Offer some observations on the duty itself op walking in the truth.—In order to this, we may observe that the truth is of a practical nature; other truths may be speculative, but not this. But what is truth? To this question I would reply generally and particularly.
1. In general—(1.) The truth is a system of love and goodness—an overflow of Divine blessedness. Then walk in love to the church, and bear good-will even to enemies. (2.) The truth is a system full of joy—“good news, and glad tidings of great joy.” Then be cheerful and happy, not morose and gloomy. (3.) The truth is a system of reconciliation. Then let it be your concern to live peaceably, and to exercise forgiveness. (4.) The truth is a system of amazing condescension. Then “let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” (5.) The truth is a system of purity—“a highway of holiness.” Then “be ye holy, in all manner of conversation.” (6.) The truth is a system full of importance. Then be you in earnest. “Strive earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.”
2. More particularly—(1.) Divine truth includes the existence of God, as a Being of infinite excellence and glory; “holy, just, and good.” Then live in the love and fear of God. (2.) It includes the Divine authority of the Holy Scriptures. Then make them, and not interest, or inclination, or fashion, the rule of your faith and practice. (3.) It includes the guilty and lost condition of men as sinners. Then, in all your dealings with God, approach him in that character—as ill and hell-deserving. (4.) It includes the doctrine of redemption by the blood of Christ. Then remember that you are “not your own,” but his. (5.) Divine truth teaches us, that if we are saved, it is in consequence of sovereign and discriminating grace. It traces our salvation to electing love, and informs us that the great end that Christ had, in laying down his life, was “that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” And to walk in this truth is to be such people, to be distinguished by zeal and uprightness. Let it never be asked concerning us, “What do ye more than others?” (6.) It includes the doctrine of efficacious grace—“My people shall be willing in the day of my power.” “The righteous shall hold on his way.”—Then to walk in this truth is to prove that grace is efficacious by a perseverance in all holy conversation and godliness. (7.) It includes the doctrine of eternal life, as infinitely outweighing all the pleasures and all the ills of the present life.—“I reckon that the sufferings of this present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed.” Then be dead to the world, and alive to God. Look not at the things that are seen and are temporal; but at those which are unseen and eternal.
My brethren, if the truth thus dwell in you, and operate, you will naturally be attentive to all relative duties; you will love your pastor, for the truth’s sake which he preaches; and if you love him, you will make a point of attending his ministry, of contributing to his support, and of consulting his peace and happiness in every possible way.—And if the truth dwell in you, you will also love one another, for the truth’s sake. You will watch over one another in the Lord, and follow the things that make for peace.
Fuller, A. G. (1988). “Churches Walking in Truth the Joy of Ministers,: Sermon LXXXI. The Complete Works of Andrew Fuller: Memoirs, Sermons, Etc. (J. Belcher, Ed.; Vol. 1, p. 530). Sprinkle Publications.
