JESUS IS THE RESURRECTION.

 CHRIST ALONE

SEPTEMBER 30

JESUS IS THE RESURRECTION.

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: 

 he that believeth in me, though he were dead, 

        yet shall he live:               John 11:25.

Man sinned, and therefore man died.

 Jesus died, and therefore man shall rise again. 

The doctrine of the resurrection is a precious doctrine. 

Martha believed it, but she looked upon it as tied 

  to a particular time: "I know that he shall rise again 

   in the resurrection at the last day.   

        Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection,."

He has power over death. 

He keeps the key of the grave. 

Resurrection is in his power. 

He will raise us up from the dust of death. 

By virtue of our union to him, 

  by the putting forth of his power upon us, 

  he will raise us up exactly like himself. 

Our bodies will be spiritual -
  no more the seat of pain;
  no more diseased or deformed;
  no more a clog and hindrance to the soul.

They will be beautiful, healthful, helps to the soul, glorious.

Because Jesus arose, we shall;

  for he arose as the first-fruits of those who slept; and 

  as the first-fruits are presented to, and accepted of God, 

  the whole harvest shall be gathered in.

Parent, your believing child, 

  which died in Jesus, 

    shall arise again. 

Child, your deceased parent, 

  who fell asleep in Jesus, 

     shall arise again. 

Weeping widow, 

  your sainted husband shall arise again. 

They died in the Lord. 

They retain their connection with the Lord. 

They will be raised to glorify the Lord. 

For Jesus will "come to be glorified in his saints, 

   and admired in all those who believe."

The grain of wheat which fell into the ground and died, 

  will appear a beautiful plant. 

Then this corruptible shall put on incorruption, and 

  this mortal shall put on immortality; and 

   then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written,

    "Death is swallowed up in victory."

But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus 

  from the dead dwell in you, 

  he that raised up Christ from the dead shall 

  also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit 

  that dwelleth in you.                Romans 8:11

 JAME SMITH 1855

JESUS THE FORERUNNER.

 CHRIST ALONE

SEPTEMBER 29

JESUS THE FORERUNNER.

Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, 

  made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 

                                                     Hebrews 6:20

Jesus, who came from Heaven to earth out of pure love to us, 

  in order to die for our sins and procure our salvation, 

 has gone back to Heaven as our forerunner. 

He not only points out the way,

   but he travels every step of it himself. 

He has removed every insurmountable difficulty 

  out of the way, 

  and left his own holy footprints to be our guide.

Can we complain, 

  if we only travel the path which Jesus has trodden 

    before us? 

He has entered into Heaven for us; 

  and when he entered, 

    he left the door wide open, 

      that we might follow him in. 

He points us to the path he has trodden, and says,

   "See, the way is open." 

He calls our attention to his present glorious residence, 

  and says, "Where I am, there shall you be also."

Precious Savior! glorious Forerunner! 

  O give us grace to follow you! 

And whenever tempted to relax our efforts,

  or loiter on our journey,

  or complain of the way,

   may we remember that you have traveled

   every step of the way before us, and 

   are now waiting to welcome us into your 

    presence and glory.

Jesus is gone before to announce our arrival. 

  He speaks of us as on the road. 

  He obtains for us the blessings we need. 

  He sends us all the supplies necessary. 

CHRIST ALONE could show such love, 

  manifest such kindness, 

     or exhibit such care.

My soul, keep your eye fixed on your glorious Forerunner, 

  and run the race set before you, looking unto Jesus. 

Amidst all your toils, think of the eternal rest;

  under all your conflicts, think of the glorious triumph; 

  and when tempted to turn aside, 

    look for the footprints of Jesus,

      they may be seen all along the road.

Holy Spirit, help us to think more of Jesus, 

  to confide more in Jesus, and 

    to expect more from Jesus!

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, 

  that is passed into the heavens, 

   Jesus the Son of God,

    let us hold fast our profession. 

                                      Hebrews 4:14

 JAMES SMITH 1855

JESUS THE COVENANT.

 
CHRIST ALONE

SEPTEMBER 28

JESUS THE COVENANT.

