Having explained briefly what the love of God is, and how it operates, we are now come to the final subject in this discourse which is on the promises of God and the manner by which Christ draws us by them. As we live in a world darkened by ignorance, defiled by sin, and destitute of shelter, we must set our hopes and aspirations on God who has promised to deliver us from it.  “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world.” (Gal. 1:4)
Hardly can the promises of God be separated from salvation itself, for these promises are a golden chain which holds firm and steadfast our comfort and patience. And yet these promises do not cause slackness or dullness in religion, as if we who waited so eagerly for Christ were want to make light of it, go our own way, and live contrarily to the law forsaking holiness altogether because these things are made sure for us. As Paul says in his second epistle to the Corinthians, “Therefore, having these promises, let us cleanse ourselves.” [2 Cor. 7:1] The apostle John also says, “Every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” [1 John 3:3] Therefore our hope is not a numbing hope whereby we believing all the love of God to be already fully poured out on us cast off all acts of service and religion, and give ourselves over to drowsiness, torpidity, vanity, or even iniquity, but it is an active hope, and a living hope whereby we believing God to be true and His promises to us sure do apply ourselves to His service, and with strength of mind, sincerity of heart, singleness of affection, and steadfastness in perseverance do endeavor to keep His Word wholly and blamelessly until He comes, completes the work He has started and fulfills all that which He has promised to do. We who are justified by Christ will be sanctified by Christ, and we await the day in which He will finally glorify us.
1. Faith in God’s promises.
This leads us to a notable subject to touch upon which is faith in the promises of God. Faith itself as in part defined by Heinrich Bullinger is, “a settled and undoubted persuasion or belief leaning upon God and his word.” A heart of faith that is united to Christ is likewise united to His word, and inasmuch as faith clings to Christ’s person, and work, it steadfastly clings to Christ’s Word wherein His will is made known to us, His righteousness revealed to us, His character unveiled to us, and His gifts of grace promised to us. There can be no belief in God without a steadfast belief in His word, and there can be no realization of these promises of God found in His word without a true faith in the Word as it is revealed to us by God from heaven. The apostle commends the Thessalonians saying, “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” (1 Thess. 2:13) We therefore do not receive the words of God in part, as if the promises are ours whether we adhere to the rest of the word or no, but are diligent in searching the scriptures for our duty that we might be found worthy citizens of the heavenly kingdom and appertain to all the mercies and promises of God having applied ourselves to his Word, and having put our faith, trust, and hope in it. Our faith can no more be separated from the Word than a ship can be without a rudder, for it will immediately steer itself into danger, into sharp rocks, and perish before it ever begins its journey. We who live in this world have many dangers of heresy to avoid which by God’s good grace we will do if we hold fast to His word and believe that what He says is true. He that comforts himself in the promises of God without any mind to worship God, any affectionate motions towards the glory of God and living a sanctified life according to the word of God is likened to the Israelites who lusted in the wilderness, disbelieved and were destroyed by God. “For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.” (Heb. 4:2) Therefore although we are never to mix our faith with works, we are undoubtedly to mix works with our faith that we might apply ourselves to diligent obedience, and show that we have in ourselves that living hope that truly believes that what God has promised He is able also to perform. Faith in the promises of God is faith in the Word of God as a whole and as God reveals it to us by His Spirit. If we would be blessed by God we must also live for God and do what He commands us, that we might not be found as disaffected rebels, iniquitous bastards, and injurious devils who have no faith, no light and no hope, and all of whom God shall destroy and punish with everlasting fire. “God will render to each one according to his deeds”: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath.” (Rom. 2:6-8)
For we know that inasmuch as God hath promised everlasting blessedness to those who believe in Him, He hath also promised death, destruction and damnation to all who live contrarily to His revealed will. These may be commonly divided into “promises” and “threatenings”, but inasmuch as we believe that truth is one, we believe the promises of God to be one also, and although the judgments of the wicked are indeed threatenings, they are also promises which we draw unspeakable comfort from. Therefore we see that faith in the promises of God is also a sure and steadfast faith in His word as it is revealed, and truly interpreted by the Spirit. It is not the bare belief that what is spoken in the Bible is true, nor the speculative notion and blind affirmation that the scriptures are infallible, for there are and have been many heretics and notorious rebels who have affirmed the same paying lip service to the Bible while harboring deceit and hypocrisy in their hearts. The prophet Jeremiah complains, “You are near in their mouth
but far from their mind.” [Jer. 12:2] The Lord Christ also says, “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.” (Matt. 15:8) It is not enough to pay lip service to the scriptures, and outwardly maintain that the scriptures are infallible, but our hearts must be changed by the power of the Holy Spirit working in us that which is true, and implanting in our minds that living word; the same Spirit which also produces in us a living faith in that word, and a faithful adherence to the word of God as a whole, in the promises and judgments, in the doctrine and teaching, and in the commands, and ordinances.
It is not those who profess faith who are accepted by God, but those who possess it.
2. Hope in God’s promises.
We ought also to see that a true and living faith is accompanied by a true and living hope. Peter says in his epistle, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” Here Peter is affirming the same as we are, in that he confidently declares that we are begotten into this hope. We are born again of the Spirit and renewed in mind having been granted faith in the word that we might also hope in God and wait patiently for His promises to be fulfilled. This is applicable for all the promises of God, for inasmuch as He has promised to sanctify us, and also promised to bless us in heaven, we ought to have hope in Him that He will do all that He promises in His word. Abraham as an example, possessor, and forerunner of true faith showed forth his faith in that he trusted and hoped in the promises of God, “being fully convinced that what God had promised He was also able to perform.” [Rom. 4:21] The apostle Paul boldly exclaims that God, “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.” [Eph. 3:20] and is this not suitable ground to lay the foundation of our faith upon? Yea to hope in the promises is to have faith in God. We are pilgrims and wanderers on this world having been given an inward affection for God, and an equal hatred for the wicked of the world. We have nothing but hope. We have been begotten by a living faith through the Spirit, which faith and hope conducts us towards our blessed end, and we have both confidence and proof of God’s working in us, but our hope is not of this world. Paul says to the Corinthians, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most miserable.” [1 Cor. 15:19] He also says, “We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” [2 Cor. 4:18] We do not look at, as in we do not hope for things that are seen. Our affections, our thoughts, our aspirations, and our hope is not on things of this world. We do not look at those things. None of those things move us. We are engrafted into Christ, and made a partaker of the heavenly kingdom, and shall we look at what is less glorious, yea that which has no glory at all? No, but “our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20)
Our hope is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for Christ’s revealing Himself in all of His glory, and redeeming His people from this present evil world. The world doesn’t have to be given over to exceeding wickedness for the people of God to be weary of it, for we wait a greater glory than anything this world can offer. We wait for Christ the Lord, “whom having not seen ye love, though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.” (1 Pet. 1:8-9) This hope is no uncertain hope which we blindly and ignorantly hold fast to, but is a sure hope, a living hope, an immortal hope, which no man can take from us, and nothing on this earth can move us from. Those who have faith have this hope, and all of the riches of the goodness of God are promised to those who faithfully wait upon His word, and hope in Him. “And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in Thee.” [Ps. 39:7]
“For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.” (Ps. 33:20-21)
“For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Heb. 6:13-20)

I. Doctrine.
After having discussed our apprehensions of the promises, and what it means to have faith, and hope in the promises, I now hope to explain faithfully what these promises are which God has so assured us of, and then by way of application exhort believers to rest fully upon them. The substance of the whole matter is that God has indeed made certain promises to us that we by faith believe and wait for, and so infallible and unmoving are these promises that heaven and earth may pass away but God’s words of blessing and comfort to His people will never pass away. They are a comfort in times of sorrow, a reassurance in times of doubt, a confirmation in times of joy, and will be ours to enjoy when they are fully realized in heaven. The encouragement by God is to wait for them, and the enjoyment is to receive them after we have patiently waited. We must never think that we have received all good things while we stand on this earth in an earthly temple, nay but our hope is in heaven, and as we are waiting for the fulfillment of all God’s good promises to us, we are to live our lives soberly, and righteously, doing all those things that please Him, and showing to all men outwardly what is our inward hope. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you.” (1 Pet. 3:15)
Therefore let us observe some of the most important things which God has promised to us, that we might gather immense and invincible comfort from them knowing that He is drawing us to love Him by them.
1. By promising to forgive us.
The promise of forgiveness is of the sweetest grapes on the cluster of free grace. The Lord has said, “I will blot out their transgressions” And has promised to freely forgive us when we come to Him in sincere repentance. Therefore let us observe how the Lord makes known this promise to us.
i. By leading us to repent.
“I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” (Heb. 8:12) If we are ever to be drawn into communion with God and enjoy His comfortable presence, we must be separated from our sins which separate us from Him. Sin like a poison corrupts and defiles the whole man. Before conversion we are creatures of darkness, unwilling and unable to glorify and enjoy God. Sin is utterly hateful to God, and without Christ we are wholly sin. So dark was our estate, and so depraved our nature that we had no desire to love God, esteem Him, worship Him, glorify Him or even seek forgiveness from Him. The unregenerate heart is an unrepentant heart. Delighting in lies and vanity more than in love and virtue, we were satisfied to continue in sin, and remain estranged from God. But God who is rich in mercy, because of His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sin, and wholly given over to that darkened state of mind that is alienated from Him He created in us a new heart, and implanted that new and living principle of life in our souls, causing us to see our sin and misery, and call to Him for deliverance. So great is the love and mercy of God that He rescued us while we were enemies, and turned our eyes to look upon ourselves as we are that we might look only to Him for forgiveness of sins. Having been taught by the word the condition of our souls and taught by the law the impossibility of recovery by our own strength or power, we were led by God to cry out for deliverance, and plead for mercy from Christ who alone can make atonement for sin. We are made by grace to trust in His promise that He is merciful being made able to believe that promise that would have no effect on us otherwise. While unregenerate men take God’s love for them for granted, and continually say to themselves, “I am just with God”, he who is convicted by the law, and brought to repentance cries out, “How can man be just with God?” Seeing that he is in danger of damnation and liable to all the miseries of hell because of His sins, He is driven to plead mercy from the LORD, and ask for forgiveness. And since it was God who first placed in man the will to call for mercy, He also grants it, as He is gracious and full of compassion, willing to show to man His inestimable goodness in the forgiveness of sins. Now while the means by which He procures this forgiveness was spoken of previously, we’re here going to discuss only how God has promised it to all who ask for it, so that we might draw comfort from it. Upon recovering from sickness the righteous king Hezekiah declared, “Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.” (Isa. 38:17)
As the body is burdened with infirmity and weakness on account of our sins, so the soul also is burdened with guilt and uncertainty when confronted by the law of God. As the body experiences great relief upon recovery from sickness, so the soul experiences that great relief of forgiveness when upon flying to Christ it finds its rest and satisfaction.
King Hezekiah knowing his sickness to be meant to show him much deeper spiritual truths than can be found on the surface, says, “Thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.” In delivering him from his sickness, the Lord was showing him mercy, and Hezekiah knew this to be a type of the deliverance from the burden of sin. If God should remember our sin, we would surely die. But now in Christ He has promised us the free forgiveness of sins that we might live before Him in joy and confidence, no longer burdened with the load of guilt on our shoulders. Christ has borne it away, and carried it into the grave, and has put to death once and for all sin in the flesh. Having annihilated the remembrance of sin in His own body on the tree, He now proclaims free forgiveness to all who ask Him for it. But who will ask for forgiveness? Surely only those who are taught by Him, and made willing to by His Spirit. Cain would not repent, but went from the presence of the Lord. Esau sought repentance but never found it, for he sought it after the flesh, and only desired the first blessing so that he might reign over his brother. Judas never sought forgiveness but went and hanged himself, because his guilt was too great to bear. But those who are called, elect, and chosen by God are drawn by His Spirit to ask, to flee from themselves, and from all other creatures, to the rock of salvation which is Christ to ask for forgiveness, and in asking He assures them of obtaining it. The saints are not only promised the forgiveness of sins, but repentance thereunto, that finding within themselves daily sins they also find without themselves daily bestowals of God’s mercy.
“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” (Ps. 32:1)
ii. By comforting us with forgiveness.
Seeing that God only grants forgiveness to those who ask, and does always grant it upon those who ask sincerely, let us take comfort that if we repent with a true heart, with full endeavor to turn away from sin, He will justly and freely forgive us of sin, and lead us in the paths of righteousness. “Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” (Ps. 51:6-7) The soul which was once blacker than death and dark as sin, being converted to the truth, and turned to righteousness is made in Christ as white as snow. “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” (Is. 55:7)
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isa. 1:18) Those that reason with the Lord by repentance shall receive comfort by forgiveness. This is the promise that comforts the downtrodden soul. What outward pain can disturb him that is given such inward peace? By this forgiveness the Lord leads us from the turbulent waves of guilt, to the still waters of a clean conscience. Being forgiven of our iniquity, we are blessed with inward tranquility. We are now made clean, and are enabled and emboldened to approach the King of glory having been made white through the red blood of the cross. He draws us into His love by promising to forgive us, and we take comfort in this, for our sins are our greatest burdens. Yea, the greatest worry that a Christian has is how to be more perfect, how to cast off his sin, and how to live more righteously for his Redeemer who paid so great a price that we might be forgiven of our transgressions. Inasmuch as iniquity separated us from God, God has separated our sin from us that we might be drawn and enjoined to Him. Since God can have no communion with sin, He must drive it out of us by showing us His mind, and teaching us how to hate it, and in crying out for deliverance, and pleading with God to forgive us, He grants us our request, and purges us from sin by the blood of the cross. So great is God’s hatred for sin, that if ever we were to be drawn into His courts we must be completely and entirely free from it. He must justify us and pardon us for our sin, or we can never have communion with Him. He will drive sin from us, or He will drive us from Himself. He cannot abide sin in His presence. If God does not pardon us once, we cannot be pardoned. We are not awaiting a final justification, but being drawn into communion with Him we are assured that we are fully justified, will be sanctifed and do await glorification. Thomas Watson quotes, “”I, even I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and will not remember your sins,” Isaiah 43:25. Whereas the poor sinner may say, “Alas, I am deep in debt with God, I fear I have not filled his bottle with my tears—but I have filled his book with my debts!” Well, but meditate on his promise, “I am he who blots out,””
Our sins have been wiped away, our iniquity cleared, and we are confident through Christ’s Mediation that we shall have no sin held against us on the Day of Judgment, for He has taken it out of the way, and has borne the burden and weight of the whole in His own body. Having been set free from sin, and freely forgiven by God, we are drawn to Him, and now enjoy the peace and blessedness of His presence, awaiting the day that we will finally cast off all sin, and enjoy His love in heaven forever.
2. By promising to sanctify us.
We should see also that the Lord Christ as the High Priest and Advocate of His beloved people has promised to sanctify them. Not only does He pronounce us righteous before God on behalf of His own work, but He also works in us day by day to root out of us by His almighty power those inward principles of sin which war against the soul, that He might implant in us holy principles, that we should walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh. Notice what Paul says in Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” This follows perfectly with the last point, which was about the forgiveness of sins. Now we are talking about the rooting out of sin in the body of flesh while we walk on this earth and await the promise of eternal life. Here Paul says, “There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ, who do not walk after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” He does not say that there is no condemnation to those who profess the name of Christ, or who believe themselves justified, or believe Christ’s righteousness to be imputed to them, but here he says that there is no condemnation to those who walk as Christ walked- that is according to the Spirit. 1 John 1:6-7 says, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” Justification is promised to all those who sincerely ask for it, and those who ask for it will also be eagerly willing to cast off their sins which displease God. Those who are justified will also live sanctified lives. There is no saint who is called by God that is not called to a life of holiness. Inasmuch as we are saved by the knowledge of sin (that is- sin as God sees it), “for by the law is the knowledge of sin” and without the use of the law, no man can be saved, we are also sent back to that law after being justified to see what is our duty before Him, what is His standard of righteousness, how to be sanctified and what we can do to live pleasing to Him, and walk in godliness and virtue while we traverse the wilderness of this world. The wise king Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, “Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil.”
Now if the whole law is the duty of the Christian man, and we fall short of it daily, what shall we do? I say, take comfort in this promise, and apply yourself to it, “For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” (Rom. 6:5-6, 12-14)
Notice here, and throughout the scriptures that Paul does not tell the Christians in Rome to take it easy, or to fall into slothfulness or to not be concerned at all about their sin, but assuring them of the greatest blessings imaginable, he also annexes them with the strictest commands. “Our old man was crucified that we should no longer be slaves of sin. Sin shall not have dominion over you.” Now as surely as the word has gone out of His mouth, “Sin shall not have dominion over you” even will Christ sanctify His people, purge them from their sins, and cause them by grace to know their duty, apply themselves to righteousness, keep His commandments with devotion to Him, worship Him in holiness, and offer their services to the praise of His glorious grace. He has promised that sin shall not reign over us. What shall we do therefore, but take comfort in this, believe that our sins are forgiven for His name sake, and continue to walk in newness of life, casting our sins behind us both in acting and remembrance.
