James 4:13-17 Go to now, you that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:… I. What is the life of the LOVER OF PLEASURE? 1. It is a wandering life; always in pursuit of pleasure, but never satisfied. 2. It is a hollow life; void of all that is exalting and ennobling, and truly unsubstantial as it regards all that is most worthy of the pursuit of an immortal being. 3. It is an accursed life; under the curse of the broken law. 4. It is a tumultuous life. The lover of pleasure spends his time and wastes the most favourable opportunities in the midst of boisterous pursuits and tumultuous joys. II. What is the life of the WORLDLY-MINDED? 1. It is idolatrous. The world in different senses and under different characters is the idol of the worldly-minded man; and to this idol he offers body and soul, devotes time and talents, and sacrifices earthly ease and heavenly happiness. 2. Such a life is stamped with simplicity and folly — which will appear most obviously if you consider the objects the worldly-man has in view, the means he employs for the attainment of these objects, and the end obtained in the accomplishment of such objects. III. What is the life of the FORMALIST? it is laborious, enchanted, fleshly and empty. 1. It is laborious. The formalist has a standard, and to keep up this standard much carnal and bodily exercise are necessary. 2. The life of the formalist is an enchanted life. 3. It is likewise a fleshly life. It originates in the flesh, centres in the flesh, and ends in the flesh. 4. An empty life. It is a shadow without substance; like a statue, which, though it may be a true and correct likeness of a human being, is void of life and energy, and therefore only the representation of the human being. (J. F. Whitty.) Parallel Verses KJV: Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: |
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