Patience, by J. C. Philpot

“But let patience have her perfect work.” James 1:4

Patience then has its work; and what is that? Twofold, according to my explanation of the word. 1. To endure all trials, live through all temptations, bear all crosses, carry all loads, fight all battles, toil through all difficulties, and overcome all enemies. 2. To submit to the will of God, to own that he is Lord and King, to have no will or way of its own, no scheme or plan to please the flesh, avoid the cross, or escape the rod; but to submit simply to God’s righteous dealings, both in providence and grace, believing that he doeth all things well, that he is a Sovereign, “and worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will.”

Now until the soul is brought to this point, the work of patience is not perfect; it may be going on, but it is not consummated. You may be in the furnace of temptation now, passing through the fiery trial. Are you rebellious or submissive? If still rebellious, you must abide in the furnace until you are brought to submission; and not only so, but it must be thorough submission, or else patience has not its perfect work. The dross and slag of rebellion must be scummed off, and the pure metal flow down. It is all of God’s grace to feel this for a single moment.

But are there not, and have there not been, times and seasons, in your soul, when you could be still and know that he is God? When you could submit to his will, believing that he is too wise to err, too good to be unkind? When this submission is felt, patience has its perfect work. Look at Jesus, our great example: see him in the gloomy garden, with the cross in prospect before him on the coming morn. How he could say, “Not my will, but thine be done!” There was the perfect work of patience in the perfect soul of the Redeemer. Now you and I must have a work in our soul corresponding to this, or else we are not conformed to the suffering image of our crucified Lord.

Patience in us must have its perfect work; and God will take care that it shall be so. As in a beautiful piece of machinery, if the engineer see a cog loose or a wheel out of gear, he must adjust the defective part, that it may work easily and properly, and in harmony with the whole machine; so if the God of all our salvation see a particular grace not in operation or not properly performing its appointed work, he by his Spirit so influences the heart that it is again brought to work as he designed it should do. Measure your faith and patience by this standard; but do not take in conjunction, or confound with them the workings of your carnal mind.

Here we often mistake: we may be submissive as regards our spirit, meek and patient, quiet and resigned, in the inward man, yet feel many uprisings and rebellings of the flesh; and thus patience may not seem to have her perfect work. But to look for perfect submission in the flesh is to look for perfection in the flesh, which was never promised and is never given. Look to what the Spirit is working in you—not to the carnal mind, which is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be, and therefore knows neither subjection nor submission. Look at that inward principality of which the Prince of peace is Lord and Ruler, and see whether in the still depths of your soul, and where he lives and reigns, there is submission to the will of God.

Joseph Charles Philpot (1802 - 1869)

What if I fail -- Think about it

“But what if I fail?”

The answer to that ‘what if’ question is, “You will.”

A better question might be, “After I fail, what then?”

No vacant seats in Heaven

Our hearts are filled with sorrow,
When Jesus comes to claim his own. 
A seat is then left vacant,
Yes, vacant in our earthly home.
No vacant seats in Heaven,
No vacant seats around God’s Throne, 
Up there ‘tis joy and gladness,
Oh, glory land sweet heavenly Home.
Mrs. J. B. Edwards
Harp of Ages, No. 74

Jesus promised that He would go to prepare a place for us (John 14:1-3). That place is reserved in heaven (I Peter 1:4). Because He has a place reserved for his people, there will be no vacant seats in Heaven. This often referred to as the eternal security of the believer. A true believer can never fall and be cast away from the presence of God. By God’s grace the believer’s home in heaven is secure!

Security is based on God’s work – not man’s works. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. The character of God, the plan of the Father, the work of the Son, and the presence of the Spirit all guarantee our soul is safe in God.

The power of God is infinite. Therefore He is ABLE to keep us (II Tim. 1:12). He can do what He says He will do (Rom. 4:21; I Pet. 1:5). To believe that a believer can be pulled out of the all-powerful grasp of God (John 10:29) is to perceive that Satan is more powerful than God (I John 4:4). God’s power means that once He saves, we are always saved because He is ABLE TO SAVE AND TO KEEP!

