John 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to you. Holy Father… I. WE REQUIRE KEEPING. 1. You have seen a beautiful garden planted and filled with rarest flowers, and all in such beautiful order. The explanation is to be found in the keeper, who moves among the flowers, pulling up a stray weed here, clipping off a branch there, training up a fallen vine, tying up a drooping plant, digging about the roots of that rosebush that seems a little weak, and bestowing a little extra care upon it with such tenderness as though he loved it. And from admiring the flowers, you turn to admire and love the faithful keeper, and ascribe the praise to him. 2. On the other hand, you have seen other gardens just as large, filled with the same precious variety of flowers. But how sad to look at the paths that are filled with grass! The vines have fallen down, and many beautiful plants have succumbed to the rude crowding of the rank weeds and are both dying and dead. How is this sad condition of things to be accounted for? The gardener was called in to plant it, but the owner of the garden dismissed him, thinking he could do it himself. For a while he did very well; but the pressure of business, &c., &c., and a general ignorance of flower culture, all interfered, and so the garden was allowed to run to waste. Occasionally he would rally and go vigorously to work, and things would look better for a while; but, alas I all too soon the same neglect would fall upon it. 3. These two gardens are two lives, one of which is kept and the other unkept. And I am sure there are more than a few Christians who see in the latter garden a picture of their own spiritual life. What is the matter? You need a keeper and to place in his hands your life. II. WHO IS TO KEEP US? Our Holy Father. 1. The holiness of God, instead of being opposed to the salvation of the sinful, is the very ground of that salvation, and is put forth as the reason above all others why sinners should hope in God. (1) In general, we find it stated that God saves for His holy name's sake (Deuteronomy 6:8; Psalm 106:1-6). Holiness and love are one. This may be inferred also from God's coming in holiness to Moses to send him on the mission of mercy and salvation. "The ground whereon thou standeth is holy" (see also Luke 1:47-55). Who was it that remembered mercy? The Holy One (ver. 49), who has been the author of salvation in all ages, and the object of His people's trust (Psalm 22:3, 4). (2) The holy name stands for forgiveness (Psalm 103:1-3; Psalm 130:7, 8; Psalm 99:8, 9). (3) For pity — restoration (Ezekiel 36:20-22). (4) Compassion and wrath-restraining love (Isaiah 57:14, 15; Hebrews 11:8, 9). (5) Sustaining and delivering (Isaiah 41:10-14). 2. We find this holiness of God active against sin, hating and consuming it, and often afflicting His people for it. But that side of His holiness is only another side of His love (Psalm 99:8). He hates sin because it is the destroyer of the people whom He loves. III. WHAT IS INVOLVED IN BEING KEPT? 1. He will keep us unto the end — unto the salvation ready to be revealed at the last day. Many are deterred from confessing Christ lest they should not hold out. But against all these fears God has left exceeding great and precious promises (1 Peter 1:3-5; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 4:18; Jude 1:24). 2. With others it is not so much the fear of being finally lost as the dread of being left alone on the way, of "falling into sin and trouble," &c. Listen to the promises (Genesis 28:15; Isaiah 43:2). 3. It is not that I am afraid of being deserted in affliction, but that in the ordinary course of life I shall wander from the right way. God said to those of old, "Behold I send an angel before thee," &c. (Exodus 23:20). "When He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will lead," &c. So in this God makes ample promise. 4. So God is pledged to provide for all our wants, and keep us in the world. "The Lord God is a sword and a shield," &c. "The Lord is my Shepherd." "My God shall supply all your need." 5. But the temporal keeping is not what I want so much as to have my own life kept — to be delivered and kept from doubt, and fears, and anxiety, and vexation, and care (read Philippians 4:7; Isaiah 26:3). 6. But will He keep from sin? I know He will pardon sin, but will He keep me from it? Yes. (1) There is a promise to keep from evil, which is a generic term, and covers all sin and harm. The Lord's prayer — the prayer in this connection. (2) To keep from presumptuous sin (Psalm 19:13) and secret faults (Psalm 19:12). (3) From temptation. I will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world. The Lord's prayer. (4) From sins of speech (Psalm 141:3). IV. THIS KEEPING INVOLVES MANY TRIALS, AND, IT MAY BE, MUCH SUFFERING. To be freed from sin is a painful process. It is crucifixion, it is purging, it is refining. It is having your wills subdued, but it means holiness and godliness, with peace as our portion for ever. V. HOW ARE WE KEPT? In the holy name of God. 1. As in a tower (Proverbs 18:20; Psalm 18:2). 2. As in a bank (2 Timothy 1:12). 3. As in a sheep fold (Psalm 23:1; Psalm 80:1). 4. As behind a shield (Psalm 84:11). VI. TO BE KEPT WE MUST PUT OURSELVES IN GOD'S HANDS, nor must we draw back. He is a Tower, we must keep ourselves in it. A Shepherd, we must be near Him. A Bank, we must commit ourselves to it as a treasure deposited therein. A Shield, we must keep ourselves behind it. (G. F. Pentecost, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. |
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