Milo

31 JANUARY

An angel of light

‘… Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.’ 2 Corinthians 11:14
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: 2 Kings 10:15–31

Sometimes Satan transforms himself into an angel of light:
(i) by abuse of gospel principles. He will, upon some occasions, bear a testimony to the truth—but always to serve a wicked end. He will allow and plead for the atonement and righteousness of Jesus Christ—does he not look like an angel of light? But his end is to depreciate holiness. He will at other times preach up duties and good works, sanctification; this looks well, but O he is only transformed. His design is to set forwards such things in opposition to the blood of Christ, and the work of the Spirit. He will cry up free grace and prove from God’s word that we can do nothing. This is a truth even in Satan’s mouth, but his conclusions from it show who he is. He means to make sinners [feel] secure and careless and negligent of the means.
(ii) by a false humility. He is very troublesome to sincere souls this way, persuading them that such great sinners as they ought not to believe.
(iii) by a false zeal—that makes a show and sets up self, under a pretence of God’s glory, as in the case of Jehu [2 Kings 10:31].
(iv) by false comforts—working upon their passions and imaginations, while their own hearts are yet buried in the love of sin and the world.
What need to pray to be kept! What good news that Jesus is revealed to destroy the works of the devil!

FOR MEDITATION: I now see more clearly than ever the reason of my former small proficiency, and of my frequent relapses into folly: I see that I had not that perfect dependence on Jesus my Saviour and him only for justification and acceptance, as I thought I had. I see that I was inclined insensibly to exalt my own wretched self, to the prejudice of his honour and grace, and was in some things under the influence of a legal spirit; and that was sufficient cause for my Lord to keep back his influence, and to leave me to weave my spider’s webs to my own shame and confusion. Yet he was determined not to forsake me wholly, for his love is everlasting and unchangeable, and blessed be his name, I trust he has shown me my error, and will by his grace prevent me falling grossly into it again.
Diary, 5 July 1754 [after meeting Capt. Alexander Clunie in St Kitts]

SERMON: 2 CORINTHIANS 11:14 [2/2]

30 JANUARY

Satan as himself

‘And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.’ 2 Corinthians 11:14
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Revelation 12:7–12

False teachers are Satan’s instruments: he works in and by them, and can work without them. We may observe from this text that Satan has two general methods: open and like himself, or under a borrowed garb as an angel of light. Consider the first: he uses no disguise upon some occasions to multitudes of sinners, who are so bent upon sinning that they do not put him to the trouble of transforming himself. They are as ready to sin as he to tempt. Shall we say he uses any art or pains with swearers, drunkards, Sabbath-breakers? These are his willing servants that commit uncleanness with greediness. Alas, how many will not have the poor excuse to plead that they were deceived. They know in their consciences that those who do such things are worthy of death. He often acts like himself to poor convinced sinners, inflaming their wounds with his poisoned darts and labouring to persuade them that their sin is too great to be forgiven. He likewise often visits believers with temptations of a dark and black nature, horrid blasphemies, etc., which leave no room to doubt who is their proper author.
FOR MEDITATION:
Forest beasts, that live by prey,
Then, my soul with terror hears
Seldom show themselves by day;
Worse than lions, wolves, or bears,
But when daylight is withdrawn,
Roaring loud in every part,
Then they rove and roar till dawn.
Through the forest of my heart.

Thus when JESUS is in view,
Wrath, impatience, envy, pride,
Cheerful I my way pursue;
Satan and his host beside,
Walking by my Saviour’s light,
Press around me to devour;
Nothing can my soul affright.
How can I escape their power?

But when He forbears to shine,
Gracious LORD afford me light,
Soon the traveller’s case is mine;
Put these beasts of prey to flight;
Lost, benighted, struck with dread,
Let thy power and love be shown,
What a painful path I tread!
Save me, for I am thine own.

