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I. MUCH OF THE CHRISTIAN INHERITANCE IS NOT YET POSSESSED.

(1) Multitudes of men have not yet received the advantages of the gospel which are freely offered to all. Christ died for the whole world; God desires the redemption of all men; all are freely invited (Revelation 22:17). Yet some live on in sin, some in distress, some in unbelief. Let these know that the distribution of God's grace has not ceased. There is yet abundance to be given for those who seek. The festal chamber is not full. There is yet room. The door is still open (Luke 14:22, 23).

(2) The Church has not yet conquered the world for Christ. He claims the whole world. So long as there are heathen nations abroad and godless men at home the work of the Church militant will be incomplete. It is foolish to be satisfied with the triumphs of the past. We should rather lament the slow progress of the gospel.

(3) Christians have much of their inheritance in Christ not yet possessed. The half has not been told us. No one can conceive the fulness of the riches of Christ (Isaiah 64:4).

(a) Christians do not enjoy on earth all the blessings which they might have;

(b) greater blessings are reserved for heaven (1 John 3:2).

II. IT IS OWING TO THE SLACKNESS OF MEN, AND NOT TO THE WILL OF GOD, THAT SO MUCH OF THE CHRISTIAN INHERITANCE IS NOT YET POSSESSED. Not God's will, but man's impenitence, delays his acceptance of the blessings of the gospel. Not God's will, but the Church's tardiness, hinders the spread of Christianity through the world. Not God's will, but the Christian's weakness, prevents him from enjoying the full privileges of redemption. This slackness to take full possession of the Christian inheritance is culpable, and arises from various causes.

(1) Satisfaction with the present. The Israelites became too well satisfied with their achievements before all the land was conquered. We are too readily tempted to "rest and be thankful" before half our work is done. Our watchword should be "Forward" (Philippians 3:13, 14).

(2) Indolence. Even when we know that more should be done we are slothful and unwilling to rouse our energies for continued service. This may arise

(a) from weariness when it shows the need of the Divine help for continued exertion; or

(b) from culpable remissness when it is a distinct proof of cooling zeal.

(3) Habits of delay. Some seem to follow the rule of never doing today what can be postponed till the morrow. Every day has its task. To postpone this to the morrow will hinder the task of the morrow. All is ready on God's side; there is no excuse for delay. While we delay the opportunity may pass (Psalm 95:7).

(4) Unbelief -

(a) in the need of Christ,

(b) in the greatness of the Christian blessings,

(c) in the Divine power, through which they may be obtained. - W.F.A.

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KJV: And there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, which had not yet received their inheritance.

WEB: Seven tribes remained among the children of Israel, which had not yet divided their inheritance.