Nehemiah 7:2-3 That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man… I. THAT FAITHFULNESS IN RELIGION IS ESSENTIALLY CONNECTED WITH EMINENCE OF ATTAINMENT IN THE CHRISTIAN CHARACTER. II. CHARACTERISTICS OF EMINENT PIETY. 1. It consists in the habitual maintenance of a close walk with God. 2. It comprises a high and enlightened estimate of the character and work of Christ. 3. It is connected with an exquisite spiritual and moral sensibility. 4. It is always most powerfully swayed by spiritual motives and considerations. 5. These characteristics show the baselessness of the claims and pretensions to the possession of exalted religious attainments that are sometimes advanced. III. MOTIVES WHICH MAY LEAD CHRISTIANS TO ASPIRE AFTER EMINENCE OF PERSONAL PIETY. 1. The honour of religion. 2. It is a great preservative against apostasy. 3. Regard to personal enjoyment. 4. Its relation to usefulness. 5. Its bearing upon our future blessedness. 6. The enduring nature of the distinction it confers. 7. The adequate provision that has been made to aid in its attainment. (W. Hurd.) Parallel Verses KJV: That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many. |
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