Friday, April 29, 2011

The Daily Meditation



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The Epistle to the Hebrews
Chapter 12 Verses 1-2

1 Wherefore, let us also, seeing that we are
compassed with so great a cloud of witnesses, cast
away everything that presseth down, and the sin that
hangeth so fast on: let us run with patience the race
that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of
our faith, who for the joy that was set before him,
endured the cross, and despised the shame, and is
set at the right hand of the throne of God.

Related Scripture

Colossians 3:8;
Colossians 1:11;
1 Corinthians 9:24;
Romans 8:25;
Romans 6:4;
Ephesians 4:24;
Romans 12:12;
Hebrews 10:36;
1 Peter 2:1;
Luke 24:29;
Psalm 69:7, 19;
Philippians 2:8;
Hebrews 2:9;
Psalm 110:1;

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

The Daily Meditation


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The Epistle to the Hebrews
Chapter 11 Verse 16

16 But now they desire a better, that is an heavenly:
wherefore God is not ashamed of them to be called
their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

Related Scripture

Exodus3:6, 15;
Exodus 4:5;
Jeremiah 24:7;
Jeremiah 31:33;
Romans 9:26;
Revelation 21:2, 10-11, 22-27;
John 14:2;
Matthew 5:14;
Hebrews 12:22

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The Daily Meditation


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The Epistle to the Hebrews
Chapter 11 Verse 6

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him:
for he that cometh to God, must believe that God is,
and that he is a rewarder of them that seek him.

Related Scripture

Deuteronomy 4:29;
1 Chronicles 28:8-9;
Psalm 22:26;
Psalm 119:2;
Isaiah 55:6;
Acts 17:27;
Revelation 3:20;
Jeremiah 29:13;
Hosea 10:12;
Matthew 6:33;
Exodus 15:26;

Monday, April 25, 2011

The Daily Meditation


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The Epistle to the Hebrews
Chapter 11 Verse 1

1 Now faith is the grounds of things which are
hoped for, and the evidence of things which are not
seen.

Related Scripture

Romans 8:24;
Romans 1:17;
Galatians 3:11;
Habakkuk 2:4;
Galatians 2:20;
1 Corinthians 2:6;
Ephesians 6:12;
James 2:5;
1 John 4:3;

Editor’s thought- The things which are seen are based on the wisdom of this world and not on the wisdom of God, who unseen, asks us only to believe on him through faith.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

He Has Risen



The Gospel According to Luke

1 Now the first day of the week early in the
morning, they came unto the sepulcher, and brought
the odors which they had prepared, and certain
women with them.
2 And they found the stone rolled away from the
sepulcher,
3 And went in, but found not the body of the
Lord Jesus.
4 And it came to pass, that as they were amazed
thereat, behold, two men suddenly stood by them
in shining vestures.
5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their
faces to the earth, they said to them, Why seek ye
him that liveth, among the dead?
6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he
spake unto you, when he was yet in Galilee,
7 Saying, that the Son of man must be delivered
into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and
the third day rise again.
8 And they remembered his words,
9 And returned from the sepulcher, and told all
these things unto the eleven, and to all the remnant.
10 Now it was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and
Mary the mother of James, and other women with
them which told these things unto the Apostles.
11 But their words seemed unto them as a feigned
thing, neither believed they them.
12 Then arose Peter and ran unto the sepulcher,
and looked in and saw the linen clothes laid by
themselves, and departed wondering in himself at
that which was come to pass.
13 ¶ And behold two of them went that same
day to a town which was from Jerusalem about
threescore furlongs, called Emmaus.
14 And they talked together of all these things
that were done.
15 And it came to pass, as they communed together,
and reasoned, that Jesus himself drew near, and went
with them.
16 But their eyes were holden, that they could
not know him.
17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications
are these that ye have one to another
as ye walk and are sad?
18 And the one (named Cleopas) answered and
said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem,
and hast not known the things which are come to
pass therein in these days?
19 And he said unto them, What things? And
they said unto him, Of Jesus of Nazareth, which
was a Prophet, mighty indeed and in word before
God, and all people,
20 And how the high Priests, and our rulers
delivered him to be condemned to death, and have
crucified him.
21 But we trusted that it had been he that should
have delivered Israel, and as touching all these things,
today is the third day, that they were done.
22 Yea, and certain women among us made us
astonied, which came early unto the sepulcher.
23 And when they found not his body, they came,
saying, that they had also seen a vision of Angels,
which said, that he was alive.
24 Therefore certain of them which were with us,
went to the sepulcher, and found it even so as the
women had said, but him they saw not.
25 Then he said unto them, O fools and slow of
heart to believe all that the Prophets have spoken!
26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things,
and to enter into his glory?
27 And he began at Moses, and at all the Prophets,
and interpreted unto them in all the Scriptures the
things which were written of him.
28 And they drew near unto the town, which they
went to, but he made as though he would have gone
further.
29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with
us, for it is towards night, and the day is far spent.
So he went in to tarry with them.
30 And it came to pass, as he sat at table with
them, he took the bread, and blessed, and brake it,
and gave it to them.
31 Then their eyes were opened, and they knew
him: and he was no more seen of them.
32 And they said between themselves, Did not our
hearts burn within us, while he talked with us by
the way, and when he opened to us the Scriptures?
33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned
to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together,
and them that were with them,
34 Which said, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath
appeared to Simon.
35 Then they told what things were done in the
way, and how he was known of them in breaking
of bread.
36 ¶ And as they spake these things, Jesus
himself stood in the midst of them, and said unto
them, Peace be to you.
37 But they were abashed and afraid, supposing
that they had seen a spirit.
38 Then he said unto them, Why are ye troubled?
and wherefore do doubts arise in your hearts?
39 Behold mine hands and my feet: for it is I myself:
handle me, and see: for a spirit hath not flesh and
bones, as ye see me have.
40 And when he had thus spoken, he showed
them his hands and feet.
41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered,
he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and
of an honeycomb,
43 And he took it, and did eat before them.
44 And he said unto them, These are the words,
which I spake unto you while I was yet with you,
that all must be fulfilled which are written of me in
the Law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the
Psalms.
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they
might understand the Scriptures,
46 And said unto them, Thus is it written, and
thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise again
from the dead the third day,
47 And that repentance, and remission of sins
should be preached in his Name among all nations,
beginning at Jerusalem.
48 Now ye are witnesses of these things.
49 And behold, I do send the promise of my Father
upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, 1until
ye be endued with power from on high.
50 1Afterward he lead them out into Bethany, and
lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
51 And it came to pass, that as he blessed them,
he departed from them, and was carried up into
heaven.
52 And they worshiped him, and returned to
Jerusalem with great joy,
53 And were continually in the Temple, praising,
and lauding God. Amen.

Friday, April 22, 2011

The Daily Meditation


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The Epistle to the Hebrews
Chapter 10 Verses 37-38

37 For yet a very little while, and he that shall
come, will come, and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any
withdraw himself, my soul shall have no pleasure
in him.

Related Scripture

Luke 18:8;
Habakkuk 2:3-4;
Isaiah 46:13;
Matthew 8:10, 12;
Romans 1:17;

Thursday, April 21, 2011

The Daily Meditation


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The Epistle to the Hebrews
Chapter 10 Verses 35-36

35 Cast not away therefore your confidence which
hath great recompense of reward.
36 For ye have need of patience, that after ye
have done the will of God, ye might receive the
promise.

Related Scripture

Verse 35

Psalm 118:8;
Proverbs 14:26;
Micah 7:5-8;
Ephesians 3:12;
Philippians 3:3;
1 John 2:28;
1 John 5:14;
Matthew 5:12;
Psalm 58:11;
Matthew 16:27;
Colossians 3:24;
2 John 1:8;
Revelation 22:12;

Verse 36

Luke 21:19;
Matthew 24:13;
2 Thessalonians 1:4;
2 Timothy 4:5;
Hebrews 12:1, 7;
James 5:10-11;
2 Peter 2:19-21;
1 Corinthians 9:24-26;



Wednesday, April 20, 2011

The Daily Meditation


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The Epistle to the Hebrews
Chapter 10 Verse 31

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the
living God.

Related Scripture

Luke 12:4-5;
Psalm 119:120;
Job 4:14;
Habakkuk 3:16;
Deuteronomy 5:26;
Jeremiah 10:10;
Daniel 6:26;
Matthew 16:16;
Romans 9:26;
Hebrews 3:12;
Revelation 7:2;

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

The Daily Meditation


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The Epistle to the Hebrews
Chapter 10 Verse 19, 22-23

19 Seeing therefore, brethren, that by the blood of
Jesus we may be bold to enter into the Holy place,
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in assurance
of faith, our hearts being pure from an evil
conscience,
23 And washed in our bodies with pure water, let
us keep the profession of our hope, without wavering,
for he is faithful that promised.

Related Scripture

Verse 19

Ephesians 2:18;
Hebrews 4:16;
Hebrews 9:3, 8;
Hebrews 6:19;
Mark 15:38;
Exodus 40:3;



Verse 22

Hebrews 7:19;
Ephesians 3:12;
Proverbs 16:6;
Psalm 73:28;

Verse 23

1 Corinthians 1:9;
1 Corinthians 10:13;
1 Thessalonians 5:24;
Hebrews 11:11;
1 John 1:9;
1 Samuel 2:35;
Romans 10:10;

Monday, April 18, 2011

The Daily Meditation


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The Epistle to the Hebrews
Chapter 10 Verses 16-17

16 This is the Testament that I will make unto
them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my
Laws in their heart, and in their minds I will write
them.
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember
no more.

Related Scripture

Jeremiah 31:33-34;
Hebrews 8:8-10;
Romans 11:27;
Isaiah 1:18;
Psalm 25:11;
Psalm 69:7;
Psalm 106:8;



Sunday, April 17, 2011

The Sunday Sermon



The Love of Christ (Preface)
by Robert Murray M'Cheyne (1813-1843)

"For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead"
The Second Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians
Chapter 5 Verse 14


Of all the features of St. Paul's character, untiring activity was the most striking. From Paul's early history, which tells us of his personal exertions in wasting the infant Church, when he was a "blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious", ( Acts 22:3-8;) it is quite obvious that this was the prominent characteristic of his natural mind. But when it pleased the Lord Jesus Christ to show forth in him all long-suffering, and to make him a pattern to them which should afterwards believe on Him, it is beautiful and most instructive to see how the natural features of this daringly bad man became not only sanctified,( 2 Chronicles 7:14; Romans 15:16;) but invigorated and enlarged; so true it is that they that are in Christ are a new creation: "Old things pass away, and all things become new"(2 Corinthians 5:17;). "Troubled on every side, yet not distressed; cast down, but not destroyed"(2 Corinthians 4:9;); this was a faithful picture of the life of the converted Paul. Knowing the terrors of the Lord, and the fearful situation of all who were yet in their sins, he made it the business of his life to persuade men; striving if, by any means, he might commend the truth to their consciences. "For (he says) whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God; or whether we be sober, it is for your cause" (2 Corinthians 5:13;).

