Fifteenth Letter
The sermon emphasizes the importance of knowing God through faith, seeking Him in all circumstances, and being devoted to Him, leading to spiritual growth and heart transformation.
Brother Lawrence, on his death-bed, emphasizes the importance of knowing God deeply, highlighting that God's love for us is the foundation of all His actions for our good. He encourages seeing afflictions as bearable when viewed in the light of God's hand, transforming sufferings into opportunities for consolation. Lawrence urges a continuous pursuit of God through faith, rather than seeking Him for material favors, as true devotion to God brings about a profound change within us, leading to a deep love for Him in all circumstances.
Text
From his death-bed. * Repeats the same exhortation to knowledge, that we may love.
GOD knoweth best what is needful for us, and all that He does is for our good. If we knew how much He loves us, we should be always ready to receive equally and with indifference from His hand the sweet and the bitter; all would please that came from Him. The sorest afflictions never appear intolerable, but when we see them in the wrong light. When we see them in the hand of GOD, who dispenses them: when we know that it is our loving FATHER, who abases and distresses us: our sufferings will lose their bitterness, and become even matter of consolation.
Let all our employment be to know GOD: the more one knows Him, the more one desires to know Him. And as knowledge is commonly the measure of love, the deeper and more extensive our knowledge shall be, the greater will be our love: and if our love of GOD were great we should love Him equally in pains and pleasures.
Let us not amuse ourselves to seek or to love GOD for any sensible favours (how elevated soever) which He has or may do us. Such favours, though never so great, cannot bring us so near to GOD as faith does in one simple act. Let us seek Him often by faith: He is within us; seek Him not elsewhere. Are we not rude and deserve blame, if we leave Him alone, to busy ourselves about trifles, which do not please Him and perhaps offend Him? 'Tis to be feared these trifles will one day cost us dear.
Let us begin to be devoted to Him in good earnest. Let us cast everything besides out of our hearts; He would possess them alone. Beg this favour of Him. If we do what we can on our parts, we shall soon see that change wrought in us which we aspire after. I cannot thank Him sufficiently for the relaxation He has vouchsafed you. I hope from His mercy the favour to see Him within a few days. Let us pray for one another.
[He took to his bed two days after and died within the week.]
Sermon Outline
- Knowing God
- The Importance of Faith
- Seeking GOD
- Being Devoted to GOD
- Begin to be devoted to GOD in good earnest
- Beg the favour of GOD to possess our hearts
Key Quotes
“If we knew how much He loves us, we should be always ready to receive equally and with indifference from His hand the sweet and the bitter;” — Brother Lawrence
“Let us seek Him often by faith: He is within us; seek Him not elsewhere.” — Brother Lawrence
“If we do what we can on our parts, we shall soon see that change wrought in us which we aspire after.” — Brother Lawrence
Application Points
- We should seek GOD through faith, not in trifles or sensible favours.
- We should cast everything else out of our hearts to make room for GOD.
- We should begin to be devoted to GOD in good earnest and beg the favour of GOD to possess our hearts.