Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more to the perfect day. I. HIS KNOWLEDGE IS GRADUALLY INCREASING. It must be very evident, that the more a heaven-taught man devotes himself to serious meditation, that he will obtain clearer views of the subtle and disguised workings of corruption — he will be more thoroughly satisfied of the desperate alienation of the human heart from God. He will, accordingly, be conducted to a more profound view of the value and importance of that work which was finished at Calvary, to a more unreserved renunciation of every claim to Divine favour on the ground of his own good works, and to a more heartfelt conviction that he must be justified by faith alone. II. HIS HUMILITY IS DEEPENING. The knowledge of his unworthiness prostrates him who is enlightened. As the genius who has arrived at the highest proficiency in any art or science finds it hardest to please himself with his own work, and sees best the inferiority of his attainments to the standard of perfection, so the saint who entertains the loftiest views of the holy character of God will form the most lowly estimate of his own strength and performances. III. HIS DESIRE AND ALACRITY TO DO THE WILL OF GOD ARE BECOMING MORE ARDENT. This is the result of all that he knows of the Sovereign of the Universe, since He delights in righteousness. This is the natural result of the unreserved admission of gospel truth into the mind, since those who believe in God must be careful to maintain good works. IV. HIS AFFECTION FOR THE THINGS OF TIME IS DIMINISHING. Where the treasure is, there will the heart be also. As any body rises above the ground, up into the regions of space, that which philosophers call the attraction of gravitation affects it less and less; and if it could be elevated sufficiently, the earth would at length lose its power over it altogether, and it would be drawn away towards some other planet. This explains, in the way of illustration, the process which takes place with respect to the human soul. V. BY HIS INCREASING LOVE FOR GOD AND HIS PEOPLE, HE EVINCES HIS PROGRESSIVE MEETNESS FOR THAT HEAVEN WHICH IS LOVE. (David Strong.) Parallel Verses KJV: But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. |
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