Sermon XXI - Considerations to support the hearts of those who hunger for righteousness but lack gro
shepherd and believers to sheep. He says, "My sheep hear My voice."
This expression derives from the practice of shepherds in certain countries, where sheep are accustomed to responding to the voice of their shepherd. When the shepherd calls, the sheep follow him
(similar to calling a dog). Suppose when the shepherd arrives, a large portion of the flock responds and follows the shepherd's call, but there are one or two sheep entangled in thorns. They struggle and strive to break free but find themselves unable. They recognize the shepherd's voice and desire to follow him, but they realize they cannot. Thus, they begin bleating and crying after the shepherd until he takes notice of them. When the shepherd arrives at the spot and sees the poor sheep laboring to follow him, will he not have compassion for this sheep and untangle it from the thorns? This is the situation of poor, weak Christians who find themselves entangled in the thorns of some corruption or ensnared by a heart ailment.
Christ calls to the soul, and the soul recognizes His voice, loving Him and desiring to follow Him. The soul tugs and strives, but it has become trapped. Yet, Christ hears the voice of this sheep and comes to its aid. He observes how it longs to follow Him and pities this poor sheep. Eventually, He rescues it from the thorns and cares for it as much as He does for any other sheep. If this is your condition, even if grace has not yet arrived, you can find comfort in your desire and derive comfort from this very passage: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."
SERMON XXI
Considerations to support the hearts of those who hunger for righteousness but lack growth in righteousness
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." - MATTHEW 5:6
The fourth thing to support souls seeking after grace through means but unable to find that they have obtained it is this: Consider that conquering the will of a sinner is a significant work of God upon the soul, and it is a work that God accepts. When God conquers the will, the major work is done. The will is the central driving force of the soul, and when it turns, all the lesser wheels and components of the soul also move. The great difficulty in bringing a soul to eternal life lies in conquering the will. The inferior affections are easily influenced and compelled to obey once the will is overcome. The understanding can be compelled to acknowledge the truth when it is revealed, and the affections will embrace and obey the truth when the will is surrendered to it. However, the will presents the greatest hindrance. The challenge lies in gaining control of the will and bringing it into submission to God. It is a greater work for the will to be conquered and surrendered to God than for a person to accomplish what God requires. God values the gaining of the will's obedience more than the ability to perform the desired actions. We might think that if we could only perform the desired actions, we would be happy and accepted. But take comfort in knowing that God accepts the will, along with the desire to obey Him, as if you were able to do the deeds to the fullest extent of your desire. In 2
Corinthians 8:10, the Apostle commends the believers not only for their willingness to act but also for their eagerness to do so a year ago. He praises their willingness to fulfill God's will even before they had the ability to do it. The will was present long before they had the ability. The Apostle commends them more for having the will to obey
God's mind than for merely doing it to the best of their ability. You hunger for God, desiring communion with Him. You want to serve and honor Him to the utmost. You would consider it a great privilege if the Lord enabled you to pray and sanctify His name like other saints. However, you cannot achieve what you desire. Know that God is as honored by your willing heart as if you were able to fully accomplish your desires. This is more significant than if you could do the deeds. Hypocrites can perform any external act of obedience, yet their wills are never brought into obedience to the truth. Therefore, let this be a great source of support for our souls when we find our wills brought into submission. Even if we lack the power to act, we are weak and have many failings, and we cannot do what we desire— we wish to be more obedient, to pray better—know that God has the better part of us. He has obtained the best part of us, which is what
He values the most. Consider the gaining of your will as the most valuable part and value it more than any other service you are capable of. Many people think the will is insignificant but would perform better if they could. They do not understand the significance of changing the will. It is the most difficult work of all—gaining control of the will of a sinful soul and bringing it into obedience to the truth.
Fifthly, know for your further comfort that where there is even the slightest degree of grace, there will be growth. Where true seed is sown, God's blessing is upon it. God, who has begun His good work, will bring it to completion in His appointed time. God never initiates a work and leaves it unfinished. He always perfects His own works.
Just as God is perfect in Himself, whatever work He undertakes on the soul, He completes perfectly. Although grace may be weak and feeble at first, know that God will continue to perfect the work He has begun. When you find yourself desiring good and longing for righteousness but unable to do as you wish—when your desires
surpass your ability—reason this way: God is making you see the vanity of your own heart, the easiness with which you thought you could overcome corruption and the insignificance of standing against temptation. Hereby, you are convinced of your own folly and vanity.
