Progress In Religion
The subject of this lecture is "Progress in Religion," based upon Heb. 6:1-3: "Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of the doctrine of baptisms, and of the laying on of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment"; and this will we do, if God permit.
What does the writer of Hebrews mean when he says: "leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ"? Does he mean forsaking those principles, so as no longer to introduce them or have any use for them, as we might say that a man left his family when he forsakes them? No, he cannot mean that, but he means what we would mean if we said to a child in school, "Leave your ABC's and go on to the higher lessons," or what we should say to a boy studying arithmetic, "Leave addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, the four great principles upon which the entire science of mathematics is based, do not stay, always on these, but go on to the higher application of those principles." Now, every great institution, art, science, or organization, is based upon certain great foundation principles, and the Christian religion is no exception. It, too, has its foundation elements, or principles, and our text says, "Having learned these principles, having put them into practice, let us leave this foundation and go on unto perfection, as we would say to a man building a house, "Having laid the foundation strong and well, do not tear it up and lay it over again, not laying again the foundation, but let us go on unto perfection."
What are the foundation elements upon which a Christian character is builded? Not what do I say, nor what do you say they are, but what does God say they are? Remember that those who 48 wrote this Bible were holy men of God, who spake as the Holy Spirit gave them utterance. As Paul said, "If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him take knowledge that the things which I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord Jesus." So, in our text we have the elements, the foundation of a Christian character stated for us, not simply in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Spirit teaches.
What are these foundation principles? Our text says, "not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works." The only thing of which one is called upon to repent is sin, and the wages of sin is death, and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death. The expression, "repentance from dead works," simply means, repentance from sins, the works which bring death, and no Christian character can be built by one who is not willing by genuine true repentance to turn away from all known sin.
But what else? "Not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God." No Christian character can be built without faith toward God, for without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing unto God, and he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. And Jesus said, "He that believeth not shall be damned.” And Paul says, "We, Christians, walk by faith." Not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God and of the doctrine of baptisms. Without stopping to inquire what connection baptism has with a Christian character, or whether it is essential to salvation or not, is it not clear that it is shown here as one of the foundation principles of a Christian character. If you were building a house, the plans for which had been drawn by a wise and skilful architect, would you deliberately leave out a part of the foundation as he himself had planned it? Would it not be a reflection upon your faith in God, as a skilful and wise architect, should you do so? Is it not even a greater reflection upon your faith in God, to leave out a part of the foundation of a Christian character as his infinite wisdom and goodness have planned it?
What else? "Not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, and of the doctrine of baptisms and of the laying on of hands." What has the doctrine of the laying on of hands to do with the foundation of a Christian character? I am not here to deliver a lecture on the subject of the laying on of hands, but you can see that this doctrine is named in the word of God as apart of that foundation upon which a Christian character must be built, and even a very casual glance at the religious world today will show that there is great need that the doctrine of the laying on of hands, as taught in the Bible, should be learned, for the practice which some people have of laying hands on sick people today, thinking that such people may in this way be miraculously healed, shows the gross ignorance that such people have of the teaching of God's word on this subject. For one who knows the Scriptures understands that not since the death of the last person upon whom the hands of the apostles had been laid, has such a thing as miraculous healing by the laying on hands, occurred.
What else? "Not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, and of the doctrine of baptisms, and of the laying on of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead." What does the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead have to do with the foundation of a Christian character? I am not here on this occasion to deliver a lecture on the subject of the resurrection of the dead, but Paul evidently thought, and remember he was guided by the Holy Spirit, that the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead had much to do with the foundation of a Christian character, for he says, "If the dead rise not, then Christ is not risen, and if Christ be not risen, your faith is vain, and your hope is vain, and you are in your sins." Clearly then we should not omit this element from the foundation of a Christian character.
But what else? "Not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, and of the doctrine of baptisms and of the laying on of hands and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment." What has the doctrine of an eternal judgment to do with the foundation of a Christian character? Perhaps, if we remember that many Bible scholars believe that more people begin the Christian life because they are afraid to stand before the eternal judgment bar of God unprepared by obedience to the gospel, than for any other reason, we can see its importance. These, then, when taken together as God himself gives them, constitute the foundation of a Christian character. With this foundation well and strongly laid, every element in place, just as God gives it, our text says, "Let us go on unto perfection, not laying again the foundation." What would you think of a man building a house who should lay the foundation well and strong, and then tear it up and lay it over again, or stop with nothing but the foundation. You say, "Such a building would not be fit to call a house, with nothing but the foundation," and yet, such a house would be just as good a house as a Christian character is a good Christian character with nothing but the foundation laid. The only proper course when once you have laid this foundation, is to heed the admonition given in our text, "Let us go on unto perfection." It is this part of my text which justifies the subject of this lecture, "Progress in Religion," for it is in this going on unto perfection that the progress is found. Are you willing to study with me for a time each word of this text? "Let us go on unto perfection."
