PRIVILEGE AND DUTY
‘Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, Let every one that nameth the Name of Christ depart from iniquity.’
The whole of a man’s peace and all his security depend upon this—What is his ‘foundation’? Therefore, I pray you now, each one, to make it an individual concern, whether or not we find the evidence, each one of us, in our own souls, of being on the Lord’s ‘foundation.’
Let us look at the seal. It has two sides.
I. The one side—privilege.—‘The Lord knoweth them that are His.’ This records that truth of truths on which the whole Gospel rests, as upon one base—that salvation is all of God’s eternal, sovereign love. This must be held by every man who wishes to enjoy the peace of God: that it was God Who ‘knew’ me, loved me, and cared for me, and drew me long before I ever had any thoughts of Him. The whole of a man’s safety depends upon this: ‘The Lord knew’ me from all eternity; ‘the Lord knew’ me when He drew me to Himself; ‘the Lord knows’ me now—all my little thoughts and works; ‘the Lord knows’ I am trying to serve Him; ‘the Lord knows’ I wish to love Him.
II. The other side—duty.—The two sides must never be divided. But as the stamp of God’s love is laid, so must the stamp of man’s obedience be laid. God’s love first, to teach that there can be no real obedience till there is first a sense of God’s love. I believe, brethren, and I am sure, that after all there is not and there cannot be any certain evidence, which any man can have, of his interest in Christ, unless he is a growing Christian. Feelings often have deceived us, and they will deceive again. But the question is, practically, Are you ‘departing from iniquity’? I speak to those ‘who name the name of Christ.’ Now, mind, to be permitted to ‘name the name of Christ’ is a very serious thing; it is a very solemn responsibility. Every time you profess—every time you name that blessed name, it is like taking a pledge, a pledge to holiness; for in that name there is such a depth—in that blessed, awful name, there is such love, that to ‘name the name of Christ,’ and then to sin, makes that sin a thousand-fold. It is this which gives sin its blackest die—you ‘name the name of Christ.’ It is this which will be your condemnation, if you are condemned at the judgment day—that you ‘named the name of Christ.’ Therefore, beware! You wear that glorious title of ‘Christian.’ It is a name for the higher heaven, or the deeper hell. ‘Depart from iniquity.’ Observe the expression. It is not one single act; but it is a gradual, progressive retiring back from evil, because, more and more, the good prevails.
Rev. James Vaughan.