156. 2TI 1:7. THE RATIONALITY OF RELIGION

2Ti_1:7. The Rationality of Religion

"A sound mind."’972Ti_1:7.

Religion has been attacked in every possible way. It has especially been represented as grounded in mental weakness, and a sure sign of intellectual deficiency. The very opposite of this is the case. Sin is folly, the essence of folly’97direct and ruinous folly. Religion is true wisdom, imparts real dignity, and is a sure evidence of a sound mind.

I. A Sound Mind condemns all that is vain and trifling; so does Religion.

Pleasures, riches, titles, and distinctions of this life, all empty, mere show, uncertain, and unsatisfactory. Now, while religion thus leads to a right estimation of these, she presents spiritual pleasure, heavenly riches, divine titles and distinctions; and gives real, present, and satisfactory good to the soul.

II. A Sound Mind avoids Credulity and so does Religion.

The credulous believe without, or on imperfect, evidence. Take all for what it is represented to be. Religion is based on full and satisfactory evidence. Evidence arising from fulfilment of prophecy. Miracles. Moral evidence. The excellency, purity, and holy influence it exerts over the heart, and tongue, and life. A religion that has been sifted, and tried, and tested by thousands of malignant foes; and by thousands of candid, sincere, and honest men. A religion that invites to scrutiny and close investigation.

III. A Sound Mind is opposed to Superstition; so is Religion.

A superstitious person sees every object through a dark medium. All is tinged with the distorted peculiarities of his own benighted mind. Services, and ceremonies, and rites are magnified so as to hold the mind in a state of slavish awe and tormenting dread. Now, the religion of Christ is a religion of principles, and not of mere vagaries. It is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. It is light in the mind’97love in the heart’97and obedience in the life.

IV. A Sound Mind is the opposite of Fanaticism; so is Religion.

A fanatic is one who is in an overheated state of mind; the sport of unregulated passions; a devotee at the shrine of mystery; a believer in visions; and one who conceives that his standard of doctrines and services is the only one of unerring accuracy. Religion is calm, and serenely bright; she is directed by the truth; stands firm on the rock of revelation; proves all things; and abides by that which is lovely, and amiable, and of good report; is humble, and meek, and full of charity.

V. A Sound Mind is opposed to Skepticism; so is Religion.

A skeptic is one who is never satisfied with evidence; and remains unbelieving, though surrounded by the light of clear and palpable truth. A Christian tries what is revealed, and buys the truth, and having bought, delights in it, abides by it, and sells it not. The infidel displays the unsoundness of his mind to a glaring degree when he professes to believe that the world is the result of accident, or self-created’97that it governs, and regulates, and preserves itself’97that man is a mere refined brute’97the soul, a chimera’97Christ, an impostor’97religion, a fable’97and eternity, a mere dream. The Christian appeals to the word of God; and on all these subjects takes it as his sure and unerring guide.

VI. A Sound Mind is opposed to Insensibility and Indifference; so is Religion.

It cannot be wise to be careless of our present happiness, and indifferent to our well-being. Recklessness, in all cases, is folly and madness. Religion secures present safety and enjoyment; and aspires after a state of perfect felicity in another world. The soul and its salvation’97heaven and its glories’97and eternity and its realities, are all and in all.

Urge true and vital religion upon all. Urge it, especially, upon the child of vanity’97the credulous’97the superstitious’97the fanatical’97the skeptical’97and the careless.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS