2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are his. And… The Church at Ephesus, at a very early age, suffered from that stumbling-block — the "falling away" of professors. Oh! I do not wonder at the pain and the perplexity which the young missionary at Ephesus seemed to feel, at the thought of "the falling away" of many whom he had been wont to teach, and love, and hope, and pray for. But mark the delightful emphasis of that "nevertheless" — "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure." Perhaps, of those who set out with you on the road to heaven, some years ago, it may have been your painful lot to see one after another stop, lie down, and go to sleep, and die. "Nevertheless, nevertheless! the foundation of God standeth sure." Or, look again at that "nevertheless." One by one the friendships and the happinesses of life have been melting away from you. And now every idol has been pulled down; and now almost the only hope of your earthly support is gone: oh! with what sweetness at such amoment will that thought come back to you, "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure!" You have a Friend that never can leave you. Or it may come closer than this. It may please God to bring trial more home to your heart. He may lead you through a long, dark cloud, where it may seem to you as if every trace of comfort was obliterated for ever, — "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure." Beneath the feet the "foundation" stands. The building may fall, but the "corner-stone" is safe. There is pardon; though there is no sense of it. There is faith; though there is not "the joy in believing." There is Christ; though there is not the feeling of Christ. That cloud will roll over, and when the morning breaks, it will light up that "foundation," brighter, clearer, and more saving, for ever. For "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure." You see, then, that the whole of a man's peace and all his security depend upon this, — What is his "foundation"? It is the plainest of all plain Scriptural truths, that the only "foundation" of any soul's safety is the Lord Jesus Christ. "Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Christ Jesus." "Other foundation" may have a momentary peace; but this only can sup. port the super-structure for eternity. Now this truth the apostle carries out into a little more detail. In order to do it, his mind borrows an image from a ceremony common at the commencement of the erection of a public building, when a king, as he lays the foundation-stone, sets upon it the impression of the royal seal. In like manner, as if to give the believer's hope a two-fold security, God is said not only to "lay the foundation," but to "seal" it; and when He "seals" it, He seals it to Himself, by the "oath" with which He "confirms it"; and to the believer, by the Spirit in which He gives it. Now, that "seal," with which God stamps every converted soul, is two-fold. Or, to speak more accurately, it is a single "seal" which has two faces. Accordingly, on the heart of every child of God, on the ground of it, there will be found two inscriptions, which the hand or" seal" of God has engraven there. In other words, there are two fundamental principles which God has placed there. The one stands out clear, legible, and large — "The Lord knoweth them that are His." And the other is like unto it — "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." The "seal" must have been twice stamped — both inscriptions must have been there — before the soul is safe, and stands quite "sure." Now, let us look at the two sides of that "seal"; first, separate; and then together. I. THE FIRST IN THE RELATION, AS ALSO THE FIRST THAT IS LAID UPON THE HEART, IS THE IMPRESSION OF GOD'S LOVE. "The Lord knoweth them that are His." This records that truth of truths on which the whole gospel rests, as upon one base — that salvation is all of God's eternal, sovereign love. This must be held by every man who wishes to enjoy the peace of God: that it was God who "knew" me, loved me, and cared for me, and drew me long before I ever had any thoughts of Him. The whole of a man's safety depends upon this: "The Lord knew" me from all eternity; "the Lord knew" me when He drew me to Himself; "the Lord knows" me now — all my little thoughts and works: "the Lord knows" I am trying to serve Him; "the Lord knows" I wish to love Him. But as the one side of God's "seal" is privilege, the other is duty. II. The one is God's love, THE OTHER IS YOUR HOLINESS. "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." The two sides must never be divided. But as the stamp of God's love is laid, so must the stamp of man's obedience be laid. God's love first, to teach that there can be no real obedience till there is first a sense of God's love. Feelings often have deceived us, and they will deceive again. But the question is, practically, Are you "departing from iniquity"? Observe the expression. It is not one single act; but it is a gradual, progressive retiring back from evil, because, more and more, the good prevails. Now, bow is it? Say you have conquered the acts of sin, have you conquered the desires? Say you have conquered the desires, have you conquered the thoughts? Do you think that your temper is being every day more subdued? Is your pride lessened? Your worldliness, and your covetousness — are they receding? Would your own family — would your own dearest friend have cause to say, that you are growing every day in grace? Is it a "seal," think you, that can be "read of all men" upon you? Could they see it exemplified? (J. Vaughan, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. |
    |