384. 2CO 8:9. THE UNPARALLELED GRACE OF JESUS

2Co_8:9. The Unparalleled Grace Of Jesus

PART II

"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."’972Co_8:9.

We have previously contemplated the original riches, and voluntary poverty of the Redeemer; we have now to consider,

III. The great End Christ had in View in becoming Poor.

"It was that through his poverty," &c. Now,

1. The sinner’s poverty is clearly implied.

We were poor. Originally rich in holiness, dominion, and felicity; but by sin man lost all, and became poor indeed. He lost his crown, his inheritance, his raiment, his health, his happiness; blind, and poor and miserable, &c.

2. Christ’s gracious design is asserted; "That we might be made rich."

(1) Rich in knowledge, that we might know our state and remedy; might have spiritual light, &c.

(2) Rich in grace, in pardoning grace, that all our sins might be blotted out; in regenerating grace, that our natures might be renewed; in adopting grace, that we might obtain a place and portion in the family of God. That we might,

(3) Be rich in glory; heirs of an inheritance including glory, honor, immortality, and eternal life; "Heirs of an inheritance incorruptible," &c. It is further stated.

3. That our riches were to be obtained through Christ’s poverty.

Christ had to merit our riches by the endurance of poverty, sufferings, and death; he came from heaven to lead us to heaven; he became the child of man, that we might become the children of God; he was hungry and weary, that we might have an abundance, and rest; he was degraded that we might be dignified; he was hated, that we might have the love and complacency of God; he bore the curse, that we might be justified; he died, that we might have eternal life; he descended into me grave, that we might be raised from the dead to eternal glory. All our blessings are through Christ; he is the medium of every mercy. Let us notice,

IV. That this, on Christ’s Part, was an Act of stupendous and unparalleled Grace.

"Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ." Now grace signifies free, unmerited favor, the opposite of right and desert. Man, as a voluntary sinner, had a right to the curse, death was his desert. God, who was rich in mercy, devised a plan of salvation, that of infinite grace, that through Christ’s poverty, &c. Now the stupendous grace of Christ was displayed when we consider,

1. The worthlessness of the objects.

Utterly undeserving, nothing good left, incapable ever of yielding a return to God; totally degraded, and wretched, and vile.

2. The sacrifice made for their welfare.

The person is of inconceivable glory; the price, the mighty sum, is of incalculable worth; it passeth all human understanding.

3. The riches obtained; Grace and glory; abundant grace and everlasting glory. Observe,

V. The experimental Knowledge Believers have of this Grace.

"Ye know the grace," &c. Angels and demons, and wicked men, may all know it theoretically; but the believer only knows it by happy and saving experience.

1. They know it by its revelation in the Gospel which they have received.

In the Gospel this grace is made known; it is the glass in which they behold it; here it is described and published; hence it is called "the word of God’s grace;" "the Gospel of the grace of God;" "the grace of God that bringeth," &c. Now when this Gospel is cordially believed, then the grace of God is experimentally known.

2. They know it by its application to their souls.

Now this grace is essentially connected with every part of Christian experience Believers are called by Divine grace; justified by his grace, renewed by his grace, sanctified by his grace, comforted, kepi, sealed, and eternally saved by his grace. See Tit_3:4-7.

Application

1. Learn the true estate and condition of man in a poor graceless state. Let me press upon your attention; it is a universal fact, you cannot remedy it.

2. Learn the way of salvation Divine grace has provided; a Mediator in our flesh, one who has removed every obstacle at an infinite expense of suffering and humiliation for us.

3. Learn the greatness and glory of the salvation God has provided; he designs to make us eternally rich; these riches are provided, treasured up in Christ, and offered in the Gospel.

4. The extreme folly of indifference and unbelief; it perpetuates our moral wretchedness, and will finally sink into perdition. "Ho, every one that thirsteth," &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS