" For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man." We are now come in our meditations to the apostle's second prayer. The object and character of this prayer are very different to the first, though their moral connection is easily seen. Christ is the center of„both, and the Christian is associated with Him as such. The first refers to the kingdom of Christ and our association with Him in the dominion and glory. The second, to the house of many mansions, where we are loved of the Father even as Christ Himself is loved. We are thus, O wondrous thought! one with Him as the exalted Man, in love and glory-in all the intimacies of the family, and in all the outward glories of the kingdom.
But tell me, O my soul, how far hast thou entered into these blessed realities? Hast thou the enjoyment of them now? The special work of the Holy Spirit that dwells within thee is to take of the things of Christ and show them unto thee.
Grieve Him not, I pray thee. Unbelief in thy heart, or worldliness in thy life, would hinder His gracious operations. He is both the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of Truth. Whatever is not according to truth and holiness in us must grieve Him. This is the main reason, let me assure thee, why so many have such a dim apprehension of Christ, and such a feeble grasp of heavenly truth. The Holy Spirit, who only can reveal Christ and His work to the soul, is grieved. Yes, grieved and hindered in His gracious operations by many things, but especially by our unbelief as to His dwelling in us and abiding with us. Many Christians-if we may judge from what they say-are more occupied with the law than with the Holy Spirit: this is a serious mistake and greatly hinders their souls' prosperity. No soul thus occupied can ever be in a state of happy liberty. The law genders to bondage. It was given to govern human nature; the Holy Spirit is given to govern our divine nature. Faith knows that the old nature is dead, and that the law cannot apply to that which it has killed. " Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." (Rom. 6:66Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Romans 6:6).) Hence we are warned and exhorted not to grieve the Holy Ghost whereby we are sealed unto the day of redemption. " Know ye not," says the apostle, " that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you?" But alas, alas, the religion of many is much the same as in Old Testament times-it is the law and human nature, in place of the Holy Ghost and eternal life in a risen Christ. Not that Christ is left out, or His cross either; but there is such a mixture of law and grace-of the old creation and the new, that the Holy Spirit is grieved, and sad confusion the result. Hence the many doubts and fears in place of conscious, happy association with Christ risen, exalted, and glorified.
But in what sense, many inquire, can it be said that we are associated with Christ while here in the world? As, for example, it is said, that we are seated together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Does not this refer to the future when we shall be actually with Christ in heaven, or to the purpose of God's everlasting love? No, my friend, it refers to the present, and neither to the decrees of God nor to the future. The apostle is speaking of those who were quickened by the Spirit, through faith in Christ. True, by and by we shall be with Christ in heaven; now we are said to be in Him. It is equally true that the love of God is from everlasting to everlasting; but our relationship to Him as His children begins with faith. " For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:2626For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26).) Until we had faith in Christ, and were quickened by the Holy Spirit, we were " by nature the children of wrath, even as others." But let me endeavor to explain your difficulty. And here scripture must be our only guide, and the only ground of our faith, even though we may not fully understand it. Association with Christ is the great truth of Christianity, and worthy of our most patient meditation.
In Eph. 2 we find it stated in plainest terms, that when we were dead in sins God quickened us together with Christ. We must begin, in our meditations on this subject, in the region of death. We start from the tomb-we land in glory. God quickens out of the grave. We were dead in our trespasses and sins. That is, we were without spiritual life. Mark this carefully, we were without the least movement of spiritual life. " We were dead in sins." But when we were thus dead in sins, the blessed Lord lay dead for sins. At that solemn moment all were dead. The first Adam dead in sin, the last Adam dead for sin. Not a breath stirred to disturb the deep silence of death. It was as if the vessel had sunk and the waves closed over it. But now, when man could contribute nothing towards the great work, God enters the scene; but He enters it as the God of resurrection. He only can plant the pulse of life in a dead soul. " But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, bath quickened us together with Christ." But to know our blessing we must see it in Christ, so we turn to Him, and Meditate on what He is in God's sight.
He died for us-forever blessed be His name! The Holy One, the spotless Lamb of God, died for us. The awful question of sin which stood against us, He answered on the cross and settled forever. God was thus glorified and the way opened for Him to show His love to us according to all that was in His heart. But He who had gone down under death as the judgment of God on our sins, was raised up again, and we were raised with Him. Here God alone as the great workman fills the scene. He is free to act, and acts towards the objects of His love in richest grace. He works, not only to meet their wants, but to glorify His own name. Sin has been blotted out by the shed blood of His dear Son, all His past ways have been vindicated, and His name glorified. His rich mercy and His great love characterize the great work. Christ is brought forth from under the power of death, and we are brought forth with Him. " But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ." Thus we are associated with the risen Christ by the quickening power of God, in the most real, intimate, and blessed way. We have life in union with Him who is before God as His supreme delight, and we are associated with Him in all the blessed realities of His life. And what more, tell me, can be said or thought of? This is the great truth of Christianity—Christ's own life is ours. The place and privileges that belong to this life, as now seen in Christ before God, are ours. Hence it is said that we are not only quickened together-raised up together, but seated together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
But this most marvelous and blessed truth is also one of great practical power. It is the true ground of peace. Our sins must be all forgiven before we can be thus one with Christ. All that belonged to the old man was judged on the cross, and put away forever. Blessed be His name! And now we are brought into the presence of God without our sins, and in the condition of divine righteousness. Christ is thus our righteousness as well as our life. In a word, He is our full salvation. " By grace ye are saved." Salvation, according to this epistle, is a present reality. We are as really saved now as ever we can be. " By grace ye are saved." Though salvation is spoken of in some of the other epistles as future, it is not less certain, but viewed as the end of our journey, when we shall stand before Christ in glory; when all the trials, difficulties, and dangers of the way shall be left behind.
This, then, dear friend, is my rather lengthy answer to your question, but it needed some explanation. It is what we have called the Christian's standing, or his association with Christ risen, in the full value of eternal life and divine righteousness. In virtue of this union it can be said of him in truth, even while he is here in this world, that he is seated together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
The theology of some, I know, would bring a dark cloud over this bright scene, by saying, that the Christian may lose his eternal life. But what does scripture say? Plainly that we are one with Christ from the moment that we are quickened through faith in Him; and that His life is ours, not on the ground of our goodness, but His grace; adored be His name! From the time that we believe, we have eternal life, right on, without the possibility of a break, throughout the endless ages of eternity. God has said it-God has formed the union-it is in resurrection, where no enemy can ever come-the death of Christ has closed the door on every foe, even as the Lord shut Noah and his family inside the ark. Quickening, raising, sitting, are immediately followed by a statement of the very motive and purpose of God in our blessing. " That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." Here, faith can breathe freely, rest quietly, wait patiently, and without the smallest misgiving. Faith never asks for more than the word of God. Though, alas, in many things we fail and come short, yet He is faithful. The life which He gives is like Himself -Eternal: " His kindness towards us through Christ Jesus " is also like Himself-Eternal: here called, " the ages to come." See the entire chain of grace, verses 4-10.
Think, O think, my soul, on what grace has brought thee into-on what grace does for every one who believes in Christ Jesus. Quickened, raised, seated, in happy association with the blessed Lord; and the bright, bright opening of the rolling ages of a happy eternity before thee, with the unknown extent of the glory of God, which shall forever surround thy Well-beloved, and all who are associated with Him in the power of His endless life.
0 that God's richest blessing may rest on every soul that glances over these pages. Dear reader
-my heart goes out to thee-Art thou saved? Is this eternal life thine? O what a prize to win, but, alas, what a prize to lose It can only be won by faith in Christ. Bow, I pray thee, at His blessed feet-listen to His voice-hear that sweet-
est of all gospel notes-Come! come unto me! Melting words! They come from a heart that only loves from lips that drop the sweetest accents of grace. O listen 'and obey-may they melt thy heart. How awful it would be for thee to hear at last from those lips, words of burning wrath. But God forbid! Hear now-believe now, and turn to Him now in unquestioning confidence. All is plain and simple, only give heed to the one thing needful. To hear the voice of Christ is to be one of His sheep. And this is what
He says about every sheep of His without exception: " I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." (John 10:28, 2928And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. (John 10:28‑29).) Better far, my dear reader, to be in the hand of Christ than in the hand of Satan. May the Lord enable thee to decide at once for Christ, and to give thy whole heart to Him, and to faithfully serve and follow Him. Blessed Lord! He alone is worthy.
" Oh, dearest Savior! take my heart:
Where can such sweetness be
As I have tasted in thy love,
As I have found in thee?
Let every fervor of my soul,
By thy sweet sacrifice,
Forever be at thy control,
And but to serve thee rise."
The apostle, as we have said, addresses himself, in the third chapter, to " the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ;" as in the first, to " the God of our Lord Jesus Christ." The different titles indicate different lines of truth and blessing. In the first prayer, it is the Christian in Christ; in the second, it is Christ in the Christian. Hence it is that the apostle prays in the first chapter that the saints may have a true apprehension of their standing in Christ as risen and glorified; 'and in the third, that Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith-that they might be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man. This is evidently practical. The one we have called christian standing; the other, christian state.. Would to God that the latter were a fair reflection of the former-that our practical ways truly answered to our place in Christ before the face of God our Father.
" For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named." The familiar titles of " Father," and " family," awaken thoughts of home and affection. The glory of the Person of Christ rose up before us in meditating on the first prayer; but here it is love, rather than glory that surrounds Him, and surrounds us as one with Him. But, wondrous to the eye as that glory will be, sweeter to the heart will be the Father's love.
Doubtless there are many glories which belong to Christ as the Son of the Father which no creature can share. Infinite must the distance necessarily be between the Creator and the creature-between Jesus as God, and the highest angel that bows before His throne. But we speak of Him here as man, and of the place which is due to Him as such.
God having fully judged sin in the Person of Christ on the cross, and put it away forever, we are brought into His presence in the dignity of " the sons of God," and loved with a perfect love.
As John says, " Beloved, now are we the sons of God "-" And if children," as Paul says, " then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." (1 John 3:22Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2); Rom. 8:1717And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17).) Here dwell for a little, O my soul. Let thy thoughts be fully engaged. Never did more wondrous or more blessed truth engage thy meditations. Can it be, that God's many sons are loved even as His own beloved Son? Yes, Christ Himself has said it, and that is enough, more than wonderful though it be. When He speaks about the coming glory in John 17 He says, " The glory which thou gavest me I have given them;" this, observe, is His given glory as the Son of man; not His higher glory as the Son of God. We must ever keep in view in all our meditations His own proper personal glories. But why does He give to the saints His glory as Son of man? " That the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as thou hast loved me." Nothing can be plainer, nothing can be more definite than this.
Here concentrate all thy thoughts, O my soul. Words of deeper, richer, fuller, better blessing to thee, never dropped even from the lips of Jesus. God only can love where all is unlovable. The spring of His love is in Himself, not in its object. This thou canst not understand, yet it is the fountain of all thy blessing. Thou mightest be able to form some idea of divine wisdom, or power, or righteousness, or rather, how God can exercise these attributes; but who can understand that He loves the saints as He loves His Son? In virtue of the work of Christ, we might understand something of Him giving us the place in heaven that belongs to Christ, but to love us as He loves Him, is incomprehensible.
Love is the spring of action, therefore love is a better thing than action. Love delights to serve, but love is better than service. There might be action and service without love, but there could not be love without both. God loved the world and gave His Son. Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it. Had there been no love, there could have been no cross, no crown, no glory. But love secures all, and all forever. Glory may fade, or pass away as in Israel of old, but love-never. (1 Cor. 13) Even towards the ancient people, God's love is the same; and just because His love and counsels are unchangeable, the glory will yet be restored, and shine a thousandfold brighter than ever. " Love never faileth." Grant, Lord, in thy mercy, that this thy love may be the light of our eyes and the strength of our hearts-that every word of thy mouth, and every dispensation of thy providence, may be seen in the light of it. Oh! what will it be, blessed Lord, to dwell in thy love and with thyself forever! Hasten, O hasten, the ingathering of souls, and the dawn of that happy day, for thine own name's sake!
" Brethren, look up! and view the home,
The blessed home prepared in heaven,
Though here with faltering steps we roam,
What sweet assurance there is given.
The Lamb is there upon the throne,
The rainbow arch of love is o'er Him,
And He will ne'er forget His own,
Who bow with lowly hearts before Him
Brethren, look up! and now rejoice,
Though sorrow's clouds our path bedim.
The trusting heart and joyful voice
Alone can sing heaven's choral hymn;
The opened heavens e'en now reveal
The glories of our radiant home-
Oh brethren! join the glad appeal-
' The Spirit and the bride say, Come! ' "
But may I indulge the thought, a timid soul inquires, that now, at this present time, the Father loves me, a poor, weak believer, as He loves His own beloved Son? Surely thou mayest when He says it. His object in making known His love to us is that we may believe it and enjoy it in this world. To doubt it would be to dishonor Him and injure our own souls. The manifestations of His love may vary, nay, must vary, according to our subjection to Christ and obedience to Him. (John 14:2323Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:23).) But the love itself can never change. " God is love." Acquaint thyself with the blessed course of His love, as drawn by the apostle in 1 John 4:8-188He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 12No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 14And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 15Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 16And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:8‑18). True, the millennium will be the outward display of it, but the cross is
the deeper expression of it. And God's love never can be sweeter to the heart than now. Even amidst the higher glories, love will be the better thing, so what must it be now amidst the sorrows and sufferings of this present time? Let His love then, O my soul, be thy refuge in every time of trouble. Nothing will so shield thee from the attacks of the enemy-nothing will so strengthen thy confidence-nothing will so increase thy devotedness-nothing will so fill thee with peace and keep thee humble. The higher the truth we receive, the deeper it humbles us in the presence of God. It was when Paul was unfolding the great mystery-the Church, that he speaks of himself as " less than the least of all saints." Ver. 8.
That the deep sense of the Father's love to His children might be wrought in their hearts, the apostle thus prays: " For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man." The title " Father of the Lord Jesus Christ" is that relationship which brings out the love of the Father's heart, and ranges around His Son as a center, every order of beings, both in the heavens and the earth. The title " God of our Lord Jesus Christ" brings out the glory-the given glory of the exalted Son of man; and, enough for the heart to know, He shares both with us. Loved as He is loved, and in the same glory with Him; and that not only during the first, or millennial age, but throughout the ages to come"-forever and forever! What a future! What an eternity! What is time or earth to thee, my soul, in view of eternal love and glory?
" Every family," is said to be a better translation than " whole family." There will be many families both in the millennial heavens and on the millennial earth. Under the name of Jehovah, the Jews only were named or included. As it is written, " You only have I known of all the families of the earth." (Amos 3:22You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. (Amos 3:2).) But we have in the apostle's prayer the contrast to this. Under the name of Father-" Father of the Lord Jesus Christ every family in heaven and earth is named." We read of principalities, powers, angels, Jews, Gentiles, and the Church of God. But " every family" necessarily comes into view under the name of Father. When God delivered His ancient people out of the land of Egypt, it was under the title of Jehovah, His covenant name. He was not the God of any other nation in the same sense. But when the highly favored people had sadly failed, and when He chose to place the crown of universal dominion on the head of a Gentile king, He makes Himself known as " the God of heaven." (Dan. 2:3737Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. (Daniel 2:37).) Now He speaks from heaven, not as in covenant relationship with a people on earth. But when He brings forth His Son, the " heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds," He takes the title Father, and under this name He takes in the wide circle of creation-of " every family"-both in the heavens and the earth. The blessing is no longer limited to the favored Jew or to the honored Gentile, but it is extended to every class of beings which He has made. The Father's Son, center of all His ways, Creator and Redeemer-He is worthy -worthy that every knee should bow to Him-worthy of universal glory!
