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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJabez Burns Sermons: 041. Pro 23:26. The Heart Demanded
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Pro_23:26. The Heart Demanded
"My son, give me thine heart."—Pro_23:26.
The heart is a figurative term, often used by the sacred penmen to denote one particular faculty of the soul. Hence it is applied in some instances to the understanding, as in Hos_7:11, Mat_13:15. Sometimes it signifies the memory, Psa_119:11. It is used also for the will and the affections, Deu_6:5. In the text it signifies the whole mind, both soul and spirit. For these the Lord claims; nor will he be satisfied with an inferior sacrifice. He says to every child of man, "My son," &c. Notice, 1. What is demanded—"The heart." 2. The person by whom, and the purposes for which, it is demanded. And, 3. The importance of complying with the demand made.
Observe then,
I. What is demanded.
It is "the heart."
Here notice four things concerning the heart,
1. It is naturally depraved.
In a fallen, debased, and unholy state—alienated from God—opposed to God—not subject to the will of God.
2. It is practically wicked.
Dark, corrupt, seat of evil, fountain of impurity. From it proceeds all the evils of lip and life. Mat_15:19. Gal_5:19.
3. It is necessarily unhappy.
Naked, starving, wretched, and blind. Without peace—without joy, and without hope. No peace, saith my God, &c. Wicked like the troubled sea, &c. Notwithstanding,
4. It is endued with immortality.
It shall exist forever. Now in a state of solemn responsibility, this is the time of trial and probation. Season of improvement and preparation for eternity. And this is the only opportunity that shall be afforded.
Observe,
II. The Person by whom, and the Purposes for which it is demanded.
1. The claimant is God.
(1) Thy Father. He calls thee his son. Who made it—who gave it all its capacities.
(2) Thy Ruler—to whom thou art justly subject.
(3) Thy Saviour—who, by an expensive sacrifice, has redeemed it; and thus has provided ample means for its restoration to holiness and eternal life.
He does not need it, for he is infinitely happy in himself, and independent of all his creatures. But he desires it, because he has compassionated its wretchedness, and because he delighteth in mercy.
(4) Thy Judge—who shall decide thy destiny. Consider,
2. The purposes for which he demands it.
He desires it,
(1) That He may enlighten it. Eph_5:14.
(2) That He may convince it. Joh_16:8.
(3) That He may pardon it. Isa_55:7.
(4) That He may sanctify it. Heb_13:12, 1Th_5:23.
(5) That He may keep it. Isa_26:23, Php_4:7.
(6) That He may dignify it, and make it happy. Psa_37:4 and Psa_37:34.
(7) That He may eternally save it. 1Pe_1:5, Heb_5:9, and Heb_9:28.
III. The importance of Complying with the Demand made.
Compliance with this demand may be enforced,
1. On the ground of justice.
It is his by right. He stands connected to us as our Creator, Preserver, Saviour, Judge.
2. On the ground of reason.
Not only was the heart formed by him, but for him. He is its only good. All besides a chaotic void.
3. It is grounded on the claims of gratitude.
Who has such claims upon us? We are not our own, &c. Consider his lovingkindnesses and tender mercies towards us.
4. It is grounded on self-interest.
To whom, or to what, shall we give it? To Satan, that he may destroy it, &c.? To the world, that it may pollute it? To sin, that it may ruin it? God only has the words of eternal life. He only can make us everlastingly happy. And in what way shall we comply with this demand? We should give our hearts to him,
(1) Humbly. He will a well with the humble and contrite, &c.
(2) Believingly. Receiving his word as truth and his Son as our only Saviour, &c.
(3) Unreservedly. Give him all our hearts—every faculty and power of the soul—understanding—will—judgment—memory—affections—conscience, &c.
(4) Cheerfully. with a willing spirit.
(5) Irrevocably. Give it him forever. Choose him as our present and perpetual portion. This God is our God forever and ever, &c. And we must,
(6) Give it immediately. The future is God's and may not be ours, &c. To-day, &c.
Application
(1) Congratulate the child of God. How happy, &c. (2) Direct the inquiring soul to the throne of grace, &c. (3) Comfort the mourner. Blessed are they that mourn, &c. (4) Warn the impenitent. He that refuseth God's voice of merciful invitation, must bear the sentence of eternal wo.—Prov. i 24, &c.