I Need You; You Need Me
In an open letter that every believer should sign and read, the Irish Calvinist reminds us how to ensure that our time together is for God's glory and our good:
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,I need you. I need you to help me. I need you to live your life in such a way that it intends to draw my attention to the glory and greatness of our God. I beg you not to sleep in tomorrow morning but instead to get up and read your Bible. Discover afresh the beauty of God in the sacred text. Dwell upon his faithfulness to his own promises. Muse upon his glorious gift of grace in the salvation of sinners like you and me. Write the Word of God upon your own heart so that it produces reverence for God.
Also, I urge you to spend time on your knees in prayer. And whatever you do, don't fall asleep, don't let your mind wander; don't stop praying until you start praying. Drive yourself into humble submission before the great and infinite reservoir of grace that you might find help in your neediness.
As you leave and go about your day, please preach the glories of the gospel to yourself. Tell yourself afresh of the glorious gift of grace, the Lord Jesus Christ, that incarnation of holiness and love; hear again the words of John the Baptist, "Behold, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1.29) Watch him obey the Law in your place, see his perfection in both speech and in deed. Hear him say afresh, "I always do what is pleasing to my Father" (John 8.29). Watch him march resolutely to the cross to purchase our redemption. See him pray for his executioners, evangelize his fellow cross-bearers, gasp for breath, commission his disciple, proclaim it is finished, and then give up his life. See him here and marvel. But don't stop here! Run with the disciples to the tomb and stoop with them and see, see ‘the linen cloths by themselves' and you too come away ‘marveling at what had happened' (Luke 24.12). Rejoice at the reality of the living Savior who has given his life to vindicate the glory of God and rescue a people for himself.
Now as you leave, sing the doctrinal praise along with Paul "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph. 1.3ff) in tune with Peter with "joy inexpressible" (1 Pet. 1.8).
And now believer, come and talk to a Christian like me and tell me something. Tell me something eternal (Ps. 92.8)! Give me something for my soul (Matt. 4.4)! Tell me what impresses you about Christ (Matt. 8.27)! Tell me of the gospel's power (Rom. 1.16)! Tell me of Christ's success as a high priest (Heb. 7.27)! Tell me of his impending return (Matt. 24.30)! Tell me of the divine purpose in trials (Jam 1.3-5)! Tell me the perseverance of the saints (Jude 24)! Tell me of the ultimate success of the church (Matt. 16.18)! Tell me God's gracious work in your life (2 Cor. 3.18)! Tell me of the purity and power of the word of God (Ps. 19.7ff)! Tell me of how you are praying for me (Col. 1.9ff)! Please...I need you to do this. My heart needs to hear continually of why Christ is so great (2 Pet. 1.12). So please Christian, don't forget to tell me. Please...be a good friend (Heb. 3.13ff). And by the grace of God, I will return the favor to you.
Your brother in the fellowship of the Lord Jesus Christ,
