Treasures from James Smith
(choice articles)
(A collection of choice articles from his works)
James Smith (1802—1862) was a predecessor of Charles Spurgeon at New Park Street Chapel in London from 1841 until 1850. Early on, Smith's readings were even more popular than Spurgeon's!
Paul's Seven Wishes!
Wishing is generally fruitless, and sometimes sinful. Resignation is generally better than wishing, and acquiescence in God's will, more so still. But it is natural to desire what we esteem to be good — andgrace only regulates and sanctifies this exercise of nature. Desire is often the effect of knowledge — and it is the very soul of prayer. Whatever we have, there is much that we need, and, consequently, much that we must desire.
Paul desired seven things especially, and they all referred to Christ, and they are all named in his epistle to the Philippians, and I propose to glance at them. Let us compare our desires with his as we go on, and may the Holy Spirit bless our brief meditation on the subject.
First, he says, "that I may KNOW Him!" (Philippians 3:10.) Christ had appeared to Paul, he was revealed in him, and was constantly preached by him. Christ was . . .
the object of his trust,
the subject of his ministry,
and the joy of his heart.But he knew that there was much in Christ with which he was unacquainted. He knew but in part. He desired, therefore, to know more of . . .
the glory of his person,
the riches of his grace,
the magnificence of his work,
the excellency of his natures,
the majesty of his kingdom!
Everything in Christ interested Paul. Creation was good — but to him, grace was better; but Christ was best of all. He was never wearied of thinking of Christ, speaking of Christ, or learning of Christ. He went on with his work, he went on his way, with the desire constantly rising in his heart, "That I may know Him!"
Beloved, how is it with you? Do you sympathize with Paul in this desire of his heart? Is it your daily wish, ardent desire, and constant aim — to know more of Jesus?
Throughout eternity we shall be learning Christ!He is the lesson placed before us in the church on earth;
and he is the lesson placed before the church in Heaven.Time is given us to learn Christ — and, blessed be God,
eternity will be given to us to learn Christ also.Nothing endears eternity to me like this — it will be spent in learning, enjoying, and honoring Christ!
Secondly, he says, "That I may WIN Christ!" (Philippians 3:8.) He was not merely satisfied to know Christ, as the property of someone else; he wanted Christ as his own! He was not only willing to receive Christ as a free gift — but he would win Christ as a prize.
Was Christ to be run for — then he would run.Was Christ to be wrestled for — then he would wrestle.Were there any means by which Christ could be obtained, however painful, however costly, however difficult — then Paul would use them!Did he believe? It was that he might win Christ.Did he pray? It was that he might win Christ.Did he preach? It was that he might win Christ.Did he crucify the old man, mortify the flesh, beat his body and make it his slave? It was that he might win Christ.Did he suffer the loss of all things, and count them but dung and dross? It was that he might win Christ.Did he subject himself to stripes, imprisonment, hunger, cold, nakedness, and a martyr's death? It was that he might win Christ.To possess Christ was his one object, his ruling desire!Reader, is it your main object and desire?Are you prepared to part with all for Christ?Would you take Christ — in exchange for ease, reputation, wealth, labors, sufferings, yes, even death itself? Paul was; and if you are not, his estimates of Christ and yours cannot be the same.My soul, I charge you — let this be your object, let this be your aim, always and everywhere: to "win Christ!"
Thirdly, "To MAGNIFY Christ!" Hence he says, "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain!" (Philippians 1:20, 21)Paul desired to exhibit and exalt Christ!If he wrote — he wrote of Christ.If he spoke — he spoke of Christ.If he suffered — he suffered for Christ.If he sorrowed — it was because professors dishonored Christ.
Christ was to him dearer than the apple of his eye — and more precious than all things in earth or Heaven! He would live — if he could honor Jesus; or he would die for him — if that would honor him more. He felt his obligation. He was inflamed with his love. He was a sacrifice on his altar. He was a vessel for his honor. He would go anywhere, he would do anything — if he might but honor Christ. Heartily he would say, "Let the name of Paul perish, if the name of Christ can be magnified thereby!"
To him Christ was, in fact, all and all. He died for Christ; the honor of Christ was the end for which he laid down his life.
My brother, how is it with you?Does your heart cry, "Oh, that I could honor Christ!"Does your life make this impression on others, "That man aims to honor Christ!"Is it your daily cry and prayer, "Let Christ be magnified in me, by me, and through me — in life, in death, in time, and forever!"Oh my soul, let it be my constant desire and prayer — that Jesus, my Jesus, may be magnified by me!
