Plain Sermons by Contributors to the "Tracts for the Times. " Psalm 119:47 And I will delight myself in your commandments, which I have loved. The love of God's laws is certainly to be distinguished from the mere outward observance of them. As in the law of Moses, so far more in the Gospel of Christ, religion is "that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter." As to the reason of the thing, it is plain that in proportion as we have a regard for any person, we always take pleasure in doing what will please him; and that, if we are indifferent and careless about this, it is the strongest of all proofs that our regard for that person is little or none. In the same manner it is plain that there is no proof so decisive of our love or neglect of Almighty God, as whether we love or neglect His commandments. Scripture also solemnly confirms this most reasonable opinion. "If ye love Me, keep My commandments." "He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me." "If a man love Me, he will keep My Word." And the same kind of warning is to be found in the writings of the apostles, particularly in the Epistles of St. John. And what we particularly observe in it is that, as Christians, we are called to put in practice, not some vague, undetermined, fanciful notions of goodness or virtue, but the plain will and pleasure of our best, I ought to say, our only Friend. The Christian, then, who loves Christ Jesus must of necessity also love His commandments. This being certainly true, it seems no less than necessary for us slit to the best of our ability, to see whether or not we really, as we ought, love what our God commands, and, as the prophet says, "delight ourselves in it." For in this respect, as in others, no doubt we may deceive ourselves with false confidence. Yet still there is the utmost necessity that, at the very best, we should bear in mind the solemn caution of the apostle, "Re not high-minded," be not too confident of your growth in spiritual grace, of your willingness to endure anything for your Redeemer's sake; "but fear." (Plain Sermons by Contributors to the "Tracts for the Times. ") Parallel Verses KJV: And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.WEB: I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them. |
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