Opposite Appellations of Saints and Sinners. SAINTS DISTINGUISHED FROM SINNERS BY OPPOSITE APPELLATIONS. 646. The godly and ungodly. Ps. 1: 1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. -4: 3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself. 647. The just and the unjust. Pr. 29: 27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just; and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked. Mat. 5: 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 648. The righteous and wicked. Ps. 37: 16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. 17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous. Mal. 3: 18 Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. 649. Friends of God and enemies of God. Is. 1: 24 Saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies. Jam. 2: 23 The scripture was fulfilled, which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. [See 690.] 650. Lovers of God-haters of God. Ex. 20: 6 Shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Rom. 1: 30 Backbiters, haters of God. 651. Believers and unbelievers. Ac. 5: 14 Believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women. 2 Cor. 6: 14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbe Opposite Appellations of Saints and Sinners. lievers for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 652. Sheep, and wolves or serpents. Mat. 23: 33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Jn. 10: 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. Ac. 20: 29 I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 653. Children of God, and children of the devil. Mat. 13: 38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one. 1 Jn. 3: 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. [See 690.] 654. Children of obedience and children of disobedience. Ep. 2:1 You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. 1 Pet. 1: 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance. 655. Children of light, and children of darkness. Is. 42: 18 Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see. Lk. 16: 8 The lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. 1 Th. 5: 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 656. Children of the kingdom and children of wrath. Mat. 13: 38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one. Ep. 2: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even others. Hope and delight in God. PECULIAR CHARACTERISTICS OF SAINTS. 657. Saints hope and delight in God, have fellowship and communion with him, and desire his presence. Ex. 15: 2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation; he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. 1 S. 2: 1 Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD; my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. Ps. 16: 5 The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. 8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. - 18: 2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. 34: 2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. 38: 15 In thee, O Lord, do I hope thou wilt hear, O LORD my God. 21 Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me. [32: 22.] 39: 7 LORD, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. — 42: 1 As the hart panteth after the water-brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? — 43: 4 Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.. 51: 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. 63: 1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; 2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. 3 Because thy loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. 8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. 73: 25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee. 26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 119: 57 Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words. Is. 12: 2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. 26: 8 Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the de They love God's law and institutions. sire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. 9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early. — 61: 10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God. Jer. 14: 8 O the hope of Israel, the Saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night? 9 Why shouldest thou be as a man astonished, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O LORD, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not. Lam. 3: 24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. Hab. 3: 17 Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Rom. 5: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 1 Cor. 1: 9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Jn. 1: 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. [See 6, 294.] 658. Saints love and obey God's law, and delight in all his truth and insti tutions. Ps. 1: 2 His delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. - 119: 20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times. 24 Thy testimonies also are my delight, and my counsellors. 97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. 103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth. 111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. 127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. 128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way. opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments. 162 I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. 167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly. 131 I Are honest-Meek and forbearing. Jer. 15: 16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart. Rom. 7: 22 I delight in the law of God, after the inward [See 106.] man. 659. Honesty, integrity, and firmness of saints, leaving consequences to God. Gen. 22: 10 Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. Is. 49: 4 Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain; yet surely my judgment is with he LORD, and my work with my God. 5 And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength. Jn. 1: 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! 2 Cor. 1: 12 Our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. — 4: 1 Seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty; not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but, by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. [See 56, 294, 460, 504, 629.] 660. Saints have a meek, gentle, forbearing, and forgiving spirit. Mat. 10: 16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 1 Cor. 4: 12 And labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted; we suffer it: 13 Being defamed, we entreat.— 13: 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Gal. 5: 22 The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Heb. 10: 34 Ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Jam. 5: 6 Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you. [See 62, 437, 499, 737.] |