Homilist Psalm 50:16-23 But to the wicked God said, What have you to do to declare my statutes, or that you should take my covenant in your mouth?… I. THE MERE FORMALISTS in religion. 1. They are religiously active — often very busy in preaching and praying. The less heart in religion, generally the more hand; the less vitality, the more voice. 2. They are morally wicked. (1) No desire for knowledge. (2) No reverence for God's Word. (3) No practical regard for the rights of society. Religious formality crucified the Son of God Himself. Religious form without the genuine spirit is law without justice — a tyranny; language without truth — a deception; an atmosphere without oxygen — a poison. 3. They are God-degrading. The God of the formalist is fashioned after his own character. 4. They are Divinely threatened. (1) With a terrible conviction of their own guilt (ver. 21). What calamity can be greater, than for a sinner to have all his sins, in all their awful enormity, brought before the eye of his conscience; brought into contact with all the tenderest and profoundest sensibilities of his moral being? (2) With an irremediable destruction (ver. 22). The language here is derived from a ravenous beast, tearing its victim limb from limb. "None to deliver." "I called, and ye refused," etc. II. THE TRUE SPIRITUALIST in religion (ver. 23, etc.). 1. He worships God acceptably. The sentiments of gratitude, reverence, adoration, that rise out of his regenerated heart are the praise that is well-pleasing to God. 2. He lives an upright life. He walks in all the commandments of the Lord, blameless. 3. He secures the true salvation — from all ignorance, error, selfishness, sin, and sorrow. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? |
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