89. Rest As A Test.

Ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. - Jeremiah 6:16.

IT is the distinguishing feature of the good old way that in it we find rest for our souls. This is one of the tokens by which we may discern the false from the true.

· Rest was the promise of the Savior."I will give you rest."

· Rest is the point in which the law failed. Moses could not lead the people into Canaan, neither can the works of the law conduct us into the rest of God.

· Rest has been enjoyed by believers, and it is now enjoyed by them.

· Rest is never found apart from the gospel, and faith in Jesus.

· Rest comes not from wealth, health, honor, or any other earthly thing.

I. IN "THE GOOD WAY" WE FIND REST IF WE WALK THEREIN.

We walk by faith in the gospel way, and are rested.

1. The way of pardon by an atonement gives rest to the conscience.

2. The way of believing the Word as a little child gives rest to the understanding.

3. The way of trusting our affairs with God gives rest to the mind.

4. The way of obedience to divine commands gives rest to the soul.

5. The way of communion with Christ gives rest to the heart.

It is no little matter which can rest the desires, the fears, the regrets, the questionings, of our manhood; but gospel doctrines, promises, and precepts, and the gospel spirit accomplish this.

II. REST FOUND BY WALKING IN "THE GOOD WAY" IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL. Some forms of rest rust and injure the soul; but this does not.

1. It brings satisfaction, but not self-satisfaction.

2. It brings a sense of safety, but does not lead to presumptuous sin.

3. It creates content, but also excites desires for progress.

4. It removes legal fears, but supplies superior motives for holiness.

It is actually beneficial to a man to walk in the good way, for as a saved believer his possession of salvation:

· Supplies him with an answer to the bribes of Satan; for what can Satan offer which could be preferable to assured salvation?.

· Sets him free from personal anxiety, and thus enables him to serve the Lord without distraction, since he is himself saved.

· Engenders intense love to his Savior for his completed work.

· Excites him to holy imitation of his heavenly Father, who is so gracious as to afford rest to the weary.

III. REST OF THIS KIND SHOULD BE ENJOYED NOW.

It is so enjoyed by many of us, and it is a grievous error when it is not the case with all real Christians.

1. You should be in the way, know that you are there, and try to keep to the very middle of the road. Truly believe in Jesus, and perfect rest must come. "Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God" (Rom. 5:1).

2. You should have no doubt that the way is good, and that it is the way of the Lord. This is the assurance of understanding.

3. You should lay aside all anxious care because "he careth for you."

4. You should feel an intense satisfaction in Jesus. You will do so unless you live at a distance from him, and so miss his presence and smile. A present Christ is a well of delight.

5. You should indulge the largest anticipations concerning your future blessedness, both in time and in eternity.

We challenge Romanists, sacramentarians, self justiciaries, and the like, to say that they have any rest. Rome does not promise it even to her own votaries, either in this world or in the world to come; but goes on saying her masses for the repose of the souls of her own departed cardinals, who evidently are not at rest. If her most eminent divines go to purgatory, where do the common people got We invite all the laboring and laden to come and try the Lord Jesus, and see if he does not rest them at once, and forever.

We bear our own willing testimony to the sweetness, safety, perpetuity, and truthfulness of the rest of faith.