Evening, July 4
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
Psalms 24:4
"He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his
soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully."
Psalm 24:4
Outward practical holiness is a very precious mark of grace. It is to
be feared that many professors have perverted the doctrine of
justification by faith in such a way as to treat good works with
contempt; if so, they will receive everlasting contempt at the last
great day. If our hands are not clean, let us wash them in Jesus'
precious blood, and so let us lift up pure hands unto God. But "clean
hands" will not suffice, unless they are connected with "a pure heart."
True religion is heart-work. We may wash the outside of the cup and the
platter as long as we please, but if the inward parts be filthy, we are
filthy altogether in the sight of God, for our hearts are more truly
ourselves than our hands are; the very life of our being lies in the
inner nature, and hence the imperative need of purity within. The pure
in heart shall see God, all others are but blind bats.
The man who is born for heaven "hath not lifted up his soul unto
vanity." All men have their joys, by which their souls are lifted up;
the worldling lifts up his soul in carnal delights, which are mere
empty vanities; but the saint loves more substantial things; like
Jehoshaphat, he is lifted up in the ways of the Lord. He who is content
with husks, will be reckoned with the swine. Does the world satisfy
thee? Then thou hast thy reward and portion in this life; make much of
it, for thou shalt know no other joy.
"Nor sworn deceitfully." The saints are men of honour still. The
Christian man's word is his only oath; but that is as good as twenty
oaths of other men. False speaking will shut any man out of heaven, for
a liar shall not enter into God's house, whatever may be his
professions or doings. Reader, does the text before us condemn thee, or
dost thou hope to ascend into the hill of the Lord?