Commemorating the 239th anniversary of the birth of the Welsh Calvinistic minister, John Elias (May 6, 1774- June 8, 1841)... Here's an excerpt from "John Elias: Life, Letters and Essays" by Edward Morgan:
Most feelingly did Elias expostulate in letters ... with sleepy, starving professors. One of those is the following; may it be blessed still!
From 28 June 1831
Is there not reason to fear that the prayers of many of us are merely customary and formal, asking many things without feeling the need of them? We seldom inquire whether our prayers are answered; and if not, what hinders them? Do we avoid indulging in those thoughts or practices that hinder and mar our prayers? Are we in a state of reconciliation with God? Do we live in the exercise of faith in Christ? Are we indifferent as to the aid of the Spirit in prayer? O seek his face - his face; seek him with all your heart! There are many in the church, I believe, who have seen better days, and have felt something greater and stronger; but they sleep so heavily now, that they scarcely recollect the days they once saw and the divine impressions they once experienced! Alas, what a state! Love is growing cold, because, perhaps, some iniquity has abounded. O that I could lift up my voice, and cry to those that sleep - ‘Alas, it is a great pity that you live so poor, and that your sustenance is so wretched! You, children of the King. You, the spouse of Christ! You, that saw better days, how is it that your support is so poor, and your appearance so miserable now, while the riches of your Father are so great, his house so full, and his table so loaded, and the love of God not changed, and the great salvation as full as ever? Oh! why will you live in poor prisons, and on empty husks? Homeward, homeward, prodigal sons! Our day in the world is nearly coming to a close! Believers, you draw near the heavenly world. Should you not then be more holy and heavenly, as you approach that world? Oh! children of God, be not satisfied to live in such a lethargy, and at such a distance from your God.
Hypocrites are not aware of the spiritual food that some have tasted. They draw their joys out of other wells, lusting after forbidden things, desiring the enjoyments of the world, delighting in the company of worldlings, and following their customs! There are many in the church that never had a kid - that never had a small portion of spiritual food to make merry - that know nothing of the spiritual feasts that are enjoyed on the return of prodigals! These have but a poor religion to meet death and judgment with! O my dear friends, let each of us examine, and see what he has. Let us not sleep, and let us not be indifferent about knowing whether our religion is sound; and if not, let us strive to obtain that which is so. The most worthless of all things is false religion. Oh! the truth, the truth! O! brethren, let us not be discouraged; but, like the watchmen, look for the morning. Say, in faith, ‘I shall see it yet again.’ I know that some souls are like the thirsty land, longing for God, and crying out, ‘When shall I come to thee?’ Believers, if we must live in some degree of darkness till we arrive at Jordan, it is a consolation that it is day light, without any clouds, on the other side. You shall be there soon. I long in these days to fly higher than the tumultuous atmosphere of this world. If we fly high enough, we shall not meet with clouds, thunders, and the stormy wind and tempest, but with a bright, delightful day! I am obliged to finish - I am very poorly. Oh, brethren, pray for me!
Source: "John Elias: Life, Letters and Essays" by Edward Morgan (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1973, revised edition published in one volume), 138-140.
Luke 15:11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
Are you sleeping, and sleeping heavily? Are you a starving professor? Has your love grown cold? Is your religion a poor religion? From where are you drawing your joys? Do you delight in the company of worldlings and follow their customs? Are you settling for worldly, wretched sustenance –– empty husks –– instead of seeking and savoring the spiritual food that is yours as a child of the King and the spouse of Christ? Are you satisfied to live in a lethargy, at such a distance from God? Have you ever had a kid? Have you understood that all that the Father has is yours?
I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt:
open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.
Related:
my other posts on John Elias:
the fitness HE requireth: in distress, in debt, discontented ~ I Samuel 22:2
"It is a dark night on the church, the depth of winter ..." ~ John Elias
"as if ... God was dead" | letter 160 on assurance & fighting for joy
... while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended...
"The dawn is to be seen... you may by prayers" (John Elias)
my posts on nominal Christianity - click here
my posts on true and false religion and legalism - click here
other related posts:
Advent #1 WHY HAS JESUS COME? that we might have life & life more abundantly
Advent # 5 WHY HAS JESUS COME? So we might draw near to God | Even a Vapor
Advent # 7 WHY HAS JESUS COME? So we might be satisfied with Him
Advent # 8: WHY HAS JESUS COME? "so that [we] might be WITH HIM" ~ Mark 3:14
Advent # 9 WHY HAS JESUS COME? Adoption: the highest privilege the gospel offers ~ J.I. Packer
The Christian should not just believe the truth, and know it..." | the Father's assurance
update w/ excerpt: Lloyd-Jones' sermons on the role of experience in Christianity
five years ago ~ for your joy (AND an inheritance | Richard Sibbes & the Sealing of the Spirit)
birthday reflection: "the great & glorious possibilities" ~ "Now therefore, give me this mountain"
postcards from England: are we excited over a dead fish and a car wreck?
"Brother, we are only half awake" ~ Legh Richmond
"Saving faith is wanting Jesus" ~ Are you loving His appearing or this present world?
Jesus said to her, "... Whom are you seeking?" - John 20:15
Why read Christian biography? To help us examine our love for God.
Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
Work found at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A.Cortina_El_sue%C3%B1o.jpg / {{PD-Art|PD-old-100}}.
Recent Comments