Post by Char on Oct 24, 2008 17:30:32 GMT -6
CAUTION AGAINST ERROR
"JAMES 1:16..DO NOT ERR, MY BELOVED BRETHREN"
I. WE ARE LIABLE TO ERR.
From the weakness of our understanding and the limited operation of the human faculties.
From the awfully mysterious subjects to which our attention did directed.
From the impositions and cheats practiced upon us.
II. IT IS NOT NECESSARY.
If error were involuntary, it would be necessary to guard us against it. We need not err.
Because we have a comprehensive and an all-sufficient directory.
Because we have a perfect pattern and exemplar.
Because we have an infallible guide to conduct us into all truth.
III. WE SHOULD BE ON OUR GUARD AGAINST ERROR.
Because error is discreditable, uncomfortable, and unsafe. We should try our best to stay in God’s will and then we won’t have to worry and we won’t have to err.
.How many and great privations and dangers will the warrior pass through to gain the honor of a victory. Yet to conquer himself, to win a kingdom that cannot be moved, this never engaged his serious thoughts, never excited his desire.
" MEN DECEIVE THEMSELVES BY THE HOPE OF A DEATH-BED REPENTANCE."
It is not highly presuming on the patience of God when we expect that God will grant us REPENTANCE UNTO LIFE eternal, in the day of sickness after we have spent our best days in the service of sin.
" MEN ERR IN THEIR VIEW OF THE NATURE, THE EVIL, AND THE CONSEQUENCE OF SIN."
Every sin, how small or insignificant so ever it may seem to us, is an act of black ingratitude for multiplied mercies.
It is a provoking of the wrath of God.
Again, every sin, how ever secretly committed, will be brought to light in the day of judgment.
The sins of a mission as well as the sins of commission; the sins of the heart as will as the sins of the life; all will then be brought forward against every impenitent sinner, and exhibited to a assembled world.
The pleasures of sin for a season are purchased at too dear a rate.
". MEN ERR IN THEIR VIEW OF THE DIVINE LAW; THAT IS, THE MORAL LAW."
They are not aware that the law of God IS SPIRITUAL; that it extends to the secret chambers of the heart; that it condemns everything that the sinner does, says, or thinks, because it is not done, said, or thought, as the law requires.
The law of God, being a transcript of His own unchangeable holiness is itself unchangeable.
" MEN ERR AND DECEIVE THEMSELVES IN THE VIEW OF THEIR OWN CHARACTER."
They imagine that though they are not what they ought to be, yet they are not so bad as others, and have a good heart, and mean well.
Some conclude that their state is good, because they are born of Christian parents, educated in a Christian land, admitted to Christian ordinances. (See Rev. 3:17)
". MEN ERR IN THEIR APPREHENSION OF THE CHARACTER OF GOD."
The think him to be altogether such an one as themselves.
They venture upon sin, and presumptuously flatter themselves that God is not so rigid as to notice everything they do amiss.
They foolishly conclude that because He delays the execution. He will not pour out His fury on the ungodly....application...
To those who may be under the influence of self-deception.
If you are deceived, you neither will seek safety nor apprehend any danger.
To those who feel the vast importance of their soul’s concerns, and are anxious to be preserved from error.
"JAMES 1:16..DO NOT ERR, MY BELOVED BRETHREN"
I. WE ARE LIABLE TO ERR.
From the weakness of our understanding and the limited operation of the human faculties.
From the awfully mysterious subjects to which our attention did directed.
From the impositions and cheats practiced upon us.
II. IT IS NOT NECESSARY.
If error were involuntary, it would be necessary to guard us against it. We need not err.
Because we have a comprehensive and an all-sufficient directory.
Because we have a perfect pattern and exemplar.
Because we have an infallible guide to conduct us into all truth.
III. WE SHOULD BE ON OUR GUARD AGAINST ERROR.
Because error is discreditable, uncomfortable, and unsafe. We should try our best to stay in God’s will and then we won’t have to worry and we won’t have to err.
.How many and great privations and dangers will the warrior pass through to gain the honor of a victory. Yet to conquer himself, to win a kingdom that cannot be moved, this never engaged his serious thoughts, never excited his desire.
" MEN DECEIVE THEMSELVES BY THE HOPE OF A DEATH-BED REPENTANCE."
It is not highly presuming on the patience of God when we expect that God will grant us REPENTANCE UNTO LIFE eternal, in the day of sickness after we have spent our best days in the service of sin.
" MEN ERR IN THEIR VIEW OF THE NATURE, THE EVIL, AND THE CONSEQUENCE OF SIN."
Every sin, how small or insignificant so ever it may seem to us, is an act of black ingratitude for multiplied mercies.
It is a provoking of the wrath of God.
Again, every sin, how ever secretly committed, will be brought to light in the day of judgment.
The sins of a mission as well as the sins of commission; the sins of the heart as will as the sins of the life; all will then be brought forward against every impenitent sinner, and exhibited to a assembled world.
The pleasures of sin for a season are purchased at too dear a rate.
". MEN ERR IN THEIR VIEW OF THE DIVINE LAW; THAT IS, THE MORAL LAW."
They are not aware that the law of God IS SPIRITUAL; that it extends to the secret chambers of the heart; that it condemns everything that the sinner does, says, or thinks, because it is not done, said, or thought, as the law requires.
The law of God, being a transcript of His own unchangeable holiness is itself unchangeable.
" MEN ERR AND DECEIVE THEMSELVES IN THE VIEW OF THEIR OWN CHARACTER."
They imagine that though they are not what they ought to be, yet they are not so bad as others, and have a good heart, and mean well.
Some conclude that their state is good, because they are born of Christian parents, educated in a Christian land, admitted to Christian ordinances. (See Rev. 3:17)
". MEN ERR IN THEIR APPREHENSION OF THE CHARACTER OF GOD."
The think him to be altogether such an one as themselves.
They venture upon sin, and presumptuously flatter themselves that God is not so rigid as to notice everything they do amiss.
They foolishly conclude that because He delays the execution. He will not pour out His fury on the ungodly....application...
To those who may be under the influence of self-deception.
If you are deceived, you neither will seek safety nor apprehend any danger.
To those who feel the vast importance of their soul’s concerns, and are anxious to be preserved from error.
