Psalms 40:10

Psalms 40:10

The necessary openness of a holy experience.

I. Notice the evident fact that a true inward experience, or discovery of God in the heart, is itself an impulse also of self-manifestation, as all love and gratitude are. It is in all cases the instinct of a new heart, in its experience of God, to acknowledge Him.

II. The change implied in a true Christian experience, or the revelation of God in the heart, is in its very nature the soul and root of an outward change that is correspondent. The faith implanted is a faith that works in appropriate demonstrations, and must as certainly work as a living heart must beat or pulsate.

III. If any one proposes beforehand, in his religious endeavours or in seeking after God, to come into a secret experience or keep it secret, his endeavour is plainly one that falsifies the very notion of Christian piety; and if he succeeds, or seems to succeed, he only practises a fraud, in which he imposes on himself.

IV. The grace of God in the heart unmanifested or kept secret, as many propose that it shall be, even for their whole life, will be certainly stifled and extinguished.

V. The Gospel everywhere and in every possible way calls out the souls renewed in Christ to live an open life of sacrifice and duty, and so to witness a good confession. "Come and follow Me" is the word of Jesus. "Deny thyself, take up thy cross, and follow Me."

VI. There is no shade of encouragement given to this notion of salvation by secret piety in any of the Scripture examples or teachings. The real disciple is thought of as a man who stands for his Master, and is willing to die for his Master. "Ye are the light of the world," and the light of the world is lighted up to shine.

H. Bushnell, The New Life,p. 361.

References: Psalms 40:16. T. Rees, Welsh Pulpit of To-day,p. 364.Psalms 40:17. Warburton, Thursday Penny Pulpit,vol. vii., p. 133; G. Bainton, Christian World Pulpit,vol. ix., p. 369.