THERE are three things which, when found together, show true faith.
First, Christ being commended to the soul as a rest to the conscience, the soul leans on Him as the rock of salvation, and ground of confidence before God for justification and acceptance, (Philippians 3:7,8).
Second, Christ being commended to the soul as a rest to the heart, and a full and satisfying treasure, (Matthew 13:44,46), the soul is drawn to love Him in whom it trusts.
Third, Christ being commended to the soul as a Lord, the soul is drawn to yield up itself to that Lord, in whom it trusts, and whom it loves, to have His yoke put upon it by Himself. And so, the heart is resolved and enabled to approach unto the living God in the ordinances, and to wait on Him, and Him alone, (Psalms 65:4; 62:5).
These three marks are mentioned together in one verse: “We are the circumcision; which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,” (Philippians 3: 3.).
An edited extract from Memorials of the Rev. John Love, DD.
Return to Table of Contents for The Free Presbyterian Magazine – June 1998