JUNE 8.-" The grace that is in Christ Jesus." GRACE is connected with the whole of our recovery as sinners. It is all in all in every part of our salvation. Whether he is chosen, or redeemed, or justified, or converted, or sanctified, or preserved, or comforted-the believer will acknowledge, By the grace of God I am what I am-not I, but the grace of God which is with me. But where is this grace to be found? The Apostle tells us, when he speaks of it, as the resource of Timothy, both as a minister and a Christian-Thou, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. As mediator, he is the principle, and treasury of it, with regard to us. It is in him exclusively. And we may as well think of finding snow on the bosom of the sun, or water to cool the tongue in hell, as to think of finding, elsewhere than in him, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. As Pharaoh said to the famishing multitudes that cried to him for corn, "Go unto Joseph, he has all the corn;" so perishing sinners are sent to be blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places-in Christ. If there was only one well in the vicinity of a place, this would soon become the scene of concourse, and hither all the inhabitants would repair or die-And to him shall the gathering of the people be. If any man thirst, said he, let him come unto me and drink. Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other Name given under heaven among men, whereby they must be saved. And what Christian will refuse to join in the ascription, Of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace? It is in him all-sufficiently. For it is not in him as water in a vessel, which, though as large as the Brazen Sea, would, by constant drawing, be soon drawn dry; but as water in a spring, which, though always flowing, is always as full as ever. It is not in him like light in a lamp, which, however luminous, consumes while it shines, and will soon go out in darkness; but like light in the sun, which, after shining for so many ages, is undiminished, and is as able as ever to bless the earth with his beams. There never has been a deficiency in him; and there never will-never can-for Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. It is in him relatively. He has it for the use and advantage of his people. Is he head over all things? It is to his body, the Church. Has he power given him over all flesh? It is that he might give eternal life to as many as the Father hath given him. Is he exalted at the right hand of God? It is to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance unto Israel, and forgiveness of sins. Did he receive gifts? It was for men, and even for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them. Many trustees are faithless to their office. The rich have wealth for the poor; but often the poor share very little of it-for it is either hoarded by avarice, or squandered by extravagance; and the design of the proprietor is subverted by the steward. But here there is no danger of this. He to whom all our welfare is entrusted will be faithful, not as a servant, like Moses; but as a Son over his own house. His work falls in with every disposition of his heart. He so loves the recipients of his bounty, that he even died for them, and rose again. The power and authority to bless them, was the joy set before him; for which he endured the Cross, and despised the shame. And it is wisely in him. Could we see no reason for it, we ought to believe in the propriety of his placing it in him, rather than in ourselves: for God does all things well: and we may always infer the rectitude of his conduct even from his adopting it. And when he has told us, too, that a particular course of action "became him," it is absurd to speculate, and profane to object. But it is easy to apprehend the wisdom of God in his being pleased that in him should all fulness dwell. It is thus infinitely secure. Adam had all in his own hand, and soon failed, and ruined his whole race. And should we act better than he? But "this man abideth ever:" and therefore the Covenant, of which he is the head, is everlasting, ordered in all things and sure. By this appointment also, there is rendered necessary a communion between Christ and Christians, equally honourable to him, and beneficial to them. Let me explain this by a simple reference. An infant, when born, if left to himself, would perish; for he is entirely unequal to his own support. But he is not abandoned. Provision is made for his nourishment-Where? In another. In whom? The one-above all others interested in him-and whose relation to him-whose anguish on his behalf-whose love-will always yield him a welcome access to her breast: and the mutual action of giving and receiving will endear the babe to the mother, and the mother to the babe. It is well we cannot live independent of Christ Jesus. How much are his glory and our welfare connected with the blessed necessity of our daily and hourly intercourse with him! JUNE 9.-" And a certain man, lame from his mother's womb, was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the Temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the Temple." WHAT an object of distress was here! they are poor, are strong and healthful; Acts iii. 2. Some, if and limbs and labour are sufficient for them. And some, if they are sickly and infirm, have wealth; or relations and friends that can afford them support. But here penury and helplessness are combined. The sufferings of some are accidental, and endured for a season only: but this man's affliction entered the world with him, and upwards of forty years he had endured the calamity. What a vale of tears is this earth! To what a variety of evils are the human race exposed! Oh! could we see all!-could we see a little of the millionth part! What is a burial-ground? a field of battle? a hospital? every disordered body? but a commentary upon sin, as the text! For sin "Brought death into the world, and all our woe," Can we see such a case as this, and not be thankful for our exemption and preservation? Shall we say, He deserved to be such a cripple; but I did not? Or rather, shall we not say, By the grace of God we are what we are? Such an instance of misery is presented to try our disposition. The eye affecteth the heart; and was designed to do it. None but a Priest or Levite will pass by on the other side. Such sights will attract the notice of the humane, and the merciful, and move all his bowels of compassion, and put in requisition all his powers of relief. Job, even with regard to his prosperity, which too often makes men insensible and careless, could make this appeal: "When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me: because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him: the blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy." "I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame." As the only expedient of this poor wretch was begging; so, to give him an advantage, they placed him daily at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple, to ask alms of them that went in. This was wise. Surely he who is going to seek mercy, will be ready to shew it. Surely he who is going to pray for pardon, will not be unforgiving and implacable. "Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." What communion hath light with darkness? What fellowship can the cruel and uncharitable have with Him who is love itself? Piety without benevolence is hypocrisy. "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also." The tongue of men and angels, without charity, is as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. The gift of prophecy, the understanding of all mysteries and all faith, so that we could remove mountains, would be nothing without charity. How such a man, whatever be his profession, can be a partaker of Divine Grace, perplexed even an inspired Apostle. "Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” How well he adds-"My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." "And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him." |
