The view which I now purpose to exhibit of the man in Christ, is that of his entire and final security. He is in a state in which the mercy of God has placed him, unalterably and finally secure. How exceedingly precious and important, this view of his condition is, every reflecting mind is competent to estimate and understand. His very thought of such a security as possible for man, in the midst of a changing and unsettled world like this, comes with a peculiar refreshment and delight over the mind. In earthly arrangements, the universal experience of man shows that nothing is secure. The life and ingenuity of man are literally expended, and the varied powers of man are taxed to their utmost extent, in guarding against the occurrence of anticipated losses and dangers.
The chief exhibition which is made of human wisdom, is in the success of the expedients which man contrives for this purpose. Fear treads upon the heels of every investment, and every occupation. He cannot build him an habitation, but he must guard and insure against the devouring flame. He cannot send his merchandise to traffic upon the ocean, but he must provide for all the fears of winds and storms. He cannot confide his property to the hands of his fellow-man, but the known depravity and unfaithfulness of man unsettles all his expectations, and fills him with doubt. He cannot fasten his affections on a child, or a friend, but disease will eat down his idol, or ingratitude will punish his idolatry. This is the character of the world in which man dwells, and the universal experience of man as he passes through it.
Amidst all these changes, and these fears of change, — as the attributes of earth, — is there any real security to be offered to man? Is there any foundation upon which his hope and his confidence may rest without fear? Certainly not in the things of this world. “In the world ye shall have tribulation.” This is the portion of fallen and imperfect man. This is the very atmosphere in which he is born, — the inheritance which he cannot avoid. And as surely as you will find water in the ocean, or behold the sparks ascending, will you find trouble and insecurity to be the natural and universal inheritance of man.
But there is security in Christ. “Be of good cheer,” says He, “for I have overcome the world.” The outward condition and the present temporal concerns of His people, may be the subjects of continual decay and alteration; — like the waters of the troubled sea when it cannot rest, unceasingly moving, never to be settled. But their real interest, — their abiding concerns, become perfectly immovable and secure in the provisions of the Gospel, and under the dominion of the Saviour. Though in the world, they have no continuing city, they may still here receive, and here possess, a kingdom which cannot be removed. This certain security is the unspeakable privilege of the true Christian. The “man in Christ,” with a new mind and heart, by a faith which is of the operation of God, has accepted Christ as his foundation, and rests himself wholly upon Him. He has thus by the Holy Spirit, been united unto Him forever. In this connection, he is happy in a state of present enjoyment, — animated and encouraged by glorious hopes, — and made perfectly secure from harm and loss, in any change or trial to which he may he exposed. This divine security is the point now before us.
All security has reference to some anticipated possible loss; and the value of the security rises, in proportion to the worth of the interests which are at hazard. But here, the interest contemplated, is the spiritual, permanent welfare of man, — his undying existence, — his glorious immortality. In this connection, temporal things are not to be considered. The security of which we speak, is a spiritual, permanent security. There are three sources of danger appertaining to the interests of the soul, which every reflecting man must apprehend as possible to himself: — Present condemnation, — eventual captivity under the dominion of sin, — and final rejection from the glorious presence of God. No other harm or loss can be anticipated for the soul, than will come under one, or the other, of these three classes of danger. To each of these dangers, the man without Christ is inevitably and absolutely subjected. From them all, the man in Christ is made entirely and infallibly secure.
The man in Christ, is entirely secure from present condemnation in trial before God. This trial all men must sustain. In fact all men are passing through it every day they live. The work of each day as it passes, is finished in itself. And though its actual results may yet be changed while other days of grace remain, — its facts as it passes, and the character of those facts, are unalterable for eternity. God is thus continually proving men, and passing judgment upon them. They are daily, either accepted and approved, or condemned and rejected, by Him whose judgment is according to truth. Men are taught to look forward to a future hour, when this long series of judgments shall all be made up; — when there shall be a final investigation and settling of human character and condition; — when the astounding results of human life shall be brought out; — and the whole family of man shall be, for a succeeding eternity, either approved or condemned before a just and Holy God.
But God also teaches us, that sinful men are condemned already; — condemned every day. The Great Judge of all, in His heart-searching power, is marking and recording the conduct of man from day to day; — and the result of actual transgression and guilt discerned in man, is disapprobation and condemnation. O how important; — how alarming is this view of the relation of unpardoned man to his Creator! He walks forth continually, a sinner under the wrath of God. Examined faithfully and justly in the habitual character and conduct of his life, he is every day rejected and condemned. The unconverted man seeks no refuge, but in his own excellence and worth. He stands alone. No other being shelters him, or pleads fur him. He lies down, and he rises up, under the condemnation of his righteous Judge. A dark life, and an infinitely darker eternity, are before him. All the dispensations of divine government, only serve to ripen him in his sins, for final destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.
