STAGES OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

STAGES OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

There are three stages in the life of a bird, which very closely illustrate those of the christian’s life. At first the little bird only opens its mouth to receive the suited food. Feeding is its one simple occupation. As it thrives, its feathers and wings grow, and as soon as they are fully grown and used another stage of life is entered on - it flies, and then it sings. These three things characterise it. First, acquiring food for itself; the second, acquiring a new motion, which is flying; and then singing. Now it is evident that the second stage cannot be reached unless the first has been enjoyed. Food has been so supplied and appropriated that the wings have grown and been used. The christian first desires the sincere milk of the word that he may grow thereby, and as he grows, he is conscious of a new power, the power to fly.

When you fly you enter on the second stage. Then you acquire for yourself, you can discriminate. “He that is spiritual judgeth all things” (1 Corinthians 2: 15). Before, some one else had to discriminate for you. Now you can provide for yourself suitably. Flying is now your natural motion, you always move above the earth; you seek the things above, you set your mind on things above, and not on things on the earth. This new power is always heavenward. “Being full of the Holy Spirit, having fixed his eyes on heaven, he saw the glory of God, and Jesus” (Acts 7: 55). And then comes the singing. I believe that no bird sings till it can fly. I am sure that no christian sings his true note until he can rise up in the power of the Spirit of God to Christ, where Christ is. This stage then is when the senses are exercised to discern good and evil, and there is known power in the Spirit to “seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth” (Colossians 3: 1); and then there is singing, which is expressing, in true and full tones, the deep and overflowing satisfaction which the heart enjoys in His presence where there are fulness of joy and pleasures for evermore.

Now comes the third and last stage in the life of a bird, which is building a nest and caring for her young. Her history began in a nest, and now she builds one and nurses a young brood. She brings forth much fruit. But this is the stage of a full-grown bird, and it illustrates the christian, who having found everything in Christ for himself, can now in true devotedness of heart serve Christ - be His disciple in this scene, and be a blessing to others. “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (John 13: 17). All the love and service rendered to the bird in its early days, it now renders to the objects of its care. As it has received so it bestows. It does nothing but as it has received, and this is true service.

Now this new stage demands a very peculiar manner and way, entirely different from any hitherto known. The bird that flies selects its own food and sings. It is individual - shines as a planet. It testifies of the goodness and favour conferred. It is often brilliant, but it is alone and singular. But when the bird builds her nest, where she may lay her young, her character and habits undergo a very marked change. She surrenders none of her former power, but instead of contenting herself with her peculiar personal blessing, she now devotes herself to objects outside herself, though they are part of herself - her offspring; and because of all her interest and toil about them, dear to her as her own life. What makes this entire and wonderful change in her is, that she shapes herself always to the good of the objects of her love. You have had your stage of individual blessing and enjoyment; once known, it is yours for ever; but now you must grow in another direction; you must not, when others try and oppose ^[p. 138] you, retire into the sanctuary of your own heart, and there delight yourself in your possession. No! you must now build a nest for the objects of your care, and you must exercise yourself to turn to account all their need, and make it an occasion for you to disclose your love and care. In the one case when tried, you retire into yourself, like the flower that closes its petals on a cold rough day, and refuses to shed its fragrance when everything is so out of season. In the other, you will be like the hawthorn tree that in the depth of winter hangs out its scarlet berries for the suffering birds, when there is succour nowhere else. This tree, the admiration of all in the gay month of May, comes forth and offers a ready sustenance to the needy. To be the latter, you must be proof against the frost of neglect, and the snows of indifference. You must not think of yourself, but of the need of those to whom you would minister; and this imparts a very distinct character to one.

In a word, instead of retiring into yourself to find with the Lord a comfort which you have lost in seeking from others, you seek for nothing from any around, and you come forth always to give. Until one is able to be a giver to every one and a receiver in a begging way from none, one is not safe from expectancy here; that is, there will still be a possibility of reviving links to this scene. But when one is so satisfied in Christ as to be free from self, and able to build a nest - seek the blessing of others - be a hawthorn tree in the dreary winter - such a sense of the superiority of Christ is acquired, that nothing here can captivate the heart; and all the trials and slights only extract more consideration for others; more of the nest; more of the scarlet berry. It is only when the heart is dead as to this world, and filled with Christ in heaven, that it is proof against reviving, and then it is free to be occupied with the interests of Christ here.