The love of God is unlimited. God loved us enough to give His Son to die for us while we were yet sinners – at enmity with God. Certainly He loves His children much more – enough that He will not cast them away when they sin (Rom. 5:7-10). Nothing can separate us from the love of God (Rom. 8:35-39).

The sovereign purpose of God is to save all who believe (John 3:16). If you could fall from grace after you believe, you would not be saved. Therefore, if you could believe and yet be finally lost, the sovereign purpose of God would be frustrated (Phil. 2:13).

Jesus Christ died instead of us (I John 2:2; Heb. 2:9). There can be no condemnation to one who is in Christ by faith (Rom. 8:1). To believe in apostasy is to believe that the death of Jesus is not sufficient to cover ALL our sins. But His blood cleanses us from ALL sin (I John 1:7). He made a one time substitutionary sacrifice which is sufficient and eternal – it will never have to be repeated (Heb. 10:11-12).

Not only did Christ DIE for us, but He ever LIVES to intercede for us (Heb 7:25). Hence, He is able to save completely. Who can condemn you, when He who died for you is at God’s right hand to intercede for you (Rom. 8:34). The Father’s acceptance of His Son assures us that He will hear His intercession. He is well-pleased with Him (Matt. 17:5).

When we are saved, we are born of God (John 1:13; 3:6). God is our Father and we are His children by birth – a fact that can never be erased! His seed is in His people (I John 3:9) and remains implanted. The new birth is based on Jesus’s righteousness imputed to our account – not how much righteousness we have or can maintain (which is none). His righteousness will not diminish.

Believers are indwelt by the Spirit of God (Rom. 8:9,16) and sealed by the Spirit as belonging to God (Eph. 1:13-14). The Spirit is given as the earnest of our inheritance – the guarantee that we will receive what God has promised! If the promise could be broken, God would have to let us keep His Holy Spirit – the fallen believer would take the earnest (Spirit) to Hell with him. Unthinkable! This could not be. He certainly can NEVER lose our soul!

God is immutable or unchanging. This is the ultimate guarantee of our salvation. If He were changeable, we would be destroyed (Malachi 3:6). We do not have to worry about our salvation because God is always the same. He will not lose His power. He will not stop loving us. His sovereign purpose will not change. Jesus’s blood will always be sufficient. He will always intercede in our behalf. God will not take back His Holy Spirit from us. We will always be His children (Heb. 13:8; Jas. 1:17). When God does something, He does it to last and no one can change that (Eccl. 3:14)! Be assured – there will be NO VACANT SEATS IN HEAVEN!!

(First published in The Baptist Waymark, Vol. I, No. 5, October 1986)

Finishing Well

II Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Luke 14:28-30 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

The Christian life is more like a 26-mile marathon than it is like a 100-yard dash. In a sense "starting well" is not nearly as important as "finishing well". How often do we see those succeeding in the middle of life's race? They sprint out far ahead of all others. They may be placed on a pedestal to admire -- an example to aspire to. But how soon fades the beauty? What, when the pedestal comes crashing down? In the long run, the tortoise may outlast the hare. Genuine faith in Christ perseveres to the finish line.

Many biblical characters teach us lessons on going the distance and finishing well, both positively and negatively. Today I think of three.

A New Testament era disciple named Demas is mentioned three times in the Bible. In those three times we catch a glimpse of a man who began well, but did not finish. In the 24th verse of the book of Philemon, along with Marcus, Aristarchus and Lucas, Demas is mentioned as a fellowlabourer right alongside of Paul. When Paul wrote to the nearby Colossian church, he mentioned Demas to them as one who with Luke sent greetings (Col. 4:14). Our final view of Demas comes in Paul's final epistle, his near-death letter to Timothy. It is a sad look, at one who did not finish well -- "Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world" (II Tim. 4:10). Demas, a man who co-laboured with Paul, soon found that he loved the world more than he loved God. He did not persevere to the finish line.

