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STEADFASTNESS AND ACTIVITY IN GOD’S SERVICE INCULCATED
CHRISTIANS in general do not sufficiently advert to Christian principles as a ground of action. Whilst they acknowledge their obligation to serve God, they lose sight of those considerations which alone can render his yoke easy, and his burthen light. They bear in mind that Christ offered himself a sacrifice for sin; but they forget, that his priestly office, which was but in part executed on earth, is still carrying on in heaven. Were this duly contemplated, it would afford a stimulus to exertion which nothing else can give. In the fourth chapter of this epistle, the Apostle urges it as a motive to steadfastness in our most holy profession: “Seeing then that we have a great High-priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession [Note: Heb_4:14.].” In the passage before us he repeats the same glorious truth, and grounds upon it, not only the same exhortation, but an exhortation to various other duties connected with it. What these duties are, it is my intention at this time to point out.
Consider then,
I. Our duty as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ [Note: Some copies read ἐ ë ð ß ä ï ò instead of ð ß ó ô å ù ò ; but they both amount to the same, hope being the offspring of faith.]—
It is our duty to profess openly our faith and hope in the Lord Jesus Christ—
[We are not to be contented with exercising faith in him as our Saviour: we must confess him also before men: for, if “with the heart we believe unto righteousness, it is with the mouth that confession must be made unto salvation [Note: Rom_10:10.].” But,]
This profession we must “hold fast without wavering”—
[The more we make our light to shine before men, the more will those who “love darkness, rather than light” oppose us — — — Nothing will be left untried to divert us from our purpose. Persuasion, derision, menaces, will all be used in their turn: and all manner of influence will be brought to bear upon us, if by any means we may be prevailed upon to renounce what the world calls our enthusiasm and folly. But we must “hold fast our profession,” whatever efforts be made to wrest it from us: we must hold it fast “without wavering.” There must be no inclination of the mind towards the ways we have forsaken, or the society we have left: “We must forget our own people and our father’s house, if we would that our heavenly Bridegroom should have pleasure in our beauty [Note: Psa_45:10-11.].” We must “hate father and mother, and even our own lives,” in comparison of Christ [Note: Luk_14:26-27.]. There must be in us a determination of heart to “follow the Lord fully,” and at all events; even though we be threatened with scourging and imprisonment, as the Apostles were [Note: Act_4:19-20.]; or with a cruel death, as were Daniel and the Hebrew Youths [Note: Dan_4:18; Dan_6:10.]. As for those vain reasonings by which men endeavour to justify their departure from God, they must not be entertained for one moment — — — Our whole life and conversation should proclaim “whose we are, or whom we serve.” We should be “shining as lights in the world;” and be as “epistles of Christ, known and read of all men.”]
Connected with our duty to Christ as his followers, is,
II. Our duty as members of his mystical body—
We are “not to put our light under a bushel or a bed.” When once we become united to Christ by faith, we become members of the body, of which he is the Head. To that body we from henceforth have duties, even as the members of our corporeal frame have to the body of which they constitute a part. With that body we are to unite, both in its public and social meetings, and not by withdrawing ourselves from it, to shew an indifference to its welfare. Some there were, even in the Apostle’s days, who, through cowardice or worldly-mindedness, forsook the assemblies of the Church: and some there are who do so at the present day. But whatever vain excuses they may offer for their conduct, they grossly neglect their duty, which is, to edify, as far as they are able, every member of Christ’s mystical body. This all are bound to do,
1. In a way of mutual inspection—
[We should “consider one another;” we should notice each other’s wants and weaknesses, defects and failings, in order to guard each other against the very beginnings of declension in the divine life, and to stimulate one another to exertion in the cause of truth and love. We should mark also one another’s abilities and opportunities for serving God, in order that the energies of all may be employed to the best effect. The members of our natural body, if attempting to execute offices for which they are not fitted, can effect little; but, when exerting themselves in their appropriate sphere, they all contribute to the general good. Thus should all the members of the Church seek out for themselves, and assign to each other, such offices as they are best qualified to perform; that, each labouring in his proper vocation, (“he that ministereth, for instance, or teacheth, or exhorteth, or giveth, or ruleth,” in the due discharge of their respective duties [Note: Rom_12:7-8.],) the whole body may be edified, and God’s name be glorified.]
2. In a way of mutual excitation—
[Love, both in its feelings and actings, is apt to languish, if it be not watched, and cherished, and quickened to activity, from time to time. “This gift of God that is in us, needs to be stirred up,” and fanned to a flame, by mutual exhortations. Hence we are told to “provoke one another unto love and to good works.” No member of the body should be idle: there are some good works which all may perform: and all should be penetrated with a desire to do what they can. It is by the unwearied exertion of all their powers that the designs of God are to be accomplished, both in the Church and in the world. But, as all are apt to be remiss, all should exhort and animate one another, and, “so much the more as we see the day approaching.” The final destruction of Jerusalem was very near at hand when this epistle was written: and that period would be most afflictive to the Church who fled to the mountains, as well as to those who abode in the city: and therefore they all needed to prepare for that trial, and to labour with redoubled zeal for the Lord, whilst an opportunity of serving him was afforded them. And to us also, there is a day of trial near at hand, even the day of death, and of our appearing before God in judgment. Then all our opportunities of serving and honouring God will be terminated for ever. O how diligent then should we be in redeeming the present time, and in labouring whilst it is day; seeing that the night, when no man can work, is so near at hand! To impress these thoughts on each other’s minds, and to stimulate one another to activity in the consideration of them, is our bounden duty: and whatever we may imagine about serving God acceptably in secret, whilst we neglect these public and social duties, we shall find ourselves awfully mistaken, when God shall call us to account for “hiding our talent in a napkin.”]
