262. 2CO 5:14, 2CO 5:15. THE LOVE OF CHRIST TO RUINED MAN

2Co_5:14, 2Co_5:15. The Love of Christ to Ruined Man

"For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that, if one died for all, then were all dead: and 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."’972Co_5:14, 2Co_5:15.

The subject this evening is an epitome of the Gospel. It is a sort of brief analysis of the scheme of redemption. It is a declaration of man’s ruin, and of God’s gracious regards to him. It is a statement of the great doctrine of the atonement, and the influence it should produce upon us. It shows us how the apostle Paul, and his fellow apostles, felt on this subject. They had been charged with the madness of enthusiasm. This is their defence, "Whether we be beside ourselves," &c., ver. 13. "For the love of Christ constraineth us," &c.

We have,

I. An Affecting Description of Mankind.

"All dead."

Now this is a very common account of our fallen state. Hence the apostle says, "You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins." Eph_2:1. "Awake, thou that sleepest," &c.

1. There is spiritual death.

No life of God in the soul. Power prostrated. Signs of existence wanting. Heart cold. No pulse of praise No breath of prayer. No activity of the spiritual faculties.

Then,

2. There is judicial death.

Dead by law. Capital crime committed, and the extreme sentence of the law incurred. State of sin is one of condemnation. "Condemned already."

Then,

3. There is exposedness to eternal death.

"The soul that sinneth shall die." "The wages of sin is death." Now this death is the infliction of everlasting banishment from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. 2Th_1:9.

Then there is,

4. The universality of this state.

"Then were all dead." Now this word all, must include the whole world. Yes; his declaration relates to every child of man. "The whole world," says John, "lieth in wickedness." "God hath concluded all men in unbelief." Paul says, "Death has passed upon all men, for all have sinned."

Notice,

II. The amazing Exhibition of the Love of Christ.

"He died for them, and rose again." Yes; every event in Christ’s history was for the benefit of this fallen world. He was born for us, for the angels said, "Unto you is born," &c. "We bring glad tidings of great joy to all people," &c. He lived for us, and obeyed the law for us; and thus left us an "example that we should follow his steps." But his life and work were only preparatory steps to that great end for which God sent him into our world, and for which he gave himself to be the Saviour of our race. He came especially to die. To die for us’97to die for all.

His love was seen in that,

1. He died.

His death was emphatically an event always kept in view in divine redemption. The sacrifices all shadowed him forth as dying. The prophets foretold his dying. He himself told his disciples that he must die. He evidently had his own mind ever fixed upon this event. When he was transfigured, and conversed with Moses and Elias, it was respecting "his decease," &c. Now his death was altogether peculiar.

(1) It was voluntary. No one could have taken his life from him. Once when they came to seize him, he passed through the midst, &c. So when they approached him, he spoke, and the soldiery fell as dead men to the ground. He who could still the storms of the sea, and raise the dead, could certainly retain his own life. But when his time was come, "He yielded up the ghost."

(2) It was ignominious. He died not in the ordinary way either of age or disease; but a death to which the vilest of malefactors were appointed, the accursed death of the cross.

(3) It was extraordinary. At the Roman tribunal he had been pronounced innocent. Pilate had washed his hands, as a sign that he had no share in his death. And it was his own nation, the people to whom he came with grace and salvation, that clamored for his blood, and said, Crucify him, crucify him! Heaven and earth were also affected with it. The sky was hung as in sackcloth. The earth quaked. Rocks rent. The veil of the temple was torn in twain. And the centurion who had the charge of the execution exclaimed "Truly this was the Son of God!"

But observe,

2. He died for us.

That is, it was for our benefit. For our salvation. His sole object was our welfare Yet there is more than this; he died in stead of us. In our place. As our atoning sacrifice. Now this is the essence of the Gospel, "Christ loved me, and gave himself for me." "He was bruised for our transgressions," &c.

Then observe,

3. He died for all.

This is a theological point much disputed. Now generally admitted. It is particularly made known in the word of God. "All we like sheep have gone astray, but the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isa_53:6. Then the text, "If he died for all, then were all dead." Now in both these passages we have two alls, and they must both stand or fall together. It is obvious, that if one sinner had to be redeemed, a less sacrifice would not have been sufficient; and a greater could not have been given, had a myriad of worlds been redeemed. Yes; "He gave himself a ransom for all." "He tasted death for every man." "He is the propitiation for our sins," &c. 1Jn_2:2.

Observe,

III. The grand Design of Christ’s Death.

1. That we should not live unto ourselves.

Every unrenewed man lives unto himself. He acts as he pleases. He does not fear God. He does not acknowledge God. He is a rebel in a state of hostility. Without allegiance. And this is not only criminal, but ruinous They who live without him, shall die without him, and be deprived of his favor forever.

2. That we might live unto Christ.

Now, we live unto him, when the end of his death is answered with respect to us. When it hath saved us. Brought us near to God. "He suffered, the just," &c. When our hearts are graciously affected. When we give ourselves up to Christ. When our lives are devoted to him. When we exhibit his spirit, and live as he lived. In one word, when we feel and act as not being our own, &c. Whether we eat or drink, &c.

Observe,

IV. The Influence this Subject exerted on the Apostles of Christ.

"The love of Christ constraineth," &c.

The term is very emphatic. It may signify, it presseth us, binds us. Brings all our affections to one centre, even Christ. It may signify also, it transporteth us; lifts us above all transitory things, so that persons may think we are beside ourselves Or it may signify, it impels us. Urges on our course. Carries us out to live and labor for Christ.

1. It constrains us to love Jesus in return.

"Simon, son of Jonas, lovest," &c. He said, "Yea, Lord, thou knowest," &c. "We love him because he first loved us."

2. It constrains us to identify ourselves with his cause.

We cannot be indifferent to his church and interest if we love him. Hate all he hates, love all he loves. His cause ours. &c.

3. It will constrain us to suffer for his sake.

If we love him above all, we shall give up all for him. Yes; ease, and riches, and liberty, and life itself. "I am now ready to be offered up," &c. "Yea, doubtless, I count all things but loss," &c.

Application

Learn the sinner’s state. His remedy. The effects of renewing grace. And the almighty power of Christ’s love upon the heart.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS