Weighed in the Balance.
By C.
WEIGHING is a method by which we ascertain the quantity and value of certain articles or commodities. It may signify to ascertain the moral worth of a person,—what he is worth spiritually. Now, in order to ascertain correctly the weight and arrive at the correct value of an article, the scales and weight by which we weigh must be correct. A false balance never gives the correct weight of anything. Many have a false balance in which they weigh themselves to ascertain their moral character and spiritual worth; and they fearfully overestimate themselves. Some weigh themselves in the scale of ignorance. They do not try to ascertain the will of the Lord concerning themselves, nor inform themselves of the way of salvation. They never search the Scriptures to find out what they must do to be saved. No, never. They flatter themselves with the delusive idea that if they know nothing, nothing will be required of them; that a plea of ignorance, in the day of Judgment, will suffice, and all will be right with them. Poor, deluded soul, God will not judge you merely for what you do know, but for what you might know. You might know enough to be202saved, if you but would; and God will judge you accordingly. Again, some weigh themselves in the scale of comparison with others who are more wicked, and then conclude that they (themselves) are pretty good fellows—good enough. The old Pharisee in the temple, when he compared himself with the poor, conscience-smitten publican, had an excellent opinion of himself. He was so very good that he was good for nothing. Now this class reminds me of a certain bird which will fly over a thousand head of living cattle and never light upon one; but passing on a mile or two, until he finds a carcass, he will light down upon it and glut his rapacious appetite on a meal of carrion, and then clap his wings and soar aloft and feel good on it. So will these men pass by a thousand good men and women, who are the light of the world and the salt of the earth, and light upon a hypocrite, and compare themselves with him, and then whirl upon their heel and say, “I am better than he,” and feel good on it. Stop, my dear friend; you may, for aught I know, be better than the hypocrite, but remember, you are not good enough for Heaven. Some, in the old world, were better than others; but all out of the ark perished. Again, some weigh themselves in the scales of their conscience. They do certain things forbidden in God’s word, and leave undone others commanded to be done, because their consciences do not condemn them for doing the former and leaving undone the latter. Now conscience is not the judge in deciding moral action, and especially to those in an unsanctified state. If sanctified by the grace of God, they will greatly assist us. The word of God is the rule of moral action. What it enjoins must be done, what it forbids must not be done, whether conscience acquiesces or not. By the infallible word of Jehovah, you and I, my reader, will stand acquitted or condemned at his bar; and that unrighteous weight that we so frequently drop into the scales here will not be used in the day when the books are open. Reader, come, let us go to the scales of divine revelation, to the balance of God’s sanctuary, and there weigh our moral character, and let us ascertain our spiritual worth. Throw away your false method of weighing. Be honest with yourself. May the Holy Spirit assist you. What is your spiritual character? Is it natural, or changed and renewed? one of guilt, or pardon of sin, or holiness? Is it the old or the new man? How important to know! God will weigh us all in the day of Judgment, in the scale of impartial justice, and the spiritual character of every man and woman will be correctly decided. The Judge of all the earth will do right. —C., in Relig. Tel.