Charles Spurgeon

I do always those things that please him. —John 8:29

Our Lord Jesus stood alone as the advocate of right and truth in the days when He dwelt among men. It is true He had a few followers, but they were so slow to learn, and so weak in action, that they rather increased His difficulties than rendered Him assistance. He was a solitary champion in the midst of armies of foes. Those foes were powerful, cunning, cruel, and exceedingly active, yet He was calm and unmoved, and faced them without fear; He was never put to the blush by them, and never turned His back in retreat. Our Lord was victorious all through the campaign of His ministry; I may say of Him that He went forth conquering and to conquer, and on the cross He gained His crowning victory.

Since you also will meet with enemies, would you learn to be as calm as He? Since difficulties must beset your pathway, would you possess the same strength as He? Would you, in fact, live as He lived and, finishing your course, would you enter into His joy? Then study well the records of His sublime career, and you will see that the secret of His power was the presence of His God—“he that sent me is with me”—and the secret of His comfort was fellowship with Jehovah—“he hath not left me alone.”

If you would know how you can enjoy the presence and fellowship of the Lord and all the power and comfort which come thereby, the Savior tells you the secret in the following words: “For I do always those things that please him.” If we would have God with us, we must be agreed with Him. “Shall two walk together unless they be agreed?” Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, “He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me, and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21). To do the things which please God is the way to secure His presence and consequent power and happiness.
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Charles H. Spurgeon, The Christian’s Motto (from the Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Vol. 20, Sermon No. 1165).

Published by The Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth, used with permission.