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” (Heb. 12:1-2) We must remember that the strength of our sanctification is Christ, the living principle which brings success in it is faith, and the fruit of it is holiness and purity of life. We can do nothing apart from Christ’s own work in us, therefore we ought to put our trust in Him and His righteousness that He would work in us, and shape us according to His own image. “We also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” (Phil. 3:20-21) He has promised to sanctify us, and He will do it.
3. By promising to bless us.
What follows the forgiveness of sins and the sanctification of the soul is the fruit and blessing of Christ’s purchase. Having been set free from sin, and been given the promise of eternal life, and having Christ within us, how shall God not now bless us with more abundant life, seeing He has procured our salvation by His death? There is no reason for uncertainty in the Christian life, for we appertain and apprehend promise after promise, and we now live under the covenant of grace which is only ever abundant blessing. There are no curses for a Christian, only the sweetest and most joyful promises made and assured to them by the Holy Spirit.
“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Rom. 5:10)
“Surely blessing I will bless thee.” [Heb. 6:14] Now, while the rest of the world seeks for blessing in material substance, and carnal enjoyments, the saints have the peculiar privilege of seeking real substance, and spiritual joy. The blessings we partake of are in and through the Holy Spirit who is the only giver and only source of blessing, and He does not bestow these blessings on those outside of Christ. The life of the wicked is a living curse. He is dead while he lives, and everything he does and touches is cursed. If he should think, it is only how he may advance the devil’s kingdom on earth, if he should speak, it is poison which corrupts society, if he should act, it is for the continuance of sinful living. Whether he lives or dies, natural man is cursed. But the saints who believe in Christ have the promise of everlasting life given to them, and the promise of a blessed life also. We are a blessing on our way to the heavenly blessedness. Christ has blessed us and promised to bless us, and how shall anything harm or disturb us? The blessing of the righteous consists in this: namely that when we think, it is of God and His perfections, when we speak it is with grace on our lips which imparts grace to the hearers, and when we act it is that God might be glorified and the saints edified.
There is nothing more blessed than a sanctified life. Therefore let us observe a few of these singular blessings the saints enjoy even on earth.
i. The blessing of peace.
“The meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” (Ps. 37:11)
God begins the work of glory here on earth, and this work of glory begins with the work of grace. By granting grace to His people, God is giving them the greatest blessing, and enabling them also to be a blessing to others.
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” (Matt. 5:9)
Here peacemakers, and children are linked together, for the saints are the children of God, and nothing pleases them more than to do their Father’s will, and to be at peace among their brethren. In blessing us with grace, God grants us the duty of promoting the temporal and spiritual welfare of the saints of God. We long for the blessedness of heaven, which is everlasting peace! Not only is the paradise of God enjoyment of God, but also the communion of saints, enjoying God together! It will be a perfect community of love, peace, order, submission, and glory. There will be no selfishness, no pride, lust, no avarice, nor greed or hypocrisy in heaven, but only peace among brethren. This blessedness God has begun on earth by teaching us to cast off our former nature, and put on the immortal life of the godly. Shall we be infinitely and eternally blessed in heaven? Why should we not then also seek the blessing of others here on earth? What is promised to us here, we should be purposed to declare the riches of to others, that if God wills, they will follow us to the Celestial City. Paul also exhorts us to be at peace with others also. “Follow peace with all men.” (Heb 12:14) We are not only to be a blessing to the righteous, but also to the wicked. This is a paradox, but not one without explanation. We are to seek the prosperity of others, even the enemies of God knowing that we were once enemies, and if they are not won by our conduct, they will be punished for their contempt of God’s longsuffering. If God will not pour His Spirit upon them having seen our good witness, He will pour coals of fire on their head for being blind to our good will for them. Now, although the righteous cannot make the wicked into a blessing, he is to show by gracious speech, generous behavior, and godly conduct that he is indeed blessed by God, and that the path he travels surely is the road to everlasting life. But we should also see that God grants inward serenity to those who are sanctified by His grace. When there is success in mortification, and we learn by grace to cast off the works of darkness, and the carnal deeds of the body, God has promised to bless us with inward peace of mind. “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.” (1 John 2:3) Truly as there is no greater blessing than to know God, to love Him, and know that you are loved by Him, there is no better way to prove to Him and to ourselves that we do love Him than to obey Him heartily, do His will, and keep His commandments. Those who are weak in grace will be weak in blessings, and those who are weak in faith will be weak in receiving. God has attached this promise of peace to those who pursue it, to show to our carnal minds what pleases Him, and what does not. We are made sensible when we sin against Him, and even believers have their conscience burdened with sin, and guilt. This is not because they are not justified, but because God would warn us of the dangers of backsliding and becoming estranged from the means of grace. Therefore He has promised peace to those who are active in righteousness, and inward confidence to those who apply themselves to virtue. “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.” (Heb. 10:35) By casting off works of righteousness, and putting on laziness, sloth, or even immorality, we are casting off our confidence, which is its own reward.
But now in fleeing from these, pursuing holiness, and applying ourselves to His service, we are made to put on the robe of righteousness, and the crown of confidence, that having done that which God has asked of us, we might be assured that we are of Him, know Him, love Him and will be united to Him forever. This is not to lead us to doubt, but to duty. God has promised peace to those who obey Him diligently.
ii. The blessing of the Spirit.
We should also closely observe that in being blessed, the saints of God are promised growth in grace, and increase in spiritual understanding. Jesus says in Luke 11:13, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” If the worldling having within him a wicked heart can in a natural sense give his children things that give them temporal joy, how much more shall the Father of lights, and the God of all comfort give His children who He loves with a pure, and unchangeable love good things from heaven, gifts that last forever? The men of the world can give their children things that pertain to their own inheritance, toys of dust that pass away with the world. But God gives His children what is infinitely more valuable. He blesses and promises to bless them eternally by His Holy Spirit. He gives them love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, confidence and assurance. By giving them grace, he is promising them glory. What children have better gifts than God’s children? Things of the world are not only corruptible but limited in value. But God’s gifts are of infinite and eternal value. They are part of His inheritance which He is preparing for them in heaven. His gifts prepare us for the apprehension of them in paradise. We should be ever thankful for this gift, and lay hold on these promises by applying ourselves to spiritual duty. God has given us wisdom that we might search His word for knowledge. He has given us love that we might serve His church with delight, and He has given us a new heart of holiness that we might worship the Father in spirit and in truth. These gifts are ours to enjoy in this life and in the next, and shall we spend our time, strength and affections chasing after vanity? Seeing that God has promised us everlasting life with Him, shall we not prepare ourselves for this and work out our salvation with fear and trembling? Yea, for in promising to bless us, God has blessed us indeed by giving us His Spirit who is the guarantee that all these things, and whatever good thing there is are ours in Christ Jesus who with His own blood purchased them for us.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” (Eph. 1:3)
4. By promising to keep us.
“Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Pet. 1:5)
Being made partakers of His grace, members of His body, and subjects of His kingdom, we are promised that we shall remain forever members of Christ and the devil can never snatch us out of Christ’s fold. However, we must remember that Peter here in order to quicken us exhorts us to faith, knowing that it is through faith that Christ keeps us, and in order to comfort us, assures us that we are kept by His power unto salvation. We are brought into God’s kingdom, and are made members of His city. We are of the city of God, which Augustine that faithful man of God wrote on many years ago.
Every city has walls, and these walls are meant to both keep the righteous in, and keep the wicked out. Here we shall discuss how the walls of the city of God keep the righteous in, and safe from all harm, or danger of eviction.
Having begun a good work in us by grace, God will certainly perform all His word and complete it until the day of the coming of the Lord Jesus. He has promised these things to us, and if they are promised, they can never be rescinded. Jesus said in John 10:28, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” Having been blessed in Christ, the saints can never be cursed, nor can the devil ever claim them for his own again. We have been translated into the kingdom of Christ and He as a righteous and faithful Prince shall in all cases deliver His subjects from evil. Jesus says, “I give them eternal life.” If the gift of salvation is so free, what of all the traps, dangers, snares, temptations, struggles, sins, and daily trials that beset the Christian? It is certainly no easy life, nor is it meant to be. God would have us live soberly and actively as soldiers for Him, as He is a King for us. He will have us take up the cross, mortify, fight against sin, combat the forces of the devil, and keep ourselves pure in all manner of actions as well as affections, and yet in all cases has promised to lead us into victory, even through the darkness.
i. He will keep us from apostasy.
