Matthew 19:17

Matthew 19:17

How are we sinners to be accepted by Almighty God? Doubtless the sacrifice of Christ on the cross is the meritorious cause of our justification, and His Church is the ordained instrument of conveying it to us. But our present question relates to another subject, to our own part in appropriating it, and here I say Scripture makes two answers, saying sometimes, "Believe, and you shall be saved," and sometimes, "Keep the commandments, and you shall be saved." Let us consider whether these two modes of speech are not reconcilable with each other.

I. What is meant by faith? It is to feel in good earnest that we are creatures of God; it is a practical perception of the unseen world; it is to understand that this world is not enough for our happiness, to look beyond it on towards God, to realize His presence, to wait upon Him, to endeavour to learn and do His will, and to seek our good from Him. It is not a mere temporary strong act or impetuous feeling of the mind, an impression or a view coming upon it, but it is a habit, a state of mind lasting and consistent.

II. What is obedience? It is the obvious mode suggested by nature of a creature's conducting himself in God's sight, who fears him as his Maker, and knows that, as a sinner, he has a special cause for fearing Him. Under such circumstances he will do what he can to please Him, as the woman whom our Lord commended. And he will find nothing better as an offering, or as an evidence, than obedience to that holy law which conscience tells him has been given us by God Himself; that is, he will be delighted in doing his duty as far as he knows and can do it. Thus, as is evident, the two states of mind are altogether one and the same; it is quite indifferent whether we say a man seeks God in faith, or say he seeks Him by obedience; and whereas Almighty God has graciously declared that He will receive and bless all that seek Him, it is quite indifferent whether we say He accepts those who believe, or those who obey. To believe is to look beyond this world to God, and to obey is to look beyond this world to God; to believe is of the heart, and to obey is of the heart; to believe is not a solitary act, but a consistent habit of trust; and to obey is not a solitary act, but a consistent habit of doing our duty in all things.

J. H. Newman, Parochial and Plain Sermons,vol. iii., p. 77.

References: Matthew 19:17. F. W. Farrar, Anglican Pulpit of Today,p. 220; Homiletic Magazine,vol. ix., p. 12; H. Wace, Expositor,2nd series, vol. ii., p. 195.Matthew 19:18. E. B. Pusey, Parochial and Cathedral Sermons,p. 363.Matthew 19:19. H. W. Beecher, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xiv., p. 61; Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. iii., No. 145; J. Jackson, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxiv., p. 157.