Pharisees And Sadducees # 9

 Pharisees And Sadducees # 9

I desire to impress the immense importance of these four points upon all who read this paper:

(a) Clear views of the sinfulness of human nature.

(b) Clear views of the inspiration of Scripture.

(c) Clear views of the Atonement and Priestly office of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

(d) Clear views of the work of the Holy Spirit.

I believe that false doctrines about the church, the ministry, and the Sacraments, about the love of God, the death of Christ, and the eternity of punishment - will find no foothold in the heart which is sound on these four points. I believe that they are four great safeguards against the yeast of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

I will now conclude this paper with a few remarks by way of PRACTICAL APPLICATION. My desire is to make the whole subject useful, to those into whose hands these pages may fall, and to supply an answer to the questions which may possibly arise in some hearts. What are we do do? What advice have you got to offer for these times?

(1) In the first place, I will ask every reader of this paper to find out whether he has "saving personal religion for his own soul." This is the principal thing, after all. It will profit no man to belong to a sound visible church - if he does not himself belong to Christ. It will avail a man nothing to be intellectually sound in the faith, and to approve sound doctrine - if he is not himself sound at heart. Is this the case with you? Can you say that your heart is right in the sight of God? Is it renewed by the Holy Spirit? Does Christ dwell in it by faith? O, rest not, rest not - until you can give a satisfactory answer to these questions! The man who dies unconverted, however sound his views - is as truly lost forever as the worst Pharisee or Sadducee that ever lived!

(2) In the next place, let me entreat every reader of this paper who desires to be sound in the faith - to study the Bible diligently. That blessed book is given to be a light to our feet, and a lantern to our path. No man who reads it reverently, prayerfully, humbly, and regularly - shall ever be allowed to miss the way to heaven! By it every sermon, and every religious book, and every ministry ought to be weighed and proved.

(3) In the next place, let me adivse every reader of this paper who has reason to hope that he is sound in faith and heart, to "take heed to the PROPORTION of truths." I mean by that, to impress the importance of giving each truth of Christianity the same place and position in our hearts - which is given to it in God's Word. The first things not to be put second - and the second things must not be put first in our religion. The church must not be put above Christ. Ministers must not be exalted above the place assigned to them by Christ. Means of grace must not be regarded as an end instead of a means. Attention to this point is of great consequence; the mistakes which arise from neglecting it are neither few nor small. Here lies the immense importance of studying the whole Word of God, omitting nothing, and avoiding partiality in reading one part more than another.

(4) In the next place, let me entreat every true hearted servant of Christ "not to be deceived by the superficial disguise" under which false doctrines often approach our souls in the present day. Beware of supposing that a teacher of religion is to be trusted, because although he holds some unsound views - that he yet "teaches a great deal of truth." Such a teacher is precisely the man to do you harm! Poison is always given in small doses and mixed with wholesome food.

It is a dreadful fact that "satan himself masquerades as an angel of life." There is no greater common notion that "if a man is serious about his religion - he must be a good man!" Beware of being carried away by this delusion

(5) In the next place, let me counsel every true servant of Christ - to "examine his own heart" frequently and carefully as to his state before God. This is a practice which is useful at all times. We ought to watch our hearts with double-watchfulness. Give more time to meditation, and reflection.

(6) Last of all, let me urge all true believers "to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints." We have no cause to be ashamed of that faith. We have the truth, and we need to stand up boldly for Evangelical religion. We need not be afraid to say so. The judgment day will prove who is right - and to that day we may boldly appeal!

~J. C. Ryle~

(The End)