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PRACTICAL RELIGION ENFORCED
IT is impossible to read the psalm before us and not see that true religion is altogether of a practical nature. Doubtless, in the first instance, the Inspired Volume reveals to us a way of reconciliation with our offended God, through the blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ: but its ultimate object is, to bring our hearts into a conformity to the mind and will of God. In the words before us we see all that is most interesting to the child of God:
I. His indispensable duties—
God commands us, not only to return to him in a way of penitence, but to walk before him in a way of holy obedience.
This he requires throughout the Holy Scriptures—
[He requires it by Moses [Note: Deu_5:29.], and the prophets [Note: Jer_7:22-23.]; by Christ also [Note: Mat_28:20.], and his holy Apostles [Note: 1Pe_1:15-16.]. Indeed, to bring us to holiness of heart and life was the very end for which he gave his only-begotten Son [Note: 1Jn_3:8.], and for which Christ himself died [Note: Tit_2:4.] And every command is enforced with an authority which it is at our peril to disregard [Note: Jam_2:10-12.].]
He requires, too, that in this duty we exert ourselves with “diligence”—
[This is again and again insisted on [Note: Deu_11:13; Deu_11:18; Deu_11:22.], both in relation to the keeping of the heart [Note: Pro_4:23.], and to the whole of our deportment through life [Note: 2Pe_1:10; 2Pe_3:14.]. We are particularly called to “set our heart” to this work [Note: Deu_32:46.], that we may understand it in all its parts, and perform it in its utmost extent. In a word, “This is the will of God, even our sanctification [Note: 1Th_4:3.].”]
How the true saint stands affected towards his duties, may here be seen in,
II. His impassioned desire—
The perfection of a Christian is seen far more in his desires than in his actual attainments.
He feels and mourns over his manifold defects—
[It might be supposed, that the more holy any man were, the more self-complacent he would be: but the very reverse of this is the truth: for, the more holy any man is, the clearer and more enlarged are his views of God’s holy law, and, consequently, the deeper his sense of his short-comings and defects [Note: Rom_7:9.]. Hence he complains with St. Paul, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me [Note: Rom_7:24.]?”]
He desires the gift of God’s Holy Spirit, to remedy these defects—
[He knows, by sad experience how liable he is to be deceived, even whilst he is endeavouring to do the will of God. “His heart is deceitful [Note: Jer_17:9.],” and easily betrayed into error, by its prejudices, its passions, its interests. And sin itself also is deceitful, putting on, in ten thousand instances, the garb of holiness, and the semblance of duty [Note: Heb_3:13.]. And Satan is a subtle adversary, that has at command ten thousand wiles and devices, whereby to ensnare him [Note: 2Co_11:3.]. What, then, shall the Christian do? He can look only to God, for the gift of his Holy Spirit to guide him aright and to direct his steps [Note: Pro_3:6.]. Hence, from his inmost soul, he prays, “Hold thou me up, O Lord [Note: Psa_17:5.]!” yea, “Direct my heart into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ’s future advent [Note: 2Th_3:5.]!”]
But, in the midst of all his troubles, we may behold,
III. His assured encouragement—
Were he left to himself, he well knows he must perish. But “his hope is in the Lord his God.”
That which is required of him, is, to be upright before God—
[God “requireth truth in the inward parts [Note: Psa_51:6.].” However defective we be in our attainments, there must be no insincerity in our desires. We must “account all God’s commandments concerning all things to be right, and must hate every false way [Note: ver. 128.].” In our regard to them, there must be “no partiulity, no hypocrisy [Note: Jam_3:17.]:” the smallest commandment must not be considered as light [Note: Mat_5:19.], nor the greatest be deemed “grievous [Note: 1Jn_5:3.].” “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do [Note: Act_9:6.]?” must be his daily prayer; and to fulfil every command of God, the constant habit of his mind.]
With this one acquisition, he has nothing to fear—
[“God will uphold the upright man [Note: Psa_37:17.],” Satan may tempt him; his own in-dwelling corruptions may assault him; and he may at times be so harassed, us to be almost at his wit’s end [Note: Psa_77:7-9.];” but “God will keep him, by his own power, through faith, unto everlasting salvation [Note: 1Pe_1:5.].” The weaker the Christian feels himself, the more “will God perfect his own strength in his weakness [Note: 2Co_12:9.];” nor shall “the hope that has been formed in him ever make him ashamed [Note: Rom_5:5.]:” no: “he shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation; and shall not be ashamed or confounded, world without end [Note: Isa_45:17.].”]
Be ye then, Brethren, christians indeed—
[Get just views of your duty, both towards God and man — — — And be like-minded with God in relation to it, desiring nothing but to be, and do, all that God himself requires — — — And know where all your help and hope is; not in yourselves, but in the Lord your God, who alone can “guide you by his counsel, so as ultimately to bring you to his glory [Note: Psa_73:24.]” — — — And “may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, make you perfect in every good work, to do his will; working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ! to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen [Note: Heb_13:20-21.].”]