Man's Contempt of God. By Charles
Simeon, he says to himself, God has forgotten. He covers his
face and never sees. Psalm 10 verse 11. Why does the wicked man revile
God? Why does he say to himself, he
won't call me to account? Psalm 10 verse 13. Were all the
liniments of man's contempt of God to be drawn, we would scarcely
ever finish the dreadful portrait. We make light of the Father's
authority, the Son's sin-atoning sacrifice, the Spirit's influence
in regeneration. Every office they sustain, every
attribute they possess, every relation they bear to us, we
disregard and dishonor. We overlook God's providence,
are unmindful of his word, neglect his ordinances, and despise his
people. God's thoughts respecting the
nature and malignity of sin are widely different from those which
are entertained in the hearts of natural men. Men consider
themselves as innocent if their outward conduct is not grossly
reprehensible, and what they cannot justify in their actions,
they mitigate under lenient expressions. But God notices the very frame
and dispositions of the heart. He clearly and infallibly interprets
the language of men's thoughts. He declares that the wickedness
of their actions proceeds from the atheism in their hearts.
The fool says in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt,
their deeds are vile, there is no one who does good. Psalm 14
verse 1. men evidenced by their lives
that they think God will not require an account of their sin.
They imagine that sin may be indulged with impunity, as God
cannot see it. But let us provide an answer
to Job's question in Job 9 verse 4, who has hardened himself against
God and prospered. Not earth and hell combined can
prevent the punishment of one sinner. Proverbs 11 verse 21,
be sure of this, the wicked will not go unpunished. No heart can
conceive the terrors of the final judgment. Who, in his right mind,
would risk the loss of heaven and the suffering of hell?