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‘Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.’
1Co_1:8
It might be expected that there would be a resemblance between what strengthens the natural and physical life, and what strengthens the moral and spiritual life, for God generally places these things in an analogy. Let us look at it in that light.
I. Does the natural life need continually and regularly its appointed and properly supplied nourishment, without which it cannot sustain life? so the soul, it too has its bread, the Bread of Life.
II. And does the health of the body require its own proper medicine?—So does the soul, without which it cannot always be well and strong. And what is the medicine? ‘Is there no balm in Gilead? is there no physician there? Why, then, is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?’ Go there, and you will find it.
III. And fresh air?—Without which, all that is vital fails and wanes. And what is the fresh air of the soul? What is it? Let me give you Christ’s answer. ‘The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth; so is every one that is born of the Spirit.’
IV. And what in nature can ever be well and fulfil its function without light and sunshine!—And by a law, as universal and as binding, the higher life of the soul must have brightness, it must have the radiance of an inward joy, the smile of heaven, the beams of love which flow from the heart of Jesus. It must have that light.
V. The strength, the very life of our body, depends on its union with the head, and according as the communication from the head to the body goes down, and according as the communication from the body to the head goes up direct and constant, so is every one’s life and every one’s power. Just so it is between us and Christ.
Rev. James Vaughan.
Illustration‘At your confirmation you did, of your own free will, in the presence of God and His Church, make the most express dedication of yourself to God for life. It was both a promise and a vow—a promise to man and a vow to God deliberately made and sealed by the laying on of the hands of the chief pastor of the Church. You vowed that you would renounce every sin, and everything however pleasant, which might lead you to sin; and all wrong thoughts and wicked desires. You vowed that you would believe, as God calls you to believe, believe with your heart every part of His holy Word, and specially in the grace of salvation. Thirdly, that you would keep, in your memory, keep in your heart, keep in your daily walk of life, all that God hath commanded us both to be and do. And even, even if it was not commanded, whatever God can wish you to do—His commandment and His will. Have you kept that promise? Are you keeping it now? Are you keeping it in the letter? Are you keeping it in the spirit?’