THE BEST ROBE
THE BEST ROBE
I am thankful for the privilege of seeing the Lord’s people in many places, and the more one sees of them the more one desires to know them better; but I do not find it a very easy thing to know their defects, I think I can see their progress or stature before I can see the checks or the causes of imperfection. I see that in the Romans very little is said of one’s personal evil, while in Ephesians there is much exposure, and I account for it in this way: the more of Christ the more the contrast will be exposed. The simple and plain attire prescribed in Romans did not make so large a demand on us as to expose the working of nature which would refuse it; but the superb and heavenly costume of the Ephesians exposed and brought into relief all the various activities in us, which would mar or disfigure it unless suppressed. I think the nearer we come to the Lord, the more and the clearer we shall see our defects, but then we can afford to see them [p. 455] and discard them, too, because as we are nearer Him so are we better dressed. The prodigal’s rags came off as the best robe went on, and once the robe is on the worse the rags or the old clothes appear. Many a one is satisfied with shabby clothes until he gets new ones, and then the shabby ones seem all but intolerable. You ask for your defects - I do not think occupation with defects is good for the pastor or for the pupil. I do not say that there are no defects, but I do not feel it is my business to look for them; they may come up, and if they do it is my duty to seek their removal; but no gardener looks for withered leaves, he has to find them, and as a rule he regards them as intimation to himself that he has in some way neglected the plant, and he becomes more zealous in his care and nurture of it. Never watch for a defect, but mark everything which hinders you in going up, going on and going out, going up into the holiest, going on in the race and going out without the camp. You will then discover when you are tied or held back, and possibly you will find that you are so ardent in one line of things that you are not free or ready for another when it claims your attention. It is a great thing to be even. I mean by evenness the ability to bring forth fruit in the season; when corn is laid, having had too much rain, there is a second growth and the grain is much spoiled; when you exert yourself too much in any one way, you are really unable to do anything more on any side. Whereas, if you were to bring forth fruit in its season, you would do what came to your hand, and having done it you could pass on to another; then you would be exercised in all the varieties of life, and would find that change of work was really a relief. If you overdo it in one line you throw all out of gear. I imagine that when you are interested in any service you would like the sun to stand still, and you to go on until your hand clave unto the sword! It is good to be zealously affected, but there is no greater proof of divine power than to be even. The tree [p. 456] of life bears twelve manner of fruits, one every month; if you are extreme it will be only one. If you are extreme in one thing you must neglect others.