John 14:1 - Homilies By B. Thomas

Faith banishing fear.

We have here—

I. FAITH SPECIALLY ENJOINED .

1. As to its Objects—God and Christ .

2. The objects of faith are pointed out in their natural order of sequence .

3. The exercise of faith is the only way of Divine realization in the soul .

II. FAITH IS ENJOINED AS THE ANTIDOTE OF TROUBLE . "Let not your heart," etc. This implies:

1. That Christians , while in this world , are exposed to trouble . These are:

2. That trouble naturally attacks the heart . Hence our Savior says, "Let not your heart," etc. The heart is the seat of emotion, the avenue of good and evil, and is impressible to every passing influence, and troubles which would be rejected by reason will be admitted by the trembling and undefended heart.

3. Faith in God and Christ fortifies the heart against trouble . "Let not your heart," etc. It was the aim of Christ now to strengthen them against the impending trouble and shelter them from the thunderstorm of sorrow and perplexity which had already begun to break out. This he does by fortifying their heart. This fortification is to be made by faith in God and Christ. For heart-disease there is but one remedy, and it is infallible, prescribed by the infallible Physician. "Believe in God," etc. This will fill the soul with elements of comfort and security, and while full of these, it is impregnable to trouble. What are these?

LESSONS.

1. The freedom of the heart from trouble depends upon its own state and action . With the heart we grieve, and with it we also believe. If the heart is idle and stagnant, it will be filled with trouble; but if active in faith in God and the Savior, it will be filled with hope and joy.

2. The means of fortifying the heart against trouble are within our reach . The remedy for heart-trouble is ever at hand. The ingredients of the Divine prescription might be difficult to procure, but they are easy and near. "Believe," etc.

3. To keep troubles out from the heart is far easier than to drive them out once they are in . Hence our Lord's special injunction is, "Let not your," etc. Prevention is ever better than cure, and the prevention of trouble is the constant activity of the heart in a large and genuine faith in God and Christ.—B.T.