The very first word "let" begins an exhortation, showing that we must take an interest in others as well as in self. In this same Epistle, 3rd chapter and 13th verse, we have this command: "Exhort one another daily." The Christian religion is social, not selfish. One cannot be a Christian who looks out simply for number one. God's word says, "Let no man seek his own good simply, but each one also his neighbor's welfare." Perhaps all of us have laughed since we were children at the story of that old man who prayed at pray meeting, "Lord, bless me and my wife and my son John and his wife, us four and no more." And yet, judging by the way some people act, their spirit is almost as selfish as was his. How hard it is today to get some people interested in the welfare of anyone except members of their own family. And yet, if one never loves or helps any except those who are blood kin to him, he should not mistake this love of family for that love of God and our fellowmen which is shed abroad in the hearts of Christians by the Holy Spirit.
Let us not be like oysters, which open their mouths simply to feed themselves. When a boy, I used to see a picture on the walls of many homes and the picture taught a lesson, true. In that picture was seen a storm tossed sea, in which stood a great old rock, firm as the rock of ages. Standing on this rock was an old rugged cross, with its arms outstretched, and clinging around this cross was a figure which had just escaped death in the waters. Underneath was the name, "Simply to thy cross I cling." This picture is good, but in recent years is a better one expressing more truly the spirit of a Christian. In this second picture there is the same storm-tossed -sea. The same great old rock. The same rugged cross. The same figure clinging with one arm to the cross, while the other arm is stretched out to a poor struggling soul in the waters below, helping it up to a place of safety. This is more nearly in accord with the teachings of God's word as to the spirit of a Christian, which says, "Christ laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for others."
The next word, "us." I like that word. I like a religion that has in it "us" and "our," that does not dwell on "me" and "mine" and "you" and "yours." I remember that when Jesus taught us to pray that beautiful prayer, he had us begin, "Our Father who art in heaven." And that when Paul speaks of Jesus he calls him "our" Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The spirit of the Christian religion is consonant with nothing less than the universal brotherhood of man and the universal 52 fatherhood of God. I like that old hymn which says, "When each can feel his brother's sigh and with him bear a part, when sorrow flows from eye to eye and joy from heart to heart." I remember that Jesus said, "Rejoice with those who do rejoice and weep with those who weep." Certainly we cannot make progress when we live unless we have in our hearts this spirit of brotherhood that will not allow us to be content until, as Jesus taught, every creature in all the world has heard the gospel. Remember that Jesus pronounced a heavy "woe" upon those who lade or load men with burdens grievous to be borne, while they will not themselves touch those burdens with one of their fingers.
The next word, "go." Let us "go" on unto perfection. "Go" shows action, not restriction, nor retreat, and the Christian is full of this teaching, for there is much "go" and "do" in the Bible. It is said of Jesus: "He went about doing good." To be like him we also must go about always doing good. Remember, he prays, "I am the way, follow me." In that prayer which Jesus taught his followers he taught us to say "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." And the angels in heaven do God's will perfectly, for they are all ministering spirits sent forth to minister to those who shall be the heirs of salvation. On that ladder which Jacob saw as he slept with his head upon a stone, the ladder that reaches from earth to heaven, there were angels ascending and descending, but not one standing or sitting still. Hence, the lesson, as angels are always busy, so must we be. When Paul would picture the Christian life he represents it as a "race," himself a runner, and he says, "forgetting the things which are behind, and reaching forth unto the things which are before, let us go on to perfection. Let us press toward the mark for the prize." When Jesus pictured the church he represented it as a "vineyard belonging to a father who said to his son —the son representing every Christian, 'Go work in my vineyard today.' " Jesus also said, "Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them is like the wise man who built his house upon the rock." I like a man with "go" in him. I like a horse with "go" in him. I do not like to ride behind a horse when you have to beat him almost to death to get him along the road. I like to ride behind one that you have to hold the ribbons tight as he makes his footsteps right. I like a machine with "go" in it. Preacher as I am; I like to ride with a driver who steps on the gas. I like a boy with "go" in him. I much prefer the little fidgety boy that cannot sit still, to the little sleepy head whom you have to pinch to see if he is awake. Do you know what is the matter' with that fidgety boy, the reason he cannot sit still? He has a man in him and he can hardly hold him. Give him a chance, an outlet for energy, and he will go on, and so I like a Christian with "go" in him, that would say, according to the current phrase, and mean every word of it, "Let's go."
