193. EXO 32:26. THE LORD’S SIDE

Exo_32:26. The Lord’s Side

"Who is on the Lord’s side?"’97Exo_32:26.

Introduction.’97Situation of Moses on the Mount with Jehovah. Infatuated and wicked conduct of the people. God’s displeasure against them; ver. 10. Intercession of Moses. Destruction of three thousand. The watchword given: "Who is on the Lord’s side? let him come to me." Let us consider, I. What is implied in being on the "Lord’s side?"

It implies,

1. A decided renunciation of the cause of sin.

All men naturally and practically are sinners. This state must, therefore, be reversed. Sin felt, hated, forsaken, truly repented of, change of heart experienced, and change of life manifested. It implies,

2. Believingly to choose God as our portion.

God is reconciled to us through the death of Christ. He offers us his love, his favor, himself. We must, therefore, accept of him, and receive him into our hearts by faith. "This God shall be my God forever and ever." It includes,

3. Cheerful obedience to his commands.

We are on his side if we delight in his law’97if we keep his precepts’97if we obey his commandments. "Ye are my friends," &c. "This is the love of God," &c. It includes,

4. An undaunted profession of his religion.

To bear his name. To worship him before the world. To commence, and to bold fast a good profession Let our lights shine, &c. To be his disciples, witnesses confessors. It includes,

5. A consecration of all we possess to his honor and glory.

A full and free surrender of our all to him. Talents, wealth, influence, all. To feel, and to act, as knowing that we are not our own; that God has a right to the whole, &c.

Notice,

II. The Advantages arising from being on the "Lord’s side."

1. It is the most honorable side.

Sin is disgraceful to a rational and intellectual being. It involves in disgrace, and tends to everlasting ignominy and contempt. Those on the Lord’s side have true honor. Angels honor them by ministering to them. God honors them. And they will be publicly honored before an assembled world at the last day.

2. It is the most happy side.

No peace or true joy to the wicked. Like the troubled sea. Like the demoniac. The Christian has peace with God. Inward tranquillity, and joy in the Holy Ghost. "Ways are ways of pleasantness," &c. The retrospect, the present experience, and the future prospect, are all fraught with happiness to the children of God.

3. It is the most useful side.

Sin is as injurious to others as ruinous to ourselves. But this is the side of goodness, pity, and mercy. Breathes universal benevolence to all men. Makes man a blessing to the world.

4. It is the most safe side.

No other state is safe. Sinner is guilty, condemned, and the wrath of God abideth on him. "Wicked shall be turned into hell," &c. Those on the Lord’s side are justified, adopted into God’s family, renewed by the Holy Spirit, and possess a title and growing meetness for eternal glory. "Who shall harm you," &c. "If God be for us," &c. "Who shall lay any thing to the charge," &c.

Application

(1) Congratulate those on the Lord’s side. Exhort them to steadfastness and perseverance. (2) Invite poor ruined sinners to throw down their weapons and sue for mercy. (3) Plead with the miserable backslider, that he may return to the Shepherd and Bishop of his soul. "I will heal his backslidings, &c., saith the Lord."

Autor: JABEZ BURNS