1 Chronicles 21:22-24 Then David said to Ornan, Grant me the place of this threshing floor, that I may build an altar therein to the LORD… Contemplate this subject — I. IN REFERENCE TO THE SPIRITUAL EXPANSION OF THE INTELLECTUAL POWERS. We may be Christians without much knowledge, but our honour, glory, and felicity to abound in knowledge — 1. Of God. 2. Of Christ. 3. Of theology generally. The cost must be paid in the attainment. II. APPLY THE SUBJECT TO THE SPIRITUAL CULTIVATION OF THE MORAL NATURE. The soul before conversion like a barren heath or desert. It must be cultivated. Much labour needful. Evil habits to be abandoned. Holy habits to be formed. III. TO THE INFLUENCE OF SELF-DENIAL IN ADORNING THE CHRISTIAN PROFESSION. Self-denial not merely the abandonment of sin. It involves the surrendering even of what might be lawfully retained. Our will must be sacrificed, that God's may be done. IV. TO THE IMPORTANCE OF USEFULNESS IN THE CAUSE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. 1. The heart must be given to Christ. 2. Then life, talents, influence, time, wealth. (1) This cost must be paid in the right spirit. (2) This cost is not equal to the demands of sin. 3. To pay this cost grace is both necessary and provided. (J. Burns, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then David said to Ornan, Grant me the place of this threshingfloor, that I may build an altar therein unto the LORD: thou shalt grant it me for the full price: that the plague may be stayed from the people. |
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