(4) In the last place, “let me offer a few hints to all true
Christians for the increase and promotion of their happiness.”
I offer these hints with reluctance. I desire to apply them to
my own conscience as well as to yours. You have found Christ’s
service happy. I have no doubt that you feel such sweetness in
Christ’s peace that you would desire to know more of it. I am
sure that these hints deserve attention.
Believers, if you would have an increase of happiness in Christ’s
service, “labor every year to grow in grace.” Beware of standing
still. The holiest men are always the happiest. Let your aim be
every year to be more holy–to know more, to feel more, to see
more of the fullness of Christ. Do not rest on old grace: do not
be content with the degree of Christianity which you have
attained. Search the Scriptures more earnestly; pray more
fervently; hate sin more; mortify self-will more; become more
humble the nearer you draw to your end; seek more direct personal
communion with the Lord Jesus; strive to be more like Enoch–
daily walking with God; keep your conscience clear of little
sins; grieve not the Spirit; avoid arguments and disputes about
the lesser matters of religion: lay more firm hold upon those
great truths, without which no man can be saved. Remember and
practice these things, and you will be more happy.
Believers, if you would have an increase of happiness in Christ’s
service, “labor every year to be more thankful.” Pray that you
may know more and more what it is to “rejoice in the Lord”
(Philippians 3:1). Learn to have a deeper sense of your own
wretched sinfulness and corruption, and to be more deeply
grateful, that by the grace of God you are what you are. Yes,
there is too much complaining and too little thanksgiving among
the people of God! There is too much murmuring and poring over
the things that we don’t have. There is too little praising and
blessing for the many undeserved mercies that we have. Oh that
God would pour out upon us a great spirit of thankfulness and
praise!
Believers, if you would have an increase of happiness in Christ’s
service, “labor every year to do more good.” Look around the
circle in which you live your life, and determine to be useful.
Strive to be of the same character with God: He is not only good,
but “does good” (Psalm 119:68). Alas there is far too much
selfishness among believers in the present day! There is far to
much lazy sitting by the fire nursing our own spiritual diseases,
and growling over the state of our own hearts. Get up; and be
useful in your day and generation! Is there no one in all the
world that you can read the Bible to? Is there no one that you
can speak to about Christ? Is there no one that you can write to
about Christ? Is there literally nothing that you can do for the
glory of God, and the benefit of your fellow-men? Oh I cannot
think it! I cannot think it. There is much that you might do,
if you had only the will. For your own happiness’ sake, arise
and do it, without delay. The bold, outspoken, working
Christians are always the happiest. The more you do for God, the
more God will do for you.
The compromising lingering Christian must never expect to taste
perfect peace. THE MOST ENERGETIC CHRISTIAN WILL ALWAYS BE THE
HAPPIEST MAN.
“This article originally appeared here at Bible Bulletin Board.”