Be at peace and submit to God's dealings in this matter. Do not interpret God's dealings as intending harm. Instead of harboring harsh and negative interpretations of God's dealings, we should use such dispensations for our good. Conclude that the Lord, by keeping you low and in a sad condition, intends to elevate you to higher glory and prepare you for greater comfort. He keeps you low and in a sad condition to keep your heart aware of its former vanity and to reveal the excellence of His grace. Therefore, do not conclude that God has forsaken you or that you will never obtain the righteousness of Jesus
Christ simply because you cannot find that you have obtained it upon seeking. No, reason this way: God intends to humble me, not to abandon me.
In conclusion, consider for your support when, after a long time of seeking through means, you do not find that God reveals Himself to you and satisfies you with the assurance of grace and the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Consider this: God intends for the work of righteousness to appear in your humbling and abasement rather than giving you power over your corruptions. It is God's design in this matter, and you should interpret His dealings with you in that way. God has various ways of working His grace, and in keeping you humble and low, grace is exercised. You should say, "Is this God's will, to keep me in darkness and uncertainty about my condition, so that I may walk cautiously? It is good that the Lord's will be done." You should believe in God in this condition as much as if you had tangible apprehensions of your interest in righteousness.
Sometimes we expect righteousness to bring us joy, growth, and comfort. When it works in that way, we have good hope, and we
think our peace with God is secured. But if God chooses to work it in self-abasement, humbling the soul and causing spiritual dejection, it is still a manifestation of the truth of righteousness in the heart, as valid as the highest raptures and elevations of joy. Therefore, find peace in this understanding. It is a mercy that the work of God is upon you in any way. There was a time when we did not care for anything of God, when our hearts were turned against Him, and we focused on worldly things. But now the Lord has started His work.
Even if it is still in the stage of humiliation and downward growth, bless God for it, and know that you can never be thankful enough for this mercy. When the work of grace operates in self-abasement, it is as certain evidence of the truth of righteousness in you as the greatest elevations and raptures of joy. This concludes the second point in the first use.
Now, there is only one more thing remaining: to rebuke and reprove those who do not hunger and thirst after righteousness in this way.
Many will say, "This is an excellent point, and blessed be God, we do hunger and thirst after righteousness. Although we can do little, we can claim that our desires are good." But beware of deceiving yourselves with these desires, for many desire but their desires will never lead to any good. I have already explained the desires that demonstrate a soul truly hungering and thirsting after righteousness.
Now, I will add some reproof by discussing false desires.
First, those who see no excellence in grace should be reproved, as they do not truly desire it. How can you claim to desire something you see no value in? Are there not many among you who, like those in Job 14:21, say to God, "Depart from us, for we do not desire the knowledge of Your Law"? Such people are wicked, but you may argue, "Surely, none of us are so vile and wicked as to dare to bid the Almighty depart from us." Although few may say it explicitly, many
secretly hold this sentiment in their hearts. What do your statements mean, then? Are they not to the effect of questioning the need for so many means, so much preaching, and such reformation? Can we not follow the old ways we were taught? These new ways are unfamiliar to us, and we have never heard such talk about government, worship, and the strictness of the ways to Heaven as you tell us. Can we not do as others do and still be saved? In the past, attending to the Word was seen as dishonorable, and those who did so were ridiculed and labeled as Puritans. But now, it is seen as dishonorable not to come to the Word. Oh, how things have changed among people! Yet, for most, the preaching of the Word seems dull and uninspiring. They prefer the fullness of worldly things, saying, "Let us have all the creature comforts. Let righteousness go wherever it pleases." There is a dog-like appetite in people for the things of the world; they always crave more. Just like a dog, even if you give it as much as you can, it still desires more. Similarly, people long for the things of the world, and their appetites continually yearn for them.
But you may argue, "We pray to God, go to church, hear the Word.
What more should we do? We live peacefully and morally, and we harm no one. Surely, this will lead us to Heaven." Such individuals believe they possess enough righteousness and see no need for the glorious and excellent righteousness of Jesus Christ. However, those who truly understand righteousness desire it more and more. They are never satisfied with any righteousness other than that, and they are not content with any degree of righteousness they have attained.
Second, let's address the matter more directly. The second group to be reproved are those who content themselves with desires and believe that once they have desires, their work is complete, and they need not go any further. They acknowledge that having desires is commendable, but beware—your desires may be false. Many desire,
but their desires are cold and lackluster, offering them no benefit.
