468. ROM 6:22. BELIEVERS SERVANTS OF GOD
Rom_6:22. Believers Servants Of God
"Become servants to God."’97Rom_6:22.
The apostle is contrasting the believer’s past with his present condition. Once, he reminds the converted Romans, they were strangers to righteousness and the servants of sin. A state of debasement, and of the fruit of which they were now sincerely ashamed. A state too, which would have terminated in death: "For the end of those things is death." But by the saving grace of God they had been emancipated from sin and its degrading vassalage, and were now "become the servants of God." What kind of service is that which the Christian yields to God?
I. It is voluntary Service.
In the day when sin is abandoned and the gospel of salvation is cordially embraced, the soul, and heart, and mind, are yielded to God. As a living sacrifice they lay themselves on God’s holy altar. They cheerfully devote themselves to the service and glory of God. God has displayed his willingness to engage us in his service by removing every impediment out of the way; by redeeming us from the curse of the law and the dominion of the devil; by sending us his gracious and tender invitations full of mercy and compassion; by tendering to us the richest promises in entering on his holy service. To these by cordial faith the believer assents, and freely engages to serve the Lord Christ. As it begins voluntarily, so also is it thus continued. Nothing else would please God. Nothing else would indicate a state of grace, or evidence the love of God shed abroad in the soul.
II It is comprehensive Service.
As comprehensive as the revealed will of God. A service which includes the supreme love and veneration of God; the constant exercise of the devotional services of the heart; an unwavering regard to the glory of God in all things; personal advancement in knowledge and true holiness; a scriptural regard to the relative duties of life; a fervent employment of all our powers, talents, and means for the prosperity of Zion, and the diffusion of the gospel of Christ. In one word, seeking the honor and approbation of God in all things’97"Living to the Lord"’97embodying his commandments in our hearts and lives, and laboring to do "whatsoever he has commanded."
III. It is arduous Service.
Requiring the giving up to it the whole soul. Cannot be performed acceptably in a listless, supine state of mind. A service which calls for incessant zeal, for continuous fervor. A service involving life, energy, and resolution. It is arduous because of the internal dislike which the natural man has to it,’97because of the temptations by which it is assailed,’97because of the crosses and trials often connected with it. And,
IV. It is highly responsible Service.
For which an account will be demanded, and which must be given. He says, "Occupy" this sphere "until I come." He giveth talents and opportunities, &c., and will return and reckon with his servants This responsibility is personal,’97solemn, and connected with consequences most momentous and everlasting. Glory, honor, bliss, and immortality, to those who do well. Shame, misery, and ruin, to those who are unfaithful and do evil. Yet,
V. It is delightful Service.
"Her ways are ways of pleasantness." There is nothing grievous to the rightly regulated mind in all the commandments or ordinances of the Lord.
On the other hand, the service of the Lord is connected,
1. With intellectual dignity.
It includes a sound mind. It is the glory of reason to be employed for God. It elevates all the powers of the soul. Expands the feelings of the heart, and capacitates the imagination for the loftiest and most sublime contemplations. To serve God is the glory of angels, the highest dignity of cherubim and seraphim. It gives to the soul both intellectual and moral elevation 2. With real enjoyment.
The enjoyment of a pacific conscience towards God. The enjoyment of inward heavenly peace. The enjoyment of God’s gracious smile. The enjoyment of the Holy Spirit, as the earnest or pledge of the future inheritance. The possession of a good hope, and joy unspeakable and full of glory.
3 With great profit.
Service of God is profitable to all things. To body and mind. To ourselves and others. To the life that now is, and that which is to come. The profit is real,’97great,’97invaluable,’97and everlasting.
VI. It is a Service which will be gloriously recompensed.
Beyond mere right. Not according to our imperfect part, and almost valueless services, but according to the exceeding riches of the goodness and grace of God. There will be dominion, triumph, joy, a crown, a throne, and a kingdom. Honor, riches, and glory. Exalted dignity and eternal life. What a reward! How vast and inconceivably glorious. How infinitely transcending all our desires and thoughts. Worthy of boundless love and immeasurable grace
APPLICATION
1. On the servants of God we urge great lowliness of mind. Watchfulness. Diligence and perseverance. "Be faithful unto death."
2. To the servants of God we present the promises of sufficient grace here, and eternal life in the world to come.
3. We invite the servants of sin to forsake the work of evil and death, and to take Christ’s yoke, &c.
4. The day of reckoning for all is at hand.
LXIV.’97SAINTS PILGRIMS ON THE EARTH.
