After the church of God had been formed by the descent of the Spirit of God, the first converts were the three thousand, Acts 2: 41, who were brought to repentance by the preaching of Peter on the day of Pentecost. Of them it is said:

• "they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers", verse 42, Authorised Version;

  also that, "continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart", verse 46, Authorised Version.

While a good start is most essential, its reality is proved by

CONTINUING,

From the outset, the great impression that is given is that those who have believed in Christ should be enlarged in the apprehension of the truth and in their enjoyment.

• Perseverance in the path and privileges of Christianity is the normal thought for every believer, for the word says,
  • "if he draw back, my soul does not take pleasure in him", Hebrews 10: 38.

The apostle Paul said to his child in the faith, Timothy, as he saw so many giving up the truth,

• "continue thou in the things which thou hast learned", 2 Timothy 3: 14, Authorised Version.

The first recorded case of an individual coming into blessing in the Spirit's day is that of the lame man at the beautiful gate of the temple, Acts 3,

• and it is of great interest, for it indicates clearly that God is well pleased with a convert who immediately becomes a testimony to the power of the name of Jesus. Of that man it is said that
  • "leaping up he stood and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God", verse 8.

• Having been the subject of that power, uses rightly his God-given ability, and is seen

WALKING.

He might have walked to his own home and interests, but at once he threw in his lot with those who loved and served Christ, and went into the temple with them.

• It is always encouraging to see one, who, immediately he is converted, walks with those who love the name of Jesus, and voluntarily accompanies them to engage in prayer and praise.

• No wonder that, when they were brought before the council, the man who was healed was seen
  • "standing with them", chapter 4: 14.

• Whether in joy or sorrow, praise or reproach, he was prepared to be identified completely with those who brought to him the power of the name of Jesus. He walked straightway into the christian fellowship.

It is significant that this first case should emphasise the walk of a believer, for the importance of this cannot be over-estimated; seeing that it includes all his conduct from the moment of his conversion to his home-going.

• The epistle to the Ephesians, while developing the great truths of Christianity, refers also seven times to the subject, in order that there should be maintained a consistency of conduct throughout life.
  • The apostle John says, "He that says he abides in him ought, even as he walked, himself also so to walk", 1 John 2: 6;

• thus giving the high standard of behaviour which becomes the children of God. All who have professed conversion need to heed the word that
  • "they who have believed God may take care to pay diligent attention to good works", Titus 3: 8,

• for the consistent walk of a Christian is the most effective support to his testimony for Christ.

Then in Acts 8 an account is given of the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch, who was enlightened by Philip preaching unto him Jesus. Of him it is said, verse 39, after that Philip baptised him, that "he went on his way

REJOICING".

This is a true and beautiful feature of a young convert. Filled with joy and peace in believing, through the power of the Holy Spirit, he is able to go on his way, a living witness to the joy that the knowledge of God, as revealed in Jesus, gives to those who have received the Holy Spirit.

• No other name or power could effect this. Bitter sorrow and despair must sooner or later fill the hearts of the Christ-less, but the youngest convert can be filled with that deep and lasting joy which evidences the greatness of the triumph of God by the gospel.

• The newly-found joy of a young convert is the counterpart of the joy which fills the heart of the Shepherd, as He says,
  • "Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep", Luke 15: 6.

• A joyless believer is a denial to the true character Christianity.

Then came in that distinguished convert, Saul of Tarsus, of whom it is said in Acts 9 that

• "rising up was baptised … and he was with the disciples who were in Damascus certain days. And straightway … he preached Jesus that he is the Son of God", verses 18-20.

  Soon after that he "assayed to join himself to disciples" at Jerusalem, verse 26, and was "with them coming in and going out", verse 28

Very early in his history he found the value of

ASSEMBLING

• What a remarkable commencement this was for one who was to be such a devoted servant of Christ and of His assembly, and to whom was to be entrusted the unfolding of the great truths of the assembly.

The Lord Jesus had taught His disciples to assemble and in resurrection, during His forty days

• He had "assembled with them", Acts 1: 4.

• It is indispensable for spiritual prosperity that those who love Christ should be found together and
  • "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together", Hebrews 10: 25,

• was an important injunction given by this same convert in later life.

• Everyone needs the companionship, support, and encouragement of his fellow Christians, and it is when gathered together "in assembly" that the Lord is pleased to manifest Himself to His own and to give them distinctive blessing and ministry.

When a great number had believed and turned to the Lord in Antioch, and Barnabas came from Jerusalem,

• he "exhorted all with purpose of heart to abide with the Lord".

• As it is said that
  • "the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch",

• it is evident, from the name that was given to them, that they gave heed to that exhortation, and were

CLEAVING TO THE LORD

or abiding with Him. It is significant that, flowing from this,

• "a large crowd of people were added to the Lord", Acts 11: 22-26.

How important it is that every young convert should have purpose of heart, that with fervent affection he might cleave to Him and thus be maintained in holiness and separation from evil.

• The idolater cleaves to his idols, the pleasure-lover to his pleasures, the miser to his money; but those who are truly converted to God will cleave with affection and earnest desire in faithfulness to the Lord, whom they trust, love, and serve.

• Thus stability of purpose and walk are produced, and, as Christ-like characteristics shine out, the name of Christian is a true designation.

What beautiful features were seen in Lydia, who was a valuable sister in the church at Philippi. She was a worshipper of God, and of her it was said,

• "whose heart the Lord opened to attend to the things spoken by Paul", Acts 16: 14.

This characteristic of

ATTENDING TO THE MINISTRY

which the Lord is giving, through His servants, is an important one, and it is especially necessary in this day, when the inspiration and authority of the Holy Scriptures, and particularly of the writings of the apostle Paul, are being refuted or ignored,

• that the youngest believer should attend or give heed to the things which he has heard, lest at any time he should let them slip, as we are exhorted in Hebrews 2: 1.

The spirit of Lydia was very commendable, too, for

• "when she had been baptised and her house, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there".

• The apostle so greatly appreciated Lydia's spirituality, that when he and Silas went out of prison they "came to Lydia", verse 40, thus expressing their approval of her fidelity.

It is interesting to observe that the elect lady, to whom John wrote, was warned against any who did not bring the doctrine of Christ. The apostle said,

• "do not receive him into the house", 2 John 10.

Doubtless these two sisters were well able to keep house, for Lydia knew whom to receive and the elect lady whom to refuse.

One of the most remarkable converts was the keeper of the prison at Philippi, who, having been converted at midnight, took Paul and Silas

• "the same hour of the night and washed them from their stripes; and was baptised, he and all his straightway. And having brought them into his house he laid the table for them, and rejoiced", Acts 16: 33-34.

He thus began

MINISTERING TO THE LORD

by caring for His servants and proving, by this marvellous transformation, how real was the work of God in him, for he now had affection and consideration for the very men whom he had treated so cruelly but a few hours before.

• The spirit of service is imparted to every true believer, and it is delightful to see it in evidence early in a believer's history.

The transforming effect of the gospel is one of its most beautiful features.

• New affections, instincts, and a new spirit are implanted, and manifest themselves in those who are converted, so that the graces of Christ appear where the works of the flesh only were in evidence.

• The exhortation is of great moment,
  • "be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God", Romans 12: 2.

Yet another feature which is essential for spiritual prosperity is developed in the converts in Berea, of whom it was said that

• "these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, receiving the word with all readiness of mind, daily searching the scriptures if these things were so", Acts 17: 11.

Great importance must be attached to

SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES

daily, for it is a necessary spiritual habit to develop. No one will prosper if the Scriptures are neglected, and the full benefit of ministry can only be gained as it is tested and verified by the Scriptures; hence the exhortation,

• "prove all things, hold fast the right", 1 Thessalonians 5: 21.

It is recorded of these Bereans that

• "many from among them believed", verse 12.

• Doubts would be dispelled, difficulties cleared, and converts confirmed if the Scriptures were diligently searched in prayerful dependence upon the Holy Spirit daily,
  • for the word has authority and carries its own credentials.

• There would be less unbelief and scepticism if the Bible were searched more. Its choicest treasures are hidden below the surface, and therefore searching as for hidden treasures is necessary.

May the consideration of the early believers encourage and stimulate each one to increased fidelity, devotedness, and response to the work of God.

If you were asked personally – Are you a Christian? you would be perfectly justified in asking the question in reply – What is a Christian?

I desire to answer that inquiry simply and definitely, that each one may get a clearer and more positive impression of what a Christian really is.

• In saying this I would not give the impression of unchristianising anyone. Our hearts go out to every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ on the face of the earth, and we love each of them as a fellow Christian.

• I am not, however, referring to nominal Christians, in the sense in which this country is known as a christian country; it is composed of all kinds of individuals, many of whom are not Christians at all;
  • but to that which is real and positive, that is, a Christian as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, having a personal faith in Christ, and trusting Him.

• Christianity does not consist of a belief with the object of escaping judgment, but faith in a living Person, who is loved and followed as Lord.

Faith is the essential basis of Christianity, and without faith it is impossible to please God; for

• "he that draws near to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them who seek him out", Hebrews 11: 6.

• Seeing, then, that faith is the very foundation of Christianity, any one who has no personal faith in Christ can scarcely be spoken of as a Christian, for this involves much more than having faith.

• It is a designation we need to use sincerely, and to answer to more practically. No one of us would desire to be a mere nominal Christian, as having embraced Christianity in contradistinction to heathenism;
  • but we would be those who have been wrought upon by God;

    who rest in implicit faith upon the finished work of Christ;

    and who know Him as our living, risen Lord.

• Our faith is in Him, and rightly so, for He is worthy of the confidence of every heart.

To be a Christian really – to earn the title and to be regarded, even by those who are not so, as being a real Christian – means much more than having that personal link of faith.

• Hence it is profitable to consider certain typical persons in Scripture, in order to observe the beautiful characteristics of a normal Christian, and so that each may be encouraged to answer individually to them.

The first shall be Stephen, because he was one of the first to exhibit publicly the features of his Master distinctly. He was a disciple in the truest sense of the word.

A disciple is one who is like his master. He is one who has studied his master to such an extent, having been with him so closely that, unconsciously to himself, he has become like him.

• He begins by being a learner sitting at his master's feet and hearing his word, with the result that, watching his movements, he becomes increasingly like him; until he is known to all men as a follower of his master.

• How we would covet that we might all be true disciples of Jesus, for
  • "one is your Master, even Christ", Matthew 23: 10, Authorised Version.

Stephen was a Christian, although the name had not been applied to believers at that time, for he is spoken of as

• "full of faith", Acts 6: 5

• – the first mark of a Christian – and he was selected for a certain duty because of his Christ-like characteristics.

Then Stephen was "full of … the Holy Spirit"

• – a very important christian feature. The Holy Spirit of God is here on earth and He is dwelling, not in temples made with hands, but in believers who together form the temple of God.

• Thus a true Christian is one who has received the Holy Spirit and is part of that living temple in which God dwells by His Spirit. Hence God would have possession of each one, that he may be filled by the power of the Holy Spirit.

• How elevated is the plane upon which a person is placed by Christianity as evidenced by a man like Stephen! He was unknown, for we know nothing of his genealogy or of his personal history. He appears in Scripture as a man
  • "full of faith and of the Holy Spirit", and "full of grace and power", Acts 6: 8.

• We would covet that every Christian might be full of power. We all have to lament our lack of power, for how many opportunities are missed because of it! But here was a man – a typical Christian – full of faith, of the Holy Spirit, and of power.

Then, when brought before his enemies,

• "all who sat in the council, looking fixedly on him, saw his face as the face of an angel", Acts 6: 15.

• He was so different from men who were not Christians. Even his enemies could not help observing that there had been a transformation wrought in that man which had changed his countenance, and they realised that there was something heavenly about him. He must be a Christian to be like that!

Then the final test came, for he was to die because he witnessed to a glorified Christ. There the most brilliant characteristics of Stephen shone out, for when he was facing a cruel death, it is recorded,

• "they stoned Stephen, praying".

• He was conscious of a link with heaven; he could call upon God in the presence of death; he knew the Lord Jesus well enough to speak to Him personally at that moment, and say,
  • "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit".

• He knew that the stones of his enemies could not sever him from the love of Christ, and he could entrust to Him, in the hour of death, his most precious possession – his spirit.

Then before he actually fell asleep, there was one last brilliant display of Christianity, one feature which distinguishes it from anything else that has ever preceded it – the grace that causes a man to pray for his enemies.

• It was the spirit which came into this world in Jesus: it had never been here before. Think of a man being stoned to death, and yet using his dying breath to pray for his enemies!

• He was following in his Master's footsteps, not in the letter only, but in the spirit. If that is Christianity, it is worth having!

Stephen demonstrated that a Christian is a person with a living faith in Jesus, his Saviour and Master, and who is able to exhibit, in some degree, His graces. He belongs to a new race, who in their spirit, manner, and countenance are Christ-like.

• Let us not say that this is too high a standard, or that it is unobtainable, for the same Lord is at the right hand of God; the same Holy Spirit is indwelling believers today.

• The power is undiminished on God's side! Why then should we consider it beyond our reach, or unable to be reproduced?

• Through the centuries which have intervened, history has recorded again and again that such Christ-like features as were exhibited in Stephen have been seen in Christians.

• Witnesses have arisen during the absence of Christ who have displayed the features of their Master, and this Spirit is to be continued in Christians until the Lord comes.

May each one be, in character and spirit, a true disciple of the Lord, that a right impression of Him may be given by those who bear His name.

WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN? NO. 2 – A SERVANT – Acts 26: 29

In seeking to answer the inquiry, 'What is a Christian?' it is necessary to emphasise this most important characteristic – the serving spirit.

• The typical Christian illustrative of this feature is Paul – once Saul of Tarsus – who was perhaps the most distinguished servant of the Lord.