Here we shall see how Christ in being the righteous and faithful Prince of the city will keep all of His members in by preserving them in His grace, and sanctifying them that they might persevere through the dangers of sin and apostasy.
There is a severe warning in scripture not to depart from the faith, to hold fast to what we have learned, to be diligent in good works, and to do all that we can to reach our heavenly inheritance. “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” (Luke 13:24) These are vital means God uses to keep us strong in faith, devoted to His word and worthy members of the city which we labor to inherit. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” (Heb. 12:28) We are not kept by our own power, but by the authority of the word of God, and because God desires His people to be obedient to His will, He commands it in scripture with the greatest blessings attached to submission to the same, and the strongest threats of destruction toward those who fall away.  This is not because those who are of the faith will ever depart from the faith, but because those who seem to be of the faith will certainly fall away, (some having already been choked by the cares of this world,) and will be more severely punished having these promises and threatenings made clearer to them. As the sun shining in the sky is manifest evidence enough of the glorious righteousness of the Son of God leaving all men without excuse for their rebellion and obstinacy, so the gospel shining in the livings of the saints in the presence of hypocrites will reveal on the last day God’s righteous judgment against sinners, and that man though taught many truths, and beseeched many times to be reconciled to God remained in ignorance, and rebellion, his natural inclination toward sin and iniquity being fully manifest, and aggravated by these glorious truths which were clearly expounded, revealed, and proved to them. This is why the Spirit warns us of apostasy saying, “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.” (Heb. 6:4-9)
As the judgment of the hypocrite is certain, so God’s preservation of the saints from hypocrisy is certain also. By holding us in the bonds of sincerity, and keeping us from hypocrisy, God preserves us from apostasy.  Yet, even the sins of the hypocrites, heretics and heathen work for the good of God’s elect, and God uses those He has reserved for hell for the benefit of those elected to life everlasting. Their sins will make our salvation the more precious to us, will keep us on guard against error, and will teach us how to combat their destructive ways when we look to the Word for security, and hope.
The promises in scripture are there to keep us from falling away, to encourage our faith, enliven our hope and establish our love for God.
As sure as God commands us not to fall away, we are enabled by His Spirit to do the same. He keeps us safe and secure by the authority of His word, the same authority which shall judge the unbelievers. When the Israelites were in the wilderness, God rained manna down from heaven to sustain His people, and to separate true believers from the hypocrites. Just as those who were sincere in faith used the bread for their bodily sustenance, and received it with thanksgiving, knowing it was a gift from God, the hypocrites complained that it was not enough, and lusted for more; longing for the delicacies of Egypt, they desired to go back. So the LORD by His mighty power brought quails to them, and while it was still in their teeth, he struck them, killed them, and they perished in the wilderness, and were buried. Paul warns us of lusting after this world, and backsliding into apostasy when he makes mention of this event in 1 Cor. 10:6 saying, “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.” Now is Paul saying that quails, leeks, onions and garlic are evil? No, but they are corrupted by natural man who desires them for carnal reasons, and is not thankful to God for them. He that is not satisfied with what he has, but lusts for more of the world, will lust for more and more until he is damned. The righteous however are made content by the Spirit of God, and being kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation give God thanks for what they have, even if it is relatively small. Therefore we see that God keeps us from apostasy, and preserves us from all evil. As sure as the word that has gone out of His mouth, “He that endures to the end shall be saved. “ Even shall those saved endure to the end. “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isa. 55:11) and again, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:6)
5. By promising to protect us.
Previously we talked about Christ keeping us from sin and apostasy, which is as the walls of a castle keeping those who are of this city in the city. Here we will talk also of walls, but as they respect the outside, how Christ keeps the devil, and the wicked from entering in and defiling our dwelling place. In promising to keep us, Christ has promised that we will always be members of this everlasting city which God Himself has built. In promising to protect us, He is promising that none of our enemies can disrupt or disturb our peace, or our blessing of salvation. Let us therefore take great comfort in this: that inasmuch as God is willing that none of us should perish, but that we might inherit eternal life, He is promising to protect us from all dangers, and anything that would diminish or destroy our blessed hope in Christ. Let us observe how Christ protects us from our enemies.
i. By concealing the way from our enemies.
“Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you. And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast go up there, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there.” (Isa. 35:3-4, 8-9)
The kingdom we are made partakers of, and members of is an invisible kingdom. Not only is the city hidden from all who would oppose it, but the path also is hidden. Inasmuch as Jesus Christ is the way that leads to life, so all who believe in Him shall find it, and the rest will remain blind to it. “Narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be who find it.” (Matt. 7:14) The Greek word here intimates not only finding, but finding after searching for. The hypocrites and heathen don’t know what to look for. Being corrupted by sin and ignorance, they are blind to the mysteries of the faith and do not know the first thing about heaven, what it is, who is there, who makes it there, how to get there, or even how to get on the path! Many who hear of heaven loudly profess that they want to be found there, but when they learn that the way to heaven is the way of holiness, they immediately stumble, and look for another way, not being given the eyes of faith. Therefore we ought to look at two chief means God uses to keep hypocrites off the way, keeping us safe from their malice.
a) Self-denial.
Many who hear of heaven, of Christ and His victories over sin and the devil, and the glorious kingdom He reigns over do profess the faith, and live in an outwardly moral manner. However when it comes to the article of justification by faith alone, and the casting off of self to inherit the kingdom, they stumble over this hard word, and look for ways in which they might justify themselves. They will not sail to heaven swiftly over the sea of Christ’s blood with the pleasant winds of the Spirit to guide them, but they would rather take heaven by their own works, and by not taking Christ as their Captain, they suffer shipwreck on the sands of self-righteousness. Christ’s imputed righteousness is one way which God uses to conceal the right path from hypocrites. Because they will not seek for the way in Him, but in themselves they will stumble in darkness, until they reach their end – everlasting torment and agony. No man can claim any righteousness for himself. Should man profess that what is required for his salvation he possesses in his own soul, he blasphemes Christ and casts contempt on the cross which alone is the way to forgiveness and salvation. Therefore in demanding of man that he deny himself, and lean on another for righteousness God is surely protecting us from hypocrites, that our churches might not be defiled by them.
b) Personal holiness.
There are those also who content with not boasting in their own righteousness do even worse and boast in their unrighteousness! They profess to know Christ’s righteousness, but because they do not live holily, justly, and blamelessly, and cast off the breastplate of righteousness for the filthy rags of this world they deny the faith, and show themselves to be no better than heathen. What devilish spirit of atheism must be in man for him to think that he can fly to heaven on the wings of unrighteousness!? Nay, but the way to heaven is the way of holiness. We must take heaven by valor, and virtue, and strive to enter there with all our might, that we might be found worthy of that kingdom to which we are called. Many will be happy to accept that salvation is not by works, but they will be entirely without works! But although heaven is not by merit of works, yet we cannot say that we are of Christ except that we have His Spirit in us who makes us willing to do those works. The thief on the cross may have expired shortly after repentance, and although he had not the ability, nor the opportunity to apply himself to do good works, yet in his heart having the Spirit of holiness, he would have done anything for Christ! Take him down off the cross and see what he will do for His new king and Savior! Therefore we should see that in demanding of His people a life of holiness and strict obedience to His law, Christ keeps the lawless at bay, and away from the churches, lest they defile it with their manifold corruption and open rebellion.
“And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast go up there, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there.”
(Isa. 35:8-9)
ii. By restraining our enemies.
We should also observe that God by His almighty power restrains the devils from overpowering us, and either dragging us to hell with them, or destroying us. We ought to remember that the devil and his forces are always at work seeking to destroy the kingdom of Christ. “For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” (Rev. 12:12) “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Pet. 5:8) Seeing that we are weak and frail creatures, God takes pity on us, and delivers us from sin and the temptation of the devil. The walls of this city ought to be built up with swords in our hands. [Neh. 4:18] By building this wall of humility and righteousness around us, God protects us from the assaults of the enemy. Are you besought with temptation either to sin or self-righteousness? Look to Christ who suffered the curse of God for sin. Look on Him whom thou hast pierced, and be humbled for it! These walls are for our protection that we might not stumble into sin. By raising up the walls of righteousness in our souls, and enabling us to do His will by His Spirit, He protects us from what would surely damn us. Inasmuch as He is purposed to carry us to heaven on the wings of Christ’s righteousness, He will also use His awesome power to thwart the power of the devil, and protect us from all that would harm or undo us.
iii. By ordering all things for our good.
