by Rev. James S. Sinclair
The New Year should be spent with reflection on the past. The devil and the flesh do their best to make men forget the past. Our years pass away, and we hasten onwards towards eternity. The great adversary likes men to forget this, and cheers them up with the hope of many days to come. We also naturally shrink from thoughts of a near eternity, and drown such in the interests and pleasures of the moment. It becomes us, however, to consider how long we have lived in this world, and that every year is bringing us nearer and nearer eternity, an eternity either of happiness or woe. It is our duty, therefore, to reflect upon our past sins. The Word of God and true experience declare that we are transgressors even from the womb. Every year, therefore, adds a new instalment of countless sins to a former too large record. If we are still in an unregenerate condition all these sins are against us in the book of God’s remembrance. Strange it is that they who, more than others, should seek for godly sorrow and repentance on a new year’s day are the loudest in their shouts of laughter, mirth and frivolity. On the other hand, if we are among the true seekers after God, then it would be very comely on our part to consider our past sins, and seek the Spirit of God to convince us of their vileness and guilt that, by His grace, we might flee to the blood of Christ, which cleanseth from all sin. The forgiveness of all our past sins would be a precious gift from heaven on a new year’s day. It becomes us, also, to reflect upon our past mercies. The mercies of God have been showered upon us from our birth. We have been born in sin, but yet are not in hell. “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed.” We have been born in a land where the Bible is to be found, and where the Gospel is preached. Many have had upbringing in Christian families. During the past we have had many privileges which, when contrasted with our deserts as sinners, might make us marvel at the boundless mercy and forbearance of a holy God. Some have tasted in truth that the Lord is gracious, and have got a faith’s glimpse of Christ and the glorious redemption He purchased for sinners with His precious blood. Surely such, if any, should recount with adoring wonder and praise past mercies.
The New Year ought to be spent with reflection upon the present and future. What are our present needs? Some are concerned about temporal necessities, and no other. Let these straits be an occasion for approach to a throne of grace, so as to obtain pardon for sin, a new heart, and a saving interest in Christ, who has secured temporal as well as spiritual mercies for His people. It is a leading mark of the true people of God that they cry continually, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” They seek not only forgiveness for past sin, but also a clean heart. They seek after holiness of heart and life. It is by the Spirit’s infusion of new grace into the soul time after time that the believer is renewed in holiness and righteousness. The true believer also feels, as a present need, the necessity of a new sight of Christ in His glory and suitableness as a Saviour. It is this that makes the soul happy. It is this that makes the world and its vain pleasures sink out of sight. “Whom having not seen ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory; receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” What should be our reflections for the future? If we are still in our sins we ought to consider that the messenger of death may come at any moment, and if death find us out of Christ then we shall be cast into never-ending misery. We ought to remember that “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” The future will bring new privileges and new responsibilities. How shall we meet these in a way glorifying to God if we are without Christ? Get a saving knowledge of Christ and your privileges will prove a blessing, and not a curse, and your responsibilities, while continuing the same, will yet be but a light burden, for Christ is willing to carry the burdens of those who put their trust in Him. Again, if we have reason to believe, that we were once brought as poor sinners to the feet of Christ, let us seek for the future that we live more a life of faith upon the Son of God, and strive after greater attainments in the life of grace than anything known in past experience. Verily, it is to be feared in these days that we are like the door upon its hinges, moving to and fro, but making no progress, the same today as yesterday, the same year after year. This ought not so to be. An outpouring of the Spirit of God is much needed, and everyone who has the least desire for the prosperity of Christ’s kingdom in the souls of men should labour and pray for this issue.
It may be said, in the last place, that the New Year should be spent with reflections upon the state of the public cause of Christ. Scotland in the past has been the scene of “years of the right hand of the Most High,” years in which the glory of the Lord shone forth in the conversion of sinners and in the edification of His true people. The Lord was pleased to raise up many noble witnesses for Himself who were the ornament and strength of society. During recent years He has removed the greater number of these fathers and mothers in Israel to the Church triumphant. Truly, the land mourneth and the vine languisheth. Many parts of the country where there were clusters of trees of righteousness are now bare and desolate. The stillness of death reigns where the voice of melody and health was wont to be heard. People talk of advancement in these days! If there is advancement it is largely the advancement of the tide of spiritual death, profanity, and atheism. Dangerous errors in doctrine and practice have flowed into the professing Church to a greater extent than in any previous age. The Word of God, as far as many are concerned, has been torn from their hands and cast in tatters upon the downward stream by the very men who should have esteemed it as the most precious earthly treasure. The prospect for the future is, therefore, truly dark for the generation. Many call light darkness, and darkness light, and so delude themselves to their everlasting shame. It becomes us, at the present season, to mourn this state of things, and to seek for the returning power and presence of Jehovah to our land.
In conclusion, we desire to say that however gross the darkness that prevails, and however strong the tide of error that surges on many hands, let us not forget, in view of another year, that the Lord who sits on high is more of might by far than all the billows of sin and wickedness. He will make all things redound to His own glory. He will not lose one of His elect people. “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me,” saith Christ. His purposes shall stand fast for ever. Difficulties may arise, and difficulties have arisen that give occasion to enemies even to mock us as a Church, who profess to maintain a pure testimony for Christ. We have reason to mourn for our sins that such an occasion should have existed. But let there not be discouragement. The Lord is able to make darkness light before us and crooked things straight. May He do so to the praise of His glorious grace!