Isaiah 46:13 I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry… I. THE DIVINE PURPOSES WHICH THE SACRED SCRIPTURES REVEAL. They have respect — 1. To the exhibition of God's glory in the development of His perfections. 2. To the deliverance of mankind from the consequences of sin. 3. To the establishment of Messiah's kingdom in the earth. 4. To the total overthrow of the empire of darkness. 5. To the everlasting happiness of believers in the realms of glory. II. WHAT MEANS ARE EMPLOYED FOR THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THESE PURPOSES. 1. The means which are primary. (1) The mediatorial character of Christ. (2) The agency of the Holy Spirit. (3) The energy of Divine providence. 2. Those means which are subordinate. (1) The revelation of God's will in the inspired volume. (2) The preaching of the Gospel. (3) The constitution of the Christian Church. III. THE CONNECTION WHICH EXISTS BETWEEN THE USE OF DIVINELY APPOINTED MEANS AND THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE DIVINE PURPOSES. That such a connection exists we may argue — 1. On the principle of analogy. Through all the works of God there is an evident connection between the means and the end. 2. There is a peculiar fitness in the means to accomplish the end. 3. From Divine authority. That the means shall accomplish the end is the frequent subject of the Divine promise. 4. The evidence of fact further establishes this connection. 5. To deny this connection involves the greatest absurdity. IV. THE PRACTICAL INFLUENCE OF THE DOCTRINE. 1. Ought we not to consider our personal interest in the subject? We are within the precincts of the Divine purposes, and the means of their accomplishment. 2. This subject strongly inculcates holiness in the disciples of Christ. Both the means and the end seem encircled with a halo of sanctity. 3. We learn our obligation and encouragement in the use of appointed means. 4. Let us be careful that the means we employ are those only of Divine appointment. 5. How dreadful the condition, and dangerous the conduct, of those who oppose the Divine purposes, and despise Divinely appointed means! (J. R. Cooper.). Parallel Verses KJV: I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory. |
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