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TOPIC: MacDuff, John - The Footsteps of Jesus (Other Topics in this Collection)
SUBJECT: 04 Companionship of the Good—Counsel of
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"Depart from me, you wicked race,
Whose hands and hearts are ill;
I love my God, I love His ways,
And must obey His will."
"He who walks with wise men shall be wise; but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." Pro_13:20
"I said to the Lord, "You are my Lord; I have no good besides You." As for the holy people who are in the land, they are the noble ones in whom is all my delight." Psa_16:2-3
Man is a social being. Wherever he is found, whether in a savage or civilized state, this trait more or less appears. Nor is it by man alone that this propensity is manifested. It is seen in the lower departments of the animal creation. Fish swim in schools, and insects move in swarms. Thus man and beast possess this instinct in common, as they do many others.
The social principles of our nature may become, like all other principles, the source either of good or of evil. If rightly improved, and properly directed—of good; if perverted and abused—of evil. How anxious then should we be to shun the latter, and to realize the former! And that such may be the case, what care should we exercise in the choice of those with whom we associate!
Reader, are you a follower of Christ? If so, select your companions from among His people. How solemn and decisive are the apostle's words, "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." In the book of Proverbs we have line upon line, and precept upon precept, calling upon us to shun the fellowship of the ungodly. Into their path we are not to enter; we are to avoid it, to turn from it, and to pass away. And what was the resolution of the Psalmist? "Depart from me, you evil doers; for I will keep the commandments of my God."
In the history of God's people we have this duty prominently exemplified. In the experience of David, whose words we have just quoted, this was especially the case. There were three things to which he was pre-eminently attached. The first was the word of God. O how highly did he prize that sacred treasure! It was his daily Counselor and guide. The second was the house of God. "I have loved the habitation of Your house; and the place where Your honor dwells." And in his banishment, when deprived of the high privilege of treading its threshold, and joining in its hallowed exercises of prayer and praise, he envied even the birds that built their nests against its walls. "Even the sparrow finds a home there, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young—at a place near your altar, O Lord Almighty, my King and my God!" But in addition to the word and house of God, he ardently loved the people of God. "I am a companion of all those who fear You, and of those who keep Your precepts." He speaks of the saints that were upon the earth, and the excellent, as those in whom was all his delight. And God appears to have blessed him with not a few of such to delight himself in. He had Nathan, so faithful and true; he had Barzillai, the Gileadite, a brother born for adversity; he had Abiathar the priest, and Zadoc the scribe; and he once had Jonathan, whom he loved as his own soul; and many more, with whom he took sweet counsel, and walked to the house of God in company.
How interesting, again, is the account given of what took place in the time of the prophet Malachi. It appears to have been a season when iniquity and infidelity greatly abounded. The avowal was unblushingly made, that it was vain to serve God, and that there was no profit in keeping His ordinances. But even then there were some who were found faithful among the faithless. And among other things they were especially distinguished by the particular we are considering, namely, their love to and their fellowship with each other. "Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name." And as He always honors those who honor Him, it is added, "They will be mine," says the Lord Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession!" Having come out from among the ungodly, God received them; He looked down with special approbation upon them; and promised that He would at length gloriously reward them.
And so with the early Christians. "Being let go," it is said, "they went to their own company:" a declaration that gives us a clear insight into their character as far as their fellowship with each other was concerned. They were, though a persecuted, yet a happy, loving, united family. They had to mix with the ungodly—but it was their own company they loved.
There is something highly reasonable in the duty we are endeavoring to enforce. "Like loves like," says the proverb, "all the world over." One individual is drawn to another, and one class of men to another class, where a oneness of views, of tastes, of feelings, and of efforts, are found to exist. Whether it be in literary and political pursuits, or in the degrading pleasures of sin, we have abundant illustrations of this truth. And if such associate together, how much more should the followers of Christ do so, who are united to each other by far higher bonds—bonds heavenly in their source, and deathless in their duration!
The feelings with which we regard the people of God are a decisive proof of our spiritual condition. "By their fruits," said the Savior, "you shall know them." And the fruits to which the Scriptures refer, are exceedingly simple and palpable. Nothing brilliant or imposing is required in order to evidence that we are the disciples of Christ. The possession of splendid talents; the distribution of ample charities; the endurance of martyrdom; none of these things are represented as proofs of our discipleship. Had such been the case, only some favored few could evince their attachment to the Lord Jesus, and manifest that they were His true friends and followers. But the requirements of the Gospel are such as may be practiced by individuals in every condition; they are tests which may be applied to people of every rank and station.
