107. The Plumbline.

Thus he shewed me: and behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand. - Amos 7:7.

The metaphors of Amos are very forcible, though homely and simple.

He was God-taught; or, as men say, self-taught. Let his vision come before us, as though we saw it ourselves.

What the Lord had done was according to rule: "he stood upon a wall made by a plumbline." His past dealings are just and true.

The Lord continues to use the same infallible rule: wherever he is, he has a plumbline in his hand.

The plumb of lead falls in a straight line, and therefore the line is the best test as to whether a wall is truly perpendicular. The plumbline shows whether it bows outward, or inclines inward. It never flatters, but by its own certainty of truth it reveals and condemns all deviations from uprightness: such is the judgment of the Most High.

We shall treat the plumbline as the emblem of truth and right.

I. A PLUMBLINE IS USED IN BUILDING.

In all that we build up, we must act by the sure rule of righteousness.

1. In God's building it is so.

· He removes the old walls when tested by the plumbline, and found faulty. Truth requires the removal of falsehood.

· He builds in truth and reality. Sincerity is his essential.

· He builds in holiness and purity.

· He builds to perfection according to the rule of right.

2. In our own life-building it should be so.

· Not haste, but truth should be our object.

· Not according to the eye of man, but according to fact.

· We should build by the Word; in God's sight; after Christ's example; by the Spirit; unto holiness. Only thus shall we be using the plumbline.

3. In our building of the church it should be so.

· Teaching the Scriptures only in all things.

· Preaching nothing but the gospel.

· Laying sinners low by the law, and exalting the grace of God.

· Leading men to holiness and peace by the doctrines of truth.

· Exercising discipline that the church may be pure.

II. A PLUMBLINE IS USED FOR TESTING.

That which is out of the upright is detected by the plumbline, and so are men tested by the truth.

1. We may use it—

· On the wall of self-righteousness, conceit, boasting, etc.

· On the wall of careless living.

· On the wall of trust in ceremonials.

· On the wall of reliance upon merely hearing the gospel.

· On the wall of every outward profession.

2. God uses it in this life. He tests the hearts of men, and tries their doings.

They are often detected in the act of deception. Time also proves them, and trials test them.

3. He will use it at the last.

4. Let us use it on ourselves.

Are we born again? Are we without faith, etc.? Are we without holiness? Or is the work of the Spirit to be seen in us?

III. A PLUMBLINE WILL BE USED FOR DESTROYING. Strict justice is the rule of God's dealing on the judgment-seat. The same rule will apply to all.

1. Even the saved will be saved justly through our Lord Jesus, and in their case every sin will be destroyed, and every trace of evil will be removed before they enter heaven.

2. No one will be condemned who does not deserve it. There will be a trial, with witnesses, and pleadings, and an infallible Judge. The righteous are saved by sovereignty, but the wicked are condemned by righteousness alone.

3. Not a pain will be inflicted unjustly.

· Differences will be made in the cases of the condemned.

· There will be the strictest justice in each award.

· Every circumstance will be taken into account.

· Knowledge or ignorance will increase or abate the number of stripes (Luke 7:47-48).

4. Rejecters of Christ will find their doom intolerable, because they, themselves, will be unable to deny its justice (Luke 19:27). The lost know their misery to be deserved.

5. Since every sentence will be infallible, there will be no revision. So impartial and just will be each verdict that it shall stand for ever (Matt. 25:46).

Are we able to endure the test of the plumbline of perfect truth?

Suppose it to be used of God at this moment.

Will it not be wisest to look to Jesus, that we may have him for a foundation, and be built up in him?