The Great Commission. Miscellaneous Writings of C. H. Mackintosh, vol. IVMackintosh, Charles Henry
Religion
The Great Commission. Miscellaneous Writings of C. H. Mackintosh, vol. IV
Mackintosh, Charles Henry
Theology
We are now called to consider a deeply practical point in our subject.
It is contained in the clause, "_To serve the living and true God_."
This is full of interest to every truly converted soul, every true
Christian. We are called "to serve." Our whole life, from the moment
of our conversion to the close of our earthly career, should be
characterized by a spirit of true, earnest, intelligent service. This
is our high privilege, not to say our hallowed duty. It matters not
what our sphere of action may be, what our line of life, or what our
calling; when we are converted, we have just got one thing to do,
namely, to serve God. If there be anything in our calling which is
contrary to the revealed will of God--contrary to the direct teaching
of His word--then we must at once abandon it, cost what it may. The
very first step of an obedient servant is to step out of a false
position, be it what it may.
We are called to serve God, and everything must be tried by this
standard. The Christian has to ask himself this one question, "Can I
fulfil the duties of this situation to the glory of God?" If not, he
must abandon it. If we cannot connect the name of God with our calling
in life, then, assuredly, if we want to walk with God, if we aim at
serving Him, if it be our one desire to be found well-pleasing in His
sight, then we must give up that calling and look to Him to open some
path for us in which we can walk to His praise.
This He will do, blessed be His name. He never fails a trusting soul.
All we have to do is to cleave to Him with purpose of heart, and He
will make the way plain before us. It may seem difficult at first. The
path may appear narrow, rough, lonely; but our simple business is to
stand for God, and not to continue for one hour in connection with
anything contrary to His revealed will. A tender conscience, a single
eye, a devoted heart, will settle many a question, solve many a
difficulty, remove many a barrier. Indeed, the very instincts of the
divine nature, if only they be allowed to act, will guide in many a
perplexity. "The light of the body is the eye; therefore, when thine
eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light." When the purpose
of the heart is true to Christ, true to His name and cause, true to
the service of God, the Holy Spirit opens up the precious treasures of
divine revelation to the soul, and pours a flood of living light upon
the understanding, so that we see the path of service as clear as a
sunbeam before us, and we have only got to tread it with a firm step.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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