776. ISA 44:5. PERSONAL RELIGION

Isa_44:5. Personal Religion

"One shall say, I am the Lord’s; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel."’97Isa_44:5.

It appears evident that the prophecy of the text relates to the conversion of the Gentiles to God. And the day of Pentecost seems to be the realization of the visions of the prophet. Then God indeed poured down his Holy Spirit in copious and miraculous effusion; and then it was that persons assembled from every part of the then known world, heard Peter publish the word of life, and there was added to the Church a great multitude of repenting, believing souls. And after the gospel was preached to the Gentile nations, vast accessions were everywhere made to the kingdom of the Messiah. "One said, I am the Lord’s," &c. Our subject is the nature, characteristics and importance of religion.

I. The nature of true religion.

1. It is a, surrender of ourselves to God.

"I am the Lord’s." (1.) He has an original right. He formed us for himself. (2.) He has a reasonable right. I am made for him, he is the end of my being. (3.) He has a redeeming right. He hath ransomed me from death and hell. He says, "I have redeemed thee, not with corruptible things, &c., but with the precious blood of Christ." Now it is to acknowledge all this’97to feel all this’97to act upon the principle of all this. Many give themselves up to sin, many to the world, many to self and their own ways. But in the day of conversion God’s right is felt, and conceded, and the soul says, "I am the Lord’s."

"Take my body, spirit, soul,

Only thou possess the whole."

2. It is an avowed acknowledgment of God.

"Another shall call himself," &c. Profession is demanded by the Lord. We are to bear his name, be his witnesses, confess him before men. Then hold fast that profession; thus did Jesus, thus did the apostles and early Christians. Now in the ordinance of baptism we are immersed into Christ’s name and visibly put him on.

3. It includes union and fellowship with his people.

"Call themselves by the name of Jacob, and surname themselves," &c. "We will go with you," &c. "This people shall be my people, and their God my God." The apostle says of some converts, "They gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us." They that believed and were baptized were together. Religion unites the heart to God, and the spirits of the saints to one another. Building all on one foundation and cemented together; all believers are one spiritual building, or house of God. "Ye are all one in Christ Jesus." Observe,

II. The characteristics of religion as presented in our text.

1. It is personal.

"One shall say, I am," &c. This cannot be said by one for another; no, not by the parent for the child’97not by the wife for her husband, &c. It is expressly individual, between God and the soul. Men are not saved in masses or groups. Each understanding must be enlightened, every conscience convinced, every heart impressed, &c. No such thing as religious or Christian countries, tribes, or congregations. It is lamentably otherwise.

2. It is voluntary.

As we cannot be pious by proxy, neither can we by constraint (I mean force). There is, indeed, a constraint, the constraining love of Jesus’97the constraining power of truth. But these do no violence to the will. Yet responsible. This is clear from the many references to the will. "Why will ye die?" "Ye will not come unto me," &c. "I would have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, but ye would not." "I beseech you, brethren, that ye present yourselves a willing sacrifice," &c. Just as the worshippers brought the gift freely, &c.

3. It is deliberate.

"And another shall subscribe himself," &c. This supposes the utmost coolness and reflection. Convictions may be sudden, impressions vivid and instantaneous; but the surrendering of the heart must be serious and deliberate; they are to abide. Here is the court of mercy, the declaration of God’s love, the offer of eternal life. The terms are all published, the deed is before you, the appeal is made, and the enlightened soul, influenced by the truth and glory of the gospel, takes the pen, affixes his name, ratifies the contract, and makes it valid as his own act and deed.

4. It is determinate.

That is, the full decided act of the mind. A resolution firmly made and taken. See the whole phraseology of the text. Determination is necessary, or our own wavering hearts would produce constant vacillation. Determination is necessary, or the influence of others would shake our purposes, &c. See it in the case of the man who wanted to bid adieu to his friends; another to bury his father. You will never serve Christ until you are determined, fully resolved to do so. Now let us consider,

III. The importance of such a spirit of religion.

1. It is intensely important to Jesus.

For this he dwelt in your flesh, lived, suffered, was abased, and died. Sent his gospel, his Spirit, opened a way to heaven. He invites you to do this, woos, urges, entreats. It is the travail of his soul. Every such case of decision is the reward of his toil, and the satisfaction of his heart.

2. It is of great importance to the pious members of the church.

They pray for this; keep open the sanctuary; invite you. It fills them with joy. The man who does not rejoice in it is not a Christian. He cannot be.

3. It is supremely important to yourselves. It is no vain thing, it is your life. All that is sacred and precious is involved in it. The favor of God. Peace of conscience,’97eternal glory. It is the one thing needful, of everlasting consequence. The soul, heaven, hell, eternity, are all solemnly connected with it, and with your happiness forever and ever.

Application

1. The text is the experience of many here. Do you not rejoice in it? You continue to this day,’97hold fast.

2. Are not many inquiring? Decide, be prompt.

3. Who refuses? Oh, reconsider. "Be wise," &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS