256. The Lower Courts.

For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. - 1 John 3:20-21.

THE fault of many is that they will not lay spiritual things to heart at all, but treat them in a superficial manner. This is foolish, sinful, deadly. We ought to put our case upon serious trial in the court of our own conscience.

Certain of a better class are satisfied with the verdict of their hearts and do not remember the higher courts; and therefore either become presumptuous, or are needlessly distressed. We are about to consider the judgments of this lower court.

Here we may have:

I. A CORRECT VERDICT AGAINST OURSELVES.

Let us sum up the process.

1. The court sits under the King's arms, to judge by royal authority. The charge against the prisoner is read. Conscience accuses, and it quotes the law as applicable to the points alleged.

2. Memory gives evidence. As to the fact of sin in years past and of sin more lately committed. Items mentioned. Sabbath sins.

Transgressions of each one of the ten commandments. Rejection of the gospel. Omissions in a thousand ways. Failure in motive, spirit, temper, etc.

3. Knowledge gives evidence that the present state of mind and heart and will is not according to the Word.

4. Self-love and pride urge good intents and pious acts in stay of proceedings. Hear the defense! But alas! it is not worth hearing. The defense is but one of "the refuges of lies."

5. The heart, judging by the law, condemns. Henceforth the man lives as in a condemned cell under fear of death and hell.

If even our partial, half-enlightened heart condemns, we may well tremble at the thought of appearing before the Lord God.

The higher court is more strictly just, better informed, more authoritative, and more able to punish. God knows all. Forgotten sin, sins of ignorance, sins half seen are all before the Lord.

What a terrible case is this! Condemned in the lower court, and sure to be condemned in the higher!

II. AN INCORRECT VERDICT AGAINST OURSELVES.

The case as before. The sentence apparently most clear.

But when revised by the higher court it is reversed, for good reasons.

1. The debt has been discharged by the man's glorious Surety.

2. The man is not the same man; though he sinned he has died to sin, and he now lives as one born from above.

3. The evidences in his favor, such as the atonement and the new birth, were forgotten, undervalued, or misjudged in the lower court; hence he was condemned. Sentence of condemnation does not stand when these matters are duly noted.

4. The evidence looked for by a sickly conscience was what it could not find, for it did not exist, namely, natural goodness, perfection, unbroken joy, etc. The judge was ignorant, and legally inclined. The verdict was therefore a mistaken one. An appeal clears the case: "God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things."

III. A CORRECT VERDICT Of ACQUITTAL.

Our heart sometimes justly "condemns us not."

The argument for non-condemnation is good: the following are the chief items of evidence in proof of our being gracious—

1. We are sincere in our profession of love to God.

2. We are filled with love to the brethren.

3. We are resting upon Christ, and on him alone.

4. We are longing after holiness.

The result of this happy verdict of the heart is that we have—

· Confidence towards God that we are really his.

· Confidence as to our reconciliation with God by Jesus Christ.

· Confidence that he will not harm us, but will bless us.

· Confidence in prayer that he will accept and answer.

· Confidence as to future judgment that we shall receive the gracious reward at the last great day.

IV. AN INCORRECT VERDICT OF ACQUITTAL.

1. A deceived heart may refuse to condemn, but God will judge us all the same. He will not allow self-conceit to stand.

2. A false heart may acquit, but this gives no confidence Godward.

3. A deceitful heart pretends to acquit while in its center it condemns.

If we shrink now, what shall we do in judgment?

What a waking, to find ourselves condemned at the last!.257. Victorious Faith

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. I John 5:4

WHAT is meant by this world?

The power of sin all around us: the influence which operates towards evil, and makes the commandments and purposes of God grievous to society. The Prince of this world has much to do with this evil power.

This world is our foe, and we must fight with it.

We must contend till we overcome the world, or it will overcome us.

I. THE CONQUEST ITSELF. "Overcometh the world."

We are not to be litigious, eager to contradict everybody.

We are not, however, to be cowardly, and anxious to flee the fight.

We mingle among men of the world, but it must be as warriors who are ever on the watch, and are aiming at victory. Therefore—

1. We break loose from the world's customs.

2. We maintain our freedom to obey a higher Master in all things.

· We are not enslaved by dread of poverty, greed of riches, official command, personal ambition, love of honor, fear of shame, or force of numbers.

3. We are raised above circumstances, and find our happiness in invisible things: thus we overcome the world. >4. We are above the world's authority. Its ancient customs or novel edicts are for its own children; we do not own it as a ruler, or as a judge.

5. We are above its example, influence, and spirit. We are crucified to the world, and the world is crucified to us.

6. We are above its religion. We gather our religion from God and his Word, not from human sources.

As one in whom this conquest was seen, read the story of Abraham. Think of him in connection with his quitting home, his lonely wanderings, his conduct towards Lot, Sodom and her king, Isaac, etc.

II. THE CONQUERING NATURE. "Whatsoever is born of God."

1. This nature alone will undertake the contest with the world.

2. This nature alone can continue it. All else wearies in the fray.

3. This nature is born to conquer. God is the Lord, and that which is born of him is royal and ruling.

It is not an amendment of the former creation.