Whether the world think us wise or mad, the cause of God and of human souls is the cause in which we have embarked all the energies of our being. Who, then, is not ready to inquire into the secret spring of all these supernatural labours? Who would not desire to have heard from the lips of Paul the mighty principle that impelled him through so many toils and dangers? What magic spell had taken possession of this mighty mind, or what unseen planetary influence, with unceasing power, drew him on through all discouragements, indifferent alike to the world's dread laugh, and the fear of man; careless alike of the sneer of the sceptical Athenian, of the frown of the luxurious Corinthian, and the rage of the narrow-minded Jew? What does the apostle say himself? We have his own explanation of the mystery in the words before us:

"The love of Christ constraineth us"


Friday, April 15, 2011

The Daily Meditation


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The Epistle to the Hebrews
Chapter 10 Verses 12-14

12 But this man after he had offered one sacrifice
for sins, sitteth forever at the right hand of God,
13 And from henceforth tarrieth, till his enemies
be made his footstool.
14 For with one offering hath he consecrated
forever them that are sanctified.

Related Scripture

Verses 12-13

Colossians 3:1;
Hebrews 1:13;
Psalm 110:1;
Luke 22:69;
Hebrews 8:1;

Verse 14

Colossians 3:3-4;
2 Chronicles 7:16;
2 Chronicles 30:8;
Jeremiah 1:5;
John 17:19;
Acts 20:32;
Acts 26:18;
Romans 15:16;
1 Corinthians 6:11;
Hebrews 2:11;

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

The Daily Meditation


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The Epistle to the Hebrews
Chapter 10 Verses 5-10

5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world,
he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not:
but a body hast thou ordained me.
6 In burnt offerings, and sin offerings thou hast
had no pleasure.
7 Then I said, Lo, I come (in the beginning of
the book it is written of me) that I should do thy
will, O God.
8 Above, when he said, Sacrifice and offering,
and burnt offerings, and sin offerings, thou wouldest
not have, neither hadst pleasure therein (which are
9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God,
he taketh away the first, that he may stablish the
second.
10 By the which will we are sanctified, even by the
offering of the body of Jesus Christ once made.

Editor’s Thought - Key verse is verse 9. Herein lies the whole concept of remission of sin, that God in His infinite love of we His children, sent His spirit into the flesh of a man, that being Christ Jesus and offered Him up as a sacrifice and atonement of our corrupted, flawed and sinful ways. Thus negating the very first covenant, and creating and establishing forever the second. This second covenant did NOT take away the law, by which we are expected to do our best to live by, by any means, however, it did remove the requirements demanded by it to live in righteousness, for no flesh could effectively live that way, as we are all sinners. Christ, was the perfection of the Law, that is to say, only HE, imbued with God’s Own spirit personified, could live under it, thereby being without sin. Therefore, being perfect and without sin, was presented by God, as the perfect sacrifice.

Editor’s Note - Sacrifice - spendo spen'-do; apparently a primary verb; to pour out as a libation, i.e. figuratively to devote one's life or blood, as a sacrifice, "spend" be ready to be offered.
Libation - n. L. libatio, - to take a little from anything, to taste, to pour out as an offering.

Related Scripture

Verses 5-8

Psalm 40:6-8;
Hosea 6:6;

Verses 9-10

Matthew 26:42;
John 17:19;
Ephesians 1:7;
Ephesians 5:26;
Hebrews 2:11;
Romans 5:9;
2 Corinthians 5:17-19;

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

The Daily Meditation


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The Epistle to the Hebrews
Chapter 9 Verse 28

28 So Christ was once offered to take away the sins
of many, and unto them that look for him, shall he
appear the second time without sin unto salvation

Related Scripture

Romans 5:8
1 Peter 3:18;
Psalm 25:7;
Isaiah 43:25;
2 Samuel 22:31;
Romans 6:10;
Isaiah 53:5, 12;
1 Peter 2:24;
Matthew 26:28;
1 Corinthians 1:7;
Titus 2:13;
Matthew 24:30;
Daniel 7:9-11;
Revelation 1:17-18;
Revelation 20:11-15;

Monday, April 11, 2011

The Daily Meditation


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The Epistle to the Hebrews
Chapter 9 Verses 11-15

