We should not love the world because it will direct us toward things that are unreasonable, which will be seen in these four particulars:
1. It will direct you to things that are merely probable, and make you leave things that are certain. It is unreasonable to be taken away from things that are certain in order to be put on things that are only probable. It is only probable for any man in this world to get the world. It is unreasonable to follow hard after that which is only probable, whether we shall get it or not. Haggai 1:6 says, “Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.” Verse 9 then concludes, “Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it.” It is a hazard, a great venture to get the things of this world. Men may take a great deal of pains to pursue these things eagerly, and yet come short of them. Most people die in their expectations; they look to get these things and do not get them.
Indeed, those who labor most usually attain least. Therefore, as the wise man says in Ecclesiastes 9:11, “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift.” Now who should win the race but the swift? It is most probable that the swift should win the race; but “the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” It is uncertain whether they shall get these things or not. The promises of the world and the devil are seldom made good. However, there are other things that are certain, and therefore it misleads men to think unreasonably to leave certain things for improbable things. God’s promises are certain. God will not fail men who take pains for true wisdom and understanding. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matt. 7:7). Seek these things, for they are certain.
Post a Comment