Of Knowing The Hope Of Our Calling.

Part II

Adapted From A Sermon By

Philip Doddridge

Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.

(Ephesians 1:18 ESV)

We come to the second part of Philip Doddridge's sermon on Ephesians 1:18 and Knowing The Hope Of Our Calling: Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.

When the queen of Sheba met the wisdom of Solomon, she gave this wise remark upon seeing it, "Because the Lord loved Israel forever, he has made you king."{1 Kings 10:9; 2 Chronicles 9:8}

In a sense this thought may apply to us when we read the works of this holy writer before us. It was because God loved his church that he made Paul an apostle in it. Paul, whose heart was deeply filled with the love of Jesus, and who was reborn to a lively hope of the inheritance that is pure, clean, and lasting. Who can study his holy writings without feeling a bit of the fire that fills his spirit?

I hope we have already felt this in part.

I hope we will feel it more as we go on with our thoughts on this important passage, which includes his prayer for his friends at Ephesus, a prayer that rightly shows such deep wisdom, strong faith, and friendship: that God would give them hearts so lit up, that they might understand the hope to which he had called them.

In explaining these words, you know, the plan was,

I. To look at the view given to us of the heavenly world,

II. To search why it stays so unknown even to good men,

III. To think about what light may be expected through the Divine effect on our minds,

IV. To consider how valuable such light is,

V. To describe the ways we are to follow to gain such growing knowledge, and then

VI. To end with the application.

I. We have already explored the enlightening and uplifting view presented to us regarding the heavenly realm. It is an inheritance, a divine inheritance, abundant and splendid; an inheritance shared among the saints; and it constitutes the hope of the gospel; only the gospel could reveal it; and the primary purpose of the gospel was to raise our souls to a fitting appreciation of it, and to inspire us to pursue it as the foremost aim of our efforts. We now go on,

II. To examine why this inheritance remains so unfamiliar, even to those who have wholeheartedly accepted the gospel. This is addressed to them, for it is clear that the scripture refers to them in the words presently before us. They were the delight of the apostle, and he held confidence in them as his crown; he had learned of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and their love for all the saints; and for this reason, he continually offered thanks for them. Yet he prays that God would enlighten their hearts and give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation. He seeks this for himself as well as for them. For now, he declares, we all possess only partial knowledge and thus can prophesy only in part. The happiness is too vast for our understanding; too distant to be valued according to its true worth; too spiritual to be fully appreciated by creatures with such imperfect natures; and we are surrounded by so many distractions that divert our focus from it, resulting in our being far less familiar with it than we might otherwise have been.

1. The immense size of this inheritance inevitably prevents it from being fully understood. Like the love of Christ, upon which it is based, it surpasses knowledge.{Ephesians 3:19} The heavenly conqueror, upon entering it, receives a new name, which only he who receives it can comprehend:{Revelation 2:17} for "what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him."{1 Corinthians 2:9} For this reason, even a person as great and holy as the apostle John declares that it is not yet apparent what we shall become.{1 John 3:2} A person raised solely in a modest dwelling could not accurately envision the grandeur of a splendid court; and even less can we, from anything we observe or experience on earth, form an adequate understanding of that complete joy found in the presence of God and those streams of delight that flow from his right hand. It appears to be in reference to this that, when Paul was taken up into the third heaven, he states that he heard unspeakable words, which it is neither permissible nor possible for a man to articulate: new concepts for which we lack names, and thus which no language of ours can adequately convey. But we further observe ,

2. That the distance of this inheritance prevents us from forming an accurate conception of it. You understand how the physical eye perceives an object: as it moves farther away, it appears proportionately smaller. This is evident with the celestial bodies, some of which are so immense that the earth itself is merely a small speck in comparison. Yet to our eyes, they seem small. Even our own hands or any earthly fruit, when held close to the eye, dominate our view and obscure the sun, moon, and stars from sight. This serves as a fitting analogy for what occurs with our perception of the future world. Admittedly, the distance is often more imagined than real. However, we are highly prone to consider the day of death as far off, which sometimes renders it a dreaded day. By forgetting that what is now future will eventually become present, and what is now present will become past, we allow ourselves to be gravely misled, too quickly lapsing into forgetfulness of that far greater and eternal weight of glory, which no visible or temporary thing is remotely worthy to be compared with.