The true features shone out in Paul in a remarkable manner when he stood before king Agrippa, by whom he was examined as a Christian rather than as an apostle – though he was that, of course.

• He was brought before the king as a prisoner, to answer charges founded on his testimony to Christ and upon Christianity as expressed in him.

• Agrippa was sitting on the judgment throne to ascertain whether Paul was worthy of death, but after Paul had spoken to him words of truth and soberness, living words of power, and told how the Lord had met him in the way, converted and transformed him, a moment arrived when Agrippa came under the power of his words and said,
  • "In a little thou persuadest me to become a Christian", verse 28.

• He saw that there was something in Christianity which he had never known of before. Think of Paul, in the dignity of a servant of God, standing before the king and saying,
  • "I would to God that not only thou, but all who have heard me this day, should become such as I also am, except these bonds".

• Paul wanted them all to be Christians. He would have them all to know the joy that was his; to be servants of the same Master. It is clear from this that a Christian normally is a servant, conscious of the dignity of his service.

• Paul stood before Agrippa in the consciousness that he, in the dignity which God had given him – not in his own, for that would have been human pride – he, the prisoner, was superior to king Agrippa himself;
  • he was fully conscious of being a servant of God, and he desired that every one who heard him might be as he was – a Christian.

Can we each be regarded as a Christian in this sense, conscious of the dignity of serving God?

• It is possible that there are those who have believed in Christ, but who, if challenged, would have to admit that they are not conscious of any service which they have in hand for the Lord.

• That is a very serious position, because before He went away, the Lord spoke of
  • "a man gone out of the country, having given to each one his work", Mark 13: 34,

• clearly indicating that He has in mind to entrust a service to each one of us.

• If we do not know what that service is, it is not because there is nothing for us to do, but because we have not found out from the Lord Himself what He would entrust to us.

It might be very insignificant work, or even uncongenial; it might be the very task which we would not have chosen; but if it is His work it is worth doing, and doing well.

• However small certain features of the service may be, there is a dignity attaching to the Lord's service that we should cherish in our souls at all times, as ready to do His bidding because of the glory of Him who has entrusted the task to us.

We would encourage the youngest believer to ask the Lord Jesus what He would entrust to him, and then to raise the question, 'Am I trustworthy, Lord?' Because the Lord will use trustworthy servants.

• You would not give an important charge into the hands of an untrustworthy person, and, the more dignified the service, the more important it is that the servant should be trustworthy.

• Paul was such a servant, worthy to stand before kings and testify of Christ. Did you observe that he used the words, "such as I also am"? A Christian is a person who is – not only who speaks. So Paul, the servant of God, could stand before the king in all the dignity of what he was.

• A Christian is a truly wonderful person: he is not only one who has trusted in Christ, but one in whom God has wrought; he is both a disciple and a servant.

There is a peculiar dignity about one who serves Christ. He stoops down to the level of those in sorrow, for Christ's sake; he weeps with those who weep; his hands minister to the saints.

• It is not a matter of eloquent speaking, or of high position, but of the spirit of Jesus reproduced in those who have come under His influence and delight in the service of Christ.

It is of great interest to find that Paul was able to speak of his child in the faith, Timothy, as being characterised by this spirit, for he refers to him as

• working "the work of the Lord, even as I", 1 Corinthians 16: 10.

The variety of christian service is of deep importance:

• the service of God in the sanctuary;

  the interests of the assembly; the work of the gospel;

  the visiting of the sick;

  the personal life of good works,

• are all embraced in the word 'service'.

• It would be well if every one who has never yet done so, inquired like Saul of Tarsus, when he first heard the Lord's voice,
  • "What shall I do, Lord?", Acts 22: 10.

• Then, having received the Lord's answer, we should be stimulated by the stirring exhortation:
  • "So then be firm, immovable, abounding always in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord", 1 Corinthians 15: 58.

WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN? NO. 3 – A WORSHIPPER

Every true Christian is essentially a worshipper, for the knowledge of God must ever produce a deep and reverential consciousness that He is worthy of adoring response from every heart that has tasted His love.

• The character of this response will, however, be dependent upon the measure of light and knowledge of God which is possessed by the worshipper.

In the past, God was known and worshipped as Jehovah. That He desired this response from His people is clearly seen by the injunctions given to them as to the offering of the firstfruits. Deuteronomy 26: 1-11.

• As the favoured Israelite, having entered into the land flowing with milk and honey and dwelling therein, reaped the fruit of the earth, he was to take the first of all the fruit, put it in a basket and go to the place which God chose to place His name there. The offerer was then to say,
  • "behold, I have brought the first of the fruits of the land, which thou, Jehovah, hast given me", verse 10,

• and set it before Jehovah, and worship. How suitable it was that God's great goodness should thus be recognised and that the response of a grateful heart should be expressed in the offering!

Yet this did not reach to the height of worship which is now the holy privilege of the Christian, in the power of the Holy Spirit of God!

• The grandeur and dignity of this could only be unfolded by the Lord Jesus, God's beloved Son. How marvellously it was told by Him to the woman of Samaria in these beautiful words:
  • "But the hour is coming and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for also the Father seeks such as his worshippers. God is a Spirit; and they who worship him must worship him in spirit and truth", John 4: 23-24.

Adoringly, too, we reverence the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ as the Object of worship, and rightly so, for He is God. Prophetically it was written concerning Him,

• "he is thy Lord, and worship thou him", Psalm 45: 11.

• It was as to Him that it was written,
  • "when he brings in the firstborn into the habitable world, he says, And let all God's angels worship him", Hebrews 1: 6.

The following thoughts upon Christian worship, expressed by one long since with the Lord, are worthy of consideration:

• 'In worshipping the Father I go to One who, in infinite, uncaused love, has revealed Himself to me; brought me into the place of son; not spared His own Son for me; reconciled me to Himself by Him; and given me His Spirit that I may have the consciousness of the place He has put me in, so that I cry, 'Abba, Father'. It is God, but it is God known as Father'.

  'Now in the worship of Christ become Mediator, I own His divine title, though He laid aside His glory – now taken again – but it is One who has come down to me, has lived and died for me, loved me, washed me from my sins in His own blood'.

In John 12: 3 Mary of Bethany is most touchingly seen as a worshipper of the Son of God.

• There came a moment when Jesus was in her home and she seized the opportunity of anointing His feet, and then laid her glory – her hair – at His feet. She poured upon Him the spikenard, very costly, and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
  • This was the act of a true worshipper.

• It is encouraging that it was a sister who did this, for it indicates that it is for sisters as well as for brothers to worship.

• While all audible expression of worship in the assembly is, in the Lord's ordering, restricted to men, for women are to keep silence in the assembly, 1 Corinthians 14: 34, yet worship is to be rendered by all, sisters and brothers alike.

• There is a true dignity in the worship and service of the sisters, of whom Mary was one of the most distinguished. She was the one who carried out this wonderful service upon the Lord's Person, which constituted an act of worship. She lavished her all upon the Son of God: she crowned Him, exalted and worshipped Him.

