Another school of believers dwells much upon the glorious work of the Spirit of God, and rightly and blessedly so. They believe in the Spirit of God as a cleansing power, sweeping the Augean stable of the soul, and making it into a temple for God. But frequently they talk as if they had ceased to sin, or to be annoyed by temptation; they glory as if the battle were already fought, and the victory won. Let us learn from these brethren. All the truth they teach us let us know. Let us become familiar with the hilltops, and the glory that shines thereon, the Hermons and the Tabors, where we may be transfigured with our Lord. Do not be afraid of becoming too holy. Do not be afraid of being too full of the Holy Spirit. I would have you wise on all sides, and able to deal with man both in his conflicts and in his joys, as one familiar with both. Know where Adam left you: know where the Spirit of God has placed you. Do not know either so exclusively as to forget the other.
- C.H. Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students, pg. 246 [Christian Heritage, 2008 reprint]
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There are two schools of experience, and neither is content to learn from the other; let us be content, however, to learn from both. The one school speaks of the child of God as one who knows the deep depravity of his heart, who understands the loathsomeness of his nature, and daily feels that in his flesh there dwelt no good thing. 'That man has not the life of God in his soul,' they say, 'who does not know and feel this, and feel it by bitter and painful experience from day to day.' It is vain to talk to them about liberty, and joy in the Holy Ghost; they will not have it. Let us learn from these one-sided brethren. They know much that should be known, and woe to that minister who ignores their set of truths. Martin Luther use too say that temptation is the best teacher for a minister. There is truth on that side of the question. That sin then was all the more incurable because I did not deem myself a sinner. |
AuthorMy name is still Jonah, and I happen to have a love of reading. Here are quotes I come across in books I read that I find interesting and encouraging. Archives
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