Jonah 1:5 Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man to his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea… Whatever sacrifices the sinner in the hour of trial may be disposed to make, nothing can avail him so long as unpardoned sin remains concealed in the heart. I. THERE ARE IMPORTANT SACRIFICES WHICH, IN THE HOUR OF TRIAL, THE AWAKENED SINNER WILL MAKE. 1. The awakened sinner may abandon, in the hopes of relief, his worldly companions. These were his treasure. 2. Conviction may even constrain the sacrifice of the most endeared and of the most inveterate habits of sin, 3. He sacrifices his prejudices. 4. He sacrifices his personal ease. 5. He will even sacrifice his worldly substance. II. SACRIFICES SO PRESENTED CAN NEVER BE ACCEPTED OF GOD. They have no intrinsic value; — they are involuntary — unseasonable — selfish — unauthorised — unbelieving — and unholy. Such sacrifices may be made while sin remains safely concealed in the soul. Two things are requisite in order to our intercourse with God. Not only must iniquity be pardoned, but it must also be destroyed as to the influence which it exerts on the heart. By that method of salvation which the Scripture reveals, holiness is effectually secured. (James Simpson.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep. |
    |