3. The spiritual nature of this inheritance makes it less comprehensible to minds that harbor a blend of carnality and remain heavily influenced by persistent corruption. The apostle informs us that "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable."{1 Corinthians 15:50} The joys of the heavenly state are pure and refined, consisting in beholding the face of God in righteousness and finding satisfaction in his complete likeness. Consequently, most of mankind remain unmoved by these joys, much as an animal would be indifferent to the prospect of a philosophical argument. "The natural person," as the apostle states, "does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned."{1 Corinthians 2:14} It is a profound and undeniable truth that these matters are, to some extent, commended to every believer by the Spirit of God, whose transformative influence on the heart shapes and prepares it for their reception.

Yet, sadly, we are only partially sanctified, and a law persists in our members, warring against the law of the mind. This conflict draws our souls toward flesh and sensation, diminishing our appreciation for those exalted pleasures found in the presence of God. As a result, even the good man may find that, in proportion to the degree of corruption prevailing in his heart, the eye of his soul is darkened, as if a veil were drawn over it, rendering him scarcely able to cast a glance toward the happiness that, in his considered judgment, he has chosen as his ultimate destiny.

4. The objects that constantly surround us divert our attention from what we might otherwise understand about the future, despite all our limitations. You are aware that the mind of man has a very limited capacity. Consequently, objects that daily demand our attention and care inevitably draw our focus away from those that are inherently more excellent. We are presently burdened with many concerns, and this, regrettably, leads us to neglect the "one thing is necessary."{Luke 10:42}

The cares of this world, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desire for other things hinder us from developing the familiarity we might otherwise achieve with that which lies beyond the veil. Perhaps, on a Sunday day, you have been moved by a sermon and you felt your souls moving closer to God. Yet, upon returning to your worldly affairs, cares, and pleasures, you have found your minds consumed by them.

A mist arises, and though its components may seem insignificant and its particles small, it grows so dense that it obscures the view of the heavens themselves and all the glory that adorns them. Indeed, this occurs so frequently that, Ilikely, were it not for the regular return of our times of worship and were we not repeatedly guided with line upon line and precept upon precept, we would become lost in the multitude of distractions, passing from one vanity to another until vanity itself becomes our ultimate reward—a just consequence for having been deceived by it and for placing our trust in it.

These factors combine to prevent even the good man from attaining the understanding of the heavenly realm that he might otherwise have gained. Having examined the affliction, let us now consider the remedy and explore

III. What it means to have the eyes of our hearts enlightened by the Spirit of knowledge and revelation, which is the blessing the apostle prays for on behalf of his friends at Ephesus. And here we should,

1. Observe that it does not indicate the disclosure of any truth previously entirely unknown. This holds true even with respect to the operation of the Spirit in regeneration. It does not reveal to us any doctrine we had not previously encountered, nor does it grant any new abilities or introduce any new source of ideas beyond those with which we were already familiar. A man, through careful study of the scriptures and regular engagement with the means of grace, may learn to think rationally of future happiness and to support it with strong arguments drawn from both reason and scripture. Even more reasonably, we may conclude that a soul already regenerated possesses a clear understanding of all those truths pertaining to its future happiness that it can expect to know while it remains in the flesh. But,

2. The Spirit of God enlightens the understanding by presenting truths already known in a more vivid and appealing manner. You understand that there is a significant difference between observing a detailed painting under varying degrees of light. You may, perhaps, discern all the outlines on a dim and overcast day; yet, when the sun shines in its full brilliance, the colors radiate with far greater vibrancy, and the image appears in a new light. In a similar way, the Spirit of God sometimes imparts such clear and profound perceptions and feelings of future blessedness that it feels like a new revelation. The good man is almost inclined to say that he had previously only heard of it by the hearing of the ear, but now his eye sees it.{Job 42:5}

3. The Holy Spirit sometimes presents these truths in a way that feels more personal and relevant to us. Much depends on how well the object known aligns with our inner state and preferences; when thinking about happiness, seeing it as our own greatly increases its joy. In human terms, we might consider that if two Israelites stood at a mountain pass, one destined to die at its base and the other to cross over and possess Canaan, the latter would gaze upon that splendid mountain and Lebanon with far greater delight than the former could. Similarly, when the Spirit testifies alongside our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Jesus Christ—it is no surprise that the soul experiences a unique joy in thinking about its own inheritance, envisioning the crown of glory it expects soon to wear. Ownership adds a special sweetness, particularly when the graces grown in the heart by the influence of the Holy Spirit serve as a pledge and foretaste of this expected blessedness. When we think deeply on these matters, they guide us in understanding this enlightenment of the eyes of our hearts. Let us now consider,

