Bible Reading: Hebrews 6:10-20 KJV
- Hebrews 6:12 KJV
Does not this word " slothful" accurately characterize the habit of mind of most professors of religion? While we behold them diligently in the pursuit of worldly good, laboring untiringly on in the acquisition of wealth; while we see them exercising circumspection, vigilance, forethought, sagacity in their temporal vocation, and giving to it the best energies of their nature, we see them indolent and sluggish in all that relates to their heavenly calling. They read the newspapers with a closeness of observation that nothing can escape; but the Bible with a carelessness that leaves them just as ignorant afterwards as they were before. When topics of the day are discussed, their minds are easily kept on the stretch; but in religious meetings they are obliged to exert themselves not a little to keep awake. Any excuse is sufficient to make them dismiss or postpone a religious duty; while in the other engagements of life, they are sufficiently punctual. They are minutely attentive to the state of their body, and take good note of every ailment however insignificant; but they are not at all vigilant in the examination of their hearts and in the avoidance of whatever is likely to be prejudicial to their spiritual interests. On the whole they think it enough to give to religion the mere fragments of their time and attention and thought and energy.
When topics of the day are discussed, their minds are easily kept on the stretch; but in religious meetings they are obliged to exert themselves not a little to keep awake. Any excuse is sufficient to make them dismiss or postpone a religious duty; while in the other engagements of life, they are sufficiently punctual. They are minutely attentive to the state of their body, and take good note of every ailment however insignificant; but they are not at all vigilant in the examination of their hearts and in the avoidance of whatever is likely to be prejudicial to their spiritual interests. On the whole they think it enough to give to religion the mere fragments of their time and attention and thought and energy.
When topics of the day are discussed, their minds are easily kept on the stretch; but in religious meetings they are obliged to exert themselves not a little to keep awake. Any excuse is sufficient to make them dismiss or postpone a religious duty; while in the other engagements of life, they are sufficiently punctual. They are minutely attentive to the state of their body, and take good note of every ailment however insignificant; but they are not at all vigilant in the examination of their hearts and in the avoidance of whatever is likely to be prejudicial to their spiritual interests. On the whole they think it enough to give to religion the mere fragments of their time and attention and thought and energy.
Be not as they are. Be not slothful. Be slothful with respect to all other things, rather than this. Let your greatest energy be given to this. Not merely because it is becoming, but because it is necessary. There would be a very serious defect in the way of salvation, if it bestowed its priceless gifts on slothful men. If you would inherit the promised kingdom, you must model your life upon the lives of those whose faith and patience are honorably mentioned in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews. Be sure that nothing less is required of you than was demanded of them.