How desirable a thing is it for us to be brought to know that we have passed from death to life—that that great and glorious change has taken place, in virtue of which we are made children of God and inheritors of the kingdom of heaven! Well, it may be known. The thing is not impossible. But in what way? Not by conferring with prophet or angel, gifted with the revelation of hidden things. Not by reading our names in the book of life, that mystic volume which is chained to the eternal throne, with all the fates of men. Not by receiving from God any direct intimation of the fact, such as proclaiming from the excellent glory that we are His beloved and accepted children, in whom He is well pleased. No, not so. It is not by ascending to heaven above, nor by descending to the depths below; but it is by means of that revealed Word which is near us. And what is its testimony? "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." Brotherly affection—a cordial feeling of attachment to all who possess the mind, and manifest the spirit of Christ, is what the apostle John fixes upon as an indubitable evidence of our personal salvation.
The question then is one of the greatest importance, "Do I love the brethren? And does my love to them lead me to delight in fellowship with them?" If we are strangers to such feelings we have every reason to doubt our spiritual condition. "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples—if you love one another." And the converse will hold equally true—By this shall all men know that you are not my disciples—if such a spirit is not possessed and manifested by you.
Once more, if we make the people of God our companions, we are likely to derive benefits of the most important kind from fellowship with them. "Come with us," is their invitation, "and we will do you good." They will cheer, and warn, and direct us; they will sympathize with us in our sorrows, and bring down the blessing of heaven upon us by their prayers.
Reader, beware of sinful companions. Ask the wretched youth who, with a ruined character, is now an inmate of yonder prison, what brought him to such a place—and he will tell you that it was wicked companions. Ask the poor creature who is about to terminate his miserable career on the gallows, what led him to so disastrous an end, and he will answer—wicked companions. No mind but His who comprehends the universe in its vast survey, can tell what multitudes have been ruined, ruined for both worlds, by the influence of wicked companions. Young man, shun the society of the ungodly. Flee from them as you would from a venomous viper. Dread their abode as you would a place infected with the most malignant pestilence. O, if sinners entice you, consent not. Dare to be singular; learn to be decided. And whatever others may do, be it yours to aspire after the blessedness which is pronounced upon those who walk not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful; but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditate therein day and night.
Whose hands and hearts are ill;
I love my God, I love His ways,
And must obey His will."
"He who walks with wise men shall be wise; but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." Pro_13:20
"I said to the Lord, "You are my Lord; I have no good besides You." As for the holy people who are in the land, they are the noble ones in whom is all my delight." Psa_16:2-3
Man is a social being. Wherever he is found, whether in a savage or civilized state, this trait more or less appears. Nor is it by man alone that this propensity is manifested. It is seen in the lower departments of the animal creation. Fish swim in schools, and insects move in swarms. Thus man and beast possess this instinct in common, as they do many others.
The social principles of our nature may become, like all other principles, the source either of good or of evil. If rightly improved, and properly directed—of good; if perverted and abused—of evil. How anxious then should we be to shun the latter, and to realize the former! And that such may be the case, what care should we exercise in the choice of those with whom we associate!
Reader, are you a follower of Christ? If so, select your companions from among His people. How solemn and decisive are the apostle's words, "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." In the book of Proverbs we have line upon line, and precept upon precept, calling upon us to shun the fellowship of the ungodly. Into their path we are not to enter; we are to avoid it, to turn from it, and to pass away. And what was the resolution of the Psalmist? "Depart from me, you evil doers; for I will keep the commandments of my God."
In the history of God's people we have this duty prominently exemplified. In the experience of David, whose words we have just quoted, this was especially the case. There were three things to which he was pre-eminently attached. The first was the word of God. O how highly did he prize that sacred treasure! It was his daily Counselor and guide. The second was the house of God. "I have loved the habitation of Your house; and the place where Your honor dwells." And in his banishment, when deprived of the high privilege of treading its threshold, and joining in its hallowed exercises of prayer and praise, he envied even the birds that built their nests against its walls. "Even the sparrow finds a home there, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young—at a place near your altar, O Lord Almighty, my King and my God!" But in addition to the word and house of God, he ardently loved the people of God. "I am a companion of all those who fear You, and of those who keep Your precepts." He speaks of the saints that were upon the earth, and the excellent, as those in whom was all his delight. And God appears to have blessed him with not a few of such to delight himself in. He had Nathan, so faithful and true; he had Barzillai, the Gileadite, a brother born for adversity; he had Abiathar the priest, and Zadoc the scribe; and he once had Jonathan, whom he loved as his own soul; and many more, with whom he took sweet counsel, and walked to the house of God in company.
