A Work of Grace

By Charles Simeon

"A Work Of Grace is a book on biblical studies that examines the theme of grace and how this work of God transforms our lives. The book begins by exploring the meaning of grace and how it relates to God's justice and love.

As the book progresses, different aspects of grace are examined, such as justification, sanctification and regeneration. Each chapter presents a biblical reflection and study questions to help the reader deepen their understanding of grace and how this work of God can transform their lives.

In addition, the book includes testimonies of people who have experienced God's grace in their lives and how this has changed the way they view the world and live their faith. In summary, "A Work Of Grace" is a valuable resource for those who wish to deepen their understanding of God's grace and how it can transform their lives in a meaningful and lasting way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: FELIPE CHAVARRO POLANÍA INC
• Release date: Apr 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223633884

Book preview

A Work of Grace

BY

Charles Simeon

Contents

A WORK OF GRACE

GROWTH IN GRACE

RECOMMENDED DECISION OF A RECOMMENDATORY NATURE

THE PREACHING OF CHRIST, A CAUSE FOR JOY

CHRIST MAGNIFIED IN OUR BODY

PAUL'S DILEMMA

RECOMMENDED HOLY CONDUCT

SUFFERING FOR CHRIST'S SAKE, A GIFT OF GOD

RECOMMENDED UNIT

ESTEEMING OTHERS ABOVE OURSELVES

THE HUMILIATION OF CHRIST

THE EXALTATION OF CHRIST

GOD ASSISTS THE DILIGENT

PRACTICAL APPLIED RELIGION

MINISTERIAL ZEAL DESCRIBED

MAN'S SELFISHNESS

THE TRUE CHRISTIAN DELINEATED

THE EXCELLENCE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST

CHRIST, GAIN FOR THE BELIEVER

THE POWER OF CHRIST'S RESURRECTION

HOLY AMBITION IS ENCOURAGED

TO FOLLOW GOOD EXAMPLES

WARNING TO THE EARTHLY MINDED

STEADFASTNESS IN GOD

CHRISTIAN MODERATION

AN ANXIETY DETERRENT

THE SCOPE OF CHRISTIAN DUTY

PAUL AN EXAMPLE FOR US

CONTENTO

Philippians 4:11-12

SCOPE AND SOURCE OF CHRISTIAN POWER

ALL NECESSARY PROVISIONS THROUGH CHRIST

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"A Work Of Grace is a book on biblical studies that examines the theme of grace and how this work of God transforms our lives. The book begins by exploring the meaning of grace and how it relates to God's justice and love.

As the book progresses, different aspects of grace are examined, such as justification, sanctification and regeneration. Each chapter presents a biblical reflection and study questions to help the reader deepen their understanding of grace and how this work of God can transform their lives.

In addition, the book includes testimonies of people who have experienced God's grace in their lives and how this has changed the way they view the world and live their faith. In summary, A Work Of Grace is a valuable resource for those who wish to deepen their understanding of God's grace and how it can transform their lives in a meaningful and lasting way.

A WORK OF GRACE

Philippians 1:6

Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

THERE IS a fair mixture of hope and fear, which every Christian would cherish in contemplating his own experience, and the state of Christ's Church. On the one hand, there is certainly cause for fear, whether we judge by analogy or by what we behold with our eyes:

How many flowers are cut annually by frost!

Of those that set, how many wither in the east wind!

Of those that grow, how many are uprooted by storms and tempests!

Of those that hang on the tree, how many, when they are picked, rot to the core!

So it is in the religious world:

Many do a good show for a while, and then give up their profession.

Others go to waste and are useless.

Others look good for a while, but are hit by storms of persecution and temptation.

And of those who keep their profession to the end, how many will at last be found unsound in heart!

Though this dampens our joys, and teaches us to moderate our expectations, yet it need not, it ought not, rob us of all our confidence; for though sound fruit may fall from a tree, yet no sound Christian will ever be separated from the Lord Jesus. Of this the Apostle was fully persuaded; and, under this conviction, he thanked God for the converts at Philippi, of whose sincerity he had no reason to doubt, and of whose perseverance in the divine life he therefore entertained the most sanguine hopes.

To make a fair improvement of your statement to us, we will show,

I. When a good work may be said to have begun in us.

It is not easy to draw the line between the high attainments of religion which we may lack, and yet be confident that a good work has been begun, and the low attainments which give us good hope, but which are by no means sufficient ground for confidence. But, taking Paul for our guide, we trust that we shall so discriminate as neither to grieve the hearts of the righteous, nor to support the delusions of the ungodly. Those evidences, by which he knew the election (and, consequently, also the perseverance) of the saints at Thessalonica, will serve as a sure criterion for judging our own state, 1 Thessalonians 1:3-5. We may be sure, then, that a good work has begun in us, when faith, hope and love are shown to have been formed in our hearts; that is to say,

1. 1. When our faith is operative.

