0307. A GREAT INHERITANCE.

A GREAT INHERITANCE.

"Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption" (1Co_1:30).

I. Man’s Great Need Implied. If wisdom and righteousness, etc., must be made over to us by God through Jesus Christ, it is clear that being without Christ we are-

1. Unwise. Foolish and ignorant with regard to the things of God, reckoning the preaching of the crucified foolishness (1Co_1:23).

2. Unrighteousness. Righteousness in its deepest and fullest sense can only come through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Rom_10:4).

3. Unholy. Natural goodness is not holiness; honesty or truthfulness in character will not alone fit us for the fellowship of God (Luk_18:9-14).

4. Unable to Save Ourselves. Christ must be made to us redemption. The price must be paid outside ourselves (2Co_5:21).

II. God’s Great Provision Revealed. "Christ Jesus made of God unto us." Christ Jesus "in whom dwelleth all the fullness of God" made to us-

1. Wisdom. Christ is the wisdom of God, as He would have that wisdom made known unto us (1Co_1:24). Oh, the depths of the riches of this wisdom!

2. Righteousness. Made wise and righteous by the imputation of our guilt and sin to Christ, and of His life and holiness unto us (Isa_45:24).

3. Sanctification. Not only justified from all things, but regenerated in nature, and delivered from the bondage and power of sin.

4. Redemption. The final redemption of the body. "Whom He justified them He also glorified" (Rom_8:30). Deliverance from the presence of sin!

III. How this Great Change is Effected. It is worthy of note-

1. That Christ and His blessings are inseparable. All are in Him. God cannot make us wise and righteous apart from Christ Jesus.

2. That these blessings are made over to us by God. "It is God who justifieth" (Rom_8:33). What a comfort that it is His doing! His work is perfect. He blesses us with all spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph_1:3-4).

3. That these blessings are made over to those who are in Christ Jesus. In Him are hid all the treasures of wisdom. Ye are complete in Him, His workmanship. "Created in Christ Jesus" (Eph_2:10).

4. That these God-given blessings, through Christ, are within the reach of all who believe. As many as received Him receive the privilege of sonship, "even to them that believe on His Name" (Joh_1:12). Seeing that these benefits are given us of God on the ground of Christ’s sin-bearing work through our faith. Where is works? Excluded! By what law? "By grace" (Eph_2:5). Saved by grace alone.

Autor: James Smith