Christ Is All

• 3 min. read • grade level: 7

“He (Christ) died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” (2 Cor. 5:15¹⁵And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. (2 Corinthians 5:15)).

HOW little, alas! this text is heeded, or we should see more living to the glory of God, instead of merely living a life of self-pleasing. “Even Christ pleased not himself” (Rom. 15:3³For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. (Romans 15:3)). He, “being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:6, 7, 8⁶Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: ⁷But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: ⁸And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:6‑8)). Yes, dear reader, “even the death of the cross.” Have you ever thought what a death that was? of the agony Jesus suffered for you?

“For Christ also once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” And shall He not do so? Shall all His terrible sufferings for you be in vain? Oh! no, dear reader. Come to Jesus now. Do not put it off like Felix, to a more “convenient season” (Acts 24:25²⁵And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. (Acts 24:25)). Tomorrow may be too late. “Ye know not what shall be on the morrow; for what is your life? It is even a vapor, which appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14¹⁴Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. (James 4:14)). The Lord is waiting, “that he may be gracious unto you” (Isa. 30:18¹⁸And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him. (Isaiah 30:18)). Only think! that God should be waiting for you.

When the prodigal son, in the parable, “came to himself,” he said, “how many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger? I will arise, and go to my father, and will say unto him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son, make me as one of thy hired servants’” (Luke 15:17,18,19¹⁷And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! ¹⁸I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, ¹⁹And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. (Luke 15:17‑19)); and then we read that “when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him;” and then notice, that the son did not say, “make me as one of thy hired servants.” No, dear reader; he saw how loving and forgiving his father was, and ready to receive him just as if nothing had happened, and just in the same way is your loving Father in heaven waiting to receive you. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16¹⁶For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)). Now, dear reader, if you—like the prodigal son—have thought that by seeking your own pleasure, and living without God, you could find happiness, you are grievously mistaken. You have not yet “come to yourself.” True life is “in Christ.” Come now through Him to God, who is waiting to receive you, and you will know the unspeakable joy of having your sins forgiven. “The blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)).

“Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out,” says the Saviour.

“Oh, the bitter shame and sorrow

That a time could ever be

When I let the Saviour’s pity

Plead in vain, and proudly answered,

All of self, and none of Thee.

Yet he found me; I beheld. Him

Bleeding on the accursed tree;

Heard Him pray, Forgive them, Father,

And my wistful heart said faintly,

‘Some of self and some of Thee.’

Day by day His tender mercy,