I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and 

  will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and 

  give thee for a covenant of the people, 

   for a light of the Gentiles;              Isaiah 42:6.

Many people are puzzled and perplexed with 

  the doctrine of the covenants. 

I avoid all this when I look at Jesus as God's covenant. 

He says, "I have made a covenant with my chosen;" and 

then, "Hear him." 

If I would understand God's covenant, 

  I must study Jesus; 

   I must listen to him. 

He says, "And this is the will of him that sent me, 

  that every one which seeth the Son, and

   believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and

     I will raise him up at the last day."

The covenant appears to be this: 

  The Father agrees to accept the obedience, sufferings, 

  and death of Jesus, instead of the obedience, sufferings, 

   and death of the sinner. 

The Father then promises to give eternal life to every one 

  that trusts in the perfect work of Jesus, and pleads it 

  before him for pardon and acceptance. 

All that the Lawgiver requires is exacted of Jesus. 

All that the sinner needs is given on the ground 

  of what Jesus did and suffered. 

If I agree to take Christ for my Lord and Savior, and 

  trust in his blood and obedience for 

  my pardon and justification,

  God agrees to accept me, and pardon and justify me, 

    for Jesus' sake.

Thus, God is in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, 

  not imputing their trespasses unto them: and 

  Jesus becomes sin for us, who knew no sin, 

  that we may be made the righteousness of God in him. 

So that, in Christ, God appears just, and 

  yet the justifier of him that believes in Jesus.

In CHRIST ALONE I see all the conditions of 

  the covenant fulfilled, 

  all the promises of the covenant treasured up, and 

  all the blessings of the covenant presented to sinners. 

O Jesus, I will look to you as God's covenant, and 

  expect the fulfillment of all its precious promises 

    through you, and through you alone!

Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, 

  and your soul shall live; and

  I will make an everlasting covenant with you, 

  even the sure mercies of David.        Isaiah 55:3.

 JAMES SMITH 1855

JESUS THE CAPTAIN OF OUR SALVATION.

 

 CHRIST ALONE

SEPTEMBER 27

JESUS THE CAPTAIN OF OUR SALVATION.

For it became him, for whom are all things, 

  and by whom are all things, in bringing many 

  sons unto glory, to make the captain of their 

  salvation perfect through sufferings. 

                                                Hebrews 2:10

Believers, as born of God, are bound for glory. 

We are on the way; we are in conflict,

  but we are headed by "the Prince of life;" 

  we are commanded by "the Captain of salvation." 

Jesus was qualified, and every way prepared

  to conduct us safely home, by his sufferings. 

He suffered from all causes and from all quarters. 

He knows our nature, 

  our frame, 

  our circumstances, 

  our foes, 

  our feelings, and 

  our difficulties. 

He has undertaken the command of us. 

He conquered for us once; 

  he will conquer in us and by us again. 

His army is immortal. 

He never lost a soldier. 

When the great muster-roll after the battle comes,

  it will be seen that not one who enlisted 

  under his banner, who wore his regimentals, 

  who was inspired by his Spirit, is missing. 

All will rally round him; 

  all will ascribe their victory to him; 

  all will seek to honor him.
 
Reader, if Jesus is your Captain, 

  he will lead you against Satan, and 

  you must conquer him. 

  

He will lead you against the world, and 

  you must overcome it. 

He will lead you against sin, and 

  you must mortify it.
 
He has prepared your armor; 

  he has summoned you to the battle; 

  he has given the word of command. 

He has made the promise, 

  "To him that overcometh will I grant 

  to sit with me in my throne, 

  even as I also overcame, and am set down 

  with my Father in his throne. "
 
If Joshua leads, then Canaan shall be possessed; 

  and if Jesus leads us, 

  then Heaven with all its glories shall be ours. 

He commenced the conflict, and

  he will complete it. 

He was the author or prime leader in the cause, 

  and he will finish it.
 
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, 

  and to present you faultless before 

  the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 

  To the only wise God our Saviour, 

  be glory and majesty, dominion and power, 

  both now and ever. Amen.    Jude 1:24-25

JAMES SMITH

JESUS OUR EXAMPLE.

