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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Macduff Collection: MacDuff, John - The Christians Pathway (31 days): Day 25
TOPIC: MacDuff, John - The Christians Pathway (31 days) (Other Topics in this Collection)
SUBJECT: Day 25
Other Subjects in this Topic:
"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves." 2Co_13:5
We are frequently called upon to look backward—to look to the rock from whence we were hewn, and the whole of the pit from whence we were dug; and such a retrospect will be likely to fill us with deep humility on the one hand, and with, fervent gratitude on the other.
At other times we are exhorted to look forward; and in proportion as we are under the influence of that faith which is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen—we shall undoubtedly do so; it being the special province of that divine principle, not merely to make hidden objects visible—but to bring distant objects near.
We are likewise often directed to look upward. Owing to our proneness to cleave to the dust, and earthly things, the voice from heaven proclaims in our ears, "If you then are risen with Christ—seek those things which are above."
But in the words before us we are commanded to look inward; it is an exhortation which calls upon us to turn our attention from all outward objects, in order to cultivate a closer acquaintance with ourselves.
In enforcing this duty two expressions are employed. The first is, "Examine yourselves;" let a diligent and impartial search be made into your spiritual state and character. But it is added, "test yourselves;" in allusion, probably, to the manner in which metals are tested for the purpose of ascertaining whether they are pure or alloyed. We, in like manner, should bring our motives, principles, tempers, language, and actions—to the test, that we may find out whether they are false or true, counterfeit or genuine.
The test by which we are to prove ourselves is the word of God. This is one of the special purposes to which the scriptures should be applied. They have many other uses, all of which are of the most important kind. An excellent—but somewhat eccentric minister observed on one occasion in the application of his discourse, that his subject might be improved in four different ways. First, as a whetstone; secondly, as a loadstone; thirdly, as a milestone; and fourthly, as a touchstone. And what he thus quaintly said of the special topic on which he had been insisting, can be applied to divine truth at large. It is a whetstone, sharpening our dullness, and giving a keener edge to all our feelings and exercises. It is a loadstone, drawing us from our distance from God, and attracting our desires and affections from the objects of time and sense—to heaven and heavenly things. It is a milestone, not merely pointing out the way of life—but telling us of the progress we have made in our journey; whether we are advancing towards the shining city, or whether we are going backward, or standing still. And it is especially a touchstone, evincing what we really are; whether our coin is of celestial currency, or whether it can be said of us, "Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the Lord has rejected them."
Reader, dread above all things—the thought of self-deception. How dreadful it would be—for you to imagine that you are justified before God—and yet to remain under the condemning sentence of His righteous law! To take it for granted that you are renewed by the washing of regeneration—and yet to have no part or lot in the matter, being still in the gall of bitterness and the bonds of iniquity! To suppose that you are traveling to heaven—and yet to be approaching, day after day, nearer and nearer to hell! May God, in His infinite mercy, preserve you from such a state!
We are frequently called upon to look backward—to look to the rock from whence we were hewn, and the whole of the pit from whence we were dug; and such a retrospect will be likely to fill us with deep humility on the one hand, and with, fervent gratitude on the other.
At other times we are exhorted to look forward; and in proportion as we are under the influence of that faith which is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen—we shall undoubtedly do so; it being the special province of that divine principle, not merely to make hidden objects visible—but to bring distant objects near.
We are likewise often directed to look upward. Owing to our proneness to cleave to the dust, and earthly things, the voice from heaven proclaims in our ears, "If you then are risen with Christ—seek those things which are above."
But in the words before us we are commanded to look inward; it is an exhortation which calls upon us to turn our attention from all outward objects, in order to cultivate a closer acquaintance with ourselves.
In enforcing this duty two expressions are employed. The first is, "Examine yourselves;" let a diligent and impartial search be made into your spiritual state and character. But it is added, "test yourselves;" in allusion, probably, to the manner in which metals are tested for the purpose of ascertaining whether they are pure or alloyed. We, in like manner, should bring our motives, principles, tempers, language, and actions—to the test, that we may find out whether they are false or true, counterfeit or genuine.
The test by which we are to prove ourselves is the word of God. This is one of the special purposes to which the scriptures should be applied. They have many other uses, all of which are of the most important kind. An excellent—but somewhat eccentric minister observed on one occasion in the application of his discourse, that his subject might be improved in four different ways. First, as a whetstone; secondly, as a loadstone; thirdly, as a milestone; and fourthly, as a touchstone. And what he thus quaintly said of the special topic on which he had been insisting, can be applied to divine truth at large. It is a whetstone, sharpening our dullness, and giving a keener edge to all our feelings and exercises. It is a loadstone, drawing us from our distance from God, and attracting our desires and affections from the objects of time and sense—to heaven and heavenly things. It is a milestone, not merely pointing out the way of life—but telling us of the progress we have made in our journey; whether we are advancing towards the shining city, or whether we are going backward, or standing still. And it is especially a touchstone, evincing what we really are; whether our coin is of celestial currency, or whether it can be said of us, "Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the Lord has rejected them."
Reader, dread above all things—the thought of self-deception. How dreadful it would be—for you to imagine that you are justified before God—and yet to remain under the condemning sentence of His righteous law! To take it for granted that you are renewed by the washing of regeneration—and yet to have no part or lot in the matter, being still in the gall of bitterness and the bonds of iniquity! To suppose that you are traveling to heaven—and yet to be approaching, day after day, nearer and nearer to hell! May God, in His infinite mercy, preserve you from such a state!