"And pilgrims on the earth."’97Heb_11:13.
The text relates to believers of Old Testament times, to whose history the apostle had been referring in the previous verses. He had spoken of Abel the first martyr. Of Enoch who was translated and did not see death. Of Noah who built the ark for the saving of his house. Of Abraham who went out, not knowing whither he went. Of Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. He then gives the delightful summary, "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." But equally true is it of all the people of God in every age of the world. This state is the house of the godly man’s pilgrimage. To us then do the words equally refer. Let us ascertain,
I. What is included in the Metaphor
And,
II. The Qualifier sons and Duties which are involved in it.
I. What is included in the Metaphor.
A pilgrim is one without a fixed habitation, and who is journeying through a strange and foreign land. See Heb_11:14, Heb_11:15.
1. The pilgrim’s original home was in the city of destruction.
In this he was born and educated. Here he lived and dwelt. Here he followed the carnal employments of the citizens. In this state he was far from God. Far from peace. Far from safety. He was an alien without God, without Christ, without hope. A child of wrath even as others.
2. His pilgrimage commenced through the influence of the gospel on his heart.
The truth came unto him. His misery and peril were depicted. His condition of ruin was declared. Escape and instant flight were urged upon him. A better land was revealed. Gospel salvation, including present rest and future glory, were published. Receiving the truth of the gospel, he abandoned the city of guilt and death, and fled for refuge to the hope set before him.
3. By faith in Gods testimony he set his face towards the heavenly Zion.
He believed God, and therefore set his heart to seek
"A city out of sight,
A city in the skies."
A city whose builder and founder is God. The city of the new and heavenly Jerusalem. The inheritance of light.
4. As a pilgrim he claims no possession in the country through which he passes.
His good is not here. His affections are placed on high. He lays not up treasures on the earth. He considers all around him as mutable, and therefore he buys as through he bought not, rejoices as though he rejoiced not &c. He considers the world as the desert in the way to Canaan,’97the sea over which he crosses to the shores of glory. His treasure is in heaven, and his heart is there also.
5. As a pilgrim he travels onward towards the city of habitation.
He goes from stage to stage From experience to experience. From faith to faith. From dawn to day. From infancy to mature years, and on to old age. He advances in knowledge, love, obedience, and holiness, and thus increases in heavenly mindedness, and fitness for the society and services of the celestial Jerusalem. Genuine religion is progressive’97deepening, expanding, and persevering to the end. Consider,
II. The Qualifications and Duties involved in it.
1. A pilgrim’s heart.
And that is a renewed heart. One delivered from the love of sin and the world. A new heart. Heavenly nature. One under spiritual attractions, and moved by spiritual influences. Of all qualifications this is first and chief. A man must be born from above, before he will live for it, and seek it.
2. A pilgrim’s head.
A knowledge of his way. Of the good old way. The way revealed in the holy scriptures. A way written in the luminous words of God. A way trodden by all preceding pilgrims journeying to Zion. Without a clear and full knowledge of this, all would be dubious and perplexed.
3. A pilgrim’s spirit.
The spirit which has animated every child of God.
(1) Of devotion and direct intercourse with God.
(2) Of praise: singing his statutes, and rejoicing in his grace.
(3) Of self-denial: sacrificing self, and Submitting fully to the will of God
(4) Of faith and hope: believing and trusting in the truth and goodness of the promises of God.
(5) Of vigilance to watch against enemies and perils.
(6) Of perseverance: holding on his way.
4. A pilgrim’s resources.
These are generally of a very humble character. No chariot, or retinue, or luxuries. No ease, or rest, or worldly pleasures. But he must have
(1) His staff on which to lean. And this is the pledged promise of God, that his own presence shall go with him, and never, never leave him.
(2) His provision. Bread and water given him from heaven. The true manna and the streams of salvation. "If any man thirst," "Lord, evermore give us," &c.
(3) His nouses of entertainment. Places where he can be welcomed to the hospitable board, and chamber of repose. These are the ordinances of religion, and the various social and private means of grace. "The Lord is my shepherd," &c.
(4) Suitable raiment, and especially sandals for his journey. "Thy shoes shall be iron and brass," &c. "Feet shod," &c.
Application
1. How really happy is the Christian pilgrim. His sorrows and crosses will soon be over, and that forever. His present comforts and blessings are rich and numerous.
2. How glorious the end of his journey. The heavenly Jerusalem. The city of God. World of light, and life, and glory.
3. Urge sinners to set out on this spiritual pilgrimage.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS