808. EPH 6:24. CHRISTIAN CATHOLICITY

Eph_6:24. Christian Catholicity

"Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen."’97Eph_6:24.

The human mind is prone to extremes. Hence we see men running into superstition on the one hand, or formality on the other; rising to a sort of fanatical enthusiasm, or sinking into indifferent listlessness. So also in reference to our estimate of other Christians, either there is cherished a spirit of exclusive bigotry and intolerance, or a spirit of extravagant liberalism, and indifference to the essentials of divine truth. Now surely there is a happy medium to be found between these wide extremes’97a medium wherein truth will not be compromised nor love destroyed. A. reference to the infallible truths of revelation will lead us into this radiant path of purity and peace. Our text is an epitome of it. "Grace," &c. Observe,

I. The characters specified. And,

II. The affectionate prayer expressed. I. The characters specified.

They are not described by any peculiar distinction’97by any creed which they held’97by any form of worship they adopted’97by any locality in which they dwelt; but by their uncorrupted love to the Lord Jesus Christ. Here are three things,

1. The object of their love.

"The Lord Jesus Christ." This description of the Saviour gives a full view of his excellences and glory. He is,

(1.) Lord. Said to be "Lord of all." Possessed of all possible power, authority, and glory. Lord of angels’97Lord of all worlds. Hence the address of the Father, "Thy throne, O God, is forever," &c.

(2.) Jesus. This signifies "Saviour," and it was given to him on account of his mission and work. "They shall call his name," &c. Hence the appropriateness of this name’97its sweetness’97its saving power.

(3.) Christ. Signifies "Anointed." The anointed Saviour. The Christ predicted, promised, expected, at length revealed; dedicated to God at his baptism by the Holy Ghost; attested by Jehovah as his Son, for whom he demanded the reverential attention of mankind. "This is," &c. "Hear," &c.

2. The nature of their hoe.

"Love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity." Here is the affection and the kind of affection. Now, love to Christ,

(1.) Is always the result of faith in his love to us. We never love him till we know, and believe, and feel his love to us. His love kindles ours; is its reason and cause. "We love," &c. "The love of Christ constraineth us," &c.

(2.) Love to Christ is always an evident emotion. We easily see the affection of the mother,’97of the friend, &c. Love to Christ delights in him, rejoices in him, extols him, obeys him, converses with and of him. Observe, this love,

(3.) Is sincere. It may be rendered "uncorrupted,"’97without alloy. It means real, in opposition to pretended love’97intense, in opposition to languid’97constant, in opposition to vacillating’97a love of Christ which is supreme; greater than any other,’97higher, more powerful, &c., a love which trials do not quench; which is not deteriorated by intercourse with the world; which glows and burns in the soul; which fills with holy jealousy for his glory; which assimilates to Christ’s likeness; which delights in union and communion with him. This is loving Christ in sincerity. Alas! how many love in mere word, in pretence, in profession, &c. Observe,

3. The extent of the prayer in reference to the characters specified.

"All them." Now, this is true New Testament catholicity. How different to the catholicity of Rome! The Romish church breathes peace and goodwill only to all Romanists; and by the Catholic church they mean all Roman Catholics in the world, and exclude and anathematize all else. What hypocrisy and delusion! Now, New Testament catholicity extends to the true disciples of Jesus everywhere. "All them." It does not say, "Prosperity to all their notions and opinions’97to all their forms and ceremonies;" but "Grace to the persons who love," &c. Corrupt as the Romish church is, there are, doubtless, many Christians within her pale, &c. So in every form and section of the Church of Christ; and the text includes each and every one of these dwelling upon the face of the earth.

II. The affectionate prayer expressed.

"Grace," &c. It does not mean that they may become the subjects of grace, for all who love, &c., are so. But it signifies, that grace may be supplied. All the grace they require. For all seasons and circumstances. In all its variety. In all its plenitude. Now observe here,

1. All the saints of the Lord Jesus require this grace.

None independent of it. None can be happy, or safe, or useful without it.

2. This grace is provided for all the disciples of Jesus.

It is common stock. "Out of his fulness have we all," &c. It is for all the family; no exclusiveness with the Redeemer.

3. We should seek sincerely in prayer that all may possess it.

And that for the following reasons:

(1.) All who love, &c., are loved of God and chosen of him.

(2.) They are all our brethren and sisters in Christ.

(3.) We are in circumstances of common need and dependence. We require their prayers for grace, &c. All saints are exposed to common perils, &c.

(4.) We have all one Spirit. All who love the Lord Jesus Christ have his Spirit.

(5.) We are destined to one common inheritance. There will be no sectarian niches above: Romanists, i. e., those who are pious, will not have one; nor church people; nor Wesleyans; nor Independents; nor Baptists. One grand temple; one commingling multitude; one united service; one affectionate congregation; all extolling divine love’97all reflecting it’97all filled with it’97all adding to it. One region of perfect happy love, with the grandeur and impress of eternity upon it. "Grace be with all them," &c.

Application

1. We see the true nature of apostolical Christianity.

A religion of love.

2. We perceive the unhappy influences of sectarianism.

The divisions’97the strifes; coldness, persecutions, &c. This is one stumbling-block to the conversion of the world. Let us abhor it’97avoid it’97return to the primitive spirit, &c.

3. The text does not annihilate essential distinctions.

It includes only the uncorrupted, &c. Men may pretend to love’97men may loudly profess; but is it borne out? Is it in sincerity? &c. &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS