Bridges on Proverbs 21:21
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 21:21
 
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21.  He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
 
Here the desirable treasure is not spent up, but followed after with a distinctness of purpose, that shews a perception of its value. This is the Christian standard — “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect. But I follow after.”† Heaven, “the prize of our high calling,” is the bright consummating object. But righteousness and mercy — all our obligations to God and man — are the pathway to it, and the meetness for it.† Holiness must be our daily habit, as well as our religious service — “in all manner of conversation.” (1 Peter 1:15.) There must be nothing at home or abroad, where the man of God is not seen.† The true evidence of divine grace on the heart is the practical influence upon the temper and conduct. (Titus 3:8.) Our Master's example is our pattern. And he is a self-deceiving professor, who does not labor intensely to follow after it.
But this following after is not the toiling at a daily task; not a compulsory law, chaining the conscience against the inclinations of the will. It is delight, freedom, and enlargement (Psalm 63:8); the rising flow of the heart filled with fearless love.†
This following it finds its own reward.† A reward of grace indeed it must be; so infinitely is it above our faint and sinful efforts. He that followeth findeth life† — that which is the life of life — the treasure of the best happiness; fellowship with God; the sunshine of his face; the enjoyment of his love.† He findeth righteousness — a retributive blessing from a God of grace.† He findeth honor. For “if any man serve me” — saith our divine Master — “him will my Father honor.” “To them, that by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for glory, and honor, and immortality, he will render eternal life.”† Then — to depart in the joy of conscious acceptance — “I have finished my course. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.” (2 Timothy 4:7, 8.)
Such is godliness with its faithful and precious promises for both worlds! (1 Timothy 4:8.) Are they not worth following after? Yet how many play with this grand exercise, as if it were an easy thing at the next door! How often sloth and drowsiness degrade it into a lifeless task, an “exercise that profiteth little!” Where do we see this strenuous sustained effort; this applying to the real work of the daily cross; this making a business of religion? We look for the picture of men on the stretch; all energy; all pursuit; nothing diverting from the object; pressing all their might with constant urgency in the momentous service; up to a point that they had never before reached. This high standard of perseverance will only just bring us to the goal. (1 Peter 4:18.) The half-hearted, temporary professor; the creature of impulse, instead of the child of faith, though for a while he may “run well,” will utterly fall short.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Philippians 3:12-14.
 
 
Philippians 3:12-14
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
 
 
Footnote:
Psalm 15. Isaiah 33:15-17; 35:8.
 
 
Psalm 15.
1 ¶ {A Psalm of David.} LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? {abide: Heb. sojourn} 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. 3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. {taketh...: or, receiveth, or, endureth} 4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. 5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
 
Isaiah 33:15-17
15 He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; {righteously: Heb. in righteousnesses} {uprightly: Heb. uprightnesses} {oppressions: or, deceits} {blood: Heb. bloods} 16 He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. {high: Heb. heights, or, high places} 17 Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off. {that...: Heb. of far distances}
 
Isaiah 35:8
8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. {but...: or, for he shall be with them}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Peter 1:15
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
 
 
Footnote:
1 Corinthians 10:31. Colossians 3:17. Zechariah 14:20.
 
 
1 Corinthians 10:31
31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
 
Colossians 3:17
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
 
Zechariah 14:20
20 In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLY UNTO JEHOVAH; and the pots in Jehovah's house shall be like the bowls before the altar. 20 In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD'S house shall be like the bowls before the altar. {bells: or, bridles}
 
 
Titus 3:8
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
 
 
Psalm 63:8
8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
 
 
Footnote:
‘The will is in love with those charms, which draw us to God. And as no man will complain, that his temples are restrained, and his head is prisoner, when it is encircled with a crown; so when “the Son of God hath made us free,” and hath only subjected us to the service and dominion of the Spirit, we are free as princes within the circle of their diadem; and our chains are bracelets, and the law is a law of liberty, and ‘God's service is perfect freedom;’ and the more we are subjects, the more we “reign as kings;” and the further we run, the easier is our burden; and Christ's yoke is like feathers to a bird; not loads, but helps to motion; without them the body falls.’ — Bp. Taylor.
 
 
Footnote:
Psalm 19:11. Isaiah 32:17.
 
 
Psalm 19:11
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
 
Isaiah 32:17
17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 8:35; 12:28; 22:4.
 
 
Proverbs 8:35
35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. {obtain: Heb. bring forth}
 
Proverbs 12:28
28 ¶ In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
 
Proverbs 22:4
ss="c"> 4 ¶ By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life. {By...: or, The reward of humility, etc}
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 15:9. Isaiah 64:5. John 14:21-23.
 
 
Proverbs 15:9
9 ¶ The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
 
Isaiah 64:5
5 Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.
 
John 14:21-23
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
 
 
Footnote:
Matthew 10:41, 42. Luke 6:38. Hebrews 6:10.
 
 
Matthew 10:41, 42
41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
 
Luke 6:38
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
 
Hebrews 6:10
10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
 
 
Footnote:
John 12:26. Romans 2:7.
 
 
John 12:26
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
 
Romans 2:7
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
 
 
2 Timothy 4:7, 8
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
 
 
1 Timothy 4:8
8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. {little: or, for a little time}
 
 
1 Peter 4:18
18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?