Psalm 53:1-3 The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that does good.… We may not be theoretical Atheists, but yet we may be such in practice. Now, many are so. They admit the existence of God, bat they live as if they denied it, and thus they are guilty of practical Atheism. To show this, let us — I. UNFOLD THE CONCEPTION WE HAVE FORMED OF GOD. We all conceive of Him — 1. As a person. We cannot have the idea of qualities as existing without a subject in which they exist. 2. And to God we ascribe self-existence. He must be the cause of causes, or else there must be an infinite succession of causes, which is absurd. 3. To this conception we add on the idea of eternity, both in the past and in the future. 4. And also infinite and absolute power. 5. Omniscient wisdom, as contrasted with the limited wisdom of even the greatest of men. 6. And every moral attribute in infinite perfection. "He is a rock, His way is perfect: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He." 7. And He is not only the Judge, but the Father of us all. This shown not only in His providence, but yet more in our redemption. II. HOW IMPORTANT TO US, THEN, MUST BE THE FACT OF HIS EXISTENCE. No other fact is comparable to it. It is by far the most practical truth that we can conceive. And what must be the condition of the man who believes in the existence of such a God, and yet suffers not this belief to exert any practical influence upon his conduct? What folly can be compared with his? And yet, are not many of you chargeable with it? Some pass whole months without even thinking, in any devout way, of God. Others, under the influence of passion, or fear of being thought precise, will knowingly disobey God. The reason of all such practical Atheism is that they did not like to retain God in their knowledge. Hence are they given over to their evil ways. Think what must be the end of this. But God, in the Gospel of His Son, is offering to us reconciliation. "I will," saith He, "take from you the heart of stone, and give you a heart of flesh." Give Him now your hearts. (F. Nayland.) Parallel Verses KJV: {To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, A Psalm of David.} The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. |
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