I CHARGE YOU--- THOMAS SCOTT

“I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren”(1 Thessalonians 5:27)

What did Paul mean by this statement? Did he believe that what he wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit should be read aloud in the Church? Evidently so, for it is reported that it was done much more frequently in the early church. It wasn’t just sing a hymn; pray; sing another hymn; pass the offering plate; then preach a message on social issues or world events or whatever. The word of God had the pre-eminence.

These words from Thomas Scott, 1747-1821, say it very nicely:

The original is "I adjure you"---The solemn charge implies likewise a most decided claim to divine inspiration: for it evidently places this, and consequently the Apostles other epistles, on the footing of the ancient scriptures: The oracles of God. (Note: Colossians 4:15, 16). It likewise shews that both that oaths and adjurations are in some cases lawful; and that the subject, concerning which the apostle wrote, was considered by him, as peculiarly important.

This is worthy of the most serious consideration of all those, even among protestants, who do not make the reading of the scriptures a part of the service, when they meet in the worship of God; and of those who read them in so careless and indistinct a manner, that the congregation cannot hear or understand them. The advantage to illiterate people, to the multitude who cannot read, or who can read but imperfectly, of an audible, distinct, and emphatical reading of the scriptures in public, can scarcely be calculated. It will soon render even the best preaching more fully understood; and it will in some degree supply the deficiency , in other cases.

(From Scott’s Commentary on the Whole Bible; now sadly out of print). In his lifetime Scott wrote enough material so that it was published by his son in 12 volumes, not counting the six volume commentary. The only thing in print by him now is the excellent The Force of Truth In this book he speaks about his friendship with John Newton in nearby Olney, England.. This friendship led to Scott’s conversion written in 1779. The modern printing of The Force of Truth is published by Banner of Truth. cw

HE KNOWS- ANDREW MURRAY

"For your Father knoweth what things you have need of
before you ask Him" (Matthew 6:8).

At first sight it might appear as if this thought makes prayer less needful. If God already knows what we need, then why pray at all? But as we gain a deeper insight into what prayer really is, this truth will help much to strengthen our faith. It will teach us that we do not need the multitude and urgency of our words to compel an unwilling God to listen to us. It will lead to a holy thoughtfulness and silence in prayer as it suggests the question: Does my Father really know that I need this? Yes, He does! Therefore, let us sometimes in our prayers, when we are in danger of being so occupied with our fervent, urgent petitions, as to forget that the Father knows and hears, let us hold still and just quietly say: My Father sees, my Father hears, my Father knows; it will help our faith to take the answer, and to say: We know that we have the petitions we have asked of Him.

From Lord, Teach Us To Pray

BURDENS CAST ON HIM--CHARLES SPURGEON

I hope this meditation by our beloved brother Charles Spurgeon speaks to as it did to me. I need this message today. Pray for me. cw

“Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee; he shall never

suffer the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22

It is a heavy burden, roll it on Omnipotence. It is thy burden now, and it crushes thee; but when the Lord takes it, He will make nothing of it. If thou art called still to bear it, “he will sustain thee.” It will be on Him, and not on thee. Thou wilt be so upheld under it that the burden will be a blessing. Bring the Lord into the matter and thou wilt stand upright under that which in itself would bow thee down.Our worst fear is lest our trial should drive us from the path of duty; but this the Lord will never suffer.If we are righteous before Him, He will not endure that our affliction should move us from our standing. In Jesus He accepts us as righteous, and in Jesus He will keep us so.What about the present moment? Art thou going forth to this day’s trial alone? Are thy poor shoulders again to be galled with the oppressive load? Be not so foolish. Tell the Lord all about thy grief, and leave it with Him.Don’t cast your burden down, and then take it up again; but roll it on the Lord, and leave it there. Then shalt thou walk at large, a joyful and unburdened believer, singing the praises of thy great Burden-bearer.

Faith's Checkbook for July 14th.

TESTIMONY OF THE SPIRIT--JOHN CALVIN

“Since for unbelieving men religion seems to stand by opinion alone, they, in order not to believe anything foolishly or lightly, both wish and demand rational proof that Moses and the prophets spoke divinely. But I reply: the testimony of the Spirit is more excellent than all reason. For as God alone is a fit witness of himself in his Word, so also the Word will not find acceptance in men's hearts before it is sealed by the inward testimony of the Spirit. The same Spirit, therefore, who has spoken through the mouths of the prophets must penetrate into our hearts to persuade us that they faithfully proclaimed what had been divinely commanded ... "
--John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion 1.7.5.