Ecclesiastes 8:8 There is no man that has power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither has he power in the day of death… I would use our text as an illustration of the Christian life and the Christian's life allegiance: "There is no discharge in that war." I. SO RUNS THE SUMMONS. Now, this Book of God is full of sentences which bind the conscience of every believer, and compel an irrevocable self-consecration. But, aside from all the direct expressions of Scripture, is the spirit of the Christ life to which we are conformed, commanding in the consecration which it exhibits and influences. Oh, how soon the soldier comes to mirror his captain! There was somewhat of Napoleon in every member of the Old Guard — somewhat of his fortitude, his steadfastness, his untiring perseverance, whatsoever might be the harassing or hindering circumstances of the march. Even so does he who has given his pledge to Christ, and who persistently avows his relationship to Him, come to receive somewhat of the spirit of Christ and His constancy of devotion. There are no vacations, there are no furloughs, there are no personal interests. "If any man will come after Me, let him take up his cross and follow Me" — day by day, year by year, even unto the end — saith the Lord who hath redeemed us. II. But beyond the summons, "There is no discharge in that war," so GLADLY RESPONDS THE SOLDIER. There is no joy like that of those who go forth to those daily battles against sin in the name of the God of Israel. Their battle songs would befit a banquet, and their triumph of spirit is a presage and earnest of their triumph of possession. 1. Gratitude inspires consecration. "There is no discharge in that war," responds the soldier gladly. "What shall I render unto the Lord?" is the constant self-inquiry. Such a grateful soul is covetous most of all of opportunities. He does not check the calls upon him for exertion. He seeks everywhere for occasions to manifest the love which swells and rules within him. 2. But hope expects coronation! It is the mainspring of the wheel. It is the life-preserver on the tide. It is the double wing of the soul in its effort to rise above the things restraining and hindering it. And every believer responds, "There is no discharge in that war": I want none; for hope expects coronation. It is not presumptuous hope, because it is founded upon the purposes of the Word of God. III. SO REQUIRES THE SERVICE. Thus does our Divine Saviour sum up the work He does for us, in us, and by us. That which He makes the great impulse of our hearts is also a necessity of our work. 1. We have the conflict with evil about us. John Wesley's old motto is the grand talisman of success: "We are all at it; we are always at it." Such steadfastness in Christian example and influence is that for which the times most imperatively cry. 2. But beyond that there is the conquest of sin in thine own soul to which thou art called; for "better is he that ruleth his own spirit than he that taketh a city." Time after time God's people are tempted to return to the city from which they have set out, and there is that within them which is constantly hinting, suggesting, constraining them to return. .Now, if thou art to meet this, thou must battle by little and by little. Character is not built up in a day; it is a very slow process, even as God changes the contour of the earth. .No volcanic action in the sudden manifestation of power is to be expected. .No man grows instantly very good or very bad. By steps we descend, and by steps we ascend in our tendency towards God. But there is never a time when we outgrow this necessity of conflict in this world. (S. H. Tyng, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it. |
    |