Luke 5:17-26

Luke 5:17-26

1. Let us mark what pains men will take about an object when they are in earnest.
2. Let us mark the kindness and compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Let us mark our Lord Jesus Christ's perfect knowledge of the thoughts of men.

"We must allow no difficulties to check us, and no obstacle to keep us back from anything which is really for our spiritual good. Specially must we bear this in mind in the matter of regularly reading the Bible, hearing the Gospel, keeping the Sabbath holy, and private prayer. On all these points we must beware of laziness and an excuse-making spirit. Necessity must be the mother of invention."

"Christ's love and mercy must be a sinner's plea when he first begins his journey. Christ's love and mercy will be his only plea when he crosses the dark river and enters home. Let us seek to know this love by inward experience, and prize it more."

"How many searchings of heart this mighty truth ought to awaken within us! Christ ever sees us! Christ always knows us! Christ daily reads and observes our acts, words and thoughts! The recollection of this should alarm the wicked and drive them from their sins!"

Questions:

1. Ryle says that ‘necessity must be the mother of invention,’ that is, if something is important to us, we will find a way. When it comes to prospering our souls in bible reading, prayer, being part of the church, are we driven by necessity to find a way or do we easily give in to other things? Is how we are living right now proof that we believe our souls are eternal or that this world is our true treasure?

2. Can we say that Christ’s love and mercy has been, and is, our only plea? Or do we find comfort and hope in other things?

3. What does God’s omniscience do to our souls? Does the fact that God knows our thoughts give us a godly fear that drives us away from sin and toward the one who loves us or away from Him?