Such being our duties to Christ and his Church, let us notice,
III. Our encouragement to perform both the one and the other—
God is faithful to his promises—
[Great, “exceeding great and precious are the promises” which he has given us in his word; promises suited to every state in which every member can be placed. In the covenant of grace they are all contained, even in that covenant of which Christ is the Mediator and Surety: and “in Christ they are all yea and amen, to the glory of our covenant-God and Father [Note: 1Co_1:20.].” Not one of them shall ever fail of accomplishment: for “God is not a man, that he should lie, or the son of man, that he should repent.” Indeed “he has confirmed his promises with an oath, that, by two immutable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong consolation.” The experience of all ages attests this blessed truth, that God is faithful to his promises. Joshua’s appeal to all Israel, at the close of his long-protracted life and warfare, may be made also to every child of Abraham; “Ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you; and not one thing hath failed thereof [Note: Jos_23:14.].”]
This consideration may well animate us to the performance of all our duties—
[If no promises had been given us, we might well have been discouraged: for who could “engage in such an unequal warfare at his own charges?” In like manner, if the promises had been less extensive, or less free, we might well despond; because we could have never merited the performance of them, nor ever have supplied what might be lacking in them. Moreover, if there had been any room to question God’s fidelity, we should still have been equally far from any solid comfort. But when we find the promises so perfectly free, that all are at liberty to lay hold upon them; and so full, that they extend to every possible want; and so sure, that sooner shall heaven and earth pass away, than one jot or tittle of them shall fail; do we not feel encouraged to embrace them, and to rely upon them, and to plead them, and to go forth in the strength of them to serve our God? Is not this one word, “My grace is sufficient for thee,” a full warrant for undertaking any service, or for meeting any trial, to which God may call us? May we not boldly say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me?”
Here then is our encouragement to perform our duties to Christ and his Church. Whatever we may have to encounter for Christ’s sake, we may, in reliance upon his word, “hold fast our profession;” and whatever exertion may be necessary for filling up our respective offices as members of his body, we may labour and not faint; assured that, if we be “steadfast, and unmoveable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord, our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord [Note: 1Co_15:58.].”]
What then shall I say more? Is God faithful to his engagements? Then,
1. Be ye faithful to yours—
[If you have given up yourselves to him as his purchased possession, then have ye bound yourselves to “glorify him with your bodies and your spirits which are his.” Remember then the vows that are upon you; those which were made for you in your baptism; those which you took upon yourselves at your confirmation; and those which you have renewed at the table of the Lord. Labour diligently to perform them all; and not only to perform your own promises, but to stir up others to the performance of theirs also. Do not think to say, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” for you have a duty to all the members of Christ’s mystical body; and you are as much bound to perform that, as to perform any other whatever. Address yourselves then to the work of the Lord; and “whatever your hand findeth to do, do it with all your might.” If you meet with difficulties and trials, be not discouraged, but go on boldly in the name and strength of the Lord. Draw not back on any account: for, “if any man draw back, God will have no pleasure in him.” “He only who endureth to the end shall be saved.” “Look to yourselves then, that ye lose not the things which ye have wrought, but that ye receive a full reward [Note: 2 John, ver. 8].” “Be faithful unto death; and God will give you a crown of life.”]
2. Live by faith upon the promises—
[It is “by the promises that ye have already been made partakers of a divine nature [Note: 2Pe_1:4.];” and “by them must ye cleanse yourselves from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit, and perfect holiness in the fear of God [Note: 2Co_7:1.].” Lay hold then on the promises: search them out with care: plead them before God with earnestness: and expect the accomplishment of them with confident assurance. This is the great secret of living unto God. This will keep up a continual intercourse between God and the soul. This will bring down Omnipotence to your aid. This will make every trial light, and every duty easy. This will enable you to defy all your enemies, and to challenge them all, whether individually or collectively, “Who shall separate me from the love of Christ [Note: Rom_8:35-39.]?” This will render you blessings to others, as well as blessed in your own souls: for those who behold your light, will “thank God, and take courage,” and be emboldened to serve God with increased alacrity themselves. Thus too you will be prepared for “the day that is approaching:” for whilst the idle and unprofitable servant will be “cast into outer darkness, where is weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth,” the active and faithful servant will receive the plaudits of his Divine Master, and will “enter into the joy of his Lord.”]