404. 1CO 16:22. THE CERTAIN DOOM OF THOSE WHO LOVE NOT THE SAVIOUR

1Co_16:22. The Certain Doom Of Those Who Love Not The Saviour

"If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha."’971Co_16:22.

Nothing is more delightful than to expatiate on the goodness of God, and the grace of the Redeemer. "How beautiful on the mountains," &c. To bring wretched dying sinners glad tidings of great joy. To tell the sick of a physician; the poor, of riches; the miserable of felicity; the dying, of life; and the lost, of a Saviour, and a better world. But there is another department of the Christian ministry not so pleasant; and that is, to speak of the terrors of the Lord. To employ the threatenings of the divine word, and of the wrath to come. Yet, this part of our duty must not be omitted’97not neglected. It belongs to the office and work of the holy ministry; and by it, the sinner is to be warned, and left without excuse. I know not of a more fearful passage in all the word of God than the text; and I pray that its awful aspect may truly solemnize our minds. Let us consider,

I. The Character described.

"If any man love not." In describing this character, we need not refer to the infidel, the blasphemer, the persecutor, &c. The doom of these is obvious. To be different to these is not enough. We must love Jesus Christ. Christ is not loved,

1. If he dwells not in our hearts.

He says, "My son, give," &c. "Behold, I stand," &c. "Christ in you," &c. Christ is not loved,

2. If we trust not in his mediation.

We only can love Christ when we feel that he has loved us. His love must produce ours. But if we have not come to him, and do not rely on his work, we are in unbelief, and in a state of enmity to him. Christ is not loved,

3. Unless we are obedient to his commands.

"If any man love me he will keep my words." "If ye love me keep my," &c. "Ye are my friends," &c. Christ is not loved,

4. If we do not delight in his ordinances.

Do we hail the day of the Lord with delight? Do we go up with joy to his sanctuary? Do we gladly attend his ordinances? Walk in his statutes? Christ is not loved,

5. If we have not abandoned the world for his sake.

"If any man will be my disciple, let him deny," &c. He says, "Come out from among them." "Ye are not of the world," &c. "If ye love the world," &c. We do not love Christ,

6. If we are not zealous for his glory.

It was this that fixed the woman near the cross. This that caused Paul "to count all things but loss." &c. "God forbid that I," &c. "The love of Christ, &c. Christ said, "Simon, son of Jonas," &c. And then he said, "Feed my sheep. Love will burn for his glory, &c. Lord what wouldst thou have me to do?" Observe, then,

II. The Threatening denounced.

The text, we must consider as a predictive threatening. "If any man love not," &c., he will be accursed, when the Lord comes. Here two things are presented to us’97

1. He will be accursed, or anathematized.

To be anathematized, signifies to be separated, to be cut off, and delivered to punishment. Now, such as love not Christ, will be separated, or cut off,

(1) From the favorable presence of God. Now, he is gracious, then terrible; now forbearing, then he will be a God of vengeance.

(2) From all the means of grace and hope. No throne of grace; no offer of salvation.

(3) From the company of the redeemed and that forever. Now, they have the sanctuaries, the society, the prayers, &c. of God’s people. Then they shall be separated forever and ever.

(4) Now, this curse will be irremediable, and everlasting. Like God, who inflicts it, it will be changeless and eternal.

2. He will be accursed when Christ comes.

Maranatha, the Lord comes’97he will come to execute judgment, &c. Jdg_1:14; 2Th_1:6, &c.; Rev_6:12. Let us consider,

III. The grounds on which the infliction of this Threatening may be Justified.

1. If we appeal to the law of God.

"Thou shalt love the Lord," &c. Now, is the law right and good? if so, the Lord Jesus Christ is our Lord and God. And it is written, "cursed is every one," &c. If exalted dignity, moral glory, and unbounded goodness, have claims, then "If any man," &c. We shall see it right,

2. If we appeal to the gospel.

Here Christ is exhibited as our Saviour. Think of what he became’97where he came’97what he did,’97what he suffered, &c. He gave himself for us. Was obedient to death, &c. Now, not to love him is the basest ingratitude. The essence of vileness. It is to crucify Christ afresh &c. We shall not only see it right, but inevitable,

3. If we appeal to the nature of things.

If we do not love Christ, how can we delight in him, enjoy him, &c. Our desires and feelings cannot centre in him. How sing; how adore; how delight in his presence, &c.

Application

1. Mark the universality of the threatening. "If any man," &c. Whoever he may be.

2. How numerous are the motives to love Jesus!

3. If you desire to do so, seek his renewing grace

Autor: JABEZ BURNS