Romans 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. I. THE CONDITION of man's well-being. To "please God," which implies — 1. That God is a pleasable Being. The Eternal is neither callous nor morose. 2. It is possible for man to please Him. It is wonderful that any creature, however high, should be able to please a Being so infinitely happy in Himself; but it is more wonderful that insignificant, fallen man should have this power. 3. How can man please God? Not by singing eulogistic hymns, or offering complimentary prayers, or observing ceremonial ordinances. "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto Me?" How then? (1) By loving supremely what He loves most. We are pleased with those who love the objects most dear to our hearts. (2) By devotion to those objects which interest Him most. 4. In the pleasing of Him is man's well-being. (1) Is man's happiness in a peaceful conscience? Then the conscience must have a sense of God's approval. The fear of His displeasure terrifies it, the assurance of His approval is its heaven. (2) Is man's happiness in gratified love? The loving heart is in anguish until it hears the "well done" of the loved one. (3) Is man's happiness in full development of his active powers? Then where can these powers have such stimulus and scope as it endeavours to please the Infinite? II. The OBSTRUCTION to man's well-being. Being "in the flesh." What is meant by this? Not merely existing in the flesh: thus we all exist; but having the flesh for our master instead of our menial. The man who thus dwells in the flesh gets — 1. Fleshly views of the universe. All above, around, beneath him is materialism. His eyes are too gross to discern the spiritual significance of things; his ear too heavy to catch the spiritual melodies of the world. 2. Truth. "He judges after the flesh." If he has a theology, it is a sensuous thing. 3. Greatness. He has no idea of greatness apart from splendid costumes, magnificent dwellings, and brilliant equipages. 4. Happiness. He associates happiness with whatever pleases the tastes, charms the senses, satisfies the appetites, and gratifies the lusts. 5. God. He makes God such an one as himself, and gives Him human thoughts and passions. Now the soul in such a state has lost the desire and the power to please God. But the gospel comes to enfranchise the soul from the flesh and to restore to it its absolute sovereignty over the body. This deliverance is a new birth. "He that is born of the flesh is flesh," etc. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. |
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