Author Thread: All other systems of religion (or rather of "philosophy falsely so called") allure their disciples by the indulgence of carnal lust or self complacent pride.
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All other systems of religion (or rather of "philosophy falsely so called") allure their disciples by the indulgence of carnal lust or self complacent pride.
Posted : 6 Aug, 2013 02:21 AM

Psalm 119:140 Your word is very pure: therefore Your servant loves it



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The Psalmist's love for the law of his God may account for the

zeal he felt on account of its general neglect. All other

systems of religion (or rather of "philosophy falsely so called")

allure their disciples by the indulgence of carnal lust or self complacent pride. The word of God outweighs them all in its

chief excellence-peculiar to itself-its purity. "Every word is very

pure- tried to the uttermost" in the furnace, and found to be

absolutely without dross. Its promises are without a shadow of

change or unfaithfulness. Its precepts reflect the holy image of

their Divine Author. In a word, it contains 'truth without any

mixture of error for its matter'-Therefore Your servant loves it.

'No one but a true servant of God can therefore love it,

because it is pure; since he who loves it must desire to be like

it, to feel its efficacy, to be reformed by it.' The unlettered

believer cannot well discern its sublimity; but he loves it for its

holiness. The mere scholar, on the other hand, admires its

sublimity-but the secrets which it reveals (such as the pride of

the natural heart struggles to conceal) forbid him to love it. Its

purity, which is the matter of love to the one, excites enmity in

the other. From "the glass" which shows him "his natural

face"-his neglected obligations-his fearfully self-deluded state and his appalling prospects-he turns away in disgust. The

indulgence of sin effectually precludes the benefit of the most

industrious search into the word of God. The heart must

undergo an entire renewal-it must be sanctified and cleansed,

yes, be "baptized with the Holy Spirit," before it can discern,

or- when it has discerned-can love, the purity of the word of

God. Witness the breathings of Brainerd's soul in this holy

atmosphere-'Oh, that my soul were holy, as He is holy! Oh,

that it were pure, even as Christ is pure; and perfect, as my

Father in heaven is perfect! These I feel are the sweetest

commands in God's book, comprising all others.' 'Oh, how

refreshing'- exclaims the beloved Martyn-'and supporting to

my soul was the holiness of the word of God! Sweeter than

the sweetest promise at this time, was the constant and

manifest tendency of the word, to lead men to holiness and

the deepest seriousness.'

The valuable end for which we "desire this word" is, "that we

may grow thereby"-grow in purity of heart and conduct;

learning to shrink from the touch of sin; "cleansing ourselves

from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, and perfecting holiness in

the fear of God." Our "esteem" for it-"more than our necessary

food"-will be in proportion to our growth in grace, an evidence

of this growth, and a constant spring of holy enjoyment.

An additional excitement to love its purity is the exhibition of

that purity embodied in our perfect pattern, in Him, who was

"holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners." For

the habit of "beholding the Savior" with the eye of faith "in the

glass of the word," conforms us to His image. But be it ever

remembered, that its holiness can have no fellowship, and

communicate no life, except in its own atmosphere. Oh, for a

larger influence of the Spirit of God upon our souls, that we

may enjoy the purifying delights of the word of God; that we

may live in it, live by it to the glory of our dear Redeemer, and

to the edification of His Church!



by

Charles Bridges

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