That religion which God requires, and will accept, does not consist in weak, dull, and lifeless wishes, raising up but a little above a state of indifference: God, in His Word, greatly insists upon it, that we be in good earnest, "fervent in spirit," and our hearts vigorously engaged in religion, and our wills and inclinations be not strongly exercised, we are nothing. The things of religion are so great, that there can be no suitableness in the exercises of our hearts...unless they be lively and powerful! In nothing is vigour in the actings of our inclination so requisite as in religion; and in nothing is lukewarmness so odious.
Jonathan Edwards, The Religious Affections
So let's be vigorous. On any given Sunday, with the household of God - leaving the drudgery, the baggage of life behind, let us take our eyes off ourselves and look toward Him: he is the author and benefactor of our faith. In acknowledgment of his all-sufficiency specific to our lives, let us pour out our hearts. Let the response that we give to him in song, in public exaltation, be worthy in some measure, of praise befitting The King.
3 comments:
Why only on Sundays?
Well true. My train of thought is about corporate worship - the extremes are either be dry or "all fire and no light", not in exclusion of personal worship. But you're right - our worship on Sunday should be a public response of our recollection of God's personal faithfulness (psalm 107:31,32). That's why it should be all the more passionate.
Amen!
Which husband would like his wife to be attracted to him only occasionally or partially?
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