525. LUK 17:7, LUK 17:10. PARABLE OF THE UNPROFITABLE SERVANT

Luk_17:7, Luk_17:10. Parable of the Unprofitable Servant

"But which of you, having a servant ploughing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink," &c.’97Luk_17:7, Luk_17:10.

How important it is that we should have correct views of the divine claims upon us, and the spirit in which those claims should be met. We can err as to our duty through ignorance, or as to the manner of performing it, through the pride which is within us. It is clear that God does not require meritorious services from us in order to our acceptance with him, yet he does require the obedient homage of all who are accepted of him. The sacrifice of Christ alone is the ground of our acceptance,’97the evidence of it, the fruits of practical godliness. The parable illustrates the nature of the service God requires. The support he affords in it. And the divine independency with respect to it. Observe,

I. The nature of the service God requires. It is indicated by the labors of the servants who are described as "ploughing or feeding cattle." That is, doing his work. Attending to his concerns. Now God just requires that we do his bidding. And this he,

1. Has revealed in his word. A knowledge of his statutes will make us acquainted with his will and our duty. Personal, social, and public duties, are all revealed here. The duties we owe immediately to him, to his people, and to the world. The whole province of obedience is mapped out in his holy word.

2. For this he has given us the capacity and powers which are essential. In his laws he has consulted our abilities and powers. He demands nothing that cannot be fully yielded. He seeks only according to the ability he bestows, and expects a return just in proportion to the talents committed to our trust. The obedience he claims must possess the following characteristics.

(1.) It must be the obedience of love. Not of terror or constraint. Not servile,’97but affectionate. "This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments," &c.

(2.) It must be spiritual. There must be the act, and also the spirit in the action performed. No service will please him which is not spiritual.

(3.) It must have respect to all his commandments. It must be entire,’97obeying all his will.

(4.) It must be constant. The habit of the life. The daily course. In all things seeking to please him.

(5.) It must be persevering fidelity unto death. Occupying till he shall come. Working to the end of the day of life. Observe,

II. The support he gives in it. This is implied in his sitting down to "eat and drink," Luk_17:7, Luk_17:8. Notice,

1. God gives ability for the service. The daily strength is imparted by him. All our power and sufficiency is of God. We can do all things through Christ, who strengtheneth us.

2. He provides daily food for the soul. The bread of life, and the waters of salvation. Grace according to the day. Food to eat,’97of which the world knows nothing. The rich and sufficient blessings of the gospel.

3. He gives satisfaction and peace in the service. They have great peace who keep thy law, &c. The peace of faithful servants flows as a river. A satisfaction and joy, sweet and unspeakable. The devoted servant of the Lord sings,

"I would not change my blest estate,

For all the world calls good and great."

All proper labor tendeth to profit, but the service of God especially and preeminently. "Godliness is profitable," &c. But there is also,

4. The joy arising from the hope of reward. Unto the servants of the Lord are given exceeding great and precious promises. Promises of future and eternal glory. His faith often anticipates the glory that shall be revealed, and the crown that fadeth not away. "I know whom I have believed," &c. Notice,

III. The divine independency with respect to this service. Doth the master thank "that servant because he did the things that were commanded," &c., Luk_17:9. Now the force of this will be seen when it is remembered,

1. That no man can go beyond the divine claims in his obedience. God claims the entire obedience of body, soul, and spirit. So that works of supererogation are literally impossible.

2. God’s goodness to man is ever beyond the services he receives from him. So that man must by necessity ever be a debtor to God.

3. That man’s best services are, in consequence of his infirmities, frail and imperfect. So that he must ever be the subject of the divine forbearance and longsuffering. "For he knoweth our frame, and remembereth that we are dust." It is only through the virtue of the Saviour’s mediation, that either the person or obedience of man can be accepted of the Lord. How fitting then that they should say, "We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do," Luk_17:10.

Learn,

1. How necessary is humility even to the most exalted saints. Indeed in proportion to the progress of religion in the soul, will true and unfeigned humility be evinced. Let us avoid a self-righteous complacency, or satisfaction with ourselves. In reference to true grace,

"Whoever says he has enough,

Confesses he has none."

2. In all our obedience, let us set the glory of God before us. We must ever aim at this. "Whether we eat or drink," &c.

3. Those who refuse to obey the Lord must finally perish. Disobedience, and the divine wrath, are inseparably allied. The soul that sinneth incorrigibly, must surely die. "Then let the wicked forsake his way," &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS