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MEN’S CONTEMPT OF GOD
THE thoughts of God respecting the nature and malignity of sin, are widely different from those which are entertained in the breasts of natural men. Men consider themselves as innocent if their outward conduct be not grossly reprehensible, and what they cannot justify in their actions they extenuate under lenient expressions; but God notices the very frame and dispositions of the heart: He clearly and infallibly interprets the language of men’s thoughts: He declares that the wickedness of their actions proceeds from atheism in their hearts [Note: Psa_14:1.]. Thus, in the psalm before us, he reveals the secret motives by which the wicked are actuated [Note: ver. 2, 4, 6, 11.], and puts the right construction on their thoughts [Note: ver. 13.].
Let us consider,
I. The ground of this expostulation—
Were all the lineaments of our contempt of God to be drawn, we should scarce ever finish the dreadful portrait—
[We make light of the Father’s authority, the Son’s sacrifice, the Spirit’s influence. Every office they sustain, every attribute they possess, every relation they bear to us, we disregard and dishonour. We overlook God’s providence, we are unmindful of his word, neglect his ordinances, profane his sabbaths, despise his people.]
But, waving all other points, we fix our attention on that mentioned in the text, viz. Our virtual denial of God’s punitive justice—
Men evidence by their lives that they think God will not require sin at their hands:
1. Their impenitence for their past sins shews it—
[They do not humble themselves for sin, or seek after a Saviour; and what is the language of this, but, “God does not regard, nor will require my sin?”]
2. Their unconcern about the prevention of sin in future shews it—
[They indulge all their evil habits, rush carelessly into temptations, listen to no admonitions, seek not God’s aid, and even stifle their convictions; and does not this say, “Sin may be indulged with impunity, God will not require it?”]
Know ye then that this thought, or language of their hearts, is a contempt of God himself:
Of his holiness—
[Instead of regarding him as an infinitely Holy Being [Note: Isa_6:3. Heb_1:13.], it supposes him to be such an one as ourselves [Note: Psa_50:21.].]
Of his justice—
[The Scripture speaks of God as just [Note: Deu_32:4.], but this intimates that he is indifferent about the execution of his laws [Note: Zep_1:12.].]
Of his wisdom—
[The contriving of the plan of redemption was the greatest effort of divine wisdom; but this declares that the devising of it was superfluous, and that an attention to it is unnecessary.]
Of his mercy—
[God in infinite mercy offers us salvation through his Son [Note: Isa_55:1-2.]; but this is a determinate refusal of his gracious offers.]
Such is the construction which God himself puts upon it [Note: 1Sa_2:30. Rom_2:4.]—
II. The expostulation itself—
The question in our text is manifestly an indignant expostulation. I ask then,
1. What assurance has any man that God will not require sin?
[Supposing it possible or even probable, who can be certain of it? What folly then must it be to continue in sin through hopes of impunity, when the mistake, if it be one, will be irrevocable, and the consequence of it irremediable! We are bound, in common prudence, to choose the safer side.]
2. Has not God said that he will require sin?
[The testimonies to this effect are most indubitable [Note: 1Co_6:9. Joh_3:3.]. Can we suppose that God will falsify his word [Note: Num_23:19. 2Ti_2:13.]?]
3. Has not God already in many instances required sin?
[Have not individuals, companies, cities, nations, the whole world, yea, man in Paradise, and angels in heaven, been made monuments of divine vengeance [Note: Jude, ver. 6 and 7.]? Why may he not manifest his indignation against us also?]
4. Will not the account be dreadful if he should require sin?
[No heart can conceive the terrors of the final judgment. Who, in his right mind, would risk the loss of heaven, and the suffering of hell?]
5. Can any power or policy of men prevent his requiring sin?
[Let us first avert death from our bodies, or provide an answer to Job’s question [Note: Job_9:4.]; “Who hath hardened himself against God and prospered?” Not earth and hell combined can prevent the punishment of one sinner [Note: Pro_11:21.].]
Application—
[Let us see how deeply we have been involved in this guilt. If our outward actions have been correct, still have we, to an incalculable amount, committed sin by our very thoughts. O let us flee for refuge to the hope set before us! Happy am I to declare that there is a way wherein a person may not only think this in his heart, but express it with his lips. If we believe in Christ, God will never require sin at our hands [Note: Act_13:39.]; and to express it, so far from pouring contempt on God, will greatly honour him. God is not more honoured by any thing than the humble confidence of a believer [Note: Rom_4:20.]. Let us all therefore lay our sins on the head of the true scape-goat, so shall they never be required of us in the day of judgment [Note: Mic_7:19.].]