 CHRIST ALONE

SEPTEMBER 26

JESUS OUR EXAMPLE.

For even hereunto were ye called: 

  because Christ also suffered for us, 

   leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

                                                         1 Peter 2:21

Christianity is constantly suffering from the conduct of its professors. 

They do not put off the old man with his deeds, 

  neither do they put on the new man, 

  which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 

They profess to look to Christ as a Savior,

  but they do not take Christ for their example. 

But these things must not be divided. 

He who died for our sins, set us also an example 

  that we should follow in his steps. 

CHRIST ALONE should be our standard, and

  likeness to him should be our aim. 

We are only so far christianized as we are like Christ.

Jesus says, "Learn of me." 

Not only learn by my teaching,

   but learn by my life. 

Do as you see me do; 

  act as you see me act. 

The life of Jesus is the model after which the Holy Spirit works. 

As the Spirit of Christ, his work is to conform us to Christ. 

And under his teaching and assistance, 

  it should be our daily aim to resemble Christ in

   our temper, disposition, and general deportment.

Am I called to suffer? 

Let me ask, "How did Christ suffer?" and 

  then seek grace to suffer just as he did. 

Am I called to work for God? Let me ask,

   "How did Christ work?" and then pray for grace

   that I may work just as Jesus did. 

And so of all the rest, that my life should be somewhat 

  a reflection of the life of Christ. In my conduct,

   I may in some degree reproduce the conduct of the Lord Jesus. 

No one can tell how nearly he may be conformed

   to the life of Jesus if he makes this his constant 

    prayer and habitual aim. 

Grace can do wonders, and God gives more grace. 

We are not now what we were once, and 

  we may become very much more like 

  to Jesus than we are now. 

Holy Spirit, make us just like our beloved Lord!

For I have given you an example, 

  that ye should do as I have done to you. 

                                               John 13:15

 James Smith 1855

JESUS OUR SHEPHERD.

 CHRIST ALONE

SEPTEMBER 25

JESUS OUR SHEPHERD.

And I will set up one shepherd over them, 

  and he shall feed them, even my servant David;

  he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. 

                                                 Ezekiel 34:23

As a flock needs constant attention and constant care, 

so does the believer in Jesus. 

With a natural proneness to wander, 

  liable to many diseases,

   exposed to watchful and cruel foes,

    the care of a shepherd is constantly necessary. 

Jesus has been appointed to that office by his Father. 

He has assumed it, and has become the

   "great Shepherd of the sheep." 

He fills it, and brings honor to it. 

He knows the exact number of his flock; 

  he knows the name, nature, and 

  situation of every one committed 

    to his care. 

He has promised to - 
  watch over them,
    feed them,
       protect them, and
          present them sound and 

            whole before the presence of his Father!

He is always at his post. 

  He delights in his work. 

  He loves his sheep. 

  He feeds his flock. 

He gathers the lambs with his arm, 

  carries them in his bosom, and 

  gently leads those that are burdened. 

His watchfulness, vigilance, and care are such, 

  that though thousands have wandered, 

    he has never lost a lamb from his flock; and 

     what is better, if better can be, he never will.

He selects for them the best pasture, 

  and leads them to it. 

He conducts them to the clear, still waters, 

  that so they may feed, fatten, and rest. 

He rejoices over them to do them good 

  with his whole heart and with his whole soul.

Reader, are you one of the flock of Jesus?

 Do you know the great Shepherd's voice? 

Do you come at his call, and follow in his footsteps?

 Do you look to Christ alone as your Shepherd, 

   expecting him to -
  feed you,
   fold you,
    guide you,
     guard you, and
place you in the glorious presence of his Father forever?

If so, great are your privileges, happy is your lot, 

  glorious are your prospects. 

Keep close to your Shepherd's side, and 

   listen daily to your Shepherd's voice.

I am the good shepherd: 

  the good shepherd giveth his life 

     for the sheep.      John 10:11

 JAMES SMITH 1855

JESUS THE PHYSICIAN.

CHRIST ALONE

SEPTEMBER 23

JESUS THE PHYSICIAN.

