The Baits Which These Men Bite At
A holy heart perseveres through divine love, the Spirit of God, and a high aim to glorify God, while those with a show of godliness are driven by profit and applause.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the importance of a holy heart that perseveres in faith despite external challenges. He identifies three key elements that support this perseverance: divine love as a powerful principle, the Spirit of God as a mighty aid, and the glory of God as a high aim. In contrast, those who only display a facade of godliness are easily swayed by the loss of worldly encouragements and are quick to abandon their faith when they cannot gain from it. Brooks warns that such individuals are like Demas, who forsook his faith for worldly gain, highlighting the dangers of seeking profit and applause over true devotion.
Text
There are three things in a holy heart, which strongly
incline it to persevere when all outward encouragements fail.
The first is a forcible principle--divine love.
The second is a mighty aid--the Spirit of God.
The third is a high aim--the glory of God.
But it is otherwise with those who have only a show of godliness.
Let but their outward encouragements fail them; let but the eye,
the ear, the applause of the creature fail them; if they cannot
make some gain of their godliness, some profit of their profession,
some advantage of their religion--they are ready, with Demas, to
throw off all! Profit and applause are usually the baits which
these men bite at; and if they miss these baits--then farewell
profession, farewell religion, farewell all!
Sermon Outline
- Three things in a holy heart
- Divine love
- The Spirit of God
- The glory of God
Key Quotes
“Profit and applause are usually the baits which these men bite at; and if they miss these baits--then farewell profession, farewell religion, farewell all!” — Thomas Brooks
“There are three things in a holy heart, which strongly incline it to persevere when all outward encouragements fail.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- A person's motivation for following God should be rooted in divine love and a desire to glorify Him, rather than seeking personal gain or recognition.
- Those who prioritize profit and applause over their faith may be driven to abandon their profession and religion when they are not met with these rewards.
- A holy heart perseveres through difficult times, even when outward encouragements fail, because it is driven by a strong principle of divine love and a high aim to glorify God.