Jeremiah 9:3 And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth on the earth… I. WHAT IS COMPREHENDED IN THIS IMPORTANT WORD, "THE TRUTH"? It has been remarked that "truth is a relative term, expressing a conformity between the object and the mind, a harmony between the object and the 1des we entertain of it": thus, truth becomes one of those terms, the precise meaning of which can only be ascertained by determining the subject of which it may be predicated. I propose to regard the scheme of Divine grace, for the recovery of man — the scheme of which we are ministers, — as that which alone deserves the supreme appellation of "the truth." I proceed, then, to consider — 1. Man's state as a sinner. (1) What saith the Scripture as to sin in its nature? (1 John 3:4.)(2) What saith the Scripture as to sin in its diffusion, its extent? It everywhere, without the slightest discernible qualification, represents human nature as universally and absolutely corrupt (Genesis 6:5; Psalm 14:2, 3; Jeremiah 17:9; Ephesians 2:1). (3) What saith the Scripture as to sin in its consequences? (Romans 6:23; Psalm 9:17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8, 9.) 2. God's work as a Saviour. Justice, as one of the attributes of God, is as essentially a part of His nature, so to speak, as His Omnipresence, His Omniscience, His Truth; and, since there is more than a propriety, even a moral necessity, that all the proceedings of the Deity should be such as to bring out the full glory of His entire Name, it is manifest that He can only interpose an arrest of judgment, confer pardon, renovation, and eternal glory, on atonement being made. II. WHAT IS REQUIRED TO CONSTITUTE THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED BY THE EXPRESSION, "VALIANT FOR THE TRUTH"? Valour is, strictly speaking, a martial term. We are made to feel and deplore that a contrariety of element exists in connection with the spiritual world. This gives rise to severe conflict. Now to be valiant, even in human estimation, requires something more than bravery; yea, more than courage. There must be a combination of both; or, at least, to be valiant, a man must be preeminently courageous. "Bravery," says an eminent authority, "is a mere instinct; for it depends on mere constitutional temperament." Courage is a virtue, indeed, for it lies in the mind; it depends on reflection and thought; but he only is valiant, who weighs the whole enterprise deliberately, lays his plans prudently, and follows them out systematically; whom defeat may bow, but cannot break; whilst triumph only stimulates him to renewed effort, inflames him with fresh zeal, and imparts to him a thirst for new glory — a thirst which nothing can satisfy till the last position is taken and the last trophy won! To be "valiant for the truth," then, requires — 1. That there be a serious and habitual contemplation of the truth. 2. That there be a sincere embracing of the truth, and the practical experience of its power in the heart. 3. That there De active and uniform exertion in our respective spheres, for the spread of "the truth." 4. That there be solemn and earnest prayer that the Holy Spirit may accompany, with His power, all our efforts for the diffusion of "the truth." III. WHAT ARE THE CONSIDERATIONS, WHICH ARE CALCULATED TO STIR UP TO THE HOLY EMOTIONS, INVOLVED IN THE EXPRESSION, "VALIANT FOR THE TRUTH"? 1. Let there be serious reflection as to the value of the soul, and the danger which threatens it whilst uninfluenced by the truth. 2. Let us reflect on the awful rapidity with which souls are passing to their eternal destiny. 3. Let us reflect on the responsibility that attaches to the office to which we have been called, and the awful doom that awaits unfaithfulness in its discharge. 4. Let us reflect on the transcendent joy with which ministerial faithfulness will hereafter be crowned. (John Gaskin, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD. |
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