"Having a form of godliness — but denying the power thereof." 2 Timothy 3:5
"A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is
circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one
inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by
the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God." Romans
2:28-29
READER, The texts which head this page deserves your serious
attention at any time. I take it for granted that you have some religion.
You are not an infidel. You profess and call yourself a Christian. Well, is your
Christianity formal — or spiritual? Is religion with you a matter
of form — or a matter of the heart? Is it form — or heart?
The question deserves especial notice in this age of the church
and world. Never since the Lord Jesus Christ left the earth, was there so much
formality and false profession, as there is at the present day. Now, if ever, we
ought to examine ourselves, and search our religion, that we may know of what
sort it is. Reader, let us find out whether our Christianity is a thing of form
— or a thing of heart.
I know no better way of unfolding the subject than by turning
to a plain passage of the Word of God. Let us hear what the apostle Paul says
about it. He lays down the following great principles in his Epistle to the
Romans: "A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision
merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and
circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written
code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God." Three most instructive
lessons appear to me to stand out on the face of that passage. Let us see what
they are.
I. We learn, firstly, that formal religion is not true
religion; and a formal Christian is not a true Christian in God's sight.
II. We learn, secondly, that the heart is the seat of true
religion, and that the true Christian is the Christian in heart.
III. We learn, thirdly, that true religion must never expect to
be popular. It will not have the "praise of man — but of God."
Let us thoroughly consider these great principles. Two hundred
years have passed away since a mighty Puritan divine said, "Formality,
formality, formality, is the great sin of England at this day, under which the
land groans. There is more light than there was — but less life; more
shadow — but less substance; more profession — but less holiness."
(Thomas Hall, 1658). What would this good man have said if he had lived in our
times? Read more
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