817. ISA 28:20. THE SHORT BED; OR AN INEFFICIENT RELIGION

Isa_28:20. The Short Bed; or an Inefficient Religion

"For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it."’97Isa_28:20.

Amidst the striking representations of the Prophets, we often meet with beautiful maxims and telling sentences, sayings and proverbs, which illustrate general or particular truths. Now, this remark will apply to the text under consideration. The chapter refers probably to the wars of Israel with the Assyrians, and to the distress in which they would be involved. And then that their efforts at comfort should utterly fail them: "For the bed," &c. Just as a weary traveller lies down to get refreshing repose, but he has not space to stretch out his fatigued limbs, nor a sufficiency of covering to preserve him from the night cold, so should it be to Israel in their calamities. Now we wish to use the text as strikingly portraying the characteristics of an insufficient religion.

Now, I remark,

I. That men in general seem to feel the need of some kind of a religion.

This we need not wonder at, when we remember that man has a moral, as well as a physical and mental nature. His conscience appeals to him on moral duties, and urges him to the attainment of moral blessings. It chastises moral delinquency, and smiles on moral obedience. Hence it is not in the power of mere physical or mental resources, to make man satisfied and happy. Then the history of the world establishes the same truth. The great majority of mankind seek after religious influences. Ignorant of the true God, the wild Indian listens to the winds and storm,’97the Persian gazes on the bright sun,’97the Hindoo on his idol representations.

Where divine revelation exists, men generally seem anxious to adopt some mode of religion. They resort to some form of worship or creed, to meet the longings of their moral nature.

Hence, the superstitious find Romanism just adapted to their feelings. The less superstitious, but ostentatious, find it in the pomp and ceremonies of a splendid hierarchy. The metaphysical look for it in abstruse theories and profound subtleties. The less profound and less superstitious labor after what they term a more rational form; but nearly all evince a desire to have a religion of some kind. Those who have rejected all religious beliefs and all modes of worship, have ever been the very small minorities of the people. For as a rule, the irreligious and ungodly do not deny, so much as they neglect, the great teachings of Nature, Conscience, and Revelation, on the subject. There are few who would not admit the inward cravings of their moral nature, after religious enjoyment and satisfaction.

Let us then notice,

II. What are the obvious signs of an in efficient religion; or, when is "the bed shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it?"

That religion is inefficient which does not,

1. Secure conscious pardon of sin. Every man unquestionably is a sinner. As such, he absolutely needs forgiveness; and without it, he must be callous or wretched.

It is of little moment to the establishment of this point what views we may entertain of the doctrines of the gospel; for whatever may be the standard of moral right they may set up, what man can appeal to his whole life, and say, that by such a standard he is innocent, free from all guilt and from all blame; both as it regards God and man? As to personal iniquity, every mouth is stopped, and every soul stands guilty before God. However varied the shades of guilt and the hues of pollution, there is no heart clean, no conscience righteous before Him whose eyes search the very inmost recesses of the human soul.

Does it not then follow that the religion that does not meet man’s guilt and condemnation with an entire and full pardon, is inefficient? Man’s recovery and blessedness must be based on the entire remission of all his sins.

That religion is inefficient which does not,

2. Give real permanent peace.

Now, dread and anguish and torment are the result of guilt. It is guilt that brings gloom and terror over the soul. It is this which produces the restlessness that is compared to the ever agitated and roaring sea, and which is ever casting up mire and dirt. Just as in the physical system disease produces pain and derangement, so does the plague of sin lead to the distraction and misery of the soul. There is no peace to the wicked, so says revelation’97so says the conscience’97so says that wandering anxious eye’97so says that sinking soul’97so say the despairing and wretched everywhere.

If religion does not hush the storm, still the tempest, and give perfect peace, it is ineffectual. It is equally inefficient,

3. If it does not purify the heart and life.

Holiness bears its own divine recommendation on it; and to make us holy should be the very tendency of religion. Not merely externally moral, but inwardly pure. To subordinate the passions to reason’97the will to God’97the heart in all its confidence and affection to the Saviour. And from this renewed heart, the good stream of practical religion must flow. Now, if religion leaves a man just as he was’97polluted, vile, and wicked, it is manifestly inefficient. It is worthy of reflection, that no religion, except that revealed in the Holy Scriptures, ever contemplated purifying the heart, and sanctifying alike the thoughts and emotions of the soul.

It is inefficient,

4. If it does not give a well-grounded hope for the future.

We are in every respect much more connected and dependent on the future than the present. This is true both as to pleasure and pain. Real enjoyment, therefore, has much to do with our hopes and fears If the light of hope illumines the horizon before us, we are happy. If not, nothing can make us truly so. How true the words’97

"Man never is,

But always to be blest."

