Matthew 4:7

Matthew 4:7

I. In this temptation, as in the last, our Lord's situation is ours. Placed here to do God's work, we are assured, while in that work, of His gracious protection. No danger can assail the servant of God of which he need be afraid. His bodily frame is in the gracious charge of His Heavenly Father, and much more his spirit that for which and by which his flesh lives, and from which it derives its aim and its dignity. Let the servant of God be found in His ways, and his ultimate safety is assured.

II. But as in our Master's case, so in ours, it is even on this safety that the tempter founds his attack. His aim ever is, to turn the Christian's security into a carnal security; to deprive it of its right character a holding on by faith to the everlasting strength of God and turn it into presumption, into a dependence upon God's protection without His warrant, to persuade us to cast ourselves into danger, relying on that help which, out of God's course, we have no reason to expect.

III. Do Christians never thrust themselves into spiritual danger, presuming on the Divine help? What are, for example, all their very near approaches to sin, as they suppose with a safe conscience? What is it but tempting God to be bound under a vow to renounce the world and the flesh, and then to lead a life of entire dedication to the world and indulgence of the flesh? What is it but tempting Him to be going carelessly on as if life were nothing but a spending of so much time, as if hours and days and years were not speeding away to their account, with all their mercies and opportunities and judgments recorded against us, if not for us? He who walks not circumspectly is tempting God, casting himself on the ocean of life without chart or compass, and looking to Him who has provided both for his use, to bring him safe to heaven without them.

H. Alford, Quebec Chapel Sermons,vol. i., p. 168.

The Inductive Study of the Scriptures.

I. In prosecuting a systematic and inductive examination of the Scriptures, there are three things in reference to which we must always be on our guard. (1) We must see that all the passages brought together for the purpose have a real bearing on the subject in hand. (2) We must see to it that we give to each passage its own legitimate weight no more, no less. (3) We must see to it that our induction of passages is complete.

II. Look at a few subjects in the consideration of which the importance of the application of these principles will be seen. (1) The doctrine of the Trinity. While there are many passages in both the Old Testament and the New which give the strongest emphasis to the unity of God, "It is written again," and frequently, that the Father is God, and the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God; while in such formulæ as that of baptism and that of the apostolic benediction, each is so named as to indicate that there is in each something that is unique and distinctive; I dare not reject either side of the apparent inconsistency without failing to take note of some of the Bible statements on the subject; and if I do that I am guilty of setting myself above revelation, and making my reason, not Scripture, the infallible standard of my faith. (2) The same principles may be applied as regards the doctrine of the Person of Christ, of the Atonement, of the difficult questions which cluster about the sovereignty of God and the free agency of man and of prayer.

III. Note three important inferences. (1) Every heresy has in it a certain modicum of truth. (2) The truth thus mixed up with error is very generally something that has been too much overlooked. That which has been neglected revenges itself at length by claiming more than its due share of importance. (3) Error is to be most effectually met by recognizing the portion of truth which it contains. Bring that back to its proper importance, then supplement it by putting it along with those other sides of the truth which are needed to give it full-balanced completeness. Let it be acknowledged fully and frankly "it is written;" but then let it be added, "it is written again."

W. M. Taylor, Contrary Winds and Other Sermons,p. 260.