To close up therefore the sad moral history of a nature common to all of Adam's race was part of redemption's plan; that the power of sin as well as its guilt should be met. Thus not only is removed the burden of sins from the guilty conscience, but complete deliverance from the conflicting torment of the sinful nature which righteously deserves death. This Rom. 6 insists upon as already accomplished in the death of Christ, Who died for the believer's sins and to sin itself, thereby closing in death its state forever. “In that He died, He died unto sin once” for all. And such is the privilege of faith to reckon it as unchangeably true, whatever the contradictory experience consequent upon indwelling sin. No less is there complete deliverance from God's holy and righteous law, seeing that its righteous claims have no power over those who have already died. Hence the believer's triumph in the opening of chap. 8, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.” What freedom from an evil nature and its fruit, introducing to the accompanying truth of a holy life in happy liberty, even life in Christ Jesus and hence completely beyond all judgment! It is a government fully exhausted in and by Christ's mighty sacrifice where sin met its entire and final condemnation. Those too having the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, are set free from the spirit of bondage and fear, having received the Spirit of adoption whereby they cry, “Abba, Father.” Such is the wonderful platform the soul is placed upon with God the Justifier, crowned with the emphatic and confirming words, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are children of God; and if children then heirs, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.” Thus life, relationship, and heirship with Christ crown the incomparable ways of the wondrous grace of God, which infinitely eclipses all that David bestowed, even to a place at the table as one of the king's sons. To be set before God in such holy dignity and relationship in view of sharing the coming glories with the appointed Heir of all things, the present link of co-heirship in suffering of necessity follows: “If so be that we suffer with Him, that we be also glorified together.”
Creation still suffering the consequences of sin, as well as the refusal of the One Who alone could free it from the bondage of corruption, it must of necessity involve those having life in Christ in suffering with Him until the day of coming glory, when creation will share the liberty of the glory of the Children of God. Blessed hope with its bright prospect for the heavens and the earth, in a day when a greater than Absalom will be no longer at large to blind and deceive. But the true David will be enthroned to reign in Jerusalem gloriously, and thence to the ends of the earth. Meanwhile it must be and is the hour of suffering in a twofold way, “with Christ” and “for Him.” Suffering with Christ is consequent upon a holy life possessed and enjoyed in a scene of sin, pain, sorrow and death; and suffering also both for His worthy name and for righteousness' sake. But alas! how largely the sensibilities of the divine nature are deadened as to the one! and how very little loyalty of heart and true-hearted faithfulness are manifested as to the other, notwithstanding all that grace has given and is able to produce! Remember too that it is only in this favored hour that any can so suffer. Let it be seen (either by angels or men) how far the love and claims of Jesus our Lord with the sense of God's abounding grace outweigh all besides, especially of this perishing world.
Participation in the sufferings of Christ consequent upon sovereign grace bestowed is seen in its fullest shape in the case of Saul the persecutor and hater of Christ; afterward Paul the apostle and servant of Jesus Christ. The riches of grace in surpassing mercy met his desperate case, not only in his full, free, and eternal salvation, but in making him one with Christ the risen and glorified Savior. Thus was he fitted for suffering, and from suffering he never swerved, from the hour of his conversion until his departure. Suffering in each form not only marked him, but the loving spirit of an undivided heart in keeping with the one who said, “Let him take all.” In life and service Christ Jesus was his motive and object, governed by the unerring word of God through the indwelling Spirit. Hence the language of his heart was uprightly expressed in its extent and purpose when he said, “For me to live is Christ.” Service evidently to its highest honor was kept subservient, his chief desire being that Christ should be magnified in his body whether by life or death. The sense of grace in service was not lacking to his devotedness in preaching Christ even among the Gentiles. Moreover he labored more abundantly than all others, although careful to add, “Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”
Tested too beyond any as to natural position and advantageous circumstances (ever expedient for personal provision and comfort), yet when measured by his Lord and Savior everything was dung and dross compared with His excellency. Not only in the first freshness of his conversion and service did he so count, but “I do count” all things but dross provided he had Christ as his gain. False servants in the spirit of selfish deceitful Ziba surrounded him; but he knew (and warned the saints he so loved) that their end was destruction. Alas! their god was their belly, they cared only for earthly things. Jesus the Savior in glory completely won his heart at the first; sustained him through pilgrimage and service; and at the end the same Lord Jesus absorbed his affection in the desire to have Him as his own precious treasure and portion. His love also for the church and the gospel was undiminished. He never shrank from suffering for others, as he received it in participation with Christ, so that the Person of the Lord was practically unrivaled: even heaven and all its precious things sunk in comparison with Him.
The lesson of such experience and devotedness remains as a voice for to-day, a day when church profession and outward zeal prevail. Nevertheless it is not according to knowledge, much less in spirit and character with divine grace in a God-exalted but world-rejected Savior. Indeed it may be asked where is the testimony of the descended and abiding Spirit maintained? where do saints own His presence and all-sufficiency for exalting the Lord and Savior and the precious gospel, so as to make manifest the effects in divine power and fruit according to those produced in the Acts of the Apostles? Nothing however has changed, except alas I the state of the church not faithful. See the position and action of the servants of the Lord, both true and false. Further, the humbling cry may be raised, most heart-searching to all; where is the life of Christ reproduced day-by-day according to the worthy Pattern and Object set forth by the apostle to the Philippians? Christ Jesus in His perfect humiliation here and His glorious exaltation above need to speak afresh to all hearts. Particularly those who truly desire to live and walk according to Him (the worthy and unchanged Pattern and Object), should remember that He not only bore the sins of His people but left them an example to follow in His steps. It is too patent that professors of Christ are legion, though alas! such as were in Sardis of old, who have a name to live but are dead. No less the church in Laodicea specially marks the closing age of assumption and indifference, where the Lord is seen outside (if in grace still knocking at the door). Inside the thoughts and sayings are that they are rich and increased with goods and need nothing; they know not that in the Lord's sight and judgment they are poor, wretched and naked. This must ever be the case when Christ is despised for salvation, life, and righteousness; and mere profession even of religion without Him takes its place.
Most humbling too is the fact, confronting us on all sides, that so many true believers, in the enjoyment of the free forgiveness of their sins and of eternal life in Christ, are content to swim with the stream, and give their presence if not a helping hand to that system speedily to be judged. Such heed not the plain binding word enjoined by the Holy Spirit, “A form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Tim. 3:55Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2 Timothy 3:5)). Those too, who did run well in the path of separation to the blessed name of their Lord (once content, however despised and few, with His all-sufficiency), seem sadly otherwise; they at least need to taste more fully the power of His presence Who deigns to be with those gathered to His name. May we ever recall the unchanging principle given to the believing Hebrew, amid much religious pretension and ritual, “Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach” (Heb. 13:1313Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. (Hebrews 13:13)). Of this the most faithful need to be reminded, together with the timely and encouraging words, “Behold I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Rev. 3:1111Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (Revelation 3:11)).
At a time when so many reasons if not excuses are given to yield and go back to objects and ways once left, it is important that the ear should be closed to the voices of men, and listen only to the voice of the unfailing Shepherd, Who will ever lead and guide by His unerring word until He come. An undivided heart with the cherished sense of the boundless grace of God will by the Holy Spirit produce a fuller and more worthy answer to the One to Whom each believer owes everything, and thus be found in company with the gracious character of Mephibosheth and even the apostle Paul. God grant that the spirit of a true disciple with Christ in His rejection may be more faithfully desired and entered into by all His own, not only denying self in every form but following Him alone for Whom they are left here. May we be kept from ever seeking to separate present suffering and coming glory, knowing “If we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him.” Let us be assured that there is nothing (and never can be) to compare with Him Who loved and died for each and all His own, that they may be with and like Himself to His own joy and their eternal satisfaction.
Be it so, Lord Jesus, now and forever for Thine own name's sake. Amen. G. G.