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THE DUTY OF GIVING THE HEART TO GOD
THIS address, however it may be considered in some respect as delivered by Solomon to his son, must certainly be understood as proceeding from Him who is Wisdom in the abstract, Wisdom personified, even from the Lord Jesus Christ [Note: Pro_8:1; Pro_8:22-32]: and as directed generally to all the children of men, but especially to those who regard him as their Sovereign Lord. And though the more immediate object of the address may seem scarcely suited to this view of it, (because those who are possessed even of incipient piety may seem less likely to fall into the snare which is there spoken of,) yet the caution is necessary for youth of all descriptions; and, as a general lesson, it teaches us, that there is no snare whatever into which we may not fall, if our hearts be not given up to God; and that the only sure way of being kept from sin of every kind, is, to give the heart to God.
Taking the words then as addressed by the Lord Jesus Christ to all who acknowledge his paternal authority, we will proceed to mark the extent and reasonableness of this command.
I. The extent of it—
To give our heart to God, implies that we give him,
1. The affections of the soul—
[These should all center in him, and in him alone. Him we should desire as our supreme good, and in him should we delight as our chief joy — — — should be able to say with David, “Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee [Note: Psa_73:23.],”]
2. The confidence of the mind—
[If there be any thing besides God in the whole universe, on which we rely, we do not really give our heart to him. To trust, though in ever so small a degree, in an arm of flesh, argues a departure of heart from God [Note: Jer_17:5.]. We should confide altogether in his wisdom to guide, and his power to uphold us, in his goodness to supply our wants, and his truth to fulfil to us the promises of his word. We should “trust in him with all our heart, and not lean either to our own understanding” or strength: we should consider him as alone able to help us, and as all-sufficient for our utmost necessities.]
3. The service of the life—
[Without this, all else is vain. Obedience is the certain fruit of love to God [Note: Joh_14:15; Joh_14:21.]; yea, it is altogether identified with it: “This is the love of God, that ye keep his commandments [Note: 1Jn_2:3-5.].” To the man that has given his heart to God, no commandment can be grievous [Note: 1Jn_5:3.].]
The extent of the command being ascertained, we proceed to shew,
II. The reasonableness of it—
To surrender up our whole selves to God, is called by St. Paul, “a reasonable service [Note: Rom_12:1.].” And reasonable indeed it is;
1. Because of his right over us as our Creator—
[God “made all things for himself: all that we are, and all that we have, was given us by him, to be improved for his glory. How then can we with propriety alienate any thing from him? A potter feels himself entitled to the use of the vessel which his own hands have made: and has not God a right to all the services that we can render him? Of all that have truly given their hearts to God, it may be said, “No man liveth to himself; and no man dieth unto himself: but whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore or die, we are the Lord’s [Note: Rom_14:7-8.].”]
2. Because of his mercies towards us, as our Redeemer—
[The Lord Jesus Christ has “redeemed us to God by his own blood;” and by this has acquired a new right over us. To this effect the Apostle says, “Ye are not your own; ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God with your bodies and your spirits, which are his [Note: 1Co_6:19-20.].” And in another place he gives this as the duty of every man according to the dictates of his most deliberate judgment: “The love of Christ constraineth us, because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead; and that he died for all, that they who live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him who died for them, and rose again [Note: 2Co_5:14-15.].” Was he mistaken in his judgment? and are we at liberty to alienate from him what he has purchased at so great a price?]
3. Because of his relation to us, as our Father—
[If we profess to have been born again, and begotten to God by his word and Spirit, then are we yet further bound to him by the relation he sustains towards us: “What manner of love is this, wherewith the Father hath loved us, that we should be called the sons of God!” Can we have learned to cry, “Abba, Father!” and doubt whether the giving of our hearts to him be a reasonable service? The utmost then we can do to serve and honour him is no more than our bounden duty.]
4. Because of the utter worthlessness of all his competitors—
[What is there worthy to be compared with him? The whole creation is but as “a broken cistern that can hold no water.” Shall we then, “for any thing that is in it, forsake the Fountain of living waters?” Survey the choicest blessings that the world affords; and they are all “vanity and vexation of spirit.” Are these then to stand in competition with him who is the unfailing and only source of all blessedness? The more we see the vanity of all created good, the more we shall see the reasonableness of giving our hearts to God alone. We must not only not love our father or mother more than him, but must “hate every earthly relative, yea, and our own lives also, in comparison of him [Note: Luk_14:26.].”]
Address—
1. In a way of affectionate invitation—
[In this view we may take the words of our text, even as an invitation to us from the Lord Jesus Christ to set our affections on him alone. And how astonishing is it that he will accept such hearts as ours! If we of ourselves had presumed to offer them to him, how justly might he have rejected and despised the offering! Yet behold, he solicits it at our hands! And what can such an offering add to him? Does he need any thing from us? or can we add any thing to him? O then admire and adore this astonishing condescension; and let him not woo your souls in vain.]
2. In a way of authoritative injunction—
[This command of Almighty God is not to be trifled with. Let none presume to withstand it, or to delay their obedience to it: for if we obey it not, we never can behold his face in peace [Note: 1Co_16:22.]. Attend to it then; and see that ye obey it in truth. Give not to your God and Saviour a divided heart; for such an offering he will not accept: but give yourselves wholly to him; and so shall that promise be fulfilled to you; “I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”]