IV. Why it is so desirable that we partake in such illuminations and gain a practical, heart-moving knowledge of the hope of our calling. And here we may observe,

1. That this illumination will nurture the love of God within our souls, which serves as the main source of all other graces. An awareness of the general kindness of the Father creates some affectionate thoughts toward him. However, it is mainly a sense of personal obligation that deeply touches the heart; and what obligation could be greater than this: that he has chosen us for this destiny through the sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth, preparing such an inheritance for us, who are keenly aware of our unworthiness even to partake in the blessings of his common providence.

What could be more natural than to reflect, "I hope and expect to dwell forever with my Father and my God, to behold his face in all the splendors of the heavenly realm. He intends to bless me for as long as he exists, to grant favors as long as the treasures of his omnipotence and kindness can provide. He has called me to this blessed hope while countless others remain unaware of it and, in their ignorance, are allowed to disregard it. O, what shall I render to the Lord for all that he has done for me! Assist me, you saints who already bask in this glory, to express my heartfelt gratitude to that heavenly Father who is preparing me for it and guiding me toward it." It is fitting that the apostle, after declaring that we rejoice in hope of the glory of God, would continue by saying that the love of God is poured into our hearts.{Romans 5:4, 5}

2. This illumination also greatly promotes our humility. Humility is such an important part of the Christian character that our Lord specifically calls us to learn it from him. What promotes it more than the abundance of Divine favor shown to us in contrast to our own unworthiness? The Christian says, "Who am I, O Lord, that I am brought here? Brought to your house? Brought to your table? Yet, Lord, do you intend to bring me even further? To seat me at your table not only on earth but in heaven? As if all you have already given were not enough, do you speak of your servant for a long time yet to come? Who am I that you should regard such a worthless creature as I? Shall I not only enjoy sweet fellowship with saints on earth but share their inheritance forever? Even I, who am less than the least of all saints and am not worthy to be called one?"

3. To understand the hope of our calling will greatly strengthen our spiritual resolve amidst all challenges and opposition. We will need a truly courageous determination in the service of our heavenly master and must conduct ourselves with strength, lest we succumb to the opposition that surrounds us. What can inspire such bravery more than these obligations and hopes? Am I called to this blessed prize, and shall I abandon my calling? Shall I act in such a timid and unworthy manner that my great leader would be ashamed of me? Is he offering such a crown, and shall I not claim it? Is it not worth my effort, as he suggests, to remain faithful even to death to receive that crown of life? What are all the fleeting attractions of this present life? When compared with these blessings, they are less than nothing. I find through reflection, says the apostle (and this gave him such steadfastness), "that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."{Romans 8:18}

4. This understanding inspires us with a noble ambition to excel in faith, in proportion to this hope. Does God plan all this for me? What can I then offer in return? What can I do to match its size? O, my soul, you are the heir of a kingdom, a kingdom of eternal glory; therefore, there should be not only honesty and purity of spirit but also a calmness, dignity, and greatness of mind that aligns with these prospects. Your pursuits in life and your conduct should reflect this destiny. In this way, Timothy is spurred even toward martyrdom by the thought that he has called us with a holy calling:{2 Timothy 1:9} and the apostle urges them to maintain the confidence and joy of their hope steadfastly to the end, as participants in the heavenly calling. "Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God."{2 Corinthians 7:1}

5. To understand the hope of our calling will uplift our hearts under burdens that would otherwise overwhelm us. When we not only generally believe in a future state but feel our souls deeply moved by its surpassing excellence, this hope will serve, as the apostle eloquently describes, as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, reaching into that which is within the veil.{Hebrews 6:19} It will keep our minds steady when winds blow and waves crash. It will act as a reviving tonic to prevent our hearts from succumbing to fear. You see how it affected the apostle, who speaks with such joy of all his afflictions, knowing that "this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison."{2 Corinthians 4:17}

The Christian may rightly say, "O my soul, your present losses do not diminish your inheritance! You may become richer through your poverty here. Your current pains do not affect the peace and joy of your heavenly dwelling, except to heighten their appeal, making your everlasting rest even more serene and rejuvenating. I lose a friend for a few years, but it is to reunite with him forever. He has gone to his inheritance, and I am journeying to mine. New light has dawned upon him, and I shall stand in that light. I shall receive it as an everlasting possession."

