xxxii. 11. _Be troubled, ye careless ones._[1]
+I. Who are the careless ones in our own day?+ 1. _Those who neglect
the Bible._ Its main object is to arouse the attention of sinners.
Claims and deserves attention. That man is indifferent to the welfare
of his country who never examines the principles of its constitution,
the character of its laws, &c. So he who neglects the Bible can never
be regarded as a serious man. He is careless on the most momentous of
all subjects. 2. _Those who neglect prayer._ All who have any proper
feeling towards God must regard this as a solemn duty. Nature teaches
its necessity and importance, the Scriptures enjoin it with great
earnestness (Luke xviii. 1; 1 Thess. v. 17). 3. _Those who neglect
the Sabbath._ This "made for man," appointed for his convenience and
spiritual good. An institution of unspeakable importance as regards
eternity--in fact, no religion without it. 4. _Those who neglect the
institutions of the sanctuary._ Those anxious to know "what they must
do to be saved" always prize the preaching of the Gospel. On the
other hand, as the interest in religion declines, so will be our
indifference to the means of grace. See you one who makes his
attendance on God's house a matter of convenience, who avails himself
of any trifling excuse to be absent, &c., there is a careless one. So
also with those who are so absorbed in the pursuits of this life, so
as to have neither leisure nor disposition to attend the place of
prayer. 5. In a word, those are careless ones _who live in
impenitence and unbelief._ Repentance and faith in Christ. The great
interest of the soul cannot be secured without these, and no man can
be said to take heed to the things that belong to his peace, without
obeying Christ's commands concerning them.
+II. Why such ought to be troubled.+ Those who are indifferent are
disposed to remain so--carelessness perpetuates itself. Still there
are reasons why such should be troubled. 1. _The fact that you are
careless is a ground of alarm._ Carelessness, an evidence of our
ignorance of the true condition of the soul in the sight of God.
Something truly frightful in false security where the danger is real
and great. With such this fancied security is the most alarming
symptom. The sinner suffering from a disease which no human skill can
remove--in danger of eternal death. How fearful then the
indifference, how appalling the apathy of such! 2. _This indifference
indicates a state of mind in which every blessing will be abused, and
every warning neglected._ A habit of body that would render
everything received for nourishment or for medicine useless would be
dreadful; what, then, of that moral disease which perverts every gift
and makes the diversified means which God employs accomplish nothing
for our good? 3. _You ought to be troubled when you reflect what it
is you are careless about,_ viz., your salvation. The man who is
indifferent about his health, or regardless of his temporal interest,
is unwise; what, then, of one who hazards the salvation of his soul
by neglect? Salvation is offered in Christ--indifference is unbelief.
Why so eager after the acquisition of wealth, and indifferent about
the true riches? 4. Another cause of alarm _is the exposure of your
present position._ Neglect of the Gospel ensures destruction (Heb.
ii. 3). This apathy a crime for which no amiableness or morality can
atone. 5. _No more powerful means will be employed to awaken you to
the concerns of your soul._ God disclaims any responsibility for your
loss (Isa. v. 4; Matt. xxiii. 37). Ministers have preached, Christian
friends have entreated, the Holy Spirit has been sent down, and still
you are careless. The very heathen will rise up in judgment. If one
rising from the dead would not make those hear who had Moses and the
prophets, what shall awaken those who have Christ and the apostles?
6. _This carelessness is induced, it is not natural._ A long process
of hardening the heart is gone through before such a state of apathy
is reached. But once ours, it has all the force of habit, and is not
easily broken up (Matt. xi. 21). This indifference is _voluntary_
(Acts xxiv. 25). Felix _might_ have taken a different course. No iron
necessity binds men to the fatal course they take, but a perverse
will and an unbelieving heart. 7. _This carelessness is a state of
mind that provokes God to withdraw His Spirit._ Deeply criminal. No
apathy in heaven, there ought to be none on earth. Must it not offend
God, to say that He has failed to reveal Himself in a way to interest
His creatures? And yet men can be interested in a novel while the
Gospel is neglected. Under the old dispensation He said, "My people
would not hearken to My voice, so I gave them up to their hearts'
lust." What of those who then reject the Son? 8. _This indifference
will ultimately be broken up, and will aggravate condemnation a
thousandfold._ Though retribution sleep, it must come and will not
tarry. The Jews were spared forty years after the Saviour had wept
over their doomed city. So with the sinner; there comes a time when
he can be indifferent no longer; the realities of judgment and
eternity produce a conviction which will go on deepening for ever.
How it will embitter the soul then to dwell upon this carelessness of
the past. Recollection itself a source of misery (Luke xvi. 25). What
words can express the anguish of a soul thus reminded of lost
opportunities, &c.
Throw off this lethargy. From this moment seek the Lord with your
whole heart, and call upon Him while He is near. Why run the
desperate hazard of having to do all this on a dying bed?--_Mark
Tucker, D.D.: National Preacher,_ vol. vii. p. 138.