Faith without works is dead, and is of no more value than the faith of devils. James 2:19-20; but the faith which stimulates us to resist and mortify all sin, and to be conscientious in the practice of all duties, is, beyond all doubt, the gift of God, the work of an almighty Agent. Philippians 1:29. Ephesians 1:19.

2. When our love is laborious

Our love is not to be in word or tongue, but in deed and in truth; nor is it to have respect to men's bodies merely, but to their souls; leading us to consult their spiritual welfare to the utmost of our power, while we gladly deny ourselves to relieve their spiritual needs. The voice of inspiration assures us that he who exercises such love is born of God, 1 John 4:7.

3. When our hope is patient

The Christian's hope will have many things to try it; but it is to be the anchor of his soul, that will hold him fast, Hebrews 6:19. in this tempestuous world. He will often experience outward struggles, and inward fears; but beyond and against hope, he must believe in hope, Romans 4:18, saying, I know in whom I have believed, and that he is able to keep my deposit for that day, 2 Timothy 1:12. And everyone who has such a living hope, may be sure that he has been begotten to it by God Himself. 1 Peter 1:3.

To enter fully into the Apostle's statement, we must show,

II. On what grounds we may trust that He who has begun this good work will finish it.

If this work were performed by man, the Apostle would never express such confidence as to its completion; for the stability of man's virtue cannot be depended upon. But since it is God who performs this great work, verse 3-5 and 2 Corinthians 5:5 and John 1:13, we may be sure that "He will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

We can be sure of that:

1. 1. By the statements of his word.

Innumerable are his declarations to this effect, that having once been the author of the good work that is in us, he will perfect it, Hebrews 12:2. He will not forsake his people, because it pleased him to make them his people, 1 Samuel 12:22. He has promised in the strongest possible manner, that he will never ever leave them, never ever forsake them, Hebrews 13:5-6. True, they have many enemies: but He will not suffer any of them to pluck them out of His hands, John 10:28-29. Have they multiple temptations? They will have none without escape, that they may be able to bear them, 1 Corinthians 10:13. Even their unbelief will not hinder Jehovah from executing his gracious purposes towards them, 2 Timothy 2:12-13. As for Satan, he shall shortly be broken under their feet, Romans 16:20. Through weakness they may occasionally fall: but they shall not be utterly cast down, Psalm 37:23-24. God will restore their souls, Psalm 23:3; and will make their very falls the means of increasing their future caution and stability. Compare Luke 23:31-34 with 1 Peter 5:8.

The sun may occasionally be covered with a cloud; yet it will advance to its meridian height: and such will be the way of all God's servants, Proverbs 4:18, they shall maintain their way, and their hands shall grow stronger and stronger, Job 17:9. This is the portion of them all without exception, for "it is not our Father's will that one of his little ones should perish! Matthew 18:14.

2. Of the perfections of his nature

In speaking on this subject, we must proceed with great caution, for we know not in what His perfections will consist, and, if we should dare to speak dogmatically on the subject, we should only betray our own weakness and folly. Yet I think His wisdom gives us some ground of confidence: for, if He has created us anew, that we may show the power of His grace, will He suffer His enemies to counteract His purposes in such a manner as only to make us occasions of greater dishonour to Himself? If a man should begin to build a house, and leave it unfinished, he would only thereby expose himself to a greater measure of scorn, Luke 14:28-29; how then would Satan cast reflections upon the Deity, if he should fail in the accomplishment of so great a work as man's salvation!

In the same way, God's goodness is a reason for hope and confidence. For surely God has never done so good a work in us as to let us finally perish under a more aggravated condemnation.

But in speaking of things infinitely beyond our comprehension, I cannot lay stress on man's conjectures; nor can I give weight to anything which does not proceed clearly and immediately from God Himself. But in speaking of God's truth, I feel that I stand on firm ground. God has made a covenant with us; and he has confirmed that covenant by an oath: and he has expressly declared that he so confirmed it, that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have strong comfort who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us, Hebrews 6:17-18. He is as unchangeable in His word as He is in His nature; and "because He changeth not, therefore we are not consumed! Malachi 3:6.

We, alas, are variable in the extreme; but there is no variableness or shadow of turning in him, James 1:17. Now, if we examine his covenant, we shall see that he gives all, and we receive all, Ezekiel 36:25-27; and that he covenants, not only not to depart from us, but to put his fear in our hearts, that we may not depart from him, Jeremiah 32:40.

If He had indeed chosen any of us because we were holy, or because He foresaw that we would be holy, He might abandon us for not answering His expectations. But he chose us to be holy, Ephesians 1:4, and predestined us to be conformed to the image of his Son, Romans 8:29; and, therefore, we can be sure that he will accomplish what he has purposed, Psalm 89:30-36. On this ground alone we can explain Paul's confidence, to which every one in whom God has begun a good work is fully authorized to join.