Caleb is a fine Old Testament example of one who not only started well, but finished well, too. Caleb was one of 12 spies that Moses sent into the land of Canaan to bring back a report of it to the people. He was one of only two spies who maintained a godly report. While 10 spies forbid it, Caleb said of the land, "Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it" (Num. 13:30). With Joshua, he became one of only two people over 20 years old who would eventually enter this land. Flash-forward 45 years. Israelites have wandered in the wilderness 40 years. They've spent 5 years conquering the land of Canaan with Joshua as their leader. Caleb is now 85 years old. He does not slink back from the task he urged his people to take on 45 years earlier. He still believes the God he served in the past has the same power in the present. By military conquest he takes possession of the land of Hebron which God gives him and his family. Caleb goes the distance and finishes well (Joshua 14:6-15; 15:14).

At this point you may be discouraged. Are the only two options starting well & finishing well, or falling by the wayside and not crossing the finish line? What if I am a sputtering in the middle of the race? Is there hope? Enter a disciple named Mark to instruct us further.

Mark, also known as John or John Mark, was a young man whose discipleship apparently extended before the crucifixion of Jesus but not all the way back to the baptism of John. He was a nephew of Barnabas, the itinerant preacher who traveled with Paul from Antioch. Mark had traveled with them from Jerusalem to Antioch, then went with them when they left Antioch for regions beyond (Acts 13:5). But not far into the journey, Mark left them and went home to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13). Mark not only didn't go the distance, he inserted a source of contention between Barnabas and Paul. When they intended to go again and visit the churches they has started, Barnabas was determined to take Mark once again. Because he turned back from the previous journey, Paul was just as determined that Mark would not go. Each went his own way!

Paul, despite his strong opposition, and Mark, despite his lack of persistence, both learned that a "messed-up middle" does not have to keep one from finishing well. Immediately after Paul told Timothy about the departure of Demas, he spoke to him of the return of one who had departed -- John Mark. "Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry." II Timothy 4:11. This young disciple was even chosen of God to pen one of the gospel accounts, the 2nd book in our New Testament. 

Those who do not run well in the middle stages are not necessarily destined to fall by the wayside. By the grace of God they just start running again and go the distance, finishing well!

Let us run the race that is set before us. Run with patience. Run with our eyes on Jesus.

Saints of God preserved by the Grace of God

A few things that convince me that saints of God are preserved by the Grace of God:

1. The Power of God, which is the greatest power (John 10:28-29; I Peter 1:5; Jude 24)
2. The Love of God, which is beyond measure (Rom. 8:28; John 3:16; Eph. 3:18.19)
3. The Immutability of God - He will never change; not His love; not His power; etc. (e.g. Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8)
4. The Sufficiency of the shed Blood of Christ (I John 1:7; Rev. 1:5; John 1:29)
5. The Guarantee (Earnest) of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14; 4:30; II Cor. 1:22)
6. The Intercession of Jesus Christ (Heb. 7:25; Rom. 8:34)
7. The Predestination of God (Eph. 1:11; Rom. 8:29-39)

There is a song I like that always make me think of preservation by the Grace of God -
No Vacant Seats in Heaven by Mrs. J. B. Edwards (found in The Harp of Ages). Here is the first verse and chorus:

Our hearts are filled with sorrow,
When Jesus calls to claim His own;
A seat is then left vacant,
Yes, vacant in our earthly home.

No vacant seats in Heaven -
No vacant seats around God's throne;
Up there 'tis joy and gladness,
Oh, gloryland, sweet heavenly home.
There will be no vacant seat in Heaven. If God has prepared a seat there, it will be filled not vacant. If it is filled, it will never become vacant at some future time, either.