The Constant Inclination
Reading Now Observations-Jonathan Edwards-The Way of Holiness
“The Constant Inclination” (my title)
Is 35:8 – “And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.”
– Edwards calls Isaiah “a fifth Gospel” – noting that Isaiah talks so much about Him, his birth and life, miracles, death and the glorious state he is creating for us now
– He starts this sermon with comments on the first 10 verses.
– Edwards states plainly the exclusive nature of Christ’s gift and offer: “This highway is the common and only way to heaven, for the way to heaven is but one. There is none ever get to heaven except they walk in this way. Some men don’t get to heaven one way and others another…” (Note: the difficult language is Edwards’ not mine)
– He also notes that Isaiah’s description of this way is the same as Christ’s claim to be the way. This would be a good example of how the Bible harmonizes itself.
– Edwards describes the type of journey we will take if we go to heaven: “the way is so narrow that we must rub hard to get along and press forward.”
o I confess that I do not often think of my own journey to heaven as something where I am ‘rubbing hard’.
o I wonder how many Christians have ever considered they are even on a journey, much less considered there should be a ‘rubbing hard’ element to it.
o Of course, this is not to say that we have to do something to keep our salvation.
– In the next section Edwards describes the ‘necessity of holiness’.
o “Many are not sensible enough of the necessity of holiness in order to salvation.”
§ How true this is of the American church in general-that is why I pray so often for my own home church.
§ I have never considered the ‘necessity of holiness’ either. Sure I’ve heard verses like Matt 5:48 or even Heb 12:14, but I’ve never heard the phrase “necessity of holiness”.
o “Everyone hopes for heaven…”
§ This is so true, but I think, sadly, it was more true in Edwards’ day than mine. Today there are a lot of people who would deny that heaven is a real place and pass the whole scenario off as some sort of hypothetical fairy tale.
o He goes further in describing the type of holiness that is needed: a “real, hearty and sincere inward and spiritual holiness, such as will stand by us forever and will not leave us at death…”
– Next, Edwards gives several descriptions of holiness.
o “Holiness is a conformity of the heart and the life unto God.”
§ He uses three passages from James – 1:26-27, 2:18, 2:19-20 – to show what sincere holiness is and looks like.
o “Holiness is…a conformity to his will.”
§ He wills “things that are just, right, and truly excellent and lovely.” These things also include “real perfection, and goodness.” Edwards also describes God’s will as “perfectly [abhorring] everything that is really evil, unjust, and unreasonable.”
o “It is not only a willing as God wills, but also a doing as he [is]: in acting holily and justly and wisely and mercifully, like him. It must become natural thus to be, and thus to act; it must be the constant inclination and new nature of the soul, and then the man is holy, and not before.”
§ Lord, let holiness be the constant inclination in all I do and say!
o “It is a conformity to Jesus Christ.”
§ “Now holiness is a conformity unto [the copy of Christ]: he that copies after Jesus Christ,” as we read of Him in the Gospels, “is holy.” (Italics mine).
§ “…observe in the life of Christ wonderful instances of humility, love to God, love to religion; wonderful instances of zeal for God’s glory, steadfastness in resisting temptations, entire trust and reliance on God, strict adherence to all his commands; astonishing instances of condescension, humility, meekness, lowliness, love to men, love to his enemies, charity and patience? Why, this is holiness. When we imitate Christ in these things, then we are holy, and not till then.”
· I have often wondered and even complained, “How am I to be holy as He is holy?” Now I know, if I want to be holy, I simply need to copy Christ.
o “Holiness is a conformity to God’s laws and commands. When all God’s laws without exception are written in our hearts, then we are holy.”
§ “If you feel Christ’s Sermon upon the Mount [engraved] on the fleshly tables of your heart, you are truly sanctified.”
– In the next section, Edwards tells us of those who are not “in the way to heaven.”
o “…the road they are in will never bring them there. Whatever hopes and expectations they may have, they will never reach heaven to eternity except they alter their course, turn about, and steer [towards] another point; for the way is a way of holiness, and the unclean shall not pass over it.”
o “Christ said that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into heaven, but yet he left it absolutely possible with God that it might be; but he said positively and without exception that except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
§ As regards the rich man, I think fondly of a certain man in my home church back in the states. He is a very rich man, but thanks to the Lord’s grace in his life, he is one the most generous people I have ever known, much less heard about. This certain man is an example of the possibility that a rich man can get into heaven.
o “None but those who are holy are in the way to heaven…”
§ Does this mean those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and are following his as disciples? In the context of the whole sentence, Edwards seems to indicate only those who are holy are saved. That is, holiness is the evidence of salvation. Of course, none of us are completely and perfectly holy, but don’t lose hope. Edwards will address how we can determine whether or not we are holy.