I would now like to ask permission to add a word,

1. 1. From the research in relation to the beginning of this work.

I am fully aware that people as blinded by self-love as we are, are in great danger of forming too favourable a judgment of our state: and I must warn you all that God will not be discouraged with:

...a feigned repentance like that of Ahab..,

or a partial reform like that of Herod,

or an attachment as hypocritical as that of Judas.

Examine, then, I beg you, with all imaginable care, the quality of your faith, hope and love:

Is your faith operative in the purification of your heart?

Is your love industrious in all kindly offices, not only for men's bodies, but for their souls?

And is your hope such that it carries you forward through all difficulties towards the attainment of the heavenly prize?

Remember that we are not speaking here of an outward work, but of a work in us, and a work which nothing less than Omnipotence can perform. To deceive yourselves concerning it is vain, for you cannot deceive the God who searches the heart. Take care, then, to prove your work, of whatever kind it may be; and be content with nothing that does not evidently bear the divine stamp and character.

2. 2. Of admonition with reference to its continuation.

There is nothing that makes me tremble more than a hard, bold, presumptuous confidence in regard to the application of this doctrine to a man's own state, while in his spirit, temper, and conduct he shows himself to be far from the mind of Christ. Indeed, wherever such confidence exists, there is great reason to doubt whether a good work has ever been begun in the soul.

Confidence, if truly spiritual, will be accompanied by humility, watchfulness, gratitude and zeal. Seek, therefore, to manifest on all occasions a deep sense of your utter unworthiness; a fear of grieving the Spirit of your God in nothing; an admiring and adoring sense of God's mercy to your soul; and a hearty determination to live for your God alone. This is the true way in which good work should advance in the soul: and, by thus walking, you will best justify your confidence before the world, and give the best proof of the doctrine of perseverance by actually persevering. Moreover, in this way you will not only enjoy the most exalted peace on earth, but you will be granted an abundant entrance in due time into the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

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GROWTH IN GRACE

Philippians 1:8-11

God can testify how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of understanding, so that you may discern what is best and be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

THE RELATIONSHIP which exists between a shepherd and his flock is presented in Scripture under the most endearing images. While they are spoken of as his beloved children, he is represented as the father who begot them, and as the mother who nurses them in her bosom. Even these images seem to have been too weak to describe the tender regard which Paul felt for those who had been converted by his ministry. He longed for their welfare with a more than human affection. He could compare his feelings with nothing so just as with the longing of the Saviour's affection for a ruined world.

Nor was he moved by partial and personal affections: his considerations were universal: they extended to all members of the mystical body of Christ: yes, he could appeal to God Himself, who felt the deepest interest in the prosperity of all, whether they were more or less distinguished by their worldly rank or spiritual attainments.

Among the various ways of manifesting his concern for them, he had special regard to prayer and intercession; and although in these benevolent exercises he was concerned only to give his approval to God, he considered it proper to inform them of the means he was using for their benefit and to declare to them the specific things he was asking on their behalf.

From the prayer before us, we see that he desired,

I. Their intellectual improvement.

Love is absolutely essential for a Christian; without it, whatever else we may possess, we are only as sounding brass or tinkling cymbals. Love is God's characteristic trait, and in this all His children are like Him. By this sign we are known to others as Christ's disciples; by it we are sure to have passed from death unto life. In this gracious quality the Philippians abounded. But the Apostle desired that they should abound in it yet more and more. He wished that it might be properly manifested. Therefore, he prayed that their love might abound yet more and more".

1. 1. In knowledge.

Knowledge is properly the foundation of love. Whatever we fix our affections on, we love it because of some real or supposed excellence in it. If we do not know the qualities of any person or thing, it is not possible for us to feel any real attachment to it. Our love for God, therefore, and for His people, would be daily nourished and strengthened by an ever-increasing knowledge of them.

Our views of the divine perfections are, at best, very narrow and contracted. So little do we know of His providence, that we can only faintly guess at the reasons or the result of His dispensations. The mysteries of redemption we discover very superficially. What we know of Christ is most partial and defective. The nature, extent, and beauties of holiness are dimly seen. The privileges and blessedness of the Lord's people are but little understood. Wherever we turn our eyes, we are circumscribed by very narrow limits. Everywhere there are heights and depths, and length and breadth, which cannot be explored. To search into these things is our imperative duty, our exalted privilege. If the angels desire to behold them, much more should we. It is by a wider vision of them that our love for them must be confirmed and promoted. We should, therefore, labour unceasingly to form a just estimate of heavenly things, and to have our affections regulated by an enlightened understanding.

2. 2. In a spiritual perception of known things.

Mere speculative knowledge is of little use: it is only like moonlight, which certainly dispels darkness, but communicates neither warmth nor strength. The only knowledge that will increase our love is that which produces suitable impressions on the mind; it is that which, like the