True Religion, and What it Calls for
S. Conway Psalm 86:11 Teach me your way, O LORD; I will walk in your truth: unite my heart to fear your name. I. THE ESSENCE OF ALL TRUE RELIGION IS THE FEAR OF GOD. "To fear thy Name," says the psalmist, and so saying he sets forth the central nature of real religion. But this fear (1) is not the fear which has torment; or (2) that which is simply the reasonable dread of penalty, - the fear of the law-abiding citizen; but it is (3) the fear begotten of love, - the fear of an affectionate child, which makes it careful to obey. Whatever we love we are careful to obey the laws of - whether it be art, science, parents. And so with the fear of God. It is seen in all saints. II. THERE CAN BE NO SUCH RELIGION UNLESS THE HEART BE IN IT. Intellect may be there, Reason give her assent. Approval may be expressed - it often is. Deep feeling experienced, this not unusual; but unless the heart, the will - for this is the real meaning of the word "heart" - be in our religion, we practically have none. III. NOR THEN UNLESS THE HEART BE UNITED IN IT, Some minds are not fixed on anything; they are perpetual waverers. Others are fixed, set, wrongly but "steadfastly to do evil." But they are blessed who are described in our text. Oh to be able to say, "O God, my heart is fixed, my heart is fixed"! - S.C. Parallel Verses KJV: Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. WEB: Teach me your way, Yahweh. I will walk in your truth. Make my heart undivided to fear your name.