" Kings shall fall down before Him,
And gold and incense bring;
All nations shall adore Him,
His praise all people sing.
Outstretched His wide dominion
O'er river, sea, and shore;
Far as the eagle's pinion,
Or dove's light wing can soar."
But, pray, may I ask, what place will the Church have in these wide scenes of encircling glories? No question, personal and important though it be, is more easily answered. She will be in association with Christ before God, as the bride the Lamb's wife. Need more be said? Can more be said? Every family, or circle, will have its own special, distinctive glory, and the joy and glory of each one will be the common joy and glory of all; but the bride will have a place of nearness
and intimacy which none others can share. Now, the Church is spoken of as the body of Christ, which is the figure of her oneness in life with Him. " We are members of his body." Nothing can be so vitally connected with the head as the members of the body. " He that is joined to the Lord is one Spirit." Every true Christian is thus inseparably connected with Christ; and by the Holy Ghost's presence on the earth, all Christians are formed into one body. " There is one body and one Spirit." This is the all-important truth for the present time. We cannot be in the current of God's thoughts unless we are endeavoring to carry it out practically. " Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." This is like the one -the chief exhortation for the Church. Eph. 4:3, 43Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (Ephesians 4:3‑4).
In 1 Cor. 10; 11 the same important truth as to the unity of the body is also taught. " The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread." These verses leave no doubt as to what the Church is-one body. Chapter 11. is equally plain as to what the Church does: " This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come." What we are and what we do, are here plainly taught. May we readily bow to the truth, and willingly obey it.
By and by, in heaven, when the body of Christ is complete, the Church will be known more especially as the bride, the Lamb's wife. Of course, both terms, body and bride, are figures, but they point out two most blessed relationships-oneness in life, and oneness in affection. As the wife ranks with the husband, so will the Church rank with Christ forever and ever. Bride is a temporary title; wife is a permanent one. But throughout the endless ages of eternity the wife will retain the bloom and beauty of her nuptial day. No sign of Rae shall ever be seen on the fair bride of the Lamb. " Not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." Oh! wondrous, wondrous truth! Oh! blessed, blessed hope! " The Spirit and the bride say, Come.... Amen, even so, come, Lord Jesus." Rev. 22
" Bride of the Lamb, rejoice! rejoice!
Thy midnight watch is past;
True to His promise, lo! 'tis He!
The Savior comes at last.
For thee, His royal bride-for thee,
His brightest glories shine;
And, happier still-His changeless heart,
With all its love is thine."
But here, before passing on to the next verse, pause a moment, O my soul, and drop a word-a tear, for those who are now rejecting Christ. Oh! what a day of disappointment and sorrow, to all such, will the day of His coming be! To those who now believe in Jesus, it will be a day of light and unmingled blessedness; but to those who now reject Him, it will be a day of darkness and everlasting despair. The awful sentence, " depart from me," like Ezekiel's roll, will be " full of mourning, lamentation, and woe." Oh! thoughtless, careless, worldly one, be warned now. Be turned in thy heart to Jesus now. To come to Jesus now, is not only to escape the lake of fire-is not only to be admitted into heaven, but it is to be a sharer of the nuptial glories of the Lamb, and to enjoy the intimacies of His love forever.
The same day and hour that the soul draws near to Jesus by faith, it is graciously met by God with eternal life. Full, immediate salvation is God's blessed answer to our faith in His Son. Love delights to bless; but what so sensitive of neglect? How indignant must injured love be on that solemn day of final reckoning! With what sore judgment it will visit those who have despised its offers of pardon and salvation! Eternal condemnation must be the awful sentence of God on every soul that despises Jesus. There is not the shadow of a line of middle ground. He who is not justified by faith must be condemned for unbelief; and condemned forever. Oh! how one's soul is thrilled with these words as the pen writes them down! Eternal condemnation! What an enemy to grapple with, but how helpless the soul! The very sound of thy name, O thou unpitying, undying foe, is terrible! But, pray, where dwellest thou? In the regions of dark despair. And what doest thou? I cut off all hope and shut up the soul to self-reproach. How dreadful thou art! But tell me, what is the number of thy years? My years are without number. I know nothing, as men count, of beginning and ending. I am an eternal NOW. When millions and millions of years are pastas men now reckon, I shall be just the same. Countless millions have no effect on me. Eternal means eternal.
