xxvi. 12. _Thou also hast wrought all our works in us._
It is not all men who could speak these words to God; the wicked and
the worldly-minded could not use such language without blasphemy. It
is the godly, and they only, who can dare to use the language of our
text, and even they must do so with a certain limitation. Nothing
that is evil in any of God's people is in any way His work. It is
only their _good_ works of which it can be truly said, "God wrought
them;" and of these it may be said, God wrought not some only, but
_all_ of them.
I. THE DOCTRINE WHICH OUR TEXT CONTAINS. Man is by nature a creature
so depraved that he is "unto every good work reprobate." God looks
into his heart, and seeing evil motives even in his best performances
pronounces "all his righteousnesses 'filthy rags.'" Where things are
not done to please God, He is _displeased._ No matter what show the
unregenerate make before their fellow-sinners, God turns away His
face from them, and counts them even "dead in trespasses and sins,"
whilst _men,_ perhaps, are holding them in admiration (Article xiii.;
Luke xvi. 15; Rom. viii. 7, 8). When, therefore, a man _does_ begin
to please God, it is because God hath "wrought him for this self-same
thing" by the mighty working of His power (Eph. ii. 4, 5; Phil.
ii. 13). In these passages the earliest beginning of any good work in
us is ascribed wholly to the Lord (Article x.) The Holy Spirit is the
author of all good in man from first to last. "From Him all holy
desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed."
_Repentance is His Work._ "Godly sorrow" is no natural emotion (Acts
v. 31; xi. 18; 2 Tim. ii. 25). So also is _faith_ (1 Cor. xii. 3).
So, again, is all _holiness_ of heart and life (Eph. ii. 10; Prov.
xvi. 1; Gal. v. 22, 23). All excellences in man are "fruits of the
_Spirit._" Such is the doctrine of our text. Consider,--
II. THE FEELINGS WHICH GOD'S PEOPLE OUGHT TO ENTERTAIN WHEN THEY
REFLECT UPON IT. Is it true that God hath wrought all our works in
us? What a ground there is here, then,--1. For +humility.+ Surely
"boasting is excluded." Pride is an absurdity (1 Cor. iv. 7; xv. 10.)
2. For +thankfulness.+ Solomon was full of wonder and amazement that
God should condescend to come and dwell within his costly temple.
Should not the Lord's people be still more gratefully amazed that He
should make a temple of their hearts? 3. For +encouragement+ (Phil.
i. 6). Let the believer look at the very construction of our text,
let him read it in connection with the words which go before, and he
will see what a comfortable argument is drawn from it: "Lord, Thou
_wilt_ ordain peace for us, _for_ Thou also hast wrought all our
works in us." The presence of His grace within our bosoms is a token
of the favour which He means to show us. He who put oil into our lamp
and set it burning, and then said, "Let your light shine before men,
that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is
in heaven," will never omit to feed the celestial flame.--_A.
Roberts, M.A.: Plain Sermons, Second Series,_ vol. i., 21-30.