1 Samuel 3:13, “For I have told him, that I will judge his house for ever, for the iniquity which he knoweth: because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.”
It is highly offensive to God, and shows men to be very faulty, when they will not reform what they know to be amiss. Eli did not reform him sons, though he knew them to be wicked. What of us? How might we improve ourselves in this for the coming year with those sins which we know are in us, but have not reformed? Are we concerned about them? Do they weigh heavily on our mind? Or, do we think we are “pretty good Christians?” Are there not several things which you know to be duties, neglected, several things, that you know to be sins, practiced? We live in a land of great light, have great advantages to know the mind of God, to know how we should adorn the Gospel, and our profession of it. The grace of God toward us, both as to light and peace under Gospel privileges, is very peculiar and distinguishing. There may be errors in practice that arise through ignorance. And some points that are disputable, some people are not so well satisfied about. Yet, this is not due to a lack of Gospel light, but the deficiency of improving, and submitting to the light that we have. By not improving this, it handicaps our reformation, which has been so long called for by the Spirit.
What shall we do if we have a dead faith with no godly works? We ought to improve the seasons and means of grace, to a repentance from dead works, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; to getting into a converted and pardoned estate, while the patience and long-suffering of God is continued. Is not this a thing abundantly known and confessed in churches? Certainly, people that have been brought up under the calls of the Gospel, and have had its duties so frequently instructed, can’t be ignorant of these things. The word is plain and positive concerning them pressing a present repentance and conversion to God, Isa. 55:67, “Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him whilst he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts,” etc. 2 Cor. 6:1-2, “Behold now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation,” etc. And how plainly does it warn of the danger of neglecting it? Heb. 2:3, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” There will be no escaping or avoiding condemnation at the judgment. God shows the riches of his grace in affording the seasons of grace to men; these are not to be slighted and trifled away; but seriously, seasonably, and faithfully improved.
It is a great dishonor cast upon Christ, and contempt of the love of God in the work of redemption, when peace and reconciliation with him, are not regarded; when the fruits of redeeming love in sanctification, and holiness, are counted a misery as internal distress, rather than a privilege. It is a daring presumption, as well as positive disobedience, when God calls for present repentance and conversion, to defer the matter to some future care. Surely, men know it is their duty to put honor on the Lord Jesus Christ, to acknowledge him in his office of a Redeemer. Surely it is fit that he, who has been at the expense of his precious blood, undergone such abasement, and sufferings, should be glorious in the eyes of those to whom he is offered; and the fruits of his redeeming love, be received with all thankfulness. This is plainly required. John 5:23, he will have all men “honour the Son as they honour the Father.” And how is Christ honored, if he is not believed in, and obeyed? (John 3:23; Heb. 5:9).
As to the means of worship which God has appointed, whether public, private, or secret, we should consider how perform our duties in them. Certainly, the omissions in them that are among us, are not through ignorance. We know we should study and read the bible. We know we should pray. We know we should meditate on the word. Men know and confess that God is the Supreme and first Being, the fountain of goodness; and being such, he is the proper object of worship. That all our mercies flow from him. He should be asked by prayer, and acknowledged with praise. As to the secret duties of worship, how plain is the precept, Matt. 6:6, “When thou prayest, Enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret,” etc. Every man has personal needs, sins and temptations; many concerns that are most fit to be transacted in secret between God and his own soul; therefore, to omit it, is both an act of disobedience to God and a great prejudice to yourselves. Yet, are there not such who are strangers to this duty?
As to families; do not men know that it is their duty to educate and instruct their families in religion and virtue; and restrain them from impieties and immoralities? This is plain, Prov. 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go.” Eph. 6:4, “Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” For this Abraham is honored and commended by God, Gen. 18:19, “I know Abraham that he will command his children and household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment.” It is the way for parents to be instruments to convey the best blessings to their children. Not only the ties of religion, and conscience, but of nature as well, oblige to it. It will be gross hypocrisy in you, to be negligent of their education; as well as great unfaithfulness to God and to their souls. Have you not been the immediate instruments of propagating original sin to them? And should not this oblige you, to do the best you can for them, that they may be delivered from its guilt?
Be persuaded then to reform those things that you know to be amiss, and are plainly discovered to be sins. “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin,” (James 4:17). If you neglect this, there will be just cause to fear that God’s displeasure will be continued, and increased. God is as angry with men’s pride and stubbornness in contempt of his warnings, as formerly they were. Reform such things as your own consciences tell you are amiss, and often strike and condemn you for. Reform what you often confess to be amiss. Reform such things as are plainly witnessed against from the word of God. In this way if we do this, God will give hope, that he will have a gracious respect to our prayers this very day. For God does not begrudge mercies to his people, if they are but obedient. Isa. 1:19, “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.”
Contemplations:
- O Lord, what do I do daily but wander in the field of vanity? What is my heart but a filthy prison of corrupt thoughts? In so many things, I am no better than a dead tree. As Psalm 119:94 says, “I am Thine; save me.” Quicken me. Create a new heart within me, engraft me in the true olive branch, and purge me that I may bring forth much fruit.
- O Lord Jesus, help me to see the sins I have left amiss. Pour down on me some of the drops of your precious blood from the clouds of your mercy to quench out the angry flame of sin. I am not able, of myself, to put out any of those fiery darts. Help me to be clean before you.
- O Lord, I am your sheep, your hands have fashioned me. I wander all the time, I do not redeem the time as I should, and I have left off many duties that have not been yet reformed. As you have framed me from your gracious goodness, so recall me from straying in any way, by the voice of your mercy. Give me grace to hear your, and in hearing to come to you, and in coming to follow you in all good duties in this New Year.
Further References for 1 Sam. 3:13:
1 Sam. 2:12; Deut. 21:18; Luke 12:47; James 4:17.
