Robert Murray M’Cheyne lived a short, impactful life. He was 29 when he died in 1843. At the time, he was the pastor of a 1000 person church in Scotland. D.A. Carson says that he is one of the “overlooked shapers of evangelicalism” (2).
I recently read David Beaty’s excellent book about M’Cheyne, called, An All Surpassing Fellowship: Learning from Robert Murray M’Cheyne’s Communion with God. Beaty details M’Cheyne’s life and ministry, and the priorities that drove one of Scotland’s great pastors. M’Cheyne believed that “there was no greater privilege in life than communion with God” (56). That’s why he said, “A calm hour with God is worth a whole lifetime with man” (56). In what follows are a few of the emphases that marked his life, along with his words about them. I’m praying his words inspire you as they have me.
The Importance of Daily Bible Reading – 3 months before M’Cheyne died, he provided his church a daily Bible reading plan. Many still use it today. His hope was that they “all might be feeding in the same portion of the green pasture at the same time” (60). He wrote these words to his church about daily bible reading: “Above all, use the Word as a lamp to your feet and a light to your path–your guide in perplexity, your armor in temptation, your food in times of faintness. Hear the constant cry of the great Intercessor, ‘Sanctify Them through Thy Truth: Thy Word is Truth'” (61). M’Cheyne believe Christians needed to feed their hearts daily with God’s word in order to flourish in this world.
The Importance of Daily Prayer – M’Cheyne said, “I am persuaded that I ought never to do anything without prayer, and, if possible, special, secret prayer” (65). Why did he believe that? Because, he believed, God’s power is unleashed through prayer. Writing to a ministry friend who struggled to learn this lesson, like many of us do, he stated, “Do not overwork yourself. There is much of self in that, I know by experience. A breathing of believing prayer may be worth many hours’ hard labor” (73). In regards to prayers relationship to preaching, he wrote, “We are often for preaching to awaken others; but we should be more concerned with prayer. Prayer is more powerful than preaching. It is prayer that gives preaching all its power… Prayer must be added to preaching, else preaching is in vain” (67). M’Cheyne lived a life that showed the importance of daily prayer.
The Importance of Personal Holiness – M’Cheyne was also known for his pursuit of personal holiness. Why did he make this such a priority? He writes, “I am persuaded that I shall obtain the highest amount of present happiness, I shall do most for God’s glory and the good of man, and I shall have the fullest reward in eternity, by maintaining a conscience always washed in Christ’s blood, by being filled with the Holy Spirit at all times, and by attaining the most entire likeness to Christ in mind, will, and heart, that is possible for a redeemed sinner to attain to in this world” (76). He also wrote, “It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus” (83). Many of his contemporaries commented on how his pursuit of personal holiness was powerful and inspiring.
The Importance of an Eternal Perspective and Evangelism – Powerfully, he wrote, “Live near to God, and so all things will appear to you little in comparison with eternal realities” (86). One of benefits of M’Cheyne’s awareness of God and eternity, was his passion for daily evangelism. Andrew Bonar, a friend of his, wrote of him, “Two things he seems never to have ceased from–the cultivation of personal holiness, and the most anxious effort to save souls” (94). Far from merely a religious duty, evangelism was an overflow of the joy and excitement he had for Christ. He wrote, “If you will come to Jesus and drink, you shall become a fountain” (141). Pleading for unbelievers to come to Christ, he said, “Your years are numbered. To many this is the last year they shall ever see in this world. What would they not give, brethren, for such an opportunity as you have this day” (143)? Pushing back against criticism for talking about hell, he said, “They that have the most love in their hearts speak most of hell. They do not love you that do not warn you . . . . Oh remember that love warns” (144)!
These, of course, aren’t the only emphases that marked M’Cheyne’s life. But these are a few of the ones that challenged and inspired me when I was reading. It’s worth buying Beaty’s book, especially if you are a ministry leader, and learning more from M’Cheyne.
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