1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: I. BECAUSE OF THOSE NEW AND ILLUSTRIOUS REVELATIONS WHICH HE HAS GIVEN TO US OF GOD. Christ is the great Teacher of God. 1. By declaration. In the course of His ministrations He did not reason concerning God. "No man hath seen God at any time." Man, therefore, must darkly reason, and doubtfully infer. "The only-begotten Son, who lay in the bosom of the Father," neither acquired nor made known this knowledge in that way. "He hath declared Him." An instance of this declaratory mode of teaching we have in His conversation with the Samaritan woman (John 4:21-24). What instruction is here! What a contrast to the teachings of men! 2. By action. In His life, He was the visible image of God's purity; in His works, of God's power; in His condescending compassion, of God's yearning goodness; in the freeness of His gifts, of God's abundant grace and liberality; in His intercourse with His disciples, of God's regard for pious humble souls; in His denunciations of judgment, of God's justice; and in His death, the brightest and most awful demonstration was given of His holiness, justice, and love united. II. BY THE VIEWS WHICH HE HAS GIVEN US OF THE MORAL CONDITION OF MAN. The sinfulness, helplessness, and danger of mankind have all been acknowledged and felt; but in what new and awful views are they placed by Christ! Sin is not a trifle. See the proof of this in the sufferings of thy Saviour. It is not in man to make atonement for sin. Behold, the Victim which God appointed was both God and man. The punishment of sin is not light. If the Substitute so suffered, what must the principal suffer, should he reject his Saviour? By those sufferings justice was satisfied, and God reconciled to man; and this light is thrown upon our condition, that, sinful, helpless, and endangered as it is, we are all invited to obtain mercy. III. IN THE DISCOVERIES HE HAS MADE OF THE NATURE, EXTENT, AND POSSIBILITY OF HOLINESS. The foulest blot in creation is an unholy spirit. The brightest, the loveliest idea that can enter the human mind is that of moral order, and the purity of the heart. The nature of real holiness is explained to us by Christ. It is not a ceremonial holiness — the mistake of superstition. It is not merely a regulation of the heart and conduct — the mistake of philosophers. It is not a sentimental approval of what is fair and good — the mistake of men of imagination. It is the conversion of the heart to God; the renewal of the primitive image of God in man. The possibility of this is explained by Christ. Without hope there could be no effort. The agency exhibited by Christ in the accomplishment of our sanctification is equal to the effect. His Spirit is the sanctifier; and the whole process of our consecration to God is the mighty working of the Holy Ghost, with the means which He has appointed in order to that end. (R. Watson.) Parallel Verses KJV: But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: |
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