1 Kings 14:13 And all Israel shall mourn for him, and bury him: for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave… This young prince was greatly respected in life, and in death he was highly honoured. He alone out of the house of his father died a natural death — he alone came to the grave in peace. Indeed, he only came to the grave at all. I. THAT RELIGION IS A "GOOD THING." It is good in itself — in its very nature. What is true piety? It is a right state of the heart in regard to God. 1. Religion is a "good thing" because it comes from a good God. As to its origin, its first principle — it comes directly from Him. He is the fountain of all goodness. 2. Religion is a good thing, for it is good in its influence. Piety has the most beneficial influence upon the whole of our being; upon the faculties and ideas of our mind; upon the love and affections of our heart; upon the whole life and conduct. 3. Religion is good, because it leads into a good place. As all rivers run into the sea, whence they came, so the streams of goodness flow to the great ocean of love. God, like a mighty magnet, attracts the heart of the good man, and ere long He will draw him to the bosom of eternal love. II. THAT RELIGION IS A GOOD THING IN MAN. "There is found in him," etc. Piety is an inward principle. "The kingdom of heaven is within you." "Christ in you the hope of glory." Religion is essentially a matter of the heart. It proceeds from the centre to the circumference. III. THAT RELIGION IS A GOOD THING TENDING TOWARDS GOD. "Toward the Lord God of Israel." There are people who have nothing good in them either towards God or man. Selfishness is their ruling principle. They never act from principle; they never ask, What is right, what is true? but "Will this course answer my purpose? — will it be of advantage to me personally?" They "live to themselves, and they die to themselves." There are others who have something good in them towards man, but nothing towards God. The religious man seeks God's glory in all things. The bias of his soul is also towards God; he moves Godward. IV. THAT RELIGION IS A GOOD THING EVER MANIFEST. "There is found in him," etc. True religion always manifests itself where it exists; it is seen and felt. "The good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things." 1. This "good thing" is "found "by the Searcher of hearts. He sees it first. He can see it when no one else can. 2. This "good thing" is "found" too by the man himself. He cannot remain ignorant long of the real state of his own heart. At first he may not possess a "full assurance of faith," yet he must know his own moral state. He must know whether he is a hypocrite, or whether he is a true Christian. 3. It is "found" also by his fellow-creatures. Such a character tells powerfully upon a neighbourhood. He is influential. His "light is not hid under a bushel." Religion is not a dead, worthless thing; no, it is a living principle. (H. P. Bowen.) Parallel Verses KJV: And all Israel shall mourn for him, and bury him: for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found some good thing toward the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam. |
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