265. PSA 17:14. THE WORLDLY MAN’S PORTION
Psa_17:14. The Worldly Man’s Portion
"Men of the world, who have their portion in this life."’97Psa_17:14.
The world is at total enmity with God It is under the control and evil agency of that wicked one who is styled "the prince of this world." It is represented as wholly lying in wickedness; and all its votaries and friends are declared to be the enemies of God. Its spirit, maxims, and pursuits, are at utter variance with the laws and Spirit of God. Our text refers to the portion it confers upon its children. "Men of the world, who have their portion in Jus life."
Let us,
I. Describe the Character
And,
II. Notice the Portion they possess.
I. Describe the Character.
"Men of the world."
It does not mean all those who are in it, or those who have merely to transact its lawful affairs, but those who are of it’97who are its children, and have the mark of worldliness upon them.
Among these signs and marks is,
1. Unregeneracy.
Naturally we are born of it. Our first nature and our first estate is worldly. And thus we possess this nature, and grow up in it, until Divine grace renews and changes the heart. No influence or education can alter the fact; nothing but regeneration gives a new nature.
Then they are distinguished,
2. For worldly principles.
And all these relate to something of the world. God is not in all their thoughts. Life, earth, and time, are all with them; and God, and eternity, and heaven, have no place in all their thoughts.
Then,
3. Their maxims are worldly.
Here worldly honor is preferred to the honor of God. Worldly pleasures, and riches, to those which are holy, spiritual, and divine. God says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God." They say, "We will first seek the things of the world," &c.
They are also distinguished,
4. By their associates.
They love those who are worldly. These are their companions, friends, confederates. &c. There is kindredness of spirit, identity of pursuit, fellow-likeness of feeling, &c.
They are known,
5. By the unvarying tenor of their pursuits.
They may choose a thousand different objects of pursuit, but still they are all worldly. Worldly books, worldly science, worldly engagements, &c. They think, and speak, and live, and act, in reference to the world.
And they are also known,
6. By their worldly affections and delights.
They love the world. Their hearts are set upon it; its scenes are beauteous to them; its sounds melodious; its pleasures sweet; their fears and anxieties have all to do with the world. So their griefs and sorrows; so their pleasures and their joys. The world is their idol, and to it they are wedded, and after it they go. Such is the character.
Notice, then,
II. The Portion the World confers upon them.
They do not serve the world for naught. They have a portion; sometimes of honor, sometimes pleasure; sometimes its riches; sometimes all of these. More than these it has not, therefore cannot bestow. Now, supposing all these are given, and in great abundance, what is the true estimate of this portion? What its real value?
1. It is unsatisfying.
Cannot make happy. An aching void remains, and the whole world cannot fill it. They may drink a little, or drink deeply, but still the preying anxiety, the racking torture, is unallayed. Solomon tried the whole round, and then exclaimed, "Vanity," &c.
The chief reason why it satisfies not, is,
2. Because it is unsuitable.
The ethereal mind must have ethereal enjoyments. The soul was made for God and spiritual things. The whole material globe, with all it can afford, must therefore be insufficient for its happiness.
This portion is,
3. Only a present one.
"In this life." Only for the present time. A portion now; a portion which can only endure during existence in this world. The honors, pleasures, and riches of this world have no currency in the future state. The portion is for time, man for eternity.
But besides,
4. It is uncertain.
Unsuitable as it is, we cannot make it secure. Mutability is inscribed on all beneath the sun. All things are perishing. The fashion of this world passeth away. We may be smitten in our friends, health, reason; or all our possessions may flee away as an eagle towards heaven. Behold God taketh away, and who can hinder?
5. It is a ruinous portion.
The world is well in its place, that is, under our feet; but it is death when it dwells in the heart. It is the wasting mildew, the deadly potion, the blasting tempest, the destructive pestilence. Look at Belshazzar, rich fool, Herod, &c. It a man will make the world his portion, he cannot have Christ’s salvation, God’s favor, or eternal life.
Application
1. What is your portion? You may ascertain this by the bent of your desires, by the tenor of your conversation, and by the current of your thoughts.
2. God offers himself for your acceptance. He wants to be yours, to fill you with present blessedness, and lead you to eternal glory.
3. This portion is accepted by faith in the Lord Jesus. He that receiveth the Son hath the Father, and eternal life.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS