It has been my object to view the man in Christ in this special connection;–to consider the blessings which he derives, and the duties for which he is responsible, from the simple, but all-important fact, that he is in Christ. In every aspect under which his character and condition may be considered, every benefit that he enjoys is made dependant upon the Saviour’s grace, and flowing continually from His good pleasure,–Christ is all. He has received a real and everlasting union with Christ, the gift of the Father’s love, and the result of the immediate agency of the Holy Ghost. In this work of divine mercy, he has been transformed in the renewing of his mind, subdued in the yielding of his will to the commands of God, enlightened to follow after heavenly treasures, elevated to desire and seek the things which are above, drawn to unfeigned and ardent love for the Saviour, and made cheerfully and thankfully ready to submit himself completely to Him. He has thus given up all attempts to establish any righteousness of his own, and has submitted himself with gratitude and confidence, to the righteousness of God. He has received Christ, both as a Sovereign and a Saviour. He acknowledges to Him as a Sovereign, that he has no claim or righteousness of his own; no reason in himself why mercy should be extended to him;–that he is justly condemned under the sentence of His law, and therefore has no merit whatever to plead in His presence; and that he must rely upon the perfect freeness of pardoning grace for every hope. he depends upon Him as a Saviour, who has fulfilled the righteousness of the law for him, and is ready to bestow His whole work of merit upon him. He relies, therefore, for all his hope, upon the actual humiliation, obedience, and triumph, perfected by Christ for him;–and trusts himself before God to be tried and sentenced, with no other plea than this perfect work of Jesus, as a Saviour, upon which he rests with simple and affectionate faith. He thus yields to the righteousness of the law’s demands, though it utters his certain condemnation,–and accepts the righteousness of the Gospel’s provision, as furnishing the only, and a complete redemption for his soul. He exalts the sovereignty of God, in confessing himself, like clay in the hands of the potter, dependant upon His absolute will ; and he exalts the salvation of God, by trusting himself unreservedly to its sufficiency and provision for him.
The single principle of his spiritual life, is therefore faith; an unhesitating belief of the words of God, and an entire reliance upon the merit and power of Christ. It is a faith, which is of the operation of God; an inward imparted perception and apprehension of the unchangeable redeeming love of God for him, which enables him to hope, and to rejoice in hope, notwithstanding the abiding sin which he still perceives within himself. He has thus received Jesus Christ the Lord, and he thus walks in Him. The living principle of his progressive course, is faith, which gives present substance to things hoped for, and is the assuring evidence of the things which are not seen. The man in Christ walks by faith, not by sight. In total despair of ever finding any good thing in himself, or of his own, or of becoming any better qualified by efforts of his own, for the exercise upon him of a Saviour’s love,–he commits his soul, his present and eternal welfare, entirely and unreservedly to Christ; both to guide him in this world, and to save him in the next; believing that He is both able and willing to do the whole work for him, in the freedom and fulness of his grace.
This trust in Christ, is the abiding motive and principle of the man in Christ. It is the very opposite of mere worldly prudence. The children of this world walk by sight, not by faith. To them the visible possession of a smaller gain, is better than the possible acquisition of a larger. But the Christian’s treasures are all unseen. He has nothing in visible possession. The earnest of his promised inheritance is the renewing and love-working faith, which the Holy Spirit has bestowed upon him, and maintains within him. And his whole walk, his uniform course of character, is a life of faith,–not faith in man, which is mere imagination, and is doomed with a curse,–but faith in God,–in the word of God; in the feeling and mind of God towards himself; and in the purposes and plans of God in relation to him. This is the view which I desire to take now of the man in Christ.–He walks by faith.
It is faith in the divine provisions for the pardon of the past. There is nothing in past life which awakens anxiety, or which need inspire concern, but sin. The troubles which have been encountered, and the sorrows which have been endured, have passed away, and are readily forgotten. But sin invariably leaves a sting, which harasses the mind, disturbs the conscience, and sooner or later awakens the deepest and most distressing grief. Unless this be pardoned, man is without hope forever. Unless man has some intelligence or knowledge of its forgiveness, it is impossible for him to be at peace. The fear of punishment, and the confidence in pardon, are necessary alternatives in an awakened and considerate mind. Nor can man rest, until he has some good reason to believe that God is really reconciled to him, and willing to receive and bless him. For the evidence of this important fact, the man in Christ rests upon the certainty of the divine word. God has provided and revealed a full atonement for sin in the offering of His Son. He has received Him as manifested in the flesh, a sufficient substitute and surety for guilty man. The Father has accepted His offering once for all, when the iniquities of men were laid upon Him, and He bore them in His own body upon the cross,–being made a ransom for them, a sacrifice instead of them. There is in this amazing provision of divine mercy and grace, a perfect sufficiency for guilty man. It is unquestionable that the blood of Jesus Christ,–God manifest in the flesh,–is able to cleanse him from all sin. There is a dignity, and worth, and power, in His mediation, in this peculiar attitude, as an offering for man, which furnishes the clearest and most sufficient ground for hope. Upon this, the man in Christ rests his confidence of pardon. He believes the testimony which proclaims this work of divine love; and commits himself, as a consciously condemned sinner, to its all-sufficient worth as a means of divine forgiveness for him.
There is in this system of grace, not only sufficiency, but adaptation also to his wants and condition. It is a plan which is perfectly suited to his case; which precisely meek the demands of his soul. What the law could not do through the weakness of the flesh, God, sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, has perfectly finished. And while the Christian contemplates this suffering, mighty Saviour, as actually bearing the burden of man’s condemnation, and putting away sin by the sacrifice of himself; he perceives it to be a plan, which precisely meets every need of his soul. It furnishes every thing in which he is deficient, and in just the way, most, suited to his necessities, and most adapted to relieve and comfort him. Upon the certainty of this provision, as made and proclaimed by the God of Truth, he rests himself in humble faith. It is all that he wants. He casts his burden of conscious guilt upon this suffering Lord, and is at peace. His evidence, his reason for believing, is the truth and certainty of the word of God, who cannot lie. The object upon which his faith rests, is this revealed Redeemer, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day, and forever. In the view and plans which this faith forms and acknowledges, Christ is all. To intrust himself to this all-sufficient Saviour, he does not wait for evidences within himself–the fruits and effects of faith upon himself. He does not make his own state of mind and feeling, the reason for his confidence in Christ. This would be confidence in himself, not in Christ.
There are many blessed results of faith, in the comforting and upholding of the soul, which are subsequent proofs that time Christian does really believe, not reasons why he should believe; and which can only come when he has actually committed himself entirely in simple faith to Christ. And it is an ensnaring temptation, which often leads men to seek for these effects of faith, as a ground of confidence and hope, rather than the mere truth and fidelity of God. The man in Christ lives and walks by faith, not by the fruits of faith. He comes as an ungodly man, a sinner against God; without seeing any thing in himself but sin; neither feeling nor finding any thing in his own heart and nature, but hardness, deadness, ignorance, and rebellion; and casts his soul for time and for eternity, on the revealed and sole sufficiency of an offered Saviour, on the free grace of God in Him, having and desiring to have, no other ground of confidence, than the covenant faithfulness of God, the indubitable certainty of His word. This never-failing faithfulness of God proves a strong consolation–an anchor to his soul, both sure and steadfast,–whatever difficulties and storms may arise to overturn his hope. Confiding in this, he looks upon God, as a pardoning God; and staggers not in unbelief; in approaching Him and resting upon him, as thus passing by his transgressions, and multiplying His pardons upon him, for the Saviour’s sake. He finds himself saved in this resting of his soul upon God, and. obtains increased strength in this quietness and confidence in Him. Thus he walks by faith in the divine provisions of grace for the pardon of his sin, and the acceptance of his soul with God. Being justified by faith, he has peace with God, through Jesus Christ the Lord.
It is faith in the divine protection for the security of the present. The solemn promise has been given, that all things shall work together for good, to those who love God. In the assurance of the truth of this promise, the man in Christ rests, with simple and entire confidence. He realizes the presence of an unseen, Almighty God,–a living present Saviour and Friend,–who is about his path, and spieth out all his ways. The simple dependance of his soul upon the divine promise and presence, settles all possible anxiety about his outward, temporal concerns. In the degree in which he is enabled to exercise it, he comes boldly to the throne of grace, feeling able in every condition to say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not fear what, man can do to me.” There is in his mind, an assurance of an all-sufficient, and all-controlling Providence, whose never-failing power orders all things both in heaven and earth. It is a Providence which has a special reference to the vessels of divine mercy, the heirs of salvation. He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. He can with sincere affection and confidence, say of the Lord, “He is my refuge, and my fortress; my God: in Him will I trust.” He is therefore without carefulness; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, he makes known his requests unto God.
His filial faith in divine protection answers every anxious question and concern of his soul. It covers all the possible contingencies of human life, and keeps him in perfect peace, while his mind is stayed on God. Whatever persecutions arise, and whatever sorrows press him,–whatever he may be required to lose, or to bear,–there is an unseen power ever at hand, going with him through the waters, and through the fire, making even enemies at peace with him, and bringing light out of darkness in his path. This faith is the grand practical principle of his life. It brings every event into a direct connection with a gracious ruling Lord. It constitutes every hour and place, as a time and occasion of spiritual worship. It enables him in every thing to give thanks. Though all present appearances may be against him, it leads him forward with confidence to an approaching hour, when the ways of God shall be made plain, and he shall receive the full reward of the faith in which he has endured;–an hour in which not only his Benjamin and Simeon shall be restored, but his long lost Joseph also shall be found again;–when God shall render him consolations double for all his trials, and his present light affliction shall bring out its far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
The same spirit of faith quiets also his inward conflicts, by presenting before him the assured upholding, renewing, and sanctifying power of the Spirit of God, as the Saviour’s covenanted gift to him. He has been enabled to cast himself entirely upon the power of a Saviour, whose promises of sufficient grace are all bestowed upon him; and he is confident that He is able to perfect the work which He has begun within his servant’s soul, and to keep that which his servant has committed unto Him, unto the great day. The Christian thus feels himself kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation ready to be revealed in God’s own appointed time. In the exercise of this faith, there are many conflicts to be endured, and many objections to be encountered. Sin, too frequently indulged and conscious sin,–not loved, desired, or wilful sin,–rises up in a thousand shapes in the soul, to unsettle its confidence, and overturn its hope. But faith enables the man in Christ to see himself accepted in the Beloved; and still to rejoice in the assurance of divine acceptance, though he find much to war with in himself. He sees that God regards him not as he is in himself, but as he is in Christ; and accepts him not for his own merit, but for the perfect righteousness of Christ. He confides in God as a faithful God, keeping His promises forever. He thus finds strength for waiting upon Him, for contending with every corruption of his own nature, and for cleaving closely and humbly to Him. Thus faith in divine protection overcomes all the arts of the adversary, keeps the soul in peace in the midst of its inward trials, and makes the man in Christ to rejoice in the assurance of the Lord’s goodness and favour to him. It is in this operation the principle of new obedience, and the fountain of holiness in the heart. While it is maintained, love, joy, peace, and every virtue flow out from it. If it can be undermined, and God be no longer regarded with confidence and affection–but with fear and distrust,–every fruit of the Spirit in the life and temper fades and dies. The Christian walks in holiness, only in the degree in which he walks in faith. It is this faith which brings him and keeps him in union with his Lord, and thus overcomes the world around, and purifies the heart within. Resting every thing concerning him without and within, upon the covenanted protection and acceptance of a faithful God, his path is a path of conquest and of peace; and he cheerfully presses forward to the hour, when he shall receive the end of his faith, even the salvation of his soul.
It is faith in the divine promises, for the comfort of the future. The man in Christ is a man of strong and precious anticipations. Whatever may be his present condition of blessing and comfort, he looks constantly forward for far better things to come, than he now enjoys. But all his hopes are regulated by the divine promises, and are resting upon them. In the concerns of the present life, these promises cover all his necessities and cares. He can be placed in no condition, which God has not already prepared, and for which He has not already made provision. As he looks forward to days to come, he seeks not great things for himself; and all things which are necessary for life and for godliness, God. has promised to supply, out of the riches of His grace and glory in Christ Jesus. Bread shall be given him, and his water shall be sure. His Heavenly Father knoweth that he hath need of all these things before he asks Him. This faith in the certainty and sufficiency of the divine promises, keeps him free from distracting cares for his future time; and enables him to commit to his Holy and Almighty Helper, every want and every fear, as it arises to his mind. How precious and comforting he finds this simple confidence in the divine provisions! He presses forward in the path of apparent duty, leaving all results to Him, who watches about his path, and spieth out all his ways,–and who, when He has tried him, shall bring him forth as gold. Clouds may arise over his transient prospects,–darkness may endure for the night,–but light is sure to spring up for him from its thickest glooms, and joy cometh in the morning. In all these anticipations, he walks by faith. God has spoken to him, in every variety of shape of illustration;–uttering promise upon promise;–filling up His sacred word with blessed assurances of providing mercy, upon which he hath caused his heart to rest. Each of these promises, to whomsoever among the servants of God, they may have been particularly, originally addressed, he feels a right to appropriate to himself:–they belong to all the servants of God, who are in the circumstances, to which they are adapted. They are like blanks already signed and sealed, in which each man in Christ, by a faith which embraces them, and gives them reality for him, writes his own name, and thus uses them, and walks in perfect confidence of their fulfilment to him.
But these divine promises reach far beyond the present life. God has laid up for His people, in future and unseen world, such glories as pass man’s understanding. There is a crown of life, a crown of righteousness,–a kingdom which cannot be removed,–an inheritance which fadeth not away. These, and more than these, are secured by the gracious promises of God, to those who first trust in Christ. They are all the reward of a Saviour’s merit, and the purchase of a Saviour’s obedience. They are the gifts of grace to all who believe in Him. The hope with which the man in Christ embraces and enjoys them, is founded entirely upon the gracious power and fidelity of this Glorious Saviour. Confiding in His exceeding great and precious promises,–resting upon His all-sufficient and justifying righteousness,–the Christian strong in faith, looks forward. without fear, to an eternal world before him. Whatever earthly hopes may fail, and whatever griefs the disappointments of earth may bring, these heavenly promises abide secure. Not one word can pass from them, until all be fulfilled. The assurance of this keeps the mind peace, and awakens the purest and liveliest joy, in the expectation of the hour when mortality shall be swallowed up of life; and man in the perfect possession of eternal glory, shall need the support of promises no more. In this walk of faith, in the divine promises, to live, is Christ, and to die, will be gain. And as faith thus brings to the soul, and prepares for its enjoyment, forgiveness for the past, and protection for the present,–so it also completely and securely provides, all comfort and abounding consolation at for the future.
These three operations of faith may be considered as comprising the principles of the walk of the man in Christ. By the one he embraces the Gospel, as the fountain of all his consolations. By another, he applies this Gospel in its blessed provisions of grace, to his daily recurring present wants. By the third, he expects and waits for the fulfilment of all its promises and provisions for him, in a future world of glory. The one answers all the questions of the awakened conscience under the burden of unconverted guilt. The other meets all the difficulties of a passing mortal life. The third consoles and removes all the infirmities and fears which conscious sin produces. The one assuages the griefs which memory creates from the records of the past. The other tranquillizes the anxieties which present endurance calls up from the facts now passing. The third sustains the heart in the anticipations which spring from the unknown futurity. In the employment of them all, the man in Christ walks by faith,–stands by faith,–and overcomes by faith, in his journey to a Father’s home. These are the principles of practical truth, and of spiritual strength, which I have desired to press upon the notice and acceptance of my readers, in these pages. Happy is the man who understands and employs them. They open a free, consistent, rational, and adequate path to eternal life, making Christ to be all for guilty man, and showing the actual present connection of Christ with His redeemed in the work of their personal salvation. 0 that every mind that has passed with me through the consideration of them, might be led in simple affectionate confidence to Him, as all the salvation, and all the desire of the lost.
This page Copyright © 2005 Peter Wade. The Bible text in this publication, except where otherwise indicated, is from the King James Version. This article appears on the site: http://peterwade.com/.
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