Genesis 7:7

Because of the waters of the flood

Popular reasons for a religious life

There are many motives urging men to seek the safety of their souls.

I. BECAUSE RELIGION IS COMMANDED. Some men are good because God requires moral rectitude from all His creatures, they feel it right to be pure. They wish to be happy, and they find that the truest happiness is the outcome of goodness.

II. BECAUSE OTHERS ARE RELIGIOUS. Multitudes are animated by a desire to cultivate a good life because their comrades do. They enter the ark because of the crowds that are seen wending their way to its door.

III. BECAUSE RELIGION IS A SAFETY. We are told that Noah’s family went into the ark “because of the waters of the flood.” Many only become religious when they see the troubles of life coming upon them; they regard piety as a refuge from peril. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)

Noah and the ark

I. THE WARNED ACCEPTING ADMONITION. The warning we have corresponds with the warning Noah had, in--

1. Its source;

2. Its medium;

3. Its subject;

4. Its design.

II. THE IMPERILLED SEEKING REFUGE.

1. The urgently-needed refuge.

2. The divinely-appointed refuge.

3. The wisely-adapted refuge.

4. The only-existing refuge (Acts 4:12).

III. THE INVITED TRUSTING PROMISE.

IV. THE OBEDIENT SECURING SAFETY. (J. Poulter, B. A.)