Conformity to God
The essence of religion is the soul's conformity to God, acting above all selfish views, for His glory.
David Brainerd preaches about the soul's conformity to God, emphasizing the importance of loving God with a supreme love, acting above selfish desires for His glory, and finding contentment in surrendering to the divine will. He shares his personal experience of clarity of thought and serenity of mind during illness, leading to a deeper understanding of divine truths and the essence of religion.
Text
"...conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren" (Rom. 8:29)
How I was, the first day or two of my illness, with regard to the exercise of reason, I scarcely know; I believe I was somewhat shattered with the violence of the fever, at times. But the third day of my illness, and constantly afterwards for four or five weeks together, I enjoyed as much serenity of mind, and clearness of thought, as perhaps I ever did in my life. I think my mind never penetrated with so much ease and freedom into divine things, as at this time. I never felt so capable of demonstrating the truth of many important doctrines of the gospel as now. And as I saw clearly the truth of those great doctrines, which are justly styled the doctrines grace; so I saw with no less clearness, that the essence of religion consisted in the soul's conformity to God, and acting above all selfish views, for His glory, longing to be for Him, to live to Him, and please and honor Him in all things. And this from a clear view of His infinite excellency and worthiness in Himself to be loved, adored, worshiped, and served by all intelligent creatures.
Thus I saw, that when a soul loves God with a supreme love, he there in acts like the blessed God Himself, who most justly loves Himself in that manner: So when God's interest and his are become one, and he longs that God should be glorified and rejoices to think that He is unchangeably possessed of the highest glory and blessedness, herein also he acts in conformity to God. In like manner; when the soul is fully resigned to, I and rests satisfied and contented with, the divine will, here it is also conformed to God.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Essence of Religion
- A. Conformity to God
- B. Acting above Selfish Views
- C. Longing to Live for God's Glory
- II. The Motivation for Conformity
- A. The Infinite Excellency of God
- B. The Worthiness of God to be Loved
- III. The Result of Conformity
- A. Acting like God
- B. Resigning to God's Will
- C. Being Satisfied with God's Will
Key Quotes
“I saw with no less clearness, that the essence of religion consisted in the soul's conformity to God, and acting above all selfish views, for His glory, longing to be for Him, to live to Him, and please and honor Him in all things.” — David Brainerd
“When a soul loves God with a supreme love, he there in acts like the blessed God Himself, who most justly loves Himself in that manner:” — David Brainerd
“Thus I saw, that when a soul loves God with a supreme love, he there in acts like the blessed God Himself, who most justly loves Himself in that manner:” — David Brainerd
Application Points
- We should strive to live for God's glory and act above all selfish views.
- We should be motivated by the infinite excellency and worthiness of God to be loved, adored, worshiped, and served.
- We should resign to God's will and be satisfied with His will.