Isaiah 60:13 The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary… I. THE ILLUSTRATIONS OF THIS DOCTRINE ARE MANIFOLD. 1. The first I notice is that which is supplied us in the structure of the Bible. To a superficial observer the Bible seems a collection of small books bound together without any connecting-link. But if we come to study this collection of books carefully, we shall see, underlying all diversities, a unity which indicates that all have been originated and guided by one supreme mind. 2. Certain periods require certain orders of men and certain gifts, not necessary at other times. 3. Further, the peculiar qualities of various races and tribes serve to extend the truth of God, and promote the growth and perfection of His Church. Christianity does not recognize nationalities as such Jew and Gentile, Greek and Barbarian, European and African, American and Asiatic, — all are one in Christ Jesus. Still, God sanctifies all national characteristics to His gracious purpose of making Christianity universally triumphant. Jewish reverence, Grecian intelligence and taste, Roman courage and honour, Scandinavian enterprise, the practical energy of the Anglo-Saxon, the speculative inquiry and patient toil of the German, the Frenchman's brilliant vivacity and grace, the Italian's glowing imagination, and the Oriental full of subtlety and disputation — all are wrought by the Master-Builder into the strength and beauty of the structure He is rearing to His honour. 4. Nor can denominational distinctions be regarded as altogether an evil; for God makes them all subserve the complete manifestation of His many-sided Gospel, and the wider extension of His kingdom. 5. Original differences of mental constitution and temperament have also their place and function. There arc diversities of gifts, yet there is the same Spirit; there are differences of administrations, yet there is the same Lord; there arc diversities of operations, yet it is the same God which worketh all in all. II. PRACTICAL REMARKS. 1. We may be sure that where God has designed and qualified men for work in His Church He will prepare the way for their usefulness. 2. Every man should try to find his true position, and prove faithful in it. 3. The subject affords encouragement to the feeblest of the Lord's servants. All have their place and use. 4. Are we not reminded of the duty of charity towards all engaged the work of the Lord? Too often the diversities of Christian men are occasions for jealous; let and strife. If we are Christians, we are all plants of God's right hand planting; let us be content to bloom after our kind, and rejoice in that we all contribute something to the glory of the Master's garden. (W. Waiters.) Parallel Verses KJV: The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious. |
    |