815. 2TH 3:18. THE APOSTOLIC BENEDICTION

2Th_3:18. The Apostolic Benediction

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all."’972. Thess. 3:18.

It has been customary in all ages for the religious services of the sanctuary to conclude with an appropriate benediction. The benediction or blessing the Jewish priests pronounced was this,’97"The Lord bless thee and keep thee; the Lord make his face to shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace." The benediction of the apostles seems to have been generally of the construction of our text, with a little variation,’97and thus Paul concludes the chief of his epistles. At this season of the year, friends are in the habit of exchanging their friendly wishes; and as this will conclude the services of the sanctuary for the present year, let the text express our warmest and best desires on your behalf. Notice, then,

I. The blessing itself.

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ." Grace signifies favor, goodwill. May you have the favor of Christ. All the blessings of this life are blessings of grace; we merit nothing,’97have a right to nothing. Then all our temporal and spiritual blessings are of grace. But how are the blessings of the Lord Jesus Christ? In three respects.

1. He meritoriously obtained them all by his death.

We had forfeited all things, even life, by sin. Blocked up the way to heaven, opened the passage to perdition. Now he became our surety, and paid the penalty, so that in Christ God is reconciled. We owe all to his work, &c. "Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ," &c.

2. He came to publish and offer grace. The law came by Moses, but grace and truth by Jesus Christ. "God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world," &c.’97"I am come that ye might have life."

3. He bestows grace.

In him it dwells’97all fulness of it; and it is his, to confer it. "Whosoever thirsts let him come unto me and drink." All power is given to him. He is the sun of grace,’97the ocean of grace. Notice,

II. The benevolent desire expressed.

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all."

1. May the gospel of grace be the charter of liberty and hope.

Men are naturally captives’97bound’97prisoners, &c. The gospel proclaims liberty to the captive. "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." This frees the mind from guilt and fear, and it is the basis of hope. "Christ has loved me, and given himself for me." May this be the case with you. It has come to you in word, may it dwell with you in power. May you receive it by faith.

2. May the Spirit of grace fill your hearts with peace and joy.

The Spirit, Christ has promised and sent. If ye believe ye shall receive the Holy Ghost. He dwelleth in all the hearts of his saints. Ye have received, says the apostle, the spirit of adoption, &c. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirits," &c. Now the Holy Spirit produces peace’97the peace of God which passeth all understanding,’97and it also lights up in the soul heavenly joy,’97joy unspeakable and full of glory.

3. May the blessings of grace enrich your experience, and make you fruitful in every good work.

The Christian is called to work out his own salvation; to grow, to bear fruit, to shine, to do good. Who is sufficient for these things? Christ says, "Without me, ye can do nothing."’97"My grace is sufficient" Now this is as the rain or dew to the garden, or the food to the child,’97essential.

4. May the power of his grace be seen in your preservation and deliverance from all evil.

We walk in a world of peril,’97in the region of death,’97exposed to countless ills and woes. In this forest there is the tiger’s lair and the serpent’s path. How are we to escape? Christ’s grace will shield and preserve, keep and sustain. No weapon, &c.

5. May the designs of Christ’s grace be answered in your everlasting salvation.

Christ’s grace is to save our souls,’97to fit us for his will on earth; for a happy death, and a blissful eternity. May you realize it in all your sorrows and afflictions,’97in every movement of life; and thus be prepared for eternal glory. Notice,

III. The extent to which this desire is offered.

"Be with you all." The original signification was the Thessalonian church. With all the disciples of Jesus. "Grace be with all," &c. To every child of God on earth. But we remark,

1. That all present stand in need of it. Essentially so. It is indispensable to every one of you. You who are unconverted need restraining grace, sparing grace, converting grace.

2. There is no barrier to all of you receiving it.

God’s grace in Christ is offered to every one. No limitation, or respect of persons with God. If you desire it, seek it, and believe it,’97it is yours.

3. That a period will come when the possession of this grace will make the most momentous and everlasting difference.

Death will be such a period, and that will come. The judgment will be such a period, and that will follow. What a contrast will then be presented between the gracious and the graceless: those who have it, and those who have it not. Then let me, in applying the subject,

1. Urge it upon your immediate acceptance. Now receive the grace of God in truth. Now live for it, earnestly pray, "God be merciful to me a sinner."

2. Christians, improve it. Grow in grace. Let it be seen in and upon you. Lay it out: diffuse it.

3. Let gratitude be expressed for the grace of God displayed towards you during your past lives.

4. Exercise hope for the future. And now, to each and all, "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen."

Autor: JABEZ BURNS