Openness Before God
Thomas Manton was born in 1620 in the English city of Chelmsford. He studied at Cambridge University and was ordained as a minister in 1642. Manton was a strong supporter of the Puritan movement and was involved in the Westminster Assembly, which was responsible for drafting the Westminster Confession of Faith. Manton was a prolific writer and preacher. He published over 1,000 sermons and treatises, and his work was highly influential in the development of Puritan theology. In his 26th sermon on Psalm 119, Manton explores the importance of openness before God.
The modernized version of Manton's sermon, titled "Openness Before God," is available online. It is a great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about this important topic. The sermon is well-written and easy to understand. It also includes some helpful discussion questions.
Manton begins by noting that the psalmist prays, "I will declare my ways" (Psalm 119:26). This, Manton says, is a command from God. He goes on to explain that openness before God is essential for several reasons.
First, it allows God to work in our lives. When we are open to God, he can reveal his will to us and help us to live according to his ways. Second, openness before God brings us closer to him. When we share our hearts with God, he is able to comfort us, strengthen us, and guide us. Third, openness before God is a sign of our trust in him. When we are willing to share our deepest thoughts and feelings with God, we are showing that we believe he is trustworthy.
Manton then goes on to discuss the different aspects of openness before God. He says that we should be open with God about our sins, our doubts, our fears, and our hopes. We should also be open with him about our joys, our successes, and our failures.
Manton concludes by saying that openness before God is a lifelong journey. It is something that we must continually strive for. However, he also says that it is a journey that is filled with great joy and blessing.
Manton's sermon on openness before God is a powerful reminder of the importance of this biblical principle. When we are open to God, he can work in our lives, bring us closer to him, and show us his love. If you are looking for a way to grow closer to God, I encourage you to read this sermon and start the journey of openness before God.
If you are struggling to be open before God, I encourage you to pray for help. Ask God to give you the courage to be honest with him. Ask him to help you to trust him more. And ask him to show you how to submit to his authority in your life.