There is nothing in all the thoughts of God more wondrous than that God can love such as we are
with the same love wherewith He loves His Son (John 17:23). And He does so love us; I know
it for myself, and dishonor His Word if I do not know it. If He says it, is it not that I may believe
it and take it home to my heart, and enjoy it now in this world? And is it not that I may use it as
my constant guard and protection against everything that flesh, or world, or Satan can bring
against me? He loves us as He loves His Son.

Do not say it is too high a thought. I know nothing so humiliating_that so convicts us of being
nothing_as the fact that, so loved, we should so little feel it; that so loved, we should so feebly
return it; that so loved, we should yield to the cares, the vanities, the thoughts, the pursuits, and
much else that is not in accordance with such love.

It is the delight and the desire of God that those who are His should enter into the greatness of His
love. No glory, nor sense of it, nor confidence in it, nor waiting for it, ought to be enough even
for such hearts as ours. It is a wonderful thing to think that we are to share the glory of Christ;
but it is even more wonderful that we have the same love. The same God who gives us the glory
of Christ will have our souls enter even now by the Holy Spirit into the community of the same
love.

(From Lectures on the Epistle to the Ephesians.)

"Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Rom. 12:2).

As the redeemed of the Lord it becomes us continually to keep before us that it is not our salvation
but the glory of God that is the ultimate end. We ought never to lose sight of this. In order that
we may do our part as witnesses for God in this world, it is necessary that we should not be
conformed to the world but be transformed. Without this it is entirely impossible to be witnesses
for God in a right way. We may think we do this thing and we do another thing to the glory of
God, and yet only insofar as we are not conformed to this world, but are transformed, are we truly
witnesses for God.

We have been bought by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. As God in Christ has done
so much for us, and as the precious and adorable Lord Jesus Christ has done so much for us, it
well becomes us that we, the sons of the Most High, should not wait for the afterlife in order to
aim to be conformed to the image of God’s dear Son. We shall in that day be perfectly conformed
to the Blessed One (Rom. 8:29), but as far as we are able we should aim at it day by day already
in this present life.

It is most important to keep before us that it is the will of the Lord that we should be transformed,
and that this is possible through the renewing of our minds. In our natural, unsaved state we go
our own way. We may be amiable people in the eyes of our fellow men. We may be honest and
moral, and every one may speak well of us even before our conversion, but yet we go our own
way. In this state, it is entirely impossible to please God because we do not set Him before us. We
do not do what we do to the praise of His name. We use our bodily strength, our mental powers,
our talents and gifts just as we please, in order to gratify ourselves. We do not use them to the
praise and honor and glory of God.

Likewise, in our unsaved state, we do not use our profession, our business, our money for the
Lord, but we use them as it pleases us. That is how we dishonor the Lord. All the resolutions that
we may make to be in a different state will not alter the case.

Thus it will go on until we are convinced that we are sinners, needing a Saviour, and until, as lost,
ruined, guilty sinners, we have put our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, and have accepted salvation
through His atoning sacrifice alone. In this way we are renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
In this way we obtain spiritual life, and thus begins the possibility of our being transformed.

It must be recognized, however, that this is only the beginning, and we should not be content with
the beginning. Our hearty desire should be to be transformed. In this way we show our love and
gratitude to our heavenly Father by being witnesses for Him in this evil world.

Conformed to the Image of God’s Dear Son

We must not forget that the eyes of the world are upon us, that they want to see whether there is
a difference between us and themselves_whether our lives witness for God, or whether they do

not. In order that, in some measure at least, we make progress in this conformity to the image of
God’s dear Son, it is most important that day by day we seek to keep before us both what we have
been redeemed from and what we have been redeemed unto.

First, from what have we been redeemed? Once we belonged to the power of darkness, we were
the slaves of the wicked one, we were the children of the devil. But now we have been brought
out of this state and have been transplanted into the kingdom of God’s dear Son. We are no longer
dead in trespasses and sins and we are no longer slaves of the world and of our own wicked evil
hearts. The more we realize these things, so shall we be constrained by love and gratitude to seek
increasingly to be conformed to the image of God’s dear Son.

Second, unto what we have been redeemed? All our sins have been forgiven; we are justified
before God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; we are begotten again, children of God for time
and eternity and, as such, heirs of God and joint-heirs with the Lord Jesus Christ; before long we
shall reign with Jesus, before long we shall sit with Him on the throne, and with Him judge the
world.

