Spurgeon: May AM
* 05/12/AM
"And will manifest myself to him."
--John 14:21
The Lord Jesus gives special revelations of Himself to His
people. Even if Scripture did not declare this, there are many
of the children of God who could testify the truth of it from
their own experience. They have had manifestations of their Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ in a peculiar manner, such as no mere
reading or hearing could afford. In the biographies of eminent
saints, you will find many instances recorded in which Jesus has
been pleased, in a very special manner to speak to their souls,
and to unfold the wonders of His person; yea, so have their
souls been steeped in happiness that they have thought
themselves to be in heaven, whereas they were not there, though
they were well nigh on the threshold of it--for when Jesus
manifests Himself to His people, it is heaven on earth; it is
paradise in embryo; it is bliss begun. Especial manifestations
of Christ exercise a holy influence on the believer's heart. One
effect will be humility . If a man says, "I have had
such-and-such spiritual communications, I am a great man," he
has never had any communion with Jesus at all; for "God hath
respect unto the lowly: but the proud He knoweth afar off." He
does not need to come near them to know them, and will never
give them any visits of love. Another effect will be
happiness ; for in God's presence there are pleasures for
evermore. Holiness will be sure to follow. A man who has no
holiness has never had this manifestation. Some men profess a
great deal; but we must not believe any one unless we see that
his deeds answer to what he says. "Be not deceived; God is not
mocked." He will not bestow His favours upon the wicked: for
while He will not cast away a perfect man, neither will He
respect an evil doer. Thus there will be three effects of
nearness to Jesus--humility, happiness, and holiness. May God
give them to thee, Christian!