358. Wednesday after Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity.
Teach me thy way, O Lord,
that I may walk in thy truth. Amen.
2 Timothy 2, 19-22. 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. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
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The holy church of God, built on Christ as the chief stone of the corner, and the doctrine of truth which it possesses, cannot be overthrown by any teachers of falsehood. As the devil came to Eve in paradise, so his prophets come into the church, mingle with the saints, and try to keep themselves from being known for what they are. But as the inscription on a seal stands sure, has its specific meaning, indicates to whom it belongs, and prevents fraud; so the church of God stands sure, having this seal: 1) “The Lord knoweth them that are his;” so that none shall be able to steal in among them without being known of the Lord. He has already judged and separated the liars from the others, and we need have no fear; they shall neither overthrow the foundation, nor destroy them that have the seal of the living God in their foreheads. 2) “Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” All the Lord’s people strive after sanctification. None of them can live in deceitfulness, pride, carnal lusts, covetousness, gluttony, conceit, lust of power, a partisan spirit, or other manner of uncleanness. This is written for the admonition of the Christians, that they may examine themselves; and as a testimony for the world.
We must not allow ourselves to be led wrong by the circumstance that there are vessels of wood as well as vessels of gold in the great house; for here on earth it cannot be otherwise. In the external church organization are two classes of men, with many differences within each class. Our text, however, does not speak further of the vessels of dishonor. — If you know before God that you walk in the truth, you are a vessel to honor, can endure the fire of purification; and neither shall you flee from it, but endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. “Study to show thyself approved unto God.” Study to do this! Be thoroughly in earnest in striving to shew yourself approved of God. “Remember Jesus Christ,” and walk in his steps. If we be dead with him, we shall also live with him; if we suffer, we shall also reign with him (Verses 3. 8. 11. 12. 15). Keep yourself undefiled by the vessels of dishonor; do not cultivate spiritual fellowship with them that serve the flesh; so shall the Lord sanctify you, and use you unto his honor, to the edification of the church, and to every good work. “Follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with all them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Follow these things. Follow them; not slowly, not in a lukewarm way, but zealous and fervent in spirit! Follow these things; then shall the Lord deliver you from every evil work, and preserve you unto his heavenly kingdom; to whom be glory forever and ever! Amen.*
Behold the sure foundation stone
Which God in Zion lays,
To build our heavenly hopes upon,
And his eternal praise.
Chosen of God, to sinners dear,
And saints adore the name;
They trust their whole salvation here,
Nor shall they suffer shame.
* Here the head of the family says a short morning or evening prayer in his own words, and closes with the Lord’s Prayer and the Benediction. This is to be done every day. If the stanzas are not sung, they may be read in their proper place before the impromptu petition and the Lord’s Prayer.