Thy mercy, my God, is the theme of my song. From time to time, those who preach the free grace of God and the salvation of sinners are accused of not exhorting the sons of God to seek after virtue and godliness. Nothing could be further from the truth, since it is only as a man has a proper understanding of the basis upon which the sons of God have their standing with the Lord that the true exhortation can be given and properly received. Paul instructed Timothy, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Without a reading of the scriptures, one cannot know what the scripture says. Without exaltation, the reading of the scriptures is like faith without works, for knowledge merely puffeth up. Without sound doctrine, exaltation becomes another excuse for the exercise of the religious flesh, as those who go shipwreck desiring to be teachers of the law but not understanding the very things that they affirm. If a man does not have a clear understanding of the perfect relationship which exists between the one who has saved his elect children and those sons who are thus redeemed, not with works of righteousness which they have done, but by his own blood, then it is impossible to exhort the sons of God to pursue after godliness without mixing human endeavor with that which is the work of God alone. Some seem to view the salvation of sinners as a cooperative effort between the Lord, who justifies them by His work on the cross, and that which men perform by receiving what He has done for them, by applying themselves to and obeying the things which He has commanded them to do. We are convinced that the salvation which Christ has provided for sinners is the only salvation that will do them any good at all, and that this salvation is complete in Him. He has not left any part of it undone or lacking, whether it be in justification, sanctification, or glorification. But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who has made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. There is no sanctifying that which is already sanctified. So the purpose of exhortation is to remind the sons of God of the joys and glory of the salvation which is given to them in Christ Jesus, and which is presently being made manifest in them by the power of the Spirit of God, who works in them both to will and to do of his good pleasure. The salvation of God's elect is not simply to provide a place for them to dwell in the ages to come, but rather to deliver them from this present evil world, even while they are yet present in it. To this end he has seen fit to indwell them with his Spirit, whereby he has written his law in their hearts, and caused them to have a delight in godliness, and a hatred of the sin which they discover in themselves. Thus he told his disciples, And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away. Behold, all things are become new. In writing to the Ephesians concerning the love of a husband for his wife, Paul says, So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church. This is the same picture that we see concerning these traits and characteristics which Peter says we should diligently add. Is he telling us to add or join our effort to the perfect work which Christ has done? Not at all. James says we are to receive the engrafted word with all meekness. This plainly indicates a word or law which is written in the heart of those who are born again by the power of the Spirit of God. These traits which Peter exhorts the sons of God to diligently nourish, that is, add, are being wrought in them by the Spirit of God. Just as a husband who loves his wife nourishes and cherishes her, so the sons of God nourish and cherish these traits and desire to see them more clearly manifest in themselves. This is the work of the Spirit that causes them to delight in these virtues and to lament the efforts of the flesh to weaken them and overcome them. They are greatly encouraged when these traits are clearly seen, for this ministers unto them much assurance. Those that lack them are in ignorance and ultimately despair. So these exhortations are not given to the sons of God for the purpose of stirring them up to self-improvement, but rather to remind them of those things which are truly precious to those who are indwelt by His Spirit. We are called to virtue, which literally means manliness. We are no more children tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine, but rather are to be speaking the truth in love, and growing up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Do you delight in the word of God? If you would like a free transcript of this broadcast, email us at forthepoor at windstream.net.