The Pulpit Commentary — Luke — Volume 2 — Section 17

work within us? Clnist says, "Come to me;" he also says, "Leat"II, qf me." Are we diligently, meekly, devoutly learning of Christ, receiving more aud more of hie hallow- ing and transforming truth into our mind, to stir our feeling, to regulate our choice, to beautify and to ennoble our life ?-C. Yers. 23, 24.-Vain inquiry and spfritua,l strenuousness. There is o.11 the difference 1r, the world between the question that is general and speculative and that which is pcr1<_onal and practical; between asking, "Are there few that be saved?" and asking, " v\ hat must I do to be saved?" A great many unspiritual people show no small concern respecting matters that pertain to religion. It may be that they are curious or that they are imaginative, or that they are visionary, and that religion provide; a wide field for investigation, or for romance, or for mysticism. This speculative and unpractical piety may be: 1. A vain and unrewarded curiosity. It was eo in this instance ; the applicant was moved by nothing more than a mere passing whim, and he received no gratification from Christ (see eh. xx.iii. 8, 9; John xxi. 21, 22). It will be found that, on the one hand, Jesus always answered the questions of those who were in earnest, however humble might be the applicant; and, on the other hand, that he never answered the questions of the irreverent, however distinguished the inquirer might be. And it is found now by us that if we go to his Word or to his sanctuary to inquire his will, we shall not go away unblessed; but that if we go to either for mere gratification, we shall be unrewarded. 2. The retreat of irreligion and unworthiness (see John iv. 18-20). It is convenient to pass from personal and prac- ticnl considerations to those of theological controversy. 3. The act of mistaken religiousness (see John xiv. 8). We act thus when we want to see the Divine aide of God's de:i.lings with us, or are anxious to know "the times and seasons which the Father hath put in his own power." Our Lord's reply suggests- L THE SUPREME IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL RELIGION. "Are there few that be saved? . . . Strive to enter in," etc.; i.e. the question for you to be concerned to answer is, whether yon yourself are in the kingdom of God; that is preliminary to all others; that is the thing of primary importance; that is worth your caring for, your seeking after, your diligent searching, your strenuous pursuit. Surely the most inconsistent, self-condeinning, contradictory thing of all is for men to be thinking, planning, dis- cussing, expending, in order to put other people into the right way when they them- selves are taking the downward road. Shall we not say to such, " Go and learn what this meaneth, 'Let every man prove his own work, then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another; for every man shall bear his own burden' of respon- sibility to God"? The first duty a man owes to God and to his neighbour is the duty he owes to himself-to become right with the living God by faith in Jesus Christ his Saviour. II. The fact that ENTRANCE DITO THE KINGDOH OF Goo DEMANDS GREAT STRENU- OUSNESS oF souL. 1. It is the great crisis of a man's career, and may well be attended with much spiritual disturbance. When a human soul first hears and heeds his Father's call and rises to return to his true spiritual home, he may well be affected with profound spiritual solicitude, and may well count that the goal he is seeking is worth all the labour and all the patience he expends to reach it. 2. There are occa- sions when special strenuousness of soul ie demanded. Such are these: (1) When a man by long neglect has lost nearly all his sensibility. (2) When th~ earnest seeker cannot tind the consciousness of acceptance which he yearns to atta10. (3) When a man finds himself opposed by adverse forces ; when "a man's foes are they of hie own hoW1ehold ·" when he has to act as if be positively" hated" father and mother, in order to be loy~l to his Lord ; when downright earnestness and unflinching fidelity bring him into serious conflict with the prejudices and the practices of the home, or the mart, or the social circle; and when to follow the lead of his convictions means to suffer, to lose, to endure much at the hands of man. Then comes the message of the Master- Strive, wrestle, agonize to enter in; put forth the effort, however _arduous; make the sacrifice, however great ; go through the struggle, however severe it ma;y: prove to be. Strive to enter in; it will not be long before you will have your reward in a pure and priceless peace, in a profound and abiding joy, in a heritage which JlO man and no time cau take from you.-C. en. xm. 1-35.] 'fHE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. 19