401. ECC 7:20. HUMAN IMPERFECTIONS

Ecc_7:20. Human Imperfections

"For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good and sinneth not."’97Ecc_7:20.

Variety meets our eye in every department of the works of God. No doubt the world of mind would be found to be as varied as the world of matter. The same observation will apply to the moral features of the children of God; all degrees of knowledge, holiness, and goodness; one spiritual star, &c.; some babes in Christ; some ripening for glory. One truth applies to the whole, "There is not," &c. Notice,

I. The Truth asserted.

Not a perfectly just, good, and sinless man.

1. The most signalized of the people of God were not sinless and perfect.

Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, David, and Elijah. Look at New Testament times; the disciples, James and John, desired fire from heaven, &c. Peter, Paul, and Barnabas.

2. The work of sanctification is progressive.

And this includes the daily mortification of sin. See Paul’s description, Romans 7 : "I am crucified," &c. "Mortify," &c.

3. The prayer Christ taught his disciples establishes it.

"Forgive us," &c. Here sin is implied.

4. The sensible experience of God’s children evidences it.

Let their actions, words, thoughts, and desires, be brought to the divine law; a law so vast and searching, and requiring absolute and undeviating obedience.

II. The Use believers should make of this Truth.

1. It should produce deepest abasement of mind.

No pride or self-complacency; no self-trust, &c. The dust is our place.

2. Daily confession and prayer to God.

We are not to cover, but to confess and seek mercy.

3. Constantly resting on the work of Christ, and on the blood of the atonement.

What should we do but for this fountain. Here we must rest, &c. "Make mention of his righteousness," &c.

4. To avoid setting before us human-examples.

We must walk after the perfect model. This only in Christ. "Without sin" belongs to Jesus only.

5. To cultivate a holy vigilance over ourselves.

"Watch and pray," &c. "What I say unto all," &c. How necessary always to fear.

6. To cherish holy confidence and avoid despair.

God did not cast them off in days of old. "He knoweth," &c.

7. To seek after meetness for eternal glory.

Always pressing onwards. More and more of Christ’s mind, &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS