Christian Establishment

    The apostle prayed for the Thessalonians that they may be established "in every good word and work."

    By establishing is meant fixing, settling, confirming; in opposition to wavering, sitting loose, drawing back.

    In every good word may be understood—of God's good word to us, contained in the Holy Scriptures: to be rooted and grounded in the knowledge of things to be known, in the belief of things to be believed, in the practice of things to be done; and, of our good words to one another. Establish you in good discourses about the things of God, and of your souls. Keep you steady, and constant to it, and in it upon all occasions.

    In every good work; that is, in all holy obedience: that you may walk in all the commandments of the Lord blameless. Note—good words will not do without good works. Talking without walking is not enough: "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Though the voice be Jacob's voice, if the hands be Esau's hands, we must look for no blessing from our heavenly Father.

    Now, to be established in every good word and work is a choice mercy, to be earnestly asked of God for ourselves, and others: "It is a good thing that the heart be established with grace." "The God of all grace make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you."

    And this establishment is threefold. There is the establishment of the judgment in the truths of God. Of the thoughts and affections in the things of God. Of the conversation and practice in the ways of God. All of which are choice mercies, and to be asked of God.

    Established in every good work. There is repenting work, which is for certain a good work. Good, because required and commanded. God "now commandeth all men everywhere to repent." Good, because a means in order to peace and pardon: "Repent ye, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out." Now to be established in it is to be in the daily exercise of it as there is occasion. We must repent every day, for we sin every day. The pump of repentance must continually be going as guilt leaks in. There are few that have not sometimes their penitent qualms, but it is only sometimes: when under the rod—as Pharaoh, Ahab. They pass off, and the heart is harder than before. But to be established in it is quite another thing. It is to have a spring of godly sorrow opened in the heart; not but that sometimes there may be occasions extraordinary—as David, Peter.

    There is believing work: which is another good work: "If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established." Good reason, therefore, why we should, in a special manner, be established in it. It should be so in the great work of faith, which is closing with Christ, upon gospel terms, for righteousness and strength: "The just shall live by faith." "The life which I live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Besides this, there are other acts of faith in reference to particular promises, wherein we ought to be established, settled, rooted, fixed: "Not tossed to and fro:" not wavering, doubting, distrusting. Abraham was established: "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God." The disciples wavering were rebuked: "Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?" See the direction—" Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."

    There is the work of God's worship—a good work. And are we established in it? I mean not only as to the manner of doing it, but as to the thing itself. Are we established in secret worship between God and our own souls? See that ye be so, for the great work of a Christian lies in the closet. Yet how many are loose, and careless, and slighty, and inconstant in it, as to reading, meditation, prayer, self-examination, communing with their own hearts! Cannot you better spare a meal for the body, than praying times for the soul ?" Evening, and morning, and at noon," said David, "will I pray, and cry aloud." This is one meaning of praying continually; as Mephibosheth ate bread continually at David's table; and as the continual burnt offering. Cornelius "prayed to God alway." "Peter went up upon the housetop to pray." As this habit is kept or neglected, the soul prospers. Then, are we established in family worship? How many, for a spurt, are diligent in it, but soon weary. Such are not established. If not a good work, why do it at all? If good, why not established in it? Several objections men have against it, but an established soul will break through them all, and say, it must be done. As Joshua—" As for me, and my house, we will serve the Lord." Are we established in public worship, in the solemn assemblies? God expects to see us there: "In season, out of season." And are we diligent? and serious? and constant herein, as we - have opportunity? Omissions in each of these are sins. They show the same contempt of the law, and Lawgiver.

    There is the work of our particular calling. Whatever it is, we must be established in it. It is good work provided the calling be lawful, and warrantable, and not sinful and wicked: "Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God;" that is, set him always before you. Do every thing as in his sight: to be approved of him.

    There is the work of our particular relations. As husbands and wives; parents and children; masters and servants; brothers and sisters; neighbours and friends. There is work cut out for each of these. Are we established in it?

    There is watching work: "What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." This is to be done continually, not now and then; because we are always in danger. The heart must be watched: "Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life:" as the castle: keep the senses lest the enemy get in. Job made a covenant with his eyes.

    There is mortifying work: "Mortify your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry." "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die; but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." "They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." To be established in this work is to be daily at it. Not lopping the branches; stopping the streams: but laying at the root; damming up the fountain.

    There is suffering work. Bearing the cross patiently, whatever cross it be, when God calls us thereunto. This is a good work; a work pleasing to God; comfortable in the reflection. The contrary is provoking. To be established in it is to be continual in patience, even unto longsuffering, if God lengthen out the affliction: "Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness."

    There is charity work. In giving: "As we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of "faith." "Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Each one should give according to his ability, as God prospers him. And this is to be constantly done: "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." "Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth." There is charity work in forgiving; in passing by wrongs and injuries even unto "seventy times seven;" see Matt, xviii. 21, 22.

    There is dying daily. In expectation. In preparation. This is a good work. And we should be established in it; that is, we should be constant, and serious in it.