Romans 2:7-10 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life:… I. THE OBJECT OF THE CHRISTIAN'S PURSUIT. A triple crown — a crown of "glory and honour and immortality." But does not this reduce their virtue to a thing of hollow utility? No; as will appear if we consider their motive, which is that they may east their crowns at Jesus' feet. They seek — 1. A glorious position — "glory," "majesty." The inhabitants of heaven are all glorious within, and all glorious without. 2. The highest praise, "honour." Courtiers have spent years to insinuate themselves into the favour of their king; while vast numbers have not spent an hour in seeking the smile of God. And yet to have the approbation of the highest potentate of earth, is nothing compared with the approbation of the King of Glory. 3. To hold this position and this praise in perpetual possession. There is here a contrast between the things of earth and of heaven. Here, the leaf must wither and the flower must die; there, the leaf is evergreen and the flower amaranthine. II. THE MEANS EMPLOYED TO OBTAIN THIS OBJECT. 1. There is the performance of good works. This universe is an infinite conjugation of the verb "to do." And it is either conjugated ill or well. By the Christian, it is conjugated well. 2. The patient performance of good works. "Good doing" in this world is climbing the steep, often with bleeding feet. Hence, Christians require the Divine virtue of patience; and patience is true heroism. 3. Perseverance in the performance of good works. Our life must resemble the sun in his commencement, continued course, and consummation. We must travel onward and upward to "the perfect day" of knowledge, of purity, of joy. III. THE OBJECT OBTAINED BY THE MEANS EMPLOYED. Those who seek in the way described not only find what they seek, but much more — eternal life. This life is — 1. Pure. 2. Progressive. 3. Permanent. (J. Dunlop.) Parallel Verses KJV: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:WEB: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory, honor, and incorruptibility, eternal life; |
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