Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. I. ITS NATURE. 1. It is an act of love. The acts of love are desire and delight, and they both agree in this Chat they are conversant about good, and are founded in esteem. But they differ because desire is the motion and exercise of love, and delight the quiet and repose of it. All, however, meet in Christ. 2. It is an act of love begotten in us by the sense of the love of Christ (1 John 4:19). The object of love is goodness. (1) The goodness that is in Christ, moral and beneficial (Psalm 119:140; Psalm 100:5; Psalm 119:68). (2) The goodness that floweth from Him (Titus 3:4). (3) The goodness we expect from Him in this world and the next (Luke 7:47; Matthew 5:12). 3. This love of Christ — (1) Is revealed in the gospel (Acts 13:48). (2) Is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost (Romans 5:5). (3) Is received by faith (1 Peter 1:18; Romans 15:13), which faith is(a) assent, a certain belief of the truth of the gospel concerning Christ as the only sufficient Saviour (John 4:42; John 6:69). (b) Consent, a readiness to obey the gospel. (c) Affiance, a reposing of our hearts on God's promise of pardon and eternal life (Hebrews 3:6). (4) Is improved by meditation (Psalm 104:34). (5) Is enjoyed more than all other things whatsoever (Psalm 35:9; Psalm 63:5; Psalm 73:25). II. THE SPIRITUAL PROFIT OF IT. 1. It is such a joy as doth enlarge the heart in duty and strengthens us in the way of God (Nehemiah 8:10; Psalm 119:14; Psalm 40:8). The hardest services are sweetened by the love of Christ. 2. It is a cordial to fortify us against and to sweeten — (1) Common afflictions (Habakkuk 3:17-18; Romans 12:12; Hebrews 12:2). (2) Persecutions (Acts 5:41; Hebrews 10:34; Matthew 5:12; 1 Peter 4:13; James 1:2). 3. It draws off the heart from the delights of the flesh. III. THE HELPS BY WHICH IT IS RAISED IN US. 1. A sense of sin and misery. The grievousness of the disease makes recovery the more delightful. 2. An entire confidence in Christ (1 Peter 2:7; Philippians 3:8). 3. A constant use of the means. (1) The Word; (2) prayer (John 16:24). (3) The sacraments. 4. Sincerity of obedience (1 Corinthians 5:8). (T. Manton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. |
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