The next word, "on." I could take every bit of the progress out of my text if you would let me change that one little word of two letters into the word "back." "On" shows progress, not retrogression. God's exhortation is "Let us go on." He never sounds a retreat. It is always onward and upward, higher, and still higher. If you have done well today, you should do better tomorrow. If you are not a better Christian this year than you were last, there is something wrong with your religion. The preacher must go on, or he is a failure. You are listening well to this lecture. What if you should come back tonight and the speaker should deliver the same lecture, some of you would say, "I wonder why he did not go on and give us something fresh. We have heard that lecture once." Suppose I should continue delivering the same lecture night after night for a week, how many of you would be here the last night to hear it? Most of you would say, "If he cannot go on and give us something fresh, I will wait till he can, or go to hear someone else." But do you know that preachers get just as tired seeing members of their congregations sit there and do the same old things over and over and over again, as you would get hearing him preach the same old sermon over and over? The language of my text is not addressed to preachers, but to all Christians, and it is no more the duty of a preacher to go on than it is the duty of every other Christian, and let us be sure that we go on, that we do not advance backwards.
May I tell you a story illustrating what I mean, and this is a true story, too, not one made up for the occasion, as so many people think preachers make them up. Once there was a preacher telling a story in his home and the preacher's little boy was listening. When his father had completed the story, the little boy innocently asked, "Daddy is that so, or are you just preaching." This story is true. I know it because my uncle was a truthful man, and he told me this story. It happened soon after what we still call the Civil War, back in the days when you could buy, in almost any village, something to drink stronger than good buttermilk. Thank God you cannot do that now. The people of our beloved state of Tennessee have gotten beyond that. You know that intoxicants have different effects upon different people. They make some men think that they are the strongest men on earth. They make others think they could whip anything in sight, even a stack of wild cats. They make others love everybody. Such men want to come up and put their arms around your shoulders and blow their vile breath in your face. It was awful in those days. There was an old man who lived near my village who was not very brave even when sober, and when well filled up on whiskey he would not fight anything. He loved everybody. The old man came to the village one day and got outside of about all the whiskey he could carry home. He started home about sundown. It took all the road for him, as he wound from side to side. The boys in the village knew he was cowardly and decided to have some fun. One of them took a white sheet under his arm, ran down through the cornfields, out through the thick woods that came up on both sides of the road about a half mile from the village. By the time the old man reached these woods it was almost dark, and the boy came out in the road wrapped up in the white sheet, with his arms extended, waving back and forth like wings. The old man steadied himself as best he could and saw the object moving toward him, less than a hundred yards away. He decided that he did not care to be any nearer to it and began to walk backwards. In his condition he could not look over his shoulder, and so he walked backwards for about a quarter of a mile till he came to my uncle's front gate. He hollowed, "Hello." The boy who had been following just closely enough to keep him moving when he heard him holler, "Hello," jumped over a fence into a corn field and when uncle came out, there was no one there but the old man, who had been so badly scared that he was about sober. None of us men like to admit that we are afraid of anything, so the old man told uncle about seeing the "booger" as he called it and how it came nearer to him and he did not like to say that he ran from it, so, he said, "I saw it and it kept coming toward me and I did not know what it might be, so I—I—advanced backwards." You smile at the old man's expression. Let us see, friend, perhaps you are advancing backward, even in a worse way than he was. Do you read your Bible as regularly now as when you first came into the church? Do you pray as earnestly and as regularly as when you first came into the church? If not, you, too, are advancing backward and in a worse way than he was. But God's word says, "Let us go on" it never sounds the note of retreat. "Let us go on unto perfection." That word "unto" in its proper setting has a wonderful lesson for us. "Unto" means perseverance. It means, keep on going toward perfection, until you either reach it or the limit of your own life. Did you ever hear the story of Robert Bruce and the spider, or Robert Bruce and the ant? I shall tell it, as Robert Bruce and the ant. Robert Bruce was King of Scotland and a good king he was, but his enemies got their armies together and fought against Bruce, seeking to take away his kingdom and his crown. Seven great battles were fought, and in the seventh Bruce was defeated and his army scattered from him, and he had to fly for his life, in the darkness of the night, and take refuge in an old barn where he lay hiding and resting. A ray of sunlight coming through a crack in the barn fell in his face and woke him the next morning, and he lay there thinking, "Shall I give it up, shall I quit? Shall I surrender my crown and my kingdom?" And while he was thinking such thoughts as these his eye fell on a little ant, carrying a grain of wheat, the grain of wheat larger than the ant. The little creature wanted to carry this grain of wheat over a big log. It started up and fell back. At once it got up and started up again 56 and fell back, and then leaning over in his eagerness of attention, he said, "Oh, I wonder if it will try again? I wonder if a little ant has more perseverance than I have? Seven times I have tried and failed, I wonder if it will try again?" It never stopped, getting up immediately, it started up, up, up and this time over. it went and on its way. Bruce sprang to his feet like the brave man he was, and said, "A little ant shan't have more perseverance than I have. I will go out, gather my scattered soldiers, raise again the battle flag and the battle cry. I will succeed," and he did, and the crown sat securely on his brow. It is, the courage, a perseverance like this that every Christian needs, saying, "I will succeed by the help and blessing of God. I will go on unto perfection."