Therefore, false desires can be identified by certain characteristics.
Firstly, desires are false when they are satisfied with ignorant desires. Has God enlightened your heart to see the excellence of grace, that it is more valuable than rubies and worth more than the Gold of Ophir? Has God revealed to you the need for grace and your desperate condition without righteousness? If not, then your desires are false. Many have a false appetite, like sick people who think they could eat food, but when it is brought to them, they cannot consume it because their stomachs fail them. Similarly, some desire righteousness and see its worth, but when God, through the preaching of His Word, presents grace to them, they have no interest.
How often has God moved you by His Spirit, and you have refused to listen? Although you claim to desire with all your soul, when God offers it to you, you have no desire. If your desires were genuine, they would be constant. But your desires are not sincere; they are a false appetite because they are not unwavering.
Secondly, false desires are those that content themselves with foolish desires. It is when people desire the end but not the means. They want to be happy but are unwilling to use the means that lead to happiness. Would we not consider a person foolish if they desired food, saying, "Oh, I wish I had something to eat, bread or meat," but made no effort to obtain it? They would not seek it or make any effort to acquire it. Similarly, some desire grace but do not make use of all the means or ask God to bless the means for their spiritual progress.
Can you honestly say that, in the presence of God, you have used every means prescribed in His Word to attain what you desire? Have you missed no opportunity to engage in the means that can advance you towards your goal? If you can truly say this, then you can find comfort knowing your desires are sincere. But if your desires are
great, yet your efforts are lacking and you do not make use of all the means available, do not delude yourself—your desires are not genuine.
Thirdly, false desires are those that are absurd. They desire grace but continue to live in a manner that is completely contrary to grace, inconsistent with it. They want grace and righteousness, yet they also desire their lusts. They desire righteousness but take pleasure in unrighteousness. How can you claim to desire righteousness in such a case? You may argue, "Is there not some unrighteousness in even the best? Don't they have weaknesses and sin like others, especially those who make great professions?" Although there may be unrighteousness in the best, they do not take pleasure in unrighteousness. Taking pleasure in unrighteousness cannot coexist with a genuine desire for righteousness. Therefore, desires that are so absurd as to desire grace but also desire that which is inconsistent with grace are not genuine.
Fourthly, false desires are satisfied with weak and feeble desires.
These desires remain as mere wishes and daydreams. Individuals could wish for grace, righteousness, and deliverance from future wrath. However, they are not resolute enough to say, "I must have it or I will perish." Such wishes do not lead to any growth. A person who desires grace for its own sake is determined—they must have it.
It is like a hungry person who is on the brink of starvation, saying, "Give me bread, or I will die. Give me food, or I will perish." In the same way, the soul cries out, "Give me grace, let me have Christ, or I am eternally lost. What good is it to have abundance in this world but lack grace?" Such feeble desires are like little sprigs that emerge from the body or root of a tree. They do not bear fruit but harm the tree by drawing sap from the root and hindering fruit-bearing.
Similarly, desires and wishes like these will never satisfy God, nor will they ever satisfy your own conscience.
Fifthly, false desires are conditional desires. These desires are based on conditions. They want grace and holiness, but only to the extent that it aligns with their own ends and designs. They want to preserve their wealth, freedom, comfort, and reputation in the world. They will accept righteousness as long as it does not interfere with their goals. They like the ways of holiness only if it suits their purposes.
But if desires were genuine, they would be resolute, saying, "Let me have grace on any terms. Grace alone can make me happy. Whatever happens to me, let me have grace. Even if I perish or endure great hardship, as long as I have grace, it will make up for everything. I am willing to let go of anything if I can have grace, for it will bring me true happiness."
Sixthly, when men's desires are fleeting and inconsistent desires, they only desire in certain moods and moments of conscience when they are overwhelmed by the terrors of God. But such desires are hypocritical. They desire grace merely to serve their own needs, to silence their conscience, not out of a genuine appreciation for grace.
They do not see the excellence of grace that would cause them to desire it, but rather seek it for the relief of their troubled conscience and to quiet their restless spirits.
Seventhly, when their desires are lazy desires, those desires are false.
