745. MAT 5:47. THE IMPORTANT QUESTION

Mat_5:47. The Important Question

"What do ye more than others?"’97Mat_5:47.

All the requirements of Heaven are based on the essential principles of justice and equity. God never exacts beyond our ability to perform. He calls to no duty for which he does not impart adequate opportunity and strength. Now God deals with all men on this principle. He deals thus with sinners. He requires nothing from them but what they can render to him. He calls upon them to "hear his gospel," and they can do this. He calls upon them to consider, to abandon their evil ways, to seek his grace, and to believe in his Son. Now, you will clearly perceive that equity to all his creatures will require from saints much more than from sinners. He requires from them what sinners are not expected to render, indeed, what they cannot render. Now this is the appeal of the text. After Christ had been inculcating the highest order of Christian morality, Mat_5:44, "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them which hate you," &c. Now we wish to impress the spirit of the text upon you, and to apply it with Christian energy, and benevolence. Let us see, then, how this can be responded to by our own hearts. "What do we more than others?"

I. That there is much to be done which can only be rightly done by the church of Christ.

Some things of importance men of the world may do. Things relating to commerce and industry, to politics and civil rights, to the arts and sciences, to literature and philosophy, to learning and mental education; yea, more, they may act usefully in reference to objects connected with humanity, such as compassion to the poor and afflicted of society. Now Christians can do all these things as well as worldly men, and besides, they can go onwards where none but renewed hearts and hallowed feet can move. Now this may be summed up in one. sentence’97benevolent effort for the spiritual welfare of mankind. Is it not clear that that sphere belongs to the church? Ungodly men cannot understand the spiritual miseries of their fellowmen, cannot feel for them, have no ability to help them. They who never wept over their own sins, who never prayed for themselves, who never looked to the cross for salvation, how can they be expected to weep over, and to pray for others? No! this is the province of the church. None but the godly can be instrumental in diffusing godliness abroad. The spiritual necessities of the world must be met by the church. The ordinances of religion must be perpetuated by the church. The gospel must be diffused by the church. The rising age must be educated in Christian principles by the church. The church must enlighten the world: "Ye are the light of the world." The church must evangelize the world: "Ye are the salt of the earth." Now it must be manifest that the church alone can do this, and if not done by the church, it will not, it cannot be done at all.

II. Christians have the means and facilities of doing more than others.

1. They have knowledge to. impart which others have not.

Knowledge of the true God, of Jesus Christ, his only Son, the Saviour of the world. Knowledge of the way of salvation, of the experience and happiness of religion, soul-knowledge, and knowledge which relates to the all-momentous concerns of eternity.

2. They have an example to exhibit which others have not.

Now this in ancient times had a mighty effect on the pagan world. Whilst others were malevolent and revengeful, they were compelled to exclaim, See how these Christians love! So of their patience, resignation, and self-denial, and fortitude. Now these things often produced conviction where sermons had failed. Here they saw the truth which was preached, embodied. They beheld Christianity alive, speaking, and acting. It was to this Jesus adverted. "So let your light shine," &c.

3. They have an influence to exert which others have not.

Read the history of the godly as presented in the divine word. See what amazing power they have exerted at various times and seasons. They are pillars of the earth, the conservators of the world. Ten righteous persons would have preserved Sodom and Gomorrah from the destructive judgments of heaven. The prayers of one made the heavens as brass, and again made them soft as the tender fleece, and brought showers of rain upon the famished earth. Every Christian has influence with heaven, every Christian has power with God. Like Moses, they have often averted judgments. Like Elijah, their prayers have often been effectual, and have prevailed. Oh, yes, that poor man who is generally unknown and accounted as nothing, he has influence in heaven, and in his closet he can lay hold of the strength of God, and, as another Jacob, become a prevailing prince, and move the hand that moves all things.

III. Christians, therefore, are solemnly responsible for doing more than others.

1. There is the responsibility of profession.

You profess more than others. You profess to be Christians, disciples of Jesus, followers of the Lamb. What did he do? Is there any resemblance? In your zeal for the divine glory, in your compassion for the souls of your fellowmen. In your acts of self-denial, in your active efforts of benevolence. You profess to be born again, to possess the Holy Spirit, to bear the image of the heavenly. But what is profession, if you do not more than others?

2. There is the responsibility of superior blessings received.

You have received more than others; much has been done for you, much forgiven. Then you ought to love much, and much love will be evinced in grateful returns to the Lord for all his benefits towards you. Who can estimate the blessings bestowed upon you? Heavenly blessings, blessings obtained by the blood of the cross, blessings worth more than the globe itself. Blessings unsearchable, unspeakable, and that pass all understanding.

3. There is responsibility arising from the recompense of reward.

Of Moses it is said that "he had respect to the recompense," &c. Now future rewards are exhibited to you in the glorious promises of the gospel. But as the promise is made to you and not to others, it is because you are to do what others do not. The promise is to character. The persevering racer is to have the crown. The successful warrior who overcomes the enemy is to sit down with Christ, "who also overcame," &c. The "well done" is to be pronounced to the good and faithful servant. The sheep are to be placed on the right hand, and they are to be commended and rewarded, because they did more than others. There will be an inseparable connection between what we do and what wo shall receive.

4. There is responsibility arising from the possibility of the unprofitable servant’s doom.

To do or not to do more than others is not an optional matter, a concern of trifling moment. Neglect will be productive of the most awful consequences. God will assuredly deal with you as that awful parable teaches. The matter will not be passed over. He will judge every man according to his works. Now this you believe. What a solemn incentive, then, to do what will insure his favor, and obtain the blissful reward. Let us now apply the subject. Mark the phraseology of the text:

1. What do you?

Not what think, or say, or purpose, or profess’97but do.

2. What do you?

It is personal, let conscience reply, and reply each man for himself, and to God.

3. What do you?

What is the amount, in what way, for what object?

4. What more than others?

Are there not in the world people as generous, as compassionate as you? Are there not mere professors who do as much? Ought this to be so? Are there not persons with less ability that vastly surpass you?

5. I now alter the question, What do you less than others?

You have heard of the three Hebrews, and of a Daniel, who denied themselves of the luxuries of the king’s table, and who offered their lives to God. You have heard of the penitent sinner who anointed the Saviour with precious ointment, which cost a princely sum. You have heard of the widow who threw all she had into the treasury. You have heard of the first churches, where believers sold all they had, and laid the price at the apostles’ feet. You have heard of a Howard, who visited the prisons and hospitals of the world, &c. Are we not confounded?

6. Are there any who are not the decided disciples of Christ?

Do you say, What shall we do? Give yourselves to God. He must have your hearts first, then give yourselves to his Church, and devote all you are and have to the divine glory.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS