore he steals. That danger also is not imaginary. There are souls who sometimes receive something, but who also take something with it, and if God did not prevent it, they would hold fast to it.

Therefore it is such a blessing, if Christ will call us out of the tree as He did with Zacchaeus, and if we may be brought down to the ground with him, then it will be honestly admitted, “If I have taken anything from any man by false accusation I restore him four fold.” As long as we stay up in the tree, we will hold fast to everything. But in the true humbling of the soul we are made honest by God and learn to suffer the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, to be found and hid in Him, as it is explained in Philippians 3. It is also a blessing if there may be found persons in the church with grace and distinguishing light, who with humble boldness may instruct others in the spirit of meekness. It is but a sad sign, when we place ourselves above everything, and are no longer susceptible for learning and instruction. It is a destruction for the church of God, and it grieves God’s Spirit. If there may be a beginning of the true saving grace in the heart, then it shall be a great injury to our spiritual life, and we ourselves would be the cause why God’s Spirit would withdraw itself from us with His instructing administration.

Then we would bring darkness upon ourselves, and we would have to dweil where all is dry. Then we would become as Mount Gilboa, where no dew nor rain ever falls. That would be a mortifying, and unfruitful life. Christ did not spare His disciples while He was upon earth, but treated them faithfully and where it was necessary rebuked them sharply. That never brought any estrangement, but bound them closer and more tenderly to Him. Also in this respect it is true what we read in Prov. 27:5, “Open rebuke is better than secret love.” Augustine wrote: “Better to love with sternness, than to mislead with tenderness.” He who does not rebuke denies love. There are people who always criticize and who live in that, and have a delight in condemning everything. That of course does not flow forth from the spirit that is of God. Destructive criticism must be condemned, but constructive criticism is a medicine. Let us always remember that no one is perfect. James wrote, “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man.” There is no reason to exalt ourselves above everything as if we knew it alone. Also in this respect it is a privilege to esteem others better than ourselves. Mary sat at the feet of the Lord Jesus to hear His words, and Saul of Tarsus sat at the feet of Gamaliel, and outwardly he had much benefit from it.

It is not so flattering for our proud nature, when often remarks are made, and our wants are discovered, but on the other hand it is so profitable. Profitable for ourselves, but also for those who hear us. We, of ourselves, have more desire for pleasure than for want, although the experience of our want is more profitable. He hath filled the hungry with good things. For empty souls there is a fullness in Christ. The oil of the spirit flows as long as there are empty vessels. And that oil of the spirit fills the heart and home. Strength and fragrance proceed from it. For students and young ministers it is a blessing if they have faithful teachers who are capable (made capable from above) to instruct others. Yes, it is a privilege if they may have officebearers who can listen, who have more love for the honor of God than for the honor of men. Also, the company of God’s tried people can cast off such ripe fruit for their future life. Alas, how great is the want in our days. David, King of Israel, had many mighty men, but with emphasis there is written of them that they did not attain to the first three. That also has so much to say for the times in which we are living. As we become older, it is best not to think that we know it. Understanding does not come with age.

Through the discovering of the Holy Spirit we will experience and realize much more how insusceptible and unfruitful we are, and the greater the wonder shall be, if we shall yet receive a lesson from on high, and also from the people who have received experience in the truth and in the ways of God. They can sometimes say so much with so few words, which, with the blessing of God, can be so profitable. I will enlarge upon this no more, but that it may be given unto us, to meditate often on what the Preacher wrote in Eccl. 4:13 - “Better is a poor and wise child, than an old and foolish King, who will no more be admonished.”

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