GODLY EXERCISE
Godly Exercise
Text: Jeremiah 9:23–26
Theme: What the child of God should glory in, based on what God does and does not delight in.
Opening Thought
There are three things the Lord does not delight in and instructs His children not to glory in:
His Wisdom – (Philosophy)
His Work – (Might)
His Wages – (Riches)
This truth is affirmed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:26–28.
“He that glories in his wisdom, strength, or riches, glories in that which will fade; but he that glories in knowing God glories in that which is eternal.” — Matthew Henry
“God is not impressed with our knowledge, our might, or our money, but He delights in those who seek to know Him.” — A.W. Tozer
What God does want us to glory in is understanding and knowing Him — having an intimate and personal relationship with Him, grounded in what the Word of God reveals about Him and what the Spirit of God teaches us (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:9–16).
Knowledge is what we learn from God about God.
Understanding is the application of that knowledge.
Paul declared in Acts 24:16:
“And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.”
To exercise like Paul, we must exercise like God (1 Timothy 4:8).
There are three areas of exercise that God delights in:
I. His Lovingkindness — Psalm 107:43
A. What the lovingkindness of God is connected to:
His Mercy — Psalm 69:16
His Forgiveness — Ephesians 4:32
“Mercy is love in action; forgiveness is love proving its strength.” — William Romaine
His Son, Jesus Christ — Titus 3:4–7
B. Application
Exercising the lovingkindness of God will make you strong in your lovingkindness toward others — to show them mercy, forgiveness, and Jesus Christ.
C. Quotes
“The exercise of love is the surest mark of the presence of God in the soul.” — F.B. Meyer
“When a man has learned to exercise himself in love, he ceases to keep score and starts to keep Christ.” — John Newton
II. His Judgment
A. There is no excuse for not knowing the judgment of the Lord — Jeremiah 8:7
B. God’s judgment is the result of sin and worldliness:
John 16:11 — the prince of this world is the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4).
Genesis 3 — the wisdom of this world began in rebellion.
John 14:30 — the prince of this world has nothing in God.
James 4:4 — a friend of the world is an enemy of God.
Romans 8:7 — the carnal mind is enmity against God.
C. God’s judgment is always just — John 5:30
Jesus was judged for our sins on Calvary.
Jesus will judge the saints for their works at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
Jesus will judge sinners at the Great White Throne Judgment.
D. “If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” — 1 Corinthians 11:31
E. Application
Exercising the judgment of God will make you strong in godly discernment.
F. Quotes
“There can be no true mercy where there is no justice. God’s throne stands on both.” — Thomas Brooks
“To judge ourselves is not to condemn ourselves, but to correct ourselves.” — John Flavel
III. His Righteousness
A. Righteousness is living and doing right in accordance with God’s Word — Psalm 119:160; 1 Timothy 6:11
B. Righteousness is exalting — Proverbs 14:34
C. The Lord loves righteousness — Psalm 11:7; Psalm 33:5
D. Exercising the righteousness of God will make you strong in righteousness.
E. Quotes
“The righteousness which God delights in is not what man invents, but what the Spirit inspires.” — Andrew Murray
“Righteousness is not a robe we wear, but a life we live.” — Charles Spurgeon
Closing Thought
If there is disinterest or a continual lack of knowledge and understanding about these things, it’s likely an issue of the heart (Jeremiah 9:26).
The heart may not be disconnected enough from the world to be connected enough to the Lord.
We must examine ourselves in light of God’s Word and seek His will.
In His lovingkindness, He shows us our need.
In His judgment, He shows us our wrongs.
In His righteousness, He shows us His way.
“The more we exercise in God’s lovingkindness, the stronger our mercy; in His judgment, the sounder our discernment; in His righteousness, the purer our walk.” — F.B. Meyer