But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, 

 They that be whole need not a physician, 

  but they that are sick.  Matthew 9:12

Jesus is the only physician that can heal a sin-sick soul. 

There is no balm but his blood; and 

  no healing but by his Spirit. 

Jesus as a physician is proclaimed unto the world, 

  that sinners of every class, climate, and 

  color may come to him and be healed.

But he is in an especial sense our family physician. 

He is engaged to attend to the whole household of believers. 

The children may apply to him at all times, and for all they need. 

It is not necessary to wait until seized with a fever or paralysis, 

  or some dangerous disorder, but we may go to him with all 

   our headaches and heartaches, with all our cuts and bruises.

He always -
  receives us kindly,
    attends to us promptly,
       and prescribes for us wisely.

We never ought to attempt to doctor ourselves,

  but always, 

   in all things, and

    for all we want, 

       go to Jesus. 

He never lost a patient, nor ever will. 

He never pronounced an applicant's case desperate, 

  or said to one that made application to him,

 "I can do nothing for you." 

He never talks of letting nature work its own cure,

  but with incomparable skill he -
   takes every case in hand,
     restores every patient to perfect health,
        and does all gratis.

CHRIST ALONE is qualified to be our physician; 

  CHRIST ALONE is appointed to that office;

  CHRIST ALONE has healed every saint in glory. 

Let us then apply to him when we are sin-sick. 

Let us go to him with our slight cases as well 

   as our serious attacks. 

Let us take our diseased hearts to him,

   he will heal them, and restore them to perfect health. 

He can cure the deadness, the coldness, the giddiness, 

  and the nervousness of the soul. 

Let us not then imagine that there is no help 

  or healing for us, for there is.

Behold, I will bring it health and cure, 

  and I will cure them, and will reveal 

   unto them the abundance of peace and truth.  

                                              Jeremiah 33:6

 JAMES SMITH 1855

JESUS OUR ADVOCATE.

 CHRIST ALONE

SEPTEMBER 22

JESUS OUR ADVOCATE.

And if any man sin, we have an advocate

 with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: ." 

                                                   1 John 2:1

Intercession is daily necessary, and 

  therefore Jesus daily intercedes for his redeemed people. 

But an advocate is only required on special occasions, 

  when we are dragged into the law court, and 

  then Jesus appears for us. 

He replies to, and confounds Satan, 

   the accuser of the brethren. 

He pleads his own obedience and blood-shedding 

   on our behalf, and so secures our acquittal and 

    freedom from condemnation.

In case of anyone falling into temptation, or 

  into the snare of the devil, 

  the ever-blessed Jesus has undertaken 

  to fill the office of an advocate in 

  the court of Heaven. 

This is for the comfort of his people, and 

  for the confusion of Satan.

My soul, rejoice in this, that thy God

  has provided for all contingencies. 

He has made provision for thy 

  restoration, consolation, and complete salvation. 

Jesus is all you can need. 

Thy cause is in his hands, and 

  he will carry it honorably through 

  the court of justice. 

He will meet and silence thy accuser. 

He will obtain pardon for all thy sins. 

He will secure thy eternal justification 

  before God. 

Therefore look to CHRIST ALONE. 

In all seasons of darkness, 

  in all times of temptation, and 

  even when thou hast fallen into sin,

  look to Jesus, and apply to him as thy Advocate. 

He will listen to thy cry, 

  he will receive thy confession, 

  he will undertake thy cause, and 

  he will bring thee out of darkness and 

  the shadow of death.

Precious Lord Jesus, 

  thou gracious Advocate of thy people, 

  as thou hast ever pleaded the causes 

  of thy erring ones, do thou plead my cause, 

  and so undertake for me as to bring me 

  through my difficulties and dangers to enjoy 

  thy Father's presence forever!

Holy Spirit, unfold this glorious office 

  of Jesus to my soul!

For Christ is not entered into the holy places 

  made with hands, which are the figures of the true; 

  but into heaven itself, now to appear in 

  the presence of God for us: 

                                           Hebrews 9:24

JAMES SMITH 1855