Hearest thou this, O my fellow sinner? Be entreated-be persuaded-think on these things now. Why play the fool, and fall into the fearful, the unrelenting grasp of eternal condemnation? Why prefer a moment's present gratification, to eternal happiness? " The devils," it is said, "believe and tremble." Is thy heart harder than theirs? Canst thou hear of these things and not tremble? Canst thou believe them with thy natural heart and not tremble? This is to be more insensible than Satan. How dreadful! Esau sold the land of Canaan for a mess of pottage; wilt thou sell heaven for less? Judas sold the Savior for thirty pieces of silver; and for what art thou now selling O, Christ, heaven, and all? Say, for what? The hope-the barest hope of a worldly pleasure-and be that pleasure in whatever form it may, it will never realize thy hope. The pleasure of the worldling has a rapid wing, and soon passes away, but a sting remains. Thou canst not give wings to it. For a vanity-for a nothing, thou art setting aside all that is good both for time and eternity, and thereby exposing thy precious, immortal soul to eternal condemnation. Be wise, O be wise! Pause, think: let not Satan have thee. There is One that loves thee and seeks thy real good; and, comparatively speaking, only one; and wilt thou not think of thy only Friend? He died for thee. Hast thou ever sought an opportunity to thank Him for it? Thy conscience says, No-never. Is this thy love to thy Friend-thy only Friend? Come to Him now. His love still lingers-He waits for thee. And His way is, to ask no questions, but to bless every new comer according to the love of His own heart. He will not put thee to shame with perplexing questions, but He will allow thee to hide thy guilty blushes in His own bosom. Were He only to inquire, " Why hast thou been so long in thinking of me?" shame and confusion would cover thy face; but such a thing He never does. He will rebuke Satan, who is at thy right hand ready to resist thee. But to a poor guilty one, like Joshua in Zech. 3 it is grace without rebuke. He stands up for the sinner that has fled to Him in the face of every foe. The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? The enemy is rebuked, but the penitent is cleansed, clothed, and crowned, and thus brought into the presence of God, to go no more out. And did He not vindicate the poor woman at His feet in the house of Simon? " I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet; but she bath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss; but this woman since the time 1 came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint; but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven." How beautifully He stands up for her, and that in the very face of the nation's pride and self-righteousness! and mark too, how He fills her heart with a plenary pardon, a present salvation, and perfect peace. Luke 7
As thou art a man, O my fellow sinner, come to Jesus. Be encouraged. Come now. Thou seest the manner of thy reception. Thou knowest what He will say to thee. Read carefully, I pray thee, these two portions, and there learn the Lord's ways in grace with every poor, guilty soul that comes to Him. Thou halt but to let go thy hold of the world, or rather get away from the world's hold of thee. Think of Jesus. Learn to know Him. He will fill every aching void, and satisfy thy heart
forever. It is impossible to know Him without the heart being filled with joy, whatever the circumstances may be. " Acquaint thyself with him and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee." Job 22:2121Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. (Job 22:21).
" Haste thee on from grace to glory,
Armed by faith and winged by prayer,
Heaven's eternal day's before thee,
God's right hand shall guide thee there;
Soon shall close thine earthly mission,
Soon shall pass thy pilgrim days,
Hope shall change to glad fruition,
Faith to sight, and prayer to praise."
We now return to the apostle's prayer. He has before his mind, not the rejecter of Christ, but those who now believe, and who will have a place of peculiar nearness to Him in the coming glory. He prays,
" That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man." This is all entirely different line of truth from his prayer in the first chapter. There, it is a question of standing; here, it is of state. There, he prays that the saints might know more fully their place before God in Christ, and all the privileges of that position; here it is a question of practical power by the Holy Spirit-of being " strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man."
Love is the Christian's strength; or, Christ dwelling in the heart by faith. This is his strength. The trials of the wilderness now, and the boundless glories of the future day, can only be calmly contemplated or endured in the strength of His love. It is the power of inward affections that strengthens for outward circumstances. When the object of affection dwells in the heart-yes, really dwells there-what would that heart shrink from to gain its object? To one, naturally, the most timid and delicate, love gives new courage, new strength, new resolution, a new character. Nothing is seen but the one object who is far away. The broad tempestuous sea-the ship's rough crew -the inhospitable foreign shore, presents no difficulties. All who are known and loved and dear to the heart by the tenderest ties of kindred and friendship are freely given up, and it may be given up forever, for the one object who dwells in the heart, in truest, tenderest love. We mention not the possibility of all this valor of love being disappointed, it would be too heartless to think of; but there is only One whose love commands unquestioning confidence. And this is the One that the apostle so earnestly desires may dwell in our hearts.
What wondrous, blessed truth this is, O my soul! Hast thou well thought it over? It is one of the sweetest thoughts of His love. What is it, pray? It is this, as I understand it: When associated with Him as the center or a glory which has no circumference, what could sustain thy heart? What could strengthen thee as His many glories are displayed before thy wondering eyes? Nothing but His love. And this is the great truth here revealed to our hearts: " That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith." It is enough, O my soul: He who fills the vast universe with His glory, fills thy heart with His love.
But still higher thoughts of His love are revealed in what the apostle further desires for the saints.
" That ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ, which passed' knowledge."
Herein, O my soul, is a wonderful thing. It falls with the effect of surprise on the mind. It fills the soul with wonder and adoration. But if thou wouldst understand it, thou must dwell upon it with thine eye upwards to Himself. The question is this: What is to enable thee to comprehend that which is measureless? True, it is a paradox; but the answer is, The love of Christ. It is not what may be called knowledge merely, or, intelligence, generally, or great capacity of mind; but being rooted and grounded in the love of Christ. Surely a more blessed thing has never occupied thy thoughts. Linger then in thy meditations over this remarkable truth. Being rooted and grounded in love, mark, is thy intelligence and power in the things of Christ. What a thought! Is it new to thee? See and master it, make it thine own. It is thy wisdom and strength for time and eternity.
Yes! the sweetest thing that ever was, or is, or can be, is that which gives strength to thy heart for the contemplation of His glory. It is thy fitness for association with Himself, both now and forever. But mark another thing, and a blessed thing too. This is the portion of all the. saints. Christ is the Center of all the counsels, the ways, and the glory of God; and as the saints are associated with Him, they will form the first or innermost circle of the many concentric circles of His universal glory. Thus strengthened in His love, all the saints will then "be able to comprehend " that which the apostle now leaves in its undefined glory-the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, but he does not say of what. He leaves the sentence unfinished.
Many have thought that the apostle is here speaking of the breadth, length, depth, and height of the love of Christ; and it is often so quoted. But we think this is a mistake. The apostle does speak of the love of Christ passing knowledge, but we believe that to be an additional thought. By reading the whole passage closely, it appears quite evident that he introduces a fresh subject, or at least a new thought, in the beginning of verse
19: " AND to know the love of Christ." At the same time, it is blessedly true, that the love of Christ is without limits-it passeth knowledge. The apostle is lost, as it were, amidst the grandeur and the glory of the scenes, into which the Holy Ghost is leading him.
Some who have studied this passage long and closely, have suggested that the "mystery " is before the mind of the Spirit in verse 18. The mystery, or the Church, is the grand theme of the epistle. It includes Christ in His heavenly and earthly glory, and the Church associated with Him. She will then be, as His associate, high above all others-above every family in heaven and earth. That which God kept a secret so long in His own mind, may still be left in part so. And there we happily leave it. Who could define the glory that is due unto the Son—the Son whom the Father delights to honor? But that which is the foundation of the mystery, as well as its joy and glory, has been fully revealed. " And to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge." We can never know His love perfectly, but we shall know it more and more. It has been fully revealed, and yet it must remain forever unrevealed. The apostle is dealing with infinitudes, which, to us now, are divine paradoxes. It is of His love he speaks. That precious love is the spring of all blessing. It fills all, " all saints "characterizes all-strengthens all—perfects all.
The sons of God, as morning stars, shall shine forever, to the delight of His eye and His heart, in the eternal heavens of His love and glory. They will be the unfading luster of His throne-the immediate companions of His joys, and the perfect delight of His heart.
" Thy glory, Lord, is mine-the light
That beams upon Thy lustrous brow;
For changed into its image bright
I yet shall be, as Thou art now!
Thy rich inheritance is mine;
Joint heir with Thee of worlds above,
Lord, in Thy kingdom I shall shine,
And reign with Thee in endless love.
Thy fullness, Lord, is mine-for oh!
That fullness is a fount as free
As it is inexhaustible!
Jehovah's boundless gift to me!
My Christ! O sing, ye heaven of heavens!
Let every angel lift his voice;
Sound with ten thousand harps His praise;
With me, ye heavenly host, rejoice!
With tears, with songs, with holy psalms,
With daily love, with odors sweet,
With broken heart. with outstretched arms,
I'll pour my praises at thy feet."
It is one of the most plausible snares of Satan, to keep us occupied with the good we receive from the work of Christ, in place of being occupied with Christ Himself, and with His delight and interest in us. We enter too little into the divine side of redemption. Hence the great absence of joy and strength. Of Israel His earthly people it was said, " If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it to us: a land which floweth with milk and honey." (Num. 14:88If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. (Numbers 14:8).) Faith could see that all their blessing rested, not on what they were, but on the Lord delighting in them: and this will yet be fully manifested, both in the heavenly and earthly people. We have the same thought in Prov. 8:3131Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. (Proverbs 8:31): " And my delights were with the sons of men." He rests in love and so should we.
There is still another remarkable word in verse 19, " That ye might be filled with all the fullness of God." Again we are launched on a sea without a shore, but it is a sea of love. More than this the apostle could not ask-further than this He could not go. The Church is Christ's fullness" the fullness of him that filleth all in all." And He who fills all things, fills our hearts with the fullness of God. " There is one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and IN You all." Again, " In that day [the Spirit's day] ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you." (John 14:2020At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. (John 14:20).) It is only by the power of an ungrieved Spirit that we enter practically into these great and blessed truths. If the world or the flesh be allowed, the Spirit is grieved, our minds are darkened, and we become confused, so that nothing is seen in its absolute, distinctive character. We must ever remember, that it is not by dint of study or learning that Christ is known or His truths seen; but by the light and teaching of the Holy Spirit. Hence the importance of the condition of the heart and the practical ways. This is the main object of the apostle's prayer in this chapter. It is for the saints now that he prays- that their affections and all their practical ways may answer to their position in Christ as risen and glorified. Now we have an entrance into these things by faith, through the power of the Holy Ghost. By and by we shall be with Him, and like Him, and know even as we are known. But till then, our one desire should be, that we might grow up into Him in all things who is the Head, even Christ. The apostle now closes with a doxology of great fullness and beauty.
" Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." The great thought, in the first prayer, is the power that wrought for us. Here, it is the power that works in us. There, it was a power that wrought in Christ and raised Him from the dead, and which wrought in us and raised us up with Him. Here, it is the same power, but now it is put forth in a practical way: " According to the power that worketh in us." It is also said in the second chapter, that we are " an habitation of God through the Spirit." He would have us to enter now, by the power of the Spirit, into the blessed revelations of the love of Christ and the fullness of God.
Let this further and higher truth, then, greatly encourage thee, O my soul. What mayest thou not count upon, seeing the power of God works in thee?—How wonderful, that such an energy should be at work in such poor, weak, good-for-nothing ones! But do I really believe it? I admit it, but do I believe it? or do I count upon it? Should I be so soon cast down? would a little thing so soon discourage me? should I be so subject to the power of circumstances? should I have so little faith, if I really believed that the power of God works in me? or, on the other hand, should I enter so little into my Savior's love, and the fullness of my God and Father? Ah no! there is nothing I forget so much, or know so little about, as the power that worketh in me: O wondrous, marvelous, blessed word! "According to the power that worketh in us." And yet well we know, and surely believe, that Thou art " able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." Lord, give us to know more of this power, that we may think less of difficulties-less of ourselves-less of circumstances, and more of thee, and of thy power which worketh in us.
Dependence, we own, is our truest position-our highest service-our richest blessing, while here below. And prayer is its very life-breath. But though everything is now characterized by feebleness and failure, the day is coming when God will be fully glorified in the Church. Blessed, happy thought! Christ, and the Church which is His body, shall be the blessed center of the manifestation of God. Himself, as the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, in all His glory. What a place this gives the Church: and what a place forever! " Throughout' all ages, world without end." O what a privilege-what an honor-to be the dwelling place of God forever! What separation from the world-what lifting above it-what strength for service-what nearness in worship, should the knowledge of this truth give! Blessed ' prospect-blessed future! for the Church of God, the bride of the' Lamb. " 4 UNTO HIM BE GLORY IN THE CHURCH BY CHRIST JESUS THROUGHOUT ALL AGES, WORLD WITHOUT END. AMEN."
Having thus followed the Church, in happy association with Christ, into the future ages of her unmingled blessedness, we would now close our meditations on this blessed theme by taking a glance at her position just before she goes up to meet her coming Lord. This we see in Rev. 22 " And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is a thirst. come. And whosoever will, let him
take the water of life freely." Here her eye is fixed on Himself. But it is the eye of a bride fixed on her bridegroom. She knows Him as " the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star." He is the divine Bridegroom of her heart: and with affections suited to that relationship, she longs for His coming. But she also knows, and forgets not, that He who is the one object of her own heart's desire, is still the fountain of living waters to every thirsty one. And she knows the waters are free-free to the poorest-free to the vilest-free to all. And thus she extends her invitation to " whosoever will." O loveliest of attitudes! Here she shines in the grace of her Lord, and acts in the power of His love. Would that every individual Christian entered heartily into the true spirit of this position! But sure we are, that in the proportion that our hearts long for the coming of the Lord, in the same proportion will they long for the salvation of souls. It would appear, from this beautiful description of the Church, that the one is a consequence of the other. And, surely, it is when meditating most deeply on His coming, that we turn to those around us with deepened earnestness, and beseech them to come to Him. Never are our appeals so pointed, so tender, so earnest, as when our hearts are burning with love to the Lord, and in the expectation of His return. Indeed we can only appeal when the heart is warm.
Thus it is with the Church as she is presented to us in Rev. 22 She is, as it were, appealing to the Lord, and appealing to souls. Love fills her heart. And thus may it be with us individually, while here in the midst of Christless sinners. There is no motive to evangelization like the thought of His coming. O that our hearts may never cease to burn with desire for the salvation of lost souls! The time is short. The coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Great changes are taking place everywhere, both in the Church and in the world; and many are wondering what they will all lead to.
Thou hast only to look around thee, O my soul, and thou wilt see everything moving rapidly. The slumber of eighteen christian centuries is broken. The" nineteenth is the century of invention and of the display of man's power and glory. Only think, that which is discussed to-night in the senate house in New York, will be read the following day in London by tens of thousands. With rapid strides the world is rising to its manhood. Old age and decrepitude, we believe, will as rapidly follow. The climax will soon be reached, not only in pride and worldly glory, but in the daring wickedness of the man of sin., This is what Satan has in view, and what man's energy in the present day is hastening on; but the enemy's one aim is to keep the eye from Christ. The first glimpse of a risen Savior, by faith, in the light of the Holy Spirit, dims all the world's glory. A risen Christ is the divine witness that the whole world is under the sentence of God's judgment, which may at any moment be executed. Hence the exaltation of man is Satan's object, and everything is now moving in that direction with telegraphic speed.
Now turn thine eye for a moment to ecclesiastical movements. The professing church as well as the world has been aroused from the sleep of ages. We forget not the great work of God's Spirit in the sixteenth century: but that in the nineteenth is very different in its character. Then, it became more a question of human governments and religious systems; now, it is more of the Church of God and the conversion of souls. The ten virgins are all awake, the foolish as well as the wise. The midnight cry has gone forth; but, the Lord be praised, as the cry, " Behold the Bridegroom cometh," waxes louder and louder, the cry to prepare for His coming has increased in proportion. Thousands of evangelists have been raised up to proclaim the gospel of the grace of. God; and millions who have been startled, as it were, from their long undisturbed repose, are waking up and wondering what all this mighty movement of " lay preachers" can mean.
