| Back | Contents | Next |
{Sermons on Ephesians 5:15
The Doctrine Explained
Precisians Are Proved to Be Not Fools
The Characteristics of Wise People Are Found in Them
They Build Surely}
We have seen that the first characteristic of Precisians is that they understand themselves correctly. A second characteristic is that they build surely, so that whoever or whatever falls, they stand sure forever. They are those wise builders of whom Christ speaks: “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock” (Matthew 7:24–25 ESV). “My foot stands in an even place” (Psalm 26:12). All other people and parties stand upon slippery places and have only an uncertain standing. When they are in the height of all their glory and confidence, they are often gone in a moment. A Christian stands sure; whichever way the wheel of Providence moves, it moves in favor of the upright. He is still uppermost when he is undermost. He has the better when he has the worst. All the vicissitudes and outcomes of his prosperity and affliction do not cause a fundamental change in him, because in the main, he is as happy under all his outward losses as in his greatest gains. He is as honorable under the greatest contempt that is poured out upon him as under the greatest human applause. He is as safe in the greatest dangers as when there is no danger in sight. He has built upon the Rock; the greatest winds and waves can never beat him down. He has been “built upon the foundation of the prophets and apostles” (Ephesians 2:20). He has the Christian religion, righteousness, innocence, and yes, even the truth and strength of Almighty God to uphold him. If somehow a Christian could fall eternally,97 Christ must fall with him. If somehow a Christian could fall eternally, Scripture must fall with him.98 Christ said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away” (Matthew 24:35 NASB). A Christian will never be disappointed by his hopes unless God’s faithfulness can disappoint. He will never be deceived until God’s truth becomes a lie. He will never be completely overcome unless Almighty strength becomes weakness. The carnal world builds all of its hopes and comforts on the sand: on the wisdom of the flesh; on the riches, strength, and multitude of their people; and on the successes of their carnal counsels. They ground their very souls upon mere fallacies and presumptions, upon the wood, hay, and stubble (1 Corinthians 3:12) of the teachings, inventions, and traditions of people. They have their foundation in the dirt and mire. They strengthen themselves in their wickedness. If iniquity is able to support them, if unrighteousness is able to exalt them, if ungodliness can secure them, then they have something to lean upon. But if righteousness is what is necessary; if a good conscience, unmixed and godly sincerity, the favor and faithfulness of God, and a portion in Christ are the only sure refuge; then where are all of the ungodly? When they are in all the height of all their glory, it takes only one turn of the wheel and they are thrown off their legs, their hopes and joys vanish, and all their thoughts perish. If God, Christ, the Scriptures, and conscience all agree, Christians have enough. Even if unrighteousness and wickedness should clearly and constantly be useful in this world, since only righteousness and holiness will be useful in the world to come, Christians are safe enough. Regarding carnal people who build their hopes on this earth: when the earth is shaken their hopes are shaken, their hearts are shaken, and they are even at their wits’ ends. But of the righteous, the psalmists say that his heart will be established by faith: “He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid” (Psalm 112:7–8 ESV). “Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling” (Psalm 46:2–3 ESV). Though all the earth should be in an uproar and though the whole world should be turned upside down, yet we will not fear. Though the mountains shake, our hearts will not shake. Are they not wise people who have reached such a condition?
97But see 1 John 2:19 concerning apostates.
98God’s promises are unbreakable due to the very nature of the Divine Being. He would not be God if He were imperfect in any way.
| Back | Contents | Next |