A ran across this gem of a quote today. It's a good reminder on how to help bring unity to the Body of Christ.
ON THE DIFFERENT APPEARANCES OF GRACE IN DIFFERENT PERSONS
"There are diversities of operations, but it is the same God, who worketh all in all." Some believers are remarkable for the strength of their faith in trials even unto death; others for their liveliness and activity in duty; others for their wisdom, conduct, and prudence both in temporals and spirituals; others for their zeal in defense of the truth; others for their knowledge in the mysteries of the truth; others for their patience meekness, and gentleness; others for their submission to the will of God; others for outward usefulness in the church; and others for an inward and spiritual life of communion with God. But all these are the various gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit "dividing to every man severally as He will," and not the talents or abilities of fallen nature. They are also given to every man, who hath them, to profit withal, according to his place in the church, or in the world. He, who hath one of these graces, should not undervalue or despise him who hath another; for the Giver is the same, though His gifts may be granted for different ends.
Very often particular graces are bestowed, to counteract and oppose particular corruptions, of which the Lord Himself can be the only true judge. Some situations of Christians require gifts of grace, which might be less necessary, or less manifestation of the Divine glory in others, than they are in them. But they are all of them His workmanship, and could not in grace, more than in nature, either create or fashion themselves.
This should teach thee, my fellow-christian, a lesson of forbearance to thy brother. It is not right for thee to judge another by thine own pattern. He may have graces, not less pleasing to God, nor less useful in their purpose, than those which are given to thee. Art thou a warn and active Christian? Condemn not him, whose endowments may be more placid and contemplative than thine. He who now creeps as a snail, in humble silence, may, by one lift of Divine power, get into heaven before thee, and perhaps be raised higher there than thee. God judgeth not like man, according to the outward show, but according to the secret riches of His love. Art thou a quiet and retired believer? Do not censure him, who is called forth to more stirring duty than thou art. Though his work may seem less spiritual to thee, it may be to introduce designs of providence and grace, which only God can foreknow, and which may be the means of carrying out His saving power far and wide. Some of the first reformers were less remarkable for a quiet and gentle spirit, than some who have followed them; but these last do not seem so fit instruments for grappling with papal outrage and tyranny, as they were. When rough work is to be done, men use the axe and the saw; but, for gentler operations, the plane, the razor, or the knife. These last would not cut down a forest; nor would the first serve to polish or smooth.
Honor, then, the work and blessing of God upon His people, in what form soever it may be found. Every member hath his appointed office from Him. It is self-love and conceit, which disparage others; and these we will not call gifts from above, but rather worms from beneath, which seek to gnaw the root of the vine. Covet, indeed, and earnestly, the best gifts; but the love of God and man is, after all, the more excellent way. ~ Part 2-Number V by Ambrose Serle (1742-1812).
Comments