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The Pathway of Safety; or, Counsel to the Awakened By the Right Rev. Ashton Oxenden, D.D. (1808-1892) CHAPTER IX – DANGERS FROM WITHIN AN EVIL HEART—PRIDE—TEMPER—UNCHARITABLENESS—SELFISHNESS—IDLENESS—INFLUENCE OF BAD HABITS 4. SELFISHNESS is another evil root, which springs up naturally in the soil of man’s heart, and chokes the beautiful seeds of grace as they spring up. Of this too the heart must be cleared. ‘Every man for himself,’ is the maxim which we hear very commonly from the lips of worldly men. But how utterly opposed is this to the spirit of the Gospel! There we are taught the very opposite principle—‘Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth,’ or welfare. (1 Cor. 10.24) The Christian should no longer live to himself, but unto Him who redeemed him. He has been ‘bought with a price;’ and therefore he is no longer his own, but God’s. He should lay himself out for the glory of God, and for the good of his fellow-creatures. He should be unselfish. How blest will your life be, if thus spent—not seeking merely your own happiness, but trying to make others happy, and to do others good—not selfishly asking, ‘How can I secure my own interests in the world?’ but ‘How can I live to God?’ ‘What can I do for Him?’ ‘How can I add to the happiness of my neighbor, my friend, or my brother?’ Oh, this is blessedness indeed! An unselfish spirit has its own reward. The feeling that we are denying ourselves for the sake of others—the hope that by a little effort we may be of use to our brethren—the yielding up of something that we may have set our hearts upon, in order that we may do some act of kindness to a neighbor or a friend, is in itself delightful. It may cost us something; but who can tell what a plentiful harvest of joy the heart is sure to gather by it? ‘Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.’ (Phil. 2.4) This was the Apostle’s rule, and let it be your rule likewise. Ask yourself, if there is any one of your fellow creatures, to whom you may be spiritually useful; or any one in want, whom you may relieve; or in distress, whom you may comfort. And though you may be in very humble circumstances, there are many ways in which you may be doing good. Only beg of God to give you the heart to feel, and the will to act, and you may be a real blessing to many. It may be said of Unselfishness, as it has been said of Mercy, ‘It is twice blest: it blesses him that gives, and him that takes.’
5. About IDLENESS I have a few words to say. The Christian should be active and diligent. There is a great work to be done for God, and for your soul; and if you would do it, there is no time to be lost. Sin is to be overcome. An evil nature is to be subdued. Holiness is to be attained. Heaven is to be won. Then be earnest in the matter. ‘The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent (that is, the earnest) take it by force.’ (Matt. 11.12) Too many of our days have been frittered away; then let us ‘redeem the time’ that yet remains. Was St. Paul idle? Let him speak of himself: ‘This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark.’ (Phil. 3.13, 14) One likes to see a Christian man earnest too even in his worldly calling. Is he a Magistrate? Let him be an active magistrate. Is he a farmer? Let him not allow the weeds to grow under his feet. Is he engaged in any business? Let him undertake it heartily. Is he a servant? Let him be an active, diligent, and faithful servant. Is he a laborer? Let him be an industrious laborer, not working merely when the master’s eye is upon him, but when no one sees him but God. Whatever he takes up should be accompanied with zeal. It should be done well. ‘Whatsoever (says Solomon) thy hand finds to do, do it with thy might.’ (Eccl. 9.10) It is said of King Hezekiah, that ‘Every work which he began in the service of the house of God in law and in commandment, seeking his God, he did with all his heart.’ (2 Chron. 31.21) We should be very watchful about wasting time. Our time is more valuable to us even than our money; for, when once gone, it cannot be recovered. Good old Mr. Alleine used to say, ‘Give me a Christian who counts his time more precious than gold.’ And Seneca, the Heathen, teaches us that ‘Time is the only thing of which it is a virtue to be covetous.’ Are you making the most of it? Are you laying it out for God? Are you spending every moment, as one who must give an account? Are you gathering up every fragment of time, that nothing be lost? Are you like the goldsmith, who all the year long saves the very sweepings of his shop, because it may contain filings of some precious metal? How much, in this respect, may be gained by a little arrangement! Just as we see some thrifty persons making a few shillings go as far as others can make as many pounds go; so it is with our time: by a careful husbanding of it we may do great things. But remember, you may waste your time, and yet be busy. There is such a thing as a busy idleness. You may seem to be actively engaged; and yet, in fact, be doing nothing all the while. You may be employing yourself about various trifles; and all the while be neglecting matters of great importance. You may be busy about the world: and yet be leaving the things of God undone. Happy are those who are ever acting upon the Apostle’s motto, ‘Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.’
Here I must throw in a word about Early Rising. I look upon this almost as a Christian duty; at least, where there is no impediment in the way. I am persuaded that it tends not a little to our bodily and spiritual health, our comfort, and our usefulness. That hour which is redeemed from unnecessary sleep, in the very prime of the day, is far more precious than any other. No time is so valuable for devotion; and at no hour is the mind more alert for any active employment. Make up your mind, dear reader, to be an Early Riser; you will soon find that you are abundantly repaid for any little effort it may cost you.
And this will help you to cultivate another habit—that of Punctuality. Let it be a matter of conscience with you never to be late for anything, and never to act as one in a hurry. It was said of an eminent Christian minister that his mind was so well regulated, that, although his engagements were often numerous and pressing, he never seemed to be hurried, but always calm, and that this could be traced even in so small a matter as his handwriting. Everything he did was done quietly, and without bustle. Let such regularity and order show itself in all you do. If you have an engagement with a neighbor for a certain hour, be at your post at that hour; otherwise you may be robbing him of the time he can ill spare, as well as disturbing your own plans. Or, if you have a duty to perform, do not put it off, but let it be discharged without delay. Or, if you have a payment to make, let it be made, if possible, at the time fixed. Make something of a plan for each day; and accustom yourself to look forward a little to see that the way will be clear for any appointed engagement. Be regular in this disposal of your time. Be careful of moments. Let every part of the day have its allotted employment. Always have some useful work in hand. It is possible however for a methodical person to carry his rules too far; when, for instance, he becomes irritable if his regular habits are at all broken in upon; or when he is vexed if others are not as orderly as himself. Plans and rules are excellent tings,--but, as has been well said, ‘they should be made of leather, not stone.’ It is in these little things, as well as in great things, that the Christian’s character shines forth; and by them it is plainly seen that he desires to do all to God’s glory.
6. I cannot finish this chapter without observing that any Bad Habits which we may have once formed will, if let alone, prove to be great impediments to us in our Christian career. They have been allowed perhaps to grow up with our growth, and have almost become part of ourselves. And now that we desire to follow Christ, they are still ready to cling to us, and we find it hard, very hard, to shake them off. This is indeed a sore let and hindrance to us in our spiritual race. ‘Suppose you were compelled to wear an iron collar about your neck through life, or a chain upon your ankle, would it not be a burden every day and hour of your existence? You would rise in the morning a prisoner to your chain; you would lie down at night weary with your burden; and you would groan the more deeply, as you reflected there was no shaking it off. And is it less miserable to be tied, and bound, and hampered by some bad habit which clogs us and keeps us back, when we would be going forward? If you feel this, lose not a moment in trying to disencumber yourself. Be constantly making war against that habit, whatever it be. And here, since the heart is so treacherous and deceitful that it will often shelter itself under a willing ignorance of what its besetting sins and dangers may be, let me name a few bad habits, by one or more of which it is possible you may be entangled, leaving it to your own conscience to make the application:-- A habit of wasting time in idle gossip; A habit of listlessness when reading God’s word; A habit of slothfulness, and indulgence in sleep, and so hurrying over the morning devotions; A habit of putting off what ought to be done at the moment; A habit of disputing and contradicting; A habit of exaggerating and coloring reports when you repeat them; A habit of allowing your eyes and thoughts to wander when in the house of God; A habit of peevish fretfulness, when you ought to be contented and thankful; A habit of ‘building castles in the air;’ A habit of spying out the faults and imperfections of others. Here, then I have mentioned a few Bad Habits; others will readily occur to you. Perhaps some one of them may have long proved a snare to you. It may cling very tightly, and you may fancy that it is almost impossible to shake it off. But if you would grow in grace, it must be parted with. That sin, though it be but a little one, will hinder you in your course. Your usefulness is marred by it. Your advance is checked by it. It is true, you can never release yourself, if you rely upon your own power. But God will supply you with strength, in answer to your earnest prayer. And He will make you to feel in your own case the truth of those words, ‘I can do al things through Christ who strengthens me.’ (Phil. 4.13) Now, try this. It is more than likely you are suffering from some bad habit. Bring that, whatever it be, before God. Tell Him that it greatly troubles you, and that you earnestly desire to master it. Ask Him to give you special help for this special purpose. Only make the trial; and I am sure you will find this one of the greatest secrets of growth in grace. **************************************************** The Pathway of Safety; or, Counsel to the Awakened, Ashton Oxenden **************************************************** PREVIOUS CHAPTER -- NEXT CHAPTER ©God’sGWG
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