Mary exemplified the conditions given in Philippians 3: 3:

• "we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and boast in Christ Jesus, and do not trust in flesh".

• She worshipped by the Spirit of God, for He must have prompted her wonderful act.

• That she rejoiced in Christ Jesus is beyond question, for she took that one glorious opportunity of expressing her joy in Him; and she did not trust in flesh, for Christ Himself filled the vision of her soul.

How important it is to recognise that the flesh can have no part in christian worship. A fleshly religion will not yield glory to God. There would not be a single feature of Christ reproduced if the flesh had its way: for

• "That which is born of the flesh is flesh", John 3: 6.

One of the most encouraging features of christian worship is that it is open even to the young. Was it not the children who were crying in the temple and saying,

• "Hosanna to the son of David"? Of whom Jesus said,

• "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise", Matthew 21: 15-16.

• God would have children to love and worship Him; for even a child, in years, who receives the Holy Spirit is capacitated to worship God.

Thus, as worshippers, would we hasten on to the day of glory when as it is said, "his servants shall serve him", or, as it may be rendered,

• "his servants shall worship him", Revelation 22: 3.

• and then will He "rest in his love", Zephaniah 3.

The flesh is untrustworthy in everyone. All that we are as children of Adam would betray Christ;

• but in every heart that has been won by the love of God, in every soul in whom the Spirit of God dwells, there is a deep desire to be preserved in loyalty to Christ unto the end.

Enoch furnishes a stirring example. A crisis had arisen, and it seemed as if the enemy had the whole world under his control, and that there was nothing remaining for God;

• but "Enoch walked with God", Genesis 5: 22.

• For three hundred years after the birth of Methushelah he was marked by unswerving fidelity to Him. Nothing caused him to deviate from that path.

• He was apparently converted at the time of the birth of his son. He lived a normal life as a man on earth. He begat sons and daughters. His life was not lived in isolation, and yet it could be recorded that
  • he "walked with God; and he was not, for God took him", verse 24.

• Centuries after, the epistle to the Hebrews tells us that
  • "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him; for before his translation he has the testimony that he had pleased God", chapter 11: 5.

• To him was given a measure of light, and he answered to it. God saw a man walking in communion with Himself, and He could entrust Enoch with light.

• It is recorded in the epistle of Jude that Enoch said, "the Lord has come", verse 14. He knew this because God had revealed His mind to him. It is a happy

WALK

• of communion, which is so essential – to speak to God and let Him speak to us.

• While we are living the ordinary lives of persons on earth, we may live in communion with God, and prove that every difficulty but gives a fresh opportunity of drawing near to Him.

• The greatest objective that any person could have is to be pleasing to the Lord in all things; but to reach this it is necessary to continue to be faithful to the light which He has given.

Another feature is the necessity for loyalty to the Person of Christ.

• It will be recalled that in the history of David there came a crisis when many turned away from him. Absalom, his son, had usurped the throne, having stolen the hearts of the men of Israel, so that David had to flee. 2 Samuel 15 14.

• As he was going, there came up to him a Gentile who exhibited one of the most beautiful features of loyalty recorded in the Old Testament: Ittai the Gittite, verse 19, was recognised by David to be a stranger and an exile, hence he gave him the opportunity of going back with his brethren.

• But such was the grandeur of that man's loyalty, that, looking at David in affection, he said:
  • "As Jehovah liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, surely in death or life, even there also will thy servant be", verse 21.

• The king was in rejection, despised, and refused, and yet Ittai was prepared to follow him! How the king could trust a man like that! We do not wonder that the day came when David could entrust to him the charge of one-third of his army. 2 Samuel 18: 2.

• The Lord is looking to us to be loyal to Him during the time of His rejection; the day in which men are slighting Him and setting His name at naught. In this day we are being tested whether we are prepared to be true to Christ. What must it be to Him to find true fidelity in our hearts!

• May we inquire of each one, Has the Lord ever heard such words from your lips? Has He ever had the joy of receiving you, as David received Ittai, as one upon whom He could count – a loyal and trustworthy servant! Have you ever said to the Lord Jesus:
  'Take Thou my heart and let it be
  For ever closed to all but Thee'?

The Lord entrusts little to those who are not faithful. It is one of the first features of qualification for service, that we should have such

AFFECTION

for Christ that when a crisis arises we can be counted upon.

• Let us not think that the path of discipleship and fidelity to Christ is an easy one. It involves suffering, tests, self-sacrifices, and self-judgment, but it leads to the most profound blessing and joy; it opens up the most glorious possibilities in this life and the most wonderful results in the life that is to come. Would that there were more persons like Ittai!

In John 6: 68 Peter said, "Lord, to whom shall we go?".

• We appreciate Peter for this. We know he failed, but the Lord would never forget that there had been a moment in his life when he had thus committed himself.

• We would inquire of one who has turned back, Have you ever thought what this means to the heart of Christ? At one time He shone upon your face, and now you have turned your back on Him. Yet He has not ceased to shine upon your back!

The Lord inquires of the twelve, "Will ye also go away?", verse 67.

• Peter rises to the dignity of the position, and in this glorious confession he comforts the heart of Christ, and gives us an example, making us long to take up the language:
  • "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast words of eternal life. And we have believed and known that thou art the holy one of God", verses 68-69.

• Men like that are much needed today – men who can put their feet down firmly and move forward in the definite and positive confession of Christ; not wavering, nor seeking their own gain and advancement, but pursuing a pathway of devoted loyalty to Christ. Such are the support of the service of God on earth.

A third feature is seen in Judas and Silas. Acts 15: 22-32. It was not Judas Iscariot, though it is to be noted there was a traitor Judas and a loyal Judas.

• We have to ask ourselves, in which company are we? To be a traitor is a very serious matter. We would warn everyone against the traitor spirit. There is nothing more serious. What must it be to God to see one that is not loyal to Christ – one ready to give information to the enemy about that which is sacred to the house of God!

• But Judas – of Acts 15 – and Silas were trustworthy men; men that the Spirit of God and the brethren could commend.
  • They were "leading men among the brethren".

• When a crisis arose they could give a spiritual lead. When a difficulty arose they could take the burden of it; when a joy developed they would rejoice with those that did rejoice. They were humble men who could be counted upon because they were loyal.

• Messengers had to be chosen to take a sacred communication to the brethren at Antioch. These could be trusted not to give the brethren at Antioch a wrong impression. They were proved and tried and found trustworthy.

• A most beautiful thing was said about them:
  • "men who have given up their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ".

• They were living men capable of taking a message, but they had given up their lives. The day of

SURRENDER

had come in the history of each of them, when he had presented his body a living sacrifice.
• The Lord is waiting for you to give your life to Him: not necessarily to lay it down as in martyrdom, but to yield your body a
  • "living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your intelligent service", Romans 12: 1.

• How is the service of God to be carried forward save by those who have thus yielded? The Lord is counting upon loyal persons for all these things.

