“If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious,” it is certain
evidence of a divine change ; for men by nature find no delight in
Jesus. I do not inquire what your experience may have been, or may not
have been; if Christ be precious to you, there has been a work of grace
in your heart; if you love Him, if His presence be your joy, if His
blood be your hope, if His glory be your object and aim, and if His
person be the constant love of your soul, you could not have had this
taste by nature, for you were dead; you could not have acquired this
taste by learning, for this is a miracle which none but the God who is
supreme over nature could have wrought in you. Let every tried and
troubled Christian, who, nevertheless, does taste that the Lord is good,
take consolation from this. “The upright love thee.”
“ A few Names even in Sardis. ”
“Thou hast a few names even in Sardis, which have not defiled their
garments.” Here we have special preservation. Mark it carefully. “Thou
hast a few names.” Only a few; not so few as some think, but not so many
as others imagine. A few compared with the mass of professors: a few
compared even with the true children of God, for many of them have
defiled their garments. There were but a few, and those few were even in
Sardis . There is not a Church on earth which is so corrupt but has “a
few.”
Take heart, Christians; there are a few in Sardis. Do not be quite cast
down. Some heroes have not turned their backs in the day of battle;
some mighty men still fight for the truth. But be careful, for,
perhaps, you are not one of the “few.” Since there are but “a few,”
there ought to be great searchings of heart. Let us look to our
garments, and see whether they be defiled. And since there are but
“few,” be active . The fewer the workmen to do the work, the greater
reason is there that you should be active. “Be instant in season, out of
season.” Oh! if we had hundreds behind us, we might say, “Let them do
the work;” but if we stand with only “a few,” how should each of those
few exert themselves!
Stir yourselves up, then, to the greatest activity, for verily there
are but a few in Sardis who have not defiled their garments. Above all,
be prayerful . Put up your earnest cries to God that He would multiply
the faithful, that He would increase the number of chosen ones who stand
fast, and that He would purify the Church. Cry unto God that the day may
come when the much fine gold shall be no longer dim; when the glory
shall again return to Zion. Beg of God to remove the cloud, to take away
“the darkness that may be felt.” Be doubly prayerful, for there are but
few in Sardis who have not defiled their garments.