Voices From the Past #11

The Lord knows those who are his. 2 Timothy 2:19

Christ's love is personal. He chooses man by name personally and distinctly. 'He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out' (John 10:3). Some have questioned how Christ can love us when he denies many temporal blessings. Outward blessings however are never a sign of love or hatred. You cannot conclude that Christ hates you because he afflicts; or that he loves you because you are blessed with temporal blessings. The smallest drop of grace is a greater sign of Christ's love than all the glory and pleasures of the earth. Otherwise, it might be said that Dives was loved, and Lazarus was hated (Luke 16). Festus would be in more favour with Christ than Paul, and even Christ himself would be unloved by the Father. Afflictions are far from being signs of Christ's hatred. Many times they are evidence of his love (Heb. 12:6011). The people of God only lack what is bad for them. God has promised to withhold no good thin. A father who loves his child only keeps things from him for his good, because he loves him. You can conclude that if you lack something of enjoyment, it is withheld since it is not best for you. It is no defect in the love of Christ, but a defect in what you are asking for. God's love is infinite and eternal, without beginning and without end. It has no limits to its endurance. How shall we enter into Christ's love? Seek to be like him in holiness and obey all his commands. Avoid all that Christ hates and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. When Christ speaks, do not act as if you do not hear. Where there is disobedience, there is a covenant with hell and a league with Satan. O what madness it is to prefer a lust before the love of Christ. Use all means to know his will, and obey it immediately and cheerfully. God loves a cheerful doer.

David Clarkson, Works, III:38-43, Voices from the Past, Richard Rushing, ed., Banner of Truth Trust, 2009, pg. 77.