Yet one further feature of loyalty was found in the assembly in Philadelphia; that is,

OBEDIENCE

to the Lord's word. Not one of us would claim to be a Philadelphian, but our earnest prayer is that the features which marked the Philadelphians may characterise us in our day.

• This assembly was approved by Him, for He says,
  • "thou hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name", Revelation 3: 8.

• They were loyal to what was entrusted to them. It is one thing to know the power of God that keeps us, but another to have spiritual power to keep that which the Lord has entrusted to us.

• There is no suggestion of retiring from the Lord's service until we retire into the Father's house; but we are exhorted to
  • "hold that fast what thou hast", verse 11,

• until the Lord comes. As we recognise His word, it is as though He gave us a precious jewel, telling us to keep it. May we never have to acknowledge that we have lost it.
  • "Keep … the good deposit entrusted", 1 Timothy 6: 20.

May we each be loyal to Christ in walk, in affection, in surrender, and in obedience, until the Lord comes.

What remarkable results were produced by such contemplation on that memorable day when John the Baptist and two of his disciples stood engaged with His holy footsteps. Deeply impressed with

HIS PERSONAL GLORY

and looking upon Jesus as He walked, John exclaimed

• "Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speaking, and followed Jesus", John 1: 36-37.

• John was not preaching, nor expounding a doctrine; he was contemplating the Person of the Lamb of God, but these five words with the understanding were so effective that the two who were with him were attracted to Jesus and were led by Him to where He dwelt, and abode with Him that day.

• Who shall describe the holy joy that filled their souls; eternity will not efface the impressions they received. This is His desire for us, too, that in His presence we may have our souls filled with appreciation of His Person so that we can sing:
  'And we know that Thou wouldst have us
  Ever dwell with Thee,
  In that holy, heav'nly circle,
  Home of liberty'. (Hymn 127)

What beauteous features were displayed by the Lord Jesus on the day of resurrection, as He walked with the two of His disciples who were returning to Emmaus. Luke 24. It was

HIS RECOVERING GRACE

• "Jesus himself drawing nigh, went with them", verse 15.

• He did not rebuke them harshly, nor command them to return to Jerusalem, but He made their hearts burn within them while He talked with them on the way and opened to them the Scriptures.

• He went just as far as was necessary to effect their recovery, and then He vanished out of their sight. He did not remain; for that would have encouraged them to stay away from the brethren in Jerusalem, but He allured them back to the company of those who loved Him.

• What an example to us of the way of recovery! How effectual it was, for although Emmaus was about seven miles from Jerusalem, they returned to Jerusalem that night and were in time to be present when
  • Jesus "himself stood in their midst", John 20 36!

• Thus the Great Physician pours in the healing balm, and recovers disheartened ones to Himself and to their brethren. We delight to sing:

'Lord, we love to trace Thy footprints
Here amidst the desert sand,
Ponder o'er Thy path of suff'ring –
Wondrous heart and healing hand' (Hymn 77)

It is somewhat remarkable that the Old Testament should furnish an instance of the walk of the Son of God, but it is expressed in the words of Nebuchadnezzar when he looked into the burning fiery furnace into which he had cast the three faithful Hebrew young men, and said,

• "Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of God", Daniel 3: 25.

• Instead of a fearful death, they were enjoying the company of one like the Son of God and proving

HIS VICTORIOUS POWER

Many of the Lord's followers are being tested today – it maybe their colleagues despise them, and they are called to pass through the fire of hatred and persecution for Christ's sake.

• Let them be encouraged! For there they will have His companionship in the trial. The only action of the fire regarding the Hebrew young men was, apparently, to consume their bonds, so that they might walk with Him in liberty.

• Often it has been proved that the fire of opposition and trial has served to liberate the spirit of the loyal follower of Jesus, and has given him the joy of walking in the midst of that fire in the company of Christ.

Another incident in which the Lord Jesus was seen walking is recorded in Matthew 14, and is full of instruction and encouragement.

• When in the fourth watch of the night, He went unto His disciples, walking on the sea, His first words to them were,
  • "Take courage; it is I: be not afraid", verse 27.

• Then when Peter, having come down out of the ship, walked on the water to go to Jesus, and beginning to sink, Jesus immediately stretched forth His hand and caught him. This incident is a beautiful assurance of

HIS PRIESTLY SUCCOUR

• His consideration, sympathy, and support are all displayed, and as we look upon Him as He walked, we can rejoice that we have such a High Priest who is
  • "able to save completely those who approach by him to God, always living to intercede for them", Hebrews 7: 25.

Yet another presentation of the Lord Jesus as He walked is given in Revelation 2: 1, for, in the address to the angel of the assembly in Ephesus, He is seen as He who

• "walks in the midst of the seven golden lamps".

Ephesus was a remarkable assembly in which there was much that He could commend, but His eyes, which were

• "as a flame of fire", verse 18, saw in

HIS HOLY DISCERNMENT

that it had left its first love.

• That fervent, pre-eminent affection which had given Christ the first place in all things had waned, and He felt it.

It is well for us ever to remember that

• "all things are naked and laid bare to his eyes, with whom we have to do", Hebrews 4: 13,

• and to learn the value of His scrutiny, seeing that He says to several of the angels of assembly,
  • "I know thy works", Revelation 2: 2, etc.

• We may thus learn to judge that which He judges and to approve that which He approves, so that we may be well pleasing to Him in all things.

May we be encouraged to contemplate Him with increased affection, that we may learn to walk even as He walked!

That such service is very acceptable to God is clearly proved by the references in Scripture to His appreciation of those who provided refreshment. The following well-known instances from the Old Testament will be recalled:

• What beautiful simplicity marked that memorable occasion on which the heavenly visitors were refreshed by Abraham, when Jehovah appeared unto him as he sat in the tent door in the plains of Mamre! Running to meet them, Abraham bowed himself toward the ground and said,
  • "Lord, if now I have found favour in thine eyes, Let now a little water be fetched, that ye may wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. And I will fetch a morsel of bread; and refresh yourselves", Genesis 18: 1-5.

• Abraham enjoyed communion with God that day, as the secrets of God were unfolded to him, for God said,
  • "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing?", verse 17.

• There was divine appreciation of one who could engage in ministering refreshment to God Himself.

What beauty, too, was found in the spirit of Rebecca when she refreshed Abraham's servant!

• That nameless servant had prayed that the damsel appointed by God for Isaac should be the one who should manifest the desire to minister refreshment. So when the servant asked Rebecca for a little water she said,
  • "Drink, my lord! And she hasted and let down her pitcher on her hand, and gave him to drink. And when she had given him enough to drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have drunk enough. And she hasted and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again to the well to draw water; and she drew for all his camels", Genesis 24: 18-20.

• The alacrity of her willing-hearted service, and delight to give both the man and his camels water, clearly indicated that she was the one who would be qualified to minister comfort to Isaac after his mother's death.

