A Silver Vein of Sanctity
A truly holy person is holy in every aspect of their life, including their use of common things, and their behavior towards others, and does everything for the glory of God.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that true holiness permeates every aspect of a believer's life, not just in spiritual practices but also in everyday activities. He illustrates that a holy heart reflects sanctity in mundane tasks such as eating, drinking, and interacting with others, demonstrating that all actions can glorify God. In contrast, false professors exhibit a superficial holiness limited to religious duties, lacking true spiritual depth in their daily lives. Brooks encourages believers to integrate holiness into all facets of life, making every action a reflection of their faith. Ultimately, he calls for a holistic approach to holiness that encompasses both spiritual and earthly endeavors.
Text
"In that day shall there be upon the bridles of the horses,
Holiness unto the Lord. Yes, every pot in Jerusalem
and in Judah shall be Holiness unto the Lord Almighty."
Zechariah 14:20-21
Here is holiness written upon the bridles of the horses they
ride on, and upon the cups and pots they drink with. A holy
heart will be holy in the use of common things. Every
piece of his life shall savor of sanctity; and in all the parts of
his every-day life, you shall be able to discern something of
the power of true religion.
He who is truly holy--will be holy in the use of earthly and
common things, as well as in the use of spiritual and heavenly
things. He will be spiritual in the use of mundane things; and
heavenly in the use of earthly things. There is a silver vein
of sanctity which runs through all his worldly concernments.
If you look upon him in his eating and drinking--you shall find
him holy. If you look upon him in his buying and selling--you
shall find him holy. He is holy in his commerce, and holy in his
converse. Holiness is written upon his dealings with others, and
upon his behavior towards his family and friends. Whatever he
puts his hand to in his home--has holiness written upon it.
A holy man makes a Jacob's ladder of all his earthly enjoyments.
All the comforts in his home, lead him on in a way of holiness,
and lead him up to a holy God. Look upon a holy man in his
vocation--and you shall find him holy. Look upon him in the
use of earthly things--and you shall find him holy. Look upon
him in his recreations--and you shall find him holy. The habitual
frame and bent of his heart is to be holy in every earthly thing
which he puts his hand unto. A spirit of holiness runs and shines
in all the common actions of his life.
But for the false professor--all his religion, all his holiness, lies in
a few religious duties! Take him out of these, and you shall find
him as carnal, as vain, as foolish, as filthy and as frothy, as light
and as slight--as those who have not so much as a cloak of
holiness upon them!
Look! as an unholy heart is carnal in spiritual things, and earthly
in heavenly things, and unholy in holy things--just so, a man who
is truly holy--he is as well holy in the ordinary affairs and actions
of this life, as he is holy in any of the exercises of piety.
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do--do it
all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
Sermon Outline
- I. Holiness in the Use of Common Things
- A. A holy heart will be holy in the use of common things
- B. Every piece of his life shall savor of sanctity
- C. Holiness is written upon his dealings with others
- II. The Silver Vein of Sanctity
- A. A holy man makes a Jacob's ladder of all his earthly enjoyments
- B. All the comforts in his home lead him on in a way of holiness
- III. The Habitual Frame and Bent of a Holy Heart
- A. A spirit of holiness runs and shines in all the common actions of his life
- B. A holy man is as well holy in the ordinary affairs and actions of this life as in exercises of piety
Key Quotes
“A holy man makes a Jacob's ladder of all his earthly enjoyments.” — Thomas Brooks
“A spirit of holiness runs and shines in all the common actions of his life.” — Thomas Brooks
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do--do it all for the glory of God.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Make a conscious effort to do everything for the glory of God, whether eating, drinking, or engaging in any other activity.
- Look for opportunities to apply holiness to your daily life, even in the use of common things.
- Strive to have a holy heart that is guided by a spirit of holiness and a desire to glorify God.