Finally we ought to observe that in promising to protect us, God is assuring us that all of our treasure which is stored up in heaven is safe and secure. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matt. 6:21) Our treasure is in heaven where Christ is, and therefore our hearts are there also. If our treasure is in heaven, how shall the enemy spoil us of our reward? “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy.” (Hos. 10:12) “He that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” [Gal. 6:8] If we apply ourselves to virtue, and walk in the Spirit, doing that which is pleasing to God, daily walking in self-denial, and mortification, looking unto Jesus for salvation, who is it who shall take away from us what is assuredly promised to us? Not only some things, but all things work together for our good!
Afflictions teach us, sins humble us, prosperity makes us thankful, death ushers us into life! What is there in heaven or earth that can undo God’s power? If He has promised it to us, surely it can never be taken away. God will protect us from all evil, and whatever happens to us in this life will surely work to our benefit. Therefore let us be humble, submissive to God’s will, zealous for truth, patience in tribulation, and diligent in holiness, and whatever we do for the glory of God will be rewarded in due time. Wait on the Lord, and you will see it with your own eyes.
6. By promising to destroy our enemies for us.
We should also observe that in promising to protect and defend us, God promises to destroy our enemies for us. We are in this life vexed with the filthy conduct of the wicked, and can scarcely go a day without hearing or seeing their lawless deeds. Being granted the mind of Christ through faith, the Christian is made to love righteousness, and hate sin and iniquity. How can he not hate the wicked for their wickedness, and hate their influence in the world. William Secker said, “The wicked are like a most fearful plague which infects the earth.” Their noxious fumes we are made to breathe daily as we see them lie, covet, blaspheme, and do all they are able to do against the kingdom of Christ. Therefore it is said of righteous Lot that, “He was vexed by their unlawful deeds.” So the Christian as living in Sodom is vexed by the sin of the wicked. He longs for the day when he shall live with Christ in perfect holiness. Therefore our salvation is incomplete unless God purge the wicked from the world, and consume them in His living and burning wrath. When the Lord Jesus comes again in flaming fire, it will be to save His people, and destroy all workers of iniquity. The apostle says to the Thessalonians, “Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” (2 Thess. 1:6-9) Note closely that all who do not obey the gospel are enemies of the gospel and will be destroyed with all the wicked of the earth. It ought to be a comfort to us that God will destroy them as the apostle here intimates. The Psalmist also says, “Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men. For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain. Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.”
(Ps. 139:19-22)

7. By promising to guide us.
“Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:5-6) By granting us the gift of salvation and promising to bless and keep us, we ought to see that God is also promising to guide us, and lead us where we ought to go. Here in the fourteenth chapter of the gospel of John we have recorded that the apostle Thomas asks the Lord where it is that we ought to go. Knowing that we are in need of direction is the first step on the path of discipleship. We ought also to observe that the Lord does not rebuke or correct Thomas for this question as He does when Philip desires to see the Father. Understanding that we are frail creatures who lack wisdom we must rely on God, and ask Him in humble prayer, “Lord, how can we know the way?” Jesus answers, “I AM the way.” The apostle John is intimating something very profound. At the beginning of this gospel, it is written, “In the beginning was the WORD… and the WORD became flesh.” The Holy Spirit here then in pointing us to Christ who is the way is pointing us to the Word where we might find all that is necessary for us to know to obtain the promise of salvation and the inheritance of eternal life. We are not left in this dark and miserable world without guidance and direction, but inasmuch as Christ rules us by the authority of His word, He also leads and guides us by the wisdom of the Word, and has promised to steer this ship through the turbulent waves of persecution and the rocks of affliction to its proper course until we finally reach the harbor of paradise. All that is required for us to know that we might inherit eternal life is found in the Word of God. All that is needful for us to walk in the ways of obedience is found in the Word of God, and all that is necessary for our comfort and peace as we walk through this valley of tears is found in the Word of God. Jesus said, “I AM the way.” And as our Lord and Shepherd He will lead and guide us through the wilderness into heavenly glory as He has promised. “The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Ps. 23:1-4)
Did not Israel wander for many years in the wilderness before they reached their inheritance? And yet God was with them, and as surely as He had promised He led them to their destination. Even so will Christ our Shepherd lead us into truth, and cause us to walk in the ways that please Him that we might live to His glory, and obtain that blessed hope which is so surely promised to us in the gospel.
8. By promising to comfort us.
We should see also that in guiding us to our eternal abode, He guides us with much comfort. “Behold, for peace I had great bitterness.” (Isa. 38:17) The Christian being daily afflicted, persecuted, and assailed by devils, and wicked men is constantly in need of comfort. But we could not see the tenderness of the Father if we did not know bitterness in our current estate. It is for our peace that we are tried by fire, and for our joy that we are made sorrowful. Therefore Jesus says, “Blessed are those who weep now, for they shall laugh.” In mixing so many afflictions into this life, Christ is drawing us to Himself, and causing us to lean on Him for comfort, and rest on His promises for consolation. There may be many times in this life that we are brought to great misery, grief, and discomfort, but all the promises of the gospel are made to comfort us and give us hope. All of these promises we’ve spoken of up to this point, and all the promises we will speak of after ought to bring comfort to the downcast soul, and joy to those who mourn. Upon remembrance of Christ’s dear love for us, how can our spirits droop in melancholy sorrow? Though afflictions grieve us, friends forsake us, and the world scorn at us, how can we not be comforted at the thought that Christ lived and died for us, yea and now lives to intercede for us? To be assured of the sweet promises of the gospel, and to have our everlasting comfort promised to us- this certainly makes the godly joyful, and the righteous glad. “Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.” (Ps. 97:11) It is also said in the prophets,
“Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord‘s hand double for all her sins.”
9. By promising to be with us.
One of the choicest promises in scripture is the promise of God’s presence with us.
Christ is our Immanuel, “God with us.” And He has promised to be with us both in this life and the next. “And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matt. 28:20) “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Heb. 13:8) “And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” (Deut. 31:8)
Christ often draws us into His love and embrace by manifesting Himself to us. As Christ came into this world as a man, to redeem us from the penalty of sin which was from man, so He also came as our Mediator, our Advocate, and our Friend. “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” [John 1:14] It is also said in the epistle to the Hebrews, “He is not ashamed to call us brethren.” As He was with the disciples in the flesh, so He is with us in the Spirit. He has promised never to leave us, and has manifested Himself to us by revealing to us His truth, and causing us to walk according to His commandments. “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” (John 15:15) Are we not His friends? Will Christ not always be with His friends, guiding them, instructing them, and comforting them when they are in any trouble? Nay, more than friends, we are His body which is nearer and dearer to Him than ever a wife was near and dear to her husband. Yea, Christ and the Christian are inseparable from each other. He has united us to Himself by granting us faith, and now we know and are persuaded that we are His and He is ours both now and forever. He is with us and has promised to always be with us, and not even death can separate Christ from us but will draw us all the closer to Him.
i. He is with us in trials.
“Lo I am with you always.”
What is more discomforting than loneliness? What is more sorrowful than to have no one with you to comfort you? Truly, our Lord Christ knew loneliness, and when His time of suffering came, He was very much alone. The Psalm speaks of Him in this way, “Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.” (Ps. 69:20) and again in the prophets, “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” (Is. 53:3) The Son of the Father’s love who only ever knew the incomprehensible delights of His Father’s presence was for our sakes forsaken by the Father, and made a curse that we might never suffer it. In His humiliation and agony, we hear Him cry with a bitter cry, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
And yet, this was for our sakes, that we might never be forsaken by God. Yea, now may the Christian never say, “Why hast thou forsaken me?” For Christ has said, “Lo, I am with you always.” This is our great comfort in all our tribulations, even that we are never alone, but Christ is with us. He has put away the enmity that alienated us from God, and has brought us into the arms of His love. Yea, may the Christian always say, “The LORD is with me, what can flesh do unto me?” Though Christ was forsaken by us in His trials, He will never forsake us in ours. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.” Let us therefore keep Him close in our hearts, and His promises fresh in our minds. In all our afflictions let us say boldly, “God is with me” and then shall we be courageous to endure it, and confident to maintain a pattern of godliness, even in the valley of the shadow of death.
ii. He is with us in death.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” (Is. 43:2)
By promising to be with us forever, God is promising to keep us from the sting of death.
Death only has power over those who are under the curse, which curse Christ has abolished through the power of His cross. Therefore those who are in Christ, have Christ as their Mediator and head, and inasmuch as Christ lives forever, so also will we. There is no death for the righteous, but the passing from this present life into the next. It is a transition from temporal to eternal. We have this life promised to us through the power of the resurrection, for inasmuch as Christ became flesh, put to death the body of sin, bore our sins away by His suffering and death, and rose again to newness of life by the power of the Spirit being accepted into heaven by the Father and made to rule and reign over all, so also will Christ bring all those who have faith in Him with Him into heaven by the same power. Was Christ crucified? So shall He destroy the body of sin which is subject to death. Did Christ rise again? So shall we rise with Him. Was Christ accepted into heaven and ascend to His throne? So shall we be accepted by virtue of His righteousness. We do not follow spurious and vain principles by which we ignorantly hope to live forever, as others do, but these things are promised to us by Him that created all things, and made all things to serve His glory. Inasmuch as we by faith are united to Christ, so He will never leave us, and will be with us as we pass from this life into glory. “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(1 Cor. 15:52-57)
10. By promising to come for us.
We come now to the great eschatological promise of the scriptures, even that the Lord Jesus Christ being in heaven exalted at the right hand of God will come again to judge the world in perfect righteousness, and deliver His people from all the wicked and sinful things of this present life. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 says, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”  Acts 1:11 also says, “This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Just as Christ came to the earth and assumed to Himself a true body and a reasonable soul, and was received up into heaven having accomplished all the work that His Father gave Him to do, so also as He has promised He will come again in victory and glory, and shall complete His work by the glorification of His people, and the judgment of all wicked sinners. Then shall all the secrets of the heart be opened before Him, the righteous being vindicated in that they sincerely loved their dear Savior Jesus Christ, and the hypocrites being consumed by fire because they loved themselves, and this world and not Christ.
Then shall all things be complete, all sin washed from our persons, all sorrow wiped from our eyes, and death itself conquered by Christ’s glorious work. We are never so drawn to Christ as when He comes again for us, for then the souls of the righteous which enjoyed communion with God in perfect bliss will again be united with their bodies which will be shaped into heavenly bodies of glory, inasmuch as Christ also remains both human and Divine. As Phil. 3:20-21 says, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” Our citizenship is in heaven. The apostle speaks as if we were already there, because the accomplishment is as sure as the promise, and God will have us wait for it that He might perfect His work in our hearts by faith, and hope. This is the end of all things. This is the event which the earth groans for and waits for, and which all of creation was made for – even the revelation of the everlasting glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.
11. By promising a heaven for us.
We should also see that in promising to come for us, He is promising a kingdom for us.
““Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32) What is the end of all things? What is the reason for the salvation of the righteous and the destruction of the wicked? Is it not that God might be glorified, and that His people eternally enjoy the influences of His grace in perfect blessedness, and immortal felicity? As Jesus says in John 14:3, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
All the comfort a Christian could ever need is found in this one verse, for Christ says that He is preparing a place for us. If Christ who is the wisdom of God is the architect of something so great as our salvation, how great also will be the fruit of this salvation, and the everlasting enjoyment of it? Our inheritance has been planned from eternity, and Christ has been working out our eternal salvation ever since the world was framed, even before man fell. The earth itself was made as a stage where His great act of redemption would be played out. The longer we are in the waiting, the more time Christ is working, fulfilling and accomplishing all that the Father has decreed. As soon then as His work is finished on earth, He will destroy this world with the brightness of His holiness, and receive us into His presence forever where we will experience full conformity to His will.
Revelation 21:1-8 says, “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John,saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”
And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
i. The holiness of heaven.
“For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.” (Heb. 9:24) Having been promised an inheritance in heaven, we are promised a most holy inheritance which is the immediate presence of God. As God is infinitely holy so He can only approve of infinite holiness, and any mixture of sin as pertaining to our justification would ensure our immediate and eternal destruction. God is perfect, and so He can only approve of what is perfect. God calls us to love Him because to love God is reasonable and answerable to a sanctified life. God cannot therefore think, speak or act in any other manner but perfect holiness. Holiness is the chief characteristic of God spoken of throughout the scriptures. “Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” (Ex. 15:11) The reason for this is to show us how separate God is from all material substance. Therefore when the scripture speaks of His holiness, it is primarily referring to His implacable hatred for sin, the necessity in His nature to punish it, and His ineffable love for righteousness, and the necessity in His nature to reward it. As God hates sin and cannot but revenge Himself upon it with furious rebukes and inimitable justice, so He loves righteousness, and cannot but love and reward it with mercy and love. How beautiful must heaven then be if it is the purchase of Christ’s merits? If God must reward holiness because He is holy, what unspeakable pleasures must there be in paradise which is built by Christ’s labor, and purchased by His precious blood? How could it not be infinitely lovely where Christ is and sin is not? Therefore, as holiness is the reigning principle of heaven, it is purchased for no one, but those who have that principle begun in their hearts by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Those who think themselves worthy of it by nature, or live in open licentiousness and advocate for a devil’s life cannot be said to partake of this inheritance, because it is an inheritance of holiness- purchased by holiness, built by holiness, established in holiness, and enjoyed in perfect, and unspotted holiness.
When a heavenly inheritance is promised to the people of God, it is an inheritance of holiness purchased by the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ who with His precious blood hath bought for us our forgiveness, salvation and the unending pleasures and delights of the fruits of His righteous labor. It is also said in the epistle to the Hebrews, “God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” (Heb. 6:10) As God is not unjust and will not permit the wicked to prevail, but will surely punish them for all their sins, so He is not unrighteous, and has promised to reward all our work and labor in heaven, not that the work in and of itself is worthy of merit, but inasmuch as the Lord Christ has purchased for us the gift of the Holy Spirit, and it is by the Spirit we do mortify, put to death the deeds of the body, and apply ourselves to virtue and good works, God will surely reward those works that are done in us. We ought not to forget the subjective importance of this scripture. Although the whole work is God’s, yet His work is in us, in our very souls, and involves our person, our thoughts, our words, and our activities. By causing us to walk in holiness, God is preparing us for heaven. Every holy thought and every holy deed therefore will receive its just reward. God’s people are forgiven all of their sins, but their works have not yet been completed. As long as they live on earth, they are commanded and exhorted to a life of holiness, for inasmuch as holiness is the reigning principle of heaven, so that is how by the grace of God they are led by His Holy Spirit. All those who are led to heaven, are led by this principle of holiness- without which is no salvation. Those who are not interested in holiness, do not know of its inherent beauty, its inestimable worth, its worthiness of eternal glory, and are not desirous to have this principle reigning in their thoughts, and affections know nothing of the Lord Jesus Christ, His glorious Person and Work, and are not on their way to heavenly glory. Inasmuch as holiness is the refulgent glory of heaven, so it is the redemptive grace on earth. Grace is but glory begun, and glory is but grace perfected. The heavenly paradise that Christ has purchased for us we know to be infinitely glorious because we see the beauty of holiness in part when the Spirit quickens us, and opens our eyes to our sinful estate and our unworthiness of it, and God’s marvelous righteousness and justice in rewarding the Lord Jesus Christ with all the glories of eternal joy because of the merits of His holiness. Heaven is where Christ is, and as He has purchased it for His people as an inheritance by his blood, and promised it to them also, and will draw us to Himself by the grace of the gospel, and implanting in us a zeal for truth, a love for holiness, a hunger for righteousness, a devotion to His Word, and ardent affections for Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.

Application.
1. Since the promises are sure to those only who have faith, let us receive the whole word of God with faith.
“Receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” [Jam. 1:21]  As the scriptures are the guide of life and we are always in need of correction and guidance, let us receive the word with sincerity of heart and a pure faith, not doubting the power of the word as some doubt, but receiving every word as truth. Let us be diligent to study the scriptures as a whole that we might understand the true spiritual sense and not be confused or led astray by our own fleshly wisdom. We ought to use scripture to interpret scripture and receive the things spoken therein as if God was Himself speaking to us full of glory and majesty. We ought to remember that the devil when he tempted the Lord, used scripture as is understood by carnal means, not understanding the spiritual meaning, he took scripture and used it according to man’s wisdom, as we see many heretics and false teachers doing today, using John 3:16 to teach universal love, 1 John 2 to teach a universal atonement, and 2 Peter 3 to teach universal acceptance. Let us not be deceived by them, for God’s word is verity and truth, and nothing in all of the scriptures is contradictory. We ought to use wisdom, and be humble when approaching the word, praying to the Lord that He would grant us wisdom to understand it, for all wisdom comes from God who is the Father of lights and the fountain of all spiritual blessing. Let us not cease to read scripture with faith, interpreting the harder and more difficult verses with those which are more easily discerned, and let us not cease to pray for the wisdom to receive these things with meekness that we might grow thereby. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (Jam. 1:5-8)
We ought to remember that a true faith receives God’s word as He intends it and not as we suppose it. Let us not come to the scriptures presumptuously or casually but with fear and reverence, knowing that as God reveals to us His will in the word, so those who twist His word to suit their own fancies will receive His indignation. “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.” (Prov. 30:5-6)
If you have trouble understanding passages, go to the ancient fathers of the church, read Calvin’s commentary, and Matthew Henry’s commentary, compare them, and ask God in humility to teach you. Better to admit you don’t understand a verse than use a verse to suit human wisdom and be led to perish by it. The Spirit puts a strong curse upon those who wrest God’s word, and do not interpret it according to God’s intention.
