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  INWARD AND SPIRITUAL DUTIES OF RELIGION
  by Thomas Brooks
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Summary: True Christians focus on the internal and spiritual duties of
religion, while hypocrites and formalists are more concerned with
external duties.

Topics: "True Religion", "Inward Spiritual Duties"
Scripture References: Psalm 139:23-24, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 13:5, Ephesians 6:18, Philippians 4:6-7, Colossians 3:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Hebrews 4:12, James 1:22, 2 Peter 1:5-8

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DESCRIPTION
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Thomas Brooks emphasizes the distinction between external and internal
duties of religion, noting that many Christians, as well as hypocrites,
often focus on outward practices like attending church and participating
in rituals, while neglecting the deeper, inward spiritual
responsibilities. He highlights the importance of self-examination,
self-resignation, and divine meditation as essential components of true
faith. Brooks calls believers to engage in these inward duties to
cultivate a genuine relationship with God and to apply the truths of
Christ to their own lives.

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CONTENT
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Christians who have but small measures of grace and

holiness; and hypocrites and formalists who have not

the least measure of true grace and holiness--these

are most commonly exercised and busied about the

external duties and services of religion; but very

seldom, very rare, shall you find them in the more

inward and spiritual duties of religion.

The external duties of religion are . . .

hearing the word preached,

reading the word,

fasting,

singing of psalms,

Christian fellowship, and

receiving the Lord's supper.

The internal and spiritual duties of religion are . . .

self-examination,

self-resignation to God,

self-loathing,

self-judging,

divine meditation,

praying in the Spirit,

watchfulness over the heart,

making application of . . .

the blood of Christ,

the death of Christ,

the grace of Christ,

the love of Christ,

the word of Christ--to one's own soul.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/inward-and-spiritual-duties-of-religion/
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