Pleasant Fruits for All People

James Smith
 

PREFACE

"Sanctify them by the truth; Your Word is truth." John 17:17

All saving and sanctifying truth is from God. It was conceived in his heart, communicated by his Holy Spirit, and is to be found in his word. It is intended for our use, to enlighten the understanding, to quicken the affections, to regulate the will, to purify the conscience, to store the memory and to guide the life. It is as pure as the sunbeam, as pleasant as the fruits of Paradise, and as necessary as the atmosphere we breathe. To know the truth—is a great attainment. To enjoy the truth—is a high privilege. To spread the truth—is an imperative duty. God commands it, man requires it, and Christians should diligently attend to it. By the truth God works, the Christian conquers, and the sinner is turned from darkness to light, from the power of Satan unto God. The truth of God is invaluable—yet every one ought, every one may, possess it. Preachers proclaim it, the press publishes it, and every believer should assist to spread it.

This small volume contains truth—God's truth. Truth in a variety of forms. Truth clothed in simple language. Truth illustrated by plain figures. Truth for the head, and truth for the heart. Truth that has been tasted, handled, and felt by the writer; and is now affectionately commended to the reader. Truth suited to health and to sickness; to bright days and to dreary seasons. Truth that a man may live by, and truth that will do to die by. Here is a candle for a dark room, a lantern for a dark road, and a lamp for a dark heart. Light to work by, light to walk by, and light to suffer by.

Reader, before you turn over the pages of this book, look up and ask God for a blessing. No book will yield you spiritual profit without it. Ask the Holy Spirit to accompany what you read with his own power, savor and unction; and if your prayer is answered, you will bless God that you ever saw it. Beseech the Lord, not only to bless it to you—but to render it useful to others: to multitudes of your fellow men. In vain we write, or read, without the power of the Holy Spirit; but if favored with that, the meanest instrument is efficient—and this little book will be successful. When you have read the book—then lend it! If you can afford it, purchase a few copies to distribute among your relatives, friends, acquaintances, or neighbors. Follow the gift of every copy with much prayer, and when you pray for the book, ask the Lord in mercy to bless the author.
James Smith

James Smith

"In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am!" John 14:2-3

The Lord Jesus has gone to receive a kingdom—and he intends to return. During his absence his people have to work in his vineyard, suffer in his cause, and watch for his appearing. Our work is often difficult, our sufferings severe, and watching so long becomes tedious. But as Jesus has promised to come—he assuredly will. As he has given us his word that he will not tarry—but come as soon as his work before the throne is done—we may depend upon his coming back as soon as possible.

As he is coming to bring us grace, in a degree which we have never enjoyed; and glory, such as we have no conception of—his coming should be the object of our hope, desire, and love. The thought of it should give us joy, the anticipation of it should fill us with delight. It did—to a poor, afflicted, suffering believer who, when asked why he looked forward to the coming of Jesus with so much joy, said, "I expect great things then!"

Beloved, we may not have much now. Our temporal supplies may be scant—and our outward comforts but few. Our sufferings may be great—and our trials painful. Without may be fightings—and within may be fears. But Jesus is coming—Jesus, who is our Brother, Husband and Friend! He is coming in all of his glory! He is coming to reign supreme. He is coming to render wondrous rewards to his servants. He is coming to fulfill all his promises, and accomplish the glorious predictions of his holy word.

His coming is the greatest event we can look forward to. It is the blessed hope of his church. It is the desire of all his saints. Our brightest prospects and sweetest anticipations depend on that. Our groaning world appears to long for it. The sorrowful church should daily pray for it. And every sigh that escapes from the tried believer's heart, rightly interpreted, cries, "Come, Lord Jesus come quickly!"

Well, cheer up, my poor tried brother and sister, for "He who is to come—will come, and will not tarry." He is now engaged for us. His loving heart now beats with tenderest affection towards us. He would have us with him, or he would come and be with us now—were it not that his Father's glory and our best interests require it to be otherwise. He said once, and he is in the same mind still, "Father, I will that those whom you have given me—be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory!" This is the very thing we desire—and it is the very thing we shall enjoy; for he will soon come "the second time without sin unto salvation!" We expect great things then!

WHAT do we expect then?

"As the days of heaven upon the earth." Deuteronomy 40:21

Few things are more important than truth. Nothing is so important as the truth of God. It is our light, our map, and our food, through the whole journey. In the context, Moses is giving direction to the Israelites, as to how they were to treat God's word. He directs them to hide it in their hearts, as a treasure; to wear it on the forehead and on the hand, as a costly ornament; to teach it to all about them, as a most important lesson; and to write it upon the door posts and gates, as a badge of honorable distinction.

The argument he employs to induce them to do so, is long life and happiness in the promised land. "That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children in the land which the Lord swore unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth." So that our subject embraces two points, perpetuity and pleasure. We shall dismiss the former, and confine our attention to the latter.

Real religion, as it appears in a practical conformity to God's will, secures to us the purest and sweetest enjoyment. Or, filial obedience to God is the way to realize the joys of heaven. True saints when entirely engaged in God's service, enjoy spiritual and solid happiness. They know experimentally what the Psalmist meant, when he said, speaking of the Lords precepts, "In keeping of them--there is a great reward." True religion was not designed to diminish our enjoyments--but to purify and elevate them. Indeed, real Christians are the only happy people, and all true and consistent Christians are happy. Under all their trials, troubles, and sorrows, they have a source of comfort to which all are strangers but themselves. But they have some peculiarly pleasant seasons, some precious times, which they call the days of heaven upon earth. Let us inquire then,

First, What constitutes such days? The answer to this inquiry would include many things, we can only notice a few.

Secondly, What is realized on such days? Here we need special help, for what is so difficult, as attempting to set forth the joys of the Lord as experienced by his saints? If you, reader, have never enjoyed them, we can convey no adequate idea of them to your mind. But if you have happily experienced them, our imperfect hints will be understood.

Thirdly, What do such days teach us?

This is a very important and searching question, an answer to which will go far towards deciding what is our state before God. In times like these we ought to be decided, and to know how we stand in reference to eternity. We ought not to be satisfied with an uncertain hope, or an ill-founded confidence. Our calling and election should be sure. We should be able to say with the beloved apostle, "We know that we are of God." "We have passed from death unto life." "We are now the sons of God."

Our standing before God--depends on our connection with Christ; and the state of our heart depends upon our fellowship with Christ. Let us, then, briefly look at the question.

What is Christ to you? If I reply for myself, I say, He is the foundation of my hope; for I have no hope towards God but what is founded on his person, sacrifice and finished work. I hope for pardon, because he died for sin; I hope for justification, because he rose from the dead; I hope for eternal life, because he ever lives to make intercession for me. The depravity of my heart, the imperfection of all my services, and the unholiness of my life--forbid my hoping for acceptance with God, access to God, or the enjoyment of God--upon any other ground.

The love of Christ and his people is reciprocal, so also is their interest in each other. Christ is to his people--their portion, possession, and special treasure; they live upon him, rejoice in him, and look to him, under all circumstances, for all they need. This is truly wonderful; but not as wonderful as the consideration of what the Christian is to Christ--the least, the feeblest, the most imperfect Christian: for the connection and interest depend on the reality, not the degree, of saving faith.

The least member is part of the physical body, though most distant from the head, or generally concealed from view; just so, every Christian is one with Christ, beloved by Christ, and exceedingly dear and precious in the sight of Christ. As we have considered what Christ is to the Christian, let us, then, for a few moments, look at what the Christian is to Christ.

Believer, have you considered what you are to Jesus? If so, you will be prepared to answer the question; and though you may be obliged to think before you know where to begin, as also where you are to stop--yet you will be at no loss to answer as to some points. You will be prepared to say,

"I am the purchase of his blood!" He had set his heart upon me. He was determined to possess me. But as he would do nothing dishonorable, and as divine justice had arrested me, he determined to purchase me. The price demanded was great beyond calculation. The whole universe, apart from himself, was insufficient. Nothing would meet the demand but his own blood, his own life, himself! Having made up his mind, nothing could change his purpose, or alter his determination. He said, "They shall be mine!" And, therefore, "he gave himself for us." He redeemed us with his own "precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." We, therefore, "are not our own, being bought with a price." We are the purchase of his blood, who "is Lord of all."

He never forgets the price he paid for us, or the value he set upon us; nor let us ever forget that we are his property--but let us endeavor, always and everywhere, to glorify him in our bodies and spirits, which are his.

"I am the object of his care!" He cares for us. His care is constant, tender, and extends to our most minute affairs. "The very hairs of our head are all numbered" by him. He cares for our persons, comforts, and all our concerns. He, therefore, directs us to lay low at his feet, and confide in his care, saying, "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; casting all your care upon him--for he cares for you." He exhorts us to be prayerful and thankful--but neither anxious nor worried, saying, "The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing; but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests bo made known unto God: and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Jesus cares for his people always and everywhere: at home, abroad, in sickness, in health, in prosperity, in adversity, in life, in death. He never withdraws not his eyes from them--but ever cares for them, watching over them to do them good. He is the kind and careful Shepherd, that cares for every lamb in his flock, for every sheep committed to his trust.

"I am the child of his wise providence!" Brought by it upon the stage of time. Placed by it in my present circumstances. Dependant upon it for all my various supplies. On the bosom of his providence, I lean. In the hand of his providence, I trust. To the resources of his providence, I look. His providence is my sustainer. It provides for me. It daily supplies me. It has anticipated my necessities. It demands my confidence. It tries my faith. But it always supplies my real needs.

Providence is Jesus in action to do his people good. He hides himself often behind his instruments, or what we call second causes; but he is ever present, providing for and supplying the needs of all who place confidence in his word. His promise tells me what he will do--and his providence just does what he has told me. I cannot, then, be either friendless or fatherless, for the providence of Jesus acts toward me a father's part.

"I am the subject of his intercession." He ever lives to make intercession for me! He never forgets or loses sight of me. My name is on his priestly breastplate--my concerns are all under his eye. His blood speaks for me. His influence is exerted for me. He lives in heaven for my good. He is my Counselor--I am his client. He is my Advocate--I am his brother for whom he pleads. His intercession brought me up out of the horrible pit, and out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock. His intercession supports my faith, and frustrates the malicious designs of Satan. His intercession brings down ten thousand blessings--and prevents innumerable evils!

Sweet thought this--Jesus intercedes with his Father for me! Yes, in all times of darkness and distress--in all seasons of danger and depression-- when my heart is cold and prayerless--when my faith is weak and wavering--when my hope is feeble and faltering--when my love is reduced to a spark, or appears extinguished--then, yes, then, Jesus intercedes for me!

When Satan tempts me on earth, or accuses me in heaven--when all within and without is dreary and distressing--then, yes, then, Jesus intercedes for me. This moment, and every moment, Jesus makes me the subject of his powerful and prevailing intercession!

"I am the temple of his Holy Spirit." The Holy Spirit has taken possession of me in his name. He dwells in me. My very body is declared to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. He came to me as the Spirit of Christ. He claimed me as the Spirit of Christ. He entered my heart as the Spirit of Christ. By his work he proves himself the Spirit of Christ. He daily keeps me sensible of my need of Christ. He shows me the exact suitability of Christ. He leads me out of self--to Christ. He teaches me to renounce every other name but the name of Christ; so that I build on him, and on him alone, for pardon, peace, and final acceptance with God.

The Spirit of Christ dwells in me--this is my evidence that I am Christ's. How wonderful, that a nature so depraved, that a creature so insignificant, that a sinner so vile--should be constituted, consecrated, and acknowledged to be the temple of the Spirit of Christ! Yet so it is!

"I am the epistle of his love." Manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ. His truth is written on my heart by the finger of his own Spirit, and I am sent into the world to bear witness of his love. He sends by me to sinners. He speaks by me to sinners. He opens by me his loving heart to the guilty sons of men. He says, "Go publish in every direction, in characters and terms that all can read and understand, that I am Jesus--that I save the vilest--that I save freely--that I save all who come unto me--that I delight to save any, even the foulest transgressors--that I not only save--but raise those whom I save to the highest dignities, and confer on them the greatest honors. Proclaim abroad, that my heart is love, that my blood has made an infinite atonement for all sin--that I am exalted to give repentance and pardon--that I have made peace between God and all who come unto him through me."

Oh, wondrous mercy, to constitute me his epistle of love! But if I am really a Christian, I am a living, authentic, and useful epistle of Christ!

"I am a joint heir with him of the eternal inheritance!" Jesus is appointed heir of all things. All things are committed unto him by his Father. He has all power and authority in heaven and in earth. He claims the universe as his own. "Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ! Romans 8:17. When he said this, the apostle had special reference to our priceless eternal inheritance--an inheritance that is reserved in heaven for each of God's children, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay! But what tongue can tell, what heart conceive, what is included in being a joint heir with Christ? The blessing seems to be as vast as God's loving heart, and as boundless as God's own eternity!

Well may it be said, "What we will be--has not yet been revealed." Nothing could please us better than to add, "But when he shall appear--we shall be like him." Like him! this is just what we desire. Like him! this is the sum of all our prayers. Like him! this stretches to the utmost bounds of all real excellency. Like him! This is doing for us exceeding and abundantly above all that we can ask or think. Like him! this is conferring on us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

Oh, believer, what privileges are yours! What dignities are conferred on you! How favored, how honored, how glorious are you!

How much Jesus makes of you! Can he possibly make more of you than he does? He calls you his love, his dove, his undefiled one. He considers you as of more value than his own comfort, or even his own blood. He was willing to labor and suffer for thirty-three years, and then to die the most painful, shameful, and ignominious death for you.

And he has never ceased to think of you or taken his eye off you for one moment, since he brought you on the stage of time--but especially since he called you by his grace. You are the purchase of his blood--the object of his care--the child of his providence--the subject of his intercession--the temple of his Spirit--the epistle of his love--and a joint heir with him of the eternal inheritance. What more can you be—or desire? Can he esteem you more highly? Can he love you more heartily? Can he display his grace in you more fully?

But unbelieving SINNER--what are you to Jesus? You are his enemy! You are opposed to him. You love him not. Should he deal with you according to your sins, or reward you according to your iniquities--how fearful would be the consequences, how dreadful the result! Can you read of the believer's privileges without wishing to enjoy them? Can you hear of the Christian's honors without desiring to share them? Is the love of Jesus nothing to you? Is the blood of Jesus treated as a common or worthless thing by you?

"Behold, now is the accepted time! Behold, now is the day of salvation!" The way of escape is cast up before you; the entrance is close by you--strive, then, to enter in at the strait gate; for strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, that leads unto life, and few there be who find it. Will you be among that few? Wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leads to destruction, many there be that go in thereat. Will you be among the many?

"Lord, what will You have me to do?" Acts 9:6

We live in stirring times: almost everything is in motion. Mind is especially active, either for good or evil. We have many active in the Church--but all are not active. We have many in our congregations who throw their energies into the Lord's cause--but there are many who do little or nothing. They have no idea what they could do. They never suspect how useful they may be. They have settled down with the opinion, that the cause of God will go on very well without them. Some of these excite our concern, some grieve us, and some get in our way and hinder us! Here is a question for every one such especially --a question for us all: What shall I do for Jesus?

Reader! did you ever put this question to your conscience? Are you willing to do so now? It can do you no harm; it may do you good. But first ask,

Did I ever do anything for Jesus? There are many things done in the Church, and by Christian professors--which are not done for Jesus. There is some other object in view. The eye is not single. The heart is not true. The motive is not pure.

Did you ever give yourself to the Lord? This is the first thing to be done. Jesus will not accept anything from you until you have given him yourself. His first request is, "My son--give me your heart!" Withhold from him the heart, and you withhold from him all. He will approve of nothing that you do. He will receive nothing from your hands. You are his enemy! You are in rebellion against him! You refuse to acknowledge his claims. You withhold his just rights. You grieve his loving heart.

If you have not, let me beseech you to go to his throne, present yourself before him in the attitude of a suppliant, offer him your heart just as it is, saying,

"Take my poor heart, just as it is,

Set up therein your throne;

So shall I love you above all,

And live to you alone!"

Having given him yourself, you may ask with Saul of Tarsus, "Lord, what will You have me to do?" And be sure that he has something for you to do, and something that no one will do so well as you--something that no one ought to do, but you. He will say, "Son, go work today in my vineyard."

What can you do? This you can never tell--until you try.

What are you willing to do? This you may soon ascertain.

There is the Sunday school. Can you do anything for Jesus there? Can you take a class? If not, can you go around the neighborhood, and collect the children who are still untaught, that others may teach them?

There is the house of prayer. Can you do anything there? Is it full? If so, cannot you look out for young people who attend, unnoticed by any in the congregation, and notice them, trying to get from them whether they feel the power of the word, and try and follow up the preacher's appeals by a word in private? An immense amount of good may be done in this way, if Christians were only alive to its importance, and would do it for Jesus.

Is the congregation thin? Cannot you increase it? Did you ever set about trying in good earnest? Is there no one that you could influence to attend? What! not one? If you could influence one, that one may influence another; and in this way our chapels would soon be filled.

There is the minister. Can you do nothing for him? Do you regularly contribute for his support, according to your means, not making the subscription of anyone else your rule--but giving just as God has prospered you--doing it for Jesus?

Do you set apart a certain portion of time every week, that you may pray for him? Are you regular in your attendance on his ministry, and always early, that you may pray for him as you see him ascend his pulpit? Do you take inquirers to him, encouraging them to go and open their hearts to him when concerned for the salvation of their souls?

There are the sick. Do you ever visit them? Jesus takes the visits paid to his sick saints--as paid to himself. He says, "I was sick--and you visited me." "Inasmuch as you did it unto one of the least of these my brethren--you did it unto me." How often do the Lord's sick, long to see a fellow-worshiper or a fellow-member come in, to read a portion of God's Holy Word, to oifer up the prayer of faith, or speak a word to them of Jesus! How many fears may be banished, how many temptations may be removed, how many sufferers may be cheered, how many sorrowful believers may be comforted--if their fellow-believers, instead of indulging SELF, would visit them for Jesus, and speak to them of Jesus?

There are the poor. Will you relieve them—the poor saints more especially? Jesus takes what is given to them as given to himself, and promises a reward. Hear his words, believe them, try to realize the truth and importance of them, that you may he influenced hy them: "Whoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, truly I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward," Matthew 10:42. You see, if you relieve the least saint, with the smallest gratuity, not being able to do more, and do it for Jesus--he pledges his word that you shall on no account lose your reward.

And how striking is the language of the Holy Spirit by the Apostle James! "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this--to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world," James 1:27. Tried by this standard how much pure religion have you? Some professors, and some church-members, have very little. When did you dry the widow's tears, and satisfy the orphan's needs--going to them, and not waiting for them to come to you? Will you do this for Jesus?

There are the enemies of Christ, as all careless sinners are. You may speak to them, offer special prayer for them, and try to win them over to his cause. "He who wins souls is wise." Proverbs 11:27. But if we would win--we must be winning. Love is the key of the human heart. Once get it in, and you may soon open the door. Love will use gold, silver, kind words, and winning deeds, and thus get access to the heart which was locked against truth and against God. Did you ever attempt to do this for Jesus?

Once more, there is the heathen world. Men and money are needed; you may help to provide them. The power of the Holy Spirit is absolutely necessary; you may help to bring down that.

There is plenty to do--and no time to be lost; for while we trifle or delay, Satan is working, time is flying, souls are perishing, saints are suffering, the cause of God is languishing, infidelity is spreading, Popery is gaining ground--and we are missing the mark. Let every Christian man, let every Christian woman, then, put the question to the heart, What can I do for Jesus? What more can I do--than I have done? What more can I give--than I have given?

Consider . . .

what Jesus has done for you,

what he is now doing for you,

what he has already given you,

what he has promised you,

what he deserves from you,

what he expects at your hands,

the honor he has put upon you,

the trust he has committed to you,

the charge he has given you,

the account he will demand of you,

the rule by which he will reward you;

and then ask, What can I do for Jesus?

And if there is any saving faith, if there is any sincere love to him, if there is any reverence for his authority, if there is any concern for his cause, if there is any zeal for his glory, if there is any pity for lost sinners, if there is any regard for his word, ask—then be honest in asking, What can I do for Jesus? Reader! there is much needs doing, there is much that you may do, and if you stand idle now, you must regret it by-and-bye; rouse up, therefore, and work!