Long neglected, out—of- the—way places are visited by the evangelists, and the poor have the gospel preached unto them. Individual responsibility carries the glad tidings where official status cannot-dare not, and the good work goes on.
The Spirit of God, as the quickener of dead souls, is active too, in connection with the gospel. This is matter of unfeigned joy. He is gathering many souls to Christ, especially within the last ten years. Christendom is unlike what it was before 1858. The bands of office are now found to be a hindrance. The energy of the Spirit in the " lay-preacher " hesitates not to cross the marches. All parishes are alike to the preacher. Souls 'are his object; not boundary lines, or the worn-out routine of particular forms. The field is the world. The Lord has given it to him. " Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature," is his high commission. " Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it," is his divine privilege. The highways and hedge rows, the streets and the lanes of the city, and the supposed sacred enclosures, are all thrown open to him. Moral compulsion is to be used; his orders are, " Compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." It is the Master who carries the key. " These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth." Blessed is that servant who follows Him who has the key, the symbol of authority and power.
Thus everything, as we have said, is moving rapidly, and changes as rapidly as it moves. In the world, notwithstanding its boasted progress, things are really going backwards. The ancient bulwarks of society are breaking up, as if the feebleness of age were accompanying the achievements of manhood. Power is passing into other hands, and hands that will use it. The word of God is being treated with indifference-the sign and forerunner, we believe, of a nation's decline. Man's will, man's reason, man's self, are supreme, and will have their brief display in ten thousand ways, before the appearing in glory of the Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. Even now, what " distress of nations, with perplexity: the sea and the waves roaring." The lawless, rebellious despisers of governments are like the tumultuous sea which cannot be bridled or governed by man. Hence we already see the most plain indications of the Lord's own words being in part fulfilled. "Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." (Luke 21:25-2725And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (Luke 21:25‑27).) Such, alas, is the present state of the world. The rulers are perplexed, the people are uneasy; this is daily becoming more and more manifest. At the same time there is seeming progress; but it is a vain show. However, we can only look at things in the light of God's word.
We now return to our meditations on the Church, which lies more in our line of things. We have seen her amidst the thickening gloom, in her most beautiful character. Here she is truly heavenly in her affections, yet most devoted to the spiritual and eternal welfare of those around her. " The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. [The young convert is here exhorted to join in the cry, Come.] And let him that is athirst come [come to the Savior]: and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." This, we need hardly say, is not the position of the professing church at large; but of those who are bearing testimony to the coming of the Lord, and to where the living waters are to be found. This is the most lovely attitude in which we see the bride of the Lamb, as the Church, on the earth. The desire for souls to come to Christ keeps pace with the desire for the Lord to come as the Bridegroom of His Church. This is both beautiful and blessed. Lord, increase this twofold desire. It is clearly the teaching of the Spirit. " The Spirit and the bride say, Come." It is no peculiar view of any particular denomination, but the teaching of the Spirit of God. It is the bride that speaks, but she is moved and energized by the Spirit. And what must be the state of a preacher's heart, if it is not moved to intense earnestness, even to agony, by the near prospect of the Lord's corning?
But what, may I ask, would become of those who are now listening to the gospel, were the Lord to come before this service closes, if they had not believed it? The answer is unspeakably solemn. So far as scripture informs us, their case would be hopeless. Of course this remark would not apply to persons who are too young to be responsible, or to those who have never heard the gospel: but where the gospel has been plainly preached, and deliberately refused, what must the consequence be? " How. shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?" Escape, in such a case, seems impossible. Look again at 2 Thess. 1: "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power." This passage seems to take in as objects of judgment, two classes. Those that know not God, and those that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. " The first class may embrace Jews and others, who profess to believe in God, but not in Christ and His gospel. The latter, evidently, are gospel hearers, but not true believers. We cannot see from scripture that there is the smallest hope for such, were the Lord to come. But the second chapter is stronger still on this awfully solemn point, and seems to shut out all hope. Indeed we feel it is too awful and solemn to be transferred to a human page.
How seldom, alas, this soul stirring truth is thought of either by preacher or hearer! But when it has its right place in the heart, it will move to earnestness as none other can-it will agonize the whole soul of the preacher. Who could be occupied with themselves in any way, or even with the details of truth, under such a thought and feeling? How small a place the mere style of address would have in our minds, if we really believed that five out of every ten that we preach to, are in danger of eternal woe!' Scripture never exaggerates. Even of those who take the place of virgins, five out of ten come too late and perish in their sins. They had lamps in their hands, but no grace in their hearts. Lord, grant that thy servants may think-think only-on the state of those before them, and of the awful consequences of thy coming to such.
But one thing is comforting-most comforting, O my soul. It is this-thou mayest safely reckon, that as the testimony to the coming of the Lord spreads on all hands, so will the testimony to the grace of God in the gospel. May the Lord greatly increase this twofold testimony in these last and closing days! And 0, that all whose high privilege it is to bear it, may be faithful, earnest, and devoted, according to the all-commanding importance of the coming of the Lord, and the salvation of those for whom His long-suffering still patiently lingers! May we maintain the beautiful and blessed attitude of the bride before us. " THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE SAY COME. AND LET HIM THAT HEARETH SAY, COME. AND LET HIM THAT IS ATHIRST COME. AND WHOSOEVER WILL, LET HIM TAKE THE WATER OF LIFE FREELY."