THE PROMISES OF JESUS by D. HILDRETH.

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 2, 1860

THE PROMISES OF JESUS.

By D. HILDRETH.

THE promises of God are precious to the believing soul; but there is something peculiar to the promises which Jesus uttered with his own lips while here on the earth. Their coming from the lips of him who was then devoting his time and his life for the salvation of men, is probably the reason why they are so peculiarly touching. Matt. xviii, 20. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

Some promises are not fulfilled till after this dispensation; but this promise is designed for the benefit of the church in her present state; consequently it is a constant source of comfort and encouragement to the people of God. This promise, like all others, is conditional. Jesus will not meet with two or three unless they come together in his name. Whenever we meet in Jesus' name he is there in the midst; for this is the only condition of the promise. It is unnecessary to ask Jesus to verify this promise to us after we have met in his name; for no such condition is stated. Our faith in this promise is what prompts us to meet together, and our meeting together is only acting out our faith; for we should not meet in his name unless we believed that he would be there. If we go there from curiosity, or because it is customary, or merely to keep up appearances, we do not meet in his name, and have no right to claim this promise. We read this promise, and believing that Jesus will be there if we go for no other purpose but to glorify his name and enjoy his presence, we meet together and Jesus meets with us. When we meet together in this manner, there will be no failure; Jesus will be there when we get there.

Let us further examine the conditions of meeting in Jesus' name. 2 Tim. ii, 19. "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." If we are knowingly breaking one of God's commandments we have no reason to expect that he will meet with us; for he hates the wicked. If he calls upon us to believe and practice a truth, and we refuse to obey, we break the first commandment and cannot reasonably expect Jesus to meet with us unless we obey him. Jas. iv, 6. "God resisteth the proud." If we meet together from motives of pride or self-glory, Jesus will not meet with us; for we meet in our own name, not in his. We must have a single eye and then he will accept us.

There are many gatherings professedly in Jesus' name; but he is not in the midst; for they fail to come up to the conditions of the promise, and the result is, another spirit presides in the meeting. It is singular that the clause, "and that to own and bless," is added to this promise by many in their prayers. This is not praying with the Spirit and the understanding. 1 Cor. xiv, 15.

It is quite common to suppose that a joyful meeting is a particular sign of Jesus's presence; but this is the evidence of feeling and not of faith. Instruction, correction and reproof are tokens of his presence as much as joyful blessings. He meets with us for the same purpose that he met with people when he was on earth, namely, to make us wiser and better. When he sits upon us as a refiner and purifier of silver [Mal. iii, 3], his presence may not always seem joyous. Heb. xii, 11. It almost seems while wading through darkness and trials that he has forsaken us; but all his promises stand sure. Heb. xiii, 5.

D. HILDRETH.