A Solemn Lesson of Instruction to Our Souls

"He who lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins." - II Peter 1:9 [KJV]

It is hard to say, whether St. Peter here draws the character of a mere formal professor; or of one who has really tasted that the Lord is gracious, and has awfully backslidden. Be it which it may, it holds forth a solemn lesson of instruction to our souls. We may hence lay this down as a sacred truth, that whatever profession a man makes of faith in Christ— justification by Him, hope of salvation through Him; yet, if he is destitute of the graces of the Spirit, and the fruits of righteousness in his life, he is blind to the glorious end of the gospel of peace, and is a stranger to the purifying grace and pardoning love of Christ to his soul. 

Think of this. Pardoning love, purifying grace, and sanctifying influences are inseparable. Where there is the root of grace, there will be the fruits of righteousness. This is as natural as for any cause to produce its effects. But may not these words be accommodated to some, whom we have good reason to hope are the children of God, but are sadly backslidden from Him? Do we not see awful instances around us? 

(1st.) He who lacketh these things, as virtue, knowledge, temperance, godliness, etc. not totally, (for there may be a partial lack of them) has sadly departed from the stedfastness of faith, and that degree of liveliness he once had; has left his first love, and has lost the sweet favour of Christ from his heart. Hence, there is a lack, in not abounding in these things. There may be true faith, and yet somewhat lacking in it (see I Thessalonians 3:10.) But such a soul is in sorrow, concern, and distress about it. So the life of grace manifests, that it is not quite extinct. 

(2d.) He is blind, not totally so; for he may see, but not afar off. He only sees himself, and his own misery and unprofitableness. This causes him to weep and bewail himself. But he cannot see; he does not enjoy the love of Christ, and the sweet peace of God. His sight is dimmed, and his comforts marred. 

(3d.) He hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. He has lost the sense of pardon in the blood of Christ. Though he remembers there is such a thing, yet he has lost the comfort of it. It is to him, as though it had never been. Satan has obtained the advantage. So false prophets seek to cause My people to forget My name, saith the Lord (see Jeremiah 23:27.) That is, the pardon and comfort of His name. Is not this an awful state? O, how much to be deplored! how greatly to be deprecated! 

 

Ten thousand snares our souls surround, 

To blind and to deceive: 

With watchful care we should abound.  

Lest we God’s Spirit grieve.

 

-preacher Wm. Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)