§ In this section too, Edwards continues his description of holiness as something that is “active and vital.”
· Lord, let holiness be described like this in my life!
– In the last section under the heading ‘Doctrine’, Edwards describes reasons why holiness is how he describes it. That is, he gives further arguments to his audience, in order to persuade them to embrace his definition of holiness and why they need it.
o “Tis impossible by reason of God’s holiness, that anything should be united to God and brought to the enjoyment of him which is not holy. Now is it possible that a God of infinite holiness, that is perfect and hates sin with perfect hatred, that is infinitely lovely and excellent, should embrace in his arms a filthy, abominable creature, a hideous, detestable monster, more hateful than a toad and more poisonous that a viper?”
§ What a word picture!
o “It is therefore as impossible for an unholy thing to be admitted unto the happiness of heaven as it is for God not to be, or be turned to nothing.”
– He also adds an apt definition of sin: “Sin is a woeful confusion and dreadful disorder in the soul, whereby everything is put out of place, reason trampled under foot and passion advanced in the room of it, conscience dethroned and abominable lusts reigning.”
– The next section is titled ‘Application’.
– “There are many that think that they are undoubtedly in the way to heaven, and without question shall enter there at last, that have not the least grain of true holiness, that manifest none in their lives and conversations, of whom we may be certain that either they have no holiness at all, or that which they have is a dormant, inactive sort which is in effect to be certain that there is none.”
o Sadly, this is the condition of many in the American church. Lord, help your church. Open its eyes, open the eyes of your people to the necessity of holiness. Not for their sake, but for your glory, O Lord!
o Edwards describes this as “a pitiable, miserable condition.”
– “…if we think ourselves in the road to heaven, and are going to the place of torment all the while, and continue deceived, without doubt fire and brimstone will undeceive us.”
– “If we would know whether we are holy or no, let us try ourselves by these five following things:
o “Meditate on the holiness of God, and see if you cannot see a conformity, a likeness in your mind.”
§ Edwards states, quite rightly, that there is no and can be comparison in degree, but rather a likeness in nature. He says that the soul who is holy “finds a pleasure and delight” as he meditates on who God is.
o “See if you can see any resemblance in your life to the life of Christ.”
§ Of course, I could never copy Christ fully and perfectly. However, that is no excuse. Edwards says you may “perceive whether the same spirit, the same temper and disposition, in lesser degree be in them, that was manifested by the life and conversation of Jesus Christ.”
o “Is there an agreeableness between your souls and the Word of God?”
§ “Have you love to all God’s commands and a respect to them in your actions? Is it your delight to obey and hearken to the will of God? Do you obey them of choice? Is it what you would choose to do if God had not threatened to punish the breach of them?” (emphasis mine)
o “Do you find by a comparison a likeness and agreeableness between your hearts and lives, and the hearts and lives of those holy men that we are assured were such by the Word of God?”
§ This act of comparison is one reason why I enjoy reading works of great Christian men of the past. They edify me and point me back to the Word so it can teach me.
o “Do you in a measure imitate the saints and angels in heaven? They spend their duration to the glory of God; they love him above all things, are delighted with the beauties of Jesus Christ, entirely love one another, and hate sin.”
– Edwards closes with some exhortations.
– “…nothing is so necessary to us as holiness; other things may be necessary to discover this life, and things that are necessary men will strive for with all their might, if there is a probability of obtaining them. How much more is that to be sought after, without which we shall fare infinitely worse than die ten thousand deaths!”
o It would be better to die 10,000 times than not seek after holiness and thus suffer our just punishment in hell.
o “This is motive enough without any other; for what can be a greater motive than necessity? But besides that, if it were not necessary, the amiable and excellent nature of it is enough to make it worthy the most earnest seeking after.”
– “Men are apt to drink in strange notions of holiness from their childhood, as if it were a melancholy, morose, sour, and unpleasant thing.”
o I confess that is what I was taught growing up in a traditional SB church. Not in those words exactly, mind you. But in the worship was done and the way discipleship was ‘programmed’ and the looks on peoples’ faces across the way-it all taught me that holiness is not worth the pursuit. Now may it never be like that again. Lord, teach me to be holy. Lead me in the way of holiness. Show me how you are Holy in your Word. Sanctify me through your Word. Increase my thirst for your Word. Lord, make me holy as you are holy!
ANONYNOMAD 
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