Joshua 18:2-3

Slackness.

I. MUCH OF THE CHRISTIAN INHERITANCE IS NOT YET POSSESSED .

(a) Christians do not enjoy on earth all the blessings which they might have;

(b) greater blessings are reserved for heaven ( 1 John 3:2 ).

II. IT IS OWING TO THE SLACKNESS OF MEN , AND NOT TO THE WILL OF GOD , THAT SO MUCH OF THE CHRISTIAN INHERITANCE IS NOT YET POSSESSED . Not God's will, but man's impenitence, delays his acceptance of the blessings of the gospel. Not God's will, but the Church's tardiness, hinders the spread of Christianity through the world. Not God's will, but the Christian's weakness, prevents him from enjoying the full privileges of redemption. This slackness to take full possession of the Christian inheritance is culpable, and arises from various causes.

(a) from weariness when it shows the need of the Divine help for continued exertion; or

(b) from culpable remissness when it is a distinct proof of cooling zeal.

(a) in the need of Christ,

(b) in the greatness of the Christian blessings,

(c) in the Divine power, through which they may be obtained.—W.F.A.

HOMILIES BY S.R. ALDRIDGE