11 But Christ being come an high Priest of good
things to come, by a greater and a more perfect
Tabernacle, not made with hands, that is, not of
this building,
12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves: but
by his own blood entered he in once unto the holy
place, and obtained eternal redemption for us.
13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the
ashes of an heifer, sprinkling them that are unclean,
sanctifieth as touching the purifying of the flesh,
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ
which through the eternal Spirit offered himself
without fault to God, purge your conscience from
dead works, to serve the living God?
15 And for this cause is he the Mediator of the
new Testament, that through death which was for
the redemption of the transgressions that were in the
former Testament, they which were called, might
receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Related Scripture

Verse 11

Ephesians 1:3-11;
Hebrews 10:1;
Colossians 2:17;
Romans 16:26;
Hebrews 2:9;
Hebrews 7:19;
Hebrews 11:3;
Matthew 21:42;

Verse 12

Hebrews 10:4;
Isaiah 53:12;
Hosea 6:6;
Zechariah 3:9;
Daniel 9:24;

Verse 13
Leviticus 16:14-15;
Numbers 19:2-4;
Exodus 29:36;
Ezekiel 45:18-19;
Hebrews 7:27;

Verse 14

1 John 1:7;
1 Peter 1:19;
Revelation 1:5;
Hebrews 6:1;
Luke 1:74;
Romans 8:32;
Romans 5:36;
Romans 4:25;
Mark 14:36;
Hebrews 6:1;
James 2:17-26;

Verse 15

Romans 3:25;
Hebrews 3:1;
Romans 5:6
1 Peter 3:18;
Romans 8:17;
John 1:12;
Romans 8:14;
1 John 3:1-2;

Friday, April 8, 2011

The Daily Meditation


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The Epistle to the Hebrews
Chapter 8 Verses 1-2, 6

1 Now of the things which we have spoken, this
is the sum, that we have such an high Priest, that
sitteth at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty
in heavens,
2 And is a minister of the Sanctuary, and of
that true Tabernacle which the Lord pitched, and
not man.
6 But now our high Priest hath obtained a more
excellent office, inasmuch as he is the Mediator of a
better Testament, which is established upon better
promises.

Related Scripture

Psalm 68:18;
Psalm 110:1;
Ephesians 1:20;
Colossians 3:1;
Romans 8:34;
Revelation 22:1, 3;
Hebrews 9:8-11, 24;
2 Corinthians 3:6-8;
Luke 22:20, 29;
Hebrews 7:22;
Jeremiah 31:31, 33;
Romans 11:27;
Isaiah 59:20-21;

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

The Daily Meditation


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The Epistle to the Hebrews
Chapter 7 Verses 25-27

25 Wherefore, he is able also perfectly to save
them that come unto God by him, seeing he ever
liveth, to make intercession for them.
26 For such an high Priest it became us to have,
which is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from
sinners, and made higher than the heavens:
27 Which needeth not daily as those high Priests
to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then
for the peoples: for that did he once, when he
offered up himself.


Related Scripture

Jude 1:24;
John 17:11, 20;
Matthew 11:27;
John 6:37, 44;
Job 19:25;
Romans 8:34;
1 Timothy 2:5;
1 John 2:1;
Isaiah 53:7-9;
2 Corinthians 5:21;
Hebrews 4:15;
Ephesians 1:20;
Leviticus 9:7;
Leviticus 16:6, 11;
Hebrews 5:3;
Mark 14:22-24;
Acts 10:39;
Galatians 3:13;

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

The Daily Meditation


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The Epistle to the Hebrews
Chapter 7 Verses 16, 18-19

16 Which is not made Priest after the Law of
the carnal commandment, but after the power of
the endless life.
18 For the commandment that went afore, is
disannulled, because of the weakness thereof, and
unprofitableness.
19 For the Law made nothing perfect, but the
bringing in of a better hope made perfect, whereby
we draw near unto God.