SERMON: 2 CORINTHIANS 11:14 [1/2]

29 JANUARY

Learning to walk worthy

‘But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully.’ 1 Timothy 1:8
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Matthew 5:17–30

The law is lawfully used as a rule of life. The grace of God, received by faith, disposes us to obedience in general, but, through remaining darkness and ignorance, we are much at a loss as to particulars. We are therefore sent to the law to learn how to walk worthy of God and every precept has its place and use. It is lawfully used as a test whereby to judge of the exercise of grace. Believers differ so much from what they once were and from what others yet are, that without this right use of the law, comparing themselves with themselves, or with others, they would be prone to think much more highly of their attainments than they ought. But when they try themselves by the standard, they sink into the dust and cry with Job, I cannot answer thee one of a thousand [Job 9:3]. From hence you may see how the law is good to him who uses it lawfully. It furnishes them with a comprehensive view of the will of God and the path of duty. By the study of it they acquire an habitual spiritual taste of what is right or wrong. The exercised believer, like a skilful workman, has a rule in his hand whereby he can measure and determine with certainty, whereas others judge, as it were, by the eye—can only make a random guess, in which they are generally mistaken. The law makes or keeps them humble. It endears Christ the law-filler [Matthew 5:17] to their hearts and puts them in mind of their obligations to him and dependence upon him every moment.

FOR MEDITATION: ‘This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success’ (Joshua 1:8).

SERMON SERIES: 1 TIMOTHY 1:8, NO. 3 [1/1]

28 JANUARY

The law is good

‘But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully.’ 1 Timothy 1:8
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Psalm 1:1–6

When the mind is enlightened and instructed by the Word and Spirit of God, then the law is known to be good.
(i) It is holy. It manifests the holiness of God and, when obeyed, communicates an impression of his holiness to man. A conformity to this divine law is the perfection of human nature. There can be no excellence in man but so far as he is influenced by this law. Without it, the greater his natural powers and abilities are, so he is but so much the more detestable and mischievous.
(ii) It is just. God had a just right and authority to appoint this rule; it was suited to the relation and ability of his creatures. And though we, by sin, have lost our power, his just right remains and therefore he can justly punish transgressors.
(iii) It is good—good for man, his obedience to the law and the favour of God therein being but another word for his proper happiness. And it is impossible for him to be happy in any other way. Only to sinners these things must be applied according to the gospel as fulfilled in Christ, who has obeyed the law and made atonement for sin in behalf of all who believe in him. So that through him they are delivered from condemnation and entitled to all the benefits of his obedience. Thus God is just in justifying the believers. From him likewise they receive the law as a rule enforced by his example and their peculiar obligations to his redeeming love. This makes obedience pleasing and the strength they receive from him makes it easy.

FOR MEDITATION: Till the law is thus approved, there can be no hatred of sin as sin, though it may be avoided in particular instances. If you say the law is good and the gospel is good and see how they illustrate each other, and yet are walking in a spirit of bondage, it is owing to the weakness of your faith. Your judgement may be clearer than your experience, but wait on the Lord and both in due time shall be established. You would as soon as eat poison, as allow yourself in sin, if you knew the goodness of the law.

SERMON SERIES: 1 TIMOTHY 1:8, NO. 2 [1/1]

27 JANUARY

Under the law or under grace?

‘But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully.’ 1 Timothy 1:8
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Galatians 4:21–5:1

Jesus having finished the law, all other sacrifices are unnecessary and vain. The blessed gospel supplies the place of the ceremonial law, to the same advantage as the sun makes the twinkling of the stars and the feeble glimmering of moonlight no longer necessary. May the Lord help you to understand whether you are under the law or under grace. Do you love God? Have you always done so? Do you love your neighbour as yourself, perfectly and constantly doing to others as you would they should do unto you? Can you hear the Ten Commandments read and say deliberately, ‘I am free from the breach of every one, either in thought, word or deed?’ Will you say, why do I ask such vain questions? Why, nothing less than this can save you from hell, if you seek salvation by the law. The Lord help you to understand it, that you may embrace the gospel. By Jesus we are justified from those things for which the law of Moses would condemn us.
But if you are under grace, if you have put your trust in Jesus, then be of good cheer, he is able to save to the uttermost. You need not be afraid of the law; it is magnified and made honourable by your surety. Study it therefore as your rule and pray to him for grace that you may have a growing conformity to it in your temper and conversation, that he may be glorified in you and by you.

FOR MEDITATION: Thy grace is sufficient for me, but not the notion in my head—it must be the efficacy in my heart. Forgive the past, heal my wounds and anoint me with fresh oil. Let my soul live and it shall praise thee. O my Lord, thine eye beholds many hearts and hands and eyes waiting upon thee this morning for a blessing. Behold me among them. And shine upon me this day, that I may feel the importance of the truths and their sweetness in my soul, and may with an enlarged heart declare them to the people.
Diary, 15 and 16 June 1776

SERMON SERIES: 1 TIMOTHY 1:8, NO. 1 [2/2]