From all this condemnation, the man in Christ is entirely secure. There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. Through the riches of divine grace, he has been united to a Saviour, who has borne all his guilt. The law of God demands no other penalty, than that which has been already endured for him; and which he has been taught. and enabled by the Holy Spirit, to embrace and plead before God. Christ has been made for him, a debtor to do the whole law, as an obedience and a sin-offering for him. In his relation to this atoning Redeemer, having an eternal personal union with him, he stands perfectly accepted before God; — his sins are pardoned, his backslidings are healed, his infirmities are endured with, and his soul is sheltered and loved forever. Though he is in the flesh, he is not walking after the flesh, but after the Spirit, and the Spirit of Christ dwells within him. The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus makes him free from the law of sin and death. He daily offends; and if he should ever say he had no sin the truth would not be in him. But his life is not that of a wilful sinner, for he is born of God, and his seed remaineth in him; so that his sinfulness of nature, which is not a sinfulness of choice, is pardoned; and he is every day accepted with God, in that Saviour, who, by one offering, hath perfected forever, them that are sanctified. He is thus delivered from present condemnation, because he is in Christ. He is blessed of the most High God, an heir of God, and a joint heir with Christ.
The man in Christ, is secure from all future captivity under the power of sin. Sin shall never be allowed to have dominion over him. An unconverted mind is ruled wholly by the principles and propensities of a sinful nature: –it is, voluntarily and by continual desire, under the power of sin. Though perfectly conscious of its sin, and often feeling the importance of a deliverance from its power, it is still a willing captive, and determines, for the present at least, to abide in this condition, though the Gospel unceasingly and freely offers liberty from the power of sin. But the soul which has been led to fly for refuge to Jesus, to receive him as a Saviour, and to yield to his authority as a Ruler, finds the dominion of sin, and its own captivity to it, to be broken. The strong man armed is by the power of the Holy Spirit, cast down and overcome. The reigning power of rebellion has been dethroned, in the conversion of the heart to God. The dominion of grace has been established within it by divine power. This is an actual conquest, of which every converted man has been the subject. The captivity of Satan has been led captive by the power of the Son of God. But after this amazing change in man’s condition, there may be supposed a twofold danger possible, of the future restoration of the power of sin; — either from a change in the dispositions of man himself, or from the superior power of the enemy with whom he is obliged to contend. From both of these dangers, however, the man in Christ is made entirely secure, and by the same power.
He is rescued from the possible disposition of his own infirm nature to go back again to his folly, because he has received as a divine gift, a new heart. He has been brought voluntarily to choose a new path of conduct. His affections are really set upon new objects. These new affections are every day increasing in their power and constraint. He loves the things of God, and he loves them more and more. His mind is continually more alienated from disobedience, and more abhorrent of sin. He presses forward in the paths of holiness, because he has a delight therein. To suppose him to turn again with desire to the paths of sin, is to suppose him, either discovering deception and unsoundness in the heavenly objects which he pursues, which is impossible; or else to suppose, that continual love for an actually precious and much-valued object, has in itself a tendency to turn into hatred and dislike, which is absurd. How can sin ever again appear attractive to him, when he is dead indeed, unto sin, and it is the abominable thing which he hates? All his desires are by the Divine Spirit averted from sin; and with his own wish, its dominion can never again be restored.
But can he be led captive by its superior power, without his own consent? Still less is this possible. It was by absolute superior power that he was rescued from its influence at the first. Can the almighty power which then delivered him, fail? Nay, it has pledged itself to him, that sin shall not have dominion over him. The power of sin is broken, and though it dwells within him, it is only as a captive. It may be a restless captive, — an insurgent, unwilling captive, — but it is a captive still. It is left there, as the Canaanites were left in the land of Israel, to prove him, to make him watchful, to lead him and to excite him to pray and strive for farther conquests. While he rests upon the power of Christ, he may glory even in his infirmities, and feel that even when he is weak, then is he strong. His personal holiness is the subject of a divine covenant with him. God will make him holy, for He is holy. He has solemnly bound himself to do so. Sin cannot therefore have dominion over him, unless the enemy shall prove to be stronger than God. This is his certain security; and though his heart may be sometimes overwhelmed within him, it is still a joy to him, to reflect, that God hath solemnly confirmed to him His promise never to forsake him. The victory which has been obtained for him, is therefore, a final victory; and he shall be kept by divine power, through faith unto salvation.
The man in Christ is secure from rejection in the hour of his final trial. All men look forward to this day of account. There is an undeniable inward conviction in the mind of man, which it is extremely difficult to silence, that every secret thing shall finally be brought into judgment, before the Living God. Then the register of human life will be exposed, and men will be judged according to the deeds done in the body. Then, the man who bears his own guilt must sink forever. He cannot answer before God, for one of a thousand of his faults. And when infinite power, armed and directed by unerring justice, enters into contest with him, it will be impossible for him to escape.
