218. JOH 6:27. THE BEST LABOR
Joh_6:27. The Best Labor
"Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life."’97Joh_6:27.
Happy would it have been for thousands who were favored with Christ’s ministry had they known and improved the day of their visitation. Instead of this, many followed Christ out of mere curiosity, while others were only anxious to eat of that temporal food which he miraculously provided. Jesus had just been reminding them of this, Joh_5:26, and then he exhorts them not to "Labor for the meat which perisheth," &c.
Notice,
I. The Prohibition.
"Labor not for the meat which perisheth."
Let us,
1. Explain this prohibition.
By meat we understand all temporal good things;’97as food, raiment, &c. &c. That variety and fulness of blessings which God has provided for us in this life. These things are perishable. Every thing around us is of this description. All things perish in the using of them. Never meet the wants of the soul. Have no reference to the eternal world. To labor not for these, cannot mean we are to be indifferent, and absolutely careless about them. We are enjoined to work, &c., 2Th_3:10. Indolence is a sin against a benign Providence. All good men were diligently and industriously employed. The patriarchs’97prophets’97Paul, yea, even the blessed and divine Jesus.
Let us then,
2. Illustrate the meaning.
We should not labor for these things,
(1) Pre-eminently. Should not have our chief first care. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God," &c. "One thing is needful," &c.
We should not labor,
(2) For an abundance of these things We do not require much. Jesus taught us to pray for "daily bread." "A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance," &c. "Having food and raiment," &c.
We should not labor,
(3) Anxiously. We may labor cheerfully, continually, and diligently; but we are to be "anxious for nothing." See Christ’s Address, Mat_6:25.
Let us,
3. Enforce the Prohibition.
We ought not thus to labor for the "meat," &c.
(1) Because they are uncertain. We are not sure that by any amount of labor we can get them. Race not to the swift, &c. Neither can we always retain them. Often make wings, &c. Called "uncertain riches."
(2) They are not capable of yielding happiness. A little of them cannot. Much cannot. The whole world cannot.
Their possession,
(3) Involves great responsibility. They are all talents which are committed to us. We must give an account. If not sacredly improved will prove treasures of wrath. Drown us in perdition. The rich fool Dives, &c.
Notice,
II. The Direction.
"But for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life."
1. That meat is Christ and his benefits. Hence he represents himself as the Bread of Life. And he says, "his flesh is meat indeed, and his blood is drink indeed." He is the soul’s clothing, and portion, and treasure, and life. All and in all.
2. This meat is certain and durable.
"Endures unto everlasting life."
(1) No amount of participants can diminish, much less exhaust it. The whole world may eat and be satisfied.
(2) Its benefits are permanent and abiding. Whoso eateth and drinketh, hunger and thirst no more.
(3) Eternal in its results. Forms and nourishes spiritual life in the soul here, and matures it in the world to come. Eternal riches’97eternal blessings. And joys for evermore.
3. This meat deserves and requires our arduous and constant labor.
Not to merit it, but to enjoy it. Not to be worthy of it, but by it. This labor is fervent believing supplication. We are to ask for it in faith, &c. To agonize until we possess it, &c. Then watchfully and prayerfully to hold fast, &c. "Work out our salvation," &c.
Now we ought to labor for this,
(1) Supremely. Worthy of our chief regard. Great end of life, &c.
(2) Diligently. Lest we should fall &c., and come short of God’s rest. "Give all diligence," &c. "Be diligent to be found of him in peace."
(3) Constantly and with perseverance, until we receive the crown of life. We shall need it through life and until death.
Application
Learn,
1. The utter fallacy of all earthly pursuits. If earthly good can be obtained, it will not, it cannot endure. Our souls will be poor and wretched through eternity. The world itself will be burnt up with fire.
2. The preeminence of Gospel benefits; present’97satisfying and eternal.
3. The necessity of laboring for their possession. Thinking, conversing, desiring, are in vain without laboring.
4. Such invaluable blessings are worthy of our entire and devoted pursuits.
5. All who labor sincerely and evangelically shall possess them.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS