John MacFarlane on the difficulty of bearing Christ’s yoke

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Reformed Covenanter

Cancelled Commissioner
“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”—Matt. xi. 30.

Yes, brethren, it is so! These are the words of the faithful and true Witness. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light; but in a sense different from that in which it is generally understood by the world. This is one of the declarations of Scripture that is apt to be perverted and misapplied by men, who would make the requirements of Christ easy, by bringing them down to the level of their own natural capacities or sinful inclinations. With unscriptural and superficial views of the nature and extent of Christian obedience, they would employ the language which was designed to soothe and comfort the faint but still pursuing disciple, to extenuate their love of the world, to excuse their sloth and self-indulgence, or even to justify their carelessness and sin. ...

But look again into the Bible. In every page we see evidence fitted to undeceive those who have taken up such an impression of what it is to be a Christian. Is not the first lesson, which every disciple in the school of Christ must learn, to deny himself and take up his cross and follow his master? When he has made his entrance upon the Christian course, is he not taught to expect that not only strait shall be the gate, but that narrow shall continue to be the way that leadeth unto life? Are not the diligence and laborious perseverance of the husbandman—the watchfulness and vigour of the soldier—the strenuous efforts of the racer, animated by the surrounding spectators, and cheered with the prospect of the prize—are not these some of the emblems employed in Scripture to represent the carefulness and assiduity demanded of every follower of Jesus? ...

For more, see John MacFarlane on the difficulty of bearing Christ’s yoke.
 
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