But the man in Christ will not bear his own guilt. It has already been laid upon a Divine Saviour, who has borne it for him freely and entirely. Jesus has carried all his grief. And what penalty remains then, for man to bear himself? There is not one conditional justification of man now, and another actual one then which is dependant upon man’s own fidelity of conduct. The believer in Christ is now justified, and having peace with God, is justified forever. Then his acceptance will be publicly owned and declared in the presence of the Lord of all; — and the evidences arising from his faithfulness in life, will be brought forward to testify to the blessed fact. God will proclaim him as His servant and His property forever, and will receive him with a joyful welcome to His own abode. Though his sins have been as scarlet, they shall be found as white as snow. He can bear to have them all exposed, because their guilt and condemnation has been removed, and the Saviour is glorified in the amazing grace which has been manifested in their forgiveness. He makes mention of his Redeemer’s righteousness, even of that only; and whatever may be the accusations against him, this conquering Lord will answer for him, and he is secure. God will acknowledge him before the countless multitudes of the redeemed, as His own; as a jewel of His choice, forever and ever. And shouts of grace, grace, — shall exhibit and proclaim the bringing forth of the topstone of his salvation in the kingdom of his Father.
This is the security of the man in Christ. When these dangers are removed, there can be no other cause for fear to him. Secure in these facts, he is secure forever. God is the portion of his inheritance, and of his cup. In the Lord, he is justified, and he glories forever. There, is the simple foundation of his security. It does not depend in any degree, upon his own strength or works. It rests upon the simple fact, that he has been made through grace, a member of Christ, — of an all-conquering Saviour. His personal character is the evidence of his state. It bears the same relation to his actual condition, which the hand upon the dial-plate bears to the main-spring or the weight within. That is, it announces his real state to the eyes of others. If a man is not manifestly and uniformly, a holy, watchful, persevering Christian in his character and conduct, he is not in Christ at all. He has no spiritual connection with the Saviour. The Lord Jesus can dwell in no heart, but as the principle and source, of a new and holy life. But if a man be manifestly a holy, watchful man, he is not secure from condemnation because he is so, but because Christ the Lord, who hath chosen him to be His servant, maintains his cause, and answers for him before the throne of God. His own best deeds can never bear the scrutiny of divine inspection. His very imagination that they can, would itself destroy their worth entirely. Such a thought indulged, would be the pride of a fallen spirit. The ripest and the best fruits of grace in the Christian soul, are the deep lowliness and humility which cast down every high imagination, and lay all the glory of all the work of man’s salvation at the feet. of the anointed Saviour. Faith which lays hold, and keeps hold upon Christ alone, is the single instrument of safety to man. This cleaves to the blessed hope which is set before him, and rejoices in the conquests of the Lord alone.
How unspeakably important to guilty man, is a security like this! When a conscious sinner is going forward to his trial, is not the assurance that he shall come off secure, of inestimable worth? When the dying patient has summoned his physician, is not the assurance of certain recovery, and of future deliverance from disease, of priceless value? But such certain security as this, is offered only in Christ. Realize its worth, its preciousness to you. Through how many scenes must you pass, when you will require His presence and aid? How many hours of trial and distress will there be, when you cannot do without Him! You may look upon other friends, until they bid you farewell upon your dying bed. You may enjoy earthly treasures, until the last hour of life covers them with its pall of darkness. But then you will pine and sicken for the support, which is only to be found in Christ. You cannot behold an approaching judgment, or meet an unchanging eternity, on any other ground, than the perfect acceptance of your soul in the infinite sufficiency and righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no security for you then, but in Him.
This is the security which is now offered to you in the Gospel. How easily it is to be obtained! How much does this fact increase your ingratitude and guilt! If God had bid you do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much rather, when He only says, “believe and be saved.” The only security for your souls is in Christ. Receive Him, — submit to Him, — love Him; — and He offers all to you freely. Every blessing is thus proposed to you, — brought to your doors, — urged upon your acceptance. It is not to go up to the heaven, or down into the deep. It is but to take the mercies which are brought to your hearts, and thrust upon your acceptance. The responsibility upon you, is not of getting, but of rejecting, the unspeakable mercies of God. How amazing is the heedlessness, which shall reject such mercies, and such a Lord! You act in no other concerns, upon such principles as these. Smaller matters far, by your own acknowledgment, occupy your mind intensely. You drive through the world in ardent, anxious pursuit, of business, and gain, and pleasure. Your whole earnestness of soul, in purpose and feeling, can be given to earthly things. Alas! that all your energy should be wasted upon engagements which cannot profit; that you should have a taste for every thing which perishes in the using, and no heart left for the Glorious Redeemer who so affectionately invites you to find rest in Him.
Why will you thus submit to the hardening influence of an unconverted heart? Why, in defiance of all your convictions of interest and duty, drive from your souls that Blessed Spirit, who struggles within you, to lead you to embrace the provisions of the Gospel? Return, return to God, — from all your wanderings in folly, — from all your love for the things of this vain world; and seek and find in Christ, a fulness of peace, — a security of salvation, — an inheritance of life forevermore.
How wonderful is that infatuation which strives against the Divine Spirit who would lead men to Christ, and struggles with the attracting influence of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus, as if it were a forcing of man into Nebuchadnezzar’s Furnace, heated sevenfold! Yet this is the course and conduct of unconverted men. Thus do they always resist the Holy Ghost, and cast away with determined obstinacy, all the boundless mercies of the Gospel.
This page Copyright © 2004 Peter Wade. The Bible text in this publication, except where otherwise indicated, is from the King James Version. This article appears on the site: http://peterwade.com/.
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