2 John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have worked, but that we receive a full reward. I. LOOK TO YOUR CREED, WHETHER IT BE SCRIPTURAL. We know too well there may be a scriptural creed without real piety; but it does not appear how there can be the latter where faith in the gospel is entirely wanting. Every one that impartially reads the Scriptures must see how decidedly they speak of the really Divine character of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the cause and design of those sufferings which He endured in our world; also the weight and value that are attached to those subjects, and our reception in a believing manner of those Divine representations. II. LOOK TO YOUR STATE, WHETHER IT BE ONE OF CONVERSION TO GOD. However excellent religion is in theory, its theory is insufficient for your salvation. An artificial flower may strikingly resemble a natural one, but a nearer inspection will detect the difference. The delicate tints and scents of nature cannot be supplied by the most practised hand in art, so as long to deceive. The difference between a mere nominal and a real Christian is immense. But immense as it is, it cannot be detected but by examination; and that examination must be by yourself. What are you to examine? "Look to yourselves," to see whether you are born again? If there be the new birth, there will be spiritual life in the soul. If there be life there will be spiritual feelings. You feel that you have a soul to be saved or lost for ever, and you arc anxious to be instructed in the will of God, to cease to be what is wrong, and to become all that is right. And do you feel sin to be a burden? Souls born again do. "Look to yourselves" and see whether you do. What thoughts and feelings have you concerning Christ? We read, "To them that believe He is precious." And not less necessary is it that you look to your temper and walk. Everything in its proper place. The cause of our justification before God is not in our own goodness, but if grace does not infuse its goodness into us, we are not Christians. III. IN CASE YOU ARE COMPELLED TO COME TO A CONCLUSION UNFAVOURABLE TO YOUR PRESENT CONDITION, "LOOK TO YOURSELVES" WITH APPREHENSION. Are you satisfied to be irreligious because others are? Will it be any palliation of your guilt, or diminution of your final misery, to be lost with the multitude? Begin at once to "look to yourselves" — to look to your souls. (T. Pinchback.) Parallel Verses KJV: Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. |
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