Psalm 119 verse 1, blessed are the undefiled, another translation renders that blameless, in the way who walk in the law of the Lord. This psalm begins with a description of the way of blessedness. So does Psalm 1. We just finished singing Psalm 1. The Sermon on the Mount also begins with a description of true blessedness. Charles Bridges has written a commentary on Psalm 119. In that commentary, he quotes Bishop Horn. regarding this psalm. This most interesting and instructive psalm, like the Psalter itself, opens with a beatitude for our comfort and encouragement, directing us immediately to that happiness which all mankind in different ways are seeking. and inquiring after. All would secure themselves from the incursions of misery, but all do not consider that misery is the offspring of sin, from which therefore it is necessary to be delivered and preserved in order to become happy. are blessed. Matthew Henry says, the psalmist here shows that godly people are happy people. They are and shall be blessed indeed. All men would be happy, but few take the right way. Yes, every man would be happy rather than miserable. In Psalm 4, 6, there be many that say, who will show us any good? Good! Good is the cry of the world. And out of the principle of self-love, all would be happy. They would have good. Yes, they would have good now and forever. Even the beasts seek the preservation and perfection of that life which they have. And so do all men hunt for contentment and satisfaction. To ask the question whether men would be happy or not is to ask the question Do they love themselves? But to ask the question whether men would be holy is another question. Every person who has not been savingly joined to Christ is grossly deceived about the way to obtain true happiness. In the pursuit of those things which they perceive would make them happy, they are actually being driven further away from happiness. They intend happiness, but choose misery. It could well be that the unconverted have some idea as to what constitutes true happiness. However, when they are confronted about the means of obtaining it, they are unwilling. On one occasion, our Savior spoke with the Jews concerning the bread of heaven, which comes down from heaven And their reply was, Lord, evermore give us this bread. That's what we'll have. We'll have this bread. But when they were confronted with the conditions of obtaining it, they murmured and went back and followed him no more. All would live forever. But when they must follow the despised Christ and incur censures and dangers, they'll have none of that. Jesus speaking to his disciples told them, if anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake shall find it." The Israelites thought that entering the promised land would be really great. But when they heard of the strength and stature of the men, their fortifications, they fell into a passion and murmur and gave over the pursuit of Canaan. Heaven is a good place, but men must get to it with difficulty. Therefore, they reject the cost. Men would be happy with that kind of happiness which is true happiness, but not in the way which God prescribes it, being pre-possessed with carnal fancies. And by the world, it is counted a foolish thing to wait upon God in the midst of straits and conflicts and temptations. And the Bible tells us that the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. We've been speaking of those who are outside of Christ. But it is all too easy. even for the believer to be deceived in this matter of true happiness and how it is to be obtained. There are certain things that are useful and legitimate in their proper place. Temporal enjoyments, honor, recognition, comforts of this life. But however much we may enjoy them, we must be aware that they do not ultimately satisfy. That is, if they are loved with an inordinate love, they defile. And if they are lost, they bring sorrow. and trouble. Why is it that these things do not satisfy? Well, one reason is they cannot satisfy because of their imperfection and because of their uncertainty. That which makes a man truly happy must fulfill not only the wants and desires of the physical life, but of the soul, which is spiritual and eternal. You see, nothing can give solid peace but what ultimately makes us eternally happy. These flowers of things wither in our hands while we smell them. Nothing but the favor of God is from everlasting to everlasting. But you see, there are some other reasons why they disappoint. Because being inordinately loved they defile. Being inordinately loved, they defile. Christ said you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind. Ah, dear ones, it is so easy for other things to draw our affections away from God. Indeed, the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can know it? But then these things of which we have been speaking can also increase our sorrow and trouble when they are lost. The more we make things the source of our happiness, the more they increase our trouble and sadness when we suffer the loss of them. Few, very few have learned the lesson which the Apostle Paul learned. He said, not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am to be content. I know how to be amazed. I know how to abound everywhere and in all things. I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. You see, unregenerate men think that happiness is to live without the yoke and the restraints of religion. They think that happiness is to be able to speak, think, do, whatever they please, without any restraint whatsoever. And to be always in bonds and held under the awe of the Word of God is unreasonable and grievous. And it is expressed in the words of Psalm 2, verse 3, let us break their bands asunder and cast their cards away. Are there any principles that can keep us from falling into the erroneous thinking of unregenerate men? There are. One of those principles is to have and to maintain a biblical perspective of life. Not a world perspective, but a biblical perspective. Expressed in Psalms 3, 5, and 6, trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not into your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path. And