Psalm 2:3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. I. THE OBLIGATIONS SINNERS ARE UNDER TO GOD. 1. Natural obligations. Their nature, as dependent creatures, forms an intimate connection between them and their Maker. They cannot exist a moment without the immediate exertion of Divine power. Their dependence is absolute and universal. It respects all their natural powers and faculties, whether corporeal or mental. They are not sufficient to think, or speak, or act of themselves, independently of the presence and efficiency of God. 2. Moral obligations. God is a Being possessed of every natural and moral excellence. He will never do anything contrary to the perfect benevolence of His heart. Every sinner is capable of knowing that God is perfectly good, so he is under moral obligation to love Him for His goodness. 3. Legal obligation. God's absolute supremacy gives Him an independent right to assume the character of a lawgiver. It properly belongs to Him to give law to all His intelligent creatures. II. SINNERS ENDEAVOUR TO FREE THEMSELVES FROM ALL THE OBLIGATIONS WHICH THEY ARE UNDER TO GOD. They wish and endeavour to break His bands, and cast away His cords. 1. This appears by their mode of speaking upon this subject. 2. By their mode of reasoning as well as speaking. They endeavour to reason away all their obligations to God. 3. It appears from their mode of acting, also, that they desire and endeavour to free themselves from all obligations to become reconciled and obedient to God. III. ALL THEIR ENDEAVOURS TO GET LOOSE FROM THEIR OBLIGATIONS TO GOD WILL BE IN VAIN. 1. They cannot destroy the existence of God. 2. Or their own existence. Improvement. (1) We may see what is the great subject of controversy between them and their Creator. (2) Though sinners are naturally disposed to free themselves from their obligations to God, yet they are not always sensible of it. They commonly think that they have no such disposition to complain of the bands and cords by which they are bound to God, and to desire and endeavour to break and cast them away. (3) We see why sinners are the most opposed to the most essential and important doctrines of the gospel. (4) If they endeavour to free themselves from their obligations, then they always endeavour to stifle convictions. (5) If sinners are under such natural, moral, and legal obligations to God as have been mentioned, then He can awaken and convince them at any time He pleases. (6) Sinners are extremely averse from prayer. (7) All sinners, without exception, are bound to be religious or to fulfil their obligations to their Maker, who has made them rational, immortal, and accountable creatures. (8) If sinners are bound to God by bands and cords which they cannot break nor cast away, then it is their immediate and imperious duty to cease from contending with their Maker, and to become cordially reconciled to the bands and cords by which He has bound them to Himself. (W. Emmons, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.WEB: "Let's break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us." |
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