Related Scripture

Romans 8:3;
Galatians 3:21;
2 Corinthians 5:17;
Acts 13:39;
Romans 3:20;
Romans 7:7;
Galatians 2:16;
Lamentations 3:57;
Romans 5:2;
Ephesians 2:18;
James 4:8;

Monday, April 4, 2011

The Daily Meditation


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The Epistle to the Hebrews
Chapter 6 Verses 17-20;


17 So God, willing more abundantly to show unto
the heirs of promise the stableness of his counsel,
bound himself by an oath,
18 That by two immutable things, wherein it is
impossible that God should lie, we might have strong
consolation, which have our refuge to lay hold upon
that hope that is set before us,
19 Which hope we have, as an anchor of the soul,
but sure and steadfast, and it entereth into that which
is within the veil.
20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered in,
even Jesus that is made an high Priest forever after
the order of Melchizedek.

Related Scripture

Romans 8:17;
Hebrews 11:9;
Romans 11:29;
Genesis 17:7;
Psalm 89:28, 34;
Ezekiel 16:60, 62;
Numbers 23:19;
1 Samuel 15:29;
Titus 1:2
Isaiah 45:23;
Isaiah 50:2;
Colossians 1:5;
Hebrews 3:6;
Hebrews 7:19;
Hebrews 12:1;
2 Samuel 22:3;
Psalm 91:2, 9;
Jeremiah 16:19;
Leviticus 16:3;
Hebrews 9:3, 7;
Hebrews 10:20;
Mark 15:38;

Additional Scripture

John 14:1-4;
Hebrews 4:14;
Luke 24:51;
Genesis 14:17-19;

