II. PSALM CXix. 9. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto, according to thy word. "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?" Job xiv. 4; xxv. 4. Born in sin (Ps. li. 5)—“ called a transgressor from the womb," (Is. xlviii. 8.) I. The σε way of a young man n" needs cleansing," 66 For it is by nature A vain and foolish way, Prov. xxii. 15. Job i. 4, 5. A corrupt and sinful way, Eccl. xi. 10. Gen. viii. 21. Jer. ii. 25, A proud and perverse way, 1 Kings xii. 8-15. Jer. xxii. 21. An unsteady and slippery way, 2 Chron. xxiv. 2, 17. Prov. vii. 6-8. A self-willed and ruinous way, Prov. vii. 7, 22, 23; xxix. 15. Luke xv. 12-16. II. The Word is the Divinely-appointed instrument of "cleansing," John xv. 3. Eph. v. 26. It guides to a cleansing fountain, Zech. xiii. 1. 1 John i. 7. It applies the principles of holy truth, John xvii. 17. 1 Pet.i. 22. It cleanses by the virtue of its precious promises, 2 Cor. vii. 1. 2 Pet. i. 4. Its heavenly hopes purify the whole man, 1 John iii. 2, 3. Does the young man feel his need of "cleansing?" Does he desire, is he seeking, this inestimable blessing? III. Let him "take heed to his way, according to this word," Humbled for the sins of youth, Ps. xxv.7. Separate from a defiling world, Dan. i. 8. 14, 15. Standing_boldly on the side of God's word, Dan. iii. 16-18. Obedient to the discipline of youth, Exod. xx. 12. Luke ii. 51. Lam. iii. 27. Cheered by the encouragement of the Word, Prov. viii, 17. Jer. iii. 4. Warned by the prospect of the approaching judgment, Eccl. xi. 9. Order my steps in thy word, and let not any iniquity have dominion over me, 133. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee, 11. III. COLOSSIANS ii. 1. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. As the Head is risen from the grave, the members are risen with him, ii. 13. Eph. ii. 6. Therefore, all the members of Christ have a part and interest in his whole work, ii. 12. That is, They are dead with Him to sin, 3; ii. 12. Rom. vi. 4. 2 Tim. ii. 12. They have His Divine life in their souls, 3. Gal. ii. 20. They have a right with Him to eternal life, John xiv. 19. Eph. ii. 6. Their obligation, therefore, is, to seek those things which are above, That is, To set heavenly things foremost, Text, 2. iv. 17. Seek then to live up to your high privilege, as no longer a citizen of this world. Take your place continually as a member of your risen head, "sitting together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Nothing like this will deaden the world and sin to you, give wings to faith, and produce conformity to the image of your blessed Lord. IV. REVELATIONS xxii. 17. And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. See how the word of God closes with this gracious invitation to a perishing world to come to Christ. Both the Spirit and the Church unite in pleading with sinners. All who are athirst may come, Isa. lv. 1. John vii. 37. That is, All who earnestly desire him, Isa. xxvi. 8. Jesus invites them to come. He waits for their coming, Rev. iii. 20. He accepts them when they come, John Do you feel your inability to come? John vi. 44. Do you feel your unwillingness to come? John v. 40. Do you acknowledge the sovereignty of God in drawing you? John vi. 65. Are you depending upon Him to make you willing? Ps. cx. 3. Cant. i. 4. O then, seek, that every sound of the Gospel, every ordinance, every providence, every means of grace, may draw you to Christ. Be continually coming, every day, every hour, every moment. |