Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:4-11
Where can I go this Lord’s Day and hear the mercy of God, not the mechanics of grace? Where can I go and hear the love of Christ and not the law of God for saints? Where can I go and hear the righteousness of God fulfilled by Christ and not the righteousness of the creature to be rewarded by God? Let us say, by God’s grace, this will be the place and I will be the preacher. The message will not be flowery but full of grace; it will not be with enticing words of man’s wisdom but the sovereign mercy of God to helpless sinners in a language all men understand. Let the scholars, theologians and authors go elsewhere to have their intellects ‘challenged’. Lord make me THY VOICE to THY PEOPLE
What better instruction could any minister give to his congregation? Don’t look to the Law; it will only serve to condemn you. Don’t look to religious ceremony; it will only serve to befuddle you. Don’t look to yourself; it will only serve to make you self-righteous. Don’t even look to the preacher; he is a sinner and needs grace just like you. Look to the Lord Jesus Christ to provide all things in salvation. He is made to the believer wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption (I Corinthians 1:30). Keep looking always to Him (Hebrews 12:1-2, Isaiah 45:22).
Here are we too prone to think highly of our knowledge; but when we arrive in yonder world of light, to see Him as He is, we shall be ashamed of the highest conceptions we had of Him, and of our most labored attempts to express them, while we were imprisoned in this distant land. Then we shall say with the queen of Sheba, “Behold the half, the thousandth part, was not told us!” In the meantime, He is pleased to accept our imperfect stammerings, to assist our feeble inquiries, and does not disdain (as He justly might) to hear us take His name upon our polluted lips!
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