GOOD MEN AND BACKSLIDERS
"The backslider
in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied
from himself" Prov. 14:14
Which simply means that whatever may be within a man, in the deepest
region of his personality will sooner or later be wrought out into actual
experience and visibility. The BACKSLIDER in heart is the man who, knowing the
way of wisdom, does not desire to conform to it, but rather desires the ways of
foolishness. The GOOD MAN is the man who, whatever his consciousness of
weakness may be, does in the deepest of him desire the ways of wisdom. In
either case, that underlying desire is the most potent factor, and sooner or
later will gain its victory, and produce its result in the life. It is possible
for a man for a long time to conform to the rules and regulations of wisdom and
the fear of Jehovah, while yet in secret he desires the forbidden things. Such
a man is backsliding in heart, and at last that backsliding will become obvious.
It is equally true that a man may falter and blunder, and fail, again and
again, while all the time he hates his own shortcomings, and earnestly aspires
after the highest things. Such a man is a good man, and ultimately that quest
after the highest will be successful; he will be satisfied from himself. The
revelation of Scripture, both in the Old and New Testaments, is constantly urging
this truth. We do well to take heed to it. To do so is to be brought to a
realization of our personal helplessness, and our need of a Savior. We may say
with a great deal of reason that we cannot control our desires. Hence the need
for the SURRENDER of ourselves to Him Who can create the clean heart, and
renew the right spirit within us (Psa.
51:10).
No comments:
Post a Comment