[2 Pet. 3:16] So let us be humble, let us study the word that we might know it, and let us receive every word with a humble faith, knowing that God will bring us into heaven by belief in the truth.
2. Seeing that we live as pilgrims and strangers in the earth let us live in faith and a fervent hope.
“For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven.” (2 Cor. 5:2)
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 3:20)
Since all of the blessings of scripture are given to us not yet by procurement, but assuredly by promise, let us live as is befitting for saints and wait for that day with patience and hope, setting our affections on the heavenly glory which is yet to be revealed, and be assured that even as the Lord has promised to come for us, so He will, and complete this work He has started. The Christian life if anything is a life of hope.
“For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, then do we with patience wait for it.” (Rom. 8:24-25) These two – hope and patience are tied together so tightly that they are never without each other. Hope is the cause, patience the effect. We learn to be patient because we have hope in our heart, and eagerly wait for the promises. Faith clings to Christ’s word, and hope to His coming. Seeing that in Him all the promises of God are Yes, and Amen, we need have no fear that God will fulfill His word, simply to patiently wait for their fulfilling. Those who are born of God are begotten in hope. The apostle Peter says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Pet. 1:3)
Not a moment of time passes in the Christian life, but God’s purposes are being fulfilled and He is accomplishing His will. Therefore what reason do we have to fret, even in the darkest of times? Even at midnight there are signs of light in the sky, and soon after the night, then comes the dawn. These outward manifestations of God’s goodness have been used throughout all ages, and by a multitude of people from all kinds of religion, and yet they have only one meaning. The rising of the sun is not meant to give hope to the hypocrite, but to the Christian! We look for Christ’s coming as men wait for the dawn, and we have this hope assured to us before it comes, so that we would the more eagerly, and confidently wait for it. Psalm 30:5 says, “His anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
Psalm 130:6-7 also says, “My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is abundant redemption.”
Psalm 19 speaks of the coming of the Lord Christ in this fashion, “In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber.”
And again, “There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.” (Ps. 46:4-5)
What river could make glad the people of God but the streams of the light of His love? Though we wait long for the hope to be accomplished, yet we do not lose hope. As the apostle says, “We with patience wait for it.” This pertains to all the promises spoken of here, and all the promises in scripture. Therefore, seeing these things are given to us by promise, let us have patience and run the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith, who has begun the work in our hearts, and will finish the work in glory. Let us have confidence in His love, and be fully persuaded in our minds that what He has promised that He will also perform, yea and do more abundantly than we could ever ask or think.
3. Seeing that God has promised so many things to us, let us bring these promises to Him in prayer that through His word they may be effectual.
There is a profound truth in scripture that we are to pray in Christ’s name, and pray according to the will of God. These things are synonymous, and are essential to a life of godly prayer.  We ought to always pray according to these promises of the Word as a sign that we are affectionately waiting on Him to fulfill His word and not on material things. “Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.” (Ps. 31:24) “Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in Thee.” (Ps. 33:22) In these two last verses from these Psalms, we see that the Psalmist puts his trust and hope in the living God and prays that God would fulfill his petitions according to his hope. If our prayers are according to the promises which God has already assured us of, how much more shall He bestow them on His people when they cry out to Him in prayer?! If we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, let us be about showing our love for Him, and praying zealously that all things might work together for our good! If we know that He will bless us with peace and the Holy Spirit, how much more will He bless us with them if we pray for it!? If our sanctification is promised to us, and God has assured us that He will purge us from sin, how much more shall He purge us from sin when we ask Him to? Christ is our Mediator, and when we pray according to God’s will, we are praying in His name. His name is Savior, and all the saints pray for things pertaining to their salvation. It is not to pray in Christ’s name to pray for silly things that pertain to this life. It is not to pray in Christ’s name to pray for things that would spoil us of our eternal reward. We as weak and carnal people subject to vanity often pray for things that would not profit us! But now God has taught us what to pray for in the Lord Jesus Christ! Even that His name would be hallowed, His kingdom advanced, His will done, our daily needs met, our sins forgiven, our souls sanctified, and kept from temptation, and we protected from the devil’s malice until we are glorified with Christ in heaven, and that in all things God would be glorified in power and dominion forever. “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:13) We as saints do not pray so much for material blessing and prosperity, but for wisdom to understand God’s holy word, for righteousness that we might walk in His commandments blamelessly, and for holiness and purity of heart that our affections might always be on Christ, and heavenly things! This is truly what it means to pray in Christ’s name. To pray that we would be saved (which also implies sanctification), for Jesus means Savior, and to pray that we would be anointed with the Spirit, even as Christ was anointed and called Christ, or “Messiah.” As the Psalm says, “You love righteousness and hate wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” (Ps. 45:7) Because Christ who was God and man was anointed, so also we His brethren and companions will in like manner be anointed with the oil of gladness and salvation through Him. He is our Messiah, and we are His fellows who He knows by name. Therefore, seeing we are friends of Christ, we know that whatever we ask in His name, God will grant us. He will answer us and all the promises of the gospel will be Yes and Amen to the glory of God through Him.
4. Since God has so forgiven us, we ought also to forgive others when they sin against us.
One of the last seven words of Christ from the cross was, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” [Luke 23:34] Likewise, the martyr Stephen also expired with these words on his lips, “Lay not this sin to their charge.” [Acts 7:60]
Christ and the holy martyr by their dying words have given us an example not to be affronted or offended by the revilings of the heathen or to seek to revenge ourselves upon them. True it may be that there are many imprecatory prayers in the Psalms that are intended against God’s enemies, but they are not to be used for our own sake, but God’s glory. We do not pray that our persecutor’s be destroyed because they offend us, but that God’s enemies would be destroyed because they offend Him. Even Christ who had all authority given to Him did not pray for God to strike them dead because they crucified Him, although He was the Lord of glory. But to set us an impeccable example, Christ asks the Father not to charge them with the murder of the Son of God? And why so but to teach us that even as the Son of man came to put to death sin in the flesh, so He can also to be sin for us, and to take upon Himself those charges of sin that were against us. Why would we return the curses of our enemies with curses of our own, when we are commanded by God rather to bless, and do good to them, that God would be glorified by it, and Christ shown to them by our testimony? It is not because we wish the salvation of all men, but we as imitators of God who makes His sun to shine on both the just and the unjust are to show an outward generosity and kindness to the unthankful and the evil even if they should revile us, to the intent that we would manifest that kindness of God to them, and leave them even more without an excuse.
If they are won by it, praise to the Lord that they were won by our good conduct!
And if they are not won by it, our kindness will be as coals of fire heaped upon them on the day of Judgment for not only forsaking the Judge who hates sin, but the Creator who was kind to them and loaded them with daily benefits.
“If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
For so you will heap coals of fire on his head,
And the Lord will reward you.” (Prov. 25:21-22)
But we should see closely that this heart of forgiveness is to be engaged primarily toward our brothers in the faith who by nature are prone to sin, and may offend or wound us.
It is recorded in Matthew 18:21-22, “Then Peter came to [Jesus] and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
We are to forgive our enemies for Christ’s sake, but we are more than anything to forgive our brothers for His mercy’s sake. Has God forgiven you of all your sins? Has God also forgiven your brother of his? Shall you withhold forgiveness being a mortal, and having no reason to seek revenge, God having just cause of punishing both you and your brother and instead- showing mercy in Christ? Let there be therefore in you a heart of forgiveness toward those whom Christ has forgiven, and love towards those whom Christ loves and hold nothing against them for Christ’s sake, for you also in many things offend God, and God shows mercy to you. By all means, rebuke your brother, and show him his fault, and seek his repentance, but do it in Christian charity and not in revenge.