6. To understand the hope of our calling enables us to overcome both the fear and the pain of death. Why do most men so unwillingly leave earth? It is because their views of heaven are not more clear. Paul faced a violent death, yet he could declare, "I am already being poured out as a drink offering... henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness."{2 Timothy 4:6, 8} And elsewhere, "My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better."{Philippians 1:23}

"I am going home," may the Christian say, "to my Father's house. I have lived but humbly in this lowly state. I have endured at times very painful trials: but now I prepare for a journey to my inheritance. Why do the chariot wheels move so slowly? With joy do I hear their sound. I welcome these declines of nature, which signal the breakdown of it. I shall be absent from the body, and present with the Lord. Now the blessed object of my hope is near, the hope of my calling. Now is God about to fulfill that which above all things I have desired, that for which I entered into covenant with him: that which I held in my eye and in my heart, when I became a Christian indeed. Lord, I rejoice in your faithfulness and your love. Come Lord, come quickly."

Now, consider whether each of these is not a compelling reason to inspire you to desire that you too may understand the hope of your calling. Would you experience this love of God, this humility, this steadfast determination, this divine aspiration, this peace of soul amid life’s challenges, this courage and joy in the face of death. "O Lord! nothing short of glory is so desirable as these feelings of the soul, awakened and strengthened by the expectation of it. I would rather feel the hope of this inheritance than possess the most splendid and magnificent inheritance ever known among the children of men."

V. And now, let us briefly consider some guidance on the methods by which we may develop a disposition so rich in comfort, grace, and blessings. You would like to understand the hope of your calling? Here are some recommendations,

1. Study the scriptures with utmost care and effort. There you will find the evidence and description of that hope, and you will observe how other virtuous men have been moved by its thought. The evidence of it is presented in the most persuasive manner, resting upon the testimony of God. You will learn how that testimony was affirmed by Christ himself and his immediate followers, with God bearing witness through signs, wonders, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.{Hebrews 2:4} There you will see it described, and there you are guided to form the most clear and noble ideas of it, as demonstrated in the previous sermon.

There you will read how the saints of God in ancient times were inspired by it, how they yearned for their heavenly homeland, and acknowledged that they were "strangers and exiles on the earth."{Hebrews 11:13} In short, scarcely a chapter, particularly in the New Testament, fails to teach you something of heaven and render you more prepared for it, if read with attentive consideration. Give us your light and truth, O Lord! to illuminate and strengthen our faith in scripture, and it will lead and guide us to your heavenly kingdom.

2. Engage deeply in thought on the hope of your calling if you wish to understand it more clearly. It is insufficient merely to hear or read about it. It is not enough for your minds to form concepts of it, however clear they may be; the essential task is to bring it into your hearts. To achieve this, you have to direct your hearts toward it. At times, you have to withdraw from other matters on purpose to seek and engage with divine wisdom. Especially on the evening of the Lord’s Day, prompt yourselves to reflect on your eternal rest. When you encounter sorrows and setbacks in this world, consider your inheritance above. When you lose friends or children here, think of your Father’s house and your hope of reuniting with them there. For further clarification of this hope,

3. Converse often with one another about it. It ought to be a most delightful and natural topic of discussion. We are fellow travelers; should we not therefore contemplate the destination of our journey? Should we not strengthen each other’s faith, stir each other’s joy, and bolster each other’s hope? It is moving to note how the Jews in Babylon remembered Zion, gathering to weep at the thought of it, declaring, "If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill."{Psalm 137:5} Shall we then forget that Jerusalem above, where no enemy intrudes, that temple which stands eternally in its splendor, where we hope to stand as pillars forever? Let us then encourage one another and inspire each other in this hope.

4. Through frequent prayer at the throne of grace, let us address the natural tendency of our minds toward temporary and sensory objects. Let us humble ourselves before God, admitting that our souls naturally cling to the dust, and eagerly request that, in accordance with his word, he would revive them and impart that heavenly touch to awaken and elevate them. When the apostle speaks of himself and his brethren yearning for the splendors of the heavenly state, he adds, "He who has prepared us for this very thing is God."{2 Corinthians 5:5} Let us earnestly pray that God would prepare us for this: that he would illuminate our understanding, soften our hearts, and shape us into an increasing readiness to share in this inheritance among the saints in light and glory.