They are unwilling to make efforts to obtain what they desire. The Scripture is striking and, indeed, terrifying in Proverbs 21:25: "The desire of the slothful kills him, for his hands refuse to labour." I fear that this verse may prove to be truly dreadful for many. Their desires, though directed towards what is good, remain stagnant, and they trust in them, thinking they have the work of grace in their
hearts when, in truth, it is not so. They deceive themselves in this crucial matter. In Proverbs 13:4, the sluggard's soul desires but gains nothing. They desire what is good, yet have nothing. They are like the women mentioned by the Apostle in Timothy, always learning but never coming to the knowledge of the truth. They have lazy desires that do not prompt them to action. Many will one day bear the weight of these neglected and overlooked matters upon their consciences.
But you may ask, "What should we do? We do what we can. We cannot do more. We do our best." It is well if you truly do so. Let me present two or three things for your consideration. Beware of the danger in making this plea.
First, you claim to do what you can. Will it be proven true in the end?
Can you enter the presence of God and honestly say, "Lord, I have done everything in my power. I have utilized all means to attain grace, and I cannot find it. I do not know of any other means to employ. Lord, I have done what I can"? Go into the presence of God and examine your hearts honestly. See if you have truly done your utmost. Can you say that when you wake up in the morning, you arise with a spiritual heart? Do you go to prayer to seek God for yourself and your family? Yet, even then, you cannot find your heart as you desire. You pray for the Lord to keep your heart close to Him, and after prayer, you watch over your heart, thoughts, words, and actions, ensuring they are holy and aligned with the rule. Can you say that you have done this? Can you say it to God? Perhaps you can say it to others and easily convince them, but can you tell God that you have done so from morning until evening? How delightful your life would be if you were truly earnest in this pursuit! How peacefully you would sleep at night after diligently guarding your own heart!
Despite your weaknesses and failings, you could find solace in
knowing that your heart has been sincere. Many never think of God throughout their lives. Do you do what you can when you never consider God? They use this plea, saying, "What can we do without the grace of God?" Yet, be aware that God gives you some common grace that would enable you to do more than you currently do, but you do not exert the strength that common grace offers. Beware of making this plea, as God may hold you accountable.
Secondly, suppose God were to hold you to your word, to this plea, and say, "Sinner, do you dare to gamble your eternal destiny on this plea? You claim to do what you can, and if I cannot convince you that you could do more, I will concede that you have done what you can.
But if you have not done what you can, you will fail, and your eternal fate will rest upon this plea. Do you have the audacity to stand by such a plea in times of sickness? You realize you could have done more, and you cry out, 'I could have done more. I could have had greater communion with God, a closer relationship with the saints.'
Now, what your conscience tells you in sickness, you could have done in health, and you can do it, as sickness does not grant any power to act but awakens individuals to realize what they were capable of.
When people approach their sickbeds or face death, they recognize that they could have done more for God and lived in greater holiness during their time of health."
Thirdly, to convince you that you are not doing what you can, consider this: What do you think a damned soul in hell would do if God commanded them to go and make the most of their time? Based on their use of that time, they would either return to hell or come to heaven. Do you believe such a person would neglect any opportunity? Do you think they would not act? The torments of hell do not provide people with newfound strength, but they convince them that they could have done more. I could mention many more
points, but these should be enough to convince you that you are not doing what you can. Therefore, we are to be reproved if we make this plea. But blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. And thus, I have completed the longest of the Beatitudes, which contained the most material.
Verse 7: Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
In this Beatitude, we witness a beautiful connection with the preceding verse: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." And now, "Blessed are the merciful." You desire mercy, says Christ, and that is a compelling argument for you. You long to partake in mercy, but do you also desire righteousness? Do you yearn for a share in the righteousness of Jesus Christ and for God's mercy to pardon your sins? And are you merciful? Nothing fills the soul with more mercy than the realization that our sins are forgiven through the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
This understanding stirs compassion within us. There are many reasons that may urge a person towards kindness and pity, but none is more persuasive for the soul to embrace mercy than knowing that it has received mercy through the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
Those who are acquainted with the righteousness of Christ and the righteousness of inherent grace desire others to experience the mercy of God as they have. If you hunger and thirst for righteousness and show mercy, then you are blessed, for the merciful shall receive mercy.
But who is this merciful person? What kind of individual is he? In general, mercy can be described as follows: It is a grace from God by which the soul genuinely grieves over the miseries of others and earnestly desires to help and relieve them according to its ability.
Mercy has misery as its object. Just as an envious person envies the