Evangelical Obedience # 5

Evangelical Obedience # 5

When the Lord declared concerning David His servant that "he kept My commandments and My statutes" (1 Kings 11:34), He was speaking relatively and not absolutely. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delights in His way" (Psalm 37:23), notwithstanding that he often stumbles, yes, falls, in the same. There are but two classes of people in the sight of God: "the children of disobedience," and "obedient children" (1 Pet. 1:14) - yet many a regenerate soul is fearful of classifying himself with the latter. But he ought not - his scruples are due to an insufficiently enlightened conscience.

When the Lord Jesus said to the Father of those whom He had given Him, "They have kept your word" (John 17:6), surely, it is obvious that He was not affirming that their obedience was perfect. "Evangelical keeping is filial and sincere obedience. Those imperfections, Christ pardons, when He looks back and sees many errors and defects in the life - as long as we bewail sin, seek remission, and strive to attain perfection. All the commandments are accounted kept when that which is not done is pardoned (Thomas Manton). When the heart beats true to Him - Christ makes full allowance for our frailties.

With the Word of God in his hands, there is no excuse for anyone who has, by divine grace, been brought to hate sin and love God - to stumble over the point we are now treating of. David had many failings - and some of a gross and grievous nature - yet he hesitated not to say unto God himself: "I have kept your precepts." (Psalm 119:56). In what sense had he done so? Inwardly - in spirit, in holy resolution, and earnest endeavor. Outwardly, too - in the general current of his life. And wherein he failed - he deeply repented and obtained forgiveness from God. Christ will yet say to each one who has improved the talents entrusted to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant" - yet that is far from implying that therein he was without fault or failure.

When Paul prayed for the Hebrew saints that God would make them "perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight," he was making request for those indwelt by sin, as his added acceptable "through Jesus Christ" (Heb. 13:21) necessarily implied. "And whatever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments" (1 John 3:22) would have no comfort for us, if God accepted only sinless obedience.

"Man looks on the outward appearance - but the Lord looks on the heart" (1 Sam. 16:7). Those words are capable of more than one legitimate application - but they are peculiarly pertinent here. True, God is very far from being indifferent to the substance of our obedience - yet the spirit in which it is performed is what He notices first. Duties are not distinguished by their external form - but by their internal frame - one may perform the same duty from fear or compulsion, which another does freely and out of love. "Waters may have the same appearance - yet one be sweet; and the other, brackish. Two apples may have the same color - yet one may be a crab; and the other, of a delightful relish. We must look to the Rule that the matter of our actions are suited to it; otherwise, we may commit gross wickedness, as those did who thought that they did God service by killing His righteous servants (John 16:2). We must look also to the face of our hearts; otherwise, we may be guilty of gross hypocrisy" (Stephen Charnock). The Pharisees kept the Sabbath with great strictness - yet their outward conformity unto that divine Law was far from being acceptable in God's sight.

"The Lord weighs the spirits" (Prov. 16:2). That has a meaning which should make each of us tremble - yet it should also be of great comfort to the regenerate, and evoke thanksgiving. If, on the one hand, the omniscient One cannot be imposed upon by the most pious appearance and utterances of the hypocrite; yet on the other hand, He knows those "who desire to fear His name" (Neh. 1:11), even though some of their actions proceed from a contrary principle. All the intentions and motives of our hearts are naked and open before the eyes of Him with whom we have to do; and full consideration is given thereto as God estimates our performances. Was not this very truth both the comfort and confidence of erring Peter when he declared to his Master: "Lord, you know all things - you know that (contrary to appearances) I (really and truly) love you!" (John 21:17). "If you, Lord, should mark iniquities (the shortcomings of Your full and righteous demands) - then who shall stand?" (Psalm 130:30). Not one of His people. But, as the next verse goes on to assure us: "But there is forgiveness with You - that You may be feared" (verse 4) - yes, held in awe, and not trifled with. Blessed balance of truth!

~A. W. Pink~

(continued with # 6)