2 Timothy 4:9-11 Do your diligence to come shortly to me:… I. IT IS THE LOT OF GOD'S DEAREST CHILDREN TO BE OFTENTIMES FORSAKEN OF THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN MOST NEAR UNTO THEM (Matthew 26:56; Psalm 119:87; Psalm 27:10; 1 Kings 19:10). 1. That they may be made conformable to their head, Christ Jesus, who was left alone of His beloved disciples, and had none to comfort Him. 2. That they may fly to Christ, in whom all true comfort lies. II. THOSE THAT HAVE GONE FAR IN RELIGION MAY YET, NOTWITHSTANDING, FALL AWAY, AND BECOME APOSTATES. 1. Because they rest on their own strength, and there is no support in man to uphold himself. 2. Because Satan, that grand apostate, is fallen from the truth himself, and he labours to draw others to fall back with him. III. HOW SHALL WE PERSEVERE IN GOODNESS? 1. Labour for a true grace. 2. Get a strong resolution against all oppositions. 3. Labour to know the truth, and to practise what thou knowest. 4. Get the love of God in thy heart. 5. Strive to grow daily in a denial of thyself. 6. Labour to have Divine truths engrafted in thee, that so they may spring forth in thy life. 7. Grow deeper and deeper in humiliation. IV. THE LOVE OF CHRIST AND THE WORLD CANNOT LODGE TOGETHER IN ONE HEART. They are two masters, ruling by contrary laws. (R. Sibbes.) Parallel Verses KJV: Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: |
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