Part 132 HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness
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Part 133 HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness
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[10.] Tenthly, The more any man makes it his great business and work, in all his duties, ways, and walkings—to approve himself to God, and to be acceptable with God—the greater height of holiness that man has attained to. Jer. 12:3; Psalm 17:2.
David was a man of great holiness; and how studious and industrious he was to approve his heart to the Lord you may see in Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." [The Hebrew word signifies a very strict, careful, diligent search and inquisition, etc.] The psalmist knew that God had an eye upon him, both at home and abroad, both at bed and at board, both in public and in private, both in his family and in his closet; he knew that God had an eye in every corner of his house, and in every corner of his heart, and therefore he appeals to God, and he opens his heart to God, and nobly ventures upon the trial of God, "Search me, O God, and know my heart," etc. This frequent repetition and doubling of words, "Search me, O God, and know my heart, try me and know my thoughts," etc., does not only note the earnestness and seriousness of David's spirit in prayer—but also the soundness, the uprightness, the plainness, and the sincerity of David's heart—in that he was very willing and ready to submit himself to the search, trial, examination, and approbation of God.
And so Peter, that great apostle of the Jews, makes it his great business to open himself to Christ thrice together, "Lord, you know that I love you, Lord; you know that I love you, Lord; you who know all things, you know that I love you," John 21:15-17. Christ best knew the reality and sincerity of Peter's love, and therefore Peter appeals to him, as to a judge who would be sure to judge righteous judgment, "You know that I love you."
And so the apostle Paul, speaking in the name of his fellow-apostles, says, "Therefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him," 2 Cor. 5:9. The Greek word which is here rendered labor, is a very emphatic word. It signifies to labor and endeavor with all earnestness and might, to endeavor with a high and holy ambition, to be approved of by God, and to be accepted of God, judging it to be the greatest honor and the most desirable happiness in all the world to be graciously owned, approved, and accepted of the Lord. As ambitious, industrious, and laborious as Haman was to be highly accepted with king Ahasuerus—yet he was not more ambitious to be accepted with the king, than the apostles were ambitious to be accepted of the King of kings.
O sirs, when in every sermon you hear, and in every prayer you make, and in every fast you keep, and in every action you do, and in every way that you walk, and in every mercythat you enjoy, and in every cross that you bear, etc.—you make it your great business and work to approve yourselves to the Lord—and that though the world should discountenance you, and friends hate you, and near and dear relations reject you—that yet you may find blessed acceptance with God—this argues holiness to be upon the throne. When in all your dealings and tradings with God—you make it your heaven to approve yourselves to God; and when in all your transactions with men—you make it your happiness to approve yourselves to God—it is an argument that the springs of holiness have risen high in your souls. But,
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Part 133 HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness
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