Let us keep before us that we shall spend a happy eternity in glory with the Lord Jesus Christ, that
our own eyes shall see that blessed One, that our own hands shall be allowed to touch that blessed
One, and that in seeing Him as He is, we shall be like Him, not only obtaining the glorified body,
but be perfectly free for ever and ever from every sin. The more this is kept before us, the more
we shall be constrained in this present life to seek the glory of God.

Miserable Going Our Own Way

Further, it is well to keep in mind that it is the will of the Lord that the human creature should not
be happy while walking in separation from God. God has determined that the human creature shall
be miserable going his own way, and that peace and joy in God and in the Holy Spirit can only
be obtained by walking with God in the fear of the Lord.

Living for God

In the next place, it should be our deep, hearty longing to have but one single object for our
life_to live for God, to please God, since it is impossible that in going our own way we should
be happy or could really have peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Let us not be satisfied until our
whole heart is given to the Lord. May each of us be able to stand before God and say:"My
Father, You know all things; You know that Your poor child is feeble and weak, but You know
also that my heart is given to You:You have my heart." If we cannot yet say this, let us be
determined that our whole heart should now be given to the Lord!

Then, my beloved brethren, we must not lose sight of this that, though we desire with our whole
heart to live for the Lord, in ourselves we are weak and feeble. We have no strength of our own.
It is most important that we remain conscious of our own weakness and nothingness and ignorance
all the days of our lives and therefore in simplicity and in the consciousness of our weakness, cling
and cleave to our heavenly Father in prayer. We must be men and women given to prayer. Day

by day we must go to our heavenly Father for help, strength, support, wisdom, and everything that
we need.

Bow Before the Word of God

Coupled with this, we must let Him speak to us. When we pray, we speak to Him. When we read
the Word of God, our heavenly Father speaks to us. Are we really men and women who love the
Word of God? How does it stand with us in this matter? How much have we been reading the
Word of God? Oh, beloved in Christ, it is most important that we be men and women given to the
reading of the Word of God_reading it regularly and consecutively.

Our reading of the Word of God should be accompanied by meditation. Let us meditate, even if
only for a short time, upon a small portion of the Word, and do this always with reference to our
own hearts. Let us read the Word of God practically, as the Word of God, so that our fallen
reason bows before it. It is God who says it, and that should be enough for us, whether we can
understand it with our fallen reason or not. "What … you know not now … you shall know
hereafter" (John 13:7) is applicable in this respect also. We should patiently and prayerfully and
believingly wait until that time comes when we shall see why it is so and why it is expressed in
this way and not in another. Let us always have it before us practically that the Holy Scriptures
are the Word of God, and therefore it becomes the fallen human being to bow before the
Scriptures.

We must mix faith with the Word, and we should read and ponder it with the special object of
carrying it out in our life. If we do not mean to act according to it, prayer and the reading of the
Word will profit us very little. It is given to us for the very purpose that we should act according
to it, and in doing so our peace and joy in the Holy Spirit will be increased more and more.

The blessedness of this I have known in my own happy experience for the last 48 years, and I can
recommend this very particularly to my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us be honest.
Let us never cease to act according to the Scriptures. Even though there is weakness (as at the first
may be the case), we shall surely make progress in knowledge and in grace.

Honest Confession at Once

If we fail in any way after all this, what then? Let us make simple, honest confession at once,
without hypocrisy or without seeking to excuse the failure. Having confessed before our heavenly
Father, let us then seek to experience the power of the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ afresh with
regard to our own hearts and to lay hold of the promise:"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Let us
consecrate our heart afresh to God, yield ourselves to Him, and seek His grace with regard to the
future.

If any one were to go on in this way, what would be the result? He would realize the fulfillment
of the promise of our adorable Lord:"Whosoever has, to him shall be given, and he shall have
more abundance" (Matt. 13:12). The more one walks in this way, he will be less and less

conformed to the world and more and more transformed to be like the Lord Jesus. Though it be
but little in comparison with what it might be and what it ought to be, still there will be more and
more conformity to the image of our precious, adorable Lord even in this life. He is worthy, that
blessed One who laid down His life for us_He is worthy that we should seek to live for Him!

Oh, my beloved Christian friends, let us aim at this! The Lord delights to bless us. If we are only
willing to receive blessing, He is ready to give far more abundantly than we ever expect to
receive. It is a blessed thing, even for this life, to walk in the ways of the Lord with the whole
heart.