having that biblical perspective involves having a constant renewal of the mind. And Paul tells us, do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. But very close to that, very akin to that is to live by faith and not by sight. Purpose to be diligent and seeking to have the reality of spiritual truth grip your heart and transform your life. Many times, dear ones, we are doctrinally right in the point of this matter of blessedness, but not practically. We contend ourselves with the mere notion, but are not brought under the power of these truths. That has to be the work of the Holy Spirit. So then, what is this way of blessedness? The first essential element is this, being undefiled. Being undefiled. What defilement are we speaking of? First of all, we're speaking of the defilement of original sin. Listen to the words of our confession of faith. Our first parents, by this sin, fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, and we in them, whereby death came upon all, all becoming dead in sin and totally defiled in all the faculties and parts of the soul and body. You see, the framers of the confession of faith see very clearly that this fall into original sin, including Adam in all of his posterity, brought spiritual death, but notice very carefully their language, becoming dead in sin and totally defiled in all faculties and parts of the body and soul. Who is the blessed man? The blessed man is the one who has been delivered from defilement, the defilement of original David, in his confession of his actual sin, acknowledges the defilement of his original sin. He does so in these words. David says, Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. David is confessing actual sin, but in the confession of that actual sin, he is acknowledging original sin. having been born in sin. Unless and until the guilt and defilement of original sin is dealt with, there can be no true happiness. Humanly speaking, Nicodemus in his unregenerate state had every reason to be happy. Did he not? A man of position? A man of power? A man of authority? An educated man? A wealthy man? Every reason to be happy. Christ told him, you must be born again. You must be regenerate. Because you see the unregenerate man will never be happy. Never. The rich young ruler. Wealthy. Great riches. And fairly upright and moral. Yet, Christ told him, one thing you like. One thing you like. What did Christ tell him? Sell all you have. Get rid of it. How much of it? Oh, 50%. How about 75%? All of it. Isn't it interesting that Christ is telling this rich young ruler, get rid of the very thing that you think will make you happy. And get rid of all of it. and come and follow me. What about this inordinate pursuit of riches? The Bible tells us it results in sorrow. Paul writing to Timothy, but they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil, which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. All of this to say that as long as one remains outside of Christ, The defilement of original sin remains. And as long as the defilement of original sin remains, there can be no understanding of what true happiness is, nor is such a one capable of pursuing true happiness. The defilement of original sin must be dealt with with the saving work of Christ. Regeneration must take place. resulting in true repentance and saving faith. But there is not only the defilement of original sin, there is also the defilement of remaining sin, or we might call it actual sin. You are familiar with Psalm 51, David's confession of his sin of adultery and murder. where he cries out for forgiveness and cleansing and he says in verse 8 make me to hear joy and gladness what had left him? joy and gladness why had joy and gladness left him? because he was guilty of actual sin, and that sin had to be dealt with biblically. In the dealing with actual sin, cleansing is promised. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to cleanse us. You see, there is the matter of defilement. Yes, remaining sin defiles, and we need to be forgiven, but we need to be cleansed from that defilement. So if one would be happy, truly happy, the issue of defilement of sin must be biblically dealt with. Not just swept under the carpet. Not just overlooked and forgotten. Not just a casual, yes, I sinned, and on my merry way. but biblically dealing with the sin. Now, having dealt with the matter of defilement, notice our text in the second part says this, How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk, who walk or who live in accordance with the law of the Lord. So true happiness not only has to do with getting rid of defilement, True happiness also has to do with walking, living in the law of the Lord, which means sincere, constant, and uniform obedience to God's law, which is the only way to true blessedness. Sincere, constant, uniform obedience. Man seems to think there's another way. All of us like sheep have gone astray. Each has turned to his own way. Man thinks there's a different way rather than sincere, constant and uniform obedience. And as we contemplate obedience to God's law. Let us look at three headings. First of all, God's law as God's rule. Secondly, conformity to that rule where we will include the sincere and the uniform and the constant obedience. And thirdly, how or why is this the way to true happiness? What connection does all of this have with blessedness? What about God's law? What about God's law as a rule? Are you aware that all created beings are subject to rule? Christ's human nature, listen carefully, Christ's human nature was the highest of all creatures and yet it was to be in subjection to God, under God's rule, Galatians 4.4, made of a woman, made how? Under the law. Christ in his human nature was not exempt from that. The angels have many privileges which men do not have. They are freed from death. They are freed from the necessities of meat and drink. But they are not freed from the law. You say, can you prove that? Yes. Psalm 130, verse 20. Bless the Lord, you His angels, mighty in strength who perform His word. Obey the voice of His word. all created things are under God's