A Mixed Condition
The mixed condition of God's people is a divine arrangement to wean us from earthly vanities and long for pure joys in heaven.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that the condition of God's people in this life is a mixed one, characterized by alternating times of joy and sorrow. He contrasts this earthly experience with the eternal states of heaven, which is filled with joy, and hell, which is filled with sorrow. Brooks argues that the mixture of joy and sorrow serves a divine purpose, preventing pride from joy and despair from sorrow, while also drawing believers closer to the hope of eternal joy in heaven. This balance encourages a longing for the pure joys of the afterlife, reminding us that our current struggles are temporary. Ultimately, Brooks highlights the importance of this mixed condition in shaping our spiritual lives and aspirations.
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The condition of God's people in this life is a mixed
condition. In this life they have . . .
their rejoicing times and their mourning times,
their laughing times and their weeping times,
their singing times and their sorrowing times, etc.
It is true, in heaven there is . . .
all joy and no sorrow,
all gladness and no sadness;
and in hell there is . . .
all sorrow and no joy,
all grief and no gladness,
all howling and no singing,
all madness and no mirth.
But in this present life it is otherwise, for if
there would be nothing but joy, many would
look for no other heaven; and if there should
be nothing but sorrow, most would look for
no other hell. If men should have nothing but
joy--how sadly would they be puffed up! And
if they should have nothing but sorrow--how
easily would they be cast down! But now, by
a divine hand, our sorrows being mixed with
our joys--our hearts come to be the more
effectually weaned from the vanities of this
life, and to long more earnestly after the
pure and unmixed joys in the world of glory.
Sermon Outline
- The Mixed Condition of God's People
- Heavenly and Hellish Conditions
- The Purpose of the Mixed Condition
- To wean us from earthly vanities
- To long for pure joys in heaven
Key Quotes
“If there would be nothing but joy, many would look for no other heaven; and if there should be nothing but sorrow, most would look for no other hell.” — Thomas Brooks
“If men should have nothing but joy--how sadly would they be puffed up! And if they should have nothing but sorrow--how easily would they be cast down!” — Thomas Brooks
“By a divine hand, our sorrows being mixed with our joys--our hearts come to be the more effectually weaned from the vanities of this life, and to long more earnestly after the pure and unmixed joys in the world of glory.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- We should be grateful for the mixed condition of our lives, as it helps us to be less puffed up by joy and less easily cast down by sorrow.
- We should use our sorrows as opportunities to wean ourselves from earthly vanities and long for pure joys in heaven.
- We should trust in God's divine purpose and timing, even when we experience both joy and sorrow in our lives.