Then do something for Jesus, which is worthy of His love. Give not a mere wordy offering to a dying Redeemer. How will you feel when your Master comes, if you have to confess that you did nothing for Him - but kept your love shut up, like a stagnant pool, not flowing forth to His work. Out on such love as that!
What do men think of a love which never shows itself in action? Why, they say, 'Open rebuke is better than secret love.' Who will accept a love so weak - that it does not actuate you to a single deed of self-denial, of generosity, of heroism, or zeal! Think how He has loved you, and given Himself for you! Do you know the power of that love? Then let it be like a rushing mighty wind to your soul - to sweep out the clouds of your worldliness, and clear away the mists of sin.
'For Christ's sake' be this the tongue of fire that shall sit upon you; 'for Christ's sake' be this the divine rapture, the heavenly affection to bear you aloft from earth; the divine spirit that shall make you bold as lions and swift as eagles in your Lord's service. Love should give wings to the feet of service, and strength to the arms of labor.
Fixed on God with a constancy that is not to be shaken, resolute to honor Him with a determination that is not to be turned aside, and pressing on with an ardor never to be wearied - let us manifest the constraints of love to Jesus. May the divine loadstone draw us heavenward towards itself!"
-Spurgeon
ANY persons want
to know their election before they look to Christ, but they cannot learn it
thus, it is only to be discovered by "looking unto Jesus." If you desire to
ascertain your own election;—after the following manner, shall you assure your
heart before God. Do you feel yourself to be a lost, guilty sinner? go
straightway to the cross of Christ, and tell Jesus so, and tell Him that you
have read in the Bible, "Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out."
Tell Him that He has said, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all
acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." Look to
Jesus and believe on Him, and you shall make proof of your election directly,
for so surely as thou believest, thou art elect. If you will give yourself
wholly up to Christ and trust Him, then you are one of God's chosen ones; but if
you stop and say, "I want to know first whether I am elect," you ask you know
not what. Go to Jesus, be you never so guilty, just as you are. Leave all
curious inquiry about election alone. Go straight to Christ and hide in His
wounds, and you shall know your election. The assurance of the Holy Spirit shall
be given to you, so that you shall be able to say, "I know whom I have believed,
and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to Him."
Christ was at the everlasting council: He can tell you whether you were chosen
or not; but you cannot find it out in any other way. Go and put your trust in
Him, and His answer will be—"I have loved thee with an everlasting love,
therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." There will be no doubt about
His having chosen you, when you have chosen Him.