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” (Col. 3:12-13)
5. If God actively protects us from our enemies, why would we defile our walk by conversation with hypocrites?
Inasmuch as we are to be a light to the world, and show our works to all that they may glorify God by them, so we are not to dim that light by the influence of evil men. We are in the world, but we are not to be of the world. The world loves its own because the world is a place of wickedness. We know that the whole world lies in wickedness, and so we are to keep our distance from them, and separate ourselves from that evil influence which would spoil us of our reward which we labor for. William Secker said, “To see a saint and a sinner maintaining familiar fellowship with each other — is to behold the living and the dead keeping house together! The godly are more frequently corrupted by the evil deportment of the worldling — than the worldling is refined by the chaste life of the godly.” And again, “The impious lives of the wicked are as contagious as the most fearful plague which infects the air.” God does not intend to save every man. In fact He hides the way of salvation from those who would defile it by their impurity. He has not purchased them with His blood, so why would we spend and be spent for that which is not? God has ordained preachers to be the primary ordinance that brings salvation. Our lives are to manifest His glorious light to the world of darkness, but if we should find agreement with the enemies of the cross, and acquaint ourselves with those who God hates, where is the light? Has not our light become darkness? Therefore, come out from among the world and be separate from the ungodly, for God will certainly bring judgment upon them for their sin and iniquity, and if you share in their sins, you will likewise share in their plagues. “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them
And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” Therefore
“Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.”
“I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Cor. 6:14-18)
6. Since our treasure that is laid up in heaven is eternally safe and secure, let us labor diligently to increase our heavenly reward by righteousness, holiness and good works.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58) There are many treasures, and many objects that men pursue in this world to their own demise. The world is hungry for wealth, fame, pleasure, to be respected and cheered by men, praised by others, to rise above others and leave their mark on the world, to influence others, and maybe even to help others for their own glory. These with all other things in this world will pass away, and will be destroyed by fire when Christ comes again to judge the world. Those things that are done in the flesh, to the flesh, and for the flesh can only bring temporal satisfaction. Those things that are born of the Spirit, and are done by the Spirit and for the glory of God are worthy of eternal reward inasmuch as they are from God who is righteous, and promises to reward all righteousness. 1 John 2:15-17 says, “ Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
Likewise the apostle Paul says to the church at Corinth, “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” (1 Cor. 3:11-15) And again also the Lord Jesus says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:19-20)
If our treasure is in heaven, where men cannot break into and steal, and where the treasures we store up are of infinite and eternal value, let us set our affections there, not being moved by the passing pleasures of sin, or fretting because of the wealth of the wicked, or tempted by wanton lusts which war against the soul but let us spend our energy contemplating spiritual things, pursuing holiness and good works, and applying ourselves to worship, and the glorifying of God. Let us be zealous for good works, and diligent in religious service for the Lord’s sake, for He has assuredly promised us that He will reward all our services.
7.  Since the Lord leads and guides us by His word, we ought to diligently search for and find our duty there.
The Psalmist says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Ps. 119:105) The light to guide our steps is the word of God and will we be slow of feet to find our duty there? Shall we not rather run to it because it will be the means to sanctify us, and bring us to heaven where Christ is? Truly as certain as Jesus said to His disciples, “I am the way.” He was pointing them to the word! Christ became flesh so that we would comprehend Him in His word. He has condescended to our lowly state, and shall we not raise our affections to Him, and pursue a life of spiritual devotion and zeal for the truth? All that is necessary for life and doctrine is found in the word of God. The apostle says to Timothy, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
Would you be equipped with sound doctrine that you might combat the errors of heresy? The answer is in the Word! Would you forsake sin and apply yourself to righteousness in obedience and submission to God’s commandments? You will find the principles of sanctification, and the laws you are to follow in the Word! Will you set your affections on Christ and heaven, and sincerely desire that which is good? Find the object of your love in the word! The word of God is the light to enlighten our understanding, the sun to both warm and comfort us, the compass of our salvation, the rod to correct us, the staff to lead us, and the sword to fight our battles for us. Let us not ever grow weary of it, but daily apply ourselves to the reading, the study and the meditation of it, that we might be perfect, and fully equipped for every good word and work.
8. Since holiness is the reigning principle of heaven, let us be zealous to know what holiness is, how to obtain it, let us pursue it, and walk in it that we might be found worthy of the immortal glory which God has promised to all who love Him.
“Pursue holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” (Heb. 12:14)
As all of the blessings of the heavenly glories previously spoken of are promised and assured to believers, let us receive this admonition from the Lord, and pursue holiness, proving ourselves to be true Christians, for as surely as God saves, He also sanctified, and as surely as He bestows an inheritance, He causes us also to walk in holiness. Let us examine ourselves daily, and ask whether or not we are in the faith. Do we have a mind that understands the things of the Spirit? Is our will bent towards submission to God’s word? Is our heart sincere in our duties for Him? If these wonderful promises are assuredly bestowed upon God’s people, let us labor to be approved as God’s people, knowing that He will condemn the lawless and cast out the hypocrite. Men may be fooled by outward religion, but God desires the heart. He will not be fooled by pretense.
Let us therefore as many as are of a pious disposition pursue holiness, righteousness, and godliness, looking for the blessed hope of the glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior and applying ourselves to that which pleases Him. The apostle here says, “Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord.” Let us labor to attain this holiness, by searching God’s word, meditating on His precepts, studying His law, applying ourselves to it, and bringing every thought and affection into submission to Christ’s rule.
i. A word of encouragement for those who are weak in faith.
Is thy faith small, and is that principle of holiness within you frail? Are you often in doubt, uncertainty, or even affliction, and live in constant fear, or grief, waiting for the Lord to be gracious? Be of good cheer, O well beloved saints of God. God has not begun a good work in you to cast you aside for unprofitableness, but He will certainly work in you to do that which pleases Him. Were not the disciples also once weak in faith? Were they not so quick to cry out to the Lord for deliverance thinking themselves to be perishing when they were troubled by the turbulent waves of the sea? And our Lord both rebukes, and encourages them. He says, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” [Matt. 8:26] Why do your hearts mistrust His hand, when your mind knows He is able and willing to save? Even those who are weak in faith, have all that is required for salvation, for those who have faith have Christ! Though the seed is small, yet it is lively, and though it is hard to see, yet God looks on it with tender care, and will be sure to make it grow as He sees fit. Therefore, rest patiently on the Lord. Have faith that He will both save and sanctify you. If you are troubled about things of this life, know that your hope is in the next. If you are troubled about sin prevailing, and gaining a hold on you, cry out to your Redeemer, and call upon the God who delivered you. If He has begun a good work in you, He will continue to work, and perfect the work. Have no fear, but trust in His wisdom, and sovereignty, find your comfort in His word, and He will make all things work together for thy good. Do not be discouraged by doubt, only exercise faith on the Lord, and beg Him to work in you a holy confidence. Do not be discouraged by sins, but forsake them and beseech the Lord to root those fleshly principles out of you, and do not be discouraged by afflictions but know that as your outward man is perishing, yet God can build up a holy temple in your heart, even as the walls of your mortal tabernacle are being broken down. Up, up to spiritual duty! Up to righteousness! Up to life! The Lord Jesus Christ has surely promised to draw all of His beloved people to Himself both rich and poor, male and female, bond or free, weak or strong, and if you have but a spark of grace implanted into your soul by the living God, be patient, be strong, be of good cheer, and wait until the Lord blows it up to a most vehement flame!
ii. An exhortation to the strong.
O ye who have been entrusted with Christ’s truth, and have a strong mind zealous for sound doctrine, a sound will purposed to obey God blamelessly, and a heart full of sincerity and affectionate worship, do not be dissuaded from your current path though friends forsake you, men revile you, and devils assail you, but hold up and hold fast to the faith, striving fervently in all things that pertain to godliness. Ye that are strong know well what spiritual benefits lay behind the veil of death, and you know that the Lord is faithful to reward all His saints for all their works. Do not be discouraged that you walk a lonely path, and that few understand you, but know that God sincerely loves His people and those who are singularly blessed with grace will be singularly honored in glory. Do not be proud because of your accomplishments, your zeal, your knowledge, or your affection for God, but humble yourself before God, and continue in fervent holiness to the end, for God’s work is manifested in you, and on the last day He will reveal all the secrets of the heart. Your gift of grace in this life will be a crown of glory in the next.
Be of good courage, all you His people, wait on the Lord, and He shall come for you, yea He shall come with shouts of glory!