Review: The Sweet Bond of Christian Love by R. M. McCheyne
The Sweet Bond of Christian Love (A Collection of Quotes from) Robert Murray McCheyne
All links to books that are mentioned will be provided below.
(One of the results of Bible reading will be)
“The sweet bond of Christian love and unity will be strengthened.” - p. 65
Book info
P. #: 87
Author: Robert Murray McCheyne (1813-1843)
Life: His life, though very short, was one of the most influential on the Scottish church of all time. He was a man of great piety and love for Christ and his people. After his education at the University of Edinburgh, McCheyne became an assistant minister under John Bonar (Andrew and Horatius Bonar’s grandfather). After this, he began to preach at St. Peter’s Church in Dundee in 1836 until his death in 1843. His lasting impact can be seen through his writings, hymns, and Scripture reading plan, which are all still being read, sung, and used today.
General info about author: McCheyne was a pastor, author, poet, and theologian. (quote on p. 18)
Overall Summary/review:
This book, despite being so small, holds a wide variety of contents, which as the introduction states, “contains four sections...” p. 2)
Tim Chester said, “I always come away from reading Robert Murray McCheyne feeling inspired, so it’s a delight to have his writing distilled in this little book. The Sweet Bond of Christian Love will stir your soul and renew your zeal for Jesus.” - cover
When we reviewed The Smile of Thy Love by Andrew Bonar, I mentioned that these books are a great way to find resources for papers because everything is sorted alphabetically.
The whole book is so good that I underlined almost the entire thing and had a very difficult time pulling out some of my favorite quotes for this review.
Content: Read Table of Contents.
In addition to these chapters, there is also a portion of a work, A Word Made Flesh, at the end of the book. It’s only a fraction of the full sermon, but it gives yet another lovely sample of McCheyne
Some quotes I really liked from this book:
“Each step of a good man is ordered by the Lord.” - James Hamilton p. 7
“Believers should live in daily consideration of the greatness and glory of Christ.” - Robert Murray McCheyne (The Sweet Bond of Christian Love, p. 21)
“You must be content then to lean all your weight upon Christ. The leaning soul cries for continued grace.” - Robert Murray McCheyne (The Sweet Bond of Christian Love, p. 21)
“If you believe little, you will keep far off from Christ.”
“Not only are Christless persons condemned already, but the instruments of their destruction are prepared and quite ready.” - Robert Murray McCheyne (The Sweet Bond of Christian Love, p. 22)
“Because, justified in the eyes of Christ, washed in his blood, a believer is pure and white as a lily. Christ can see no spot in his own righteousness, and therefore he sees no spot on the believer.” - Robert Murray McCheyne (The Sweet Bond of Christian Love, p. 23)
“A believer is to be known, not only by his peace and joy, but by his warfare and distress.” - Robert Murray McCheyne (The Sweet Bond of Christian Love, p. 27)
“There is no argument like a holy life.” - Robert Murray McCheyne (The Sweet Bond of Christian Love, p. 27)
“Do not take up your time so much with studying your own heart as with studying Christ’s heart. For one look at yourself, take ten looks at Christ!” - Robert Murray McCheyne (The Sweet Bond of Christian Love, p. 29)
“Live within sight of Calvary, and you will live within sight of glory.” - Robert Murray McCheyne (The Sweet Bond of Christian Love, p. 34)
“Rose early to seek God, and found him whom my soul loveth. Who would not rise early to meet such company?” - Robert Murray McCheyne (The Sweet Bond of Christian Love, p. 39)
“I must never think a sin too small to need immediate application to the blood of Christ.” - Robert Murray McCheyne (The Sweet Bond of Christian Love, p. 42)
“Spend the Lord’s Day in the Lord’s presence. Spend it as a day in heaven. Spend much of it in praise and in works of mercy, as Jesus did.” - Robert Murray McCheyne (The Sweet Bond of Christian Love, p. 47)
“The believer is unspeakably precious in the eyes of Christ, and Christ is unspeakably precious in the eyes of the believer.” - Robert Murray McCheyne (The Sweet Bond of Christian Love, p. 50)
“Those believers will stand firmest who have no dependence on self or upon creatures, but upon Jehovah our Righteousness.” - Robert Murray McCheyne (The Sweet Bond of Christian Love, p. 61-62)
“Those of you who are afflicted believers, you know what it is to have a friend that was tried in all points as you are.” - Robert Murray McCheyne (The Sweet Bond of Christian Love, p. 87)