1 Corinthians 15:41-42 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars… — Such a variety is — I. A FACT WELL SUSTAINED. 1. By all analogy. No two objects are exactly alike. This variety reveals the illimitable inventiveness of the Divine mind, and gives to the universe its freshness and charm. 2. It meets the instinctive love for the new in human souls. All souls loathe monotony. A dead uniformity would crush out its life. 3. It agrees with the varieties found amongst men here. No two minds are alike. Is it conceivable that in the higher world all souls will run into a common mould? 4. It accords with the general teaching of the Scriptures. Paul speaks of the temple of the good as composed of gold, silver, and precious stones. Christ refers to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as sustaining the most honourable positions at the heavenly feast. II. ESSENTIAL TO SOCIAL BLESSEDNESS. Suppose a society, all of whose members shall be exactly alike in temperament, experience, attainments, modes of thought, and forms of expression. Why, such a state of things would be incompatible, not only with social enjoyment, but with social life. The monotony would become intolerable. The utmost variety in speculative thought is compatible with unity of heart; and the larger variety in spiritual temperament and conception in any circle — where all hearts are one — the higher the social enjoyment. Most unwise, most impious have been the attempts to force on all men the same system of thought and form of worship. III. CONSISTENT WITH THE HIGHEST UNITY. Whatever variety in the stars — 1. They have one centre. Some larger, some smaller, some dimmer, some brighter, some moving more quickly, and some more slowly, yet all move round the same central orb: so with sainted souls. Whatever their diversities, they revolve round one great centre — God. 2. They are controlled by one law. Attraction moves all, regulates all, keeps each in its place and speed. One law, the law of love, rules all sainted souls above, however illimitable their varieties, 3. They fulfil one mission. They all catch the light from the central orb, and flash their borrowed radiance abroad through all their spheres. So with souls above. They are all the recipients and reflectors of Divine light and love. (D. Thomas, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. |
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