Wholly the Lord’s

In this one thing we must be honest that there does not remain to ourselves any part of the heart.
God wants the whole heart. He says, "My son, give Me your heart" (Prov. 23:26), not "part of
your heart." Nor does He say, "My son, give me a little of your money," but He says, "Give Me
your heart." He will accept nothing in the place of the heart.

When the heart is really given to the Lord, then our purse is given to Him also; then our
profession and business are given to Him also; then our houses and lands belong to Him also; and
all we have and are belongs to the Lord. At this we should aim; may we be satisfied with nothing
less.

(From Counsel to Christians.)

In the third chapter of Philippians we find the spiritual energy that carries the saint onward in the
race to Christ in glory. This chapter reveals the power which gives the saint complete superiority
over all the circumstances through which he has to pass, not as making him insensible to their
sorrow, but able to "rejoice in the Lord always" (Phil. 4:4).

How instructive in this way is the life of the Apostle Paul. He was cut off from the ministry that
he loved; he was shut up in prison at Rome; and after laboring "more abundantly than they all"
(1 Cor. 15:10), he discovered that "all they who are in Asia be turned away from me" (2 Tim.
1:15) and "all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s" (Phil. 2:21). Yet in spite
of all this, he could say, "Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice."

You will find plenty of trouble, plenty of conflict, for Satan is not bound yet. The more we go on,
the more we shall know opposition, sorrow in the Church, and saints individually going wrong.
All these things ought to press upon our hearts, but at the same time we ought to have the power
which lifts the heart totally above them. This is the communion and faith that links the heart to
Christ and walks with Him, come what will.

Christ, the "Man of Sorrows," was the example of this. Who was so ready to serve as He? Even
Martha, whom He loved, tried to get Mary away from listening to His words. The disciples sought
to turn Him aside when He told them of His death. All showed a misapprehension of what He had
come for_to "give His life a ransom for many." Yet in the midst of it all, He could ask that His
disciples might have His joy fulfilled in them! (John 17:13).

If we really have this joy of Christ, we can "endure all things for the elect’s sake" (2 Tim. 2:10),
because we are in spirit with Him, and He with us in it all. He endured all things_even the
cross_"for the joy that was set before Him" (Heb. 12:2). It is not the mere buoyancy of a heart
ignorant of the power of evil or of the opposition of Satan. But it is real power, where the depth
of evil and opposition is apprehended, and the power of the Lord is known and trusted in as above
it all!

If my soul is living in the immediate center of the power of Christ, it will feel the pressure of the
evil, but will not be depressed_"In nothing terrified by your adversaries." The practical daily
supplies of strength depend upon the heart’s being with Him who has overcome it all, who has all
power in heaven and on earth. The first mark of this power, when the tide of evil is present, is
patience. That which "endures to the end" is better than a miracle! Thus we learn the graciousness
and power that keeps the heart free to think of what Christ has wrought in others, free to be
occupied with the whole Church. Paul’s affections were fresh for each "true yokefellow" (Phil.
4:3) as though all had not forsaken him; and though all sought their own, it did not hinder the
going out of his heart to others.

In prison, chained between two soldiers, the Apostle was cast more than ever on the Lord. But he
learned to rejoice_not in the prosperity of his work, or in the prosperity of the Church, or of the

saints, but_"in the Lord always"! What holy, Christ-like feeling is expressed in these trials! As
the psalmist says, "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth"
(34:1). How did it come about? "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him" (verse 6).

Paul, standing before King Agrippa, says, "I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear
me this day, were both almost and altogether such as I am, except these bonds" (Acts 26:29). He
does not say, "I would you were all Christians," but such as I am"! There is a happy man! He was
so conscious of the blessedness he had in Christ, so full of the love of Christ, that he could wish
you were as he was! His heart’s complete, internal happiness was in Christ, so that the
trials_trials even in the Church, which are much more deep and real_only carried him to Christ!

Are we so conscious of this blessedness in Christ that we can say to others, "I would you were as
I am"? Do you say, "Only an apostle could say this"? No, it is what every Christian, old and
young, is called to! The only difference is that a young Christian rejoices more in himself and his
blessings. The fathers rejoice more simply in Christ for they have come to know Christ; they have
a personal acquaintance with the Lord Jesus Christ, and rejoice in intimacy with Him.

When evil springs up_when the power of Satan is present_the heart has to do with Christ in
resurrection, who has destroyed him who had the power of death. He says, "Be of good cheer, I
have overcome the world" (John 16:33). He starts us with this testimony, having gone Himself
into a place where evil cannot reach. He has not taken us out of a world governed by Satan’s
power, but He keeps us from evil, because we are not of the world as He is not of the world (John
17:15,16).

