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 THAT WHICH PECULIARLY MERITS THE APPELLATION OF "THE TRUTH"? The comprehensive title of "the truth" was applied to revealed religion, alike in its principles and commandments, in order to furnish a broad and emphatic distinction between it and those habits of evil thoughts and practices which had been engendered and fostered by idolatry. By the same appellation of "the truth," we find pure religion — whether in Patriarchal, or Levitical, or Christian times — is frequently designated in Scripture, in order to furnish a special recommendation of its character, and to illustrate its aspect and intention in the world. It is a communication respecting the being and character of God, the plan of His government, the authority and the sanction of His law — a communication with respect to the moral circumstances and character of man, the tendency by which he is actuated, and the dangers to which he is exposed — a communication respecting the method of grace, and the restoration of the favour of the Almighty, by which his apprehended miseries may be removed — and a communication respecting the high and sublime consecration of human destiny which is reserved for him in that immortality into which he is to be ushered when existence in this world is terminated. The verities which are proclaimed by the Christian system, on topics such as these, plainly possess a value that is perfectly incalculable, comprehending, as they do, the highest interests of our species. In making the assertion that Christianity is to be considered, emphatically, as "the truth," we must not omit to mention that it is confirmed in a manner that is perfectly conclusive and convincing. II. WHAT ARE THE STATE OF MIND AND COURSE OF CONDUCT WHICH THE TRUTH, AS THUS DEFINED, EMINENTLY DESERVES? 1. To be valiant for the truth involves a firm adherence to the doctrines it propounds. We well know that many hostile influences are around us, which tempt us to the blighting influence of doubt, and even of positive infidelity; such as the fear of incurring the ridicule and the hatred of others, the personal suggestions of our own in-dwelling unbelief, and, above all, the mysterious, though potent, machinations of him who is the arch-enemy of souls. This of course, at least, requires the exercise of spiritual combat, which must be displayed by a firm and uncompromising resistance to whatever might lead us to impugn, to doubt, and to deny. 2. To be valiant for the truth upon the earth involves a holy conformity to the precepts which it enforces. What holy vigour and boldness are required in order to resist steadily and successfully the multitudinous abstractions from holiness — the accumulated adversaries to the purification of the souls — to repudiate and repel the approaches of Satan — to keep ourselves unspotted from the world, that we may live soberly, righteously, and godly, according to the commandment we have received, to crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts — to cultivate, with devout diligence, the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of God; and, with all the surrounding faithful, to exhibit the power of the truth by the purity of life. This is to be "valiant for the truth"; this is heroism indeed! 3. To be "valiant for the truth" involves the public advocacy before other men of the claims which it possesses. How many noble examples of this spiritual valour have we met with in the annals of the Church! See them in the case of the prophets who were not afraid, though briars and thorns were with them, and though they dwelt among scorpions, and who yet spoke the word of God boldly to the rebellious people, whether they would hear, or whether they would forbear. See them in the apostles, who "counted not their lives dear," etc. See those examples again in the noble army of martyrs, and in the long and triumphant succession of confessors, and reformers, and teachers, and missionaries, who have dared ignominy, and contempt, and wrath, and murder, for the sake of the overthrow of error, and the triumph of the truth as it is in Jesus. III. WHAT ARE THE CONSIDERATIONS BY WHICH THIS STATE OF MIND, AND COURSE OF CONDUCT, ARE SPECIALLY AND POWERFULLY COMMENDED? 1. A concern for your own personal welfare. "Them that honour Me, I also will honour." On the other hand, the want of these elements of the spiritual character, which we have set before you, — to hate put God away — to be reckless of the claims of the truth — and to live in a discipleship of falsehood, is, by a necessary vindication of the Divine equity and justice, to live in an exposure to evils the most fearful which man can ever endure. 2. A concern for the welfare and interests of the Church of God. When valour and boldness among the disciples of the truth is exhibited and augmented, then it is an axiom, a thing that needs no proof, in religion, that the truth which has that exercise will grow mightily, and will prevail. (J. Parsons.) 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. |
    |