+I. The sermon is powerful that is well prayed over+ (ver. 4).
+II. A praying preacher uses every available opportunity to proclaim
the truth+ (ver. 3).
+III. The theme of the preacher becomes more definite and effective
by prayer+ (ver. 3).
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 5, 6.
_The Wise Conduct of Life._
The Christian lives a dual life: one in spiritual communion with
heaven, under the eye of God; the other in daily contact with the
outer world, exposed to its observation and criticism. The aspects of
the life patent to the world's gaze do not always correspond with the
best impulses of the life concealed; the actual falls short of the
ideal. The world forms its judgment of the Christian from what it
sees of his outer life and makes no allowance for his unseen
struggles after moral perfection and his bitter penitence over
conscious failures. Nor can we blame the world for this; the outer
life of the believer furnishes the only evidence on which the world
can form its estimate, and it is incapable of apprehending and taking
into account hidden spiritual causes. The living example of the
believer presents the only ideas of Christianity that great numbers
have any means of possessing; he is a Christ to them, until they are
brought to a clearer knowledge of _the_ true and only Christ. With
what wisdom and circumspection should the believer walk toward them
that are without!
+I. That the conduct of life is to be regulated according to the
dictates of the highest wisdom.+--1. _Religion is a life._ "Walk"
(ver. 5). A walk implies motion, progression, continual approximation
to destination. Our life is a walk; we are perpetually and actively
advancing towards our destiny. Religion is not a sentiment, not a
round of bewitching ceremonies, not a succession of pleasurable
emotions; it is a life. It pervades the whole soul, thrills every
nerve, participates in every joy and sorrow, and moulds and inspires
the individual character.
2. _Religion is a life shaped and controlled by the highest
wisdom._--"Walk in wisdom" (ver. 5). Christian conduct is governed by
the Spirit of that wisdom which is from above, and under the
influence of the knowledge which maketh wise unto salvation (Jas.
iii. 17). It is ruled, not by an erratic sentiment or by the wild
impulse of a senseless fanaticism, but by a sound understanding and a
wise discretion. Its experience and hopes rest upon a basis of truth
transcending in certainty, wisdom, and majesty the most imposing
speculations of the human mind.
3. _Religion is a life that should be instructive to the
irreligious._--"Toward them that are without" (ver. 5)--without the
pale of the Church, the unbelievers. An upright, holy, consistent
example is often more eloquent than words, more practically effective
than the most elaborate code of moral maxims. The follies and glaring
inconsistencies of professing Christians have often inflicted serious
damage upon the Church itself and turned religion into ridicule among
the thoughtless and irreligious outsiders. The world is to be largely
trained into correct views of truth and a just appreciation of the
Christian spirit by the humble, saintly lives of those who have
experienced the transforming power of the Gospel. Be more anxious to
live religiously than to talk religiously.
4. _Religion is a life that impels the soul to seize every
opportunity for good doing._--"Redeeming the time" (ver. 5)--buying
up the opportunity for yourselves. Opportunity is the flower of time,
which blooms but for a moment and is gone forever. Evil is prevalent;
it effects the great majority, it advances with ever accelerating
momentum; every opportunity for checking its career and destroying
its power should be snatched with eagerness and used with promptitude
and discretion. The wisdom that regulates the religious life will be
the safest guide as to the way in which the passing moment may be
turned to the best advantage. The children of Issachar were commended
as men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought
to do (1 Chron. xii. 32). Ill-timed and inconsiderate zeal will do
more harm than good.
+II. That the conduct of life is to be regulated by judicious
speech.+--1. _Christian speech should be gracious._ "Let your speech
be alway with grace" (ver. 6). The mouth ought to be a treasury of
benediction, out of which no corrupt communication should issue, but
that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace
unto the hearers. Truth is the soul of grace; and infinite pains
should be taken that every utterance of the tongue should at least be
true. Idle gossip, slander, falsehood, should never fall from lips
circumcised by the grace of God. Beware of the promiscuous use of the
hackneyed phrases of pious cant. It is not so much a set religious
phraseology that is wanted, as that all our speech should be baptised
with the chrism of a religious spirit.
2. _Christian speech should be piquant._--"Seasoned with salt" (ver.
6). Salt is the emblem of what is quickening and preservative; and
the conversation seasoned with it will be pure, agreeable,
pointed--free from all taint and corrupting influence. The ancient
teachers of rhetoric used to speak of "Attic salt," with which they
advised their pupils to flavour their speeches, that they might
sparkle with jests and witticisms. But it is not this kind of
condiment that the apostle recommends. Wit is a dangerous gift to
most men; but where it is joined with a well-balanced understanding,
and sanctified by the grace of God, it may become a powerful weapon
in the advocacy of truth and minister to the good of many. Speech, to
be beneficial, must be thoughtful, choice, sharp, clear, forceful.
3. _Christian speech should be practical._--"That ye may know how ye
ought to answer every man" (ver. 6). It requires much practical
wisdom to be able to speak well and wisely about religion to both
objectors and inquirers, and only the man accustomed to carefully
weigh his words and guard his utterances can become an adept in this
work. Every Christian may cultivate the wisdom which governs the
tongue and is bound to do so (1 Pet. iii. 15). Silence is sometimes
the most conclusive answer. It is the triumph of wisdom to know when
to speak and when to hold our peace.
+Lessons.+--1. _The power of a blameless life._ 2. _The value of a
well-chosen word._ 3. _The supreme control claimed by religion over
actions and speech._
_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._