• The delight of the "servant" in this spontaneous response of Rebecca evidenced the appreciation which the Spirit of God ever has of this beautiful characteristic of the bride of Christ.

An equally touching illustration of the ministry of refreshment is seen when David was refreshed by his three mighty men. It is a record of devoted affection; for when David longed and said,

• "Oh that one would give me to drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is in the gate!", 1 Chronicles 11: 17.

• The three broke through the host of the Philistines, and drew water and brought it to David. Their deep concern was to refresh their king. It was an objective great enough to cause them to put their lives in jeopardy; and by their exploit they gratified his heart and gave him an occasion for worship, for
  • "David however would not drink of it, but poured it out to Jehovah", verse 18.

We are living in the day of the Spirit of God, and He is inseparably associated with the ministry of refreshment. The Lord's promise that the Spirit should be in the believer

• "a fountain of water", John 4: 14, and that there should flow out of him "rivers of living water", John 7: 38,

• denoted that the presence of the Holy Spirit would bring refreshment to myriads.

• Almost immediately after His descent, Peter made a striking reference to it when he called upon the men of Israel to
  • "Repent therefore and be converted, for the blotting out of your sins, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and he may send Jesus Christ", Acts 3: 19-20.

• Although Israel as a nation did not then repent, these times of refreshing are being spiritually enjoyed even today, by power of the Holy Spirit.

By the power of the Spirit, too, the gospel is being preached.

• "As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country", Proverbs 25: 25.

• God's good news is still carrying refreshment to weary souls in the name of Jesus, who said,
  • "Come to me, all ye who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest", Matthew 11: 28.

• Many are proving Him to be
  • as brooks of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land", Isaiah 32: 2.

How diligently the companions of Paul engaged in this ministry of refreshment! Their example is stimulating, and productive of a prayerful desire to continue in this most profitable service.

Of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, the apostle Paul wrote:

• "they have refreshed my spirit and yours", 1 Corinthians 16: 18;

• and when Titus returned from Corinth and had recounted his happy experiences there, Paul wrote:
  • "For this reason we have been encouraged. And we the rather rejoiced in our encouragement more abundantly by reason of the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all", 2 Corinthians 7: 13.

Of Onesiphorus the aged apostle wrote,

• "The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he has often refreshed me, and has not been ashamed of my chain; but being in Rome sought me out very diligently, and found me and how much service he rendered in Ephesus thou knowest best", 2 Timothy 1: 16-18.

The same apostle wrote these words to Philemon,

• "we have great thankfulness and encouragement through thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother", verse 7.

It is the personal tender consideration of the brethren,

• "by love serve one another", Galatians 5: 13,

• which brings such refreshment to the spirit.

• It is the blessed man whose strength is in God, in whose heart are the highways, who, passing through the valley of Baca – 'weeping' – makes it a well-spring. Psalm 84: 6.

May each disciple of the Lord live near

• "the river of God" which "is full of water", Psalm 65: 9,

• and thus qualify for this most necessary and invigorating service, which is so gratifying to the heart of Christ, and so productive of spiritual prosperity.

We do well to face these tests! He says to Philip,

• "Whence shall we buy loaves?"

• Athough He Himself knew what He would do. He was about to stir somebody's heart to give, and in this case it was a little lad – representative of a young believer.

The Lord was about to do a great work: there were five thousand to be fed, but He would have it worked out on the principle of contribution.

• It should encourage all of us that the Lord has called us out of the world and set us in the assembly: He has opened our eyes to the glorious possibility of being contributors to the greatest and most dignified service in the universe – the service of God!

• There is the need, whenever we come together, that willing contributions should be made. In His grace the Lord is working in our hearts to this end.

This boy should be an incentive to us all! Would you not like to have had the opportunity which was given to this little lad? He has brought along a supply of food, but he would not keep it for himself when he knew that Jesus desired to have it.

• This boy was marked by the spirit of contribution, for the Lord would never have forced him to surrender it. His heart had evidently been touched by the love of Jesus; his food was willingly yielded to the Lord;

• but he had the joy of seeing his tiny contribution – five loaves and two small fishes – in the hands of Jesus become so great that the whole five thousand were fed, and far more was left over than there was at the beginning.

Coupled with the thought of contribution is that of abundance, and then the necessity of appropriation.

• Think of the ministry the Lord is giving today in abundance – the abundance of the house of God!

• We tasted the abundance of grace when we first came to Him, but we find that everything is abundant which He gives, and He would have us imbibe that spirit in order that there might be willing-heartedness in our contributions.

• When there is abundance it is a simple matter for the people of God to appropriate it. Are our hearts filled, or are they still hungry?

• The Lord would fill our hearts with such abundance that He would cause us to say that the world is not good enough for us: we desire God's world. We are assured that on God's side there is no shortage.

• It was that small contribution from a little lad that formed the basis for the feeding of five thousand and evidenced the abundance of God. All the multitude was fed as the outcome of that contribution.

That wonderful chapter, Exodus 35, discloses that when Jehovah would have a sanctuary, He adopted a remarkable process to bring it to pass.

• It would have been simple for Him to have spoken a word, and the tabernacle would have been in being, perfectly complete.

• Why, then, did He not use a word of power to do this? Was it not that God loves to work on the basis that every willing and wise-hearted person should be

CONTRIBUTING TO THE OFFERINGS?

The opportunity was given and immediately the inflow of contributions took place.

• The blue, purple, scarlet, fine twined linen, and other offerings all spoke of the various glories of the Lord Jesus, and of redeeming love as the basis of worship: for if our hearts are not moved by love there will be no praise for God.

• A remarkable feature was that the people were so willing that their giving had to be restrained. May we each contribute to this abundance!

Another beautiful feature was that God opened the door for contribution from the women as well as the men. Both make their contribution to the service of God.

• The Lord, as the great Head of the assembly, knows, as He looks into our hearts, the affection that would prompt the spirit of contribution. He would have each one bring, but we cannot offer that which costs us nothing – the truth has to be bought.

Do we come together for that which we receive, or in order to contribute? As a test of this let us consider the value of the Lord's day afternoon.

• If we are prepared to make the sacrifice that is involved in spending the afternoon other than selfishly, the Lord will see to it that some spiritual wealth is acquired.

• There has been much cheer experienced of late in observing how many of the young people willingly come to the Lord's day afternoon meetings.

The tabernacle was thus completed and God dwelt among His people.

• The altar was there, speaking of the death of Jesus: the golden altar of incense was there, indicating the intercessory prayers of the people of God,
  • but the maintenance of the service at each altar depended on their contributions.

The scripture in 2 Chronicles 31 refers to the days of Hezekiah. This is particularly encouraging because it speaks of a day of recovery.

• After a great declension, during which the people plunged into idolatry, this king was used of God to effect a great spiritual revival: the temple was cleansed; the service of the house of God revived, and the offerings were reinstated.

• This suggests to us the recovery which has taken place during the last one hundred years. For a long period there had been a departure from God, but He has effected a recovery.

