45 lines
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45 lines
6.0 KiB
HTML
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Title = '251. KEPT AND KEEPING';
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<h2>251. KEPT AND KEEPING</h2>
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<p>We do the trusting, and the Lord does the keeping. We hold Him, because He holds us. We cannot trust without Him, and yet, if we do not trust, it is our, not His fault. Ralph Erskine sweetly says on this point—</p>
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<blockquote>
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<p>"Mine arms embrace my God, yet I
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<br />Had never arms to reach so high;
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<br />His alone me holds, yet lo!
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<br />I hold, and will not let Him go.
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<br>"I do according to His call;
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<br />And yet not I, but He does all:
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<br />But though He works to will and do,
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<br />I without force work freely too.
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<br>"I take hold of His cov'nant free;
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<br />But find it must take hold of me.
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<br />I'm bound to keep it, yet 'tis bail
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<br />And bound to keep me without fail."
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</p></blockquote>
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<p>1. <b>Purity and Preservation.</b>
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"<i>Keep</i> thy tongue from evil" (<a id="fem251-si1" onclick="return mV('Psa',34,13);">Psa 34:13</a>).
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"<i>Keep</i> the door of my lips" (<a id="fem251-si2" onclick="return mV('Psa',141,3);">Psa 141:3</a>).
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"All God's commands are God's enablings," and in the first Scripture we have a command in reference to the tongue; it is a <i>little</i> member, but it may do a great deal of mischief. It is the <i>little</i> foxes that spoil the vine. It is a <i>little</i> leaven, that leavens the whole lump. It is the little back-bitings and evil speakings that do harm to our own souls as well as to others. Let us by a definite act surrender our tongue to the Lord that He may keep the door of our lips, thus our speech will always be with grace.</p>
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<p>2. <b>Patient and Possessed.</b>
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"<i>Keep</i> thy heart with all diligence" (<a id="fem251-si3" onclick="return mV('Pro',4,23);">Pro 4:23</a>). "Thou wilt <i>keep</i> him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee" (<a id="fem251-si4" onclick="return mV('Isa',26,3);">Isa 26:3</a>). Keep the heart patiently stayed upon the Lord, and He will keep in perfect rest, for perfect trust in the perfect keeping power of Christ brings perfect peace.</p>
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<p>3. <b>Prayer and Provision.</b> "O <i>keep</i> my soul" (<a id="fem251-si5" onclick="return mV('Psa',25,30);">Psa 25:20</a>). "He shall give His angels charge over thee, to <i>keep</i> thee in all thy ways" (<a id="fem251-si6" onclick="return mV('Psa',91,11);">Psa 91:11</a>). We receive not because we ask not, and very often we ask and receive not, because we ask amiss; some known sin indulged in or unbelief will keep back the answer. There is provision for all our need in Christ. The soul has two hands, the empty hand of prayer, and the receiving hand of faith.</p>
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<p>4. <b>Practice and Promise.</b> "I have <i>kept</i> the faith" (<a id="fem251-si7" onclick="return mV('2Ti',4,7);">2Ti 4:7</a>). "Because thou hast <i>kept</i> the word of My patience, I also will <i>keep</i> thee from the hour of temptation" (<a id="fem251-si8" onclick="return mV('Rev',3,10);">Rev 3:10</a>). Christ has given us His word to keep, and we are to keep it at all costs; to keep it, and to be kept by it; to live it, and live by it; to preach it by life and lips; not to compromise or yield one iota. What God wants of us is faithfulness, even as a lady writing in the fly-leaf of a Bible given to an evangelist, said, "Do well, suffer for it, take it patiently, till you hear the Master's well done."</p>
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<p>5. <b>Power and Power.</b> "<i>Keep</i> yourselves from idols" (<a id="fem251-si9" onclick="return mV('1Jo',5,21);">1Jo 5:21</a>). "<i>Kept</i> by the power of God" (<a id="fem251-si10" onclick="return mV('1Pe',1,5);">1Pe 1:5</a>). The first is the power of a separate walk. "What is self-surrender?" asked a young lady recently. "It is the surrender of self," was the reply, and it is only those who have surrendered themselves to Christ who know anything of His keeping, subduing, and sanctifying power.</p>
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<p>6. <b>Protected and Protection.</b> "<i>Keep</i> My words" (<a id="fem251-si11" onclick="return mV('Jhn',14,23);">Jhn 14:23</a>). "Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall <i>keep</i>," &c. (<a id="fem251-si12" onclick="return mV('Phl',4,7);">Phl 4:7</a>). Obedience is the source of constant joy, implicit trust is the source of constant peace. If we would be protected from the wiles of the devil, and overcome him, we must keep the words of Christ, for Satan cannot stand before the charge, "It is written." And if we would have our hearts and minds guarded as with a military guard, and thus have thorough protection, we must be careful for nothing, prayerful about everything, and thankful for anything, then the peace of God shall garrison and keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.</p>
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<p>7. <b>Privilege and Perseverance.</b> "Able to <i>keep</i>" (<a id="fem251-si13" onclick="return mV('2Ti',1,12);">2Ti 1:12</a>). "That good thing which was committed unto thee, <i>keep</i> by the Holy Ghost" (<a id="fem251-si14" onclick="return mV('2Ti',1,4);">2Ti 1:14</a>). "<i>Keep</i> yourself in the love of God" (<a id="fem251-si15" onclick="return mV('Jud',1,21);">Jud 1:21</a>). God's love has been perfected in our unworthiness, and His strength is perfected in our weakness. If we would know the power of God, we must trust Him; if we would know the guidance and power of the Spirit's presence, we must recognise Him; if we would realize the warmth of God's love, we must abide in Him.</p>
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<p>Let us ever recognise the two sides of truth, for it is only as we keep ourselves in the power of God that we know His power to keep.</p>
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