Dr. C. J. Davis.
Seven Hints to Young Believers,
Beloved in the Lord,
If you have been led by the Holy Ghost to own the Lord Jesus as your Saviour — to know that, for His sake, your sins have been forgiven — allow me to exhort you on one or two particulars.
1. Let HIM, not the instrument used for your blessing, have all the praise; for He alone is worthy; and His servants would be "carnal" indeed (1 Cor. 3:1-9) if they allowed you to think of them, when the praise and adoration belong only to HIM.
2. You have been led to see at least, that you know very little of God's word: so all of us should candidly admit (1 Cor. 8:2). Then search daily to find in the Scriptures a deeper acquaintance with the PERSON to whom you are brought. You know what the work has done for your conscience; now learn about the Divine Object for your heart. In this day of confusion and lawlessness the saint of God needs, as ever, to be commended "to God and to the word of His grace" (Acts 20:32).
3. Loud talking and much disputing ill become followers of Jesus in this day. A quiet consistent walk, in whatever relationship of life we are found, will weigh much more heavily (1 Peter 2:12).
4. Make it a habit, when you meet together, to avoid the gossip-tendency of the day. The PERSON of the Christ, as shown to faith, by the Holy Ghost, in the word, should be the only theme. This will exclude slander on the one hand and creature-worship on the other.
5. Next to thus living consistently before your relations, persevere in prayer to God (Eph. 6:18) for them, and watch a favourable opportunity to speak to them. This needs wisdom (Isa. 50:4; Prov. 15:23).
6. Wait on the Lord to enlarge your hearts towards unconverted persons. To such as you know, watch your opportunity to commend a good Gospel tract or book. Respecting this, you should feel it your privilege to lay by, as the Lord prospers you, for the scattering of what you believe, according to God's word, is the truth to help souls. So also, instead of wasting money on needless things, look after the poor — especially those who are the Lord's (1 Tim. 6:17-19).
7. I would lastly add, that you should most earnestly find out what is the mind of the Lord respecting you in these last days. To gather round men — to aid in schism, would be simply to go counter to the truth in John 17, Eph. 4, 1 Cor. 12, etc. If you are willing to do what is right, the Lord will make plain your path (Phil. 3:13-21). But surely every saint of God should feel that the present condition of the Church — God's Church on the earth, is anything but what it was when
All were of one heart and soul,
And love to Christ inspired the whole;
when no names, and sects, and parties, severed practically, as to outward testimony, the "One Body."
When the Lord was here His disciples gathered round HIM. Soon after His ascension the HOLY GHOST baptized the believers into One Body (1 Cor. 12:13), and all then, "with one accord," owned no other name but HIS. And when He comes again it will be to gather all the saints, from Adam's time to the moment He comes — to whom? — HIMSELF.
Where were names and parties at Pentecost? Where do you find them in the early times of the Church's history in the Acts? What will become of them in the glory? I speak to BELIEVERS only. (The unconverted cannot understand this.) Wilful MEN sectioned off the Church of God into sects and parties. The LORD JESUS, the HEAD, never did. And the HOLY GHOST positively condemns such an act. (1 Cor. 1:11-13. "He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear."
One is your Master, even CHRIST, and ye all ARE BRETHREN (Matt. 23:8).
May He who is coming "quickly" (1 Thess 4; Heb. 10:37) — stir up the hearts of all His own to learn from THE Shepherd's voice. May Divine wisdom be afforded such as are gathered to His name (Matt. 18:20); and who endeavour, in much feebleness, and before many dear saints who do not understand us — to keep the "unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace:" who in obedience to the Lord (2 Tim. 2:20-22; Heb. 13:13 — desire to keep His word and not deny His name — May we gladly welcome whom He receives — May we positively, for His honour, refuse whom He rejects.
May our true love, in Him, be manifested by us to all whom He loves and who love Him. May abundant grace, mercy, and peace be yours, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Yours truly in Him, C. J. Davis.
LONDON: ALFRED HOLNESS, 21 PATERNOSTER ROW.
GLASGOW: R. L. ALLAN, 73 SAUCHIEHALL STREET.