Evening
Time: 2:33 PM PST
"He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul
unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully." --Psalm 24:4
Outward practical holiness is a very precious mark of grace. It is to be
feared that many professors have perverted the doctrine of justification by
faith in such a way as to treat good works with contempt; if so, they will
receive everlasting contempt at the last great day. If our hands are not clean,
let us wash them in Jesus' precious blood, and so let us lift up pure hands unto
God. But "clean hands"will not suffice, unless they are connected with
"a pure heart." True religion is heart-work. We may wash the outside of
the cup and the platter as long as we please, but if the inward parts be filthy,
we are filthy altogether in the sight of God, for our hearts are more truly
ourselves than our hands are; the very life of our being lies in the inner
nature, and hence the imperative need of purity within. The pure in heart shall
see God, all others are but blind bats.
The man who is born for heaven "hath not lifted up his soul unto
vanity." All men have their joys, by which their souls are lifted up; the
worldling lifts up his soul in carnal delights, which are mere empty vanities;
but the saint loves more substantial things; like Jehoshaphat, he is lifted up
in the ways of the Lord. He who is content with husks, will be reckoned with the
swine. Does the world satisfy thee? Then thou hast thy reward and portion in
this life; make much of it, for thou shalt know no other joy.
"Nor sworn deceitfully." The saints are men of honour still. The
Christian man's word is his only oath; but that is as good as twenty oaths of
other men. False speaking will shut any man out of heaven, for a liar shall not
enter into God's house, whatever may be his professions or doings. Reader, does
the text before us condemn thee, or dost thou hope to ascend into the hill of
the Lord?