The principles of truth laid down in Luke 12 are of the most solemn and searching character. Their practical bearing renders them, in a day like the present, of highest importance. Worldly-mindedness and carnality cannot live in the light of the truth here set forth. They are withered up by the roots. If one were asked to give a brief and comprehensive title to this most precious section of inspiration, it might be entitled “Time in the light of eternity.” The Lord evidently designed to set His disciples in the light of that world where everything is the direct opposite of what is down here — to bring their hearts under the holy influence of unseen things and their lives under the power and authority of heavenly principles.
Hypocrisy
Such being the faithful purpose of the divine Teacher, He lays the solid foundation for His superstructure of doctrine with these searching words, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy” (Luke 12:11In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. (Luke 12:1)). There must be no undercurrent in the soul. The deep springs of thought must be laid bare. We must allow the pure beams of heaven’s light to penetrate the most profound depths of our moral being. We must not have any discrepancy between the hidden judgment of the soul and the style of our phraseology, between the bent of the life and the profession of the lips. In a word, we specially need the grace of “an honest and a good heart,” in order to profit by this wondrous compendium of practical truth. We are too apt to give an indifferent hearing or a cold assent to home truth. We do not like it. We prefer interesting speculations about the mere letter of Scripture, points of doctrine, or questions of prophecy, because we can indulge these in immediate connection with all sorts of worldly-mindedness, covetous practices, and self-indulgence. But ponderous principles of truth, bearing down upon the conscience in all their magnitude and flesh-cutting power, who can bear, save those who, through grace, are seeking to purge themselves from “the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy”? This leaven is of a most specious character, takes various shapes, and is, therefore, most dangerous. Indeed, wherever it exists, there is a most positive and insurmountable barrier placed before the soul in its progress in experimental knowledge and practical holiness. If I do not expose my whole soul to the action of divine truth, if I am cherishing some secret reserve, if I am dishonestly seeking to accommodate the truth to my own standard of practice, then assuredly I am defiled by the leaven of hypocrisy, and my growth in likeness to Christ is a moral impossibility. Hence, therefore, it is imperative for every disciple of Christ to search and see that nothing of this abominable leaven is allowed in the secret chambers of his heart.
Now and Then
But not only is hypocrisy utterly subversive of spiritual progress, it also entirely fails in attaining the object which it proposes to itself, “for there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known” (Luke 12:22For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. (Luke 12:2)). Every man will find his level, and every thought will be brought to light. What the truth would do now, the judgment-seat will do then. Every grade and shade of hypocrisy will be unmasked by the light which shall shine forth from the judgment-seat of Christ. All will be reality then, though there is so much fallacy now. Moreover, everything will get its proper name, though it be misnamed now. Worldly-mindedness is called prudence; a grasping, covetous spirit is called foresight; and self-indulgence and personal aggrandizement are called judicious management and laudable diligence in business. All these things will be seen in their true colors and called by their true names before the judgment-seat. Wherefore, it is the wisdom of the disciple to act now in the light of that day when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed. As to this, he is placed on a vantage ground, for, says the Apostle, “we must all [saints and sinners, though not at the same time nor on the same ground] be manifested before the judgment-seat of the Christ” (2 Cor. 5:1010For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10) JND). Should this disturb the disciple’s mind? Assuredly not, if his heart is so purged of the leaven of hypocrisy and his soul so thoroughly grounded by the teaching of God the Holy Spirit that Christ is his life, and Christ his righteousness; that he can say, we “have been manifested unto God, and I hope also that we have been manifested in your consciences” (2 Cor. 5:1111Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. (2 Corinthians 5:11) JND). But if he is deficient in this peace of conscience and transparent honesty of heart, there is no doubt but that the thought of the judgment-seat will disturb his spirit.
The Judgment-Seat
Hence we see that in the Lord’s teaching, in Luke 12, He sets the consciences of His disciples directly in the light of the judgment-seat. “I say unto you, My friends, be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: fear Him, which after He hath killed, hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear Him” (Luke 12:4-54And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. (Luke 12:4‑5)). “The fear of man bringeth a snare” (Prov. 29:2525The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. (Proverbs 29:25)) and is closely connected with “the leaven of the Pharisees.” But “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 9:1010The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)) and causes a man always so to carry himself as in the full blaze of the light of Christ’s judgment-seat. This would impart immense dignity and elevation to the character, while it would effectually nip, in the earliest bud, the spirit of haughty independence, by keeping the soul under the searching power of divine light, the effect of which is to make everything and everyone manifest. There is nothing which so tends to rob the disciple of Christ of the proper dignity of his discipleship as walking before the eyes or the thoughts of men. So long as we are doing so, we cannot be unshackled followers of our heavenly Master. Moreover, the evil of walking before men is morally allied with the evil of seeking to hide our ways from God. Both partake of “the leaven of the Pharisees,” and both will find their proper place before the judgment-seat. Why should we fear men? Why should we regard their opinions? If their opinions will not bear to be tried in His presence, who has power to cast into hell, they are worth nothing, for it is with Him we have to do. “With me, it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment” (1 Cor. 4:33But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. (1 Corinthians 4:3)). Man may have a judgment-seat now, but he will not have it then. He may set up his tribunal in time, but he will have no tribunal in eternity. Why, therefore, should we shape our way in reference to a tribunal so frail and short-lived? God grant us grace to act now, in reference to then—to carry ourselves here with our eye on hereafter; to look at time in the light of eternity.
C. H. Mackintosh (adapted)