How interesting, again, is the account given of what took place in the time of the prophet Malachi. It appears to have been a season when iniquity and infidelity greatly abounded. The avowal was unblushingly made, that it was vain to serve God, and that there was no profit in keeping His ordinances. But even then there were some who were found faithful among the faithless. And among other things they were especially distinguished by the particular we are considering, namely, their love to and their fellowship with each other. "Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name." And as He always honors those who honor Him, it is added, "They will be mine," says the Lord Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession!" Having come out from among the ungodly, God received them; He looked down with special approbation upon them; and promised that He would at length gloriously reward them.
And so with the early Christians. "Being let go," it is said, "they went to their own company:" a declaration that gives us a clear insight into their character as far as their fellowship with each other was concerned. They were, though a persecuted, yet a happy, loving, united family. They had to mix with the ungodly—but it was their own company they loved.
There is something highly reasonable in the duty we are endeavoring to enforce. "Like loves like," says the proverb, "all the world over." One individual is drawn to another, and one class of men to another class, where a oneness of views, of tastes, of feelings, and of efforts, are found to exist. Whether it be in literary and political pursuits, or in the degrading pleasures of sin, we have abundant illustrations of this truth. And if such associate together, how much more should the followers of Christ do so, who are united to each other by far higher bonds—bonds heavenly in their source, and deathless in their duration!
The feelings with which we regard the people of God are a decisive proof of our spiritual condition. "By their fruits," said the Savior, "you shall know them." And the fruits to which the Scriptures refer, are exceedingly simple and palpable. Nothing brilliant or imposing is required in order to evidence that we are the disciples of Christ. The possession of splendid talents; the distribution of ample charities; the endurance of martyrdom; none of these things are represented as proofs of our discipleship. Had such been the case, only some favored few could evince their attachment to the Lord Jesus, and manifest that they were His true friends and followers. But the requirements of the Gospel are such as may be practiced by individuals in every condition; they are tests which may be applied to people of every rank and station.
How desirable a thing is it for us to be brought to know that we have passed from death to life—that that great and glorious change has taken place, in virtue of which we are made children of God and inheritors of the kingdom of heaven! Well, it may be known. The thing is not impossible. But in what way? Not by conferring with prophet or angel, gifted with the revelation of hidden things. Not by reading our names in the book of life, that mystic volume which is chained to the eternal throne, with all the fates of men. Not by receiving from God any direct intimation of the fact, such as proclaiming from the excellent glory that we are His beloved and accepted children, in whom He is well pleased. No, not so. It is not by ascending to heaven above, nor by descending to the depths below; but it is by means of that revealed Word which is near us. And what is its testimony? "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." Brotherly affection—a cordial feeling of attachment to all who possess the mind, and manifest the spirit of Christ, is what the apostle John fixes upon as an indubitable evidence of our personal salvation.
The question then is one of the greatest importance, "Do I love the brethren? And does my love to them lead me to delight in fellowship with them?" If we are strangers to such feelings we have every reason to doubt our spiritual condition. "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples—if you love one another." And the converse will hold equally true—By this shall all men know that you are not my disciples—if such a spirit is not possessed and manifested by you.
Once more, if we make the people of God our companions, we are likely to derive benefits of the most important kind from fellowship with them. "Come with us," is their invitation, "and we will do you good." They will cheer, and warn, and direct us; they will sympathize with us in our sorrows, and bring down the blessing of heaven upon us by their prayers.
Reader, beware of sinful companions. Ask the wretched youth who, with a ruined character, is now an inmate of yonder prison, what brought him to such a place—and he will tell you that it was wicked companions. Ask the poor creature who is about to terminate his miserable career on the gallows, what led him to so disastrous an end, and he will answer—wicked companions. No mind but His who comprehends the universe in its vast survey, can tell what multitudes have been ruined, ruined for both worlds, by the influence of wicked companions. Young man, shun the society of the ungodly. Flee from them as you would from a venomous viper. Dread their abode as you would a place infected with the most malignant pestilence. O, if sinners entice you, consent not. Dare to be singular; learn to be decided. And whatever others may do, be it yours to aspire after the blessedness which is pronounced upon those who walk not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful; but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditate therein day and night.