• There has been a revival of much truth that had been lost: for instance, the Lord's supper has been recovered to its original simplicity and sweetness; the gospel is being preached in its truth and dignity; and there is increased response to God in praise.

Hezekiah raised the serious issue that, owing to the lack of contribution, the priests had not enough to eat. The Levites had to be engaged with earning their own livelihood instead of carrying on the service of God.

• The king sought to bring the people to answer to the thought of the claims of God, and to bring their contributions to the house of God. Then they brought in abundance; there was no meanness about it; no reluctance, but a whole-hearted, willing response. They were

CONTRIBUTING TO THE SERVICE OF GOD

• Corn reminds us that the Lord Jesus was the Corn of wheat which fell into the ground and, having died, brought forth much fruit. John 12: 24. Thus their first contribution spoke of the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

• Then they brought wine, which speaks of joy. How defective the people had been in joy! The temple was unclean; the priests were not occupied in their priestly service. How then could there be joy? But now, on the principle of contribution, joy is brought in. God would have His people happy.

• Then, too, they brought in oil, which is suggestive of the grace and power of the Holy Spirit of God.

Do we not often feel that there is a lack of power?

• The sisters need to bring their contributions of corn, wine, and oil, as well as the brothers. A spiritual sister adds greatly to the power of the meeting. Every sister has the opportunity of so contributing that there should be no lack of the appreciation of Christ, no lack of joy, nor lack of the power of the Holy Spirit. It is all brought by willing-hearted people.

Then they began to make heaps: there was abundance, a surplus, and they put the surplus into heaps. One day the king came and inquired as to the heaps, and the priest said,

• "Since they began to bring the heave-offerings into the house of Jehovah, we have eaten and been satisfied and have plenty left; for Jehovah has blessed his people; and what is left is this great store".

• How this confirmed the word of the psalmist,
  • "They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house", Psalm 36: 8.

• It is well, when assembled together, to be carried above all sense of need. The abundance of the contributions forms the basis of praise to God. We are in a wealthy place. There are moments when, like David, we can say,
  • "The prayers of David … are ended", Psalm 72: 20.

• It is then not a time to pray but to bow our hearts in worship.

In Revelation 4 a door was opened in heaven and John was permitted to look within. It is a scene of worshipping, adoration.

• Then he sees the four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne. They are also seen

CONTRIBUTING TO THE WORSHIP OF GOD,

• "Thou art worthy … for thou hast been slain", verse 9.

• They are expressing their deep appreciation of the Lamb, of His atoning death, and of His suffering love. They value their crowns as giving them the opportunity of contributing to His praise by casting them at His feet.

This holy service of worship has already begun, and by the Holy Spirit we are privileged to be contributors to it, even while on earth.

• As yet it is to faith, and not to sight, but we can be in harmony with the homage of heaven and
  • "worship by the Spirit of God", Philippians 3: 3.

May it please the Lord to stir our hearts to be contributing increasingly to the service of God, to the joy of the heart of Christ, to the wealth of the assembly, and to the testimony of God!

EZRA evidently attached great importance to this when he was about to return to Jerusalem with many of those who had been in captivity in Babylon.

• He "gathered them together at the river that runs to Ahava; and there we encamped three days".

• It was then discovered that there were "none of the sons of Levi there". As a priest, who had the interest of God at heart, he knew that, if the service of God was to be recovered, Levites were essential. So he sent messengers to
  • "bring us ministers for the house of our God".

• They came, thirty-eight Levites and "two hundred and twenty Nethinim: all of them were expressed by name". The Lord knows the name of every one who is willing to consecrate his service to God!

Then at that river he proclaimed a fast

• "that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance … and we fasted, and besought our God for this; and he was entreated of us".

How encouraging it is that in the face of the perilous journey of life and the desire in each heart to be a contributor to the work of God, there should be found by the river of God suitable

PREPARATION FOR THE SERVICE OF GOD

and that, consequent upon prayer and fasting, the needed power for all that is before us is obtained in the Holy Spirit.

• No wonder that journey which Ezra took was accomplished, despite all the perils, without harm and loss, and that the temple of God having been rebuilt, the service of God was re-established, when the spiritual movement commenced by the river!

EZEKIEL, too, knew the import and value of this. His prophecy begins with the words,

• "as I was among the captives by the river … the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God".

• It is significant that the centre of those visions was "a man" above upon the throne. Verse 26. It was prophetic of Christ in glory, but it was given to this man, who could say,
  • "the Spirit lifted me up … and I came to them of the captivity … that dwelt by the river Chebar, and I sat where they sat", chapter 3: 14-15.

• A moment had come in his life when, by the leading and power of the Spirit of God, he had been brought to sit with those who were true to God, who were mourning the state of the people and their captivity, and whose heart-feeling found expression in the beautiful words of Psalm 137: 1,
  • "By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down; yea, we wept when we remembered Zion".

• Each one could say that he preferred Jerusalem above his chief joy.

As there was a sovereign movement of the Holy Spirit of God in that day, even so in this day there are those who, under the leading of the Spirit of God have identified themselves with those who, though despised, have God's centre in their hearts, and God's house and its holy service as their chief interest.

• In language often employed today, Ezekiel 'came into fellowship' by the river, with the result that he was given

LIGHT AS TO THE TRUTH OF GOD.

• To be intelligent as to God's mind, it is essential that each should be prepared to bear the reproach of Christ; to sit together with those who love God and cherish His assembly; and to dwell by the river-side, continuously empowered and enlightened by the Holy Spirit of God.

PAUL – the great apostle of the Gentiles – had responded to the vision of the man of Macedonia,

• "concluding that the Lord had called us to announce to them the glad tidings", Acts 16: 10.

• At the beginning of the proclamation of the gospel in Europe, it was a great movement of the Spirit of God, so it is recorded that
  • "on the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where it was the custom for prayer to be, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had assembled".

• Thus is the truth borne home upon us that every evangelical movement is to find its beginnings by the river – under the power and influence of the Spirit of God.

• Peter confirms this when he speaks of those who have
  • "declared to you the glad tidings by the Holy Spirit, sent from heaven", 1 Peter 1: 12.

• The river, in this incident, speaks of the essential

POWER FOR THE WORK OF THE GOSPEL.

Whether for public preaching or personal speaking, power is needed, and

• "power belongeth unto God", Psalm 62: 11, Authorised Version.

• One of the features of the work of God in each soul is the implanting of evangelical desires – a longing for the blessing of others; yet how important it is that each one should find his power and supplies in the River of God, which is full of water.

• What dignity, too, it gives to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, seeing that God is its Source, His Son Jesus Christ our Lord is its Theme, and the Holy Spirit of God the Power by whom alone it is effectual.

JOHN – the beloved apostle – was entrusted to unfold the great climax of the truth of the River of God. Carried away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, he records that

• "he shewed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, going out of the throne of God and of the Lamb", Revelation 22: 1.

• The River in its purity is the mighty stream of

LIFE IN THE CITY OF GOD.