Sunday, April 3, 2011

The Sunday Sermon





The Ten Commandments part 8c

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Exodus 20:16

False witness, then, is everything which cannot be properly proved. Therefore, what is not manifest upon sufficient evidence no one shall make public or declare for truth; and in short, whatever is secret should be allowed to remain secret, or, at any rate, should be secretly reproved, as we shall hear. Therefore, if you encounter an idle tongue which betrays and slanders some one, contradict such a one promptly to his face, that he may blush thus many a one will hold his tongue who else would bring some poor man into bad repute from which he would not easily extricate himself. For honor and a good name are easily taken away, but not easily restored.
Thus you see that it is summarily forbidden to speak any evil of our neighbor (Titus 3:2; 1 Peter 3:10;) however the civil government, preachers, father and mother excepted, on the understanding that this commandment does not allow evil to go unpunished. Now, as according to the Fifth Commandment (Exodus 20:13;) no one is to be injured in body, for He has reserved punishment for His own good pleasure, as He threatens in the First Commandment, -- just so also, although no one has a right in his own person to judge and condemn anybody, yet if they to whose office it belongs fail to do it, they sin as well as he who would do so of his own accord, without such office. For here necessity requires one to speak of the evil, to prefer charges, to investigate and testify; and it is not different from the case of a physician who is sometimes compelled to examine and handle the patient whom he is to cure in secret parts. Just so governments, father and mother, brothers and sisters, and other good friends, are under obligation to each other to reprove evil wherever it is needful and profitable.
But the true way in this matter would be to observe the order according to Christ says: If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone. (Matthew 18:15-17) Here you have a precious and excellent teaching for governing well the tongue, which is to be carefully observed against this detestable misuse. Let this, then, be your rule, that you do not too readily spread evil concerning your neighbor and slander him to others, but admonish him privately that he may amend [his life]. Likewise, also, if some one report to you what this or that one has done, teach him, too, to go and admonish him personally if he have seen it himself; but if not, that he hold his tongue.
The same you can learn also from the daily government of the household. For when the master of the house sees that the servant does not do what he ought, he admonishes him personally. But if he were so foolish as to let the servant sit at home, and went on the streets to complain of him to his neighbors, he would no doubt be told: "You fool, what does that concern us? Why do you not tell it to him ?" Behold, that would be acting quite brotherly, so that the evil would be stayed, and your neighbor would retain his honor. As Christ also says in the same place: If he hear thee, thou host gained thy brother. Then you have done a great and excellent work; for do you think it is a little matter to gain a brother?
Further, Christ teaches: But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. So he whom it concerns is always to be treated with personally, and not to be spoken of without his knowledge. But if that do not avail, then bring it publicly before the community, whether before the civil or the ecclesiastical tribunal. For then you do not stand alone, but you have those witnesses with you by whom you can convict the guilty one, relying on whom the judge can pronounce sentence and punish. This is the right and regular course for checking and reforming a wicked person. But if we gossip (1 Timothy 5:13;) about another in all corners and stir the filth, no one will be reformed, and afterwards when we are to stand up and bear witness, we deny having said so. Therefore it would serve such tongues right if their itch for slander were severely punished, as a warning to others. If you were acting for your neighbor's reformation or from love of the truth, you would not sneak about secretly nor shun the day and the light.
All this has been said regarding secret sins. But where the sin is quite public so that the judge and everybody know it you can without any sin avoid him and let him go, because he has brought himself into disgrace, and you may also publicly testify concerning him. For when a matter is public in the light of day, there can be no slandering or false judging or testifying; for where the sin is public, the reproof also must be public, that every one may learn to guard against it.
Thus we have now the sum and general understanding of this commandment, to wit, that no one do any injury with the tongue to his neighbor, whether friend or foe, nor speak evil of him, no matter whether it be true or false, unless it be done by commandment or for his reformation, but that every one employ his tongue and make it serve for the best of every one else, to cover up his neighbor's sins and infirmities, excuse them, palliate and garnish them with his own reputation. The chief reason for this should be the one which Christ alleges in the Gospel, in which He comprehends all commandments respecting our neighbor, Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them. (Matthew 7:12;)
Even nature teaches the same thing in our own bodies, as St. Paul says, Much more, those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary; and those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. ( 1 Corinthians 12:22-26;) No one covers his face, eyes, nose, and mouth, for they, being in themselves the most honorable members which we have, do not require it. But the most infirm members, of which we are ashamed, we cover with all diligence; hands, eyes, and the whole body must help to cover and conceal them. Thus also among ourselves should we adorn whatever blemishes and infirmities we find in our neighbor, and serve and help him to promote his honor to the best of our ability, and, on the other hand, prevent whatever may be discreditable to him. And it is especially an excellent and noble virtue for one always to explain advantageously and put the best construction upon all he may hear of his neighbor (if it be not notoriously evil), or at any rate to condone it over and against the poisonous tongues that are busy wherever they can pry out and discover something to blame in a neighbor, and that explain and pervert it in the worst way; (2 Thessalonians 3:11; Job 15:5;) as is done now especially with the precious Word of God and its preachers. Mark 7:13, 15;)
There are comprehended therefore in this commandment quite a multitude of good works which please God most highly, and bring abundant good and blessing, if only the blind world and the false saints would recognize them. For there is nothing on or in entire man which can do both greater and more extensive good or harm in spiritual and in temporal matters than the tongue, though it is the least and feeblest member. (James 3:5-6;)

Friday, April 1, 2011

The Daily Meditation


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The Epistle to the Hebrews
Chapter 6 Verses 10-12

10 For God is not unrighteous, that he should
forget your work, and labor of love, which ye showed
toward his Name, in that ye have ministered unto
the Saints, and yet minister.
11 And we desire that every one of you show the
same diligence, to the full assurance of hope unto
the end,
12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them, which
through faith and patience, inherit the promises.

Related Scripture

Romans 3:4;
Numbers 23:19;
1 Thessalonians 1:3;
Romans 15:25;
Hebrews 10:32-34;
Colossians 2:2;
Romans 12:1;
Proverbs 4:23;
2 Corinthians 8:7;
2 Peter 1:5, 10;
Hebrews 10:36;
Hebrews 12:1;
1 Corinthians 9:24;
1 Timothy 6:11;
Revelations 2:19;
Revelation 14:12;