The word "perfection" is the best word in my text. When God would tell a man how to live, he gave him a perfect law. God's word says, "The law of the Lord is perfect." And James says, "Whosoever looketh into the perfect law of liberty." God says, "Live as I have told you in my perfect law." When God gave man an example, a pattern to follow, it was a perfect one, for Jesus said, "I am the way, follow me." And Jesus was perfect. He did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth, and God says to every Christian, "Live like I tell you, in my perfect law. Live like I have shown you in the perfect example whom I have given," and this is what is meant when, our text says, "Let us go on unto perfection."
But someone is ready to ask, "Am I expected to be as good as Jesus, to live a life as perfect as his?" God would not give an imperfect law, or an imperfect pattern to his children and then tell us to follow it. The ideal which he sets before us is one of perfection, both in his law and in his pattern, and as a man's reach should always be greater than his grasp, as his ideal should be higher than his attainment, so God has given an ideal toward which every Christian may grow throughout his entire life.
It is like this: When I was a boy living on the old farm, my father used to make almost everything we needed on the farm, plow handles, hoe handles, axe handles, for we could not buy such things ready made as cheap as you can now. One day he was making axe handles in the little shop which we had. He had a perfect pattern of an axe handle, and he could make a splendid axe handle. Boys often want to do what they see their fathers doing. I wanted to make an axe handle. He let me have a piece of timber like he had and let me use the tools which he used, and let me mark out by his perfect pattern, the axe handle which I tried to make. I did the best I could, but I was just a boy. I tried to make my axe handle just like the pattern, but when it was finished and I held up the finished work, it did not look just like the pattern. But my father did not say, "You little simpleton, did you not know better than to try to make an axe handle." That is not the way my father talked to his boys. He said, "First rate, son. That is pretty. good. You just keep on and you will make a fine axe handle some day," and that is the way my father talked to his boys, and so it is with our Father in heaven. When you and I mark out our lives by the perfect law and the perfect pattern which God has given, and do our best to make our lives like his, when the work is finished and we hold our lives up beside the life of Him who was the brightness of the Father's glory and the express image of his person, well, our lives will not look exactly like his, but if we have been faithful and done the best we could, we need .not fear but what the loving voice of the Father will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." For life itself is but an infinite progress toward an infinite perfection. The grandest church building on earth is St. Peter's church in the city of Rome. It covers acres of ground, and they have been working on it for years and years, but still it is not complete. A gentleman walking through this great church building, looking at its beauties and splendors saw a number of workmen busy in building, and he said to the guide, "When will you finish St. Peter's"? The guide with a smile said, "Finish St. Peter's? We never expect to finish it. We are going on always, building it up greater and more beautiful, more splendid, we never expect to finish it." I said, the greatest church building on earth was St. Peter's, but the greatest on earth and the most beautiful, is a Christian character. Though we may build and grow 58 onward and upward, increasing its beauty and its splendor as we go on toward perfection, we never shall finish it. If one should grow with ten thousand times ten thousand times the speed of lightning through ten thousand years toward the limitless perfection of God, he would be no nearer to the limits of perfection than when he first began, for there are no limits to the infinite perfections of God, and this is the ideal that God sets before every Christian. Onward and upward, always and ever, growing more and more into the likeness and image of God, and as long as God shall last, we will grow forever, going on toward perfection. Even when we pass out of this earth life into the purer, more wholesome atmosphere of heaven, we shall but have increased opportunity and ability to grow more rapidly without ever reaching the limitless perfections of God. And that is what life is, the Christian life, an infinite progress toward an infinite per-fection.
When I was a little boy I used to stand on the front portico of the old farmhouse and look out across the lane and the meadow of the brook, to the trees on the hill beyond. I used to see the clouds hang low, apparently coming down into the very tree tops, and, as a child, I used to wish that I could go over there, climb up into those trees, and reach up and feel of those clouds, to see how they felt. I lived to be a man, to climb that hilltop, when the clouds hung low, and when I reached the hilltop I found those clouds were as high above as they had seemed to be when at the farmhouse down in the valley. Since I have been a Christian I have looked on up toward the hills of. God and thought sometimes, Oh, if I could ever preach like that, if I could ever pray like that one, I would be satisfied. I do not claim to have climbed very high, and yet by the grace of God, I have made some progress and I find as I climb up the hills of God, that when, I reach any height, I see that the ideal that God has set before me is apparently just as far beyond as ever, and it is only the invitation of a loving Father to his son to go on and grow on forever toward the limitless perfections of God, for life itself is but an infinite progress toward the infinite perfections of God.