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NOT FAR FROM THE KINGDOM OF GOD
OUR blessed Lord has given us this caution: “Give not that which is holy unto dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine [Note: Mat_7:6.].” But, in following this suggestion, we must be careful not to judge precipitately, but to give to every one an opportunity, at least, to manifest the real dispositions of his mind. Such was our Lord’s conduct, in relation to the different descriptions of persons who conversed with him. There came to him many who sought only to ensnare him, and “catch him in his words [Note: ver. 13.].” They, however, put on an appearance of sincerity, and addressed him with great respect [Note: ver. 14.]: and therefore, notwithstanding he saw through their design, he answered the questions which they proposed to him [Note: ver. 15–17 and 18–27.]. After he had put both the Herodians and the Sadducees to silence, a Scribe from among the Pharisees, with no better intention than the former, put a question to him, though of a less ensnaring kind [Note: Compare Mat_22:34-36.]. This person seems to have been instigated by others, rather than to have followed the bent of his own mind: and the benefit of returning a courteous answer, even to captious inquiries, now strikingly appeared; for he was convinced by the instruction he received; and by shewing the docility of his own mind, he elicited from our Lord that gracious testimony, “Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.”
It shall be my endeavour,
I. To confirm the declaration of our Lord—
The question asked by the Scribe was, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?” Our Lord replied, That it was that which enjoined us to “love God with all our heart, and mind, and soul, and strength: and that the second was like unto it, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself [Note: ver. 28–31.].” In this answer the Scribe fully acquiesced; and thereby he shewed, that “he was not far from the kingdom of God.”
Now, observe what his acquiescence implied. It indicated,
1. Knowledge—
[This was a knowledge which was by no means common amongst the Scribes and Pharisees at that day. They laid a very undue stress upon outward rites and ceremonies; and upon circumcision in particular, (as many amongst ourselves do upon baptism,) as though that were of itself sufficient to secure a man’s acceptance with God. The having of Abraham for their father, was, in their estimation, a sure title to heaven [Note: Mat_3:9.]; whilst an obedience to the moral law was with them only a secondary concern. This Scribe, however, was better instructed. He saw that the requirements of the moral law were of primary and indispensable obligation; and that, without an obedience to them no person could have a well-grounded hope of God’s favour.
Now then I say, that this degree of knowledge, deeply fixed in the mind, and openly avowed, is an excellent preparation for the kingdom which our blessed Lord came to establish upon earth. Where this measure of light exists in the soul, we cannot but hope that it shall be so augmented by the Gospel, as ultimately to guide a man into the way of peace.]
2. Candour—
[Our blessed Lord had silenced the former querists; but he had not so convinced them, as to elicit any approbation of his sentiments. They were too full of prejudice to make any such acknowledgment; and would have been glad enough to justify their own views, if they had known what reply to make. He, on the contrary, was open to conviction: he would not reject knowledge, because of the person by whom it was imparted; nor would he close his eyes, or shut his ears, because his instructor was a man hated and despised: he would receive truth from whatever quarter it came; and entertain it in his mind without jealousy and without fear.
What if the Gospel which we preach were so heard; and truth were thus freely suffered to make its way to the heart? Verily the kingdom of God would be far more enlarged amongst us, than ever it has yet been. And the same may be said of every place under heaven, where the Gospel is faithfully administered.]
3. Piety—
[There was not in this Scribe a mere acquiescence in the truth proposed to him, but a most cordial approbation of it. He dilates upon our Lord’s words with evident pleasure; and adds to them, what was not necessarily required, a declaration, that those two commandments, of the supreme love to God, and of loving our neighbour as ourselves, were “more than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.” Now this was in the very teeth of all that the Pharisees maintained. There was among them, and there exists to a vast extent amongst ourselves, an idea, that if a man were punctually observant of all the rites and ceremonies of religion, he must of necessity be in a good state before God. But this Scribe justly sets down the outward observances of religion as of no account, if the person performing them be not animated by love to God and man. Rites and ceremonies are of no value, but as means to an end: whereas love is of infinite value, for its own sake: it is a conformity to God: it is the image of God upon the soul of man.
Now this the Scribe both saw and felt: and, wherever such a feeling is, verily the man may well be said to be “not far from the kingdom of God.”]
Taking, then, our Lord’s declaration as unquestionably true, I will proceed,
II. To found upon it some salutary advice—
I will address myself,
1. To those who answer to this character—
[There are many, and doubtless many here present, in whom is found a good measure of knowledge, and candour, and piety; whilst yet the best that can be said of them is, that “they are not far from the kingdom of God.”
It will be asked, of course, What are the defects of this character? and what needs to be superadded to it, in order to bring a man fully into the kingdom of God? I answer, There must be in him these three things: first, a sense of his undone state, on account of having violated this law; next, a dependence on the Lord Jesus Christ, as having fulfilled this law for us; and, lastly, a determination of heart, through grace, to fulfil it ourselves. Without the first of these, a broken and contrite spirit, whatever be a man’s other qualities, he is not yet upon the threshold of God’s sanctuary. Without the next, that is, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, he has not knocked at the door; for “Christ is the door, through which alone any man can enter in [Note: Joh_10:9.].” And without the last, obedience to God’s commands, whatever his profession be, it is clear that he has not entered in at that door: for if he had, his faith would be demonstrated by his works.
Now, then, to the regular and well-disposed part of you, I would affectionately offer this advice: Take it not for granted that you are right before God; but weigh yourselves in the balance of the sanctuary, and search wherein it is that you are found wanting. Religion does not consist in knowledge nor in candour, nor in what I have ventured to call piety; by which I mean, an approbation of what is good: it consists in a thorough conversion of the soul to God, in a way of deep penitence, and simple faith, and unreserved obedience: and till these be found in you really, deeply, abidingly, you are not really partakers of the kingdom of God. You may be “not far from it;” but you are not in it; nor do the blessings of it belong to you. I pray you, mistake not the appearance of religion for the reality; nor ever rest till you have attained a clear, decisive evidence that you are indeed the Lord’s.]
2. To those who have not even attained this character—
[How many are there that are yet full of ignorance, and prejudice, and aversion to the truth! — — — What, then, must I say of you? Can I administer to you the encouragement which our Lord gave to the inquiring Scribe? Must I not rather say, that you are far from the kingdom of God? and if you are far from that kingdom, consider, I pray you, to what kingdom you are near; even to the kingdom of darkness, the kingdom of the wicked one? I grieve to suggest to any of you so painful a thought: but I appeal to you, whether your state be not one of extreme danger: for if, whilst possessing all that this Scribe possessed, you may yet have no part in the Gospel kingdom, it surely becomes you to tremble at your state, and to cry mightily to God, if peradventure you may at last find admission into it, and be saved for ever. Possibly this counsel may be neglected by you, as that of Christ was by the Pharisees of old. But judge ye in what light they now view their past obduracy. But their weeping now is of no avail. I pray God that you, my brethren, may now improve the opportunity afforded you, and may seek the Lord whilst he may be found, and call upon him whilst he is near.]
3. To those who are really admitted into the Redeemer’s kingdom—
[See how to act towards those who are yet without. “Be always ready to give to every one that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear [Note: 1Pe_3:15.].” And be particularly careful to encourage good appearances wherever you may find them. Our blessed Lord, looking upon the Young Man in the Gospel, “loved him;” notwithstanding he knew, that, when his professions should be put to the test, they would be found delusive [Note: Mar_10:21-22.]. And this is to be a pattern for us. What if our Lord, who knew the design of this Scribe, had given him a repulse at first, instead of answering his question? The man would have been hardened in his wickedness; instead of being, as we would fondly hope he was, brought effectually into the kingdom of God. Learn, then, tenderness towards such characters; and “instruct in meekness them that oppose themselves; if God peradventure may give them repentance to the acknowledgment of the truth; and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, by whom they are led captive at his will [Note: 2Ti_2:25-26.].”
At the same time, shew to all around you what it is to be really partakers of Christ’s kingdom. Shew by your life and conversation what the character of his subjects is; and seek to be daily growing in a meetness for that kingdom which awaits you at your departure hence. Determine, through grace, that “having a promise of entering into God’s rest, nothing shall induce you to come short of it.” Think what a terrible disappointment it must be to any soul to find itself not far from the kingdom of God, and yet not in it; and to fall from the very gates of heaven into the bottomless abyss of hell. Determine, I say, that nothing shall divert you from your course, or retard you in it: but that, with God’s help, you will “so run as to obtain the prize.”]