Romans 15:29 And I am sure that, when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. That was a privileged man who could say this. Did he do so in the confidence of apostolic power, in the strength of some special Divine mission? I think not. There are many who carry with them their own atmosphere, radiators of holiness, overflowing with affection and full of heaven, whom you cannot be near and not feel that "a virtue goes out of them"; their very presence is a benediction. And those are the same men who are lowly enough to confess the power, not their own, but Christ's. But who are they? Those who live so near to God that they are always breathing in the Divine; and such was Paul. Observe these words in their series and their climax. I. CHRIST. And in His holy anointing is all which you can ever want for time or for eternity. A ransom paid, a life hidden, a friend at the throne, a brother at the side; all love, and all loveliness. II. THE GOSPEL. For you, poor miserable sinner, He died. He has "loved you with an everlasting love," — between you and heaven, between you and God, there is no barrier. III. THE BLESSING OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. 1. You are at peace. You know it in your heart's deep secret places that you are safe. 2. You shall serve Him, see Him, be like Him, enjoy Him for ever, 3. And your forgiveness shall become your holiness. He is in you, and you in Him, by living union. Therefore "as He is, so shall you be in this world." 4. You shall be blessed and be a blessing. IV. THE FULNESS OF THE BLESSING OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. It is all done. No fact in history more sure, more complete. The heavens are not complete; the angels are not perfect. But His work and His people are. An eternity of happiness — of usefulness, and of God. Conclusion: 1. Do not be afraid of a full, free gospel. It will neither make you presumptuous nor indolent. Nothing humbles like being loved. And how shall a man conquer his sins, and do good works, if he have not a motive? What motive is strong enough but the love of God? 2. Therefore, let me take care to preach, and you to receive, a full gospel. Not half fear and half hope; not half self and half Christ; not a partial pardon; not a change which is to come; not a possible heaven. 3. Now, when we meet, we are to come together with this "blessing." Woe to me if I do not so preach as to bring "this fulness of the blessing" to you! And woe to you if you do not so pray as to bring it to me! Very great is my privilege to preach it, and very large will be your loss, if, from prejudice, or fear, or unbelief, or Satan's wiles, or men's false teaching, you refuse it, or add to it conditions which God has never placed — or abate one iota from it. 4. And to one another you are to be a "blessing." When you go to a man, and try to speak faithfully to him, when you are teaching your child, when you engage in some work of mercy, or in each day's common converse, or recognise the promise. (J. Vaughan, M.A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. |
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