The Liberty Of God’s Children
“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love: even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.”—John 15:10
Do any reproach us concerning our hope of eternal life, that we do not expect it by free grace and promise only, but clogged with terms and conditions which we must fulfill. Do they say we are only dreaming legalists, under the legal yoke, and not Christ’s free-men. We answer. We not only talk of, but we enjoy Christ; we do not merely prate about faith, but we partake of its power; not only hear of love described, but we feel its influence; not barely look for salvation from sin, but we enjoy it by the faith of Jesus now; and we know that we shall partake of salvation with eternal glory. For he who never spoke one word in vain, hath pronounced of all his members, ‘As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you. Continue ye in my love.’ And the loving heart of Jesus is so set upon our being always happy, that he directs us to act, so as constantly to abide in the sweet sense of his love; that so we may enjoy still greater measures of it in our hearts. If ye keep my commandments, so shall it be with you.
Jesus ever abode in his Father’s love; this he manifested by doing the Father’s will, and keeping his commandments. In his work of obedience he received this testimony from the Father, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ So Abraham had this blessed witness borne him by the Lord: ‘Now I know that thou fearest God.’ A repetition of the grand promise was also given him upon the obedience of his faith. &c. 22:15-18.
So also shall disciples find the testimony of the comforting Spirit, in the way of keeping the commandments of Jesus. Though not for, yet, ‘in keeping thy commandments there is great reward.’ Ps. 19:11. This David well knew by happy experience, and all the saints know the same.
Faith and love are the commandments of Jesus. To believe in, rely upon, confide and trust in the Lord Jesus from hour to hour, this is to honour him. To love God, and one another as his children, is the true badge of the disciples of the loving Saviour; this is to obey him. The more loving faith and faithful love to Jesus abide in our hearts, so much the more will peace, consolation and joy be increased in our souls.
Do any deem this legality? May the God of grace fill our hearts with such legality day by day: so shall we be truly evangelised. ‘As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him, rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.’ Col. 2:6, 7
William Mason (1719-1791) was a High-Calvinist author. For many years he served as a Justice of the Peace, and in 1783 was appointed a Magistrate. He served as editor of the Gospel Magazine before and after the editorship of Augustus Toplady. He is best known for a morning and evening devotional entitled, “A Spiritual Treasury For The Children Of God.”