5. Through the development of those virtues that align with this state and its blessings, here is a word of encouragement. Maintain yourselves in the love of God. Strive to commune with him daily through prayer. Do not be content until you have encountered him in your private moments, in your households, and in public worship. Seek to live in constant fellowship with him, and you will gain a clearer understanding of what heaven entails.

Pursue the knowledge of Christ, for through him you may comprehend heaven. Raise your believing eyes to him, reaffirm your covenant of grace with him, and engage in acts of faith in him as your Lord and Savior each day. Strive to grow in all aspects of holy respect and to deepen your love for all the saints. You will then be prepared for a share among them, and your interactions with them will aid you in envisioning the joys of the perfect fellowship that awaits you there. In short, grace in the heart is, to a degree, heaven on earth, and the more one is nurtured, the more the other is experienced.

VI. And finally here is a brief application of these principles, which will divide into two parts.

1. First an address to those who remain in darkness, without hope. May God grant that this describes none of us. You possess your light and your hope, but sadly, for some, this light stems from sparks you have ignited yourselves. It is the hope of the hypocrite that will collapse when God claims his soul. I appeal to your consciences today. Is anyone here almost entirely indifferent to another world, to this rich and glorious inheritance, who scarcely feel a desire for it, or if any desire exists, it is one that condemns you? For this desire, feeble as it is, does not spur you to a suitable pursuit.

This inheritance belongs to the saints. Are you saints? Do you possess a character and conduct that could remotely claim such a title? You, God’s holy ones? Is the opposite actually true? Is there a dominance of sin and Satan over your hearts.? If so you have no share or portion in this matter, no part in the kingdom of Christ and of God, as the apostle himself proclaims.{1 Corinthians 6:9, 10}

Consider two serious questions: Is your current state not sorrowful? And will you not soon find yourself in a far worse condition?

Is your present darkness not pitiable? You would consider it tragic if you lost the sight of your eyes, and indeed it would be. If others beheld a beautiful landscape or a grand structure and were delighted by the sight, while you, though among them, were enveloped in complete darkness, it would undoubtedly grieve you, and rightly so.

Yet you stand in the light of the gospel, you see the beauty of Christ and behold by faith the glory of heaven, and do you feel nothing of this? This is an unspeakably sad state! Even if one could gaze upon those fleeting vanities that now surround us forever, would that suffice? Is this not on a path to eternal darkness?

The saints of God are destined to enter an inheritance. But what can any expect, who have lived without God in this world, who have wasted your Lord’s resources? Take that unprofitable servant and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth.{Matthew 13:42, 50} Yet there, the eyes of understanding, in a dreadful sense, will be opened. Then will be perceived something of the hope of the Christian calling, that hope to which all were once outwardly summoned.

With what horror and despair will the radiant glories of the saints’ inheritance, be seen, making the eternal misery all the more horrible. This is why it is said to be the cause of the grief and horror of the damned: You shall see "Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out."{Luke 13:28} Remember this, you children of godly parents who disdain this heavenly inheritance. You shall be excluded. I declare to you today. Now is the time to make sure that this will not be the fate of any among us.

Do not be like those who have lingered so long, unconverted and unmoved by the means of grace, that one cannot help but fear they will perish eternally. There is little hope from anything that might be said to such. May God open blind eyes, not only to reveal hell to awaken the lost, but also heaven to inspire them, and Christ to guide them there and prepare them for it.

2. Secondly, a word to those who have received this divine light. Express gratitude for the light you have already received, and humbly seek and desire greater understanding. Be thankful for the light you have been granted. Reflect on how many remain in complete uncertainty regarding a future state, or who base their beliefs and expectations on false teachers and fanciful, misguided dreams, as you know to be particularly true of the Muslims and others.

Consider how many, even in Christian nations, give little thought or concern to securing a share in this happiness. You may then praise the Lord who has bestowed light upon you and caused it to shine within your hearts. On this account, let your souls exalt the Lord. Once you were yourselves shrouded in darkness; be deeply grateful that you are now light in him, and earnestly pray that this light may grow stronger.

Reflect on what has been shared today as a call to make it your frequent purpose to approach the throne of grace. Above all, long for clearer revelations of the future state. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart; the blessed harvest will ultimately arrive. Let us rejoice in this hope, and while we await God’s salvation, let us diligently strive to obey his commands.

While that salvation is delayed, let us anticipate that blessed hope and seize every opportunity to deepen our understanding of it and to prepare ourselves for it.