Present satisfaction must essentially arise from future prospects. And as this world is not our continued place of abode, the great inquiry arises’97where am I going’97what will my future lot be’97what will be that state which will immediately succeed this life’97will it be a blessed one of rest, of purity, of joy, and of celestial dignity’97will it be glory, immortality, eternal life? Now the religion that does not irradiate the future with the light of heavenly hope, cannot be satisfactory. Where there is not a clear hope of glory and immortality, that religion is inefficient. It is indeed as the bed that is too short, and as the covering that is too narrow. Then observe,

III. What kinds of religion come under this appellation.

And here I might say’97in one sentence’97all kinds, but that of evangelical faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. But observe more, particularly,

1. That it applies to what is styled Natural religion.

This "bed is shorter," &c. Now the religion of Nature, or that which is produced by a contemplation of the works of God, or attending to the light of reason only, is inefficient; as it leaves the most momentous problems unresolved, and the most weighty interrogatories unanswered. It does not reveal what I need to know. The first elementary question’97what is virtue, goodness, religion’97is not distinctly met. What is moral evil’97what does God will’97what does he require from me as a reasonable accountable being’97what mode of worship shall I adopt’97what offerings shall I present? In what does my accountability consist’97shall an investigation of my conduct ever take place’97and where, and when, and for what end’97will he forgive the guilty’97and if so, on what principle’97and what means must I adopt to secure it? Now all these, and ten thousand other great questions, natural religion does not meet,’97and yet, I ought to have satisfactory responses to them, or the "Bed is too short, and the covering too narrow," for my comfort and well-being. We add, too, that natural religion cannot bestow what I so deeply require. It utters no pardon’97bestows no peace’97imparts no holiness’97nor gives a sure hope of immortality. It applies equally,

2. To a mere Ceremonial religion. Ceremonials, even at best, are but signs.

They may be the alphabet of divine words and ideas; but they cannot renew the polluted soul, nor give a reasonable hope of eternal blessedness. Surely it is self-evident that animal sacrifices are but types and shadowings forth of the atonement. Neither the blood of goats nor calves can put away sin. No external rite, irrespective of a believing state of heart, can avail to our peace or satisfaction. And equally inefficient are all divine ordinances, if trusted to, if relied on, as the basis of acceptance with God. Baptism, without faith in the atonement, is a mere outward washing of the body. The Lord’s Supper, without a spiritual reception of Christ and feeding on him by faith, is a mere valueless ceremonial. It cannot be that outward things should affect savingly the inward man, and convey vital power and holiness to the conscience. And however devout may be the feelings, and however exact the observance, a ceremonial religion is like "the bed shorter than a man can stretch himself on it." It equally applies,

3. To a self-righteous religion.

This, however satisfactory to the carnal heart, is especially offensive to God. Self-abasement and humility must be cardinal virtues in all true and acceptable religion. Besides, we may well ask, what can self do’97what are its fruits’97of what has it to boast? The experience of wise pagans, as well as the efforts of the anxious heart of man in all ages, ought to show that true religion must be of heavenly origin; and thus holy and divine in its nature.

It is not for darkness to produce light. It is not in pollution to produce purity. It is not in entire moral impotence to produce moral energy and spiritual power. It is not in a bad fountain to send forth sweet streams; or for thorns to yield figs. The experience of our race has been, that man cannot illumine, renew, and save himself. Now, if he cannot do this, he must be indebted entirely to a higher power, if he becomes renewed at all. Thus, all self-righteousness, and all human vaunting, is at once overthrown. How fully and explicitly is this revealed to us in the word of God. "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, the just shall live by faith."’97Gal_3:10, Gal_3:11. "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."’97Rom_8:3, Rom_8:4. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us. by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour: that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."’97Tit_3:5-7. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."’97Eph_2:8, Eph_2:9.

Application

Then we learn from this subject,

1. That the religion of Christ contains all that we need. Here is pardon, repose, comfort, purity, and hope. This in reality contemplates us in all our guilt and moral pollution, and misery; and brings near to us a full and complete salvation. Here there is,

"A balm for every wound’97

All, all we want, is here."

We ask,

2. Have you this religion in possession? We may understand what religions are false and inefficient’97we may know, too, the way of life as revealed in the gospel’97but the grand inquiry should be’97Do we possess it? In our heart’s experience do we realize it? and are its fruits evidenced in our life and conversation?

3. If not, earnestly now seek it, and secure it. Do you inquire what you shall do to be saved,’97how you shall enjoy the pardoning love of God,’97how receive Divine peace and comfort into your souls? then bear what the commissioned Prophet says’97"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price."’97Isa_55:1. Hear what your gracious Saviour says’97"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls."’97Mat_12:28, Mat_12:29. Hear what the Holy Spirit says, amidst the concluding words of the Apocalypse’97"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."’97Rev_22:17. Then you need not err, for here is truth and light. You need not despair, for here is mercy and grace. You need not even delay, for, "Behold now is the accepted time, and behold now is the day of salvation." "But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven: (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."’97Rom_10:6-10.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS