” A feast is made
for laughter," Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes 10:19. I am sure God intended
His children to be joyful in the feast of Christ's Gospel. In the Old
Testament, mourners were not allowed to sit at God's table. Since a saint's
gloom reflects unkindnesss on God Himself, how can we recommend His satisfying
love if it does not satisfy us? The world thinks the Christian life is
depressing anyway, a dry meal where very little wine is tasted. Why will you
confirm their deception, Christian? Why should they have your example as
evidence against Jesus and His Word, which promises peace and joy to everyone
who comes to this table?
God forbid that
your behavior, which should hold forth "the word of life" and
demonstrate the reality of it in the eyes of the world, ever disagree or throw
doubt on His Word Philippians 2:16. It is a gross error for Rome to teach that
we cannot know Scripture as God's Word except by the testimony of the church.
Yet a practical testimony from Christians' lives has great authority over the
consciences of men to persuade them of Gospel truth. They can believe it is
good news when they can read it clearly in a cheerful life.
When unbelievers
see Christians sad as they hold the cup of salvation in their hands, they
suspect the wine is not so good as preachers say it is. If traders to the
Indies returned poorer than they were when they began, it would be hard to
convince others to venture to that place, regardless of how many golden
mountains might tower there. Christian, do not give unbelievers reason to
imagine, by seeing you limping through the race, that they must forfeit
happiness if they become Christians and spend the rest of their lives in a
house of mourning, with a team of losers.
Is Christ's Gospel
full of abundant life or not? Then do not go into debt with the world to soak
up its carnal benefits; you need never leave God's house to be made glad.”
Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete
Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell.
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