rule. The beasts of the field, the elements of the universe live and exist under the providential rule of God. Listen to Psalm 148, verses 3 to 6. Praise Him, sun and moon. Praise Him, all stars of light. Praise Him highest heavens and the waters that are above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord for He commanded. He commanded and they were created. And He has also established them forever. What about this law? What about this moral law? What can we say about it? Listen to the words of our confession. The moral law does forever bind all, as well justified persons as others, to the obedience thereof. And that not only in regard to the matter contained in it, but also in respect of the authority of God the Creator, who gave it, neither doth Christ and the gospel in any way dissolve, but must strengthen this obligation. All men are under the moral law of God. But secondly, the conformity to that law must be sincere, constant, and uniform. Sincere, constant, and uniform. One commentator says this, if you would be blessed There must be sincere, constant, and uniform obedience. The will of God must not only be known, but practiced. Many will conclude that God's law, in the theory, is the only direction to true blessedness. But now, to take it for their rule, to keep close to it, not one in a thousand will do it. sincere obedience. We are not talking about perfection. This being undefiled or blameless must be understood in the light of the tenor of the second covenant, which does not exclude the mercy of God in the justification of penitent sinners But what it does speak to is this, when a man endeavors, as did the Apostle Paul, to have a clear conscience and seeks to walk in the light as Christ is in the light, experiencing the cleansing of sin by the blood of Jesus, Then we have that kind of confidence which is expressed in Psalm 84, 11. For the Lord God is a sun and a shield. The Lord gives grace and glory. Here it is. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. This, in essence, is sincere obedience, and it is the way of blessedness. But not only obedience must be sincere, it must be constant or consistent. Many run well. Few finish well. Enoch walked with God. and sixty-five years. That's consistency. Christ said, and because lawlessness is increased, most people's lungs will grow cold. That's fact. Regarding obedience to the law, the Westminster larger catechism says, the law is perfect, bindeth every one to full conformity in the whole man unto the righteousness thereof and an entire obedience forever, so as to require the utmost perfection of every duty and to forbid the least degree of every sin. Constant, consistent, steady, persevering is one final element. It must be universal or uniform. That is all of God's law is to be obeyed. We're not to pick and choose and say, well, I like this one, but I don't like this one. That's to set yourself up as a God. It must be universal. Now how is this the way to true happiness? What connection does this have to true happiness? Well, let me say first of all, it is the very beginning of blessedness. You see, it is the beginning because this being undefiled involves dealing with the guilt of original sin by being savingly joined to Christ. But it is also the continuation of blessedness in this life, as this being undefiled means dealing biblically with our own actual sin. As David was brought to deal with his sin, dear people, then he experienced blessedness. But not only is it the beginning of blessedness, it's the continuation of blessedness. throughout all eternity. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. So let's make some applications. First of all, an application will be made to the Christian. Dear believer in Christ, let me ask you a question. Would you be blessed? Would you? Then make it your business to be among those who are undefiled and who walk in the law of the Lord. I would urge you to take the law as the ruling governing principle of your life and the Spirit of God as your guide and the promises of God for your encouragement and the glory of God for your chief end. That will bring happiness. all of these things combined together. In preparing this sermon, I came across this quote. It is a bit lengthy, but I believe if you will listen, God will be pleased to use it in your heart. Fix the glory of God as your aim. The spiritual life is a living to God when He has made the end of your every action. Follow closely now. And I'm speaking to both saved and unsaved. You have a journey to take. And whether you sleep or wake, your journey is still going on. As in a ship, whether men sit, lie, or walk, whether they eat or sleep, the ship holds on its course and makes towards its port. So, you all are going into another world, either to heaven or hell. the broad or the narrow way. And then do but consider how comfortable it will be at your journey's end, in a dying hour, to have been undefiled in the way. Then wicked men that are defiled in their way will wish they had kept more close and exact with God. Even those that now wonder at the niceness and zeal of others. When they see that they must in earnest enter into another world, oh then that they have been more exact and watchful and stuck closer to the rule in their practice, discourses and compliances. Men will have other notions than of holiness than they had before. Oh then they will wish that they had been more circumspect Christ commended the unjust steward for remembering that in time he should be put out of his stewardship. You will all fail within a little while. Then your poor, shiftless, naked souls must launch out into another world and immediately come to God. How comfortable will it be then? to have walked closely according to the line of obedience. Let's pray. Grant, O God, that these sobering words will come to us as a word of warning. May we be awakened to the seriousness of these truths. May we see these truths in the light of eternity. May we see these truths in the light of that final day of judgment. That we will, by your grace, face these words with judgment day honesty. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.