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« on: December 26, 2011, 04:47:38 PM » |
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There is but one object that can be presented to a sinner's mind, which contains all that is needful for him, and all that is delightful to him — and that is JESUS! In Jesus, he finds an infinite variety which is always pleasing and profitable! The more he knows of the person, perfections, and works of Immanuel — the more happy, holy, and useful will he be.
To know Christ — is true wisdom;
to love him — is the evidence of grace; and
to walk with him — is the highest honor that can be put upon a sinful creature!
It is the office of the Holy Spirit to open the understanding to behold his glories, and to communicate to the soul the enjoyment of his love; and it is the delight of a truly spiritual mind to think of him, feed on him, and rejoice in him. There is nothing in Christ — but what is precious to him; there is nothing out of Christ, or that does not conduce to his glory — which is highly esteemed by him. Christ is the object of his faith, love, and desire; and the subject of his meditation, boast, and song in the house of his pilgrimage. To a Christian, Christ is ALL! By a worldling, Christ is despised and rejected. The former sympathizes with Jehovah the Father, who delights in him; the latter sympathizes with the prince of darkness, who hates and belies him. The believer is knit to Jesus, walks in fellowship with Him, and desires above all things to exalt and glorify Him. Jesus is just suited to the believer, and he thinks on Him with great delight and satisfaction!
1. The PERSON of Immanuel is peculiarly glorious to him; here manhood and divinity are united — God and man is one Christ. Here he beholds all the solemn and amiable perfections of God — united to the sinless passions and affections of man. The glory of the former is softened by the latter — and the latter becomes dignified and glorious by the former. He demands our adoration — and he invites our love. He may be . . .
trusted without fear,
worshiped without idolatry,
served without dread, and
approached without alarm.
To love him is the natural effect of knowing him — and adoration is always connected with this love. His very nature is love, he possesses a fullness of grace, and his heart overflows with mercy! His every act, word, and work as the Savior — is mixed with love, exhibits grace, and displays mercy! His compassion is unbounded, he is full of pity, and is longsuffering to us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. LOVE always reigned in his heart, and is the peculiar glory of his character; out of love to us — he came into our world to bless us, and —
"This was compassion like a God,
That when the Savior knew
The price of pardon was his blood,
His pity ne'er withdrew.
He sunk beneath our heavy woes
To raise us to his throne!
There's ne'er a gift his hand bestows
But cost his heart a groan!"
Jesus is glorious in the love he displays in the salvation of his people. He freely fixed his heart upon them — and took an eternal delight in the idea of saving, honoring, and glorifying them. His love to them was the great cause of all that he . . .
did for them;
promised to them,
and bestows upon them!
His love, like himself, remains immutably the same. He always
HAS loved His people,
DOES love His people,
and WILL love His people!
All the perfections of his nature, and all the resources he has provided, are at the command of his love — and all will be manifested and expended to do his people good. Love brought him from Heaven to earth — that he might be our sin-bearing substitute. Love took him back to Heaven — that he might plead our cause, and prepare for us in his glorious abode. And love will bring him to earth again, that he may raise our dust, glorify our persons, and receive us to himself.
Love never thinks it stoops too low, does too much, or conceives too highly of the beloved object. The love of Jesus is magnified by the depth of his humiliation, the extent of his work, and the expressions of his estimation contained in his word.
When we look at the objects of his love in their poverty, rebellion, and wretchedness; at the price he paid for them; the blessings bestowed on them; and the glory prepared for them — we may well exclaim, "What manner of love is this!" "Behold how he loved them!"
His love is the spring from whence flows salvation, comfort, protection, holiness, and Heaven. Could his love be removed from us — our souls would be undone, our hopes would be blighted, and all our bright prospects would perish. But here is its glory — it is always the same, as vigorous, as active, and as certain.
His love no end or measure knows,
No change can turn its course;
Immutably the same, it flows,
From one eternal source!
2. Christ's WORK is glorious. He undertook to reconcile Heaven and earth; to render Jehovah glorious in the eyes of his creatures — and the church glorious in the eyes of Jehovah. In our nature, he performed all the conditions of the better covenant, and obtained all power and authority in Heaven and in earth. He . . .
put away sin,
conquered Satan,
brought in everlasting righteousness,
abolished death,
passed sentence on the world lying in wickedness,
conquered every foe,
satisfied every claim, and
ascended triumphant to Heaven.
His work, the Father accepted — and accepts every sinner who embraces and depends upon it. His name was sounded as the object of angelic adoration through the heavenly world, and is published as the ordinance of salvation through our miserable earth. Angels admire and wonder at his work, they love and adore his person; sinners who know their danger — fly to his arms for refuge, rely upon what he has done, and glory in his adorable name! But too many, alas!
close their eyes to his beauties,
stop their ears against the proclamation of his grace,
and perish in their sin!
His work is honorable and glorious, and his righteousness endures for ever. It is an eternal honor to himself, an honor to his Father's throne, and an honor to his people, too. All who truly know it — trust it; all who trust it — find peace and joy in believing it. It is our song in the house of our pilgrimage, our comfort in the article of death, our title to mansions in the skies, and will be our boast and glory forever.
His disposition, as manifested in his conduct when on earth, and since seated at the right hand of power, is truly glorious! Unbounded kindness, unparalleled meekness, and exquisite tenderness — shine in all his dealings with his people. Toward poor sensible sinners he manifests incomparable gentleness, longsuffering, and the patience of a God; he receives them graciously, loves them freely, and forgives them heartily. He has never left room for one to doubt the kindness of his heart, the power of his arm, or the faithfulness of his word. And if he had never invited us to him, or promised to receive us — yet if we knew the kindness of his disposition — we could not despair. He forgets past injuries when the sinner confesses at his throne; and receives to his bosom, even those who had spurned at his grace. He receives sinners, and rejoices at the return of the lost sheep to the fold.
3. Christ's NAMES are precious, they sparkle in the believer's eye, and fall like sweet music on the ear; there is a glory and excellence in them, not to be found in others.
He is called JESUS, because he came into the world to save sinners: he loved, labored, suffered, bled, died, rose, ascended, and intercedes to save his people from their sins!
His merit is the price he paid,
his gospel the instrument he uses,
his Spirit the agent he sends,
his power the attribute he employs —
to accomplish the purpose so near to his heart.
He will save, he will rest in his love, and will rejoice over his people with singing.
He is called CHRIST, because anointed by the Father to be the Mediator between God and man. He stands . . .
between earth and Heaven,
between justice and mercy,
between the sinner and his Maker's wrath.
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