The true Church of Christ is tenderly cared for by all the three persons of the blessed Trinity. In the economy of redemption, beyond all doubt, God the Father chooses, and God the Holy Spirit sanctifies, every member of Christ's mystical body. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, three Persons and one God, cooperate for the salvation of every saved soul. This is truth, which ought never to be forgotten. Nevertheless, there is a peculiar sense in which the help of the Church is laid on the Lord Jesus Christ. He is peculiarly and preeminently the Redeemer and the Saviour. Therefore it is, that we find Him saying in our text, "I will build: the work of building is my special work."
It is Christ who calls the members of the Church in due time. They are "the called of Jesus Christ." (Romans 1:6).
It is Christ who gives them life. "The Son quickeneth whom He will." (John 5:21).
It is Christ who washes away their sins. He "has loved us, and washed us from our sins by His own blood." (Revelation 1:5).
It is Christ who gives them peace. "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you." (John 14:27).
It is Christ who gives them eternal life. "I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish." (John 10:28).
It is Christ who grants them repentance. "Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance." (Acts 5:31).
It is Christ who enables them to become God's children. "To as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God." (John 1:12).
It is Christ who carries on the work within them when it is begun. "Because I live, ye shall live also." (John 14:19).
In short, it has "pleased the Father that in Christ should all fullness dwell." (Colossians 1:19). He is the author and finisher of faith. From Him every joint and member of the mystical body of Christians is supplied. Through Him they are strengthened for duty. By Him they are kept from falling. He shall preserve them to the end, and present them faultless before the Father's throne with exceeding great joy. He is all things, and all in all to believers.
It is Christ who calls the members of the Church in due time. They are "the called of Jesus Christ." (Romans 1:6).
It is Christ who gives them life. "The Son quickeneth whom He will." (John 5:21).
It is Christ who washes away their sins. He "has loved us, and washed us from our sins by His own blood." (Revelation 1:5).
It is Christ who gives them peace. "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you." (John 14:27).
It is Christ who gives them eternal life. "I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish." (John 10:28).
It is Christ who grants them repentance. "Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance." (Acts 5:31).
It is Christ who enables them to become God's children. "To as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God." (John 1:12).
It is Christ who carries on the work within them when it is begun. "Because I live, ye shall live also." (John 14:19).
In short, it has "pleased the Father that in Christ should all fullness dwell." (Colossians 1:19). He is the author and finisher of faith. From Him every joint and member of the mystical body of Christians is supplied. Through Him they are strengthened for duty. By Him they are kept from falling. He shall preserve them to the end, and present them faultless before the Father's throne with exceeding great joy. He is all things, and all in all to believers.
From Warnings to the Churches, J.C. Ryle, Banner of Truth Trust, 2007, pp. 12-13.
Comments
Post a Comment
Civil and pertinent comments are appreciated. Trolling will be deleted. Thanks.