Doth Job Fear God for Nought?
True love for God is not based on personal gain or prosperity, but on a genuine devotion to Him, which may involve enduring hardship and affliction.
C.H. Spurgeon addresses the question posed by Satan regarding Job's faithfulness, emphasizing that many today love God only for the blessings He provides. He warns against a superficial faith that falters in adversity, contrasting it with the true Christian's expectation of trials as part of their spiritual journey. Spurgeon encourages believers to embrace affliction, as it leads to spiritual growth and deeper reliance on God, ultimately preparing them for eternal rewards. He reminds the faithful that tribulations are not without purpose, as they refine and strengthen their character in Christ. The sermon concludes with a call to rejoice in hardships, recognizing them as opportunities to draw closer to God and long for heavenly treasures.
Text
This was the wicked question of Satan concerning that upright man of old, but there are many in the present day concerning whom it might be asked with justice, for they love God after a fashion because He prospers them; but if things went ill with them, they would give up all their boasted faith in God. If they can clearly see that since the time of their supposed conversion the world has gone prosperously with them, then they will love God in their poor carnal way; but if they endure adversity, they rebel against the Lord.
Their love is the love of the table, not of the host; a love to the cupboard, not to the master of the house. As for the true Christian, he expects to have his reward in the next life, and to endure hardness in this. The promise of the old covenant is adversity. Remember Christ's words--"Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit"-- What? "He purgeth it, that it may bring forth fruit." If you bring forth fruit, you will have to endure affliction. "Alas!" you say, "that is a terrible prospect."
But this affliction works out such precious results, that the Christian who is the subject of it must learn to rejoice in tribulations, because as his tribulations abound, so his consolations abound by Christ Jesus. Rest assured, if you are a child of God, you will be no stranger to the rod. Sooner or later every bar of gold must pass through the fire. Fear not, but rather rejoice that such fruitful times are in store for you, for in them you will be weaned from earth and made meet for heaven; you will be delivered from clinging to the present, and made to long for those eternal things which are so soon to be revealed to you. When you feel that as regards the present you do serve God for nought, you will then rejoice in the infinite reward of the future.
Sermon Outline
- The Nature of False Love for God
- The True Christian's Expectation
- The Purpose of Affliction
- The Result of Tribulations
- Increased consolations
- Weaning from earthly things
Key Quotes
“Their love is the love of the table, not of the host; a love to the cupboard, not to the master of the house.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“If you bring forth fruit, you will have to endure affliction.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“When you feel that as regards the present you do serve God for nought, you will then rejoice in the infinite reward of the future.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- As a Christian, I should expect to endure hardship and affliction as a means of producing fruit and being made meet for heaven.
- My love for God should not be based on personal gain or prosperity, but on a genuine devotion to Him.
- I should rejoice in tribulations, knowing that they are a means of producing fruit and being weaned from earthly things.