To Jonathan Edwards, a hypocrite, upon his salvation, will resemble the lady in this photograph, in their Christian walk.
Perhaps, in becoming a Christian, there was a great deal of labor, a great turning from sin, or even a wondrous conversion experience. But, as Jonathan Edwards explains, in his 11th gracious affection, the journey for the sojourning saint is just beginning, and not a time for relaxation in the laurels of an experience.
This is the 17th post in my study of Jonathan Edwards famous text, Religious Affections
Here is Jonathan Edwards' 11th gracious affection:
"Another great and very distinguishing difference between gracious affections and others is, that gracious affections, the higher they are raised, the more is a spiritual appetite and longing of soul after spiritual attainments, increased. On the contrary, false affections rest satisfied in themselves."
Remember, Jonathan Edwards wrote this text so that we might be able to distinguish the marks of the true Christian. Here Jonathan shares that the true Christian, upon his/her conversion, doesn't sit back and relax in the comfort of an experience.
The true Christian, desperately seeks more, and more of God. Furthermore, the more this thirst is seemingly quenched, the more the thirst's desire becomes.
Let's explore more...
From Jonathan Edwards:
"The more a true saint loves God with a gracious love, the more he desires to love him, and the more uneasy is he at his want of love to him: the more he hates sin, the more he desires to hate it, and laments that he has so much remaining love to it: the more he mourns for sin, the more he longs to mourn for sin: the more his heart is broke, the more he desires it should be broke: the more he thirsts and longs after God and holiness, the more he longs to long, and breathe out his very soul in longings after God: the kindling and raising of gracious affections is like kindling a flame; the higher it is raised, the more ardent it is; and the more it burns, the more vehemently does it tend and seek to burn. So that the spiritual appetite after holiness, and an increase of holy affections, is much more lively and keen in those that are eminent in holiness, than others; and more when grace and holy affections are in their most lively exercise, than at other times. 'Tis as much the nature of one that is spiritually new born, to thirst after growth in holiness, as 'tis the nature of a newborn babe, to thirst after the mother's breast; who has the sharpest appetite, when best in health; "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby; if so be that ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious" (1 Peter 2:2–3). The most that the saints have in this world, is but a taste, a prelibation of that future glory which is their proper fullness; 'tis only an earnest of their future inheritance in their hearts (2 Corinthians 1:22 and 2 Corinthians 5:5 and Ephesians 1:14). The most eminent saints in this state are but children, compared with their future, which is their proper state of maturity and perfection, as the Apostle observes (1 Corinthians 13:10–11). The greatest eminency and perfection, that the saints arrive to in this world, has no tendency to satiety, or to abate their desires after more; but on the contrary, makes 'em more eager to press forwards; as is evident by the Apostle's words, "Forgetting the things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark….Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded" (Philippians 3:13–15)."
Christianity, at least as it pertains to our walk on this earth, is not a destination. It is a journey. For the true Christian, that journey is a hunger, a yearning, a deep groaning inside to have more, and more of our heavenly Father.
Only at our physical death, will this longing be made complete, as we see Christ face to face. Therefore, Edwards suggests, if this great longing isn't present in your life, then you should reflect on your walk with God.
"Hypocrites long for discoveries, more for the present comfort of the discovery, and the high manifestation of God's love in it, than for any sanctifying influence of it. But neither a longing after great discoveries, or after great tastes of the love of God, nor longing to be in heaven, nor longing to die, are in any measure so distinguishing marks of true saints, as longing after a more holy heart, and living a more holy life."
The hypocrite is seeking his "Best Life Now". The true Christian seeks sanctification's journey to be more like Christ, deeply longs to be in his presence, and desires to hear, "Well done my faithful son"!
