Part 5 (1/2)
Do not say that this glorious chapter is exceptional. It is only a sample, and the bulk is equal in beauty. If the Bible, then, be true, a redeemed universe is hastening upon us. Paradise created even cannot put before us the glory of paradise restored. All the events which are pa.s.sing over us--even those which appear the most alarming--are under an influence which will make them tributary to the final issue. ”Blessed be the Lord G.o.d, the G.o.d of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things, and blessed be his glorious name for ever; and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.”
1. Let us learn a lesson of _veneration for the Scriptures_. Unless it be the great doctrine of atonement, there is no truth to which the Christian clings, a.s.sailed with greater bitterness in our days than the plenary authority of the Bible. Moreover the low views on this question which many professing Christians hold and teach, are most deplorable and damaging. We expect opposition from the avowed adversaries of the Book; but, the source of truth is now imperilled by indifference and treachery.
The whole volume has a divine origin. ”G.o.d who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past by the prophets hath in these last days spoken to us by his Son.”
2. A lesson of _love to the Saviour_. ”He hath died” for us, ”the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to G.o.d.” Do not forget your personal interest in those sufferings to which the text refers. They are in the strictest sense _vicarious_. He suffered not for his own sins, but for yours. You may realise their saving efficacy, and be ”made meet for the inheritance of the saints in light.” How great are his claims upon our affection and service!
3. A lesson of _duty to the world_. The salvation of the whole race is provided by ”the sufferings;” and is included in ”the glory.” A sanctified universe is to be the result of the Saviour's cross: and to a large extent He has made the Churches responsible for the conversion of the world. A weight of obligation rests upon each member which cannot be put into language. The wailings of a dying race call loudly for our zeal. The groans of the lost gather strength as they ascend the pit.
The voice of heaven, from angels, saints, and G.o.d, urge us onward in the discharge of duty. Oh, the wreck is on the billow; hasten with the means of safety. The plague-spot is in the camp; offer the incense of atonement. And let all your efforts be put forth in faith, and under a deep impression of the truth of Cecil's memorable words: ”Faith is the master-spring of a Minister,” as well as of every Christian. ”h.e.l.l is before me, and thousands of lost souls are shut up there in everlasting agony. Jesus Christ stands forth to save men from rus.h.i.+ng into this bottomless abyss. He sends me to proclaim His ability and love. I want no fourth idea.”
THE MIND WHICH WAS IN CHRIST JESUS.
REV. GEORGE WOOD.
”Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”
PHILIPPIANS ii. 5.
The Saviour left His followers an example that they should tread in His steps; and His example in everything that appertains to His human nature, is not only practicable but essential. We cannot imitate His power, or His wisdom, or His miracles, or His sufferings, or anything in which His Divine nature was manifested or employed; but we can imitate His meekness, His patience, His zeal, His self-denial, His superiority to temptation, His abandonment of the world, His devotion to His Father's will, in short, all those habits of mind and life which distinguished His earthly career. And with this perfect example before us, we need never be in doubt or perplexity as to what is our duty; we may test our motives and our conduct by the teaching and example of Christ, and if we possess His mind we shall endeavour to copy His life--to ”walk as Christ also walked”--to be in this world as Christ also was.
This Epistle was addressed by the Apostle Paul to a Church which he tenderly loved, and for whose prosperity he constantly prayed. He had suffered much in the establishment of Christianity at Philippi, and the Philippians had suffered much in the maintenance of their profession of faith, chiefly from their fellow-citizens who continued heathen. The Apostle was a prisoner at Rome, with the prospect of martyrdom as the termination of his glorious career. Undaunted by the prospect, he declares his readiness--nay, more--his ”desire to depart and be with Christ.” He exhorts the Philippians to steadfastness, fidelity, and patience amid the sufferings to which they were exposed from without; and to simplicity and ”lowliness of mind” amongst themselves. He sets before them the conduct of Christ in His condescension, and the glory of Christ in His exaltation; and exhorts them to imitate the Saviour's humility, that they might share His triumph. ”Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”
This text is of universal application. It applies to us. The highest dignity attainable in this world is conformity to Jesus Christ. In what then does conformity to Jesus Christ consist? In other words, what are those elements of character and conduct which distinguished Him, and which are to be copied by us in our daily life?
I. The first which we mention, and which is prominent throughout the whole of His history is _meekness_ or _humility_. Dignified as was His character, high as were His claims, glorious as was His mission, He was never arrogant or boastful, proud or ostentatious. He neither sought the homage of the mult.i.tude, nor the society of the rich and the great. He accepted these if offered, but He never sought them. It is a fact that Christ never demanded, yet never declined the wors.h.i.+p of men during His earthly sojourn. The Apostles shrunk from it, Angels rebuked it when offered to them, Christ never did. It was sometimes given, it was never declined. He did not obtrude Himself upon the attention of the mult.i.tude as the Saviour of the world; but ate, and drank, and slept, and walked, and lived amongst them, and was in every respect a man with men. He sometimes escaped from the society of the rich, that He might mitigate the sorrows, and promote the interests of the poor. He never sought human applause, and frequently retired from the scene of the most astounding miracle, charging the subject of His healing and His blessing to ”tell no man” of Him. He might have taken the throne, and reigned ”King of the Jews,” in a political and worldly sense, had He been covetous of regal honours, or ambitious for worldly power. But He had a higher mission. His kingdom was ”not of this world,” and He came ”not to be ministered unto, but to minister.”
It cannot, however, be a.s.serted that Jesus was insensible, or altogether indifferent, to the temptations to popularity and power to which He was exposed; if so, His example is of no practical utility to us. He did not feel as we feel, and we can gather no instruction, and no motives from His history or experience. But we believe that He ”was in all points tempted _like_ as we are;” that as a man He was the subject of all the emotions, affections, and impulses which we feel. He could weep, and love, and hate, and fear, and pure as His nature was, He had to battle with the various temptations of the world and the wicked one, all the more perhaps because of the sinlessness of His holy humanity.
Great and frequent were the provocations of His enemies, but He never lost His temper--He never forfeited the claim to be called ”the meek and lowly Jesus.” If you follow Him to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, to the judgment hall of Herod or of Pilate, or to the Cross itself--though He was buffetted, accused falsely, condemned, spit upon, crucified--He pa.s.sed through all the same calm, humble, holy Being.