When we are running the race, we are to look away unto Jesus who has begun and ended this
whole course of faith (Heb. 12:2). He met the power of Satan in the beginning and in the end; He
was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin. He overcame him who had the power of death
(that is, the devil), and is set down at the right hand of the Majesty on high_the victory won. We
are to enjoy Him now, high above and independent of the things we are passing through. Do not
let any present circumstances occupy you. Do not look away from Him to them_but rejoice in
the Lord!

We must be with Him in spirit for this; thus our "moderation" or yieldingness ought to "be known
unto all men" (Phil. 4:5). If I am happy in Christ, am I looking for my rights in this world? Christ
had none! Oh, no! my treasure is elsewhere. I am going out of this world; I can wait for my rights
until Christ has His. May our hearts be weaned from things here. Christ passed through it, leaving
all to go its own way. In the presence of unrighteousness, the spirit is apt to rise; but let us
cultivate the subduedness that yields. The Samaritans would not receive Him, and He turned aside
into another village (Luke 9:51-56). Why didn’t they receive Him? Because He had "steadfastly
set His face to go to Jerusalem"! The half-hearted would not receive Him because He was doing
the very thing that marked His devotedness to His Father. And so it will be with us; the religiously
half-hearted will not want us if we set our face steadfastly to go right!

"Be careful [or anxious] for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" (Phil. 4:6). It is true that we have cares

and sorrows, and we would have more if we were living more as servants among the sorrows of
this world. But there is a tendency for us to get away from Christ and thus become anxious even
in caring for others. Thus we must tell God, and this carries us so above the cares that we can
rejoice in Him.

What does God give to the heart that has given all its cares to Him? "The peace of God, which
passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (verse 7). Is
God’s heart taken up with circumstances? Is He troubled by them? Is His throne shaken by the
folly and the wickedness of the world, or even the failure of the saints? Never! Put your cares,
then, on God, and He will put His peace into your heart_the inexpressible peace of God! The
peace of Him who knows the end from the beginning shall keep your heart and mind through
Christ Jesus. There is no indifference, carelessness, or coldness, but supplication, earnest entreaty,
and all with thanksgiving.

A man whose heart is filled with thanksgiving, reckoning on God, goes to Him with prayer and
supplication, and the soul having left all on God, feels His hand under the trouble, and can say,
"It is His affair, not mine."

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true … honest … just … pure … lovely … of good
report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (verse 8). May our
hearts be free to find the good in people. Jesus could find the least bit of grace in a poor soul; His
heart was ever ready to enjoy it:"I have meat to eat that you know not of" (John 4:32, concerning
the woman of Samaria); "Mary has chosen that good part" (Luke 10:42); "Behold an Israelite
indeed, in whom there is no guile" (John 1:47, concerning Nathaniel). It is well that our hearts
be kept free to enjoy the fruit of the Spirit in others, as being occupied with what is good!

"Those things which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do; and the
God of peace shall be with you" (verse 9). It is not only His peace, as in verse 7, but Himself.
"The very God of peace sanctify you wholly" (1 Thess. 5:23). "The God of peace … make you
perfect" (Heb. 13:20,21). Peace is the effect of a full and perfect work. He has "made peace
through the blood of His cross" (Col. 1:20). Why? Because He has gone through everything that
was contrary to God_has borne the wrath (the very opposite of peace) of God. The instant He was
risen, He came into the disciples’ midst and said, "Peace"! And now to us God takes this
wondrously blessed name of "the God of peace."

Faith is needed to be able to rejoice always in the Lord, the feet going where God would have
them go, not avoiding evil merely, but walking where He would lead us in every detail of life_in
our habits, dress, behavior, and conversation.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (verse 13). It is a different thing to say,
"Christ strengthens me," from saying, "I can do all things." Paul had learned it. He had learned
how to be abased and how to abound. Think of what the Apostle experienced in his lifetime:"In
journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in
perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils
among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in

fastings often, in cold and nakedness" (2 Cor. 12:26,27). And through it all, he could say, "My
God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19).

What reality there is in the life of faith_walking in secret with God. We are poor hands at it; but
the world cannot touch it, Satan cannot rob us of it, and the trials that come to us in that path only
prove us superior to every circumstance through the power of His grace! God grant that we may
know it and Him in it.

(This was originally published under the title, "His Praise Shall Continually Be in My Mouth.")