• "There is a river the streams whereof make glad the city of God", Psalm 46: 4.

Through that day of glory, the same divine Person – the Holy Spirit –

• who has prepared the saints for the service of God;

  by whose activities they have been enlightened in the truth of God;

  who has ever been the power for the work of the gospel of God,

• will fill that glorious city with life – shedding His mighty influence over it all – until each living one, who forms part of that wonderful company, will be able to say in full measure then:

'And see! the Spirit's power
Has ope'd the heavenly door,
Has brought us to that favoured hour
When toil shall all be o'er'. (Hymn 74)

Yet today is 'the Spirit's day', with all the spiritual resources of the Holy Spirit of God now available. How important then are the exhortations:

• Walk in the Spirit", Galatians 5: 16, and

  "do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which ye have been sealed for the day of redemption", Ephesians 4: 30!

The Scripture in Exodus 35 says: "they came"; that is a lovely expression! It is a wonderful joy to look out upon the children of God and say, "they came"!

• But they did not come empty-handed, or in a formal, religious manner, because it was a certain hour or a certain day: no, they came with their hearts moved, their minds occupied and their hands full!

• God requires that no one should appear before Him empty; the word "consecration" means 'with hands full'. (cf. Leviticus 8: 28, footnote c.)

Let us dismiss the idea that there is nothing we can bring. There are great possibilities open to those whose hearts are moved in the direction of contributing, for the opportunities are many.

• If we feel that our gift is small, the Lord can enlarge what we have and honour our desire. What is needed on our side is to have hearts moved, spirits willing and hands full.

The idea of a Christian accepting all the blessings of God and settling down in them without any spiritual movement in offering Godward, or any movement in compassion towards men, is entirely contrary to the thoughts of God.

We read of the Lord Jesus, who is presented to His followers as the great Example, that

• He "went through all quarters doing good", Acts 10: 38.

• He served God in lowly grace, bringing light, joy and blessing to men. Thus His disciples should be on this line of contributing – first of all, what is due to God.

• That which is manward and for the benefit of the people of God is to have its place, but the great primary thought is that service must be first Godward, affording Him what is acceptable and for His joy – rendering to Him adoration, praise and worship.

We are destined to be for ever in the presence of God as worshippers; but even while here on earth, what an honour it is to bring something – however small a contribution, according to our judgment – which will give delight to the heart of God!

• Let us speak to Him of Jesus – of His glories, His love, His Person, His work and His grace!

• We all have something we can bring, if there has been a work of God in our souls; some feature of Christ which has impressed us will furnish a basis to fill our hands with Christ, so that we may draw near to God.

Then the idea of contributing is to expand. The work of God calls for it; the moment calls for persons who can contribute, and who can render a testimony – even though in obscurity – which is acceptable to God.

• Let us all be concerned as to what contributions we bring! We are always receiving; and we can rightly bless our God for all that He has bestowed upon us, and receive it with joy and thankfulness; but
  • "ye have received gratuitously, give gratuitously", Matthew 10: 8!

Let us not exclude ourselves from the holy joy of spiritual giving – a word by the bedside to cheer some aged believer; a word of comfort to someone in sorrow; a word concerning Christ to a fellow-believer – all these are contributions!

• God does not send His angels with such messages, but uses His own people; and it is delightful to hear of loving service of this kind going on in freshness.

God desires that we should all be givers in a spiritual way; let us all be concerned to be contributing to that which gives pleasure to Him, with willing hearts divinely moved and hands full of the fragrance of Christ, giving character to the service, whatever it may be.

• Thus, as we await the return of Christ, may we be encouraged on the line of contributing, for the Lord will enlarge our measure if we are "faithful in the least", Luke 16: 10.

for he refers to God as "the Father", and to the Lord Jesus Christ as "the Lord of glory". He mentions "the Spirit that dwelleth in us" and also refers to the church and he speaks of the coming of the Lord as though all these truths are known.

James illustrates his exhortations by familiar objects, as the Lord did in His ministry. For instance,

• "a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed", aptly describes a man who asks for wisdom, but does not ask in faith;

• a mirror is used to teach the value of considering what manner of man one is;

• "the flower of the grass" reminds him of the fading character of everything here;

• the bit in the horse's mouth, and the rudder of a ship illustrate the necessity for control in our speech;

• a fountain proves the need for purity;

• a vapour teaches the solemn lesson of the uncertainty of life; the rain conveys the thought of the coming down of heavenly blessing.

• temptations and endurance,

• pure and undefiled religion,

• avoiding partiality,

• the necessity for good works,

• the ordering of the tongue,

• the wisdom which is from above,

• our friendships,

• the spirit of humility,

• behaviour as brethren,

• subjection to God's will,

• the danger of the selfish life,

• the coming of the Lord,

• the power of prayer, and the value of one soul recovered for God.

The apostle, full of affection, addresses Christians as "brethren" fourteen times in this short epistle, twice as "beloved brethren".

• He solemnly exhorts them to the end that Christianity may be livingly expressed both in their speech and in their works, for he says,
  • "So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty".

A distinct principle may be noted in each chapter.

Chapter 1 – Purity

The climax of the first character is found in the remarkable definition of "true religion", so different from the human idea, for he emphasizes its purity.

• "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world".

• Pure motives and affection should control the followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, as they are found where there is sorrow and affliction, and in love to Him they will desire to walk as delivered from this present evil world.

Chapter 2 – Good Works

In the second chapter he urges the necessity of good works.

According to the epistle to the Romans we are "justified by faith" before God, but this does not lessen the truth that we need to be "justified by works" in the sight of others.

• Those who profess faith in Christ are urged to show their faith by their works, for Christianity is not a theory or system of doctrines, but is living and practical.

• There is to be a witness in the believer's works as expressing the reality of faith.

Chapter 3 – Wisdom

In chapter 3, after calling solemn attention to the danger of an unbridled tongue and urging the need of speaking a pure language, the apostle furnishes a key to a Christian life in the supply of wisdom that is from above.

• How encouraging it is that a Christian can be guided and governed by the wisdom that is
  • "first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy".

• Christianity can only be displayed as this wisdom is received and its features expressed.

Chapter 4 – Lowliness

In chapter 4 the writer is concerned lest there should be a spirit that is not pleasing to God, for

• "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble".

• The spirit of lowliness is essential if the testimony of Christ is to be effectual, for He was meek and lowly in heart. It is not sufficient to do that which is right; it must be done in the right spirit to please God.

• The Holy Spirit of God is here spoken of as "the Spirit that dwelleth in us", and He alone furnishes the true secret of lowliness.

Chapter 5 – Power

Finally, the apostle in chapter 5 leads on to the value of one soul and life that is recovered but connects this with the power of prayer, for

• "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much".

• Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are and he prayed earnestly.

• One of the greatest evidences of Christianity is the recovery of those who have erred from the truth and this is effected in the power of prayer.

The consideration of this important epistle is commended, to the end that the practical lives of God's people may be increasingly for the pleasure of God and the testimony of Christ.